Best Tim Talbot Podcasts (2025)

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The Bible and The Use of Alcohol (with John Anthony Dunne) 34:12

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1h ago34:12

34:12

What does the Bible say about the use of alcohol? How is alcohol both God’s gift and a curse at the same time? What does the use of wine in the Eucharist say about acceptability for other uses? We’ll address these questions and more with our guest Dr. John Anthony Dunne around his book The Mountains Shall Drip Sweet Wine. Dr. John Anthony Dunne is …

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The American Religious Landscape (with Ryan Burge) 34:32

2d ago34:32

34:32

America has a religious landscape unlike any other country on earth. But it is rapidly changing. In this episode, we interview Ryan Burge, a leading demographer on religious trends in America. We discuss the present state and future of evangelicalism. And we explore the growth and status of other religious groups such as Jews, Muslims, Latter-day S…

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Cultural Update: Disobeying Unlawful Orders; The Truth Physics Can No Longer Ignore; Rightward Shift Among Young Men 58:18

6d ago58:18

58:18

Stories this week: A woman in Japan “marries” an AI chatbot, raising serious questions about the nature of marriage, human relationships, and how emerging technologies blur the line between real and artificial intimacy. An Atlantic article suggests physics may be reaching the limits of reductionism, as living systems exhibit emergence, self-organiz…

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The AI Revolution: Expert Roundtable 1:29:07

9d ago1:29:07

1:29:07

It is not an understatement to say that AI has revolutionized virtually every aspect of human life. What should characterize a Christian posture towards AI? Should we be concerned? Optimistic? How do we think biblically about it the emergence of new AI technology? In this unique episode, Sean is joined by three Biola/Talbot professors who are exper…

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Cultural update: Australia's Social Media Ban; Marijuana and Youth Health; Study on Charlie Kirk Death 1:01:07

13d ago1:01:07

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Stories this week: Marijuana and youth health: New medical studies show legalization has coincided with a sharp rise in adolescent ER visits, including severe physical and psychiatric effects, raising ethical and biblical concerns about bodily stewardship. Australia’s social media ban: Australia enacted the world’s first nationwide ban on social me…

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The Remarkable and Influential Life of Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop 40:26

15d ago40:26

40:26

Who was Dr. C. Everett Koop and why is his life so significant? How did he become so passionate about abortion? How did he navigate bioethical controversies during his tenure as Surgeon General under President Ronald Reagan? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest and Dr. Koop’s biographer, Dr. Nigel Cameron. Biographer Nigel Cameron …

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Cultural Update: Jesus Bots; UCSD Education Crisis; The New Singlehood Dilemma; Guns in Church 59:58

22d ago59:58

59:58

This week: “Jesus Bots” & AI Spirituality: Sean and Scott discuss a New York Times piece on religious chatbots, raising concerns about me-centered faith, shallow “AI Jesus” advice, and how tech may distort spiritual formation. UC San Diego’s Education Crisis: A Wall Street Journal editorial reveals that 1 in 12 UCSD freshmen can’t perform middle-sc…

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Biola's Commitment to Biblical Truth: A Conversation with President Corey 50:34

20d ago50:34

50:34

Is Biola University staying true to its biblical mission? In this candid episode of the Think Biblically podcast, Biola University President Dr. Barry H. Corey joins hosts Dr. Sean McDowell, associate professor of Christian apologetics, and Dr. Scott Rae, senior advisor to the president for university mission and professor of philosophy and Christi…

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Seeing Good in the World (with Tim Muehlhoff) 47:43

23d ago47:43

47:43

Why is it that Christians tend to focus on the brokenness of creation rather than its goodness? What if we shifted our attention to highlighting that God made the world to be our home, and as a result, focused on loving the world? Sean and Tim Muehlhoff discuss the proper balance we can find between recognizing the sinfulness and goodness of the wo…

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The Cost of Ambition (with Miroslav Volf) 47:44

1M ago47:44

47:44

While God has made us to be ambitious, there can be a deep spiritual cost for striving to be better than others. Miroslav Volf is one of the leading public theologians. In this episode, based on his book "The Cost of Ambition," Dr. Volf explains how the teachings of Jesus and Paul offer a means for how we can aim for excellence without being plague…

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Cultural Update: The Loneliness Epidemic; Tesla’s Robot Army; Why Orthodoxy is Surging in the U.S. 1:02:01

1M ago1:02:01

1:02:01

Loneliness & Misinformation: Sean and Rick unpack new research linking rising loneliness, especially among young adults, to increased susceptibility to conspiracy theories and online misinformation, emphasizing the need for real community and diverse conversation partners. Tesla’s ‘Robot Army’: They discuss Elon Musk’s ambitious plan to deploy one …

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The Long Term Impact of the Sexual Revolution (with Jennifer Morse) 37:15

1M ago37:15

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What are the main tenets of the sexual revolution and who are some of the main victims? How do the debates over gender connect to the overall sexual revolution? Who are some of the main victims of the sexual revolution? What is the view of the body in gender ideology and how is that different from a Christian view of the body? We’ll answer these qu…

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Cultural Update: Nick Fuentes and Tucker Carlson; Animal to Human Organ Transplants; Abortion Access 57:23

1M ago57:23

57:23

Abortion access after Dobbs: Sean and Scott unpack a New York Times editorial on how telehealth and the abortion pill have reshaped the landscape, debate concerns about safety and framing, and address misleading claims around emergency care. Rising antisemitism: The hosts analyze the resurgence of antisemitism across the political spectrum—includin…

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Godly Ambition (with Ruslan KD) 1:15:56

1M ago1:15:56

1:15:56

How can we unlock our talent, treasure, and time for the kingdom? Ruslan KD is a highly successful YouTuber, entrepreneur, and rapper. He has a new book out called "Godly Ambition." He and Sean discuss his journey to faith and how to develop a platform for Christ without falling into many dangerous traps of our social media age. Ruslan KD, a hip-ho…

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Cultural Update: Zohran Mamdani; AI Erotica; Surrogacy in Crisis 59:31

2M ago59:31

59:31

NYC’s New Mayor: Sean and Scott discuss the election of progressive Muslim democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor—exploring socialism’s renewed appeal, the moral framework behind market economies, and biblical principles of work, property, and caring for the poor Surrogacy in Crisis: Troubling trends in the surrogacy indu…

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Tim Tebow: Behind the Scenes 1:35:39

2M ago1:35:39

1:35:39

Tim Tebow is known for being a Heismann Trophy winner and an NFL quarterback. But he also spearheads one of the most influential anti-trafficking organizations today. He has a new book out, Look Again, in which he talks about the importance of understanding human value and caring for the vulnerable amongst us. Sean and Tim have a fun, intense, and …

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Cultural Update: Gambling and Sports; Growing Discontent in Relationships 1:02:17

2M ago1:02:17

1:02:17

Relational Discontent: Sean and Rick discuss a New York Times piece on growing unhappiness in modern relationships, exploring how dating apps and individualism have replaced duty and community with self-focused fulfillment. They contrast fleeting “happiness” with the deeper pursuit of meaning. Gambling and Sports: They unpack the NBA betting scanda…

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Common Ground on Women in the Church and Home (with Gregg Allison) 31:42

2M ago31:42

31:42

Is there a way to reconcile differences in the body of Christ over the role of women in the church and the home? In some ways, this issue is tearing the church apart, and our guest on this episode has a unique proposal of how the church can move forward with unity on this topic amidst significant differences. Professor Gregg Allison is the author o…

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Answering Your Questions 57:10

2M ago57:10

57:10

We have so many great questions that come in each week and only have time for a handful of them on our Weekly Cultural Update. So we’re devoting this entire episode to your questions. This time the questions deal with the following: Is there a biblical mandate to vote? Should we use gene editing to cure Down syndrome? Where does national identity f…

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How the Intricacy of the Human Body Points to a Designer (with Rick Zimmerman) 30:48

2M ago30:48

30:48

What are some of the aspects of the human body that point to the design of God?; For example, how does the function of your eyes, lungs and even the function of your individual cells point to God as an intelligent designer? How does religious observance affect a person’s physical and mental health? We’ll answer these questions and more with our gue…

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Cultural Update: Hostages Released; Gen Z Christianity and Suicide; Nigerian Persecutions 1:02:26

2M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

Scott is joined by guest co-host Erik Thoennes to discuss: Hostage Return in Gaza: Celebrating the return of all surviving Israeli hostages and discussing the theological and political complexities of the Israel–Gaza peace accord. Faith and Gen Z: Exploring new data showing a rise in Christian faith among Gen Z—even as suicide rates among the same …

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Unearthing Colossae: Excavation of Paul’s Ancient City (with Clint Arnold) 33:56

2M ago33:56

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After centuries of anticipation, the ancient city of Colossae—the site of Paul’s letter to the Colossians—is finally being excavated. Dr. Clint Arnold, one of the world’s foremost experts on Colossians, joins Sean McDowell to share breaking news from the dig in modern-day Turkey. They explore why this excavation is historic, what discoveries could …

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Cultural Update: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire; Conversion Therapy and Free Speech 56:27

3M ago56:27

56:27

Topics this week: Marijuana’s Real Impact: A new study finds 40% of fatal crash victims in one Ohio county had high levels of THC, sparking discussion on how far legalization has gone and why Christians must discern between what’s legal and what’s right. AI and the End of “Seeing is Believing”: Sean and Scott unpack the dangers of AI-generated vide…

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Dangerous Devices? (with Trevor Sutton) 37:29

3M ago37:29

37:29

Why have so many “time saving” devices actually not saved us any time? How do you know if your devices work for you or you work for them? What guidance is there for an appropriate use of AI? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr. Trevor Sutton, pastor and professor specializing in the intersection of theology and technology. A. T…

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Cultural Update: Faith and Politics after Charlie Kirk; Human Eggs from Skin Cells; Pregnancy Robots 59:52

3M ago59:52

59:52

Scott is joined by colleague Rick Langer to discuss: Faith and Politics after the Kirk Shooting – A provocative article on whether Christians should see themselves as warriors or servants, contrasting combative approaches with Dallas Willard’s vision of gentleness in apologetics and civil discourse Abortion Statistics: Good News and Bad News – New …

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A Christian Response to Physician Assisted Suicide — Perspective from Canada (with Ewan Goligher) 39:48

3M ago39:48

39:48

What is the state of assisted suicide/euthanasia in Canada today?; How significant are the financial pressures on the Canadian health care system and is that a reason that PAS/E is encouraged?; What is involved in a Christian response to PAS/E? We’ll address these questions and a few more with our guest Dr. Ewan Goligher, critical care physician an…

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Cultural Update: What About Those Rapture Promises?; Charlie Kirk and Faith in Politics 1:00:30

3M ago1:00:30

1:00:30

Scott & Sean's topics this week: Failed rapture predictions once again made headlines, fueled by social media hype, raising questions about biblical teaching, authority, and how Christians should respond with truth and compassion Reflection on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the role of faith in politics, with insights from David Brooks’ conc…

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Can Christlikeness and Competitiveness Go Together? (with Erik Thoennes) 46:25

3M ago46:25

46:25

What does it mean to play sports for the glory of God? How do you keep someone from tying their identity to their success in sports? And why do parents sometimes have a greater interest in their child’s success in sports than the child himself/herself? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, our Talbot colleague in theology, Dr. Erik …

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Cultural Update: Cancel Culture Resurfaces; Surveillance State in New York 58:52

3M ago58:52

58:52

This week's topics: Police surveillance in New York – Sean and Scott discuss the rise of citywide tracking, privacy rights, and biblical perspectives on government power and personal freedom. Graphic killings on social media – They reflect on how viral videos of violent deaths, including Charlie Kirk’s assassination, can deaden our souls, dehumaniz…

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"Dad Deprivation" and the Importance of Fathers (with Anthony Bradley) 41:01

3M ago41:01

41:01

What accounts for the dramatic growth of kids living without their biological father in the home? What are some of the social impacts of what is called “dad deprivation?” What is the effect of dads on the mental health of kids? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Dr. Anthony Bradley, well known scholar and author, current disting…

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Cultural Update: Charlie Kirk Assassination; Sex Change Regrets; AI's effect on high schoolers 1:07:56

4M ago1:07:56

1:07:56

This week, Sean and Scott discuss: How should Christians respond to the assassination of Charlie Kirk? Will the CDC recognize the suffering of individuals who've attempted to change their sex and regret it? A study across 5 continents finds that men and women with multiple sex partners are less desirable as long-term mates In an Atlantic essay, a h…

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Spiritual Warfare and the Powers of Darkness (with Clint Arnold) 47:19

4M ago47:19

47:19

Whether in the occult, astrology, or New Age, interest in the supernatural has increased in the past few years. What can we learn about the spiritual realm, and spiritual warfare, from the letters of Paul? Talbot professor Clint Arnold is one of the leading New Testament scholars in the world. He joins the Think Biblically podcast to talk about his…

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Cultural Update: Does Marriage Have a Future?; Women's Happiness Around the World 59:39

4M ago59:39

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Scott is joined by guest co-host Erik Thoennes this week to discuss: Marriage: A New Atlantis essay argues tech and economics have “unbundled” marriage; the hosts counter that a Christian vision roots love, covenant, and fidelity amid today’s easy-in/easy-out norms. Women’s happiness: An Atlantic/IFFS survey finds married mothers are about twice as…

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How Much Can Christians Compromise on Sexuality? 1:18:37

4M ago1:18:37

1:18:37

Is it time for the church to set aside theological differences about the morality of same sex unions and gender identity and find common ground in the Gospel? Is same sex marriage a disputable issue that should not divide us believers? According to a new book, the answer to both these questions is yes. The book is called Christlike Acceptance Acros…

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Cultural Update: Is Climate Change a Big Deal?; Adulthood Milestones Delayed; School Shooting 59:11

4M ago59:11

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This week, Scott & Sean discuss: A massive new government study challenges common narratives about climate change A new study shows that markers of adulthood are occurring later and later for millennials and Gen Zers A terrible school shooting at a Catholic elementary school in Minnesota Listener Questions ========== Think Biblically: Conversations…

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Is Business a Force for Good? (with Jim Otteson) 37:36

4M ago37:36

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What’s a business for? Why is there skepticism about business among younger generations today? What do we say to the notion that business is based on greed, that it creates consumerism and contributes to growing economic inequality? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest Dr. Jim Otteson, professor of business ethics at Notre Dame. Jam…

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Cultural Update: Single Dads by Choice; Abortion Pills at Costco; Americans dying more often 59:21

4M ago59:21

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This week, Sean and guest co-host Rick Langer discuss: A growing trend of men becoming single dads by choice sparks discussion on meaning, technology, and the impact on children when family design is redefined. New research shows American millennials and Gen Z are dying at 2.6 times the rate of peers in other wealthy nations—raising questions about…

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A Biblical Guide to Navigating Youth Sports (with Ed Uszynski) 35:26

4M ago35:26

35:26

How can Christian parents and other Christian leaders best navigate youth sports? What are some of the toxic elements of youth sports that Christians can avoid, or strategically use as an opportunity for ministry and growth? Our guest today, Ed Uszynski, is the author of a new book Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. E…

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Cultural Update: AI takeover of education; proposed law overturning same-sex marriage; increased demand for euthanasia 53:21

5M ago53:21

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AI's takeover of education leaves rising seniors as the last students to remember high school before ChatGPT, raising questions about AI’s lasting impact on education. A Supreme Court case seeks to overturn same-sex marriage, prompting discussion on how Christians should respond culturally and theologically. Demand for euthanasia in Canada now outp…

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Economics and the Fertility Gap (with Clara Piano) 28:09

5M ago28:09

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Why is fertility in decline around the world? What is the long term social impact of this decline? And why is marriage so central to fertility rates? We’ll discuss these questions and much more with our guest, University of Mississippi economist Dr. Clara Piano. Dr. Clara Piano is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Mis…

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Cultural Update: Teen use of AI chatbots; Canada pushes to expand euthanasia; cash aid lacks results; designer babies fall short 59:12

5M ago59:12

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Teen use of AI chatbots is on the rise, prompting concern over emotional dependency, harmful content, and the loss of real human connection. Cash aid to low-income families lacks results, challenging assumptions about poverty and flourishing. Canada pushes to expand euthanasia to mental illness, raising ethical alarms about autonomy, consent, and t…

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The Pursuit of Safety — At What Cost? (with Jeremy Lundgren) 30:32

5M ago30:32

30:32

Does God promise to always keep us safe? What does the Bible have to say about our pursuit of safety for ourselves and our kids? How can the pursuit of safety become a form of idolatry in our lives? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Talbot grad Jeremy Lundgren in his new book, The Pursuit of Safety: A Theology of Danger, Risk a…

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[BONUS] An Ex-Abortion Doctor Shares Her Story (with Catherine Wheeler) 1:12:09

5M ago1:12:09

1:12:09

Why would an abortion doctor change her mind about the morality of abortion and become a Christian? On this bonus episode of the Think Biblically podcast, Dr. Catherine Wheeler shares her compelling and powerful story of redemption and transformation from an abortionist to a pro-life activist. If you want to watch this episode in person, please vis…

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Scrolling Ourselves to Death (with Brett McCracken) 34:55

5M ago34:55

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Screens and social media have reshaped the world and our minds, bringing an appetite for distraction, loneliness, and increased rates of mental health challenges. It is time for Christians to rethink their relationship with screens and to consider what it means to live faithfully in our screen-dominated world. Our guest today, Brett McCracken, is t…

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[BONUS] Does the Church Need "Queering"? (with Brandan Robertson) 1:30:59

5M ago1:30:59

1:30:59

Does the church need a "queer revolution"? Do we need a new reformation akin to the Protestant Reformation? In this discussion, Sean talks with author and progressive pastor Brandan Robertson about his new book Queer & Christian. They have a friendly debate about their different moral and theological frameworks and then discuss key biblical passage…

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Why Religion Went Obsolete (with Christian Smith) 33:00

5M ago33:00

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Has traditional faith become obsolete in America? And if so, what are the main contributing factors? Until now, there has not been a thorough sociological analysis of the various factors contributing to the demise of religion in America since the 1990’s. In this interview, rooted in his latest book Why Religion Went Obsolete, Dr. Smith offers a 30,…

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[BONUS] Deadpool Creator Talks Faith and Comics (with Rob Liefeld) 1:27:48

6M ago1:27:48

1:27:48

What happens when a comic book legend sits down to talk about faith? Sean got to interview Rob Liefeld, creator of Deadpool, Cable, and many iconic Marvel characters, to explore the intersection of faith, creativity, and culture. Rob and I discuss his journey in the comic book world and the creation of Deadpool, how his Christian faith has shaped h…

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Living as Outsiders in Our Culture (with Patrick Miller) 31:57

6M ago31:57

31:57

What does it mean that the Christian is an outsider in one’s community? How do we engage our divisive culture well and faithfully at the same time? What might your particular style for cultural engagement be? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, pastor Patrick Miller, around his new book, Joyful Outsiders: Six Ways to Live Like Jes…

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[BONUS] Debating Miracles (with Paul Rinzler) 1:20:13

6M ago1:20:13

1:20:13

In this bonus episode, Sean discusses the possibility of miracles with atheist professor Paul Rinzler. This conversation was part of the Veritas Forum at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in the spring of 2025. McDowell and Rinzler discuss the evidence for miracles and whether or not it is reasonable to believe in the supernatural today. If you want to watc…

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Family Unfriendly (with Tim Carney) 31:40

6M ago31:40

31:40

Parents are spending more time with their kids than in the past, and yet kids are less happy and less healthy. Given that the population of children is shrinking at an alarming rate, we need to figure out what is going on. Could it be that our culture is making raising kids harder than it needs to be? That is the suggestion of our guest today, Tim …