Best Scott McDowell Podcasts (2026)

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Surrender, Calling, and Spiritual Maturity with A. R. Bernard 50:01

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17m ago50:01

50:01

Today on the No Regrets Podcast, Nate Gruber talks with Pastor A. R. Bernard, Founder and Pastor of Christian Cultural Center, one of the largest and most influential churches in the United States. Pastor Bernard shares his remarkable story—from being raised by a single mother who immigrated to the U.S., to finding Christ while working in the world…

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

7d 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

14d 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

18d 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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God Might Be Real—But Is He Personal? | Tim Keller & Anthony Kronman

19d ago

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The Christmas season, at its heart, is about giving. We spend days—even weeks—searching for thoughtful, personalized gifts to bring joy to those we love. For Christians, the ultimate gift was given on Christmas: God becoming human in Jesus. This wasn’t an abstract idea, but a deeply personal act—one that changed the world forever. In today’s episod…

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Christmas Cranks and Christmas Blessings with Justin Taylor and Collin Hansen 1:06:08

19d ago1:06:08

1:06:08

If you are looking for a podcast where three friends talk about whatever they want to talk about and ramble on about sports, books, and grievances, then this is the episode for you! It’s also an opportunity to hear the three amigos laugh, tell funny stories, and end with a reflection on the many simple gifts and graces in their lives.…

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The AI Revolution: Expert Roundtable 1:29:07

21d 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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Bob Merritt on Humility, Leadership, and Letting God Lead 35:44

21d ago35:44

35:44

Today on the No Regrets Podcast, host Albo Esilaba is joined by Bob Merritt, retired pastor of Eagle Brook Church in Minnesota. Under Bob's leadership, Eagle Brook grew to more than 28,000 people across 10 locations. In this honest and meaningful conversation, Bob and Albo talk about pride, humility, friendship, and trusting God through every seaso…

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Life and Ministry in Charlotte and in the SBC with Clint Pressley 53:07

22d ago53:07

53:07

In a rare cultural anomaly that may never be repeated in our lifetimes, the current SBC President and current PCA Moderator live in the same neighborhood just a few streets apart. What a time to be alive, people! In this hometown episode, Kevin talks with Clint Pressley—native Charlottean, senior pastor at Hickory Grove Baptist, and current preside…

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

25d ago1:01:07

1:01:07

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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That's a Wrap! Best Episodes from 2025 + Sneak Peek at 2026 17:22

26d ago17:22

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We’ve reached the end of another amazing year on the podcast — all thanks to you, our listeners! In 2025, we had over 100,000 listens and over 6 million YouTube views across 140 different countries. We’re so grateful for the thousands of you who listen to the podcast and watch our forums online every week. In this episode, Seth (our podcast host an…

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

26d 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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Building a God-Centered Life in a Me-Centered World with Thaddeus Williams 47:20

28d ago47:20

47:20

Today on the No Regrets Podcast, Thaddeus Williams is joined by host Nate Gruber. Thaddeus is a professor of theology at Biola University, an author, and a trusted voice helping believers navigate culture with biblical wisdom. He shares part of his story—growing up in a religious home, wrestling through honest questions, and discovering faith for h…

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

1M 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

1M 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

1M 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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Free to Lead: Chris Brown on Storytelling, Surrendering, and Finishing Strong 35:00

1M ago35:00

35:00

Today on the No Regrets Podcast, host Albo Esilaba is joined by Chris Brown, speaker, leader, and Senior Pastor and Teaching Pastor at North Coast Church. Chris shares how his gift for storytelling—once something he lacked confidence in—became one of the most important tools in his ministry and leadership. Chris opens up about the freedom that come…

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Protestants and Catholics: What’s the Difference? With Chad Van Dixhoorn, Blair Smith, and Mark McDowell 42:43

1M ago42:43

42:43

How should Protestants think about the Catholic Mass? About the Eucharist? About the history and development of the papacy? In this panel discussion, at the conclusion of Christ Covenant’s Faithful Conference, Kevin talks to three of his colleagues from Reformed Theological Seminary about what it means to be Protestant. They also explore potential …

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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

2M 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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Beyond Prescriptions: How Physicians Can Help Suffering Patients | Lydia Dugdale & Michael Menchine

2M ago

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In today’s episode, two physicians explore the problem of suffering in medicine. They address questions like: What does it mean to care for those who suffer? And what would it take to restore dignity to every patient interaction? You’ll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a primary care physician and medical ethicist at Columbia, and Michael Menchine, an emer…

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

2M 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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Leading with Grace: Robby Emery on Developing Character Beyond the Field 38:51

2M ago38:51

38:51

Today on the No Regrets Podcast, host Albo Esilaba is joined by Robby Emery, the Director of Character Development for Michigan Football. Robby shares how his leadership journey has been shaped by grace, intentional investment, and a renewed understanding of the gospel's power to transform lives. In this conversation, Robby and Albo talk about deve…

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

2M 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

2M 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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Russ Ewell on Leading the Next Generation for Christ 40:41

2M ago40:41

40:41

Today on the No Regrets Podcast, Nate Gruber is joined by Russ Ewell, pastor and leader in the Bay Area, who is doing incredible work engaging and empowering Gen Z and millennials. Russ shares his story of growing up in a church-filled community but never feeling connected—until a friend invited him to a Young Life event that changed everything. It…

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The Man on the Middle Cross with Alistair Begg 42:51

2M ago42:51

42:51

If you haven’t seen the viral clip, go see it right now. In this episode, Kevin talks to Alistair about the preaching clip he didn’t intend to give, he never put online himself, and he never expected to be one of the most well known moments of his ministry. The content from that clip has been combined with two other Jesus encounters in the Gospels …

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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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Success, Silicon Valley, & Fulfillment | Pat Gelsinger & John Hennessy

2M ago

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In today’s episode, two Stanford leaders open up about the personal costs and course corrections in their professional lives. Is it possible to lead with integrity and still compete at the highest level? And what do you hold onto when you fail? You’ll hear from John Hennessy, the former president of Stanford, and Pat Gelsinger, the former CEO of In…

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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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Leading with Intentionality: Lessons from Dr. Chap Clark 42:19

2M ago42:19

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Today on the No Regrets Podcast, Albo Esilaba is joined by Dr. Chap Clark to talk about the power of intentionality in leadership. Chap shares how his life was shaped through Young Life, when someone remembered his name and invited him into authentic community. That early encounter taught him the lasting impact of seeing others with intentionality—…

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The Heidelberg Catechism with R. Scott Clark 1:14:45

2M ago1:14:45

1:14:45

You may not think you need 1,000 pages on the Heidelberg Catechism, but you do! R. Scott Clark, professor at Westminster Seminary California, has written a rich, theological, and historical commentary on one of the Reformation’s most beloved catechisms. Listen in as Scott and Kevin talk about the history of the catechism and walk through several ke…

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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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Conservatism and Religious Freedom with John Wilsey 1:12:53

2M ago1:12:53

1:12:53

What is conservatism? And why does it go hand in hand with religious freedom? How should we think about the American experiment of ordered liberty? Has it failed? It is worth preserving? And what about Christian Nationalism? And while we’re at it, how should Christians assess the Charlie Kirk memorial service? Listen in as Kevin talks to John Wilse…

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Answering Your Questions 57:10

2M ago57:10

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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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Miracles: How Skeptical Should We Be? | Sean McDowell & Paul Rinzler

2M ago

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In today’s episode, an atheist and a Christian explore the plausibility of miracles. Do miracles actually happen? What kind of evidence supports them? And if they do occur, how should that shape the way we live today? You’ll hear from Sean McDowell, a professor of apologetics at Biola, and Paul Rinzler, professor emeritus at Cal Poly. In this conve…

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

3M 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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Living Out Biblical Manhood: Practical Steps with Joby Martin (Part 2) 32:59

3M ago32:59

32:59

This is the second episode in our two-part series on biblical manhood. In this conversation, Albo Esilaba is joined again by Joby Martin, pastor of The Church of Eleven22 and author of Stand Firm and Act Like a Man. Together, they go deeper into practical ways of living out godly manhood in everyday life—whether you're a dad, a leader, or a man of …

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

3M 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

3M 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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Stand Firm: Joby Martin on Biblical Manhood (Part 1) 27:48

3M ago27:48

27:48

Today on the No Regrets Podcast, Albo Esilaba is joined by pastor and author Joby Martin from The Church of Eleven22 for the first episode in a special two-part series. Joby shares from his new book, Stand Firm and Act Like a Man, a biblical guide to what Scripture says about who men are and how they are called to live. Instrumental in discipling m…

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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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Why Education is About More Than Grades | Angel Adams Parham & Roosevelt Montás

3M ago

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In today’s episode, two professors reflect on what a college education is really for. Is it just about mastering content—or can it shape who we’re becoming and how we live? And what is the role of religious texts in this formative process? You’ll hear from Roosevelt Montás, a professor of American Studies at Columbia, and Angel Adams Parham, a soci…

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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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Trying vs. Training: John Ortberg on True Transformation 41:05

3M ago41:05

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Today on the No Regrets Podcast, Steve is joined by author and pastor John Ortberg for a powerful conversation about transformation—what it means to move beyond trying harder toward training our lives around the practices that truly change us into a more godly person. John unpacks the difference between behavior modification and genuine spiritual t…

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Small Steps to Big Success with Dr. Christiane Schroeter 40:59

3M ago40:59

40:59

By Jen Du Plessis

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The Golden Thread of the Western Tradition with Allen Guelzo 1:06:34

3M ago1:06:34

1:06:34

Dr. Guelzo is back once again for another record setting appearance on LBE. Although he just moved across the country, Allen still made time to talk to Kevin about his latest two-volume mega-project with James Hankins, their new book The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition. Listen in as Kevin and Allen talk about remembering, history …

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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…