College Faith

We know “we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12). My guest in this episode is Dr. Jeff Foster, who shares his journey from a Christian upbringing to involvement in the occult. Jeff discusses the spiritual battle faced by students and the dangers of the occult, including his personal experiences with a dragon-like entity that offered him power in exchange for his heart.

The conversation explores themes of personal trauma, the nature of magic, and the recruitment tactics used by those involved in the occult. Jeff shares his journey through power struggles, community dynamics, and the quest for identity, as well as the internal conflict of living a double life during his college years. The discussion delves into the complexities of understanding scripture and the transformative power of Jesus, culminating in a turning point where Jeff seeks redemption and a new heart. In this conversation, Jeff shares his profound journey of transformation through faith, emphasizing the power of forgiveness and the immediate changes he experienced after coming to Christ. He discusses the importance of discernment in spiritual warfare, highlighting the subtle influences of demonic forces and the necessity of testing ideas against Scripture. Jeff also reflects on the reality of spiritual warfare, the battles faced in the mind, and the significance of surrounding oneself with supportive and faithful individuals.

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00:00 Introduction to the Spiritual Battle

01:54 Jeff’s Early Spiritual Background

06:13 Involvement in the Occult

12:04 The Nature of the Dragon

17:45 The Rules of Power

22:06 The Process of Recruitment

26:59 Understanding Magic

31:04 The Impact of Personal Trauma

39:53 Embracing Pain for Power

41:24 The Struggle with Power and Control

42:03 Community Dynamics and Shared Experiences

43:20 The Allure of Secrets and Power

44:15 Friendships Formed Through Shared Struggles

45:30 The Dragon’s Eye: Perception and Reality

46:29 The Aura of Connection and Exclusion

48:55 Navigating College Life and Identity

50:06 The Journey into Law and Academia

52:04 Confronting the Christian Experience

54:02 The Challenge of Understanding Scripture

56:27 Living a Double Life in College

58:53 The Descent into Darkness

60:51 Family Dynamics and Personal Conflict

62:18 The Decision to Move and Its Implications

64:11 The Life and Teachings of Jesus

66:48 The Revelation of a New Heart

71:10 The Turning Point: Seeking Redemption

74:47 The Power of Forgiveness and Freedom

78:24 Immediate Transformation and New Beginnings

84:42 Discernment in Spiritual Warfare

91:20 Understanding Spiritual Warfare and Its Influences

In this conversation, Bridget Ruth and Stan Wallace explore the complex issues surrounding gender and sexuality from a Christian perspective. They discuss the definitions of key terms such as transgenderism, gender identity, and gender dysphoria, and emphasize the importance of a biblical understanding of gender. The conversation also delves into the cultural evolution of gender ideology, the arguments for pro-trans theology, and practical guidance for students and churches in navigating these discussions. Ultimately, they highlight the significance of the gospel in providing a hopeful vision for identity and human flourishing.

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Many are leaving the faith today, or not considering it in the first place, not always because they don’t believe it is true, but because they don’t believe it is good or beautiful. My guest in this episode wants to change this. Dr. Paul Gould has written Cultural Apologetics: Renewing the Christian Voice, Conscience, and Imagination in a Disenchanted World and A Primer on Cultural Apologetics: Conversations on Faith and Flourishing in a Disenchanted World to help others understand that the biblical worldview connects with the deepest longings of the human heart in our search for all that is truly good, valuable, and beautiful. 

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Are you considering majoring in Business? Are you interested in eventually earning an MBA? What must you understand about this field of study and career, especially as a Christ-follower? In this episode, I discuss these questions and many more with Dr. Mark Washington, the National Director of InterVarsity’s MBA Ministry. For more than two decades, Mark has helped shape the next generation of faith-driven business leaders, working with MBA students and faculty at some of the top business schools in the country. He brings a unique blend of ministry, theology, and business experience to our conversation.

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In this episode, we’re talking about one of the biggest challenges facing students today: mental health during the college years. Between academic pressure, anxiety about the future, loneliness, relationships, social media, and the constant pressure to succeed, many students are struggling quietly and wondering how to navigate it all faithfully and wisely.

My guest is Brooke Wesley, a licensed clinical social worker, Certified Eating Disorders Specialist, and co-founder of Bellatore Recovery in the Kansas City area, where she has spent more than two decades helping teens and adults pursue healing and emotional health.

Brooke’s passion for this work is deeply personal, growing out of her own recovery journey from an eating disorder. Along the way, she has worked in hospitals, schools, recovery programs, and private practice, and she also helped launch Kansas City’s first transitional living program for women recovering from eating disorders. She’s also the author of Hungry To Be Whole: A Therapist’s Story of Healing from Anorexia, where she shares both her personal story and professional insights into recovery and hope.

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One of the most pressing and contested topics on college campuses today is social justice, and many Christians are confused about how to understand it through a biblical lens. I hope this conversation will clear away some of the confusion.

I’m joined by Dr. Thaddeus Williams, a professor of theology and philosophy at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. Dr. Williams is the author of Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth.  In it, he argues that Christians are called to care deeply about justice, but that not every version of “social justice” reflects a biblical understanding of truth, human dignity, or the gospel.

Instead, he invites readers to recover a vision of justice rooted in Scripture, the character of God, and the dignity of every human being made in the image of God. In our conversation, we explore how Christians can think carefully and faithfully about justice, truth, identity, and cultural engagement—especially in the context of higher education.

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In this episode, I’m continuing my sporadic series on various campus ministries. I’m joined by Jaime Noyd, the Director of the Emerging Scholars Network (ESN). We discuss what ESN is and how it will be of great help to you if you are considering following God’s call to one day serve Christ as a professor.

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Writing papers is a part of every student’s life. Writing a good one can feel overwhelming. But what if it’s about more than just getting a grade? What if your writing is actually an opportunity to think clearly, communicate truth, and even honor God? In this episode of College Faith, we’re talking about what students need to understand first in order to write well, the essential elements of a strong paper, the biggest mistakes to avoid, and how to approach research, AI, and the writing process with wisdom and integrity. To guide us, I’m joined by Dr. Bruce Barron, an experienced writer, editor, and communications leader who has spent decades helping scholars, students, and public thinkers express complex ideas with clarity and impact. Bruce has served in senior editorial roles with major policy and Christian publications, edited books and academic manuscripts, and coached countless writers from rough drafts to polished, compelling work. His experience at the intersection of careful research, thoughtful Christian engagement, and practical communication makes him an ideal guide for any student who wants to become not just a better writer, but a more faithful one.

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In this episode I continue my sporadic series on various campus ministries. I am joined by Charles Askew and Caysie Ashton, campus ministers with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF). Charles and Caysie bring their unique perspectives to help us better understand the ministry of RUF and whether it might be right for you.

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There are an estimated 2 billion Muslims worldwide, including your classmates, neighbors, and friends. Many are interested in discussing spiritual topics, including the person of Jesus. But how do we have these conversations–and share the good news about who Jesus really is–without the conversation turning into an argument? Alan Shlemon has an answer that he and many others have found to be very helpful: beginning with the Koran instead of the Bible to break down barriers. Alan is a staff apologist with Stand To Reason, a sought-after speaker on this topic, and my guest on this episode of College Faith.

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