When does life begin—and how should that truth shape how we live, decide, and care for others? Dr. Scott Rae, Professor of Christian Ethics at Talbot School of Theology, joins us to talk about the beginning of life from a biblical and ethical perspective.

From conception and personhood to reproductive technology, miscarriage, and compassion in complex medical situations, this episode helps believers navigate today’s bioethical challenges with both truth and grace.

📚 Topics Discussed:
 – What it means to say life begins at conception
 – Scripture’s teaching on the sanctity of unborn life
 – Ethical thinking about contraception, IVF, and surrogacy
 – Responding wisely to high-risk pregnancies and miscarriage
 – How Christians can defend life with compassion

Note: These links are affiliate links, which means we may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you.

📘 More Resources By Dr. Scott Rae:

- Beyond Integrity: A Judeo-Christian Approach to Business Ethics – https://amzn.to/4nQhVXX

- Biotechnology and the Human Good – https://amzn.to/49d6vK6

- Body and Soul: Human Nature and the Crisis in Ethics – https://amzn.to/4hXJXzy

- Brave New Families: Biblical Ethics and Reproductive Technologies – https://amzn.to/497RSYw

- Introducing Christian Ethics: A Short Guide to Making Moral Choices – https://amzn.to/4oUGsMc

- Doing the Right Thing: Making Moral Choices in a World Full of Options – https://amzn.to/3JvyNFo

- Human Dignity in Bioethics: From Worldviews to the Public Square (Routledge Annals of Bioethics) – https://amzn.to/4oz0kFa

- Moral Choices – https://amzn.to/4qSRpje

- Outside the Womb: Moral Guidance for Assisted Reproduction – https://amzn.to/47yvHtj

- The Ethics of Commercial Surrogate Motherhood: Brave New Families? – https://amzn.to/3WRpa6S

- Why the Church Needs Bioethics: A Guide to Wise Engagement with Life's Challenges – https://amzn.to/4oxWRqd

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org

The Bible tells us that Christ is coming again—so how should we live in the meantime?
 Author and Bible teacher Lee Brainard (soothkeep.info) joins Sound Words to explain what true watchfulness looks like in light of the Lord’s return. From Matthew 24 to 1 Thessalonians 5, we discuss how believers can live with alertness, hope, and holiness—redeeming the time and keeping their eyes fixed on eternity.

📚 Topics Discussed:
 – What it means to live in light of the believer’s future hope
 – Biblical watchfulness: alert and sober-minded living
 – Redeeming the time while waiting for Christ
 – Avoiding distractions in end-times debates
 – How eschatology shapes Christian ethics and daily obedience

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
01:46 Future Events According to the Bible
03:59 Being on the Alert
05:30 Are we Escapists?
07:05 The Bema Seat Judgment
09:08 Redeeming the Time
12:39 Debate on End Times Theology
15:03 Making Ethical Decisions in Light of the End Times

#SecondComing #ChristianEthics #Eschatology #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org

Pastor Jeremy Howard joins Sound Words to unpack what the Bible teaches about the conscience—how it works, how it can be corrupted, and how it can be strengthened through truth and grace. Learn how to respond when convictions differ, avoid legalism, and walk faithfully before God with a conscience shaped by Scripture.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
01:29 Why the Topic of the Conscience
03:27 Biblical View of the Conscience
07:21 Weakened or Seared Conscience
12:51 Conviction
14:02 When Christian Consciences Differ
20:30 The Role of the Local Church and the Conscience
24:25 The World Shaping our Conscience
26:35 Conscience vs Legalism
33:11 "What's True for Me"

#ChristianEthics #Conscience #ChristianLiving #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org

What does it mean that humans are made in the image of God?

In this conversation with Dr. Brett Williams, we explore the biblical and theological meaning of the image of God, how it distinguishes humanity from the rest of creation, and how redemption in Christ restores what sin has broken.

Dr. Williams also shares how understanding the image of God shapes key doctrines—salvation, sanctification, and our response to cultural debates about human dignity, identity, and value.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
01:10 What it Means to Be "Made in the Image of God"
09:14 The Image of God and Other Created Beings
11:53 Sin and Restoration
18:18 Impacts of Understanding "Image of God"
20:50 Our Identity
24:49 How Our Identity Shapes Our Actions

#ImageOfGod #ChristianTheology #HumanDignity #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org

Is morality just personal opinion—or is it rooted in God Himself?

In this conversation with Dr. J.P. Moreland, we explore why morality is objective, how virtue connects to being conformed to Christ’s image, and how the church can model moral clarity in an age of relativism.

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org

How do we get from the original Greek and Hebrew manuscripts to the English Bibles we read today?

In this episode, Dr. Mark Ward—author, theologian, and YouTuber (War on Words)—talks through the history of the Bible, why translation is so important, and how to understand the differences between versions. From formal to functional equivalence, we look at how to think biblically about choosing and using Bible translations.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
02:30 Why We Study Translations
06:25 How We Got the Old and New Testaments
10:22 Why Study How Translations Work
14:01 Translation Tribalism
16:18 How to Help Someone Out of Translation Tribalism
18:27 Evangelical Translations
22:29 Formal vs Dynamic Equivalence
25:04 Word-For-Word vs Thought-For-Thought
27:14 Major Takeaway

#BibleTranslation #SoundDoctrine #ChristianTheology #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org

Meet our new pastoral intern at Indian Hills Community Church, Andrew Ramirez!

In this episode of the Sound Words Podcast, Andrew shares his testimony, how family life shapes his ministry, and his vision for the Alpha Omega Campus Ministry and evangelism. 

Learn how he hopes to encourage college students, build a culture of gospel witness, and equip believers to share their faith with boldness.

#Evangelism #AlphaOmega #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords #IndianHillsCommunityChurch

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org

Why study 1 Corinthians, and what does it teach us today?

Dr. Brent Belford, Faculty Associate at Virginia Beach Theological Seminary and Senior Pastor at Colonial Baptist Church, walks through the context, themes, and practical guidance of 1 Corinthians. From church problems to resurrection hope, this episode shows why Paul’s teaching remains vital for Christians today.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
02:00 Why Study 1 Corinthians
05:38 The City of Corinth
08:36 The Structure of 1 Corinthians
12:21 Handing Problems in the Church
14:44 Controversial Passages
16:52 Woman and Head Coverings
18:39 Paul's Teaching on the Resurrection
21:52 Theme of 1 Corinthians

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org

Why is literal interpretation essential for biblicism?

Dr. Mark Snoeberger of Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary explains why we must read Scripture according to authorial intent, the dangers of rejecting literal hermeneutics, and how the historical and grammatical context protects us from error. He also gives practical examples of how literal reading clarifies the meaning of God’s Word.

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org

How do we move faithfully from interpretation to application?

Dr. Jack Hughes, Lead Pastor of Anchor Bible Church, explains why exegesis is essential, what mistakes to avoid, and how biblicist application safeguards the church. With practical examples and preaching pointers, this episode equips teachers and believers to apply God’s Word faithfully.

00:00 Welcome to the Sound Words Podcast
02:45 The Term "Biblicist"
04:07 Finding Biblical Application
06:45 Teaching Biblical Application
15:13 Common Mistakes from Interpretation to Application
21:41 Application from Biblical Narrative
29:30 When to Dive Deeper from the Narrative
32:19 Safeguard Against Shallow or Misguided Application 

#PrayerLife #ChristianBooks #SpiritualGrowth #SoundWordsPodcast #SoundWords

Sound Words is a ministry of Indian Hills Community Church, a Bible teaching church in Lincoln, NE.

Sound Words is also a partner of Foundations Media, a collective of Christian creators passionate about promoting biblical theology and applying it to everyday life. Learn more at https://foundationsmedia.org.

• Follow on Instagram
• Follow on Facebook
• Follow on YouTube
• Follow on Twitter
• Follow on Threads
• Visit https://ihcc.org