Should we be hopeful about the post-pandemic church or concerned? Are churches growing today or dying? In this episode, we talk with Sam Rainer, a pastor and church growth expert, about these questions and more. He gives specific ways to revitalize a church regardless of its current state.   Sam Rainer is the lead pastor at West Bradenton Baptist Church. He is a speaker, consultant, and the author of multiple books including The Church Revitalization Checklist.   

Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2021/church-revitalization-checklist   ==========

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. 

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. 
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu. 

The Church Revitalization Checklist (with Sam Rainer)

A weekly podcast that offers Christian perspectives on some of the most significant issues facing today's church and culture. In each episode, hosts Scott Rae and Sean McDowell — professors at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology — draw upon biblical wisdom and insights from guest experts as they explore how Christians can thoughtfully and faithfully engage with cultural trends and current events.

Religion & Spirituality

Other

Spirituality

Christianity

Buddhism

Hinduism

Judaism

Islam

What is polyamory and why is it bursting on the scene right now? Is there such a thing as Christian polyamory? Will polyamorous relationships work? While relying on Scripture and social science research, Sean and Scott discuss these questions and more. You can also find this discussion on video through the Biola YouTube channel.

Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/polyamory-a-biblical-response.  ==========

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. 

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. 
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu. 

Polyamory: A Biblical Response

This week:Exploring Shifts in Religious Identification: Dive into the latest trends in religious affiliations in America. Discover why the religiously unaffiliated are the fastest growing group and how different faith groups are retaining their followers.The Power of AI in Persuasion: Uncover the surprising findings of a new study comparing the persuasiveness of AI to human argumentation. Learn how AI is shaping the way we think and the potential implications for the spread of information and misinformation.Rethinking Gender-Affirming Care: Get insights from a groundbreaking report in England challenging widely accepted practices in gender-affirming care for youth. This segment contrasts approaches in the U.K. and the U.S. and discusses the broader implications for healthcare and society.Listener Question: Human Souls vs. God's ImageListener Question: Ethics of prescribing medications for lifestyles you don't morally agree withRead a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/cultural-update-shifts-in-religious-identification-persuasive-ai-rethinking-gender-affirming-care-listener-questions.  ==========

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. 

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. 
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu. 

Cultural Update: Shifts in Religious Identification; Persuasive AI; Rethinking Gender-Affirming Care; Listener Questions

Who is the Holy Spirit? How does the Holy Spirit work in our lives? What are some common misconceptions about the Holy Spirit and what are some vital truths to know to live in the power of the Spirit? Sean and Scott speak with fellow Biola professor Fred Sanders about these questions and his new book The Holy Spirit: An Introduction.

Fred Sanders (PhD, Graduate Theological Union) is a professor of theology at the Torrey Honors College at Biola University. Sanders is the author of multiple books including The Deep Things of God. He blogs regularly at fredfredfred.com.

Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/encountering-the-holy-spirit. ==========

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. 

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. 
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu. 

Encountering the Holy Spirit (with Fred Sanders)

Today, Scott and Sean discuss:Solar Eclipses and Intelligent Design: Discussion on how solar eclipses demonstrate intelligent design, including the precise conditions necessary for a habitable planet and the unique positioning that allows for the observation of solar eclipses.Racial Bias in Hiring: Insights from a study where researchers sent 80,000 fake resumes to gauge racial bias among large U.S. companies. The study found a 9.5% higher contact rate for presumed white applicants over black ones, suggesting ongoing racial bias, despite improvements over the past decade.Vatican's Stance on Gender and Surrogacy: Vatican's declaration that gender fluidity, transition surgery, and surrogacy are affronts to human dignity, arguing for the irrevocable nature of sex as a gift from God. This section also touches on the implications for church teachings and societal views on sexuality.30th Anniversary of the Rwandan Genocide: Reflects on the genocide's 30th anniversary, focusing on reconciliation efforts and the personal stories of victims and perpetrators. Listener Questions: Answers to audience questions on topics like determinism vs. libertarian free will, and practical advice for a listener planning to teach young adults how to think biblically about cultural issues.==========

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. 

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. 
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu. 

Cultural Update: Solar Eclipse and Intelligent Design; Racial Bias in Hiring; Vatican on Gender

Are humans physical machines determined by the laws of chemistry and physics? Has science shown that free will is a myth? Sean and Scott invite Biola professor Greg Ganssle to discuss the recent book Determined by Robert Sapolsky. They discuss the nature of free will, respond to common arguments in favor of determinism, and talk about why this issue matters so much for human flourishing.

Greg Ganssle (Ph.D. Syracuse University) is a professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.  Dr. Ganssle has worked in campus ministry at a variety of campuses including Yale University. He is the author of multiple books including Our Deepest Desires and Thinking about God.

Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2024/is-free-will-a-myth. ==========

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California. 

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically. 
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu. 

The Church Revitalization Checklist (with Sam Rainer)

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