How many people are really leaving the church today? Who are the people leaving and why are they “Dechurching”? According to our guest today, Dr. Ryan Burge, the shift away from religion is as large as the First and 2nd Great Awakenings combined, but in the opposite direction. Dr. Burge explains why this issue is so pressing today and how we can best respond.

Ryan Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University. He is the author of numerous books and journal articles and is a pastor in the American Baptist Church.

Read a transcript of this episode at: https://www.biola.edu/blogs/think-biblically/2023/the-great-dechurching ==========

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 Great Dechurching (with Ryan Burge)

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

This week, Scott & Sean discuss:Falling Fertility Rates: Discussion on the continuous decline of fertility rates in the U.S., with women delaying childbirth, leading to economic and social implications.Campus Protests Escalate: Coverage of widespread campus protests across the U.S. and Europe, reflecting deep-seated ideological battles and a decline in civil discourse at universities.Marijuana Reclassification: Debate on the DEA's proposal to reclassify marijuana, exploring its potential impacts on society, economy, and the legal system.Listener Question: Birth ControlListener Question: Problem of Evil/SufferingListener Question: HPV vaccine for children==========

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: Falling U.S. Fertility Rates; Campus Protests; Marijuana Reclassification; Listener Questions

Our host Scott Rae recently donated a kidney to his brother, Mark. It was a long, arduous journey in which God was clearly present along the way. How did it affect each of them spiritually? How did it affect their relationships with family? And how can we think biblically about a life-saving medical procedure such as this? Sean interviews both Scott and Mark to hear about their emotional journey. ==========

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 Gift of Kidney Donation (with Mark Rae)

This week, Sean and Scott discuss:Tennessee Legislation on Armed Teachers: The controversial decision by Tennessee lawmakers allowing teachers to carry concealed handguns in schools, prompted by a tragic school shooting. Generational Views on Israel: A  poll suggests that nearly half of Gen Z views Israel's actions against Hamas as unjust due to its power, painting it as the oppressor. Innovations in Gene Editing: The integration of generative AI with CRISPR technology, with the potential to revolutionize medical treatments by rapidly developing tailored therapies.Listener Questions: The intersection of faith and public policy, the distinction between gender and sex, and the personal struggle of witnessing to non-believing family members. ==========

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: Armed Teachers; Gen Z's Views on Israel; AI + CRISPR; Listener Questions

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. 

The Great Dechurching (with Ryan Burge)

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