Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and Culture

In this episode, James speaks with David Richardson of The Assumptions Institute. James and David talk about critical thinking, the necessity of questioning assumptions, and the importance of pointing other toward reality. They also discuss the shortcomings of Christian worldview.

Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers.

Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.
Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.org
About James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/james
The Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/framework
Order Digital Discernment: amazon.com

Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify

Advertising and partnership inquiries: [email protected]

You can find more information on the Assumptions Institute at learntodiscern.com/thinkingchristian.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this week's devotional, James considers Matthew 6 and its potential to help Christians think through the various practices in which they are engaged. James encourages us not just to ask whether or not we should engage in a particular practice, but how we should engage in it.  

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of Thinking Christian, James interacts with an essay published on June 17, 2024, in which the surgeon general calls for warning labels on social media. James discusses the importance of this call and the need for us to pause and think about the ways technology may be hindering us from conforming more closely to the image of Christ. 

You can view the Surgeon General's essay here. To read his previous advisory, click here. James also has an opinion piece dealing with the advisory at Christian Post.

For more on technology from James, check out the following resources and visit usefultogod.com. Be sure to check out James's 20 Questions: Christian Resistance, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence. 

https://www.thinkingchristianpodcast.com/christians-think-human/

https://www.thinkingchristianpodcast.com/how-should-we-think-about-kids-and-technology-a-conversation-with-david-eaton/

https://www.thinkingchristianpodcast.com/thinking-christian-about-family-and-technology-use-a-conversation-with-krista-boan/

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James and Nate welcome Jason Gray. Jason is a Christian recording artist and deep thinker. James, Nate, and Jason discuss the creative process, Jason's musical influences, and the way that Jason goes about writing songs. They also discuss Jason's forthcoming book and some of his other musical offerings. 

Go deeper: Dorothy Sayers, Film, and Christian Art

Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers.

Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.
Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.org
About James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/james
The Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/framework
Order Digital Discernment: amazon.com

Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify

Advertising and partnership inquiries: [email protected]

You can find out more about Jason Gray at https://www.jasongraymusic.com/.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this first weekly devotional, James discusses distractions and the way they hinder us from listening to the teachings of Jesus. Considering Luke 10:38-42, James encourages listeners to recognize that Jesus is infinitely more relevant than any other actor or factor we will ever encounter. 

To connect with James and find additional content, like the 30-Day Gospels readign plan or the walk through the gospels course, visit, usefultogod.com. 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James welcomes Joshua Jipp. Joshua is Professor of New Testament and Director of the Henry Center for Theological Understanding. He is also the author of Pauline Theology as a Way of Life: A Vision of Human Flourishing in Christ. Joshua and James discuss various vision of human flourishing and the necessity of Christ for human flourishing. They also discuss what sort of practices are necessary to conforming more closely to the image of Christ. 

Go deeper: Technology & Media

Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers.

Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.
Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.org
About James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/james
The Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/framework
Order Digital Discernment: amazon.com

Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify

Advertising and partnership inquiries: [email protected]

You can get Joshua Jipp's Pauline Theology as a Way of Life at amazon.com.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Beginning June 17th, James will be releasing weekly devotionals every Monday as part of the Thinking Christian line-up. Subscribe to Thinking Christian on your favorite podcasting platform or visit www.thinkingchristianpodcast.com. You can find out more about James and Useful to God at www.usefultogod.com. 

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James hosts author and slow-living activist Jodi Grubbs to discuss her book titled Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exale. Jodi and James discuss the various ways our world pushes us to move more quickly and take on more than our capacities will allow. They also talk about the church and how community, presence, and intentionality are crucial to develop a cadence of life that allows us to know God, others, and ourselves. 

Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers.

Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.
Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.org
About James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/james
The Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/framework
Order Digital Discernment: amazon.com

Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify

Advertising and partnership inquiries: [email protected]

You can find out more about Jodi at https://jodigrubbs.com/.

Her book is available at https://www.ivpress.com/live-slowly (enter IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount).

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James sits down with journalist, author, and podcaster Katelyn Beaty to discuss her series of essays on her substack "The Beaty Beat" about the "Evangelical Bro Code." They consider the various components of the bro code, possible solutions to the bro code, and the ways the bro code negatively impact both women and men. 

Go deeper: Unmanly

Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers.

Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.
Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.org
About James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/james
The Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/framework
Order Digital Discernment: amazon.com

Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify

Advertising and partnership inquiries: [email protected]

For more from Katelyn subscribe to The Beaty Beat at https://katelynbeaty.substack.com/.

You can also listed to more conversations from Katelyn on her podcast Saved by the City or purchase Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church on amazon.com.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James sits down with his friend John Koessler to talk about prayer. In addition to being a retired faculty emiritus from the Moody Bible Institute, John is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work has been featured in Christianity Today and Our Daily Bread. James and John discuss John's recent work When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray. They consider a variety of topics including prayer and anger, the need for transparency and authenticity in prayer, and the importance of acknowledging one's own personality as they approach God in prayer.

Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers.

Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.
Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.org
About James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/james
The Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/framework
Order Digital Discernment: amazon.com

Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify

Advertising and partnership inquiries: [email protected]

You can get John's book on amazon.com or at his website johnkoessler.com where you can also find free resources designed to go along with When God Is Silent for use in small group study. There is also a link for a discount on When God is Silent at johnkoessler.com.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.