Thinking Christian with Drs. James Spencer and Ashish Varma

he church is at a crossroads. With rising disaffiliation and declining trust, how can we re-engage the next generation? How do we stop the drift and disciple effectively in today's world?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes Raymond Chang, Executive Director of 10x10 Collaboration at Fuller Seminary and co-author of Future Focused Church. They explore:

Key Topics:
The "10x10" Initiative: Engaging 10 million young people in faith over 10 years
Why are so many young adults leaving the church? (And how do we respond?)
How relational discipleship can transform church engagement
The biggest leadership & trust challenges churches face today
How to build a "Transformation Team" to drive church renewal
Why churches need a change map: Here, There, Who, & How
Practical steps for reshaping church culture & mission

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]

Resources & Links:
Get the Book: Future Focused Church 
Learn More About 10x10: www.tenx10.org
More from Fuller Youth Institute: Fuller Youth Institute

 

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

Is your work-life balance out of sync? Do you struggle with burnout, workaholism, or feeling like your job defines you? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Ariana Malloy, communication professor at Biola University and author of Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work, to unpack the dangers of job idolatry, the power of Sabbath, and how humility helps us maintain a sustainable calling.

Key Topics Covered:
How to recognize when your calling is becoming an idol
The difference between a job, a career, and a calling—and why calling leads to the most burnout
How Christian organizations unintentionally pressure employees into overwork
Practical Sabbath rhythms to break the cycle of exhaustion
The three aspects of humility that protect against burnout
Why accountability should go beyond moral failure to include work-life balance

Ariana also shares her personal journey with workaholism and burnout—plus practical strategies for staying on the right side of healthy calling.

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]

Resources Mentioned:
Get Ariana Malloy’s Book – Healthy Calling (20% off with code for IVP- use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) IVP Press

 

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

As AI and digital technology become more embedded in our daily lives, what does it really mean to be human? Are we losing our sense of identity, community, and embodied faith?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Shane Wood, New Testament professor at Ozark Christian College, to explore how technology is shaping our understanding of humanity, relationships, and discipleship—and what Scripture has to say about it.

Key Discussion Points:
How has AI changed the way we relate to each other and to God?
Are we outsourcing our spiritual formation and decision-making to technology?
Why efficiency isn't always a virtue—and how technology can distort human flourishing
Does technology weaken our sense of community, or can it strengthen it?
What role does effort, embodiment, and limitation play in being truly human?
The hidden dangers of transactional relationships & the “algorithmic” mindset
The theological significance of boundaries, dependence on God, and true discipleship

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]

Resources & Links:
Explore Shane Wood’s Work – ShaneJWood.com

 

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

Technology and faith often seem like opposing forces, but what happens when a Christian innovator steps into the artificial intelligence space with a mission to transform education? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Mark Naufel, CEO and founder of Axio, an AI company dedicated to reshaping how people learn, grow, and engage with knowledge.

Mark shares his personal faith journey, growing up in a Lebanese Christian family and later transitioning into a Protestant, non-denominational context. His passion for faith and technology led him to found Axio, a platform designed to personalize education through AI while preserving the values and beliefs of individual users.

Together, they explore how AI can be leveraged for good—enhancing education, mentorship, and personal growth—without replacing the irreplaceable: human connection and community. They discuss AI’s role in addressing gaps in education, from personalized tutoring to career mentoring, and how Axio ensures that faith-based learning remains accessible and engaging.

Mark also shares insights on the broader implications of AI, the future of work, and why the Church must engage with technological advancements rather than retreat from them. He highlights the importance of Christian communities being active participants in shaping AI’s future, ensuring that it serves as a tool for discipleship rather than detachment.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Mark’s journey from a Catholic upbringing in Lebanon to a Protestant faith in the U.S.

• The role of AI in education, mentorship, and faith-based learning

• How Axio personalizes learning while maintaining biblical values

• The importance of maintaining real-world community in an increasingly digital age

• The future of work and the ethical considerations of AI

• How churches can embrace technology for discipleship and community building

🔗 Learn more about Axio: axio.ai
📩 Interested in beta testing Axio for homeschooling? Reach out to Mark directly at [email protected]

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

🔗 Explore More at UsefulToGod.com

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

Will artificial intelligence shape the future of Christian discipleship, ministry, and outreach? Chase Capo, leader in AI relationship development for Glue, joins Dr. James Spencer on Thinking Christian to explore how faith-based AI is offering a powerful alternative to mainstream models like ChatGPT.

Key Discussion Topics:
What makes Christian AI different from secular AI?
How AI can help churches disciple more effectively
The danger of AI “built on sand” & why faith-based AI needs strong foundations
How AI models like Glue’s Kingdom-Aligned LLM are trained to uphold biblical truth
The role of AI in filtering information overload & helping Christians focus
How AI is already being used by churches, radio stations, and ministries to reach more people
The future of personalized AI for discipleship, evangelism, and ministry strategy

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]

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

Is your work-life balance out of sync? Do you struggle with burnout, workaholism, or feeling like your job defines you? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Ariana Malloy, communication professor at Biola University and author of Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work, to unpack the dangers of job idolatry, the power of Sabbath, and how humility helps us maintain a sustainable calling.

Key Topics Covered:
✅ How to recognize when your calling is becoming an idol
✅ The difference between a job, a career, and a calling—and why calling leads to the most burnout
✅ How Christian organizations unintentionally pressure employees into overwork
✅ Practical Sabbath rhythms to break the cycle of exhaustion
✅ The three aspects of humility that protect against burnout
✅ Why accountability should go beyond moral failure to include work-life balance

🎙 Ariana also shares her personal journey with workaholism and burnout—plus practical strategies for staying on the right side of healthy calling.

🔗 Resources Mentioned:
📖 Get Ariana Malloy’s Book – Healthy Calling (20% off with code for IVP- use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) 👉 IVP Press

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

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

Is technology shaping us more than we realize? Are we losing our ability to rest, reflect, and be present? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Felicia Wu Song, sociologist and author of Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age (InterVarsity Press). They explore how digital technology influences our sense of self, why constant connectivity isn’t neutral, and how Christians can resist being shaped by algorithms instead of by God.

Key Discussion Topics:
The hidden ways digital media rewires our attention and habits
Marshall McLuhan & Neil Postman—what they got right about the power of media
Why modern tech trains us to consume, not reflect
The rise of digital exhaustion—why even Gen Z is feeling the burnout
Recovering personhood & presence—practical ways to reclaim attention and space
How Christians can build “analog” rhythms that resist digital overreach

Resources & Links:

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]

📖 Restless Devices – Buy at ivpress.com (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) 

Dr. Felicia Wu Song’s Website – feliciawusong.com

 

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

Technology is shaping our world at an unprecedented rate—but how should Christians respond? Are we thoughtfully engaging with the digital world, or are we being shaped by it in ways we don’t even realize?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Derek Schuurman, Professor of Computer Science at Calvin University and author of Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture, and Computer Technology. Together, they explore how theology, technology, and Christian discipleship intersect in our increasingly digital lives.

Key Discussion Points:
How does the biblical narrative shape our approach to technology?
Are we using technology wisely, or is it using us?
Theological insights from Genesis, the Tower of Babel, and eschatology
Are AI, social media, and digital tools eroding true human connection?
How Christians can practice discernment in an efficiency-driven world
Why technology is not neutral—and how we can shape it responsibly
McLuhan’s Four Laws of Media & how they help us evaluate new tech
Practical ways to maintain human flourishing in a digital-first culture

Resources & Links:

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]

Get Derek Schuurman’s Book: Shaping a Digital World at IVP (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount)

 

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

William Wilberforce wasn’t just a politician—he was a man of deep faith who leveraged his influence to fight for abolition, social reform, and gospel-driven cultural transformation. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Michael Morgan, president of William Tennant Seminary, to explore the life and legacy of Wilberforce.

How did Wilberforce’s evangelical convictions shape his mission? What role did his friendships and the Clapham Sectplay in his work? And what can the modern church learn from his radical collaboration and holistic approach to faith in action?

Join us for a thoughtful discussion on Wilberforce’s impact, the intersection of faith and social change, and the importance of authentic Christian friendships in discipleship and cultural engagement.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

Go deeper: The Reformation

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 on Michael Morgan and William Tennent, visit https://www.williamtennent.org/.

 

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

In this episode of Thinking Christian, James sits down with Dr. Chris Rappazzini, professor of leadership at Anderson University, author of Moving Forward After Messing Up, and founder of Faithful Steps Forward. James and Chris discuss how leadership serves as a specialized form of discipleship, the tension between cultural adaptation and biblical foundations in leadership theories, and the enduring challenge of learning from our failures.

Dr. Rappazzini shares insights from his personal journey, his work with leaders in organizational settings, and the biblical framework for moving forward after mistakes. Along the way, we explore themes of resilience, self-awareness, and the balance between mission and people-focused leadership.

Whether you're a seasoned leader, someone navigating life's challenges, or simply looking for a thoughtful conversation on integrating faith and leadership, this episode is for you.

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]

To check out Chris Rappazini's work, see the following: 

Faithful Steps Forward- https://www.faithfulstepsforward.com

Moving Forward after Messing Up- Purchase here.

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