Thinking Christian with Drs. James Spencer and Ashish Varma

In this episode, James welcomes Bill Nienhuis, CEO and President of Childcare Worldwide. James and Bill discuss the lives of children in various locations around the world. While children and families face pressures everywhere, there are also a number of lessons to be learned from the church overseas. 

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

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You can find ways to get involved at Childcare Worldwide at https://childcareworldwide.org/.

Sponsor a child ($42/mo): https://childcareworldwide.org/sponsor?t=0154&c=0154

Send a child to Life Center ($25/mo): https://childcareworldwide.org/project/life-center-membership?t=0154&c=0154

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

In this episode, James and Nate discuss the politics of the day. They attempt to differentiate between civic and sacred acts in relation to voting, as well as encouraging Christians to recognize the symbolic "freight" that certain candidates carry for wins and losses. 

To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here.

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

In this episode, James welcomes Sarah E. Westfall. Sarah is the author of The Way of Belonging. James and Sarah discuss the idea of belonging, how it differs from fitting in, and the way that our relationship with God and our own self-awareness helps us cultivate a sense of belonging in the various contexts of our lives.

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 purchase Sarah's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). To find out more about Sarah, visit www.sarahewestfall.com. 

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

In this episode, James welcomes Fred Pry, Vice President of Administration at Child Evangelism Fellowship. James and Fred discuss the ministry of CEF, the various resources CEF makes available to share the gospel with children, and the ways CEF has navigated legal obstacles and other forms of oppostion (including opposition from a Satanic Temple) to share the gospel with kids in public spaces. 

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 find out more about Child Evangelism Fellowship, visit https://www.cefonline.com/.

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

In this episode, James welcomes David Koyzis back to Thinking Christian to discuss the use of the psalms in the liturgy of the church. Davis is affiliated with Global Scholars Canada and is engaged in an international academic ministry of writing, researching, lecturing, and conversing with readers of his books. He is the author of Political Visions and Illusions and We Answer to Another: Authority, Office, and the Image of God. He taught undergraduate political science for thirty years. In addition to his other work, David writes a blog and does on the liturgical use of the psalter. James and David discuss the importance of the psalms to the life of faith, the resources available to guide Christians through the psalter, and the various benefits of daily Christian prayer at the corporate level.

Go deeper: Trajectories

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 purchase The Book of Common Prayer, visit amazon.com. 

You can read more about David's work with the psalter on his blog at https://genevanpsalter.blogspot.com/p/koyzis-genevan-psalter-project.html. 

For the specific resources noted in the podcast, see below: 

For the specific resources noted in the podcast, see below: 

Cranmer's liturgical legacy

The Alter Psalter: a review

Where Alter's Psalter falters

The Daily Office

Genevan Psalter Project (1985-2021)

God as Judge: Praying the Imprecatory Psalms

Gelineau psalmody

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

This week, James looks at Genesis 11:1-9, which is often reffered to as the Tower of Babel narrative. After making several observations about the text, James offers an interpretation of the narrative that connects it to God's call of Abram in Genesis 12. 

To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here.

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

In this episode, James speaks with Caleb Campbell, author of Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor. James and Caleb discuss the various challenges associated with Christian nationalism, some of the theological errors associated with the movement, and how to go about interacting with Christian nationalists to encourage a more faithful perspective in which pointing to and glorifying the Triune God takes first place.

Go deeper: Christians & Politics

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 purchase Disarming Leviathan, visit ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also check out disarmingleviathan.com.

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

In this episode, Carmen Joy Imes returns to talk about her book titled Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters. James and Carmen talk about the importance of the Old Testament, the way the Ten Commandments are often misunderstood and misapplied, and how bearing God's name shapes the message of the Old and New Testaments. 

Go deeper: Trajectories

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 purchase Carmen's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also follow her on YouTube. 

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

In this episode, James talks with Miranda Zapor Cruz who is a professor of hisotrical theology at Indiana Weslyan University and author of Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters. James and Miranda discuss various perspectives on Christians and politics, as well as the way Christian nationalism harms Christianity. 

Go deeper: Christians & Politics

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 purchase Miranda's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also find her blog at https://mirandazaporcruz.com/. 

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

In this episode, James talks with fellow Old Testament scholar Michael Rhodes about biblical justice. Michael is the author of Just Discipleship: Biblical Justice in an Unjust World and Formative Feasting, Practicing the King’s Economy. He also has numerous articles in Christianity Today and The Biblical Mind. He spent more than fourteen years in community development in urban ministry work. He is ordained in the Evangelical Presbyterian Church and is currently a lecturer in Old Testament at Carey Baptist College.

James and Michael discuss a variety of ideas associated with biblical justice including the interrelationship between the church and governing authorities, the narratives of Joseph and Daniel, and David's final words to Solomon. 

Go deeper: Trajectories

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 purchase Michael's book visit ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount).

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