Winsome Conviction

Part of the mission statement of Biola University is to engage culture, and we take this seriously. So when Brigham Young University (BYU) reached out to see if Biola students would be open to beginning an interfaith dialogue, we jumped at the opportunity. Tim, on behalf of Biola, and professor Andrew Reed (Ph.D.), on behalf of BYU, are helping to lead this initiative, which includes co-teaching a class on civility, communication skills, and interfaith dialogue. On today’s episode, Tim and Andrew invite three students - one from Biola and two from BYU - to discuss their experience dialoguing with one another on points of agreement and disagreement between Evangelical Christianity and Mormonism.

Show notes and a full transcript are available.

"Praxis" is when you put theory into practice, and this is something we try to do at The Winsome Conviction Project. On today’s episode, Tim and Rick talk about a recent praxis experience involving two religious universities. This spring, Biola University hosted faculty and students from Brigham Young University for a series of constructive dialogues on points of agreement and disagreement between Christianity and Mormonism. Tim and Rick discuss three ways the dialogues were impactful, and they also discuss points for application for listeners.

Show notes and a full transcript are available.

The spiritual disciplines have long been a vital activity in the life of Christians for growing into Christlikeness. It is also a significant challenge to practice these disciplines in the everyday hustle and bustle of life. And yet the disciplines can serve as a helpful method of training for learning to depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit who helps us to abide and grow in our relationship with God and with others. Rev. Dr. Todd Pickett (Ph.D.) is back on the podcast to speak with Tim and Rick about the disciplines and three conversations we can practice to embed the disciplines in relationships in our everyday lives. 

Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Friend and New Testament scholar Doug Huffman (Ph.D.) joins today’s episode to speak with Tim and Rick about his work as a consultant on a wildly popular television series, The Chosen. They discuss the fictive portions of the series and consider these in light of the historical gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry. They reflect on questions including, What does the television series portray really well? Why does The Chosen stir up agitation and anger among some Christians? Do controversies in documented in the gospels and depicted in the television series speak to our controversies today? And can fictitious stories show truth things?

Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Coach and Dr. Ed Uszynski (Ph.D.) is back on the podcast to speak with Tim and Mike about the current state of things in youth sports, and they spotlight what’s going on with the parents. Why do parents get embarrassed when their child makes a mistake on the field? Is a parent justified in getting angry when a referee’s call doesn’t go their way? Can parents approach youth sports as an opportunity for spiritual formation and invite God into the game? Today’s conversation explores these questions and more, and they draw from Away Game, a book Ed co-authors with Brian Smith, to help foster a love for youth sports without getting swept into the insanity and incivility at youth sporting events.

Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Is social media the new public square? If it is, when so much anger exists online and social media incentives bad behavior, is it possible to have civil discourse? And what does Christian witness look like when buttons get pushed and the discussion becomes divisive? Today’s guest knows a thing or two about these questions. Dr. Sean McDowell (Ph.D.) joins today’s podcast to speak with Tim and Rick about having public discourse online. Sean talks about his vision for his YouTube channel and how he sees his work online as a way to mentor the next generation.

Show notes and a full transcript are available.

We long for a life characterized by goodness, beauty, and kindness, but the fractures and hostility in our world get in the way. What can we do? On today’s episode, pastor and author Rich Villodas speaks with Tim about some of these themes in his book, Good and Beautiful and Kind. They discuss the role of empathy and the slippery slope of emotional engagement, the danger of depersonalization and the reality of supernatural battle, recall how Jesus would meet people where they are when speaking about the good news.

Show notes and a full transcript are available.

Mean-spiritedness and vitriol are contributing to the breakdown in our contemporary discourse, and tactics expressive of affective polarization, where disagreements on policies devolve into bitterness and hatred toward people with whom we disagree, are all too tempting for Christians. And yet, aren’t Christians called to a different way, a different manner of public engagement? On today’s episode, Steve Porter (Ph.D.) speaks with Rick on the role of spiritual formation for shaping how we work in public life.

Show notes and a full transcript are available.

The crisis in higher education highlights the vital role of faith-based institutions within the broader educational landscape and the value these institutions provide to society at large. By integrating rigorous academics with religious identity, faith-based universities are poised to address a meaningful, purpose-driven education. Today’s episode is a live recording of a discussion that took place this past December at Biola University with Dr. Barry Corey (Ph.D.), President of Biola University, and Dr. Shane Reese (Ph.D.), President of Brigham Young University, on the impact of faith-based higher education, and this discussion was moderated by Tim.

Show notes and a full transcript are available.

In the biblical wisdom literature, Proverbs 4:23 says, "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” This is sound wisdom, but this bit of advice can often seem irrelevant in matters of church quarreling and cultural rage. And yet, formation in civility, both for the health of the Church and for broader cultural engagement, is crucial. On today’s podcast, Rick and Tim speak with Rev. Dr. Todd Pickett (Ph.D.) on the role of spiritual formation in matters of civility and whether becoming formed to the likeness of Jesus is the highest priority for Christians. They discuss discipleship, the spiritual disciplines, the centrality of the heart, and the practice of attunement in pursuing a good life. 

Show notes and a full transcript are available.