Episodes
David Green (Hobby Lobby) & Bill High | Building a Legacy Life: Faith, Family, and Eternal Purpose
In this episode of Thinking Christian , James Spencer talks with David Green , CEO of Hobby Lobby, and Bill High , CEO of Legacy Stone, about their new book Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity ....
Carmen Joy Imes | Becoming God's Family: The Importance of Community
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer engages with Dr. Carmen Imes about her book 'Becoming God's Family: Why the Church Still Matters.' They explore the themes of identity, vocation, and belonging within t...
Beth Felker Jones | Why I’m Protestant: Scripture, Catholicity, and a Church That’s Still Being Reformed
Dr. James Spencer sits down with Beth Felker Jones (Professor of Theology, Northern Seminary) to talk about her new IVP book Why I Am Protestant . Beth lays out how Protestant distinctives—especially Scripture as the norming ...
The Authority of the Septuagint: What the Apostles Quoted—and Why It Matters
Dr. James Spencer welcomes Gregory R. Lanier (RTS Orlando, NT) and William A. Ross (RTS Charlotte, OT), co-editors of The Authority of the Septuagint: Biblical, Historical & Theological Approaches (IVP Academic). What is the ...
Gregg Quiggle and Jerry Root | The English Reformation and C. S. Lewis
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer engages with Dr. Greg Quiggle and Dr. Jerry Root to discuss an upcoming study tour focused on the English Reformation and the works of C.S. Lewis. The conversation delv...
Georgette Beck | Junk to Jewels: Beauty from Ashes
Dr. James Spencer welcomes Georgette Beck —author of Junk to Jewels: A Journey from Brokenness and Despair to Beauty and Delight and founder of the Bella Healing Hearts Foundation . Georgette shares her path from low self-wor...
Debbie D'Souza | The Dragon’s Prophecy Film
James talks with Debbie D’Souza (co-writer/co-director) about the new film The Dragon’s Prophecy —why the project accelerated after Oct 7th, how Revelation 12’s “dragon” frames Israel’s story, what recent archaeology (City of...
Peter Y. Hong | True Globalization: Reconciling Humanity in Christ
Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Peter Y. Hong —federal prison chaplain and author of The Reconciliation of Humanity in Christ —to explore how a prison chapel became his living parable for our “shrinking” world. Peter des...
Jonathan P. Walton | Beauty & Resistance: Practicing a Life That Forms You
Dr. James Spencer talks with Jonathan P. Walton —author of Beauty and Resistance and 12 Lies That Hold America Captive —about moving beyond “thinking Christian” to living as a Christian. Jonathan shares how grief, burnout, an...
Peter Greer | How Leaders Lose Their Way—and Finish Well Instead
Dr. James Spencer talks with Peter Greer —CEO/President of HOPE International and author of How Leaders Lose Their Way (and How to Make Sure It Doesn’t Happen to You) —about why organizations drift when leaders first drift pe...
Mikel Del Rosario | Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? Claims, “Blasphemy,” and Historical Evidence
Dr. James Spencer welcomes Dr. Mikel Del Rosario —theology professor at Moody Bible Institute , host of The Apologetics Guy podcast, and author of Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? —to explore Jesus’ divine self-understanding ...
Eun K. Strawser | You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone: Shared Power, and Discipleship-First Leadership
Dr. James Spencer welcomes Eun Strawser —author of You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone and co-vocational lead pastor of Ma Ke Ali o —to rethink church leadership through the lens of Ephesians 4–5 . Instead of celebrity or soli...
Capitalism, Socialism, and the Christian’s Hope: Reading the Gallup Poll Like Disciples
James and Nate unpack a recent Gallup poll on Americans’ views of capitalism —down from 60% (2021) to 54% (2025) favorable—and why that headline can mislead. Beneath it: strong support for free enterprise and small business ,...
Ryan Skoog | Lead with Prayer: Lessons from the Global Church
Dr. James Spencer welcomes Ryan Skoog —author of Lead with Prayer and president of Venture —for a wide-ranging conversation on prayer, discipleship, and the explosive growth of the global church. Ryan shares powerful stories ...
Arianna Molloy | Healthy Calling: Breaking Free from Workaholism and Finding True Rest
What does it truly mean to live out your calling? In this special crossover episode from the Thinking Christian podcast, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Arianna Molloy, professor of organizational communication at Biola Un...
Will Acuff | No Elevator to Everest: Spirit-Led Self-Awareness, Joyful Work, and Ending Poverty through Ownership
Dr. James Spencer sits down with Will Acuff —author of No Elevator to Everest: Shift from Survive to Thrive through Spirit-Led Self-Awareness and cofounder of Corner to Corner (Nashville)—to explore how Christians can move fr...
Soundbites and Slogans: Thinking Christian in a World of Half-Truths
In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast , Dr. James Spencer is joined by Nate Giarratano reflect on recent political commentary surrounding the Israel–Gaza conflict. Instead of offering hot takes on a complex war, t...
How to Die: Punk Rock, Monasteries, and the Scandal of Discipleship
In a culture obsessed with self-optimization and curated spirituality, Joshua S. Porter offers a counterintuitive call: come and die . In this episode, James Spencer sits down with the punk-rocker-turned-pastor to discuss Por...
Jeremy Stalnecker | Identity Beyond the Uniform: Faith, Trauma & Leadership
In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer hosts Jeremy Stalnecker of the March or Die podcast. They discuss Jeremy's ministry to veterans, the challenges facing those coming back from combat, and leadership. T...
The Serpent's Craft: Unpacking the Ambiguity and Tragedy of Genesis 3:1-7
What makes temptation so compelling? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer takes us deep into one of Scripture's most foundational passages—the fall narrative in Genesis 3:1-7. Far from a s...
Christian Nationalism and the Church-State Divide: A Theological Reflection on the PCA Vote
In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer and Nate dive into the recent Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) vote addressing Christian nationalism. They explore what makes Christian nationalism problematic fro...
Rethinking "Helper": Unpacking the True Meaning of Ezer in Genesis 2
What does it truly mean to be a "helper"? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer challenges common misconceptions surrounding the Hebrew word ezer , often translated as "helper" in Genesis 2...
Temple, Eden, and the End of All Things: How Sacred Space Shapes Discipleship
What if the tabernacle, the Garden of Eden, and the Great Commission are all telling the same story? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series , Dr. James Spencer uncovers the theological thread that weaves from ...
In God’s Image: Dignity, Dominion, and the Distorted Imago Dei
What does it actually mean to be made in the image of God? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series , Dr. James Spencer dives deep into one of the Bible’s most profound claims about humanity. Exploring five majo...