Episodes
How Can Christians Overcome Pornography: A Conversation with Sathiya Sam
Pornography is a problem. No matter how you slice it, the widespread accessibility of pornography is impacting our society. In this episode, James sits down with Sathiya Sam of Deep Clean to talk about the challenges associat...
Joshua Broome: From Porn to Redemption
In this episode of Thinking Christian, guest host Maggie Hubbard interviews Joshua Broome. Joshua is an ex-porn star who came to faith in Jesus Christ and became a pastor. They discuss his experience in the pornography indust...
Thinking Worship with Stephen McWhirter
Honesty, humility and a sense of humor are what makes Stephen Mcwhirter's story so inviting. In this episode, Stephen, James, and guest co-host Nate Giarrantano discuss Stephen's story, what its like to be a worship leader, ...
Reading Ecclesiastes with the Old and New Testaments in Mind with Russ Meek
Russell Meek is an Old Testament Scholar and author of Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World. He and Dr. James Spencer discuss the book of Ecclesiastes, how it relates to the broader patterns of the ...
Thinking Christian at NASCAR with Michael McDowell
James and guest host Nate Giarranto sit down with Michael McDowell to discuss his testimony, his career in NASCAR, and how he lives out his faith today. Michael McDowell won the Dayton 500 in 2021 and appeared in the NASCAR C...
Christian Witness and the War in Ukraine: A Conversation with Josiah Venture missonary Lee Humerian
In this episode, James sits down with Lee Humerian, a missionary with Josiah Ventures serving in Ukraine. They discuss the current situation in Ukraine and the opportunities the church has to serve in the context of war. We d...
Christians and Cancel Culture
In this episode of Thinking Christian, we tackle the issue of "cancel culture." We consider the dangers of cheap participation and the limitations of social media advocacy. We also offer tips on how to think Chrisitan about t...
Tolkien, Prayer, and Doing Theology with Ashish Varma
What does it mean to be a praying people? How do Tolkien's writings relate to prayer? On this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer and Ashish Varma dive into Ashish's essay titled "A Home Among the Trees: Prayer from ...
Christians and Anxiety
The question of anxiety and fear today runs rampant. How do I let the world's stories capture reality and hinder my walk? What can we embrace and what should we resist? Dr. James Spencer and Richard Beattie discuss. Follow Th...
Caring for Others in South Sudan: A Conversation about Grain for Pain
What can sound louder than bullets and tanks, louder than machine guns and entire villages being burned to the ground? What can last longer than scars on someone’s face or heart? What can change a human heart that is determin...
Grateful Beyond Thanksgiving
Like in so many American Holidays- Gratitude is often regulated to weeks before, and gets reduced to a thing called, "Turkey Day." If we were to really think Christian about it- we would probably give thanks- on a daily basis...
Get Ready for Thanksgiving by Remembering the Giver of All Good Gifts
James offers some insights into thankfulness from the book of Deuteronomy and the history of Israel. He then has a brief time of prayer to help Christians cultivate a heart of gratitude. Discover more Christian podcasts at li...
Lessons from the Life of Dwight Moody- Humility, Prayer, and Dependence
This episode continues the conversation with Dr. Gregg Quiggle about Dwight Moody's enduring significance. We discuss Dwight Moody's "secret sauce" and the way God used him to reach the world. Discover more Christian podcasts...
What D. L. Moody's Life Teaches Us
In this episode, James has a discussion with Dr. Gregg Quiggle. Dr. Quiggle is a D. L. Moody expert who contributed to A Praying People, a new book edited by James Spencer and Ashish Varma. He and James talk about who Dwight ...
How Should Christians Think About Transhumanism?
In this episode, James Spencer is joined by Alin Vrancila to discuss the Transhumanist Declaration from a biblical and theological perspective. They consider the problems with pursuing immortality through human means and dis...
What's the Deal with Halloween and who's it for?
Another useful conversation about Halloween and seasons. Dr. James Spencer and producer Richard Beattie have a thoughtful conversation about who this season is for and what are ways to mark the change of seasons in a producti...
Another Problem with Halloween: Thinking Christian and Consumerism
Dr. James Spencer and producer/journalist, Richard Beattie, talk about Halloween and the globalization of seasons, consumerism, and regionalism. This came from an Op-ed that James wrote in 2022 for Halloween. Discover more C...
How Should Christians Think About Being Human?
What it means to be human--If you look at history it could be "to err," or to "empathetic," or sympathetic. Can your computer be human? And with that can we become less human if artificial intelligence overtakes us. Wait! Can...
Finding Joy Amidst Suffering (with Skateboarding Pro Josh Harmony)
This is a special podcast with skateboarding pro, Josh Harmony. Dr. James Spencer and Nate Giarratano take us on a journey with Josh that has had its share of bumps and bruises! This is a two-part story. Remember: Wear a helm...
Is A.I. Going to Make Us Less Human?
Dr. James Spencer makes the connection between dehumanization in the latest push towards AI with slavery, human trafficking and what we are becoming. This is one conversation that is useful and helpful in reaching an understa...
Taking Time and Creating Space for God to Work in Your Life
Are you someone who takes time to think and process, rather than rushing to make decisions? In a world filled with distractions, being able to consciously determine how you're going to spend your time, who you're going to spe...
Rethinking Science and Religion: Are There Pathways to Knowing God Through Science?
Here is the second part of the discussion between Dr. James Spencer and John Van Sloten on the connection between creation, arts and science. A good way to end the first week of "Thinking Christian." Discover more Christian p...
Think Creation, Think Science: Experiencing God’s Majestic Presence in the World
Is there a link to Scientific Method and Creative Process? On Jamesgspencer.com, we discuss the link with John Van Sloten on Think Radio, the artist once known as Talk Radio begins "thoughtful and useful conversations!" The n...
Thinking About AI and Teachers From A Christian Perspective
What if artificial intelligence (AI) is allowing us to reward our own bad behavior? At what point is the need for the sort of efficiency AI promises to provide driven by our skewed priorities, broken systems, and unwillingne...