Episodes
The Legacy of the Reformation: Freedom, Fragmentation, and Accountability
In this final episode of our German Reformation series, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Greg Quiggle step back from the 16th century to ask a pressing modern question: what does it actually mean to be Protestant today—and what have...
Protestantism Isn’t Individualism: The Solas, Catechesis, and Authority (Greg Quiggle)
In this episode of our German Reformation series, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Greg Quiggle pivot to one of the defining features of Protestant tradition: the Reformation Solas —and why they still matter for Christians today. Ra...
Protestantism Under Luther: Authority, Chaos, and the Cost of “Bible Alone”
In this episode of our German Reformation series, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Greg Quiggle begin exploring what happens after the attempt to reform the Catholic Church breaks down and the division becomes permanent: What does P...
Luther’s 95 Theses: What He Meant to Do—and What Actually Happened
In this episode of our German Reformation series, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Greg Quiggle linger in Wittenberg before the Diet of Worms and Wartburg Castle to unpack the moment everyone knows—but few understand: Luther’s 95 Th...
Luther Goes to Rome: Corruption, Crisis, and the Breakthrough in Romans
In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Greg Quiggle pick up the story after Luther’s intensifying crisis of conscience. If the monastery wasn’t bringing peace—what could? Luther’s mentor, Johann von...
Before Wittenberg: Luther’s Erfurt Years and the Weight of Judgment
In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Greg Quiggle to continue the German Reformation series—this time focusing on Martin Luther’s years in Erfurt and the startling turn that led him into ...
Why the Reformation Happened: Germany Before Luther (Greg Quiggle)
In this first episode of a new Thinking Christian series on the German Reformation , Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Greg Quiggle —a historian, former Moody Bible Institute professor, and leader of Tours for Ten —to set th...
Multiculturalism in the Church: A Biblical Theology of Unity Without Uniformity (Ben Mathew)
What does it look like for Christians to pursue multicultural unity without flattening real differences—or turning ethnicity into an ultimate identity? In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast , Dr. James Spencer is ...
Counseling and the Church: How Pastors and Congregations Should Work Together (Dr. Steve Stuhlreyer)
Pastors are carrying more emotional and spiritual weight than most congregations realize—and many churches still treat counseling and discipleship as if they’re separate worlds. In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podca...
Rediscover Prayer: From Performance to Presence (Addison Bevere)
Why do so many Christians feel like they’re “bad at prayer”? In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast , Dr. James Spencer sits down with Addison Bevere (President of Messenger International ) to talk about prayer as ...
The Holy Spirit and Discipleship: Why Growth Isn’t Just Human Effort (Roger Ross)
Is discipleship mainly about trying harder—or is it something God does in us? In this short, focused segment on the Thinking Christian Podcast , Roger Ross explains why the Holy Spirit is the prime mover in the entire work of...
Unmuted: From Silence to Testimony (Nick Sash) | Ordinary Faith, Discipleship & Finding Your Voice
What happens when God confronts the “two lives” we’re living—and calls us out of the background and into honest testimony? In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast , Dr. James Spencer is joined by Nick Sash (a longti...
Raising Wise Kids in a Sexually Broken World with Lori Krieg | Parenting, Porn, Gender & Discipleship
How do Christian parents raise kids with wisdom in a culture shaped by pornography, confusion about gender, and broken ideas about relationships—without living in “hair-on-fire” panic? In this episode of the Thinking Christia...
Songs Before the Manger: Mary, Zechariah, and the Deep Theology of Christmas
Before angels sing over Bethlehem in Luke 2, two other voices break into song—Mary and Zechariah. In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer continues the “Thinking Christian about Christmas” series by walking ...
Dr. Christine Jeske | Learning to Hope Differently: Racial Justice for the Long Haul
What kind of hope can actually sustain racial justice work over decades—not just months? In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer is joined by anthropologist and author Dr. Christine Jeske to talk about her n...
Incarnation in a Disincarnate Age: Jesus, The Matrix, and Our Technological Self
As technology offers us endless ways to be “present” without actually being there, what does it mean for Christians to imitate the incarnation of Christ? In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer explores the ...
Do Evangelicals Still Believe Evangelical Things? Exploring the 2025 State of Theology
Every two years, Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research release The State of Theology —a massive survey that reveals what Americans (including evangelicals) actually believe about God, the Bible, Jesus, and culture. The 202...
Kickflips & the Great Commission: Varsity Skateboarding and Skate Church KC
James welcomes Dylan (founder of Varsity Skateboarding & leader of Skate Church KC ) and co-host Nate to unpack how skateparks have become mission fields. They cover why skating is exploding post-Olympics, what makes a skatep...
Recovering Wonder: A Fresh Reading of the Christmas Story
In a season filled with noise, outrage, and “cancel culture,” is there still room for real joy? In this Christmas episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer invites you to slow down, listen, and remember. He begins wit...
Why God Gave Ahaz a Baby, Not an Army: Isaiah 7:14 and the Virgin Birth
At Christmas, Christians often quote Isaiah 7:14—“the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son”—but few pause to ask what that verse meant for King Ahaz before it pointed to Christ. In this episode of Thinking Christian ,...
Tanita Maddox | What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God
In this episode of Thinking Christian , I sit down with Dr. Tanita Maddox—National Director of Generational Impact for Young Life and author of What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God . Drawing from years of research and on...
Danny Zacharias & Christopher Hoklotubbe | Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: Indigenous Christian Hermeneutics with
In this episode of the Thinking Christian podcast, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Daniel (Danny) Zacharias and Dr. Christopher Hoklotubbe, co-authors of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American ...
Sayitha Sam | Finding Freedom From Porn: Deep Clean Coaching, Addiction Recovery & Christian Identity
In this episode of the Thinking Christian podcast, Dr. James Spencer welcomes back Sathiya Sam—CEO and founder of Deep Clean Coaching—to talk about pornography addiction, sexual integrity, and the power of Christian community...
JR Briggs | The Art of Asking Better Questions- Christian Leadership, Loneliness & Deeper Discipleship
In this episode of the Thinking Christian podcast, Dr. James Spencer talks with J.R. Briggs—founder of Kairos Partnerships and author of The Art of Asking Better Questions: Pursuing Stronger Relationships, Healthier Leadershi...