Episodes
PREPPED Highlights: Wisdom, Faith, and Spiritual Growth
Join us for a special episode of PREPPED as we look back at some of the most thought-provoking and insightful moments from our top five most popular episodes so far. These curated highlights feature deep theological insights,...
False Teaching and False Teachers
How can a teaching feel true and still lead you away from God? In this episode of PREPPED join James Spencer, PhD, as we dissect the subtle dangers of false teaching—particularly the kind that offers comfort at the expense of...
Biblical Discernment: How to Identify False Teaching in Today's Church
In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast, Dr. James Spencer and Nate Giarratano explore the critical difference between false prophets and false teachers in Scripture. Learn practical biblical discernment tools to ev...
Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave | Worship, Grief, and the Grace of God
This episode features Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave, who shares his remarkable 25-year journey in Christian music ministry. Mike reveals how God has consistently shown up in both celebratory milestones and devastating person...
Responding to God
What if the key to spiritual transformation lies not in our circumstances but in our responses to God? In this episode of PREPPED, join James Spencer, PhD, on an exploration of the power of response as a spiritual discipline....
Lisa Harper | Theology for the Tenderhearted
In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer welcomes Bible teacher, author, and podcaster Lisa Harper for a rich, heartfelt conversation about her new book A Jesus-Shaped Life . Together, they explore how diving...
Join Me in Germany: 2025 Reformation Tour
In this special announcement, Dr. James Spencer shares details about the upcoming German Reformation Tour , running from October 30 to November 9, 2025. Explore the theological and political heritage of Germany with stops in ...
Discipled Men: Rethinking Masculinity Through the Lens of Christ
In this episode, James Spencer and Nate Girarratano kick off a series on biblical manhood by asking a foundational question: What does it really mean to be a man under the authority of Christ? Too often, discipleship is confu...
Gregg Quiggle | False Religion, the Barmen Declaration, and the Fight for the Church’s Soul
In this episode of Thinking Christian , I’m joined by Dr. Greg Quiggle for a deep dive into one of the most important yet often overlooked documents of the 20th century—the Barmen Declaration. Against the backdrop of Germany’...
Reorienting Attention
Your attention may be more than just a cognitive skill—have you ever considered that it could be a moral compass guiding your spiritual journey? In this episode of PREPPED, join host James Spencer, PhD, for an exploration of ...
Beth Allison Barr | From Pulpit to Parsonage: Gender, Ordination, and the Pastor’s Wife
Historian and author Beth Allison Barr joins Thinking Christian to discuss her latest book, Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry . We explore the medieval redefinitions of...
David and Brandon Lindell | Lionhearted Manhood: Leading with Strength, Submitting with Heart
In this episode of Thinking Christian , James Spencer is joined by David and Brandon Lindell—pastors at James River Church and authors of Lionhearted: A Man’s Guide to Life . Together, they tackle the complexities of Christia...
Gregg Quiggle | Martin Luther’s Legacy and the Chaos of Freedom: Reformation, Reform, and the Rise of the Individual
Was the Reformation a spark for spiritual renewal—or the start of theological chaos? In this episode of Thinking Christian , I’m joined by Dr. Greg Quiggle to explore the sites and significance of the German Reformation in an...
Join Me in Germany: 2025 Reformation Tour
In this special announcement, Dr. James Spencer shares details about the upcoming German Reformation Tour , running from October 30 to November 9, 2025. Explore the theological and political heritage of Germany with stops in ...
Reordering Loves
What happens when we are led by our desires rather than by God's design? Today on PREPPED, join James Spencer, PhD, as we invite our listeners to explore the deep and transformative concept of reordering our loves—shifting ou...
Danny Adams | Faith, Laughter, and Cultural Conversations
What does it take to bring faith-based comedy to life while navigating the ever-changing entertainment industry? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with entertainer and comedian Danny Adams to ...
The Unbalanced Life
Achieving a “balanced life” is a prevalent concept in our current age, but is it simply a mirage? In this episode of PREPPED, James Spencer, PhD, challenges this modern obsession with balance and productivity by inviting us t...
Dr. Levi Baker | The New Testament Canon: A Story of Covenant, Not Controversy
Many assume the New Testament canon was the product of centuries of debate and formalization, but what if the need for new scripture was as natural to early Christians as the New Covenant itself? In this episode of Thinking C...
Spiritual Disciplines
The true measure of spiritual growth isn’t necessarily found in grand gestures—but rather in quiet, consistent moments of faithfulness. In this episode of PREPPED, join James Spencer, PhD, as we unpack the teachings of Matthe...
Keeney Dickenson | Spurgeon, Prayer, and the Power of Preaching
In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer sits down with Keeney Dickenson, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Crockett, Texas, and author of Spurgeon: The Prayer-Powered Pulpit of the Prince of Preachers...
Justification by Faith: Romans 4 and James 2
Embracing a God-centered rhythm of decision-making will transform even the smallest of our choices into acts of faith. In this episode of PREPPED, James Spencer, PhD, is diving into this profound concept through examining Eli...
Jeffrey Barbeau | C.S. Lewis, The Last Romantic & Faith in a Post-Christian World
What made C.S. Lewis such a compelling thinker and writer? In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Barbeau, professor of theology at Wheaton College and author of The Last Romantic: ...
The Sons of Abraham: Galatians 3
What happens when we prioritize God's voice over the world's advice? In today’s episode of PREPPED, join James Spencer, PhD, as he invites us to challenge the cultural mantra of “follow your heart” by examining what it means ...
Justin and Trisha Davis | Breaking Free from the Messy Middle: One Choice Away from Change
Are you feeling stuck in patterns of hurt, shame, or relational brokenness? In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer is joined by Justin and Trish Davis, authors of One Choice Away from Change and founders of...