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Episodes

Join Me in Germany: 2025 Reformation Tour
April 14, 2025

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 ...

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Reordering Loves
April 14, 2025

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...

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Danny Adams | Faith, Laughter, and Cultural Conversations
April 14, 2025

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 ...

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The Unbalanced Life
April 10, 2025

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...

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Dr. Levi Baker | The New Testament Canon: A Story of Covenant, Not Controversy
April 10, 2025

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...

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Spiritual Disciplines
April 8, 2025

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...

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Keeney Dickenson | Spurgeon, Prayer, and the Power of Preaching
April 7, 2025

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...

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Justification by Faith: Romans 4 and James 2
April 3, 2025

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...

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Jeffrey Barbeau | C.S. Lewis, The Last Romantic & Faith in a Post-Christian World
April 3, 2025

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: ...

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The Sons of Abraham: Galatians 3
March 31, 2025

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 ...

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Justin and Trisha Davis | Breaking Free from the Messy Middle: One Choice Away from Change
March 31, 2025

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...

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Angie Velasquez Thorton | Handling Criticism & Accountability in Christian Public Ministry
March 28, 2025

Angie Velasquez Thorton | Handling Criticism & Accountability in Christian Public Ministry

In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer is joined by Angie Velasquez Thornton to discuss the challenges of handling criticism, fostering accountability, and maintaining unity in Christian public ministry. As...

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Announcement- Join Me in Germany: 2025 Reformation Tour
March 27, 2025

Announcement- 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 ...

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Abraham's Learning Curve: The Near-Sacrifice of Isaac
March 27, 2025

Abraham's Learning Curve: The Near-Sacrifice of Isaac

What does true obedience look like? In this episode of PREPPED, accompany James Spencer, PhD, as we journey through the challenging narrative of Genesis 22, where Abraham faces the ultimate test: the command to sacrifice his ...

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Abraham's Learning Curve: Hagar and Ismael
March 24, 2025

Abraham's Learning Curve: Hagar and Ismael

Today on PREPPED, join James Spencer, PhD, as we unpack the complexities of Abraham’s journey, exploring how moments of tension, trust, and obedience shaped his legacy. From Abraham’s decision to father a child with Hagar to ...

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Jon Hietbrink, Eric Rafferty, and Linson Daniel | Reviving Mission: Discovering God’s Movement in Everyday Life
March 24, 2025

Jon Hietbrink, Eric Rafferty, and Linson Daniel | Reviving Mission: Discovering God’s Movement in Everyday Life

In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer sits down with authors Linson Daniel, Jon Hietbrink, and Eric Rafferty to discuss their new book, Reviving Mission: Awakening to the Everyday Movement of God . Togethe...

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So Only God Gets the Glory: Abram, the King of Sodom, and a Paradigm for Christian Decision-Making
March 20, 2025

So Only God Gets the Glory: Abram, the King of Sodom, and a Paradigm for Christian Decision-Making

Could a single act of courage redefine the course of faith and history? In this episode of PREPPED, join James Spencer, PhD, as he unpacks the remarkable narrative of Genesis 14, where Abram’s bold rescue of his nephew Lot re...

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Ed Uszynsky | Race and Christian Discernment in a New Political Space
March 20, 2025

Ed Uszynsky | Race and Christian Discernment in a New Political Space

How should Christians think about race and justice five years after George Floyd? In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer welcomes back Ed Uszynski, author of Untangling Critical Race Theory , to explore the...

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Ian Harber | Walking Through Deconstruction: A Guide for the Church
March 17, 2025

Ian Harber | Walking Through Deconstruction: A Guide for the Church

Deconstruction is often misunderstood—some see it as a step toward renewal, while others fear it as a path to apostasy. But what if we’re missing the deeper reality? In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer t...

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Abraham's Learning Curve: Sister-Wife Narratives (Egypt and Abimelech)
March 17, 2025

Abraham's Learning Curve: Sister-Wife Narratives (Egypt and Abimelech)

Uncover the intricate dance between faith and fear as we explore Abram's journey into Egypt, in today’s episode of PREPPED. By unpacking the events of Genesis 12:10-20, where Abram’s decision to present Sarai as his sister, J...

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The Myth of Meritocracy? Moving beyond the Poles of Merit and Woke
March 14, 2025

The Myth of Meritocracy? Moving beyond the Poles of Merit and Woke

In this episode of Thinking Christian , James Spencer and Nate Giarratano take a deep dive into the complexities of meritocracy, systemic sin, and hiring practices. Using personal stories and broader cultural conversations—sp...

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Enter Abram: God's Call of Abram as the Solution to the Problem of Independence
March 13, 2025

Enter Abram: God's Call of Abram as the Solution to the Problem of Independence

Today, on PREPPED, we’re exploring what happens when human ambition clashes with divine purpose. Listen in as James Spencer, PhD, contrasts the Tower of Babel narrative with God’s call to Abram, revealing two opposing paths—s...

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Jesse Covington, Bryan T. McGraw, and Micah Watson | Hopeful Realism: Natural Law, Politics & Christian Public Engagement
March 13, 2025

Jesse Covington, Bryan T. McGraw, and Micah Watson | Hopeful Realism: Natural Law, Politics & Christian Public Engagement

Can Christians faithfully engage in politics without compromising their convictions? In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Jesse Covington, Dr. Brian T. McGraw, and Dr. Micah Watson, co-au...

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Truth, Justice, and the Challenge of Christian Journalism
March 11, 2025

Truth, Justice, and the Challenge of Christian Journalism

In this episode of Thinking Christian , James and Nate explore the razor-thin line Christian journalism walks between accountability and bearing false witness. Prompted by a controversy at the NRB convention, they discuss the...

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