Episodes
Felicia Wu Song | Restless Devices: How Technology Shapes Us & What We Can Do About It
s technology shaping us more than we realize ? Are we losing our ability to rest, reflect, and be present ? In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Felicia Wu Song , sociologist and author...
Discipleship and Christian Resistance
Is your life more aligned with the world’s distractions or with God’s will? In this episode of PREPPED, we explore discipleship as an act of defiance—an intentional pull away from societal conventions to focus on imitating Ch...
Derek Schuurman | Faith & Technology: Navigating the Digital Age with Wisdom
Technology is shaping our world at an unprecedented rate —but how should Christians respond? Are we thoughtfully engaging with the digital world, or are we being shaped by it in ways we don’t even realize? In this episode of ...
Obedience and Discipleship
Obedience isn't just about following rules; it's a journey into understanding the very essence of our relationship with God. In this episode of PREPPED, James Spencer, PhD, challenges the transactional myths surrounding obedi...
Michael Morgan | William Wilberforce: Faith, Friendship, and Cultural Transformation
William Wilberforce wasn’t just a politician—he was a man of deep faith who leveraged his influence to fight for abolition, social reform, and gospel-driven cultural transformation. In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr....
Evangelicalism, Exvangelicalism, and Deconstruction: Why Good Theology is the Answer
Unravel the complexities of modern Christianity with James Spencer, PhD, in today’s episode of PREPPED as we unpack the rise of exvangelicalism, the cultural forces shaping modern deconstruction, and the critical role of God’...
Cain and Abel or Cain and God? Worshipping God on Our Terms
What if the story of Cain and Abel isn’t just about sibling rivalry but rather a cautionary tale of worship gone astray? In this episode of PREPPED, James Spencer, PhD, unpacks the complex relationship between Cain and God in...
Chris Rappazini | Thinking Christian about Leadership, Faith, and Moving Forward
In this episode of Thinking Christian , James sits down with Dr. Chris Rappazzini, professor of leadership at Anderson University, author of Moving Forward After Messing Up , and founder of Faithful Steps Forward. James and C...
Ambiguity, Misinterpretation, and Self-Determination: Considering the Fall
Is it possible that we have misunderstood the serpent’s role in Genesis 3? In this thought-provoking episode, James Spencer, PhD, challenges preconceived notions about the serpent in the Garden of Eden, peeling back the layer...
Mark Hancock | The Crisis with Boys and What To Do With It
In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer sits down with Mark Hancock, CEO of Trail Life USA, to discuss the unique challenges of raising boys in today’s culture. Mark shares how Trail Life USA is equipping th...
A Suitable Helper? Considering the Meaning of Ezer
What if the Hebrew word "Ezer" in Genesis 2 reveals strength and partnership rather than subservience? In this episode of PREPPED, James Spencer, PhD uncovers the profound implications of this term and its role in reshaping o...
Sharing the Gospel through Sport: A Conversation with Sean McNamara
In this episode, James and Nate welcom Sean McNamara, Chief Sports Officer for FCA. They discuss the ministry of FCA and the expanding arena of sports ministry. Sean talks about the changes he is seeing in the mission field, ...
What Does It Mean to Be Made in God's Image?
What if understanding your true identity as an image-bearer of God could transform your life? In this thought-provoking episode, James Spencer, PhD explores the profound implications of being made in the image of God—a timele...
Dr. Michelle Keener | Suffering, Faith & the Book of Job
What does Job teach us about suffering, trauma, and faith? In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer welcomes Dr. Michelle Keener , Associate Research Fellow at the Kirby Laing Center for Public Theology and D...
Creation, Temple, and the Beatific Vision
What if the sacred spaces of the Bible could transform your understanding of worship and God’s presence? In this episode of PREPPED, join Dr. James Spencer on a remarkable journey from the Garden of Eden to the New Jerusalem,...
Thinking about the Practice of Biblical Lament: A Conversation with Dr. May Young
In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer welcomes back Dr. May Young, Associate Professor and Department Chair of Biblical Studies at Taylor University, to discuss her newly published book, Walking with God T...
What Creation Tells Us About God: Sovereignty, Wisdom, and Benevolence
What if the opening chapters of Genesis offer more than just a historical account—what if they reveal profound truths about our relationship with God? In our debut episode of PREPPED, Dr. James Spencer invites you to step bey...
Christians, Business, and the Business of Discipleship: A Conversation with Joe Becker
In this episode, James welome Joe Beckler, Vice President of Development, Marketing, and Communications for Christian Business Men's Connection (CBMC). James and Joe discuss the unique work that Chrisitan executives and busin...
Faith, Politics, and Boundaries: Thinking Biblically about Government and Discipleship
In this episode of Thinking Christian , James and Nate reflect on their deep dive into the intersection of faith and politics throughout 2024 as we look ahead to the presidential inauguration. They explore how Christians can ...
Rediscovering the Bible with The Chosen: A Conversation with Brandon Robbins
In this episode, James welcomes Brandon Robbins. Brandon is a pastor and YouTube content creator. James and Brandon discuss his forthcoming book titled The Forgotten Teachings of Jesus , the TV series The Chosen , and the way...
Thinking Christian about New Year's Resolutions, Pt 3
Show Description: In this episode of Thinking Christian , we explore the deeper purpose behind New Year's resolutions from a Christian perspective. Should Christians make resolutions? How can we align our goals with biblical ...
Thinking Christian about New Years Resolutions, Pt 2
This episode is a replay from last year's conversation between James and Richard Beatty about New Year's Resolutions. They discuss how to think about New Year's resolutions from a practical, goal-oriented perspective, as well...
Thinking Christian about New Years Resolutions, Part 1
In this episode, James discusses New Years resolutions through the lens of Psalm 1. He describes the difference between approaching resolutions from the perpective of changing our behaviors or ourselves and positioning oursel...
Jesus's Incarnation: What Happened Before the Christmas Story (and Why It Matters to Us)
In this episode, Dr. James Spencer considers Philippians 2. While it isn't a traditional "Christmas" text, Phillippians 2 offers some important backgrount regarding Jesus's decisions prior to the incarnation. The text offers ...