Season 2
Thinking Christian about Our Rights, Freedoms, and Political Participation
In this episode, James and Nate discuss the politics of the day. They attempt to differentiate between civic and sacred acts in relation to voting, as well as encouraging Christians to recognize the symbolic "freight" that ce...
How Should Christian Think About Belonging- A Conversation wtih Sarah E. Westfall
In this episode, James welcomes Sarah E. Westfall. Sarah is the author of The Way of Belonging. James and Sarah discuss the idea of belonging, how it differs from fitting in, and the way that our relationship with God and our...
How Christians Can Reach Kids with the Gospel: A Conversation with Fred Pry of Child Evangelism Fellowship
In this episode, James welcomes Fred Pry, Vice President of Administration at Child Evangelism Fellowship. James and Fred discuss the ministry of CEF, the various resources CEF makes available to share the gospel with childre...
How Can the Psalms Help Christians Worship? A Conversation with David Koyzis
In this episode, James welcomes David Koyzis back to Thinking Christian to discuss the use of the psalms in the liturgy of the church. Davis is affiliated with Global Scholars Canada and is engaged in an international academi...
Thinking about the Tower of Babel: Unrestrained and Unguided Human Capacity
This week, James looks at Genesis 11:1-9, which is often reffered to as the Tower of Babel narrative. After making several observations about the text, James offers an interpretation of the narrative that connects it to God's...
How Should Christians Approach Political Participation? A Conversation with Caleb Campbell
In this episode, James speaks with Caleb Campbell, author of Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor . James and Caleb discuss the various challenges associated with Christian nationalism, some of the ...
What Does It Mean to Take the Lord's Name In Vain? A Conversation with Carmen Joy Imes
In this episode, Carmen Joy Imes returns to talk about her book titled Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters . James and Carmen talk about the importance of the Old Testament, the way the Ten Commandments are often misu...
How Should Christians Engage in Politics? A Conversation with Miranda Zapor Cruz
In this episode, James talks with Miranda Zapor Cruz who is a professor of hisotrical theology at Indiana Weslyan University and author of Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters . James ...
What Is Biblical Justice? A Conversation with Michael Rhodes
In this episode, James talks with fellow Old Testament scholar Michael Rhodes about biblical justice. Michael is the author of Just Discipleship: Biblical Justice in an Unjust World and Formative Feasting, Practicing the King...
Worshipping God on Our Own Terms? Thinking Christian about the Cain and Abel Narrative
In this episode, James looks at Genesis 4. He discusses the tension between Cain and God, Cain's poor choice, and the resolution that God ultimately brings about through Seth. He argues that the narrative centers on Cain's un...
Thinking about Faith, Leadership, and Baseball: A Conversation with Dayton Moore
In this episode, James and Nate sit down with Dayton Moore. In addition to holding various other positions in Major League Baseball, Dayton was a general manager for the Royals. Under his leadership, the Royals won the world ...
How Should Christians Think about Manhood? A Conversation with Jake Hamilton
In this episode, James talks with Jake Hamilton, author of Journey to Biblical Masculinity: 12 Paths Every Man Must Take. Jake is also the founder and CEO of "The Fight," a ministry dedicated to challenging men to own who the...
How Should Christians Build Resilience and Character in a Digital Age? A Conversation with Jay Y. Kim
In this episode, James sits down with Jay Y. Kim, author of Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age. James and Jay discuss the promise and pitfalls of digital technologies, how to ...
Learning from God's Presence and Provision: A Devotional on the David and Goliath Narrative
In this episode, James discusses 1 Samuel 17, the narrative of David and Goliath. He discusses the differences between David and the other characters in the narrative, as well as highlighting the underlying theology of this w...
How Can We Be Alert to God's Presence and Alive to God's Love? A Conversation with Helen Cepero
In this episode, James has a conversation with Helen Cepero. Helen is the author of Christ-Shaped Character: Choosing Love, Faith and Hope. She also started the C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Semi...
How Should Christians Think about the Relationship between Church and State? Reflecting on the National Conservatism Conference
In this episode, James is joined by co-host Nate Giarratano. James and Nate discuss some of the conversations that occurred at last week's National Conservatism Conference in Washington, D.C., where Pastor Doug Wilson, Al Moh...
What Does It Mean to Be a Christian Citizen? A Conversation with David Koyzis
In this episode, James sits down with David Koyzis author of Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement . He also writes a blog titled " Notes from a Byzantine-Rite Calvinist ." David and James d...
What Does It Mean to Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent As Doves?
In this episode, James considers Matthew 10. He talks about what Jesus is trying to teach his disciples (and us!) by sending them out on their initial mission. He also provides an explanation of what it looks like to be "wise...
How Should Christians Think about America? A Conversation with Paul D. Miller
In this episode, James hosts Paul D. Miller author of The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism . Paul and James discuss nationalism, politics, conservatism, and the difference between patrio...
What If Imitating Christ Became the Church's Central Focus? A Conversation with Eun Strawser
In this episode, James discusses discipleship with Eun Strawser, author of Centering Discipleship: A Pathway for Multiplying Spectators into Mature Disciples . James and Eun discuss discipleship in terms of imitating Christ a...
How Can Christians Be Good Neighbors? Thinking through the Good Samaritan
In this episode, James considers the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. He discusses the Old Testament background of love for neighbor in Leviticus and what it might mean for us to show mercy in today's world. For more...
How Can Christians Think about Politics and Culture?
In this episode, James and Nate discuss a Pew Research study titled "Cultural Issues and the 2024 Election." They talk about how Christians might approach specific cultural issues, the differences between the roles of the sta...
Thinking Christian about Mental Illness and Suffering: A Conversation with Chris Morris
In this episode, James welcomes Chris Morris author of Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons about Suicidality and Depression from the Psych Ward. James and Chris have a candid conversation about mental illness and discuss ways the...
Thinking Christian about Jesus's Temptation
In this episode, James discusses Jesus's baptism and subsequent temptation in the gospel of Matthew. He considers each of the temptation's Jesus faces and the lessons that Christians can learn from Matthew 4. For more from Ja...