Cultural update: Australia's Social Media Ban; Marijuana and Youth Health; Study on Charlie Kirk Death

Cultural update: Australia's Social Media Ban; Marijuana and Youth Health; Study on Charlie Kirk Death

Author: Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae December 12, 2025 Duration: 1:01:07
Stories this week: Marijuana and youth health: New medical studies show legalization has coincided with a sharp rise in adolescent ER visits, including severe physical and psychiatric effects, raising ethical and biblical concerns about bodily stewardship. Australia’s social media ban: Australia enacted the world’s first nationwide ban on social media accounts for children under 16, shifting responsibility to tech companies and sparking debate over protection versus government over...

What does it look like to live out a thoughtful Christian faith in a complex world? That’s the central question explored in Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture. Each week, hosts Sean McDowell and Scott Rae, both professors at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology, sit down for genuine discussions that bridge the gap between timeless scripture and contemporary life. Rather than offering simple answers, they delve into the nuances of current events, ethical dilemmas, and shifting cultural trends with a blend of scholarly insight and pastoral concern. You’ll hear them engage with a variety of guest experts, drawing out practical wisdom for everyday application. This isn’t about echo chambers; it’s about equipping listeners to navigate modern challenges with both conviction and compassion, rooted in a deep understanding of biblical principles. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a substantive, gracious conversation where faith is taken seriously as a lens for understanding everything from politics and science to art and personal relationships. It’s for anyone seeking to move beyond superficial takes and cultivate a more integrated, resilient worldview.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture
Podcast Episodes
Answering Your Questions! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:57
We got so many great questions from our listeners and we only have time for 2-3 in the Weekly Cultural Update. We have quite a backlog so we're devoting this episode entirely to your insightful questions. We'll cover thi…
The State of the Persecuted Church Today (with Brian Orme) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:17
What parts of the world are the most challenging for believers today? How has the relative comfort of American Christianity impacted spiritual growth, compared to communities experiencing persecution? What habits could A…
Thinking Biblically about Exercise (with David Mathis) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:25
Why would a pastor write a theological book on exercise? Would Jesus exercise if he were here bodily today? What does the Bible say about exercise and physical activity? And are Christians sinning if they don't exercise?…
Is Empathy a Sin? (with Tim Muehlhoff) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:09
Is empathy being weaponized by Progressives to manipulate Christians into adopting certain ethical and political views? Is empathy a virtue, or merely an emotion that is sometimes a valuable and important means of loving…
Thinking Biblically About Disability (with Chris Ralston) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:26
Why does God allow disabilities? What is the point of someone's disability? What is disability theology, and what are the implications of this for the church? In what sense will disabilities be healed when we meet the Lo…

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