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
The Cost of Ambition (with Miroslav Volf) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:44
While God has made us to be ambitious, there can be a deep spiritual cost for striving to be better than others. Miroslav Volf is one of the leading public theologians. In this episode, based on his book "The Cost of Amb…
The Long Term Impact of the Sexual Revolution (with Jennifer Morse) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:15
What are the main tenets of the sexual revolution and who are some of the main victims? How do the debates over gender connect to the overall sexual revolution? Who are some of the main victims of the sexual revolution?…
Godly Ambition (with Ruslan KD) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:15:56
How can we unlock our talent, treasure, and time for the kingdom? Ruslan KD is a highly successful YouTuber, entrepreneur, and rapper. He has a new book out called "Godly Ambition." He and Sean discuss his journey to fai…
Cultural Update: Zohran Mamdani; AI Erotica; Surrogacy in Crisis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
NYC’s New Mayor: Sean and Scott discuss the election of progressive Muslim democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor—exploring socialism’s renewed appeal, the moral framework behind market economi…
Tim Tebow: Behind the Scenes [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:35:39
Tim Tebow is known for being a Heismann Trophy winner and an NFL quarterback. But he also spearheads one of the most influential anti-trafficking organizations today. He has a new book out, Look Again, in which he talks…
Common Ground on Women in the Church and Home (with Gregg Allison) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:42
Is there a way to reconcile differences in the body of Christ over the role of women in the church and the home? In some ways, this issue is tearing the church apart, and our guest on this episode has a unique proposal o…
Answering Your Questions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:10
We have so many great questions that come in each week and only have time for a handful of them on our Weekly Cultural Update. So we’re devoting this entire episode to your questions. This time the questions deal with th…