Cultural Update: Hostages Released; Gen Z Christianity and Suicide; Nigerian Persecutions

Cultural Update: Hostages Released; Gen Z Christianity and Suicide; Nigerian Persecutions

Author: Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae October 17, 2025 Duration: 1:02:26
Scott is joined by guest co-host Erik Thoennes to discuss: Hostage Return in Gaza: Celebrating the return of all surviving Israeli hostages and discussing the theological and political complexities of the Israel–Gaza peace accord. Faith and Gen Z: Exploring new data showing a rise in Christian faith among Gen Z—even as suicide rates among the same generation reach record highs—and how both trends reflect a deep search for meaning in a secular age. Global Persecution of Christians: Spotl...

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
Suffering Used for Our Good? (with Clay Jones) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:35
How does God use our suffering for our good? What does it mean for us honor God in our suffering? And how does our eternal hope give us comfort in the midst of suffering? We’ll address these questions and more with our g…
The Body God Gives (With Robert S. Smith) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:25
What is a biblical response to transgender theory? What is the relationship between sex and gender? How can Christians best navigate our cultural moment with biblical conviction and compassion? In our discussion, Dr. Smi…
The New Pornocracy and Why It Matters [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:03
In terms of influence and economic power, the porn industry is one of the largest and most influential industries in the world. A new book has been released which offers a secular critique of the "pornocracy," which mean…
The Jewish Roots of American Liberty (with Stuart Halpern) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:31
What is the contribution of Judaism and the Hebrew Bible to Western concept of liberty? How did the Hebrew Bible influence Western concepts of law in particular? And how did the experience of Israel and the main characte…
Reading Scripture as a Gift and not a Burden (with Uche Anizor) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:24
What are the different gifts we get from being immersed in God’s Word? How do we develop a hunger for Scripture? And why do we so often see reading Scripture as a burden rather than a blessing. We’ll tackle these questio…