Cultural Update: Is Iran War Ethical?; Rigging March Madness; Sexual Recession

Cultural Update: Is Iran War Ethical?; Rigging March Madness; Sexual Recession

Author: Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae March 20, 2026 Duration: 59:57
This week, Scott and Sean discuss: Just War, Modern Targets: Sean and Scott weigh whether Israel’s targeted killings of Iranian leaders can fit within just war reasoning while warning against pulling Old Testament examples out of context. March Madness, Trust Erodes: A college basketball betting scandal raises the bigger fear that even suspected game-rigging can make fans wonder whether what they’re watching is real. The Sexual Recession: Two new books spark a conversation a...

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…