Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture Podcast By Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae cover art

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

By: Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae
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A weekly podcast that offers Christian perspectives on some of the most significant issues facing today's church and culture. In each episode, hosts Scott Rae and Sean McDowell — professors at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology — draw upon biblical wisdom and insights from guest experts as they explore how Christians can thoughtfully and faithfully engage with cultural trends and current events.© 2026 Biola University Christianity Ministry & Evangelism Spirituality
Episodes
  • Cultural Update: Is Iran War Ethical?; Rigging March Madness; Sexual Recession
    Mar 20 2026

    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 about why fewer people are having sex, with the deeper issue framed as loneliness, screen-shaped isolation, and collapsing relational confidence.

    UK Abortion Alarm: The final segment takes up a proposed UK bill that they say would remove penalties for self-induced abortion at any stage of pregnancy, prompting a blunt moral critique.


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    Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.

    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

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    1 hr
  • Living in the Shadow of Grief (with Dave Keehn)
    Mar 17 2026

    Is it possible to find hope and healing in the shadow of grief? How can we move forward after the loss of a loved one, such as a child, and both trust God and appropriately grieve? In today’s episode, Sean talks with Talbot professor Dr. Dave Keehn, who is the author of a new, heart-wrenching, hopeful, and biblically-based book about processing grief after the premature loss of his son, Adam.

    Dave Keehn has served for over 30 years in youth ministry in both small and large churches. After teaching ministry courses as an adjunct for 12 years at Talbot School of Theology and Biola University, Keehn joined the faculty in the fall of 2009. His passion is to develop church leaders for future generations. Keehn’s expertise is in developing ministry programs to reach and disciple the millennial generation and their families. He has spoken at numerous conferences and serves as the teaching pastor at Cornerstone Community Church in San Clemente, Ca. He is the author of the new book Living in the Shadow of Grief.

    ==========

    Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.

    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

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    1 hr
  • Cultural Update: American Support for Israel; Researchers Uncover Evil AI; Wealth of Nations; Talarico's New Style
    Mar 13 2026

    American Support for Israel: Support for Israel among younger evangelicals has dropped significantly, moving from 75% in 2018 to just 34% in 2021. This shift is attributed to younger generations being less tethered to traditional end-times theology than their predecessors.

    Evil AI and Virtue Ethics: Researchers found that even small coding errors in AI can lead to "blatantly evil" suggestions. This has sparked a resurgence of interest in classical virtue ethics as a way to prioritize character and the "good life" in both humans and machines.

    Adam Smith and The Wealth of Nations: Celebrating the 250th anniversary of this 1776 document, the hosts clarify that Smith’s idea of "self-interest" was intended to improve the lives of ordinary people, not to encourage greed. They emphasize his belief that a society cannot be happy if the majority of its members are poor and miserable.

    James Talarico and Christian Nationalism: Following up on a previous discussion, the hosts touch upon Texas Democratic candidate James Talarico's views. They explore a "new style" that he brings to the political discussion

    Listener question: Is trans activism a response to the church? A listener wonders if current trans activism is in some ways a response to the church's heavy-handed approach to trans youth.

    Listener question: Embryo Adoption Ethics. Scott and Rick answer a question about remaining IVF embryos and adoption. They suggest that handpicking Christian parents or even exploring surrogacy could be considered to maintain parental responsibility.

    Listener question: Just War Theory Resources: In response to a request for a biblical perspective on warfare, the hosts recommend J. Daryl Charles' Between Pacifism and Jihad as a primary resource, alongside classic works by Augustine and Thomas Aquinas.

    ==========

    Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

    Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.

    To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

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    59 mins
All stars
Most relevant
This podcast was helpful and I will be purchasing this book. I want to Express my sincere gratitude for this ministry. I recently found this podcast and what a blessing this has been to me on so many issues. May our precious Savior Jesus, bless you, encourage you and continue to give you the resources and wisdom to produce these podcasts.

Thank you!!

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Great work on a subject that needs greater biblical depth of understanding in an exogetical manner

Good work

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Biblically addresses current culture and theology topics that can divide both inside and outside the church. Guests are experts in their areas and relatable. Highly recommended!!

Biblical approach to current day culture

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You'd be hard pressed to find a more excellent, well-informed podcast that provides Biblical perspective on some the most current, relevant topics in our culture in such a thorough way. 10/10, do recommend! Keep up the good work!

Well-informed, professional, & Very Relevant

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