WeeklyTech Podcast

Over the past few years I've been joined by some of society's most influential thinkers, writers, and leaders to talk about the important ideas shaping our society today, as well as some of the top issues of life in the Digital Public Square. The purpose of this podcast from the very beginning was to equip you to navigate these issues with wisdom.For all good things must come to an end, and this is the last episode of the Digital Public Square podcast given my transition late last year to Boyce College and the shift in my role here at the ERLC. We decided to shift our research podcast strategy and combine efforts with the main ERLC podcast, which many of you already know and love. The change will allow me to continue interviewing top thinkers and writers about their work as part of a larger network of listeners at the podcast. While this may be the end of the Digital Public Square podcast in this season, I hope these resources will continue to bless the church as she engages in the tasks set before us by Christ: to love God and to love our neighbors as our self.If you're not already subscribed to the podcast you can visit ERLC.com/podcast as well as major podcast platforms.—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In today's episode, I am joined by Dr. Dennis Hollinger to talk about his new book entitled Creation and Christian Ethics: Understanding God's Designs for Humanity and the World from Baker Academic. Today, we discuss how creation speaks to the foundations of the Christian ethic and how we might recover a richer vision of humanity in light of God's creation.Meet Dennis:Dennis Hollinger is president emeritus and senior distinguished professor of Christian ethics at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He received the BA from Elizabethtown College, the M.Div. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, the MPhil and PhD from Drew University, and did postdoctoral studies at Oxford University. He has written numerous works on Christian ethics, including Choosing the Good: Christian Ethics in a Complex World and The Meaning of Sex: Christian Ethics and the Moral Life.Resources:Creation and Christian Ethics: Understanding God's Designs for Humanity and the World by Dennis HollingerThe Doctrine of Creation: A Constructive Kuyperian Approach by Bruce Ashford and Craig BartholomewYou're Only Human: How Your Limits Reflect God's Design and Why That's Good News by Kelly KapicA Time to Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream by Yuval Levin—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Matthew Martens to talk about his new book entitled Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal from Crossway. Today, we discuss the nature of justice in the Christian life and how Christians can think about criminal justice reform through a biblical lens.Meet Matthew:Matt is a trial lawyer and partner at an international law firm in Washington, DC. He earned his JD from University of North Carolina School of Law and a Masters of Arts in Biblical Studies from Dallas Theological Seminary. He has spent the majority of his twenty-five year legal career practicing criminal law both as a federal prosecutor and as a defense attorney. He served as a law clerk to Chief Justice William Rehnquist at the US Supreme Court and also as a political appointee in the criminal justice division of the US Justice Department.Resources:Reforming Criminal Justice: A Christian Proposal by Matthew MartensBasic Christian Ethics by Paul RamseyThe Collapse of American Criminal Justice by William J. StuntzLocking Up Our Own by James Forman Jr.On the Morals of the Catholic Church by Augustine—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Andrew Spencer to talk about his new book entitled Hope for God's Creation: Stewardship in an Age of Futility from B&H Academic. Today, we discuss the nature of ethics, creation care, and the distinctives of the Christian approach to the environment .Meet Andrew:Andrew Spencer (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) serves as associate editor for books at The Gospel Coalition. He is the author of Doctrine in Shades of Green: Theological Perspective for Environmental Ethics, editor of The Christian Mind of C. S. Lewis, and a contributor to Baptist Political Theology. He earned a Ph.D. in Theological Studies with an emphasis on Christian Ethics from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary as well as a Master of Divinity. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English from the United States Naval Academy.Resources:Hope for God's Creation by Andrew SpencerPollution and the Death of Man by Francis SchaefferStewards of Eden: What Scripture Says About the Environment and Why It Matters by Sandra RichterCreation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World by Douglas J. Moo and Jonathan A. Moo—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Bethany Allen of Axios to talk about her new book entitled Beijing Rules: How China Weaponized Its Economy to Confront the World from HarperCollins. Today, we discuss the global influence of China alongside the rise of authoritarian capitalism in Beijing.Meet BethanyBethany serves as the China reporter at Axios and leads the weekly Axios China newsletter, covering China's role in the world. She was previously a staff editor and contributing reporter at Foreign Policy magazine, where she wrote investigations, deeply reported narratives, and analysis related to China. She is based in Taipei.Resources:Beijing Rules by Bethany AllenChina's Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy by Peter MartinParty of One: The Rise of Xi Jinping and China's Superpower Future by Chun Han WongHow China Escaped Shock Therapy: The Market Reform Debate by Isabella M. Weber—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Brandon Smith to talk about his new volume entitled The Trinity in the Canon from B&H Academic. Today, we discuss the vital role that trinitarian theology plays in Scripture and how it should produce both right doctrine and living.Meet Brandon:Brandon serves as assistant professor of theology and New Testament at Cedarville University in Ohio. He is also the author of The Trinity in the Book of Revelation: Seeing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit in John's Apocalypse and serves as the co-editor of the Christian Standard Commentary series. He is a co-founder of the Center for Baptist Renewal and host of the Church Grammar podcast. He earned his PhD from Ridley College and is a graduate of Dallas Baptist University and Criswell College.Resources:The Trinity in the Canon by Brandon SmithOn the Incarnation by Saint AthanasiusOn God and Christ: The Five Theological Orations and Two Letters to Cledonius by Saint Gregory of NazianzusThe Trinity: An Introduction by Scott SwainThe Deep Things of God: How the Trinity Changes Everything by Fred Sanders—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Adam Groza to talk about his new book he wrote with J.P. Moreland entitled Unraveling Philosophy from B&H Academic. Today, we discuss how Christians can love God with all of our minds through studying the riches of philosophy.Meet Dr. GrozaAdam serves as associate professor of philosophy and vice president for enrollment and student services at Gateway Seminary. He is a native Californian and has taught philosophy related classes at a variety of institutions including California Baptist University, Scarborough College, and Korea Baptist Theological Seminary.Resources:The Republic by PlatoConfessions by St. AugustineSexual Personae: Art and Decadence from Nefertiti to Emily Dickinson by Camille PagliaThe Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller—The Digital Public Square is a production of the research institute at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. 

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Joshua Chatraw to talk about his new book The Augustine Way: Retrieving a Vision for the Church's Apologetic Witness from Baker Academic. Today, we discuss how to cultivate a more effective witness and robust apologetic in our post-Christian age.Meet Dr. ChatrawJosh currently serves as the Billy Graham Chair of Evangelism and Cultural Engagement at Beeson Divinity School in Birmingham Alabama and previously served as the executive director of the Center for Public Christianity in Raleigh, North Carolina. He is an award-winning author of numerous books in the fields of evangelism and apologetics, including Telling a Better Story: How to Talk about God in a Skeptical Age, which won a 2021 Christianity Today Book Award.Resources:The Augustine Way: Retrieving a Vision for the Church's Apologetic Witness by Joshua Chatraw and Mark AllenTelling a Better Story: How to Talk About God in a Skeptical Age by Joshua ChatrawBiblical Critical Theory: How the Bible's Unfolding Story Makes Sense of Modern Life and Culture by Christopher WatkinMere Apologetics: How To Help Seekers And Skeptics Find Faith by Alister McgrathNarrative Apologetics: Sharing the Relevance, Joy, and Wonder of the Christian Faith by Alister Mcgrath—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Nathan Finn to talk about the volume he co-edited entitled A Handbook of Theology from the Theology for the People of God series with B&H Academic. Today, we discuss the centrality of theology in the Christian life and how our faith informs every aspect of our life.Meet Dr. FinnNathan Finn currently serves as provost and dean of the University Faculty at North Greenville University in Tigerville, South Carolina. He is the editor or author of several volumes including the Theology for the People of God series, Historical Theology for the Church, and History: A Student's Guide. He also serves as teaching pastor at Taylors First Baptist Church in South Carolina and a Research Fellow of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.Resources:Historical Theology for the Church by Nathan Finn and Jason DuesingRediscovering Holiness: Know the Fullness of Life with God by J.I. PackerEthics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship by Mark Liederbach and Evan LenowTheology for the People of God series from B&H:The Holy Spirit by Andreas J. Köstenberger and Gregg R. AllisonA Handbook of Theology by Nathan Finn, Daniel Akin, and David S. DockeryHumanity by John Hammett and Katie McCoymore upcoming—The Digital Public Square is a production of the research institute at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Ronnie Martin to talk about his new book with Donnie Griggs titled Pastoring Small Towns from B&H Publishing. Today, we talk about the unique opportunities and challenges of pastoring in rural areas as well as the role that technology plays in shaping the culture of small town churches.Meet Ronnie:Ronnie Martin is founder and lead pastor of Substance Church (EFCA) in Ashland, Ohio. He holds a masters of arts from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and is currently finishing his doctorate of ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Ronnie is also the Director of Leader Renewal for Harbor Network, where he works alongside church planters and pastors in areas related to pastoral care.Resources:Pastoring Small Towns by Ronnie Martin and Donnie GriggsThe Imperfect Pastor: Discovering Joy in Our Limitations through a Daily Apprenticeship with Jesus by Zack EswineThe Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction by Eugene Peterson—The Digital Public Square is a production of the research institute at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Katie McCoy to talk about her new book To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond from B&H Publishing. Today, we discuss the rise of transgender ideology, the contours of the gender debate, and how Christians can love our neighbors by speaking uncompromising truth with uncompromising grace.Meet Dr. McCoyKatie McCoy serves as director of Women's Ministry at Texas Baptists. She holds a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, where she previously served on faculty. She teaches and writes on the intersection of theology, culture, and women's issues. She is the co-author of a forthcoming volume on the doctrine of humanity as part of the Theology for the People of God series with B&H Academic.Resources:To Be a Woman: The Confusion Over Female Identity and How Christians Can Respond by Katie McCoyEmbodied: Transgender Identities, the Church, and What the Bible Has to Say by Preston SprinkleGod and the Transgender Debate by Andrew WalkerIrreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail ShrierWhen Harry Became Sally by Ryan Anderson—The Digital Public Square is a production of the research institute at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Matthew Barrett to talk about his new book The Reformation as Renewal from Zondervan. Today, we discuss the reformation, renewal, and the need for retrieval today.Meet Dr. BarrettMatthew Barrett is professor of Christian theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, editor-in-chief of Credo, and host of the Credo Podcast. He is also the director of the Center for Classical Theology at Midwestern.He is the author of numerous books, such as the award-winning Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit (Baker), None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God (Baker), God's Word Alone: The Authority of Scripture (Zondervan), and Canon, Covenant, and Christology: Rethinking Jesus and the Scriptures of Israel (IVP).Resources:The Reformation as Renewal by Matthew BarrettAn Apology of the Church of England by John JewelAquinas Among the Protestants by Manfred Svensson and David VanDrunenThomas Aquinas' Commentaries on the Book of JohnHeinrich Bullinger's Sermon “On the Holy Catholic Church”—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Daniel Darling to talk about his new book Agents of Grace: How to Bridge Divides and Love as Jesus Loved  from Zondervan. Today, we discuss the nature of Christian unity as well as the relationship of truth and grace in the Christian ethic. Meet Dan:Daniel Darling is an author, pastor and Christian leader. He currently serves as the Director of The Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Assistant Professor of Faith and Culture at Texas Baptist College. Prior to his leadership of the Land Center, Darling served as the Senior Vice President for Communications of the National Religious Broadcasters. He also has served the Southern Baptist Convention as the Vice President of Communications at the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.Resources:Agents of Grace by Daniel DarlingThe Mark of Jesus: Loving in a Way the World Can See Timothy George and John WoodbridgeMark of the Christian by Francis SchaefferUntil Unity by Francis Chan and David CookFinding the Right Hills to Die On: The Case for Theological Triage by Gavin Ortlund—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Daniel Strange to talk about the new edition of J.H Bavinck's classic work The Church Between Temple and Mosque from Westminster Seminary Press. Today, we discuss missiology and cultural engagement in our secular age. Meet Dr. StrangeDaniel Strange is director of Crosslands Forum and the vice president of the Southgate Fellowship. He is a fellow of The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics and is the author of Their Rock Is Not Like Our Rock: A Theology of Religions, Plugged In, and Making Faith Magnetic. He is a contributing editor for Themelios and an elder of Hope Community Church, Gateshead, U.K.Resources:The Church Between Temple and Mosque by Daniel StrangeThe J.H. Bavinck Reader by John BoltonAn Introduction to the Science of Missions by J.H. BavinckThe Riddle of Life by J.H. BavinckPersonality and Worldview by J.H Bavinck, edited by James EglintonDigital Public Square: A conversation with Dr. James Eglinton on Herman Bavinck, theology, and ethics——The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Mark Dooley to discuss the life and work of Sir Roger Scruton in light of the new volume Against the Tide: The Best of Roger Scruton's Columns, Commentaries, and Criticism.Meet Dr. DooleyMark Dooley is an Irish philosopher, author, and journalist who has held lectureships at the National University of Ireland, Maynooth, and at University College Dublin where he was also John Henry Newman Scholar in Theology. From 2003-2006, he wrote on foreign affairs for the Sunday Independent. From 2006-2018, he wrote a weekly column on ‘Moral Matters' for the Irish Daily Mail. He is currently a Contributing Editor to The European Conservative magazine. Dooley is Sir Roger Scruton's Literary Executor.Resources:Articles:Carl Trueman, Scruton's Castle in First ThingsJason Thacker, Roger Scruton on Art and MoralityBooks by Mark Dooley:Roger Scruton: The Philosopher on Dover BeachConversations with Roger ScrutonThe Roger Scruton ReaderWorks by Roger Scruton:The Aesthetics of MusicThe Aesthetics of ArchitectureSexual Desire: A Philosophical InvestigationPhilosophy: Principles and ProblemsCulture Counts: Faith and Feeling in a World BesiegedThe Face of God: The Gifford LecturesModern CultureFools, Frauds and Firebrands: Thinkers of the New Left

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Samuel Moyn of Yale University to discuss the nature of human rights in history and his works Christian Human Rights and The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History. Today, we talk about the rise and centrality of human rights in modern discourse.Meet Dr. MoynSamuel Moyn is the Chancellor Kent Professor of Law and History at Yale University. He received a doctorate in modern European history from the University of California-Berkeley in 2000 and a law degree from Harvard University in 2001. He came to Yale from Harvard University, where he was Jeremiah Smith, Jr. Professor of Law and Professor of History.His areas of interest in legal scholarship include international law, human rights, the law of war, and legal thought, in both historical and current perspective. He has written several books in his fields of European intellectual history and human rights history, including The Last Utopia: Human Rights in History (2010), Christian Human Rights (2015), and Not Enough: Human Rights in an Unequal World (2018).Resources:Inventing Human Rights: A History by Lynn HuntWorks by Jeremy WaldronWorks by John Tasioulas—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Gray Sutanto to talk about his recently co-authored volume Neo-Calvinism with Dr. Cory Brock from Lexham Press. Meet Dr. SutantoDr. Sutanto is an associate professor of systematic theology at Reformed Theological Seminary. He was ordained in the International Presbyterian Church and has received a visiting fellowship at Kampen Theological University. Other than Herman Bavinck, Dr. Sutanto's research interests are broad, ranging from modern Protestant theology, prolegomena, humanity and sin, the relationship between philosophy and theology, analytic theology, and Christianity and culture.Resources:Digital Public Square podcast interview with Dr. James Eglinton on Herman BavinckNeo-Calvinism: A Theological Introduction by Gray Sutanto and Cory BrockGuidebook for Instruction in the Christian Religion by Herman BavinckThe Wonderful Works of God by Herman BavinckAbraham Kuyper: A Centennial Reader by James D. BrattT&T Clark Handbook of Neo-Calvinism by N. Gray Sutanto and Cory Brock (coming December 2023)Grace in Common Podcast—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this special episode, I discussed why we still need a statement of principles on artificial intelligence as we seek to navigate the fundamental questions being asked about humanity and these emerging technologies. In 2019, the ERLC launched the first faith-based statement of ethical principles in order to aid the church in thinking proactively about AI as well as to participate in the larger conversations about how these tools are shaping every aspect of our lives.Resources:Artificial Intelligence: An Evangelical Statement of Principles (English or Spanish pdf)The Age of AI: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity - Jason ThackerThe Digital Public Square: Christian Ethics in a Technological Society - Jason Thacker (editor)

In this episode, I am joined by Leah Savas to talk about the new book, The Story of Abortion in America: A Street-Level History, which she co-authored with Marvin Olasky from Crossway.Meet Leah:Leah reports on abortion for WORLD News Group, where she writes the weekly Vitals roundup and newsletter of pro-life news. Leah lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband, Stephen.Resources:The Story of Abortion in America: A Street-Level History, 1652–2022 by Leah Savas and Marvin OlaskyArticles of Faith: A Frontline History of the Abortion Wars by Cynthia GorneyChoice Words: Writers on Abortion by Annie FinchWorld News Group Vital Newsletter by Leah Savas

As we continue our mini-series on our recently released volume The Digital Public Square with B&H Academic, I am joined by Dr. Keith Plummer to talk about his contribution entitled, “The World Is Watching: Proclaiming Truth and Maintaining Our Witness in a Digital Age”. Today, Dr. Plummer and I talk about the works of the late Francis Schaeffer and how technology is shaping our understanding of and witness to the world around us.Meet Dr. Plummer:Keith serves as professor of theology and dean of the School of Divinity at Cairn University. He previously served as a pastor in the Evangelical Free Church of America. Keith is a contributing author to Before You Lose Your Faith: Deconstructing Doubt in the Church. He earned his PhD from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.Resources:“Five Things We Need to Know about Technological Change.”He Is There and He Is Not Silent by Francis SchaefferThe Mark of the Christian by Francis Schaeffer—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

As we continue our mini-series on our recently released volume The Digital Public Square with B&H Academic, I am joined by Jeremy Tedesco and to talk about his contribution with Christiana Kiefer entitled, Content Moderation and Suppressing Speech: Are There Limits to Talking about Sexuality and Gender Online?. Today, Jeremy and I talk about the relationship between private companies and free speech as well as how Christians can think about the nature of the digital public square.Meet Jeremy:Jeremy serves as senior counsel and senior vice president of corporate engagement for the Alliance Defending Freedom. In this role, Tedesco leads ADF's efforts to combat corporate cancel culture and to build a business ethic that respects free speech, religious freedom, and human dignity. Tedesco was also a part of the legal teams that successfully litigated Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, Reed v. Town of Gilbert, and Arizona Christian School Tuition Organization v. Winn, before the United States Supreme Court. He is a graduate of Regent University School of Law.—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. 

As we continue our mini-series on our recently released volume The Digital Public Square with B&H Academic, I am joined by David French to talk about his contribution entitled, “Can the Government Save Us from Ourselves?: The Legal Complexities of Free Speech and Content Moderation.” Today, David and I talk about the debates over regulating the technology industry in light of the challenges to free expression today as well as the role of personal virtue in the public square.Meet David:David is an opinion columnist at the New York Times and previously served as senior editor at the Dispatch as well as a contributing writer for the Atlantic. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, a former lecturer at Cornell Law School, and a past president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education. David is a New York Times bestselling author, and his most recent book is, Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation. He is a former major in the United States Army Reserve and is a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, where he earned a Bronze Star.—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. 

As we continue our mini-series on our recently released volume The Digital Public Square with B&H Academic, this week I am joined by Brooke Medina to talk about her contribution entitled, “Defining the Limits of Hate Speech and Violence: Dignity, Truth, and Speech in the Digital Public Square.” Brooke and I talk about the widespread debate over hate speech and how Christians must speak both truth and grace in the public square.Meet Brooke:Brooke serves as vice president of communications for the John Locke Foundation. She has completed numerous programs with the Charles Koch Institute, including the Koch Leaders Program and Koch Communications Fellowship, focusing on the philosophical underpinnings of market-based management and classical liberalism. She also sits on the board of directors for ReCity Network. Her writing has been published in numerous outlets, such as The Hill, the Washington Examiner, the Daily Signal, and FEE. She is a graduate of Regent University.--The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

As we continue our mini-series on our recently released volume The Digital Public Square with B&H Academic, I am joined by Joshua Wester to talk about his contribution entitled, “Free to Believe? The Case for Religious Freedom and Free Expression in the Digital Age.” Today, Josh and I talk about the nature and necessity of religious freedom in our technological society.Meet Josh:Josh serves as the lead pastor of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Greensboro, North Carolina and is an associate research fellow of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission where he researches issues of public theology, political philosophy, and religious freedom. He holds a ThM in public theology from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing a PhD in Christian ethics at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is also the author of the forthcoming book A Student's Guide to Politics with Christian Focus Publications.—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

As we continue our mini-series on our recently released volume The Digital Public Square with B&H Academic, I am joined by Bonnie Kristian to talk about her contribution entitled, “Should We Ban Pornography? Navigating the Complexities of Objectionable Content in a Digital Age.” Today, Bonnie and I talk about the moral plague of pornography in our society and the difficulties of banning objectionable content online.Meet Bonnie:Bonnie is a journalist and author of Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community (2022) and A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What it Means to Follow Jesus Today (2018). She is a columnist at Christianity Today and a fellow at Defense Priorities, a foreign policy think tank. Her work has been widely published at outlets including the New York Times, The Week, USA Today, CNN, and Politico. A graduate of Bethel Seminary, she lives in Pittsburg with her husband and twin sons.--The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

As we continue our mini-series on our recently released volume The Digital Public Square with B&H Academic, I am joined by Patricia Shaw to talk about her contribution entitled, "The Global Digital Marketplace: Engaging International Technology Policy from a Christian Perspective". Today we talk about some of the international aspects of the technology policy debate and how nations around the world are thinking through these important issues in their specific contexts.Meet Patricia: Patricia serves as CEO of Beyond Reach Consulting Limited and is based in the UK but advises internationally on AI and data ethics, policy, governance, and corporate digital responsibility. She has twenty years' of experience as a lawyer in data, technology, and regulatory/government affairs and is a qualified solicitor in England and the Republic of Ireland. She has authored and edited numerous works on law and regulation, policy, ethics, and AI.—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

As we continue our mini-series on our recently released volume The Digital Public Square with B&H Academic, I am joined by Nathan Leamer to talk about his contribution entitled, "The Wild West of Technology: A Convergence of Optimism and Pessimism in the United States". Today, we talk about how Christians can think wisely about the role of government and industry in the technology policy debate in the United States.Meet Nathan: Nathan serves as the Executive Director of the Digital First Project and Vice President of public affairs at Targeted Victory. He previously served as Policy Advisor to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai. Before working at the FCC, he was a Senior Fellow at the R Street Institute where he managed the institute's government relations and wrote extensively on issues of emerging technology, intellectual property, and privacy.--The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

As we continue our mini-series on our recently released volume The Digital Public Square with B&H Academic, I am joined by Dr. Bryan Baise to talk about his contribution entitled, Once More, with Tweeting?: Bracketing a Public Square from the Perils of Notoriety. Today, Bryan and I talk about how technology has altered our understanding of a public square and teaching the next generation about social ethics.Meet Bryan: Bryan serves as associate professor of philosophy and apologetics at Boyce College, where he also directs the Augustine Honors Collegium and the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics degree program. He has contributed to edited academic volumes and writes popular-level essays for several Christian outlets. He is a graduate of the University of Kentucky and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He resides in Louisville, Kentucky, with his wife and three children.—The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

This is a special episode of the podcast as we kick off a new mini-series themed after a new volume that I had the privilege of editing entitled The Digital Public Square: Christian Ethics in a Technological Society. This book is published by B&H Academic and is available Wednesday, February 1st wherever books are sold.This volume along with my other recently released books including Following Jesus in a Digital Age, the companion Bible study, and A Student's Guide to Social Media are part of a larger research project that I have been leading at the ERLC over the last couple of years. The Digital Public Square research project is designed to help Christians think deeply about the pressing questions of faith and the public square as well as take part in a larger conversation about these pressing challenges of technology and social media whether in the halls of Congress, your state capital, on campuses of the largest and most influential technology companies, in academic gatherings, and most importantly your own home. I am joined by 11 other contributors who address issues such as political philosophy, technology policy, free speech and content moderation, religious freedom, hate speech and hate crimes, gender/sexuality, pornography, conspiracy theories and misinformation, and digital authoritarianism as well as Christian discipleship and mission in the 21st century.Over the next couple of months, I am going to be joined by each contributor to talk about their interest in these areas, their chapters, and what if anything has changed since they wrote their chapters given how quickly the field of technology changes.Download a sample of The Digital Public Square--The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. John Dyer to talk about the formative power of technology and how it deeply shapes the way we see the world around us including how we read the Scripture given the prominence of digital Bibles today. We discuss the newly revised version of his book From the Garden to the City from Kregel Publications and his new work People of the Screen: How Evangelicals Created the Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture.Meet Dr. DyerJohn serves as the vice president for enrollment and educational technology as well as an assistant professor of theological studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He has been a technology creator for over 20 years, and his research focuses on the intersection of faith and technology, including Bible software, digital ecclesiology, artificial intelligence, and transhumanism.Resources:From the Garden to the City by John DyerPeople of the Screen: How Evangelicals Created the Digital Bible and How It Shapes Their Reading of Scripture by John DyerTranshumanism and the Image of God by Jacob ShatzerDisruptive Witness: Speaking Truth in a Distracted Age by Alan NobleThe Tech-Wise Family by Andy CrouchNetworked Theology: Negotiating Faith in Digital Culture by Heidi CampbellThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Coleman M. Ford to talk about his new book A Bond between Souls: Friendship in the Letters of Augustine from Lexham Press. Today, we discuss the life and work of St. Augustine as well as his understanding of friendship.Meet Dr. FordDr. Ford serves as assistant professor of humanities at Texas Baptist College. His research interests include the spirituality and pastoral theology of Augustine of Hippo, the transcendentals (truth, goodness, beauty) in the patristic tradition, virtue and ethics in the patristic tradition, Christianity in late antiquity, and the history of Christian spirituality and formation.Resources:A Bond between Souls: Friendship in the Letters of Augustine by Coleman M. FordConfessions by St. Augustine and Henry Chadwick (translator)Augustine of Hippo: Selected Writings (Classics of Western Spirituality) by Mary T. Clark (translator)Friendship and the Moral Life by Paul WadellMade for Friendship: The Relationship That Halves Our Sorrows and Doubles Our Joys by Drew HunterAugustine: A Very Short Introduction by Henry ChadwickThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. David Mathis to talk about his book Workers for Your Joy: The Call of Christ on Christian Leaders from Crossway. Today we talk about Christian leadership and the proper role of authority in the Church.Meet David Mathis:David serves as senior teacher and executive editor at DesiringGod.org, a pastor at Cities Church in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and an adjunct professor at Bethlehem College & Seminary in Minneapolis. He is the author of several books, including Habits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines.Resources:Workers for Your Joy: The Call of Christ on Christian Leaders by David MathisHabits of Grace: Enjoying Jesus through the Spiritual Disciplines by David MathisThe Cross and Christian Ministry by D.A. CarsonMemoirs of an Ordinary Pastor by D.A. CarsonSticky Teams by Larry OsborneBiblical Eldership seminar with John PiperThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Russ Shafer-Landau to talk about on moral philosophy and the landscape of metaethicsMeet Dr. Shafer-LandauRuss Shafer-Landau serves as a professor of philosophy at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is the author of Moral Realism: A Defence, Whatever Happened to Good and Evil?, The Fundamentals of Ethics, and Living Ethics). He is the editor of Oxford Studies in Metaethics. Shafer-Landau served as President of the American Philosophical Association (Central Division) in 2021. He is currently working on a large collaborative project with John Bengson and Terence Cuneo that seeks to offer a new vindication of non-naturalist moral realism, entitled The Moral Universe (Oxford 2023) focusing on the metaphysical and normative dimensions of morality.Resources:Whatever Happened to Good and Evil? by Russ Shafer-LandauFoundations of Ethics: An Anthology by Russ Shafer-Landau and Terence CuneoMetaethics: A Contemporary Introduction by Mark van RoojenMoral Discourse and Practice: Some Philosophical Approaches by Stephen Darwall, Allan Gibbard, and Peter RailtonThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Jessica Joustra to talk about Herman Bavinck and the centrality of ethics in the Chrisitan life.Meet Dr. Joustra:Dr. Joustra is an Assistant Professor of Religion and Theology at Redeemer and an Associate Researcher at the Neo-Calvinist Research Institute of the Theologische Universiteit Kampen. She is also the Director of Redeemer's Albert M. Wolters Centre for Christian Scholarship. She earned a Ph.D. in Christian Ethics from Fuller Theological Seminary and the Free University and an M.Div from Calvin Theological Seminary. Resources:Reformed Ethics: Created, Fallen, and Converted Humanity by Herman Bavinck and John BoltonReformed Ethics: The Duties of the Christian Life (Volume 2) by Herman Bavinck and John BoltonEssays on Religion, Science, and Society Herman Bavinck and John BoltonResponsible Conduct: Principles of Christian Ethics by Jochem DoumaJohn Bolt's Dissertation on Bavinck's Two Essays on the Imitatio ChristiThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Christopher Kaczor to talk about the ethics of abortion and human personhood in light of his new book The Ethics of Abortion: Women's Rights, Human Life, and the Question of Justice from Routledge.Meet Dr. KaczorDr. Kaczor is Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University.  He graduated from the Honors Program of Boston College and earned a Ph.D. from the University of Notre Dame. A Fulbright Scholar, Dr. Kaczor did postdoctoral work at the University of Cologne. He was appointed a Corresponding Member of the Pontifical Academy for Life of Vatican City, a fellow of the Word on Fire Institute, and William E. Simon Visiting Fellow in the James Madison Program at Princeton University. He is also a winner of a Templeton Grant and has written more than 100 scholarly articles and book chapters and over 16 books on a host of issues including bioethics, human dignity, and abortion.Resources:The Ethics of Abortion: Women's Rights, Human Life, and the Question of Justice by Christopher KaczorAbortion Rights: For and Against by Kate Greasley and Christopher KaczorPro-Life Answers to Pro-Choice Arguments by Randy AlcornThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Harry Lee Poe to talk about the life and faith of C.S. Lewis in light of the final volume, The Completion of C.S. Lewis, in his three part biography published by Crossway.Meet Dr. PoeDr. Poe serves as the Charles Colson Professor of Faith and Culture at Union University, where he has taught a course on C. S. Lewis for over twenty years. He is the author of twenty books, including Becoming C. S. Lewis and The Making of C. S. Lewis, as well as numerous articles on Lewis and the Inklings. Poe hosts the annual Inklings Weekend in Montreat, North Carolina, and is a regular speaker on Lewis at universities and other venues around the world.Resources:The Completion of C. S. Lewis: From War to Joy by Harry Lee PoeThe Making of C. S. Lewis (1918–1945): From Atheist to Apologist by Harry Lee PoeBecoming C. S. Lewis (1898–1918): A Biography of Young Jack Lewis by Harry Lee PoeMere Christianity by C.S. LewisThe Space Trilogy by C.S. LewisThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Nigel Biggar to talk about his book What's Wrong With Rights? from Oxford University Press and we discuss the nature of rights and the common good.Meet Dr. BiggarNigel Biggar until his recent retirement was the Regius Professor of Moral & Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford and Director of the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics & Public Life. He has degrees from Oxford, Regent College, and the University of Chicago. He studies the contribution of religion to the health of liberal societies; moral questions about killing (especially in relation to suicide, euthanasia, and war); forgiveness after civil conflict; the public responsibility of the media; and the public vocation of universities. He is the author of numerous books and articles on Christian ethics and public theology.Resources:What's Wrong with Rights? by Nigel BiggarThe Idea of Natural Rights by Brian TierneyJustice: Rights and Wrongs by Nicholas WolterstorffNatural Rights: A Criticism of Some Political and Ethical Conceptions by David RitchieOn Human Rights by James GriffinThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens. 

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Patrick Schreiner to talk about his new book Political Gospel: Public Witness in a Politically Crazy World from B&H Publishing.Meet Dr. SchreinerDr. Schreiner is Associate Professor of New Testament and Biblical Theology as well as the the Director of the Residency PhD program at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City Missouri. He previously taught at Western Seminary in Portland Oregon and received his Ph.D. from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author of a number of books, including a commentary on the book of Acts, The Visual Word: An Illustrated Guide to the New Testament Books, and The Mission of the Triune God: A Theology of Acts. Resources:Political Gospel: Public Witness in a Politically Crazy World by Patrick SchreinerThe Mission of the Triune God by Patrick SchreinerThe Visual Word: Illustrated Outlines of The New Testament Books by Patrick SchreinerCity of God by St. Augustine of HippoHow the Nations Rage: Rethinking Faith and Politics in a Divided Age by Jonathan LeemanWorld Upside Down: Reading Acts in the Graeco-Roman Age by C. Kavin RoweThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Ronni Kurtz to talk about his new book Fruitful Theology: How the Life of the Mind Leads to the Life of the Soul from B&H Publishing. Today, we talk about how theology can help reorient our entire life toward the fruit of the Spirit which leads to right living before God.Meet Dr. Kurtz:Dr. Kurtz earned his PhD from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves as an assistant professor of theology at Cedarville University. Before moving to Ohio, Ronni was a pastor in Kansas City, Missouri for seven years where he also taught theology at Midwestern Seminary and Spurgeon College. He is also the author of No Shadow of Turning: Divine Immutability and the Economy of Redemption.Resources:Fruitful Theology by Ronni KurtzNo Shadow of Turning by Ronni KurtzGod Without Measure by John WebsterThe Culture of Theology by John WebsterOn the Unity of Christ by Saint Cyril of AlexandriaOn the Trinity by Saint Augustine of HippoOn the Incarnation by Athanasius of AlexandriaOn God and Christ by Saint Gregory of NazianzusInstitutes of the Christian Religion by John CalvinThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Bonnie Kristian to talk about our modern knowledge crisis and the rise of misinformation.Meet Bonnie:Bonnie Kristian is a seasoned journalist and a columnist at Christianity Today. She previously served as a deputy editor and the acting editor-in-chief of The Week. She is the author of Untrustworthy: The Knowledge Crisis Breaking Our Brains, Polluting Our Politics, and Corrupting Christian Community and A Flexible Faith: Rethinking What It Means to Follow Jesus Today. Her writing has also appeared at Time Magazine, CNN, USA Today, Newsweek, the Los Angeles Times, and The American Conservative, among other outlets.Resources:Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought by Jonathan RauchThe Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel EarleyThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Travis Dickinson to talk about his new book Logic and the Way of Jesus from B&H Academic. Today, we talk about embracing the life of the mind and role of logic in the Christian life.Meet Dr. DickinsonDr. Dickinson is a professor of philosophy at Dallas Baptist University. He is the author of three books: Wandering Toward God, Logic and the Way of Jesus and Everyday Apologetics, and the coauthor of Stand Firm: Apologetics and the Brilliance of the Gospel. He holds an MA and PhD in Philosophy from the University of Iowa, an MA in Philosophy of Religion and Ethics from Talbot School of Theology, and an MA in Christian Apologetics from Biola University.Resources:Logic and the Way of Jesus by Travis DickinsonWandering Toward God: Finding Faith amid Doubts and Big Questions by Travis DickinsonLove Your God with All Your Mind by J.P. MorelandSimply Trinity by Matthew Barret and Scott SwainThe Same God Who Works All Things by Adonis ViduAs a gift to Digital Public Square listeners, use discount code: wander22 for 30% Wandering Toward God at IVPpress.com.The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Tyler Wittman and Dr. Bobby Jamieson to talk about their new book Biblical Reasoning and how to read the Bible accuratelyMeet Drs. Wittman and JamiesonDr. Wittman received an M.Div. in Christian Ministry and a Th.M in Systematic Theology from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Divinity from the University of St. Andrews. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Theology at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and is the author of God and Creation in the Theology of Thomas Aquinas and Karl Barth which explores the nature of God's relation to creation.Dr. Jamieson received his M.Div and Th.M. from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and received his Ph.D. in New Testament from the University of Cambridge. He currently serves as an associate pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington D.C. and has authored several books including Sound Doctrine: How a Church Grows in the Love and Holiness of God and Going Public: Why Baptism Is Required for Church Membership among others.Resources:Biblical Reasoning: Christological and Trinitarian Rules for Exegesis by R.B. Jamieson and Tyler WittmanOn the Incarnation by AthanasiusOn God and Christ by St. Gregory of NazianzusThe Catechetical Lectures of Saint Cyril by Saint CyrilCommentary on the Gospel of John by St Thomas AquinasThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Michael Niebauer, pastor and author of a new book entitled Virtuous Persuasion: A Theology of Christian Mission. Today, we talk about virtue ethics and Christian missions.Meet Dr. Niebauer:Dr. Niebauer is pastor of Incarnation Church in State College, Pennsylvania and serves as a teaching fellow at Trinity School for Ministry. He is also an ecclesial fellow in the Center for Pastor Theologians and hosts the Christian catechesis podcast This We Believe.Resources:Virtuous Persuasion: A Theology of Christian Mission by Dr. Michael NiebauerChristianity Rediscovered by Vincent DonovanAfter Virtue by Alasdair MacIntyreAn Essay on the Development of Christian Doctrine by John Henry NewmanThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Gavin Ortlund, pastor and author of a recent book titled Why God Makes Sense in a World That Doesn't. Today, we talk about Christian theism and the nature of apologetics.Meet Dr. Ortlund: Gavin Ortlund earned his PhD from Fuller Theological Seminary and serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai in Ojai, California. He is the author of several books, including Anselm's Pursuit of Joy and Retrieving Augustine's Doctrine of Creation. Gavin and his wife, Esther, have five children.Resources:Why God Makes Sense in a World that Doesn't by Gavin OrtlundThe Reason for God by Timothy KellerMaking Sense of God by Timothy KellerConfronting Christianity by Rebecca McLaughlinPensees (Thoughts) by Blaise Pascal

Today is the official release of my new book, Following Jesus in a Digital Age, with B&H Publishing. On this special episode of the Digital Public Square, I talk about the book and some of the reasons I wanted to write it. You can learn more at jasonthacker.com/digitalage or purchase a copy wherever books are sold.One of the most common questions I receive is what does the Bible actually say about technology. This question can't really be addressed by looking up social media, algorithms, or the internet in your concordance. It can be easy for the Church to believe that technology might be an issue we will need to address at some point but that it isn't a pressing concern for people today. Part of this apathy may stem from the belief that the Bible really doesn't address the questions we are asking today in our digital society such as the formative nature of social media, questions of content moderation and privacy, how truth is being redefined, or how many of us seek to craft our identities online through these tools.Following Jesus in a Digital Age was written for the everyday believer, not specifically for academics or even ministry leaders. It was written for the Church to aid all believers in thinking wisely about technology through the lens of Scripture and to expose how these tools are shaping how we perceive the world around us. The book is designed to help us understand the deeply formative nature of technology that is not just simply a tool we choose to use in whatever way we want. In reality, we don't use technology as much as it uses us.Purchase a copy of Following Jesus in a Digital Age at Lifeway, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, ChristianBook, Audible, and other major booksellers.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. W. Ross Hastings, an ethicist and theologian who is the recent author of a new book titled Pastoral Ethics: Moral Formation as Life in the Trinity. Today, we talk about pastoral ethics and moral formation.Meet Dr. Hastings: Dr. Hastings received his first PhD in Chemistry from Queen's University in Kingston and his second PdD in Theology from the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. He is the Sangwoo Youtong Chee Professor of Theology and Pastoral Theology at Regent College in Vancouver, B.C. and is author of several books including Missional Church and Theological Ethics. Resources:Pastoral Ethics: Moral Formation as Life in the Trinity by Dr. Ross HastingsBetrayal of Trust by Stanley Grenz and Roy BellChoosing the God by Dennis HollingerPure Desire by Gary InrigThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Jay Y. Kim, a pastor and the author of a recent book titled Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age. Today, we talk about the nature of Christian discipleship in a digital age. Meet Jay: Jay Y. Kim serves as the lead pastor at WestGate Church in Silicon Valley and on the leadership team of the ReGeneration Project. His writing has been featured in Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Missio Alliance, and Relevant Magazine. He is the author of two books with InterVarsity Press titled Analog Church and Analog Christian.Resources:Analog Christian by Jay Y. KimAnalog Church by Jay Y. KimThe Tech-Wise Family by Andy CrouchThe Life We're Looking For by Andy CrouchThe Shallows by Nicholas CarrDeep Work by Cal NewportThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Kadin Christian. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

This week is a special week for the Digital Public Square podcast as we celebrate the 100th episode with a special mix-tape version highlighting some of my favorite episodes from these past few years.We hope you enjoy, and we are very excited about some of the episodes coming out over the next few months.The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra who is the editor of a new book from The Gospel Coalition entitled Social Sanity in an Insta World. Today, we talk about cultivating grace and discernment in our age of social media.Meet Sarah: Sarah is senior writer and the faith-and-work editor for The Gospel Coalition. She is also the co-author of Gospelbound: Living with Resolute Hope in an Anxious Age. Before that, she wrote for Christianity Today, homeschooled her children, freelanced for a local daily paper, and taught at Trinity Christian College. She earned a BA in English and communication from Dordt University and a masters in from Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University. She lives with her husband and two sons in the suburbs of Chicago, where they are active members of Orland Park Christian Reformed Church.Resources:Social Sanity in an Insta-World edited by Sarak Eekhoff ZylstraSocialSanityBook.comTech-Wise Family by Andy Crouch12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You by Tony ReinkeRisen Motherhood Podcast series “Social Media”Recorded by TGC “Scrolling Alone: How Instagram Is Making a Generation of Girls Lonely, Anxious, and Sad”The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dean Inserra, lead pastor of the City Church and author of a recent book entitled Pure: Why the Bible's Plan for Sexuality isn't Outdated, Irrelevant, or Oppressive. Today, we talk about Christian culture and the biblical sexual ethic.Meet Dean: Dean Inserra is the founding and lead pastor of City Church in Tallahassee Floria, where he leads the vision and preaching. He holds a MA in Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is pursuing a D.Min from Southern Seminary. He is a member of Baptist 21 and serves in various capacities throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. He is the author of several books including The Unsaved Christian, Getting Over Yourself, and Marks of a Disciple.Resources:Pure by Dean InserraThe Meaning of Marriage by Tim and Kathy KellerWhat Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoungGod and the Transgender Debate by Andrew WalkerStrange New World by Carl TruemanThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Paul D. Miller, professor of the practice of international affairs at Georgetown University and author of a recent book entitled The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism. Today, we talk about religion, politics, social ethics, and the rise of Christian nationalism.Meet Dr. Miller: Dr. Miller earned his PhD from Georgetown University and holds a masters in public policy from Harvard University. He spent a decade in public service as director for Afghanistan and Pakistan on the National Security Council staff, an intelligence analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency, and a military intelligence officer in the US Army. Miller's writing has appeared in Foreign Affairs, The Dispatch, The Washington Post, Providence Magazine, Mere Orthodoxy, The Gospel Coalition, Foreign Policy, and elsewhere. He is the author of Just War and Ordered Liberty from Cambridge University Press.Resources:The Religion of American Greatness by Paul D. MillerThe Virtue of Nationalism by Yoram HazonyBetween Kin and Cosmopolis by Nigel BiggarTaking America Back for God by Andrew Whitehead and Samuel PerryHow the Nations Rage by Jonathan LeemanPolitics after Christendom by David VanDrunenThe Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker.Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.