Podcast appearances and mentions of James Spencer

More than half of American Christians now say they trust AI with their spiritual life. That is a problem worth taking seriously, and it is also the reason Logos built its AI the way it did. Dr. James Spencer talks with Scott Lindsey, an executive director at Logos, about what happens when a Bible study tool is cut off from the open internet on purpose. Scott walks through the three design commitments behind Logos AI: no connection to the open web, so answers come from commentaries and scholarship rather than blogs and forums; cited sources down to the page number, as a check against hallucinated books and hallucinated authors; and no attempt to model the user and tell him what he wants to hear. He also explains the one thing Logos coders have hard-coded the tool to refuse, which is writing your sermon, your paper, or your Bible study for you. The back half of the conversation is a live walkthrough of Study Assistant and Factbook, including a look at Genesis 6, 1 through 8 and the questions most of us do not know to ask a text. Video listeners will get more out of that stretch, so if you are on audio, the version on YouTube or GodTube is worth your time. This episode includes a special offer for Thinking Christian listeners. Logos is providing a free 60-day trial at logos.com/thinkingchristian. The offer closes September 8, 2026, and the link is in the show notes. logos.com/thinkingchristian (expires Wed, September 8th, 2026) Follow and subscribe Subscribe to Thinking Christian: https://episodes.thinkingchristian.org Website: www.thinkingchristian.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Institutions confuse their own survival with the work of God. Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ashish Varma close the diagnostic arc of this series with transaction, meaning the trade a person or an organization makes when preserving the platform becomes more important than the faithfulness the platform was built for. The anchor text is Jeroboam, who sets up worship at Dan and Bethel not to introduce a different god but to keep his people from traveling south. Varma's reading sharpens it: the question is whether Israel gathers around the presence of God or whether God is expected to gather around Israel. The conversation turns on how easily success gets read as approval. Spencer flags the language of institutions insisting that God needs them to be what they are now more than ever. Varma answers with Habakkuk, where God raises up Babylon in response to injustice and Babylon is still judged for how it behaves, and extends the point to a mission history in which the gospel genuinely spread through colonial expansion that was itself blessed by churches and was still indefensible. Being used is not the same as being approved. Spencer adds Nebuchadnezzar, named as God's servant and punished seventy years later, and the distinction holds: the exile was deserved, the brutality was not. What follows is uncomfortable for anyone who works in one of these places. Institutions may end because their course is run, or because they failed, or in spite of their faithfulness, and outcomes do not tell you which. Spencer, who consults with seminaries and Christian colleges, describes leaders trapped by buildings, accreditation, and systems, protecting a vehicle rather than the thing the vehicle was for. Nobody pursues a doctorate in order to preserve an institution. The question both men land on is whether the model has quietly been substituted for the mission. Resources The diagnosis guide: https://www.thinkingchristian.org/about/framework Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman- amazon.com Norman Wirzba on creation and nature- amazon.com Passages referenced: Genesis 6 and 11 and 15, Deuteronomy 8, 1 Kings 12 and 17, Jeremiah, Habakkuk, John 12 Follow and subscribe Subscribe to Thinking Christian: https://episodes.thinkingchristian.org Website: https://www.thinkingchristian.org Chapters 0:00 What transaction means 2:24 Jeroboam and the shortcut 3:10 Not a different god 7:18 Why it looked legitimate 10:42 Institutional inertia 13:44 In defense of the word lucky 15:36 Habakkuk and Babylon 19:52 Spread and consequence 20:19 Kahneman on luck 22:43 Nebuchadnezzar as servant 26:50 Two theological problems 31:34 Babel and human capability 33:50 The patience of God 35:51 Institutions that simply end 39:35 Ideology defines the questions 41:34 What higher ed is protecting 43:16 Substituting the vehicle 45:38 Faithful in the moment 47:56 Repentance and repudiation 50:15 Walking beside someone bigger 53:19 What comes next in the series Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The fear of losing the faith to another culture is producing the very thing it fears. Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ashish Varma open a series on three forces pressing on the church, beginning with assimilation, and Varma's argument is that syncretism functions mostly as a fear discourse. The word gets aimed outward, at newer expressions of Christian faith in other places, by people whose own expression is so culturally saturated that they have stopped noticing it. He points out that "essence," the thing we say we are protecting, is a Greek philosophical category rather than a biblical one. His illustration is an apple. American students arriving in Germany recognize the fruit and still find it strange, because the apple in their heads is large, waxed, and unblemished, and a German student had the same reaction in reverse. The dandelion has a flower and we call it a weed. Every category came from somewhere. Spencer supplies the Old Testament counterweight: what scholars call syncretism there is specific and it is always about Yahweh. Israel does not swap gods so much as limit the one they have, keeping him for agriculture and hiring another for war, and the distortion becomes a denial. That distinction lets the conversation move without collapsing. Acts 2 puts the gospel into every dialect at once, and Acts 15 declines to make Gentiles into Jews. Varma, whose family is Indian, describes a mission history in which merchant, soldier, and missionary arrived together and in which becoming Christian meant becoming less Indian. He asks what an Indian Christian should do with Diwali, a festival about light overcoming darkness in which a god enters a demon's kingdom to rescue his bride, and offers the reception of Christmas in the Roman world as his analogy. His word for the move is not conform but transfigure. Spencer's is relocation under a different authority. Both insist on a constraint: Jesus the Jewish Messiah, which they argue is what makes the openness possible rather than what limits it. Chapters 0:00 Three forces on the church 1:33 Syncretism as a fear discourse 4:26 A German breakfast 6:09 What an apple looks like 7:51 Where the image came from 8:48 Why is that a weed? 9:43 Essence is not a biblical word 10:40 Syncretism in the Old Testament 13:04 Naming it in someone else 16:10 Acts 2 and every dialect 18:11 What was actually at stake 20:00 Mission history in India 21:42 Diwali and light over darkness 22:41 How Christmas landed on the 25th 24:14 Distortion becomes denial 26:11 Relocated under Christ 29:58 Transfigured, not conformed 30:12 Distinction through proximity 34:28 Were Israel's laws more just? 38:13 What actually made Israel different 42:18 Assimilation as the result of fear 45:03 The Jerusalem council 46:31 Glitter and what we miss 51:04 The litmus test 55:22 Constraints that enable Resources Download the Study Guide at https://www.thinkingchristian.org/about/framework Varma's essays on Diwali and Indian Christian identity: Substack The Society for Post-Supersessionist Theology Passages referenced: Deuteronomy 4 and 6, Daniel 1, Acts 2 and 7 and 15, Philippians 1 Follow and subscribe Subscribe to Thinking Christian: https://episodes.thinkingchristian.org Website: www.thinkingchristian.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The usual complaint about the New Testament's use of the Old is that the apostles play fast and loose. Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer thinks the problem runs the other direction. The Old Testament has gone missing from the research, and once you cut it off, ordinary exegetical moves start looking bizarre. Second Temple interpreters and the New Testament authors resemble each other because they were both apprenticed to the same thousand years of Old Testament authors interpreting earlier Old Testament texts. In this episode, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Schnittjer work through what he calls vertical context. Scholarship attends to the paragraph and chapter around a quoted verse. What gets skipped is the depth beneath it. More than eighty times, the New Testament cites an Old Testament text that is already citing something older. Zechariah's king on a donkey reaches back to the blessing of Judah in Genesis 49, blended with Isaiah 62, and by the time the gospel writers use it, the donkey is carrying a great deal more than a rider. Hebrews turns out to be interested in Torah almost everywhere while quoting Torah almost nowhere, working instead through Psalm 8, Psalm 95, Psalm 110, and Jeremiah. They also take up fulfillment, which in English carries a prediction-and-payoff sense the Hebrew does not require. Matthew's formula comes off the same plane as 2 Chronicles 36, where fulfilling a word means enacting it into reality rather than clocking a duration. That reframes the hard cases. Hosea 11 contains no prediction at all, but Hosea himself reads Jacob's life forward typologically, so Matthew is reading Hosea the way Hosea reads Scripture. The conversation closes on why this is not a license for interpretive improvisation. Dr. Schnittjer argues for plain sense exegesis throughout, which means reading each author with the grain rather than imposing a modern logic and calling it faithfulness. Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer is distinguished professor of Old Testament for Cairn Theological Seminary at Cairn University. He writes at Carpenter's Student. This is the final episode in our four-part conversation and the second of two on the parallel layout project. Purchase Old Testament Use of Old Testament in Parallel Layout Volume 1: Torah and Prophets at amazon.com Carpenter's Student (Substack)https://CarpentersStudent.com Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

Most readers hear "Old Testament use of the Old Testament" and picture quotations. Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer says quotation is the small end of it. An interpretive allusion needs three things: a donor text that gives the language, a receptor text that takes it up, and an identifiable interpretive outcome. That third item is what separates an allusion from an echo, and it is also why later biblical authors so often change the wording. Saying the same thing again was never the point. Moving it forward was. In this episode, Dr. James Spencer talks with Dr. Schnittjer about his forthcoming Old Testament Use of Old Testament in Parallel Layout from Zondervan Academic, a full-color, side-by-side presentation of the evidence built as an inductive tool rather than an argument. They work through Genesis 5 as an interpretive blend of Genesis 1 and 2, where the image of God turns out to mean son of God. Amos taunting his congregation about bringing sacrifices every three days. The Sabbath command, which stops being a capital matter by the time Nehemiah is arguing with merchants at the gates, and which had already been adjusted once inside the Ten Commandments themselves. The long middle of the conversation is Ruth. Levirate marriage, land redemption, the rights of gleaning, and the Deuteronomic exclusion of Moabites all pressing on one another at the city gate, with the Davidic covenant hanging on how the exclusion gets read. Dr. Schnittjer will not let his students say kinsman redeemer. He makes them say financially responsible near relative, because the plain term forces you to stay in the moment instead of leaping past it. The gospel is already here, he argues. We do not have to smuggle it in. Content note: the conversation includes a brief discussion of the rape of Tamar in 2 Samuel 13 and the rape laws of Deuteronomy 22. Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer is distinguished professor of Old Testament for Cairn Theological Seminary at Cairn University. He writes at Carpenter's Student. This is part three of our conversation, and the first of two on the parallel layout project. In the next episode we turn to the New Testament use of the Old Testament. Purchase Old Testament Use of Old Testament in Parallel Layout Volume 1: Torah and Prophets at amazon.com Carpenter's Student (Substack)https://CarpentersStudent.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Ezra-Nehemiah opens on a high note. Yahweh keeps the word he spoke through Jeremiah, Cyrus issues the edict, and the exiles go home. By the last chapter, Nehemiah is walking the city alone, pulling out men's hair and cursing them, and the collective repentances that filled the middle of the book have evaporated. Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer argues that most of the literature, popular and technical alike, has quietly declined to read that ending as an ending. In this episode, Dr. James Spencer talks with Dr. Schnittjer about his forthcoming commentary on Ezra-Nehemiah in the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament series. They start with the hyphen. Ezra-Nehemiah is one book split across two scrolls for the same practical reason Samuel, Kings, and Chronicles were split, and reading half of an already difficult book makes it nearly unreadable. From there they work through what happens when you let the ending stand: if the exile was supposed to reform the people, it did not, and God will have to keep his word some other way. Along the way, Nehemiah 8 through 10, where the people ask Ezra for the Torah scroll at the Water Gate on an ordinary day, study Scripture together for eleven days, and then sign an oath committing themselves to a standard higher than the one Torah sets. The canonical question of why the Hebrew Bible ends in Chronicles on a note of hope while Ezra-Nehemiah ends in failure. And the mass divorces, which Dr. Schnittjer reads against the grain of the usual explanations. The book never calls these others Gentiles or foreigners. It calls them non-covenantal. The pressure was economic before it was ethnic, and Ezra-Nehemiah keeps the camera on the whole community rather than the individual households. Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer is distinguished professor of Old Testament for Cairn Theological Seminary at Cairn University. He writes at Carpenter's Student. Get Ezra-Nehemiah (Baker Commentary on the Old Testament) at amazon.com. This is part two of our conversation. In the previous episode we discussed Connected: How Scripture Guides the Study of Scripture, and in the next two episodes we turn to inter-biblical exegesis and Old Testament Use of Old Testament in Parallel Layout. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

Christians have inherited a strange habit of treating the Old Testament as optional. Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer argues that Jesus and the apostles would not have understood the question. There was a gospel, a Messiah, and a church before there was a New Testament, and none of it was possible without the Scriptures Israel already had. Even the word "gospel" comes to Mark by way of Isaiah. In this episode, Dr. James Spencer talks with Dr. Schnittjer about his new book, Connected: How Scripture Guides the Study of Scripture. The premise is that the Bible already teaches us how to read it. Story teaches us to read story in Deuteronomy 6. Prophecy teaches us to read prophecy in Zechariah 1. Poetry and wisdom teach us to read poetry and wisdom in Psalm 1. Jesus models the whole thing in the synagogue at Nazareth in Luke 4. Along the way they work through continuity and discontinuity between the testaments, the burden of holiness carried by the priests and what Hebrews does with it, Daniel's need for help understanding Jeremiah, and the strange counterpoint in Jeremiah 44 where survivors of Jerusalem's fall blame Josiah's reforms for the disaster. They close on Deuteronomy as a book that builds an entire culture of Scripture study, from the king who writes his own copy of the law to the whole covenant community gathered every seven years to hear it read. Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer is distinguished professor of Old Testament for Cairn Theological Seminary at Cairn University. He writes at Carpenter's Student. This is part one of a two-part conversation. In the next episode, Dr. Spencer and Dr. Schnittjer turn to Ezra-Nehemiah. Get Connected: How Scripture Guides the Study of Scripture at Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Can the church learn to follow the Spirit into places it hasn't been looking? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ashish Varma sit down with Dr. Oscar Garcia-Johnson — Professor of Theology and Decolonial Studies at Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Spirit Outside the Gate: Decolonial Pneumatologies of the American Global South — for a conversation that will stretch your theological imagination in the best possible way. Oscar unpacks why the Holy Spirit resists every attempt at domestication, why Pentecost was never about cosmetic diversity, and why genuine Christian maturity looks less like doctrinal confidence and more like humble, attentive discernment. Drawing from scripture, church history, and his own journey as a pastor-scholar moving between the church, the academy, and the city, Oscar challenges the "canonical imagination of the West" — not to reject Christian theology, but to reroute it toward a more faithful, Spirit-led witness in a global, pluralistic world. If you've ever felt the tension between theological certainty and genuine openness to what God is doing in surprising places, this episode is for you. Key Takeaways: Why pneumatology (the study of the Holy Spirit) naturally resists the same gating mechanisms that Christology can fall prey to The difference between relativism and Spirit-led discernment — and why Oscar is firmly not a relativist How the Tower of Babel and Pentecost represent two competing logics still at work in the church today What "terminal knowledge" is and how the Spirit is actively healing it in marginalized communities Why true Christian maturity is relational and active — not self-referential How to ask "Where is God?" instead of only "Where is the devil?" when encountering other cultures and traditions The connection between Acts 7, the Jerusalem Council, and Spirit-led openness to the Gentiles Oscar's new book Decolonial Love in Times of Hatred: 40 Ways to Follow Jesus Today Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

Is modern life quietly replacing God with something else? In Episode 60 of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ashish Farma welcome back historian and theologian Dr. Kevin Flatt (Associate Dean of Humanities, Redeemer University) to explore one of the most urgent and underexamined ideas in Christian thought today: Sacred Social Order. Every civilization in human history — from ancient China to Mesoamerican empires to early Christian Europe — understood that human society must align with something higher than itself. That intuition isn't gone. It's been replaced. By nationalism. By progressive identity movements. By civil religion. By the cult of the individual. In this wide-ranging conversation, James, Ashish, and Kevin map how the West lost its sacred social order, what quietly took its place, and what the Church must recover — including a radical rethinking of time, space, the Sabbath, and Christian catechesis. If you've ever felt like the world is moving too fast, or that something foundational has been hollowed out — this episode names what it is. Key Takeaways: What "Sacred Social Order" means — and why virtually every pre-modern civilization shared it How secularization doesn't create a vacuum; it creates replacement religions (nationalism, identity politics, civil religion) Why the American founding contains an unresolved ambiguity between Christian and Deist foundations — and what happened when that ambiguity tilted secular How technology is catechizing us into seeing time and space as things to master, not gifts to steward The striking biblical parallel between Sabbath laws and land laws — and what exile means for a church that ignores both Why literal gardening might be one of the most counter-cultural spiritual practices a Christian can adopt today What a Christian catechism for our moment needs to address — and what sacred values compete against it Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

What if secularization isn't the decline of religion — but the replacement of one social order with another? In this episode, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ashish Varma sit down with Dr. Kevin Flatt, professor of history at Redeemer University and author of Secularization, Social Order, and World History, to unpack one of the most provocative frameworks in contemporary Christian thinking: Sacred Social Order. Kevin introduces the idea that every human culture — until the modern West — has organized its life around something higher than itself. He argues that what we call "religion" is actually a uniquely Western, uniquely modern compartment, while Sacred Social Order is the operating system beneath all of culture. From there, the conversation moves through Christian nationalism, the liberal firmware of Western democracy, Philip Reif's cultural warfare thesis, and why your children's public school is not religiously neutral. If you've ever sensed that something deeper than a culture war is unfolding — that the ground itself has shifted — this episode gives you the language to name it. Key Takeaways: What "Sacred Social Order" means, and why it's a more accurate lens than "religion" for understanding culture Why secular order isn't neutral — it has its own values, telos, and demands on individuals How the Christian nationalism debate connects to identical movements in India, Iran, China, and the Muslim world Why Philip Reif's "third culture" thesis is partly right — and where Kevin respectfully pushes back Why public education is never neutral, and what Christians should really be asking about schools Why the gym or the yoga studio may be shaping your theology more than Hinduism is The Labubu doll illustration: how misidentifying spiritual threats reveals our blind spots Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

On Sunday 12th July we had James Spencer from Compassion UK with us. He's an excellent communicator and brought us a message about the kingdom of God as well as sharing about the work of Compassion in the area of Kisumu, Kenya, that we're connected to as a church. WATCH this message in video form, including the two videos There are no spectators in the kingdom of God.What we do for God's kingdom is never in vain. For more information about who we are, what we believe and how you can get involved, please visit our website

What does it mean to be human — really? In an age of AI, transhumanism, and relentless technological "progress," Christians are making confident claims about humanity without a solid theological foundation underneath them. In this episode, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ashish Varma sit down with Dr. Marc Cortez, Dean of the Litvin School of Divinity at Wheaton College, to explore one of the most urgent and underdeveloped doctrines in Christian thought: theological anthropology. Dr. Cortez challenges the tendency to let the Image of God do all the heavy lifting — and makes a compelling case that the human body is not merely an instrument of the soul, but is fundamental to what it means to be made in God's image. Drawing from ancient idol language in Genesis 1, the resurrection, and modern cognitive science, this conversation reorients how Christians should think about embodiment, flourishing, technology, and even taking care of a tree. If you've ever wondered whether your theology can hold up in a world reshaped by AI, this is the episode to start with. KEY TAKEAWAYS The Image of God (Imago Dei) uses ancient idol language — humans are the material means by which God manifests His divine presence in the world We cannot think well about AI, transhumanism, sexuality, race, or disability without first building a robust theology of embodiment The soul-body hierarchy in Christian history was never meant to devalue the body — but it almost always has "Spiritual maturity" and "physical health" belong on the same list — our bifurcation of them reveals a modern, unbiblical blind spot Before making confident claims about technology making us "less human," ask the prior question: what does it mean to be human in the first place? Christian eschatology (resurrected, transformed bodies) gives us more theological complexity around human enhancement than most people realize Dr. Cortez's shorthand for the Image of God: "We are the material means by which God is seeking to manifest His divine presence in a unique way in the world." Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

What if the church is trapped in the same invisible loop as an addict — and doesn't know it? What does addiction science have to do with the body of Christ? More than you'd think. In this follow-up conversation, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ashish Varma build on their interview with Dr. David Van Dyke (Wheaton College Marriage & Family Therapy) to explore how systems thinking unlocks a deeper understanding of church health, Christian formation, and why faithful people keep repeating the same destructive patterns. Drawing on Kent Dunnington's groundbreaking work Virtue and Addiction, the conversation reveals that the opposite of virtue isn't simply vice — it's addiction. Both are habit-formed, systems-shaped realities. The hosts then turn this lens on the church: from organizational cultures stuck in toxic loops, to single-issue political formation, to Pharaoh's fear-driven decision-making in Exodus — and what it all reveals about how invisible systems shape us without our awareness. This is a rare conversation: calm, theologically rigorous, and genuinely challenging for anyone who wants to think clearly about what it means to be the body of Christ in the world today. Key Takeaways: Why addiction is the true opposite of virtue — not vice — according to philosopher Kent Dunnington How invisible systems shape our habits, reactions, and identities without our awareness Why single-issue political engagement may be forming us into political animals rather than disciples The Pharaoh principle: how fear-driven, system-bound thinking causes us to miss what God is doing The Ephesus problem: the danger of being doctrinally right but missionally withdrawn What Jeremiah 7 and Acts 7 reveal about mistaking second-order goods (doctrine, temples) for first-order realities What does a multi-denominational coffee shop Bible study teach the church about unity? Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

Watch this episode ad-free by joining the ITBR Patreon! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/ivorytowerboilerroom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠-----Author Luke McQuillan has joined us on ITBR! We had an enticing conversation spanning from 1930's queer history to our modern-day administration and how easy it can be to fall into the rabbit hole on writing queer suffering and anxieties when the choice to write on joy is right there.Luke opened up on how American politics eroded his mental health which led him to write his debut musical novel Love in the Light. Set in 1939, the musical novel follows ship navigator Alfred Hearn and lighthouse keeper James Spencer. You guessed it, sparks are gonna fly between these two!Get to know more about Luke McQuillan and check out his musical novel down below!Characters break out into song on the page in this cozy musical novel about finding love and finding your way. QR codes throughout the book let you listen to the songs as you read for an immersive, musical experience. The remote lighthouse could be the perfect harbor for a forbidden romance to flourish. If only the shipping company they both work for didn't have other plans for it. If they lose the safety of the lighthouse, what would it mean for their blossoming relationship? With James by his side, Alfred must finally face navigating the rockiest sea of all: his own life. https://www.lukemcquillan.com/booksFollow ITBR on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@ivorytowerboilerroom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@dr.andrewrimby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel where you can watch video episodes of the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@ivorytowerboilerroom⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Thanks to our following sponsors! To subscribe to The Gay and Lesbian Review visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠glreview.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Click Subscribe and enter promo code ITBRChoice to get a free issue with a subscription purchase. Follow them on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@theglreview⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and TikTok ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@g_and_lr⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Head to Broadview Press, an independent academic publisher, for all your humanities related books. Use code ivorytower for 20% off your⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ broadviewpress.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠order. Follow them on IG ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@broadviewpress⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Thanks to the ITBR team! Dr. Andrew Rimby (Host and Director), Mary DiPipi (Chief Contributor), and Sean Penta (Editor)

Is Christian parenting a strict formula to execute, or an art form to practice? In a culture that bombards Christian parents with exhaustive 10-step checklists and uniform blueprints for family life, it is remarkably easy to accidentally provoke or exasperate our children. This week, Dr. James Spencer, PhD and Dr. Ashish Varma return to the podcast to look at fatherhood through the lens of scriptural wisdom rather than cultural anxieties. True biblical wisdom doesn't produce recipe-followers; it forms adaptive disciples. Pulling from the book of Proverbs, the Sermon on the Mount, and the letters of Paul, James and Ashish discuss why parenting requires holy improvisation—a pastoral sensitivity that allows a father to receive his children exactly as they are and adjust his training to fit their unique design. In this episode, we discuss: The "Chopped" Mystery Basket: Viewing your child's distinct traits as raw ingredients that require expert, customized care. The Education Fit: An honest, non-judgmental look at public vs. private schooling, and why identical principles led both hosts to entirely different local schooling choices for their kids. Healthy Friction vs. Exasperation: Learning how far to push a child to build resilience without crossing the line into crushing their spirit. The Long Game: Moving past the urge to "fix" every behavioral issue instantly, focusing instead on building the profound, long-term trust your children will need well into adulthood. Form your character, drop the rigid checklists, and learn to enjoy the beautiful, improvisational calling of being a dad. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com. Join the movement: Sign up for our direct line loop of 140k believers at thinkingchristian.org. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

The Southern Baptist Convention just passed a constitutional amendment restricting women in ministry — and the implications reach far beyond the SBC. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and co-host Ashish Varma sit down with Dr. Beth Allison Barr, historian, Baylor professor, and author of The Making of Biblical Womanhoodand Becoming the Pastor's Wife, to break down what happened, why it matters, and where evangelical Christianity may be heading. Beth traces the amendment's path from 2022 to its overwhelming passage in 2025, explains why Al Mohler's role was decisive, and unpacks the striking inconsistency at the heart of the SBC's position: the same ecclesiology used to avoid accountability for sexual abuse was set aside the moment women's roles came to a vote. We also go deeper into the historical forces behind this moment, from the fundamentalist-modernist controversy to decades of seminary curriculum that have shaped an entire generation of Christians who have never encountered a different reading of scripture. If you've wondered how complementarianism moves toward biblical patriarchy, Beth explains exactly how that progression works and why it isn't accidental. The conversation also takes up the coordination problem: the SBC has Desiring God, the Gospel Coalition, and institutional momentum built over decades. Those committed to keeping these conversations open and honest largely do not. That gap matters, and we name it directly. Topics covered: SBC constitutional amendment, women in ministry, complementarianism vs. egalitarianism, Al Mohler, biblical womanhood, evangelical polarization, church history, Beth Allison Barr Check out Beth's Substack at bethallisonbarr.substack.com, and her books: The Making of Biblical Womanhood and Becoming the Pastor's Wife. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

The story of the Roman catacombs is vastly different than that of the catacombs of Paris, as Rome’s are much older and were created for very different reasons. Research: Bonello, Giovanni. “Charting the enigmatic life of Antonio Bosio.” Times of Malta. Dec. 6, 2014. https://timesofmalta.com/article/Charting-the-enigmatic-life-of-Antonio-Bosio.547468 Bonello, Giovanni. “How Antonio Bosio Became famous Worldwide.” Times of Malta. Dec. 13, 2014. https://timesofmalta.com/article/How-Antonio-Bosio-became-famous-worldwide.548393 Bosio, Antonio. “Roma sotteranea.” 1650. Accessed online: https://books.google.com/books?id=zCXXSKqq3nQC&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_atb#v=onepage&q&f=false Britannica Editors. "Edict of Milan". Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Aug. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Edict-of-Milan Britannica Editors. "First Jewish Revolt". Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Mar. 2025, https://www.britannica.com/event/First-Jewish-Revolt Britannica Editors. "Law of the Twelve Tables". Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Mar. 2018, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Law-of-the-Twelve-Tables “The Catacombs of Rome.” The Atlantic Monthly. March 1858. https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1858/03/the-catacombs-of-rome/627225/ Coleman-Norton, Paul R. “The Twelve Tables.” 2024 (eBook). https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/14783/pg14783-images.html “Diocletianic Persecution.” Ebsco. 2023. https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/diocletianic-persecution “Jews in Roman Times.” The Roman Empire. PBS. https://www.pbs.org/empires/romans/empire/jews.html Lamberton, Clark D. “The Development of Christian Symbolism as Illustrated in Roman Catacomb Painting.” American Journal of Archaeology, vol. 15, no. 4, 1911, pp. 507–22. JSTOR, https://doi.org/10.2307/497187 Munro, Dana Carleton et al. “Translations and reprints from the original sources of European history : series for 1897.” University of Pennsylvania. 1898. https://archive.org/details/translationsrepr00munr/page/n3/mode/2up Northcote, James Spencer. “The Roman Catacombs.” Sophia Institute Press. 2017. (Reprint) Northcote, James Spencer. ““The Roman Catacombs; or Some Accounts of the Burial Places of the Early Christians in Rome.” Philadelphia. Peter F. Cunningham. 1857. (Reprint) Osborne, J. “The Roman Catacombs in the Middle Ages.” Papers of the British School at Rome , 1985, Vol. 53 (1985), pp. 278-328. https://www.jstor.org/stable/40310821 Perrottet, Tony. “Explore Rome’s Hidden Underworld, Where a City Lurks Beneath a City.” Smithsonian. April/May 2025. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/explore-romes-hidden-underworld-city-beneath-city-180986228/ “PONTIFICAL COMMISSION FOR SACRED ARCHAEOLOGY – Historical Notes.” Vatican. https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/pontifical_commissions/archeo/inglese/documents/rc_com_archeo_doc_20011010_cenni_en.html Richter, J. P. “Early Christian Art in the Roman Catacombs.” The Burlington Magazine for Connoisseurs, vol. 6, no. 22, 1905, pp. 286–262. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/856226 “The Roman Catacombs.” Architecture. April 20, 1888. No. 414, p. 224. https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nyp.33433084078983&seq=414&q1=catacombs “The Roman Catacombs.” Scientific American, vol. 58, no. 20, 1888, pp. 312–312. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/26094597 Rossi, Giovannie Battista de, et all. “Roma sotterranea : or, Some account of the Roman catacombs, especially of the cemetery of San Callisto ; comp. from the works of Commendatore de Rossi with the consent of the author.” Longmans, Green, Reader and Dyer. London. 1869. https://archive.org/details/a606740800rossuoft/a606740800rossuoft/page/6/mode/2up RUTGERS, LEONARD VICTOR, and לאונרד רוטגרס. “הקטקומבות היהודיות ברומא: הערכה מחודשת / THE JEWISH CATACOMBS OF ROME RECONSIDERED.” Proceedings of the World Congress of Jewish Studies / דברי הקונגרס העולמי למדעי היהדות, י, 1989, pp. 29–36. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/23535611 Terry, Andrea, and John Osborne. “Un Canadien Errant: Charles Smeaton and the Earliest Photographs of the Roman Catacombs.” RACAR: Revue d’art Canadienne / Canadian Art Review, vol. 32, no. 1/2, 2007, pp. 94–106. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/42630755 Yeomans, Sarah. “City of the Dead.” Archaeology, vol. 61, no. 4, 2008, pp. 55–62. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41780388 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

s the Old Testament Law a heavy burden to be avoided, or a guide to the heart of the Lawgiver?

For many Christians, the Book of Deuteronomy feels like a dense wilderness of repetitive laws and ancient regulations that seem disconnected from a vibrant relationship with Jesus.

Is there a "secret recipe" for biblical fatherhood, or have we been looking at the wrong map?

Is our modern definition of "toughness" actually biblical, or is it just a shadow of the ancient world?

Is 1 Timothy 3 a list of "manly" traits, or a calling for the entire Body of Christ?

If we move past the confusing labels of "biblical manhood," what are we actually left with?

Are we following Jesus, or just a "masculine" version of ourselves?

Does being a "Biblical Man" mean fitting into a specific cultural mold?

If we throw away the old, distorted maps of manhood, what do we use to navigate instead?

What happens when the "old maps" of masculinity fail us?

Is the current conversation around "Biblical Manhood" giving us a clear path, or just a distorted map?

The guys also talk LeBron James, Spencer Pratt, Hulk Hogan, Martin Short, The Dark Wizard, and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How did we get here? From the Enlightenment to the rise of Postmodernism, the landscape of what we believe about God has shifted beneath our feet. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with renowned theologian Dr. Roger E. Olson (Emeritus Professor at Baylor University) to map out the fascinating—and often turbulent—history of modern theology. They explore the tension between tradition and the "modern mind," discussing how giants like Schleiermacher, Barth, and Bonhoeffer navigated a world that was rapidly deconstructing old certainties. Whether you're a theology nerd or just trying to understand the intellectual roots of your own faith, this conversation provides a vital compass for the journey. In this episode, we discuss: The "Modern" Dilemma: What happens when theology tries to accommodate the demands of the Enlightenment? Reconstruction to Deconstruction: Understanding the shift from building grand systems of thought to the skepticism of the 21st century. The Giants of the Faith: Why figures like Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer still matter for your walk with Christ today. The Evangelical Response: How believers can engage with modern ideas without losing the core of the Gospel. Finding Your Place: How understanding the history of ideas helps you situate your own beliefs in a chaotic world. Join us for a deep dive into the ideas that shaped the modern church and discover how to think Christianly in an era of reconstruction and deconstruction. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

Guests: Dr. James Spencer and Ted KluckSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a world that demands instant results, we’ve found a thousand new ways to numb the pain of existence. Join Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ben Mathew for the final installment of our series as they tackle the normalization of "quick-fix" drugs—from anabolic steroids and TRT in the fitness world to the rise of GLP-1s like Ozempic. We explore the dangerous trade-offs of modern biohacking and why the Christian life calls us to lean into the "friction" of reality rather than anesthetizing ourselves against it. If you've ever felt the pressure to "optimize" your body at the expense of your soul, this conversation is for you. In this episode, we discuss: The Normalization of Performance Enhancers: Why younger generations are turning to steroids and TRT for social media clout. The "Numbing" Culture: How we use substances to avoid the "existential sniffles" and the discomfort of growth. The GLP-1 Wave: Examining the psychological and spiritual implications of the newest drug trends. Sanctification vs. Optimization: Why the Christian walk requires "grit" and "friction" that a pill or injection can’t provide. Working Toward Your Own Dismissal: A challenge to leaders and counselors to build structures that help people find freedom, not just temporary relief. Don’t miss this deep dive into how we can bear faithful witness in a culture that wants to edit out every struggle. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

Are we asking therapy to do something it was never designed to do? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ben Mathew take a provocative look at the "Counseling Industry" and its role in a collapsed culture. While therapy is a vital tool for clinical challenges, Dr. Mathew shares the growing trend of counselors feeling like "paid friends" for people who are simply missing the basic structures of a healthy life. We dive into why the clinical office is a great place to meet a need, but a terrible place to sustain a soul. In this episode, we discuss: The "Paid Friend" Phenomenon: Why many people are seeking professional therapy for problems that used to be solved by a neighbor or a church small group. Clinical vs. Ontological Needs: Distinguishing between psychological disorders and the deeper "existential sniffles" caused by isolation. The Limits of the Couch: Why a one-hour weekly session cannot provide the resources to sustain a person’s entire sense of meaning. A Collapsed Culture: How the breakdown of local communities has forced the mental health industry to become a "catch-all" for human loneliness. Returning to the Body: Why the church must step up to provide the "house" of support so that therapy can return to its intended clinical focus. If you’ve ever wondered why therapy feels like a temporary fix or why our culture is more "counseled" yet more anxious than ever, this conversation is a must-listen. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

Loneliness isn't just a "feeling"—it’s a structural crisis. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ben Mathew take a hard look at the "Epidemic of Loneliness" and why our modern way of life is practically designed to keep us isolated. Building on the "Embodied Leg" of our mental health stool, we explore how the transition from a "physical" world to a "convenience" world has stripped away the natural friction that used to bring us together. It’s time to move past the "on-demand" lifestyle and rediscover why being a member of the Body of Christ requires more than just a Wi-Fi connection. In this episode, we discuss: The Surgeon General’s Warning: Why loneliness is now considered a greater public health threat than many physiological diseases. The "Convenience" Trap: How Amazon, Netflix, and DoorDash have unintentionally removed the "small talk" and community interactions that ground our sanity. Structural Loneliness: Understanding that we haven’t just become lonely; we’ve built a society that makes it the default setting. The Church as a "Third Space": Why the local church is the essential alternative to the isolation of the home and the transactional nature of the workplace. Ancient Truths for Modern Deficiencies: Moving beyond the "search for relief" and leaning into the grit of real-world relationships. If you’ve ever felt "lonely in a crowded room" or wondered why life feels increasingly disconnected, this conversation offers a roadmap back to the communal life we were created for. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

In an era of digital convenience and "on-demand" spirituality, have we lost something vital by staying home? Join Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ben Mathew as they explore the "Embodied Leg" of the mental health stool. This episode dives into the "Deaths of Despair" phenomenon and how the simple act of being physically present in a local church community serves as a powerful buffer against anxiety and isolation. We’re moving beyond abstract beliefs and looking at the tangible, physical habits that ground us when the world feels overwhelming. In this episode, we discuss: The "Blue Laws" Connection: How the loss of a shared day of rest contributed to a rise in "deaths of despair." Digital vs. Embodied Faith: Why watching a sermon at 1.5x speed can't replace the "friction" and beauty of being with real people. The Power of Ritual: How the physical acts of communion, singing, and gathering provide "symbolic handles" to navigate life’s challenges. The Church as a Physical Manifestation: Why the local church is the essential "body" we need to inhabit for true human flourishing. Building Grit through Presence: Why showing up when you don't feel like it is exactly what builds spiritual and emotional resilience. Whether you're struggling with a sense of isolation or looking for a deeper way to engage with your faith, this conversation reminds us that we were made to be present. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

In a culture obsessed with "happiness hacks" and immediate emotional relief, what if our sadness isn't a glitch, but a proper response to reality? In this follow-up episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ben Mathew (Professor of Counselor Education at CIU) tackle the heart of the existential crisis. They move beyond the "social leg" of mental health to explore the "existential leg"—the shared process of meaning-making in a world that often feels like running into the wind. In this episode, we discuss: The Rationality of Sadness: Why feeling existential dread and deep frustration is a "proper response" to the systems and brokenness around us. The "Neurosurgeon" vs. the "Glass of Water": Identifying why we often rush to clinical experts when what we truly lack is a durable community "house" of support. Lament as Language: Following the example of Christ on the cross and the Psalmists to give a voice to our heartache without being "chastised" or "condemned." Anchoring Against Despair: How the local church acts as a "buttress of truth," helping us find a non-anxious presence even when our bank accounts are zero or life feels overwhelming. Shared Meaning: Why meaning is best solidified not in isolation, but within the "community of saints." Stop trying to shortcut the healing and join us for a conversation about sitting in the tension, voicing the lament, and finding the grace to keep running. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

Have you ever been in the middle of a busy, successful season only to be hit by a sudden, creeping feeling that none of it matters? You aren’t alone. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ben Mathew (Professor of Counselor Education at CIU) dive deep into the "existential leg" of the mental health stool. Dr. Mathew joins us from the middle of a literal storm to discuss the figurative storms of the soul—those moments when we feel like we are "running into the wind" without a sense of purpose. We explore why "existential dread" is often a rational response to a broken world and how the local church should serve as the primary "house" of support before we ever reach for clinical intervention. In this episode, we discuss: The "Running into the Wind" Analogy: Understanding the baseline anxiety that seeps into our work and daily lives. Angry at Existence: How to navigate feelings of bitterness toward God or life itself. The Power of Lament: Why we need to stop "shortcutting" to the fix and start making space for groaning and frustration. The Church as Triage: Why general community support is the "glass of water" we often need before calling a "neurosurgeon." Shared Meaning: How the "pillar and buttress of truth" helps us avoid despair. If you’ve been feeling the weight of the world or questioning your impact, tune in for a conversation that re-centers our story within the greater narrative of God's work. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

In this episode, Sathiya sits down with theologian, podcaster, and educator James Spencer for a thoughtful and practical conversation about manhood, faith, and the modern challenges facing Christians. They explore the importance of biblical literacy, unpacking why so many men struggle to engage scripture and how different preaching styles like expository and topical teaching - shape spiritual growth. The conversation also examines the dynamics of online Christian content, highlighting the risks of fragmented understanding, viral controversies, and the powerful influence of algorithms on belief and behavior. Drawing from his background as a personal trainer, James shares simple, actionable insights for building consistent spiritual habits, while also emphasizing the importance of staying deeply connected to a local church community. As the discussion turns to the rise of AI, Sathiya and James tackle big questions about technology and faith, exploring how it can both support and hinder genuine creativity and discipleship when not approached with wisdom and discernment. Ultimately, the episode encourages listeners to deepen their engagement with scripture, cultivate intentional spiritual rhythms, and navigate both digital and real-world spaces with clarity, humility, and purpose.   SATHIYA'S RESOURCES: Free Recovery Book (The Last Relapse) Join the brotherhood (DeepClean Inner Circle) Live Training To Quit Porn For Good   JAMES' RESOURCES: James' Website James' YouTube   Timestamps: 00:00 Challenges in Expository Preaching Online 06:00 Edgy Online Content Trends 15:43 Discipleship Context in Church Growth 21:35 Exercise and Bible Study Parallel 27:20 Slow, Reflective Start to Day 28:51 Reflections on Scripture Study 36:28 Navigating AI in Faith Education 42:03 Faithful Tech Use and Purpose 45:54 Obedience and Individual Nuance 51:15 AI Insights vs. Hard Research 58:32 Things vs. Devices Philosophy

Are we living in a "Truman Show" world?

Is mental health just "all in your head," or is there something deeper happening within our physical design? In the premiere of this series, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Ben Mathew, Professor of Counselor Education, to introduce a revolutionary way of looking at well-being: The Three-Legged Stool of Mental Health. We’re moving past the "quick-fix" culture to explore how our bodies, our stories, and our faith are inextricably linked. If you've ever felt like your spiritual life and your physical struggles were at odds, this episode provides the roadmap to wholeness you’ve been looking for. In this episode, we tackle: The Three-Legged Stool

Are we living in a "paid friend" culture?

When faith leaders gathered at the White House for an Easter luncheon, the prayers offered weren't just politically awkward — they were theologically problematic. In this episode, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ashish Varma move past the headlines to examine the deeper issues: What happens when national identity absorbs Christian identity? What does the Bible actually say about kings, suffering, and God's purposes for nations? And what does faithful Christian engagement with political power look like? Drawing on the Sermon on the Mount, the book of Esther, 1 Samuel, and the theology of Paul, Spencer and Varma assess the remarks of Paula White Cane, Franklin Graham, and Robert Jeffress — and explain why the problems run deeper than bad word choices. They also highlight what faithful public prayer can look like, pointing to Bishop Barron's remarks as a constructive contrast. If you've been unsettled by the merger of Christian language and political power, this episode gives you the theological framework to understand why — and what to do with it. Read James's Article on christianity.com (available 4/14). Purchase Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on Amazon.com See Ashish's Articles on providence at the Barth Center. Get early access and a bonus with a Patreon membership. Subscribe to our YouTube channel

Is the way we view church leadership actually doing more harm than good? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Christa L. McKirland—Dean of Faculty at Carey Baptist College and author of A Theology of Authority—to dismantle the "CEO model" of ministry and rediscover a biblical, communal framework for the Body of Christ. Why This Episode is a Must-Listen: Beyond "Because I Said So": Discover why imperative authority—the power to command and compel consequences—is actually the lowest form of motivation and often misplaced in the church. The Four Faces of Authority: Dr. McKirland breaks down the essential differences between Executive (positional) and Non-Executive (knowledge and character-based) authority. Ending Pastoral Burnout: Learn how a "passive body" that expects to be spoon-fed creates a two-tiered hierarchy that exhausts leaders and robs congregants of their spiritual dignity. Equipping the Saints: Explore the concept of "Equipping Performative Authority," where the leader's primary role is to empower the community for ministry, not do the ministry for them. Navigating "Hard" Texts: A deep dive into the context of 1 Timothy 2 and why we often read universal prescriptions into specific historical prohibitions. Key Takeaways for Your Walk: *

How can local churches maintain a historic Christian sexual ethic while still being a place where anyone can belong, ask tough questions, and encounter Jesus? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes back Pieter Valk, a licensed clinical counselor and the director of Equip. Together, they tackle the practical, often messy realities that local churches face today when navigating LGBTQ+ topics. Rather than sticking our heads in the sand, Pieter advocates for a framework built on clarity, consistency, and active discipleship. They dive deep into the distinction between representational leadership roles and low-barrier opportunities for community service, exploring how churches can offer authentic belonging without compromising their theological convictions. Pieter also shares a vital reminder: the most critical LGBTQ+ ministry a church can do is care for the youth already sitting in their pews. Whether you are a pastor, a church elder, or a believer looking to love your neighbors winsomely, this conversation offers a refreshing, grounded blueprint for building a healthy, thriving church community.

“Have a safe summer!” “Travel safe!” “Stay safe!”

What happens when a life shaped by violence, poverty, and abandonment meets consistent love, purpose, and the message of the Gospel? In this powerful episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Greg Harris, Executive Director of Counteract International, to explore the realities facing incarcerated youth in Central America—and the transformative work being done to restore their lives. Drawing from his book Counteract: Walking Alongside Incarcerated Youth in Central America from Prison to Purpose, Greg shares firsthand stories of young men and women caught in cycles of crime, broken homes, and gang culture—and how mentorship, faith-based education, and intentional relationships are helping them rewrite their futures. Together, they unpack: The harsh realities of juvenile detention in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala The “battle within” every young person must face when choosing their path Why relationship—not just programs—is the key to lasting transformation The critical role of faith in restoring identity, dignity, and purpose The high cost of inaction—and why this mission matters now more than ever This conversation is both sobering and deeply hopeful, challenging listeners to reconsider how we see justice, redemption, and our responsibility to the most vulnerable.

What should Christians do with the hardest laws in the Bible—texts about slavery, sexual violence, capital punishment, and social inequality? Should they be explained away… or even crossed out? In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer, Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Cairn University, to discuss Schnicker’s recent article in the Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society examining a provocative proposal by biblical scholar James W. Watts: that “immoral” commands in Scripture—especially in the Torah—should be struck through or repealed. Watts argues that certain biblical laws are morally indefensible by modern standards and that retaining them enables abuse, violence, and injustice. Schnicker agrees that these texts deeply trouble modern readers—but strongly disagrees with the solution. In this wide-ranging and careful conversation, James and Gary explore why removing or canceling difficult passages creates dangerous “collateral damage”, both theologically and pastorally. At the heart of the discussion is a crucial claim: many of the biblical laws that offend modern sensibilities are not endorsements of evil, but divine constraints on evil—laws designed to protect the most vulnerable people in the ancient world: slaves, women, the poor, and victims of violence. When these laws are removed or ignored, the Bible is reshaped into something that actually empowers the strong and exposes the weak. Gary explains how Old Testament law often functions not to establish an ideal society, but to curtail injustice in deeply broken social realities. Drawing on ancient Near Eastern context, Jesus’ own teaching on the law, and long-neglected biblical scholarship, he argues that God meets people where they are—without endorsing the world as it is. The conversation also addresses: Why bad interpretation is not the same as biblical meaning How “reception history” can be misused as a moral veto on Scripture Why Christians are often embarrassed by parts of the Old Testament The danger of modern “neo-Marcionism” and un-hitching the Old Testament Why apologetics answers often fall flat for younger Christians How ignoring these texts creates faith crises rather than resolving them James and Gary reflect candidly on the church’s failure to teach these passages well—and how that failure has contributed to widespread biblical confusion, especially in a digital age where moral objections to Scripture circulate constantly but context rarely follows. Rather than advocating pulpit shock tactics, Schnicker calls pastors, teachers, and church leaders to patient, informed engagement—to stop brushing difficult texts under the carpet and instead learn how they reveal God’s concern for justice, restraint of violence, and care for the vulnerable. Resources mentioned: Gary Edward Schnittjer,JETS article (available free at com) com(Gary’s Substack) If you’ve ever struggled with parts of the Old Testament—or wondered why Christians seem embarrassed by their own Scriptures—this episode offers a careful, honest, and deeply pastoral way forward that refuses to cancel the Bible while taking moral questions seriously. Subscribe to our YouTube channel

James Spencer checks in with another new album… and we'll open the latest issue of Lounge Life Magazine to discover the scotch that was the favourite of Frank Sinatra… and hear of a very amusing AI transcription mishap thanks to Baron Von Swankenstien. There's new exotica on the way from Tiki Delights and Mr Moai… a few tiki happenings around the globe… and a mid-century complaint about petrol prices that proves drivers have always loved to complain about fuel prices. So pour something strong, settle into the lounge chair… cocktailnation.net Voodoo 5 - Faster Pussycat Martini Kings - The Lonely Bull James Spencer - Lonely Street Eddie Palmieri - Los Cueros Me Llaman Freddie Canoe - Lonely Island Vibexotica - Song Of The Taino Mr Moai And The TikiHeads - Martinique Tiki Delights - The Daiquiri Mambo Billy Lester Trio - Out Of Nowhere Norm Amadio Feat Marc Jordan - I Love You That Way Freddie Green - Pin Up Cocktail Inn - Tequila Combustible Edison - Utopia    

Mr Skip Heller returns with Voodoo five and a new release Called Hypnocoin so we will catch up with him on the show this week, speaking of new music  we bring you Tabu recordings, new music from the Tikiyaki orchestra , Martini Kings and James Spencer so a bucket load of new music for you. There is a look at the world of swank, a deep thought and our stuff segment        Paul Anka- The Way You Make Me Feel John Barry-On Her Majestys Secret Service Skip Heller Voodoo 5 Voodoo 5-Hypnocoin Messerchups- Kiss of the Night Blue Martinis-You Turn Me On Baby Chet Baker-When Your Lover Has Gone OMFO - Whimsical realm Martini Kings- Strangers in the Night The Tikiyaki Orchestra - Sushi  Tabu Recordings - Enter The Spy Magician Herb Ellis- Soft Winds Mr Moai and the Tikiheads-Road To Caliente James Spencer and The Midnight Men- Under the Streetlamp