Thinking Christian: Bible, Theology, and Culture

What does it truly mean to be a "helper"? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer challenges common misconceptions surrounding the Hebrew word ezer, often translated as "helper" in Genesis 2:18. Moving beyond traditional hierarchical interpretations, James explores how ezer is used throughout the Old Testament, revealing its profound connection to strength, support, and indispensable aid—qualities that describe God Himself. He delves into various scholarly views, ultimately presenting a compelling case for ezer as a co-equal, mutual partner in God's mission. This episode will reshape your understanding of the male-female relationship, highlight the dignity and responsibility inherent in the ezer role, and point to the hope of restoration in Christ, even in the face of post-fall brokenness. Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel! 🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com 📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation! For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What if the tabernacle, the Garden of Eden, and the Great Commission are all telling the same story? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer uncovers the theological thread that weaves from Genesis to Revelation—a sacred space built not of bricks and curtains, but of God’s presence dwelling among His people. Moving through Eden, the Israelite temple system, Jesus’ incarnation, and into the Church, this episode explores how the beatific vision—the promise of seeing God face to face—isn't just the end goal of redemption, but the story being told all along. Discover how sacred space reshapes your view of discipleship, worship, and the mission of the Church. And yes, we even find echoes of the Great Commission in the decree of a Persian king. Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel! 🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com 📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation! For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does it actually mean to be made in the image of God? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer dives deep into one of the Bible’s most profound claims about humanity. Exploring five major views—the substantive, functional, relational, filial, and Christological—James traces how each contributes to our understanding of human worth, purpose, and calling. But he doesn’t stop with theology. He challenges how modern culture often weaponizes the “image of God” language, embracing its benefits while ignoring its demands. This episode offers a robust, multi-faceted take on the Imago Dei—and it will reshape how you think about human dignity, personal responsibility, and discipleship in a world eager to affirm identity without submitting to the One who defines it. Go deeper: Trajectories Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers. Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.orgAbout James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/jamesThe Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/frameworkOrder Digital Discernment: amazon.com Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify Advertising and partnership inquiries: info@thinkingchristian.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In today’s episode of Thinking Christian, host Dr. James Spencer welcomes sports ministry veterans Ed Uszynski and Brian Smith to discuss their new book, Away Game: A Christian Parent's Guide to Navigating Youth Sports. As youth sports evolve into a high-stakes, billion-dollar industry, Christian parents are faced with a unique challenge: how do we stay engaged in sports culture without compromising our spiritual priorities? From weekend tournaments to college recruitment pressure, Ed and Brian explore how youth sports are shaping not just our kids’ schedules — but their souls. Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers. Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.orgAbout James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/jamesThe Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/frameworkOrder Digital Discernment: amazon.com Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify Advertising and partnership inquiries: info@thinkingchristian.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this premiere episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer takes us to the beginning—not just of the Bible, but of everything. But instead of debating science or timelines, he asks three essential questions: Who is God? Who are we? And what kind of life flows from that relationship? Drawing out the deep theological significance of Genesis 1:1–2:3, James explores God's sovereign, wise, and benevolent nature, the purpose of human life, and how creation’s rhythm calls us to live in sync with God’s Word. If you’re tired of shallow takes and craving something rich, this 20-minute dive into Scripture will challenge your assumptions and offer a fresh lens through which to understand your place in God's story. Go deeper: Trajectories Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers. Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.orgAbout James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/jamesThe Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/frameworkOrder Digital Discernment: amazon.com Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify Advertising and partnership inquiries: info@thinkingchristian.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What happens when a culture unplugs from the constraints that once helped us listen well? In this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer and Nate reflect on the slow disappearance of AM radio from new vehicles—a shift that signals more than just a tech upgrade. Together, they explore what we lose when we trade shared, time-bound listening experiences for algorithm-driven curation, and how the changing media landscape impacts the way we disciple, learn, and encounter God. From microfiche and cassette tapes to podcasts and AI-powered seminaries, this conversation spans the nostalgic and the now. With wit, clarity, and spiritual insight, James and Nate ask: Can digital platforms ever replicate the coordinated, regional, and Spirit-disruptive role of radio? And what does this all mean for the local church, the future of Christian education, and the daily habits of believers navigating a sea of unlimited choice? If you’ve ever wondered how mediums shape messages—and how those messages shape you—this episode will give you more than static. Go deeper: Technology & Media Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers. Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.orgAbout James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/jamesThe Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/frameworkOrder Digital Discernment: amazon.com Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify Advertising and partnership inquiries: info@thinkingchristian.org Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Can we read the Bible without reducing it to a rulebook, a road map, or a political weapon? In this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer sits down with pastor and author Zach Lambert to explore his new book Better Ways to Read the Bible. Together, they unpack four common but harmful lenses—literalism, apocalypticism, moralism, and hierarchy—and replace them with a healthier, Christ-centered, Spirit-guided approach grounded in humility, flourishing, and fruitfulness. This wide-ranging, incisive conversation covers everything from the misuse of Revelation and American foreign policy to the liberation theology debate, Rachel Held Evans, Jordan Peterson, and the way Jesus reframes the Old Testament. With warmth, nuance, and pastoral insight, James and Zach wrestle with how to let Scripture breathe—and how to read it not for confirmation, but for transformation. Go deeper: Trajectories Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers. Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.orgAbout James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/jamesThe Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/frameworkOrder Digital Discernment: amazon.com Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify Advertising and partnership inquiries: info@thinkingchristian.org Purchase Better Ways to Read the Bible here. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

What does dim sum have to do with discipleship? In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, James Spencer talks with author and spiritual formation leader Jenn Suen Chen about her book Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls. From round tables with lazy Susans to the spiritual weight of saying goodbye, Jenn shares how her Chinese American heritage, years of overseas ministry, and story-shaped spirituality reveal a theology of presence, hospitality, and healing. Together, they explore what it means to be formed not only in solitude with God but around the messy, beautiful table of community. They also discuss the power of naming, the nuances of “undoing” vs. deconstruction, and how paying attention to our past helps us love more freely and faithfully in the present. If you're looking for a conversation that combines theology, culture, story work, and soul care, this one's for you. Go deeper: Christians & Politics Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers. Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.orgAbout James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/jamesThe Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/frameworkOrder Digital Discernment: amazon.com Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify Advertising and partnership inquiries: info@thinkingchristian.org Explore the book: Dim Sum and Faith at ivpress.com (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Can we still spot the truth in a world that specializes in counterfeits? In this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer and Nate unpack the unsettling implications of the internet’s influence on our minds, our trust, and our discipleship. Sparked by a recent conversation between Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris, this discussion explores digital phoniness, the collapse of institutional gatekeepers, and what it means to be spiritually discerning in an era of deepfakes, dopamine loops, and constant distraction. From TikTok’s "time to take a break" alerts to the moral hazards of algorithmic influence, James and Nate reflect on personal habits, cultural decay, and the need for sufficient constraints—not to restrict, but to preserve wisdom, sanity, and faithfulness. They also draw provocative comparisons between digital chaos and the clarity of Christian doctrine, challenging listeners to anchor themselves in truth that isn’t memeable. 🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com 📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing! If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation! For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this thought-provoking episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes Alex Kocman—missions leader and co-host of the Missions Podcast—for a wide-ranging conversation on immigration, national identity, and how Christians should engage politically without losing sight of Christ’s lordship. Together, they explore Augustine’s ordo amoris (order of loves), the biblical significance of borders and sovereignty, and the tension between compassion for the nations and faithfulness to one's own. Can Christians love both neighbor and nation rightly? Should the Church be silent on political issues—or speak with prophetic clarity? And what does the Great Commission demand of us in an age of global mobility and moral confusion? This episode doesn’t offer sound bites—it offers rooted reflection. Go deeper: Christians & Politics Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers. Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.Episodes, articles, and questions: thinkingchristian.orgAbout James Spencer: thinkingchristian.org/jamesThe Thinking Christian Framework: thinkingchristian.org/frameworkOrder Digital Discernment: amazon.com Subscribe: YouTube · Apple Podcasts · Spotify Advertising and partnership inquiries: info@thinkingchristian.org Listen to the Missions Podcast here. Find out more about Alex at alexkocman.com Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.