Episodes
From Pain to Praise: Thinking about Lament with Dr. May Young
In this episode, James speaks with Dr. May Young who authored a chapter in a book James co-edited titled A Praying People. Dr. Young is an expert on the topic of lament and the book of Lamentations. James and Dr. …
A Conversation with a Hope Dealer (Amy Williams): Thinking about How …
In this episode, James hosts Amy Williams. Amy is a "hope dealer" working with teens involved in gangs in the Chicagoland area. Here book titled Worth Seeing: Viewing Others Through God's Eyes offers stories of her time in mi...
God's Not Dead: A Conversation with Michael Tait and Adam Agee from t…
In this episode James and Nate sit down with Michael Tait and Adam Agee from the Newsboys to disucss the latest movie in the God's Not Dead series, God's Not Dead: In God We Trust. They talk about how God's …
Thinking Christian about Politics: Neither Left nor Right in Jesus Ch…
In this episode, Nate and James discuss the distinction between the right, the left, and Chrisitans. Along the way, they place a strong emphasis on the need for discipleship and offer some practical considerations for Christi...
God's Not Dead with Scott Baio and David A. R. White
In this episode, James discusses the latest moving in the God's Not Dead series with David A. R. White and Scott Baio. They talk about the movie, the state of the nation, and the ways Christians can get invovled in …
Thinking Christian about Slavery: A Conversation with Sean McGever
In this episode, James welcomes Dr. Sean McGever. Sean is the author of numerous books including Ownership: The Evangelical Legacy of Slavery in Edwards, Wesley, and Whitefield. James nad Sean discuss early views of slavery, ...
The Trinity, the Spirit, and the Old Testament
In this episode, James and Nate begin and end with a discussion of the Old Testament's treatment of the Trinity. Along the way, they also discuss the Holy Spirit, obeidence, and a variety of other related topics. To connect w...
Has Trump Changed the Church: Thinking about David French's Analysis …
In this episode, James and Nate consider David French's New York Times peice in which he argues that to save conservatism, he is voting for Kamala Harris. In the piece, he claims that Trump is changing the church. James and …
Thinking about Transgenderism, Social Contagion, and the Need for a B…
In this episode, James is joined by Dr. Ben Matthew, Professor of Clinical Counseling at Columbia International University. James and Ben discuss transgenderism, the influence of social contagion, and the need for a theology ...
Sharing the Gospel and Learning from the Global Church: A Conversatio…
In this episode, James welcomes Bill Nienhuis, CEO and President of Childcare Worldwide. James and Bill discuss the lives of children in various locations around the world. While children and families face pressures everywher...
Thinking Christian about Our Rights, Freedoms, and Political Particip…
In this episode, James and Nate discuss the politics of the day. They attempt to differentiate between civic and sacred acts in relation to voting, as well as encouraging Christians to recognize the symbolic "freight" that ce...
How Should Christian Think About Belonging- A Conversation wtih Sarah…
In this episode, James welcomes Sarah E. Westfall. Sarah is the author of The Way of Belonging. James and Sarah discuss the idea of belonging, how it differs from fitting in, and the way that our relationship with God and …
How Christians Can Reach Kids with the Gospel: A Conversation with Fr…
In this episode, James welcomes Fred Pry, Vice President of Administration at Child Evangelism Fellowship. James and Fred discuss the ministry of CEF, the various resources CEF makes available to share the gospel with childre...
How Can the Psalms Help Christians Worship? A Conversation with David…
In this episode, James welcomes David Koysis back to Thinking Christian to discuss the use of the psalms in the liturgy of the church. Davis is affiliated with Global Scholars Canada and is engaged in an international academi...
Thinking about the Tower of Babel: Unrestrained and Unguided Human Ca…
This week, James looks at Genesis 11:1-9, which is often reffered to as the Tower of Babel narrative. After making several observations about the text, James offers an interpretation of the narrative that connects it to God's...
How Should Christians Approach Political Participation? A Conversatio…
In this episode, James speaks with Caleb Campbell, author of Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor . James and Caleb discuss the various challenges associated with Christian nationalism, some of the ...
What Does It Mean to Take the Lord's Name In Vain? A Conversation wit…
In this episode, Carmen Joy Imes returns to talk about her book titled Bearing God's Name: Why Sinai Still Matters . James and Carmen talk about the importance of the Old Testament, the way the Ten Commandments are often misu...
How Should Christians Engage in Politics? A Conversation with Miranda…
In this episode, James talks with Miranda Zapor Cruz who is a professor of hisotrical theology at Indiana Weslyan University and author of Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters . James ...
What Is Biblical Justice? A Conversation with Michael Rhodes
In this episode, James talks with fellow Old Testament scholar Michael Rhodes about biblical justice. Michael is the author of Just Discipleship: Biblical Justice in an Unjust World and Formative Feasting, Practicing the King...
Worshipping God on Our Own Terms? Thinking Christian about the Cain a…
In this episode, James looks at Genesis 4. He discusses the tension between Cain and God, Cain's poor choice, and the resolution that God ultimately brings about through Seth. He argues that the narrative centers on Cain's un...
Thinking about Faith, Leadership, and Baseball: A Conversation with D…
In this episode, James and Nate sit down with Dayton Moore. In addition to holding various other positions in Major League Baseball, Dayton was a general manager for the Royals. Under his leadership, the Royals won the world ...
How Should Christians Think about Manhood? A Conversation with Jake H…
In this episode, James talks with Jake Hamilton, author of Journey to Biblical Masculinity: 12 Paths Every Man Must Take. Jake is also the founder and CEO of "The Fight," a ministry dedicated to challenging men to own who the...
How Should Christians Build Resilience and Character in a Digital Age…
In this episode, James sits down with Jay Y. Kim, author of Analog Christian: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age. James and Jay discuss the promise and pitfalls of digital technologies, how to ...
Learning from God's Presence and Provision: A Devotional on the David…
In this episode, James discusses 1 Samuel 17, the narrative of David and Goliath. He discusses the differences between David and the other characters in the narrative, as well as highlighting the underlying theology of this w...