Episodes
How Can We Be Alert to God's Presence and Alive to God's Love? A Conv…
In this episode, James has a conversation with Helen Cepero. Helen is the author of Christ-Shaped Character: Choosing Love, Faith and Hope. She also started the C. John Weborg Center for Spiritual Direction at North Park Semi...
How Should Christians Think about the Relationship between Church and…
In this episode, James is joined by co-host Nate Giarratano. James and Nate discuss some of the conversations that occurred at last week's National Conservatism Conference in Washington, D.C., where Pastor Doug Wilson, Al Moh...
What Does It Mean to Be a Christian Citizen? A Conversation with Davi…
In this episode, James sits down with David Koyzis author of Citizenship Without Illusions: A Christian Guide to Political Engagement . He also writes a blog titled " Notes from a Byzantine-Rite Calvinist ." David and James d...
What Does It Mean to Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent As Doves?
In this episode, James considers Matthew 10. He talks about what Jesus is trying to teach his disciples (and us!) by sending them out on their initial mission. He also provides an explanation of what it looks like to be …
How Should Chrisitans Think about America: A Conversation with Paul D…
In this episode, James hosts Paul D. Miller author of The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism . Paul and James discuss nationalism, politics, conservativism, and the difference between patr...
What If Imitating Christ Became the Church's Central Focus: A Convers…
In this episode, James discusses discipleship with Eun Strawser, author of Centering Discipleship: A Pathway for Multiplying Spectators into Mature Disciples . James and Eun discuss discipleship in terms of imitating Christ a...
How Can Christians Be Good Neighbors? Thinking through the Good Samar…
In this episode, James considers the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke 10. He discusses the Old Testament background of love for neighbor in Leviticus and what it might mean for us to show mercy in today's world. For …
How Can Christians Think about Politics and Culture
In this episode, James and Nate discuss a Pew Research study titled "Cultural Issues and the 2024 Election." They talk about how Christians might approach specific cultural issues, the differences between the roles of the sta...
Thinking Christian about Mental Illness and Suffering: A Conversation…
In this episode, James welcomes Chris Morris author of Resilient and Redeemed: Lessons about Suicidality and Depression from the Psych Ward. James and Chris have a candid conversation about mental illness and discuss ways the...
Thinking Christian about Jesus's Temptation
In this episode, James discusses Jesus's baptism and subsequent temptation in the gospel of Matthew. He considers each of the temptation's Jesus faces and the lessons that Christians can learn from Matthew 4. For more from Ja...
How Should Christians Think about the Public Display of the Ten Comma…
In this bonus episode, James considers the recent legislation passed in the state of Louisiana. He suggests that Christians recognize the challenges of American civil religion without creating an "us versus them" mentality. F...
David Richardson
In this episode, James speaks with David Richardson of The Assumptions Institute. James and David talk about critical thinking, the necessity of questioning assumptions, and the importance of pointing other toward reality. Th...
How Matthew 6 Can Help Us Think about the Things We Do (and How We Do…
In this week's devotional, James considers Matthew 6 and its potential to help Christians think through the various practices in which they are engaged. James encourages us not just to ask whether or not we should engage in a...
Thinking Christian about Social Media (and Technology) with the Surge…
In this episode of Thinking Christian, James interacts with an essay published on June 17, 2024, in which the surgeon general calls for warning labels on social media. James discusses the importance of this call and the need ...
Thinking about Theology and the Creative Process: An Interview with J…
In this episode, James and Nate welcome Jason Gray. Jason is a Christian recording artist and deep thinker. James, Nate, and Jason discuss the creative process, Jason's musical influences, and the way that Jason goes about wr...
Thinking about Distractions with Mary, Martha, and Jesus
In this first weekly devotional, James discusses distractions and the way they hinder us from listening to the teachings of Jesus. Considering Luke 10:38-42, James encourages listeners to recognize that Jesus is infinitely mo...
Thinking about Distractions with Mary, Martha, and Jesus
In this first weekly devotional, James discusses distractions and the way they hinder us from listening to the teachings of Jesus. Considering Luke 10:38-42, James encourages listeners to recognize that Jesus is infinitely mo...
How Should Christians Think about Human Flourishing: A Conversation w…
In this episode, James welcomes Joshua Jipp. Joshua is Professor of New Testament and Director of the Henry Center for Theological Understanding. He is also the author of Pauline Theology as a Way of Life: A Vision of Human F...
Announcement about Upcoming Episodes of Thinking Christian
Beginning June 17th, James will be releasing weekly devotionals every Monday as part of the Thinking Christian line-up. Subscribe to Thinking Christian on your favorite podcasting platform or visit www.thinkingchristianpodcas...
Thinking about Our Fast-Paced Lives: A Conversation with Jody Grubbs
In this episode, James hosts author and slow-living activist Jodi Grubbs to discuss her book titled Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exale. Jodi and James discuss the various ways our world pushes us to move more quickly a...
How Should Christians think about the "Bro Code": A Conversation with…
In this episode, James sits down with journalist, author, and podcaster Katelyn Beaty to discuss her series of essays on her substack "The Beaty Beat" about the "Evangelical Bro Code." They consider the various components of ...
Thinking about the Awkward Conversation of Prayer: A Conversation wit…
In this episode, James sits down with his friend John Koessler to talk about prayer. In addition to being a retired faculty emiritus from the Moody Bible Institute, John is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work has...
Thinking about Evangelizing and Discipling Men: A Conversation with E…
In this episode, James is joined by co-host Nate Giarratano and special guest Erin Alexandrino. Erin works with Chrisitan and non-Chrisitan men as part of his High Value Man coaching program. Erin, James, and Nate discuss the...
What Are We Missing about God: A Conversation with Dr. Grace Ji-Sun K…
In this episode, James speaks with Grace Ji-Sun Kim, professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion, host of the Madang podcast, and author of When God Became White. James and Grace discuss her book, the challenge of nav...