Can Technology Be Spiritually Formative? ft. BibleProject’s Joel Worrall

In this episode, Oxford theologian and world-renowned C.S. Lewis scholar Dr. Michael Ward joins guest host Dr. Joseph Clair to reveal the cosmic symbolism woven into The Magician’s Nephew and the irreplaceable power of story in spiritual formation. Join us as we pull back the curtain on one of the 20th century’s most celebrated Christian thinkers. This episode is presented in collaboration with The George Fox Center for Christian Formation.Learn more about Dr. Michael Ward.Learn more about Dr. Joseph Clair.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Recorded on location at the historic monastic grounds of Drumcliffe Church, Ireland, this conversation between Brian and George Fox President Robin Baker centers on the commissioning of a custom Celtic stone cross for the chapel garden at the university's campus. Framing their dialogue around the sudden death of its original sculptor, Brendan McGloin, and the cross's collaborative completion by fellow stonemasons, they explore the power of sacred spaces, sensory faith, physical craftsmanship, and communal legacy.See below for a two-part documentary about the carving of the cross:The Irish High Cross & the Christian UniversityArt as an Act of Worship: Completing the George Fox University High CrossDr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor.Dr. Robin Baker is president of George Fox University.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Dr. Allen Jones serves in an unusual and unprecedented role at George Fox University: professor of academic AI integration. In this episode, he joins Brian to discuss the ups and downs of this period of intense AI experimentation, how generative AI REALLY affects academic integrity and learning, and Scripture’s surprisingly relevant paradigms for modern technology.Are you interested in building practical AI skills while anchoring your approach in a faithful Christian worldview? Check out George Fox University's FREE online AI certificate courses.Learn more about Allen.Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Can faith and therapy work in harmony? How should Christians decide when to consult a pastor versus a therapist? How has the popularization of "therapy speak" changed the way we talk about spiritual topics? Dr. Jeff Cook, director of psychology and mental health studies for George Fox’s Accelerated Online Degree program, addresses these questions and more in a special episode recorded live at George Fox University’s Welcome Weekend.Dr. Jeff Cook is a Licensed Professional Counselor.Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Is Portland the perfect “test lab” for church and civic collaboration? What’s the critical step most leaders skip when launching a new initiative? What can we learn from failed ideas with good intentions? Ben Sand and Carissa Quinn Bredlie—co-leaders of a new Certificate in Community Initiatives at Portland Seminary—join Brian for a rich conversation about the convergence of entrepreneurship, civic action, and practicing the way of Jesus.Carissa Quinn Bredlie is a biblical scholar, a coach, an author, and a strategist who invests in human transformation and connection: https://thealignstrategy.com/about-meBen Sand serves as chief executive officer of The Contingent, a venture non-profit focused on empowering leaders and mobilizing community for the common good: https://thecontingent.org/Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/doak.htmlIf you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

What makes BibleProject’s resources for understanding Scripture so engaging, and what role does technology play in their approach? The crowdfunded organization’s chief product officer, Joel Worrall, calls in to talk about creating redemptive technology, the value of studying Scripture as its authors intended, and the BibleProject video series he calls “the coolest thing we’ve done.” BibleProject website: https://bibleproject.com/The Ten Commandments video series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLH0Szn1yYNedhbJcKSQbpwGmmk7fhwTyL&si=uhAYZYgzc33h3izcMore about Joel Worrall: https://joelworrall.com/about/Dr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/doak.htmlIf you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

This week, Brian talks with author and theologian Ross McCullough about his recent book, The Body of This Death. Hailed by Christianity Today as “an instant classic of Christian spiritual writing,” the book wraps deep theological and philosophical themes in a sci-fi mystery told through the letters of an archbishop awaiting execution. Careful to avoid major spoilers, Brian and Ross dive into the story's reflections on the importance of physical presence, human connection, and resisting digital escapism.The Body of This Death: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/letters-from-the-last-archbishop-of-lancaster?srsltid=AfmBOoqXR2C50LglSQlVRnHw0kuUe-2GtTNtEsn_3CCgI8m0Vu-hRObDChristianity Today article: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/02/screwtape-for-our-times-body-of-this-death-review/More about Ross: https://www.georgefox.edu/honors-program/faculty-pages/ross-mccullough.htmlDr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/doak.htmlIf you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Planning for your death or incapacity may not be fun, but the impact of a thoughtful estate plan can be more powerful than many of us imagine. Join guest host Scott Winter and seasoned estate planning attorney Randy Grove and institutional trustee & investment manager Brett Bryant as they unpack how a financial legacy can memorialize your values, inspire others toward generosity, and promote peace during a disorienting time for the people you love.Scott Winter: https://www.winterwealthmanagement.com/team/scott-winterRandy Grove: https://www.landerholm.com/t-randall-groveBrett Bryant: https://www.midwesttrust.com/people/brett-bryant/This podcast is for informational purposes only. The opinions voiced in this program are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific advice or recommendations for any individual. To determine which strategies may be appropriate for you, consult your financial, legal, or tax professional. Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial, a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of LPL Financial or Winter Wealth Management, LLC.If you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

What habits separate people who cultivate financial health from those who struggle? What’s the simplest way to start investing? How should Christians navigate the tension between planning for the future and trusting God with their lives? Guest host and George Fox Professor of Business Brandy Walton sits down with Becky Gratsinger, Senior Consultant & CEO Emeritus at RVK, Inc., for a conversation that blends practical advice with thoughtful reflection on the role of financial resources in following the way of Jesus.More on Becky Gratsinger: https://www.rvkinc.com/staff/Rebecca_Gratsinger.phpMore on Brandy Walton: https://www.georgefox.edu/business/faculty/walton.htmlIf you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.

Gandalf the wizard as an Old Testament prophet? Hobbits as intercessory priests? Aragorn as a messianic king? Dr. Philip Ryken, president of Wheaton College, joins Brian in the studio to uncover the rich Gospel themes in J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic masterpiece, The Lord of the Rings. While Tolkien famously insisted his work was not an allegory, Dr. Ryken explains how the author’s faith and theological imagination imbued the text with profoundly Christian motifs—most significantly, “the threefold office of Christ” depicted through several of the story's central characters.Check out Dr. Ryken’s book, The Messiah Comes to Middle-Earth: Images of Christ's Threefold Office in The Lord of the Rings:https://www.ivpress.com/the-messiah-comes-to-middle-earth-ebook?srsltid=AfmBOoqIanzXkiPyRO2X4rIxKb0kBGrYOE-fWxYlRUj0R3WN1_0knL92Dr. Ryken has published more than 50 books and he serves as president of Wheaton College: https://www.wheaton.edu/about-wheaton/leadership/president-rykenDr. Brian Doak is an Old Testament scholar and professor: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/doak.htmlIf you enjoy listening to the George Fox Talks podcast and would like to watch, too, check out our channel on YouTube! We also have a web page that features all of our podcasts, a sign-up for our weekly email update, and publications from the George Fox University community.