Weekly Cultural Update: Traditional Dating Apps; Jehovah's Witnesses Blood Policy Shift; Pope Leo in France; Smartwatches for Kids in China

Traditional Values in Dating Apps: The Match Group relaunched the Upward dating app for "next gen traditionalists" seeking marriage and family through modern courtship, reflecting a growing desire for stability and traditional relationship roles. Jehovah's Witnesses Update on Blood Policy: The governing body of the Jehovah's Witnesses announced that accepting individual blood components—such as red blood cells, plasma, and platelets—is now a matter of personal conscience, though their core prohibition on whole blood transfusions remains intact. Pope Leo’s Reception in France: Pope Leo drew massive crowds in France, including over 800,000 people for a papal mass in Paris, highlighting a shift in the country from an "inherited Christianity" to a "chosen Christianity". Smartwatches over Smartphones in China: Hosts Scott Rae and Erik Thoennes discuss why parents in China are giving their children scaled-down smartwatches instead of smartphones to help set healthier boundaries around technology. Listener Question: Church Hopping: The hosts address an audience question regarding church hopping, exploring when personal preference becomes too dominant a factor in choosing a church body—a situation the first-century church never had to consider. Listener Question: Public Neutrality: The episode tackles a listener query about neutrality in public settings, assessing whether genuine neutrality exists in the public square and how Christians should navigate public involvement.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].  

What has philosopher J.P. Moreland learned from two dozen surgeries? What does he consider the best evidence for the existence of God? How confident is he that heaven is real? And what is his advice for the next generation of leaders? In this frank conversation, Sean sits down with Talbot/Biola professor J.P. Moreland to talk about his life and faith.J. P. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology at Biola University. He is a philosopher, author, and speaker who has authored, edited, or contributed to 95 books and published more than 85 scholarly articles on philosophy, theology, consciousness, and the existence of God, including Finding Quiet. He has lectured and debated on more than 200 college campuses worldwide and was named one of The Best Schools' 50 Most Influential Living Philosophers in 2016.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].  

Are Biblical Truths Becoming Outdated? Sean and Scott analyze recent Lifeway research revealing that a growing number of younger churchgoers view certain biblical teachings as outdated, highlighting the need to help the next generation understand how Scripture promotes human flourishing.The Rise of Polyamory: An article in The Christian Century addresses the rise of consensual non-monogamy, spurring analysis of how alternative relationship structures affect personal fulfillment, emotional stability, and the social frameworks supporting mutual care.AI Safety and China's Worldview: While Western nations debate whether AI poses systemic risks to society, China approaches AI safety around protecting Communist Party control and embedding state ideology into algorithms. Defeating the UK's Assisted Dying Bill: The discussion turns to how Christian advocacy helped defeat proposed assisted dying legislation in the UK, standing up for the vulnerable and affirming the value of human life.Audience Question: Flock License Plate Cameras: Sean and Scott evaluate the ethics of widespread Flock surveillance cameras, balancing the benefits of crime prevention against concerns regarding personal privacy and government overreach.Audience Question: Can we choose evil in heaven? Responding to an audience question, the hosts clarify how free will is maintained in heaven, yet sin would still not be present.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].  

Is gratitude to God the heart of our spiritual formation? What do we make of the notion of a debt of gratitude? How was grace and gratitude viewed in the world of the New Testament? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, our Biola colleague in philosophy, Dr. Kent Dunnington, around his new book, Gratitude to God: The Heart of spiritual Formation.Kent Dunnington is Professor of Philosophy at Biola University. He teaches and writes in the areas of virtue ethics, the philosophy of religion, and the philosophy of addiction. He is the author or editor of four books and numerous journal articles.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].  

Is free speech disappearing on college campuses? A new report gives nearly half of surveyed colleges an “F” for free speech, raising bigger questions about intellectual diversity, disagreement, and why Christians should value persuasion over coercion.Could AI make kids worse at thinking? Early research suggests generative AI may help students get answers faster while short-circuiting the difficult mental work needed to actually develop critical-thinking skills.A two-year-old was euthanized in the Netherlands. How did we get here? Sean and Scott examine this tragic case and the crucial ethical distinction between relieving suffering, allowing natural death, and intentionally causing death.Are “designer babies” becoming more acceptable? A surprising study finds prospective parents may care as much about avoiding traits like low intelligence or antisocial behavior as they do about certain medical risks when choosing embryos.Listener Question: Could legalizing something harmful actually reduce the harm? A listener pushes Scott on whether his harm-reduction argument applies not only to pornography but also to dangerous drugs such as fentanyl.Listener Question: Can trauma-informed ministry go too far? The hosts explore how churches can take trauma seriously without allowing it to become someone’s defining identity—and how truth, compassion, healing, and personal agency can fit together.Listener Question: Are we reading modern psychology back into the Apostle Paul? Responding to their recent conversation with Scot McKnight, Sean and Scott ask how confidently we can apply concepts like trauma, emotional regulation, and PTSD to a biblical figure living 2,000 years ago.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].  

What are the best Old Testament prophecies pointing to Jesus? In this episode, Sean talks with Jeff Morgan, who came to Christ out of a secular Jewish home, about his top ten prophecies that point to Jesus. We discuss how pointers to Jesus from a range of books in the Old Testament and how they are uniquely fulfilled in the person of Jesus.Jeff Morgan is a Jewish believer in Yeshua, living in Israel, known for his bold and compassionate evangelism. Formerly with Jews for Jesus, Jeff is the founder of Highway 53 Ministries, a popular YouTube channel and outreach ministry.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].  

25th Anniversary of 9/11: Sean and Scott discuss Douglas Murray’s Free Press article marking 25 years since the September 11 attacks and examining the dangerous rise of 9/11 conspiracy theories. They highlight how fading historical memory among younger generations fuels postmodern skepticism, emphasizing the importance of preserving truth and naming evil. Ukraine Legalizing Pornography to Fund War: The hosts analyze reports that Ukraine is considering legalizing and taxing online adult content, such as OnlyFans, to help finance its defense against Russia. They evaluate the moral versus legal dimensions of sex work, raising critical concerns regarding systemic exploitation, corruption, and wartime desperation. Abortion Pills Weaponized by Abusers: Sean and Scott examine a Free Press report detailing how abusive men covertly administer mail-order abortion pills to pregnant women. They discuss how deregulated telehealth policies and state shield laws have led to dangerous unintended consequences for women's safety. Lindsey Clancy Mistrial: The hosts address The New York Times coverage of a mistrial declared in the high-profile Lindsey Clancy triple murder case. They outline the complex legal and social conversations surrounding postpartum mental health crises and courtroom proceedings.  Audience Question: Thinking Biblically About the Insanity Defense: Building on the Lindsey Clancy discussion, Sean and Scott answer a listener question about how Christians should evaluate the legal plea of insanity. They reflect on how to biblical worldview principles balance personal moral accountability, justice for victims, and genuine mental incapacitation. Audience Question: Antisemitism and Jewish Uniqueness: In reflection on a past discussion Sean had with Shabbos Kestenbaum, the hosts respond to an audience query asking whether God uses historic and modern antisemitism as a divine tool to keep the Jewish people distinct. They break down covenant theology, distinguish God's sovereign providence from human sin, and affirm the clear moral imperative against anti-Jewish hatred.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].  

Did the apostle Paul suffer from PTSD? How did his experience with trauma shape his spiritual life and ministry as an apostle? What can we learn from his experience with trauma for the life of the church today? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr. Scot McKnight, around his new book, The Traumatized Church.Scot McKnight is former Julius Mantey Professor of New Testament at Northern Seminary and a voluminous author, having authored or co-authored more than 80 books and numerous journal articles.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].  

Medical Ethics & Assisted Suicide: The hosts examine a National Review report on bioethical pressure to compel doctors to assist in self-starvation suicides (VSED), raising severe concerns over physicians' conscience rights. Scott emphasizes that forcing medical participation in deliberate starvation bypasses assisted suicide laws and undermines traditional medical ethics.The Legacy of Gloria Steinem: Reflecting on the passing of feminist activist Gloria Steinem at age 92, Sean and Scott unpack her cultural impact and the mixed legacy of second-wave feminism. They contrast her secular views on autonomy and abortion with a biblical view of human value rooted in the image of God.AI Sentience and the Singularity: Analyzing recent coverage from The Wall Street Journal and The Atlantic, the team addresses claims of AI sentience and fears surrounding an impending technological singularity. Scott explains why true consciousness cannot emerge from physical code, while Sean warns against attributing human selfhood to programmed responses.Audience Question: Slavery in the Bible: Addressing a listener question on biblical passages regarding slavery, the hosts clarify the historical context of ancient servitude. They demonstrate how Scripture's overarching moral framework elevates human dignity and lays the foundation for abolition.Audience Question: AI as a Bible Study Tool: In response to an audience inquiry about using AI for Scripture study, Sean and Scott outline both benefits and warnings. They note that while AI functions well for fast textual research, it cannot replace personal engagement or Holy Spirit-led discernment.Audience Question: The Real Costs of Egg Freezing: Following up on a previous discussion regarding Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the hosts review research submitted by an outside organization detailing the true financial and physical costs of egg freezing. The conversation highlights the bioethical complexities and hidden expenses often omitted from popular fertility narratives.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].  

The Book of Enoch has exploded in popularity. Some people claim it unlocks the Bible's greatest mysteries, while others say it shouldn't be trusted at all. So, what's the truth? Today we're diving into one of the most controversial ancient books ever written. Does it really explain the origin of demons? Can it help us understand the mysterious story of the Nephilim in Genesis—or does it raise more questions than it answers? Dr. Joel Muddamalle is the author of The Unseen Battle and he was both a friend and protege of the late Michael Heiser. He joins us for a deep-dive on these questions and more. Please join us for a LIVE discussion about this episode, and the previous episode on angels and demons, on Sean's YouTube channel on September 8th at 4:30pm PST. Bring your questions for Dr. Muddamalle or submit them at [email protected] Muddamalle holds a PhD in theology and serves as the director of theology and research at Proverbs 31 Ministries. He co-hosts the Therapy & Theology podcast with Lysa TerKeurst and licensed counselor Jim Cress. Joel is a frequent speaker for churches, conferences and events. He is the author of The Unseen Battle.==========Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.   Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.   To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at [email protected].