Faith for the Curious (with Mark Matlock)

This week: Are conservative Christians losing political influence in America?The growing trend of children struggling to make friends raises alarming health concerns.Gen Z women are increasingly unaffiliated with religion—what's behind this shift?A Missouri man’s execution sparks questions about the fairness of the death penalty.Is working from home a moral issue, as Elon Musk claims?Listener questions on the return of Christ and how to approach political news from a biblical perspective. ==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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 there non-Christians who are genuinely open to hearing about the Christian faith? According to Mark Matlock, author of Faith for the Curious, there is a large segment of people who are genuinely spiritually curious. But, the key is to understand them accurately and to engage them in the right way. In this episode, Sean and Scott talk with Mark about how to understand and engage those today who are spiritually open and curious.Mark Matlock is Senior Fellow at Barna and a facilitator of innovation and impact. He has been working with, and researching, young people for three decades. Mark is the Executive Director of the Urbana Student Missions Conferences. He attended Biola in the late 1980s. ==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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].

This week's topics: The Taliban imposes new, harsh restrictions on women in Afghanistan, raising concerns about women's rights and human dignity.Some Christians in Oklahoma and other states push back against mandatory Bible teaching in public schools, questioning its place in public education.Gen Z expresses significant regret over the invention of social media, with many users experiencing negative impacts on mental health and social well-being.DNA and ancestry testing uncover disturbing findings about the prevalence of incest in modern society, sparking difficult ethical and emotional questions. ==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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].

How should we approach the political arena as Christians? What exactly does the Bible give us when it comes to politics? How can we make sure that our conversations about politics are civil and respectful? Sean and Scott will answer these questions and more as they discuss the connection between Christian faith and politics.It's National Voter Registration Day! Visit vote.gov to register to vote or check your registration status. You can also find information on how and where you can vote as a college student. ==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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].

This week Scott & Sean discuss: Are political opponents really our enemies? We dive into a Wall Street Journal op-ed challenging partisanship and urging love across political lines.The ethics of emerging reproductive technologies like in-vitro gametogenesis (IVG) and the potential societal impacts.A New York Times article about humanity’s readiness for a world beyond IVF, asking if we're prepared for designer babies.How should we relate to "diverse intelligence" like AI, robots, and cyborgs? Listener questions tackle sensitive topics such as retirement from a biblical perspective and the emotional and spiritual challenges of male infertility (book mentioned: The Infertility Companion). ==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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 people and events led Paul Newby to become the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina? What historical evidence originally led him to become a Christian, and how does he uniquely practice his faith as a Chief Justice? And what advice would he give to young Christians who want to serve God through the law? We had the unique opportunity to talk with Chief Paul Newby to hear him address these questions, and more, as well as talk about his personal journey to faith.Paul Martin Newby is the 30th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. In addition to his service on the Court, Chief Justice Newby is an adjunct professor at Campbell University School of Law, where he teaches courses on state constitutional law and appellate practice. He is the co-author of The North Carolina State Constitution with History and Commentary (2nd ed. 2013) with Professor John V. Orth of the University of North Carolina School of Law. And he is a father, husband, elder, and Sunday School teacher.==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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].

This week, Scott & Sean discuss:The funding disparity between baby boomers and younger generations in America.The ethical and moral concerns surrounding physician-assisted suicide and its rise in Canada.The emerging societal trend of "sologamy," or self-marriage, and its reflection of extreme individualism.The dangers posed by AI, including bots mimicking human intimacy and influencing democratic processes.Thought-provoking listener questions on forgiveness, Christian beliefs in liberal environments, and navigating controversial roles in acting.==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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 does it mean to submit your finances to the Lordship of Christ? What does that involve on a daily basis? What does it mean to baptize your money and treat tracking your spending as a spiritual discipline? How does your upbringing influence your attitudes toward money? We’ll answer these questions and more with our Crowell School of Business colleague, Shane Enete around his new book, Whole Heart Finances.Dr. Shane Enete is Associate Professor of Finance at the Crowell School of Business, Biola University.  His research interests include how new developments in Biblically Responsible Investing (BRI) alter investment practice, the theology of financial planning, and how to reconcile the natural tension of a Christ follower between sacrificial giving and shrewd saving. Enete currently holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) designations.==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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].

This week, Sean & Scott discuss:The U.S. Surgeon General addresses the overwhelming stress faced by parents and the need for community and governmental support.The debate over whether Christian persecution exists in the U.S., comparing American religious freedoms with global persecution.A discussion on selective moral outrage, highlighting underreported global injustices.Examination of recent immigration policies and their implications for families and merit-based systems.Listener questions on moral outrage, mixed-faith marriages, and the implications of socialism from personal experiences.==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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 can we learn from the history of euthanasia? What was the view of suicide and euthanasia in the ancient world of the Bible? How did the early church introduce a new ethic of life into that context? How did the modern euthanasia movement begin and what was the rationale for permitting it? How did the Nazi experience of euthanasia affect the movement? How has it regained traction today? We’ll answer these questions and more with our good friend and eminent historian, Dr. Richard Weikart, around his new book, Unnatural Death: Medicine’s Descent from Healing to Killing. Dr. Richard Weikart is Emeritus Professor of History at California State University, Stanislaus.  He is Senior Fellow at the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute. ==========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. Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video. 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].