Scott is joined by guest co-host Erik Thoennes to discuss:

Hostage Return in Gaza: Celebrating the return of all surviving Israeli hostages and discussing the theological and political complexities of the Israel–Gaza peace accord.

Faith and Gen Z: Exploring new data showing a rise in Christian faith among Gen Z—even as suicide rates among the same generation reach record highs—and how both trends reflect a deep search for meaning in a secular age.

Global Persecution of Christians: Spotlighting the genocide of Christians in Nigeria and the crackdown on China’s house churches, with reflections on unity, empathy, and prayer for the persecuted church worldwide.

Listener Question: Authenticity at Work: Responding to a viral quote about not bringing your “authentic self” to work—examining biblical balance between honesty, professionalism, and humility.

Listener Question: AI and Faith: Considering whether AI-generated media might force society to rediscover discernment and critical thinking in what we choose to believe.

Listener Question: Outrage Culture in the Church: Addressing the rise of Christian social-media outrage, calling believers to pursue truth with grace, humility, and unity rather than division.

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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 thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

After centuries of anticipation, the ancient city of Colossae—the site of Paul’s letter to the Colossians—is finally being excavated. Dr. Clint Arnold, one of the world’s foremost experts on Colossians, joins Sean McDowell to share breaking news from the dig in modern-day Turkey. They explore why this excavation is historic, what discoveries could illuminate the New Testament, and how this project might finally unravel the mystery of the so-called “Colossian heresy.”

Listeners will learn about the decades-long journey to make this dig possible, the fascinating mix of history and theology behind Colossae, and what these findings could mean for our understanding of early Christianity.

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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 thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

Topics this week:

Marijuana’s Real Impact: A new study finds 40% of fatal crash victims in one Ohio county had high levels of THC, sparking discussion on how far legalization has gone and why Christians must discern between what’s legal and what’s right.

AI and the End of “Seeing is Believing”: Sean and Scott unpack the dangers of AI-generated videos like OpenAI’s Sora, the flood of deepfakes, and what it means for truth and communication in a post-trust culture.

Conversion Therapy and Free Speech: The Supreme Court will hear a case challenging Colorado’s ban on conversion therapy. Scott and Sean explore its implications for religious freedom, professional ethics, and the Christian view of sexuality and desire.

Israel–Hamas Ceasefire Hope: Discussion of the tentative ceasefire and what lasting peace would require—beyond politics or military power—to genuine heart transformation on both sides.

Listener Q&A:

• Should baptism be required before taking communion?
• Why use the term “medical aid in dying” instead of “assisted suicide”?
  Sean and Scott weigh the theology, ethics, and importance of clarity in language.

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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 thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

Why have so many “time saving” devices actually not saved us any time? How do you know if your devices work for you or you work for them? What guidance is there for an appropriate use of AI? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, Dr. Trevor Sutton, pastor and professor specializing in the intersection of theology and technology.

A. Trevor Sutton is senior pastor at St. Luke Lutheran Church in Lansing, Mich., and teaches theology at Concordia University–Irvine. Sutton has written several books, including Redeeming Technology (coauthored with Brian Smith, M.D.) and Authentic Christianity (coauthored with Gene Edward Veith Jr).

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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 thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

Scott is joined by colleague Rick Langer to discuss:

• Faith and Politics after the Kirk Shooting – A provocative article on whether Christians should see themselves as warriors or servants, contrasting combative approaches with Dallas Willard’s vision of gentleness in apologetics and civil discourse
• Abortion Statistics: Good News and Bad News – New data shows reduced abortions in some states with restrictions, but also a troubling rise in overall numbers due to abortion pills, raising questions about law, intention, and outcomes
• Human Eggs from Skin Cells – Recent breakthrough in creating eggs from skin cells, its promise for fertility, and its troubling ethical implications around commoditization of human life
• Pregnancy Robots and Artificial Wombs – A look at claims from China about developing robotic artificial wombs, and the broader concerns about manufacturing babies and eroding human dignity
• Listener Question on End-of-Life Care – Response to a heartfelt question about “minimal comfort feeding” in hospice, reflecting on the distinction between preserving life and prolonging death

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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 thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

What is the state of assisted suicide/euthanasia in Canada today?; How significant are the financial pressures on the Canadian health care system and is that a reason that PAS/E is encouraged?; What is involved in a Christian response to PAS/E? We’ll address these questions and a few more with our guest Dr. Ewan Goligher, critical care physician and professor of medicine and physiology at the University of Toronto.

Ewan C. Goligher (MD, PhD) is a physician and scientist at the University of Toronto. In the context of his practice of intensive care medicine, he often cares for patients at the end of their lives. He is author of How Should We Then Die?: A Christian Response to Physician-Assisted Death. He has authored more than 150 academic and medical papers. He serves as a ruling elder at Christ Church Toronto.

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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 thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

Scott & Sean's topics this week:

• Failed rapture predictions once again made headlines, fueled by social media hype, raising questions about biblical teaching, authority, and how Christians should respond with truth and compassion
• Reflection on the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the role of faith in politics, with insights from David Brooks’ concerns about blurring Christianity and partisanship
• A discussion on artificial intelligence entering personal and family life, from birthday planning to parenting, and why some areas should never be outsourced to machines
• Listener question: How to respond when Protestant Christianity is called a cult
• Listener question: How to comfort a grieving friend angry at God
• Listener question: How to process Charlie Kirk’s legacy in light of divisive rhetoric and martyrdom language
  
  
  

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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 thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

What does it mean to play sports for the glory of God? How do you keep someone from tying their identity to their success in sports? And why do parents sometimes have a greater interest in their child’s success in sports than the child himself/herself? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest, our Talbot colleague in theology, Dr. Erik Thoennes.

Erik Thoennes is committed to teaching theology so that he and his students love God and people more fully. He strives to make the necessary connections between the study of theology, obedience to Jesus and fulfilling the Great Commission. He has been teaching college students for over 30 years and has been a pastor at Grace Evangelical Free Church La Mirada since 2001. Erik is a frequent guest speaker at churches, conferences and retreats. He received the University award for faculty excellence and professor of the year twice. His research interests include godly jealousy, the atonement, the exclusivity of Christ and theology of culture, sport/play/competition, and humor.

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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 thinkbiblically@biola.edu.