Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

Talbot School of Theology at Biola University / Sean McDowell & Scott Rae

Israel-Hamas War

Christianity

Hamas

Self-Worship

Just War Theory

Christian Responses

Texas Abortion Laws

Pro-Life Movement

Covenant Theology

Palestinians

Expressive Individualism

Same-Sex Marriage

Kim Davis

Polyamory

Animal Rights

Sperm Donation

Bioethics

Apologetics

Assisted Suicide

Biola University

A weekly podcast that offers Christian perspectives on some of the most significant issues facing today's church and culture. In each episode, hosts Scott Rae and Sean McDowell — professors at Biola University's Talbot School of Theology — draw upon biblical wisdom and insights from guest experts as they explore how Christians can thoughtfully and faithfully engage with cultural trends and current... more

2k ratings

Publishes	Twice weekly	Episodes	569	Founded	8 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	ChristianityReligion & Spirituality

Listen to this Podcast

Guests Hosts Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

Weekly Cultural Update: Paper Drugs in Prisons; Public Muslim Prayer; The Catholic Church and Social Justice; Meta and Youtube Lawsuit

The New Frontier of the Drug War: Hosts Sean McDowell and Scott Ray discuss a terrifying "quantum leap" in the drug trade where synthetic, lab-made drugs are being sprayed onto innocuous items like books and letters to be smuggled into prisons.

Publ... more

27 Mar 2026 • 59 min

Reading Scripture as a Gift and not a Burden (with Uche Anizor)

What are the different gifts we get from being immersed in God’s Word? How do we develop a hunger for Scripture? And why do we so often see reading Scripture as a burden rather than a blessing. We’ll tackle these questions and more with our guest, ou... more

24 Mar 2026 • 44 min

Cultural Update: Is Iran War Ethical?; Rigging March Madness; Sexual Recession

This week, Scott and Sean discuss:

Just War, Modern Targets: Sean and Scott weigh whether Israel’s targeted killings of Iranian leaders can fit within just war reasoning while warning against pulling Old Testament examples out of context.

March M... more

20 Mar 2026 • 59 min

Living in the Shadow of Grief (with Dave Keehn)

Is it possible to find hope and healing in the shadow of grief? How can we move forward after the loss of a loved one, such as a child, and both trust God and appropriately grieve? In today’s episode, Sean talks with Talbot professor Dr. Dave Keehn, ... more

17 Mar 2026 • 59 min

Key Facts

Accepts Guests

Contact Information

Podcast Host

Number of Listeners

Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Sean McDowell ShowThe Sean McDowell Show

The Alisa Childers PodcastAlisa Childers

Stand to Reason Weekly PodcastGreg Koukl

The Natasha Crain PodcastNatasha Crain

BreakpointColson Center

Recent Guests

Uche Anizor

Talbot School of Theology professor and author of The Goodness of God in the Gift of Scripture

Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

Episode: Reading Scripture as a Gift and not a Burden (with Uche Anizor)

David Keen

Talbot professor, author of Living in the Shadow of Grief

Talbot School of Theology, Biola University

Episode: Living in the Shadow of Grief (with Dave Keehn)

Rick Langer

Philosopher, Biola University, Talbot School of Theology

Biola University

Episode: Cultural Update: American Support for Israel; Researchers Uncover Evil AI; Wealth of Nations; Talarico's New Style

Paul Copan

Philosopher and proponent of eternal conscious punishment

Palm Beach Atlantic University (as referenced), Co-editor of Concerning Hell

Episode: Hell in the Bible: Eternal Torment or Annihilation? (with Paul Copan and Chris Date)

Chris Date

Leading proponent of annihilationism

Rethinking Hell (ministry)

Episode: Hell in the Bible: Eternal Torment or Annihilation? (with Paul Copan and Chris Date)

Dr. JP Foster

Senior Pastor at Faithful Central Bible Church

Faithful Central Bible Church

Episode: Finding Freedom in Jesus (with JP Foster)

Dr. Craig Keener

Author and biblical scholar, known for his extensive commentaries and writings on Christian living and suffering

Episode: Suffering and our Spiritual Lives (with Craig Keener)

Dr. Liz Hall

Biola colleague and psychologist, contributor to Watching The Chosen

Biola University

Episode: A Psychologist Watches "The Chosen" (with Liz Hall)

Fred Sanders

Author and professor at Biola University

Biola University

Episode: Why We are Protestants (with Fred Sanders)

Hosts

Scott Rae

Host and Co-host, discussing various topics alongside experts and relying on biblical perspectives.

Sean McDowell

Host and Co-host, featuring themes related to faith and cultural issues, inviting guest experts for in-depth discussions.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 2k ratings

Top Tier Christian Podcast
Sean and Scott’s general, non-specific approach covers a wide variety of topics, exploring each one from a Biblical perspective. While some people weaponize the word “Biblical” to mean “the one and only way to think about things”, Sean and Scott use it to refer to the Bible as the ultimate authority. Their thoughtful and wise insights on the topics have been so helpful in my walk with the Lord.
Apple Podcasts
5
Elliot Lee Masters
United States2 months ago
Excellent Content
I really enjoy this podcast, it’s extremely thought provoking. The latest episode really challenged me to engage others with differing views in a respectful and honest way. The Cultural updates are great as well. Thanks for all you do for the Kimgdom!
Apple Podcasts
5
tkymin247
United States3 months ago
Makes me think
Considerate and researched.
Apple Podcasts
5
West Wichita
United States3 months ago
Perspectives presented in good failth
I'm not a Christian and don't always agree, but I love this podcast because it offers high quality, well-researched, bible-based, measured persepctives put forth in good faith (in my opinion).
One area of improvement would be to have more guests or topics shared by a woman from a women's POV.
The host's and guest's perspectives often do challenge my beliefs. Many times they articulate the opposing side in a respectful way.
Thank you (and the sound crew/support staff) for making this avaliab... more
Apple Podcasts
5
GW_95
United States3 months ago
Willing to Take on Hard Topics
I love listening to this podcast. The hosts do not skirt the tough issues and provide sound theological perspectives on issues affecting our lives today.
Apple Podcasts
5
Linwall1
United States3 months ago

Embed These Reviews on a Website

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Feedback highlights the importance of integrating guests and increasing diversity of perspectives, particularly related to female voices.

Overall, the show is seen as a beneficial resource for those wanting to connect their beliefs with contemporary societal challenges.

Listeners appreciate the thoughtful and respectful discourse on difficult topics from a biblical perspective.

The podcast engages challenging issues and offers valuable insights that enhance listeners' understanding of their faith.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts	#131	United States/Religion & Spirituality/Christianity
Apple Podcasts	#186	United States/Religion & Spirituality
Apple Podcasts	#140	Canada/Religion & Spirituality/Christianity
Apple Podcasts	#222	Canada/Religion & Spirituality
Apple Podcasts	#18	Indonesia/Religion & Spirituality/Christianity
Apple Podcasts	#21	Poland/Religion & Spirituality/Christianity

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Living in the Shadow of Grief (with Dave Keehn)

Q: How did the experience affect your faith and your view of Heaven?

Keen explains moving from a more simplistic view of Heaven to a richer, more active understanding of Heaven as a 'city of God' and a resurrected Eden where meaningful activity continues; suffering is reframed by trust in God and the hope of reunion with Adam.

Living in the Shadow of Grief (with Dave Keehn)

Q: What was the decision like? Do you remember the first moment that you wanted to write a book?

The impetus came after a long period of encouragement and personal processing; Keen describes how writing became part of healing, a way to share their journey, and to provide a framework for others to grieve well without prescribing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Cultural Update: Is Iran War Ethical?; Rigging March Madness; Sexual Recession

Q: My daughter is considering a relationship with a young man struggling with pornography addiction. What would you advise?

Start slowly, avoid committing sexually, ensure accountability and ask who will hold him accountable; if the issue persists, view it as a red flag and consider ending the relationship until healing and transformation occur.

Cultural Update: Talarico's Progressive Christianity; Epstein Files and Moral Unity; Supreme Court Backs Parental Rights

Q: In light of the same-sex wedding question, is it consistent to attend weddings if one holds biblically based convictions against same-sex marriage?

Thaddeus Williams argues for consistency across issues: while disobedience to biblical commands is a concern, attending or celebrating a wedding that contradict one's convictions should be weighed against the broader call to faithfulness and the distinct nature of marriage, with a preference for not singling out one issue to celebrate while condemning others.

Cultural Update: The Monetization of Loneliness; Hospital Ends Youth Gender Treatment; Alarming U.K. Abortion Data

Q: As I prepare my message, what are your best tips for talking about AI with teens and families in the church?

Ask questions and have discussions to engage students on how AI affects their lives, and point them towards existing resources for helping understand the implications of AI.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content primarily revolves around Christian perspectives on contemporary cultural issues, faith, identity, and the church's role in society. It features discussions that blend theological insights with current events, encouraging listeners to navigate complex social topics through a biblical lens. Notably, the hosts and their guests delve into critical subjects such as suffering, identity in Christ, and the intersection of faith and cultural shifts, making it particularly relevant for individuals seeking to deepen their understanding of faith in a modern context. This podcast is likely to appeal to those who appreciate thoughtful dialogue rooted in scripture while grappling with the pressing questions of today's world.

Where can I find podcast stats for this podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to this podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does this podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for this podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for this podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for this podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does this podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers this podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. The Sean McDowell Show
2. The Alisa Childers Podcast
3. Stand to Reason Weekly Podcast
4. The Natasha Crain Podcast
5. Breakpoint

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 8 years ago and published 569 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact this podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for this podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for this podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for this podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of this podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Uche Anizor
2. David Keen
3. Rick Langer
4. Paul Copan
5. Chris Date
6. Dr. JP Foster
7. Dr. Craig Keener
8. Dr. Liz Hall

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.

Try it free for 7 days