Shows
College Faith#57: “Filter-Free” Praying When Things Get ToughDo you ever feel you can’t really be honest with God when you are upset, angry, or grieving? My guest in this episode believes you don’t need to filter your prayers, and has the biblical evidence to back him up. I’m joined by Dr. Keith Campbell, author of Of Heroes and Villains, which explores prayers of lament in the New Testament. Keith received his Ph.D. in New Testament from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Global Scholars.
In this podcast we discuss:
...2025-06-0158 min
Thinking Christianly#41 – A Cambridge-Trained Neuroscientist’s Perspective: Dr Sharon Dirckx Discusses our Minds, our Brains, and Have We Lost Our Minds?In this episode we continue our series discussing Stan’s recent book Have We Lost Our Minds?, exploring the book’s themes with neuroscientist and apologist Sharon Dirckx, Ph.D.
In this episode, we discuss:
In what ways do we talk about the brain doing what persons do?
How did Sharon’s experience in brain imaging research help her conclude that we are more than just our brains?
What is the role of honest and open dialogue in finding truth in this and all other important areas?
How does acknowledging the first-person perspective as a way o...2025-05-1543 minCollege Faith#56: A Helpful Model For Making Wise ChoicesIn this episode, we are discussing how to make wise decisions when faced with ethical dilemmas, both in your personal life and in your studies. My guest is Dr. Scott Rae, a distinguished Christian ethicist and professor at the Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. Scott is widely recognized for his work in bioethics, business ethics, and moral philosophy from a Christian worldview. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the University of Southern California and has authored or co-authored numerous influential books, including Moral Choices and Beyond Integrity. Rae is also a frequent speaker and consultant...2025-05-0147 minThinking Christianly#40 – “The Unity of the Soul and Body”: Chapter 6 of Have We Lost Our Minds?In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 6 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
What is the nature of the relationship between the body and soul?
Do ears hear? How can we understand the way souls and bodies interact?
What are the key differences between the various kinds of dualism?
What is traducianism, and how is it different from creationism?
What are some of the implications of holistic dualism in how we understand health?
How should we...2025-04-1536 minCollege Faith#55: Engaging Postmodernism On Your Campus (Or In Your Church)In this edition we are discussing a very prevalent philosophy on university campuses today (as well as in many churches): Postmodernism. My guest is Dr. Scott Smith, Professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. Scott has written quite a few articles and well-received books on this topic and often speaks on postmodernism and its implications in churches, at conferences, and on podcasts like this one.
In this podcast we discuss:
What postmodernism is, and how it developed out of modernity
Why the theory of nominalism (the belief that there is...2025-04-0150 minThinking Christianly#39 – “The True Nature of the Soul”: Chapter 5 of Have We Lost Our Minds?In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 5 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
We discuss:
What is an “individuated human nature,” and why is each of these words important?
Natures have capacities; the ability to manifest a capacity is a faculty. What kinds of faculties do humans have?
What makes human consciousness unique?
How can asking “What is it like?” questions help engage people in conversation about the soul?
How do our human faculties interact?
How do studies on near-death (or after-de...2025-03-1540 minCollege Faith#54: Life After College: Navigating The Many Transitions WellIn this episode, we discuss how to transition well after college. My guest is Jon Steele, host of the After IV podcast, where he interviews guests on this very topic. So I’ve invited him to summarize what he is learning from his guests on this important life transition.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Jon became interested in helping students transition from college to their careers
The important distinction between change and transition from college to after college
The three general phases of any transition
How to navigate well the inevitable transitions in rela...2025-03-011h 02Thinking Christianly#38 – “Neurotheology’s Wrong Conclusion About What We Are”: Chapter 4 of Have We Lost Our Minds?In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 4 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
We discuss:
Why neurotheologians are mistaken about our true nature.
Why it isn’t possible to reduce mental properties to physical events.
How we should understand our unity through time.
How the modal argument helps us understand identity.
Why non-reductive physicalism or “emergence” is of no help to the physicalist position.
What a “brute fact” is.
What did Dallas Willard meant when he talked about the nature of the body.
Thought...2025-02-1100 minCollege Faith#53: Sorting Through the Mountain of College Recruiting MaterialsToday we are talking about how to manage the deluge of college recruiting materials to help choose the best college or university. My guest today is Dr. Shirley Roels. She has been a career counselor and a marketing professor focusing on nonprofit marketing. She also speaks from her experience as someone who made mistakes when she was selecting a college and did a better job helping her two sons in their selection process. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the International Network for Christian Higher Education.
In this podcast we discuss:
Her ter...2025-02-0140 minCollege Faith#52: The Benefits and Challenges of a Study Abroad Semester or Year
My guest on this episode of the College Faith podcast is my colleague Dr. Stephen Garrett, Vice-President of Curriculum at Global Scholars. Steve is uniquely qualified to help us understand the benefits and challenges of students taking a semester or year to study abroad, having taught in Lithuania as a “receiving” professor of study abroad students and being a “sending” parent of a son who studied abroad.
In this podcast we discuss:
Steve’s perspective as a “sending” parent:
How Steve and his wife first began considering with his son the possibility of studying abroa...2025-01-0250 minThinking Christianly#37 – J.P.’s Return and Reflections on His Foreword to Have We Lost Our Minds?J.P. rejoins the podcast! In this episode, he shares good news about his health and reflects on why he was eager to write the Foreword to Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
We discuss:
J.P.’s health journey over the last few months
How Christians have contributed to the secularization of culture
The importance of the conversation about what it means to be human
Why the arguments in Stan’s book have personal meaning for J.P.
The importance of responsible scholarship, especially as Christians
The crucial difference betw...2024-12-1600 minCollege Faith#51: A Guide to Majoring in SociologyIn this edition, I continue my sporadic series on various college majors students may choose. To discuss the field of Sociology, my guest is Dr. Kevin Dougherty, Associate Professor of Sociology at Baylor University.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Kevin got interested in sociology
What sociologists study
Career paths open to those with a degree in sociology
Traits that make a person a good sociologist
How sociology has been a help and a challenge to his faith
His research into the sociology of the local church
His recent research into the sociology of r...2024-12-0152 minThinking Christianly#36 – “Neurotheology’s Wrong Assumption About our Mental Life”: Chapter 3 of Have We Lost Our Minds?In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 3 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
What do neurotheologians get wrong about identity?
How can understanding identity help us understand neural events and mental events?
What properties belong to the mind that do not belong to the brain?
What are the key differences between reductive and non-reductive physicalism?
Does the physicalist anthropology make a difference in how we view human persons?
Resources and Citations:
Find out more...2024-11-1527 minCollege Faith#50: The Pros and Cons of Joining a Fraternity or SororityMy guest in this episode is Brian Mann, National Director of InterVarsity’s ministry among students in fraternities and sororities. As many students are on campuses with Greek houses, I’ve asked Brian to help us understand what the “Greek System” is, and the pros and cons of “going Greek” at college.
In this podcast we discuss:
What is a fraternity or sorority?
Why Greek letters are identified with fraternities and sororities (and therefore are referred to as “Greek houses,” which are all part of the “Greek system” on campus, and to join is to “go Greek”)
Why Gre...2024-11-011h 00Thinking Christianly#35 – “The Bible and the Soul”: Chapter 2 of Have We Lost Our Minds?In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 2 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
What are the key passages related to the topic of Biblical anthropology?
What is the difference between an ontological unity and a functional unity of body and soul?
What witness does church history give to this topic?
Where did “neurotheology” go wrong in explaining the nature of the human person?
What is our soul doing when it is no longer united with the body?
Reso...2024-10-2117 minCollege Faith#49: Why Are Students Required to Take General Education (or “Core Curriculum”) Courses?
Why do universities require students to take classes in the humanities during their first few years? Dr. David Horner, who has taught these classes for many years, helps us see the wisdom of requiring these courses, in light of the value they bring to the student who takes them seriously. Dave earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in philosophy at Oxford University, is a professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, and is the author of (among other books) the popular Mind Your Faith: A Student’s Guide to Thinking and Living Well.
In t...2024-10-011h 14Thinking Christianly#34 – “Neuroscience, Neurotheology, and the Soul”: Chapter 1 of Have We Lost Our Minds?In this episode, we continue our series by engaging Chapter 1 of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why is it critical that Christians acknowledge well-done science?
What are some implications of the assertion that the brain is fundamentally what we are?
The difference between Dallas Willard’s “VIM” model and Jim Wilder’s version.
Tips for listeners who want to be more aware of places where they have absorbed Physicalist assumptions.
What can we know about what we are? Where does that infor...2024-09-1622 minCollege Faith#48: Various Types of Colleges and Universities: Which is Right For You?This edition of the College Faith podcast welcomes Dr. Robbie Castleman, emeritus professor of Biblical Studies at John Brown University. She has studied, ministered to students, and taught at a number of very different types of schools. As a result, she is a helpful guide to understanding the similarities and differences between different types of colleges and universities.
In this podcast we discuss:
The fundamental importance of considering who will be your professors
The importance of the core curriculum in finding what you are most interested in majoring in
When it might be best to transfer to another university to...2024-09-0147 minThinking Christianly#33 – An Introduction to Have We Lost Our Minds?In this episode, we kick off a new series by engaging the introduction of Stan’s new book, Have We Lost Our Minds?: Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing.
In this episode, we discuss:
Why did Stan write this book?
What is “neurotheology”? Is it helpful for Christians?
How can we think well about the central question, “What are we?”
What motivated the departure from traditional Christian beliefs about the soul?
What experiences and relationships shaped Stan’s perspective on this topic?
How can listeners get involved in this conversation?
Resources and Citations:
Find out mor...2024-08-2231 minCollege Faith#47: A Guide to Majoring in the Professions (Business, Law, Medicine, etc.)In this episode, I continue my series on various college majors students may choose. To discuss business, and the professions more generally, I’ve invited Dr. John Terrill to join me. John has a unique background to help us consider majoring in the professions. He has a degree in business from Indiana University, an MBA. from the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University), master’s degrees in theology and religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology from Seattle Pacific University.
After working in banking and with a business consulting firm, John ministered to studen...2024-08-011h 16College Faith#46: A Guide to Majoring in CommunicationsIn this episode, I continue my sporadic series on various college majors students may choose. To discuss the field of Communications, I’ve invited back Dr. Tim Muehlhoff, professor of Communications at Biola University.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Tim decided to major in Communications
Career choices Communications majors have
The two things a college education should provide
The personal characteristics that will help you flourish in Communications
How studying Communications has helped his faith
Mainstream ideas in Communications that are consistent with a Christian worldview
Mainstream ideas in Communications that are inconsistent with a Christian worldview
How to eng...2024-07-0153 minCollege Faith#45: Dealing With DoubtBetween the recording of this episode and its posting, Randy Newman, my guest and dear friend, went to be with the Lord. Though Randy is certainly rejoicing to be in the presence of his King, I and so many others who knew him well are grieving deeply. But, as a way to honor his memory, and to continue encouraging others to learn from his great wisdom, I have decided to post this interview posthumously. We discuss a topic very dear to him--helping believers engage their doubts in healthy and redemptive ways. I believe he would have wanted you to hear...2024-06-011h 00College Faith#44: A Guide to Majoring in MathematicsThis episode continues my sporadic series on the various fields students may choose to study while in college, today discussing a major in mathematics. My guest is Dr. Francis Su, a professor of Mathematics at the prestigious Harvey Mudd College. Francis is a past president of the Mathematical Association of America, has been featured in Wired and The New York Times, and is the author of the award-winning Mathematics for Human Flourishing.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Francis first got interested in studying mathematics
The distinction between mathematics and arithmetic
How math helps us shape a set of virtues a...2024-05-0146 minThinking Christianly#32 – Having Better Conversations by Avoiding Logical FallaciesJ.P, Stan, and Jordan discuss how to have better conversations. They discuss how three informal fallacies (the Red Herring Fallacy, the Genetic Fallacy, and the Ad Hominem Fallacy) can shut down healthy dialogue and how to develop habits that help us avoid using them.
In this episode, we discuss:
What is an informal logical fallacy?
What does the Red Herring Fallacy sound like in a conversation?
Practical ways to get a conversation back on track
What is the Genetic Fallacy? How can we avoid using it?
How do we evaluate ideas fairly, even if...2024-04-2553 min
Kenny Wallace MediaAwesome Stan Musial Story!On "Hot Take Central" on 590 The Fan KFNS, Billy Roe, owner of Billy's on Broadway, told a great Stan Musial story from the 1970's.
For full radio shows & podcasts of every segment go to https://590thefan.com
#mlb #stlouiscardinals #stanmusial
***thumbnail photos by Charlie Marlow & courtesy of Stan Musial's Facebook2024-04-1804 minCollege Faith#43: Christian Higher Education and the Real Cost of CollegeMy guest in this episode is Dr. Roger Parrott, the President of Belhaven University for more than three decades. Over the years, he has thought much about the value of a college education, how higher education has changed, in some cases drastically, and the real cost of a college degree. I’ve invited him to share some of his wisdom with us.
In this podcast we discuss:
How higher education has changed over the three decades he has been a university president
The four “S” features most public universities use to recruit students
The four “C” features that define most Christian un...2024-04-0151 minThinking Christianly#31 – Understanding Free Will and Living WellStan, JP, and Jordan delved deeper into the concepts of libertarian free will, compatibilism, and determinism, extending their discussion beyond theological topics to many other important issues. In this episode, we discuss:Implications of our understanding of freedom related to law and politicsThe difference between freedom and determinism in the social sciencesUnderstanding counseling in light of our free willHow understanding the nature of free will helps us grow in ChristFree will as a reason to believe we have a soulThe theme of hope and redemption in Scripture, and why this should inform our views on freedom Resources and References:John Se...2024-03-1546 minCollege Faith#42: A Guide to Majoring in the Biological SciencesMy guest in this edition is Jeff Hardin, Ph.D., professor and former chair of the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Wisconsin. He holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from the International School of Theology. In addition to his scholarly work in cell biology and leading textbook on this topic, Jeff has thought much about the intersection of faith and science and regularly addresses these topics in public forums.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Jeff got interested in studying biology
The value of e...2024-03-011h 16Thinking Christianly#30 – How is One Saved? Calvinist and Arminian AnswersIn a gracious spirit J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss the points of agreement and disagreement between the Calvinist and Arminian views of salvation (summarized in Calvinist theology by the acronym TULIP). This good-faith conversation will help listeners consider the implications of these beliefs, especially as they relate to our understanding of God’s nature, our nature, and the gospel message.*
In this podcast, we discuss:
The TULIP acronym: where did it come from and what it does it mean?
Total Depravity: what is the difference between the extensive and intensive effects of depravity?
Unconditional Election: what does it mean to...2024-02-1648 minCollege Faith#41: Sex, College, and the Good LifeMy guest in this episode is Scott Phelps, Executive Director of the Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership. For many years now Scott has spoken to students about the great, long-term benefits of saving sex for marriage, and so I’ve invited him onto the show to share some of what he has learned, and how others have found his insights helpful.
In this podcast we discuss:
How he got interested in the relationship between living life well, flourishing, and sex
Principles, or the successful pathway that most often leads to a good life
Habit formation for life-long intimate relationships
Hope for stud...2024-02-0152 minThinking Christianly#29 – What Does It Mean To Be Free?This is our first episode in a series about Free Will, Compatibilism, and Determinism. Stan, JP, and Jordan start by clearing up some of the major confusions that plague this conversation. They share how to have this discussion with clarity and keep the focus on the claims and avoid confusion. They also spot some ideas about Free Will, Compatibilism, and Determinism “in the wild.” In this podcast, we discuss:What does it mean to be “free”?What are the major ideological camps in this conversation?Does the Compatibilist view of antinomy solve this logical problem?What are the most important distinctio...2024-01-2649 min
The WW2 PodcastStan Hollis VC and the Green Howards on D-DayThe Green Howards landed in the first wave on D-Day. With them was Company Sergeant Major Stan Hollis, who had seen action in France in 1940, being evacuated from the beaches of Dunkirk. He fought in North Africa and took part in the invasion of Sicily. It is fair to say Hollis was a seasoned soldier. He is also the only recipient of the Victoria Cross for his actions on the 6th of June 1944. I have made a field trip to the Green Howards Regimental Museum in Richmond, Yorkshire. In this episode, Steve Erskine joins me t...2024-01-1549 minCollege Faith#40: Finding the “Middle Way” in the LGBTQ+ ConversationMy guest today is Rick Mattson, a national apologetics specialist and evangelism coach with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He often does open “Q and A” sessions on college campuses in which he is asked for insights on how to understand LGBTQ+ issues in ways that embody both truth and love. We discuss some of what he shares on this important topic.
In this podcast we discuss:
How LGBTQ issues come up in his conversations, and why it’s close to his heart
The importance of the larger narrative of Scripture in understanding human sexuality and flourishing
The relation of this issue to the...2024-01-011h 23Thinking Christianly#28 – Christmas, Advent, and Living in Light of the IncarnationJ.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss engaging the Christmas story as thinking Christians and ways to live in light of the hope that the Incarnation brings.
In this podcast we discuss:
How does the humility of God bring wonder and awe to this season?
What does the quiet nature of Christ’s coming reveal about God’s character?
In what ways can we attempt to reclaim the season from consumer culture?
How should Christians handle “Happy Holidays” vs. “Merry Christmas” conversations?
What is a “redemptive analogy” and how can looking for them help bridge cultural and relational divides?
What are the practical im...2023-12-1851 minCollege Faith#39: A Guide to Majoring in The Great BooksThis episode continues my sporadic series on the various fields students may choose to study while in college. My guest is Dr. Hannah Eagleson studied the great books at St. John’s College (Annapolis, MD) during her Masters degree, then went on to earn a PhD in Renaissance literature at the University of Delaware.
She has written study guides to The Lord of the Rings and to works by C. S. Lewis and Dorothy L. Sayers. Dr. Eagleson also develops programming to support Christian scholars as they follow Christ and love their neighbors, including work with Global Scholars, Chesterton House (a...2023-12-0153 minThinking Christianly#27 – What is God’s and Our Relation to Time?In this episode, JP and Stan talk about different views of time and how they integrate with a Christian way of thinking about God and His relationship to time, the relationship of time to salvation, and the overall understanding of time and the nature of reality. They tackle common pitfalls in conversations about time and make distinctions that clear up the broader discussion.
In this podcast, we discuss:
Does this discussion matter?
Is tense real or not?
What is the difference between an A-Theory and a B-Theory understanding of time?
How do time and space relate to each other in...2023-11-1550 minCollege Faith#38: The Pop-Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for ChristMy guest in this edition of the College Faith Podcast is Dr. Ted Turnau, co-author of The Pop-Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ. Ted has spent many years thinking about how to help children (from the early years through young adulthood) understand, evaluate, and flourish in pop culture that is all around us. He shares some of his insights from his study, how his parents helped and didn’t help him, and lessons learned from raising his own children.
In this podcast we discuss:
What “pop culture” is conceptually and biblically
The two ways Christians tend to respond...2023-11-011h 15Thinking Christianly#26 – What is a Worldview?In this episode, J.P. and Stan discuss worldview and life-view and why evaluating the contents of these thoughts deserves our attention and reflection. How do we go about that process? They discuss the ways we can notice what we attend to and examine how our attention can shape our worldview. This episode is for anyone who needs resources and strategies to help with developing and sustaining a Christian worldview. In this podcast, we discuss:What is a worldview?Why should we give serious thought to the idea of worldview?What kind of questions should we ask as we evaluate o...2023-10-1552 minCollege Faith#37: Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-AirIn this episode we are discussing an idea every student is sure to encounter early and repeatedly during the college years-- the idea of “relativism.” My guest is Greg Koukl, co-author of Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air and the Founder/President of Stand to Reason, a great apologetics ministry.
In this podcast we discuss:
The prevalence of relativism on campus today (often seen as “expressive individualism”)
Some different forms of relativism students will encounter
Greg’s “inside/outside” distinction, which goes back to the Garden of Eden and the Fall
How relativism is related to the idea of “truth”
Why Christians sho...2023-10-0155 minThinking Christianly#25 – Considering Graduate School?For those of us not currently connected to the academic world, the idea of furthering our education as Christians can be daunting. Where do you start? What should you consider before taking on this experience? Is it worth it even if it doesn’t increase your earning potential? In this episode, JP and Stan share practical advice and wisdom for evaluating the costs and benefits of going beyond learning in an informal setting; specifically as it relates to masters and doctoral degrees in philosophy and ministry.
In this podcast, we discuss:
How do you know whether or not further formal edu...2023-09-1856 minCollege Faith#36: How Campus Ministries Help Students Flourish: Affirming “The Priesthood of All Students”My guest today is Timothee Joset, author of The Priesthood of All Students. He has been a student leader in campus ministry in Switzerland and internationally, including serving on the International Fellowship for Evangelical Students (or IFES) governing Board for four years. Timothée holds a Master of Arts with majors in Literature and History from the Universities of NOO - ka - tel Neuchâtel, Switzerland and Berlin, Germany, a Master of Theological Studies from Tyndale Seminary, Toronto and a PhD in theology from the University of Durham. For several years he has also helped give leadership to “Dialogue and...2023-09-0156 minThinking Christianly#24 – “Can You Prove It?” Knowledge in an Age of Skepticism“The certainty problem has crept in and polluted the whole enterprise of knowing.” - J.P. Moreland. In this episode, J.P. and Stan have a practical discussion about how to engage with the cultural obsession with a narrow definition of certainty.
In this podcast, we discuss:
What is skepticism? How did it become a cultural “virtue”?
Why doubting everything is more dangerous than you think
What are the different forms of skepticism?
How should we engage with different kinds of skeptics?
How can a broad understanding of the history of ideas benefit us when addressing skepticism?
Is there a legitima...2023-08-2147 minCollege Faith#35: Research as WorshipMy guest in this episode is Dr. Martine Audeoud, Academic Dean of Bakke Graduate University and author of Research as Worship in the Company of God. In this recent book she shares much wisdom for students doing research for term papers.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Martine began thinking about research as worship
Why she believes “God is a God of research”
How Research as Worship can help students doing term papers
Why Africans have a “competative edge” in integrating faith and research and what we can learn from them
Why she chose the metaphor of the Jewish tabernacle to illust...2023-08-0139 minThinking Christianly#23: Dallas Willard, Husserl, and the Future of Spiritual FormationMost of us know Dallas Willard as a brilliant and pastoral writer on spiritual formation. In his writing, you can sense a man of great thought, but the depth of his knowledge can be hidden from the reader of his more popular works. In this episode, Stan and J.P. discuss the life, scholarship, and legacy of Dallas Willard. They also share thoughts on spiritual formation gleaned from Dallas.
In this podcast, we discuss:
The work of Dallas Willard in his academic vocation as a philosopher
Why metaphysics and epistemology are essential to the messages of Dr. Willard
Why Dallas...2023-07-1541 minCollege Faith#34: A Guide to Majoring in the ArtsMy guest in this edition is Cam Anderson, author of The Faithful Artist: A Vision for Evangelicalism and the Arts. Cam holds a Masters of Fine Arts (the highest degree in the field) from Cranbrook Academy of Art, works as an artist (among other things), and is past president of CIVA--Christians in the Visual Arts. I know of no one better to help us think about majoring in the arts than Cam.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Cam first became interested in the arts
His journey toward introducing himself as an artist, especially in the Christian community
Why the c...2023-07-011h 07Thinking Christianly#22: The Importance of Legacy: More Lessons from the Life of Edmund HusserlIn this episode we conclude our case study of Edmund Husserl. We discuss other lessons we can learn from his life, and lessons to learn from the faithful men and women who risked everything to save his life’s work. We also discuss the challenging work of preserving ideas that matter in a culture that prefers to forget the past.
In this podcast, we discuss:
Why it is important to do work that doesn’t specifically address the cultural moment
How to faithfully push back against false cultural assumptions
The story of saving the works of Husserl and other Jewish scho...2023-06-1541 minCollege Faith#33: A Guide to Majoring in the Hard SciencesThis episode is the first in an intermittent series on majoring in the various academic fields (broadly speaking). My hope is to help you understand more of what is involved in various areas of study, how these fields relate to the Christian faith, and practical advice as you major in this area. My guest for each episode in this series will be someone with many years experience in the field, as well as a robust faith in Christ, and has learned to flourish both academically and spiritually in this field of study.
We begin today with a focus on majors...2023-06-011h 02Thinking Christianly#21: A Case Study in Thinking Christianly and Making a Difference: Edmund HusserlIn this episode we do a case study of someone who wove together a number of the themes we have talked about in earlier episodes, including the importance of a commitment to truth and the life of the mind, being a part of a vibrant faith community, dealing with challenges, and being faithful to God’s call. These lessons from the life of philosopher Edmund Husserl, as well as some of his philosophical insights, provide great encouragement and challenge for Christians today.
In this podcast, we discuss:
Who Edmund Husserl is and why his work matters to Christians.
How others hel...2023-05-1544 minCollege Faith#32: Cults on Campus: How to Identify and Avoid Them!Intro:
My guest in this episode is Dr. Rob Bowman, an expert on cults and heretical Christian sects. He is also a biblical scholar who has, since 1984, written 14 books and dozens of articles defending the truth of Christianity against error.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Rob got interested in cults while in college
How his background as a biblical scholar helps him evaluate cults
Secular and religious cults (or ‘heretical sects’) and some examples
The warning signs that a group may be a cult
The importance of distinguishing between sociological and theological definitions of a cult
Mormonism as a case...2023-05-011h 02College Faith#31: The Every Campus CoalitionMy guest in this episode is Dan Allen, a leader in the Every Campus Coalition, a new initiative to help connect students with all the ministries seeking to serve them during their university years.
In this podcast we discuss:
What the Every Campus Coalition is and how it started
What campus “Prayer Walks” are, why they are important, and how to participate
The goal of establishing a “gospel movement” or “gospel community” on every campus
How the Every Campus Coalition is working toward this goal
The importance of partnership among all who seek to minister to university students
Some signs of revival and...2023-04-0144 minCollege Faith#30: Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the JourneyMy guest today is Jonathan Morrow. Jonathan has been equipping students and parents in biblical worldview, apologetics, and culture for over 16 years, and is passionate about seeing a new generation build a lasting faith. He holds graduate degrees in Christian thought and is currently the Director of Cultural Engagement and Student Discipleship at the Impact 360 Institute and an adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University. Jonathan has authored several books, including Welcome to College, Questioning the Bible, and Is God Just a Human Invention? His book Welcome to College is the best book I’ve seen to help students flourish du...2023-03-0156 minThinking Christianly#20: What’s Real and Why Does it Matter?What is real? This has been a defining question in our modern era. How should a thinking Christian answer this question? J.P. and Stan describe the foundational beliefs and distinctions necessary for addressing this central issue in grace and truth. In this podcast, we discuss:What is a property? What are some examples of properties? How is this question related to what truth is, the Incarnation, and so much more?Why is it not commonplace to assume properties exist? How underlying assumptions impact beliefs about what is real.What is a “universal”? How do we experience universals and why would...2023-02-1547 minCollege Faith#29: Tips and Tricks to Manage Your Time WellMy guest today is Dr. Phil Bishop, Emeritus Professor at the University of Alabama. Due to the pressures he faced as a student and then as a professor at a leading university, Phil has thought much about the whys and hows of managing his time well so as to excel both professionally and spiritually. He shares some of what he’s learned about time management.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Phil learned to manage his time well
Why learning to manage time well is so important
The importance of making time management choices based on priorities
Time management and a week...2023-02-0132 minThinking Christianly#19: Finding Quiet When Experiencing Anxiety and DepressionHow do we “find quiet” in a noisy world? Using J.P.’s book Finding Quiet as a launch point J.P., Stan, and Jordan discuss mental health; specifically, anxiety and depression. What options are available to Christians who struggle with these diseases? How can a person seek treatment in a faith-informed way?The information in this podcast is not intended to diagnose or treat specific diseases. As we will discuss in the podcast, we encourage you to consult with a physician or licensed mental health professional about your specific situation.In this podcast we discuss:J.P.’s journey in deali...2023-01-1554 minCollege Faith#28: Determining God’s Will For Your CareerThe college years are pivotal in determining a career path. Beginning with choosing a college and then choosing a major, and often even a specialization, students are faced with many important decisions. It is often challenging for the Christian student trying to discern God’s will in these career choices. It involves determining your calling and having the courage to follow that path. I discuss this with Dr. Gordon Smith, president of Ambrose University and author of Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Gordon’s own wrestling with career questions lead him to writ...2023-01-0158 minThinking Christianly#18: Why it Matters That Jesus Was Really and Fully HumanIn this podcast we discuss why the Incarnation is so important, and how the ever-present idea of Gnosticism impacts our view of the incarnation of Christ. We discuss why Christians should reject the view that the material world is evil, and how to embrace the material world in a God-honoring way.
In this podcast we discuss:
Why does it matter that Jesus came to earth as a human person?
How can a shift in our understanding about the incarnation help us participate in the miraculous works of Christ in our everyday lives?
What is Gnosticism and why does our response...2022-12-1554 minCollege Faith#27: How To Read a BookReading is a big part of every student’s life, and so today’s topic is how to read a book. To discuss this with me is Cherie Harder. She not only loves books and reading, but a big part of her role as President of the Trinity Forum is helping others learn to read well and love books as much as she does.
In this podcast we discuss:
Why Cherie loves books
Tips to help students read effectively (to understand well)
Some of the challenges to reading well in our day of social media
Reading different types of books diff...2022-12-0157 minThinking Christianly#17: On Dying Well Part IIIn this episode, J.P. and Stan continue discussing a path toward ethical clarity through the complex conversations surrounding death and dying. In this podcast we discuss: Is death a process or an event?What are the major distinctions and implications between the two views of how the body and soul are “connected”?What is the difference between having consciousness because of the soul and being alive because of the soul?How do we evaluate issues in medicine in light of J.P. and Stan’s understanding of the soul-body relationship?Can our identity be sustained until the final resurrection, even af...2022-11-1543 minCollege Faith#26: The Role of Spiritual Disciplines and Directors in Spiritual FormationMy guest today is Dr. Nita Kotiuga, Director of Spiritual Formation at Bakke Graduate University. Nita began to think seriously about being formed in the image of Christ during her college years while involved with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. She then served on InterVarsity staff for six years, sharing with students what she had learned about developing intimacy with Christ. So interested was she in understanding and living in light of biblical truth that she went on to earn graduate degrees in theology and spiritual formation, which have positioned her well for her current role.
In this podcast we discuss:
What i...2022-11-011h 06Thinking Christianly#16: On Dying Well (Part 1)In this episode, J.P. and Stan discuss a path for ethical clarity through the complex conversations surrounding death and dying.
In this podcast we discuss:
The two ways to define a person: functional and ontological
What is life? How to gain clarity by asking the most fundamental question
How to avoid unhelpful definitions and category fallacies when discussing death and dying
The uniquely modern problem of distance from death
How J.P.’s experience facing cancer encouraged him to dig deeper into a study of life after death
Where we see the suppressed emotions and anxiety over mortality impacting our...2022-10-1549 minCollege Faith#25: The Reasonableness of Faith: Why Students Should Study ApologeticsMy guest is Dr. Paul Copan, a noted defender of the faith and professor of philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Paul has authored over a dozen books on apologetics, as well as edited and contributed to many more. He is with me today to discuss this vitally important topic of, in the words of Peter, “giving a reason for the hope within.” (I Peter 3:15)
In this podcast we discuss:
What is “apologetics”?
How Paul got interested in studying apologetics
Why it is important all Christian students understand apologetics
Understanding Christianity as a “knowledge tradition” rather than just a “belief tradition”
Why...2022-10-0157 minThinking Christianly#15: Abortion: Asking The Right Questions in the Right OrderIn this episode, J.P. and Stan discuss a path for moral clarity through the complex conversations surrounding the abortion conversation. In this podcast we discuss: What does it mean to discuss something in the morally relevant sense?What is "it" at the center of the controversy? How to gain clarity by asking the most fundamental question.How to approach complex issues when values conflict.The two ways to define a person: functional and ontological.How to parse out exceptional cases in order to get at the morality of an issue.What does Augustine and Locke’s view of ‘ownership’ have to...2022-09-1549 minCollege Faith#24: Why Christian Students Must Understand Their and Other’s WorldviewsMy guest today is Mike Schutt, Executive Director of the Worldview Academy. Mike has been thinking, writing, and consulting on worldview formation for over 30 years, including helping law students bring their worldview into the practice of law. His thoughts on worldview and Law have been published in his Redeeming Law: Christian Calling and the Legal Profession (InterVarsity Press, 2007).
In this podcast we discuss:
What a worldview is
Why it is so important to understand worldviews
The benefits of living according to the biblical worldview
How Mike discovered the importance of worldviews during college
How worldview issues permeate all university classes
W...2022-09-0155 minCollege Faith#23: How To Watch A Movie, Using Top Gun: Maverick as an ExampleMy guest in this episode is Dr. Drew Trotter. Drew has been speaking on the intersection of “Faith and Film” for several decades in various contexts, weaving together his love of film and his theological training. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from the University of Cambridge.
I’ve asked Drew to help us understand how to watch a movie well, and model this as he reflects on the recent box-office hit Top Gun, Maverick.
In this podcast we discuss:
Why Drew began evaluating movies as a college...2022-08-0156 minCollege Faith#22: Critical Theories: The Good, The Bad, and The UglyMy guest in this episode is Dr. Mary Poplin. Several months ago she and I discussed her excellent book Is Reality Secular? As we concluded she mentioned that for the past four decades she has been observing Critical Theories develop in higher education, and was herself an early proponent. For the past three decades she has been working to understand and evaluate Critical Theories from a Christian perspective. Given her background and extensive reflection on this topic, I can think of no one better able to help us understand and evaluate these very popular perspectives reverberating throughout higher education and...2022-07-0134 minCollege Faith#21: Reframing the “Evolution or Creation” Debate?My guest today is Dr. Charles Thaxton, a chemist who is one of the founders of a movement that reframed the debate over evolution and creation. He co-authored The Mystery of Life’s Origin: Reassessing Current Theories, which sparked what has come to be known as the “Intelligent Design” movement in the study of origins. This reframing of the creation/evolution debate has both strong supporters and strong critics. In our conversation we delve into exactly what “ID” is and is not, the data that supports this approach to origins, what critiques are made of this approach, and how he responds t...2022-06-0126 minThinking Christianly#14: The Resurrection and Post-Resurrection Appearances of ChristIn this podcast we discuss:
What does it mean that Christianity is “verifiable” and “falsifiable”?
Minimal Facts Approach - What are the historical facts that are generally agreed upon by Christians and non-Christians alike?
Are the accounts of those who saw the resurrected Jesus likely to be accurate? What are the discontinuities between the gospel accounts and mythological writing?
What are continuities and discontinuities with Jesus’s body pre-resurrection and post-resurrection?
What should we make of the stories of people rising to life around the time that Jesus died?
Is it possible to present evidence that Jesus of Nazareth is Yahweh, th...2022-05-1549 minCollege Faith#20: How Christian Study Centers Minister to University StudentsToday I’m concluding my four-episode series on campus ministries. My guest is Karl Johnson, the Executive Director of the Consortium of Christian Study Centers, a unique initiative to minister to students on campuses throughout the U.S.
In this podcast we discuss:
Karl’s struggle to integrate his faith and studies while at Cornell
Why and how Karl established a Christian Study Center at Cornell (Chesterton House)
“Residential ministry” as a focus of Chesterton House
What Christian study centers are and their core ministry to students
Where and how to find a Christian study center
The history of Christian Study Ce...2022-05-0158 minThinking Christianly#13: Professors Who “Think Christianly”: The Mission of Global ScholarsIn this first podcast of our second year, Jordan takes time to learn more about our sponsor Global Scholars. She gets the backstory of how the mission of this podcast and that of Global Scholars complement one another by interviewing Stan, who serves as President and CEO. Along the way are many great stories of how God is at work today in higher education globally.
In this podcast we discuss:
How professors influence their students to either seek Christ or reject Christ
How professors influence culture through what they teach their students
The estimated percentage of professors worldwide who are...2022-04-1536 minCollege Faith#19: Is Reality Secular? A Former Secular-Progressive Professor Says No!Dr. Mary Poplin was a self-described “radical progressive Marxist” professor before coming to faith in Christ by meeting Jesus in a dream. Since then she has worked tirelessly to integrate biblical truth and the field of education as a professor of Education at the Claremont Graduate University. She has also authored numerous books on Christianity and higher education. Here we talk about her most recent book Is Reality Secular? Testing the Assumptions of Four Global Worldviews.
In this podcast we discuss:
Defining a “worldview”
How she identified the four worldviews and decided to write about them
Summarizing the four worldviews: Materialis...2022-04-0155 minThinking Christianly#12: The Problem of NihilismAs we watch the invasion of Ukraine in horror, we wonder what could possess Putin to use force so ruthlessly and indiscriminately. At least part of the answer lies in a philosophy of life that runs back through many other despots and finds it roots in the writings on Nietzsche. In this episode, Stan and JP discuss how pervasive the philosophy of Nihilism has come to be in shaping our daily lives, from the individual to the global level.
In this podcast we discuss:
What is Nihilism?
Nihilism in the trajectory of history
How Nihilism follows from the rejection of...2022-03-1549 minCollege Faith#18: How The Navigators Minister to University StudentsIn this episode I continue my series on campus ministries. My guest is Ben Nugent, the National Director of the The Navigator’s campus ministry. As a Navigator staff for 21 years, Ben not only brings the perspective of a senior leader of the ministry to our conversation, but many years in Navigator campus ministry himself. He is the best person I know of to help understand how the Navigators minister to university students.
In this podcast we discuss:
How Ben first got involved in The Navigators
How The Navigators began
The number and type of universities where The Navigators serve
The...2022-03-011h 14Thinking Christianly#11: Is New Always Better? The Temptation to be a Chronological SnobC.S. Lewis defined chronological snobbery as “...the uncritical acceptance of the intellectual climate of our age and the assumption that whatever has gone out of date is on that count discredited.” In this podcast, Stan and JP talk about this idea as a danger to Christians seeking to become mature in their faith, practical tips to wisely discern the value of old ideas, and how to rethink some of our modern assumptions.In this podcast we discuss: The idea of “chronological snobbery”The necessity of reading beyond our own time and placeHow our cultural chronological snobbery thwarts our search for happ...2022-02-1547 minCollege Faith#17: A College Student’s Guide to Sex, Love, and RelationshipsWelcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Dr. Sean McDowell, Associate Professor of Christian Apologetics at the Talbot School of Theology, Biola University.
Sean recently wrote Chasing Love: Sex, Love, and Relationships in a Confused Culture. Since every college student I’ve ever known wonders about and struggles with everything in this books’ title, I’ve invited Sean onto the show to share his wisdom on these issues with you.
In this podcast we discuss:
Why Sean wrote this book, and how it can help students navigate sexual issues
Why there...2022-02-0158 minThinking Christianly#10: Why Pray?Prayer is an important part of how we engage in relationship with God. It remains, however, a mysterious practice to many Christians. In this episode, Stan and JP discuss key beliefs about the role of prayer in the life of the believer. They investigate the purpose of prayer and why so many Christians feel frustration around the discipline of prayer.In this podcast we discuss: What prayer isThe relationship of prayer to God’s foreknowledgeHow we should understand unanswered prayer and disappointment with GodWhy God doesn’t interfere with our free willPrayer pitfalls: hat untrue ideas we might have about pray...2022-01-1852 minCollege Faith#16: How CRU Ministers to University StudentsThis is the second podcast in a series I’m doing on campus ministries. I am interviewing a leader from each, asking them the same questions so that you have an “apples to apples” comparison of the different ministries’ Missions, emphases, distinctives, approaches, and cultures.
In this episode I interview a leader with CRU’s campus ministry. He is the first guest I’ve had on the show twice. You first met Roger Hershey when we discussed his book The Finishers on Episode #13. As perhaps the longest-serving staff in CRU’s Campus Ministry (now in his 50th year), I can think of no on...2022-01-011h 01Thinking Christianly#9: A Simple Guide to Experience MiraclesOn this episode of the Thinking Christianly podcast, we have the privilege of discussing J.P.’s newly released book, A Simple Guide to Experience Miracles. Jordan, J.P., and Stan share stories from their lives and the lives of others and evaluate whether or not the experience is a miracle or merely a coincidence. You will be encouraged and challenged by this conversation about God’s work in our day-to-day lives!In this podcast we discuss: The five types of miraclesHow to evaluate supernatural experiences with faith and reasonStories of God at workWhy we should talk with others about how...2021-12-1556 minCollege Faith#15: How To Respond When Your Faith is Challenged in ClassMy guest for this episode is Dr. Tim Muehlhoff, professor of Communication at Biola University. His research, writing, speaking, and consulting focuses on how to have healthy and productive conversations with others, from the home to the church to the university to the public square.
Due to his understanding of communication theory, as well as spending many years earning three degrees in public universities, I can think of no one better to help us understand our topic today!
In this podcast we discuss:
How the wrong choice of words can easy sabotage communication and relationships
Why he began researching how to...2021-12-011h 03Thinking Christianly#8: What is the Soul, and Why Should We Care? (Part 2)JP and Stan continue their conversation on the nature of the soul, the many implications of us being a soul, and objections to substance dualism.
In this podcast we discuss:
Ethical decision making in light of substance dualism
Why the soul is the only grounding for our intrinsic value
The centrality of substance dualism to ethical issues at the beginning, during, and end of life
Contemporary conversations around the question, “What are we?”
Why the soul is needed to make the body valuable
What happens when the body and soul are separated at death
How horror genres often assume substance dual...2021-11-1549 minCollege Faith#14: How InterVarsity/USA Ministers to University StudentsWelcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars This is the first in a series I’m doing on campus ministries. Over the next six months or so I will be interviewing a leader from each of the major campus ministries, asking them the same questions so that you can have an “apples to apples” comparison of the different ministries’ Missions, emphases, distinctives, approaches, and cultures.
I’m beginning this series by interviewing a leader with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. My guest is Mr. Greg Jao, Executive Vice President--Communications & Mobilization. Greg has over two decades of experience...2021-11-011h 08Thinking Christianly#7: What is the Soul, and Why Should We Care?A famous hymn is titled “It Is Well With My Soul.” What is this mysterious thing we refer to often, but have a hard time defining and an even harder time understanding? How is our soul different from our body and yet interact with our body? And why is it so important to have good answers to these questions? In this episode we tackle these tough issues, and draw out some of the practical implications related to understanding of life, death, the afterlife, and the person of Christ.In this podcast we discuss: What Scripture teaches about the soul (technically, “Substa...2021-10-1500 minCollege Faith#13: Being Part of God’s Greater Plan – Roger HersheyWelcome to another edition of the College Faith Podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Roger Hershey, a national traveling speaker and campus ministry consultant with Cru. Roger has ministered to university students for 50 years now, sharing truths and wisdom that has changed the lives of thousands of students. I know this firsthand, because I was one who, now four decades ago, had the privilege of being discipled by Roger while a student at Miami University. I am thrilled to have Roger on the show and have him share some of his wisdom on this podcast.
In this p...2021-10-0158 minThinking Christianly#6: What is Human Flourishing and How Do We Achieve It?Understanding what we are answers many other questions, including the nature and means of flourishing as a human being. In this episode, J.P. and Stan describe human flourishing and endeavour to reclaim the idea of flourishing as an aim beyond pleasure or mere happiness.In this podcast we discuss: What it means to be made in the “Image of God”What types of capacities and powers we share, to a limited degree, with GodWhy only the Judeo-Christian worldview sees individuals as intrinsically valuableImplications of our intrinsic value for biomedical ethics and for judging other culture’s valuesWhy being a human...2021-09-1500 minCollege Faith#12: The Art and Science of Being an Excellent StudentWelcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Dr. Perry Glanzer, Professor of Education at Baylor University. In this episode we discuss the ins and outs of being an excellent student, which goes far beyond just earning good grades.
Perry earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, and is Baylor’s Professor of Educational Foundations, as well as a Resident Scholar with Baylor’s Institute for Studies in Religion. He has authored, co-authored, or edited a number of important books on the integration of biblical truth and academic studie...2021-09-0139 minThinking Christianly#5: Can We Trust the Bible Completely?In this episode we discuss what it means that the Christian Scriptures are “without error.” With appropriate nuance and caveats given, the concept of biblical inerrancy is supported with the use of reason and logical argumentation. JP and Stan also discuss some of the false and/or poorly reasoned arguments made both for and against inerrancy.In this podcast we discuss:What the position on Scripture referred to as “inerrancy” entails.Why the inerrancy of Scripture is essential for human flourishing and the common good.Evaluating the claim, “Christianity is really just about a relationship with God, not these types of issues...2021-08-1556 minCollege Faith#11: Surviving Religion 101 – Dr. Michael KrugerWelcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Dr. Michael Kruger, President of Reformed Seminary-Charlotte and author of Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College. Dr. Kruger wrote this book for his daughter, who is now a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, sharing what he wished he understood as a young believer and a student there thirty years ago, as his faith was challenged by his religion professor. Now an accomplished scholar, he is able to offer much wisdom to his daughter Emma, and so many...2021-08-0147 minThinking Christianly#4: Should We Return To “In-Person” Church?As COVID restrictions are being lifted in the U.S., we are once again able to attend church in person. However, after twelve to eighteen months participating in church services online, many believers are wondering if they should return, or just continue attending online services. JP and Stan discuss some of the reasons many are asking this question, which leads them to discuss what the church is and why it exists. Principles are identified and conclusions drawn concerning if and how believers should understand church involvement.More specifically, in this podcast we discuss: Challenges local churches face as COVID restrictions e...2021-07-1555 minCollege Faith#10: How Asking Good Questions Helps Us Succeed – Dr. Randy NewmanIn this episode I talk with Dr. Randy Newman about the importance of asking good questions. Whether it be in class, in relationships, or in conversations about our faith, the ability to ask the right questions is often the key to great conversations, learning, and growth.
Randy is one of the best “question-askers” I know. He has shared some of his wisdom on this topic as it relates to sharing the good news of the gospel with others in his popular book Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts The Way Jesus Did. We begin with the principles he shares in this bo...2021-07-011h 13Thinking Christianly#3: What Does “Thinking Christianly” Mean?In this episode, we’re defining what we mean when we say “thinking Christianly.” We discuss:What does the faculty of “thinking” entail?The difference between the mind and the brain and how they both relate to the soulHow to integrate faith and learningDifferent kinds of knowledge and how to seek wisdom beyond the Christian worldviewMaking right distinctions and how to make sense of false dichotomiesThe state of Christian higher education and a word of hopeResources mentioned during our conversation:Dallas Willard in "The Allure of Gentleness": "...reality can be described as what we humans run into when we are wrong..."Y...2021-06-1542 minCollege Faith#9: How to Get Better Grades…And Have More Fun! – Dr. Phil BishopMy guest on this episode is Dr. Phil Bishop, emeritus professor of Kinesiology at the University of Alabama, where he taught for 34 years. In 2006 he was appointed the first professorship at Alabama named after Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. (For more see his “Meet The Prof” page, and his personal page.)
As a Christian professor, Phil most enjoys the opportunity he has to love and care for his students. One of the ways he shows this love is speaking often on how to succeed at college, and at life! His talk, “How To Get Better Grades and Have More Fun,” is full of extr...2021-06-0158 minThinking Christianly#2: What the Bible Says About “Thinking Christianly”In this episode, we’re making a Biblical case for the role of reason in Christianity. We discuss:How Scripture makes a clear case for the role of reason in our spiritual livesThe way evidential reasoning is present in ScriptureHow to avoid confusing total knowledge with genuine knowledgeThe difference between the use and abuse of reasonWhy we can trust that God doesn’t use a different kind of logic than oursOvercoming objections to the reasonable study of scriptureThe harmony in Paul’s writings on reason and argumentationHow we participate in the renewal of our mindResources mentioned during our conversation:Love Your G...2021-05-1559 minCollege Faith#8: How Students Succeed at the Intersection of Christian Conviction and Higher Education – Dr. Ken ElzingaDr. Ken Elzinga is the Robert C. Taylor Professor of Economics at University of Virginia. As a professor at UVA for over 50 years now, he has nurtured several generations of students. Christian and non-Christian students alike have benefitted from his gentle, Christlike spirit, his winsome manner, and his extraordinary wisdom. He is the type of professor we all hope and pray our children will have--someone who cares deeply about both their minds and hearts.
Dr. Elzinga has been able to have such an influence on so many students due to his commitment to excellence in his calling as a professor...2021-05-011h 03Thinking Christianly#1: Have We Lost Our Minds?Loving God with our whole person, including our minds, used to be true of most Christians. But this is no longer the case. This stunts our spiritual growth. It also severely limits our ability to influence our culture.How did this shift occur? In this inaugural episode, Stan, J.P., and Jordan discuss some of the factors that led to this shift, the ways we see this manifest in our lives and churches today, and why we should seek once again to integrate faith and reason.In this podcast we discuss: How JP and Stan met and developed a friendshipHow b...2021-04-0643 minCollege Faith#7: The Three Necessary Ingredients to Grow Your Faith in College – Dr. Steven GarberDuring his many years in ministry to students Steve noticed some thrived spiritually, while others did not. He began studying what the common factors were that caused students to thrive, eventually earning a PhD in the philosophy of learning at Penn State University.
His research led to his first book, The Fabric of Faithfulness: Weaving Together Belief & Behavior During the University Years, where he discusses the three critical success factors he identified. Now almost three decades later, The Fabric of Faithfulness continues to be widely read and these three principles continue to help countless students flourish as Christians during their u...2021-04-0151 minCollege Faith#6: How to Choose a College – Dr. David WunderChoosing a college or university is one of the most important decisions we make in life. It is also one of the most challenging decisions we will ever face. With so many options available and issues to consider, the process can seem overwhelming. In this podcast, I discuss many of the issues to consider with Dr. David Wunder, Dean of Faculty Development and Research Initiatives at Calvin University.
Dr. Wunder became serious about his faith as a sophomore in high school and headed off to college eager to grow both intellectually and spiritually. He chose to attend a small public...2021-03-0142 minCollege Faith#5: A Practical Guide to Navigating University Culture – John StonestreetChristian students are called, as are all Christians, to be “in the world but not of it." Yet doing so is much easier said than done, and sometimes much harder on university campuses. To help students in this, John Stonestreet and I discuss his and Brett Kunkle’s recent book, A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World.
John holds a master of arts in Christian thought from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (IL) where he graduated with honors. He currently serves as president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. John is a sought-after author and sp...2021-02-0151 minCollege Faith#4: Learning Well in the Virtual Environment – Pete MarraWe are undergoing a virtual learning revolution, as the COVID pandemic and the prevalence of technology intersect, leading universities to move most or all of their classes online. This presents new challenges, as well as new opportunities, for students. My guest helps us understand the implications of this new reality, and how students can flourish in this digital learning environment.
Pete Marra has nearly twenty years of experience helping students learn well in the online context in primary, secondary, and tertiary education. He has been involved in building online learning platforms and started his own technology company focused on digital l...2021-01-0149 minCollege Faith#3: Higher Education 101: How Universities Came to Be and How They Work – Dr. Liam AtchisonThe better we understand higher education, the better we can navigate the university years well and flourish in both heart and mind. My guest today is a historian who understands the forces that caused and continue to shape higher education. He also has a wide range of experience working in higher education, giving him unusual insights into how universities work today, and how students can avoid the pitfalls as well as capitalize on the opportunities universities offer.
Liam J. Atchison, Ph.D. has a Th.M. in Systematic Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in History from...2020-11-2649 minCollege Faith#2: Thriving as a Christian at a Secular University – Dr. Christy Moran CraftChristian students at public universities face unique challenges, as well as unique opportunities. Whether a student thrives in this environment depends on many factors, including how they engage this "marketplace of ideas." Knowing how best to respond when one's worldview is challenged is an important skill to develop. Dr. Craft is most interested in is preparing students to engage in this "marketplace of ideas"--both inside and outside the classroom--on issues such as social justice, diversity and inclusion training, and LGBTQ+ questions.
Dr. Christy Moran Craft is a professor and interim department chair in the College of Education at Kansas St...2020-11-041h 00College Faith#1: How University Students Can Love God with Their Minds – Dr. JP MorelandUnderstanding the importance of loving God with the mind as well as the heart is foundational for flourishing during the university years. My guest in this inaugural show is Dr. J.P. Moreland. We discuss themes in his book Love Your God with All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul.
Dr. Moreland is Distinguished Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He has spoken to students and professors on over 175 campuses, and has authored, edited, or contributed to over 90 books and over 85 academic journal articles. In 2019 he was named one of...2020-10-291h 00