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Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing World
James SpencerChristians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.
Find more from James at https://usefultogod.com/.
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David Richardson
June 27, 2024 - 61 min
In this episode, James speaks with David Richardson of The Assumptions Institute. James and David talk about critical thinking, the necessity of questioning assumptions, and the importance of pointing other toward reality. They also discuss the shortcomings of Christian worldview. To connect with James, visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us. You can find more information on the Assumptions Institute at learntodiscern.com/thinkingchristian. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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How Matthew 6 Can Help Us Think about the Things We Do (and How We Do Them)
June 24, 2024 - 23 min
In this week's devotional, James considers Matthew 6 and its potential to help Christians think through the various practices in which they are engaged. James encourages us not just to ask whether or not we should engage in a particular practice, but how we should engage in it. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Thinking Christian about Social Media (and Technology) with the Surgeon General
June 21, 2024 - 12 min
In this episode of Thinking Christian, James interacts with an essay published on June 17, 2024, in which the surgeon general calls for warning labels on social media. James discusses the importance of this call and the need for us to pause and think about the ways technology may be hindering us from conforming more closely to the image of Christ. You can view the Surgeon General's essay here. To read his previous advisory, click here. James also has an opinion piece dealing with the advisory at Christian Post. For more on technology from James, check out the following resources and visit usefultogod.com. Be sure to check out James's 20 Questions: Christian Resistance, Technology, and Artificial Intelligence. https://www.thinkingchristianpodcast.com/christians-think-human/ https://www.thinkingchristianpodcast.com/how-should-we-think-about-kids-and-technology-a-conversation-with-david-eaton/ https://www.thinkingchristianpodcast.com/thinking-christian-about-family-and-technology-use-a-conversation-with-krista-boan/ Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Thinking about Theology and the Creative Process: An Interview with Jason Gray
June 20, 2024 - 67 min
In this episode, James and Nate welcome Jason Gray. Jason is a Christian recording artist and deep thinker. James, Nate, and Jason discuss the creative process, Jason's musical influences, and the way that Jason goes about writing songs. They also discuss Jason's forthcoming book and some of his other musical offerings. To connect with James, visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us. You can find out more about Jason Gray at https://www.jasongraymusic.com/. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Thinking about Distractions with Mary, Martha, and Jesus
June 17, 2024 - 17 min
In this first weekly devotional, James discusses distractions and the way they hinder us from listening to the teachings of Jesus. Considering Luke 10:38-42, James encourages listeners to recognize that Jesus is infinitely more relevant than any other actor or factor we will ever encounter.
To connect with James and to find additional content, like the 30-Days in the Gospels Reading Plan or the Walk Through the Gospels course, visit, usefultogod.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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How Should Christians Think about Human Flourishing: A Conversation with Joshua Jipp
June 13, 2024 - 53 min
In this episode, James welcomes Joshua Jipp. Joshua is Professor of New Testament and Director of the Henry Center for Theological Understanding. He is also the author of Pauline Theology as a Way of Life: A Vision of Human Flourishing in Christ. Joshua and James discuss various vision of human flourishing and the necessity of Christ for human flourishing. They also discuss what sort of practices are necessary to conforming more closely to the image of Christ. To connect with James, visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us. You can get Joshua Jipp's Pauline Theology as a Way of Life at amazon.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Announcement about Upcoming Episodes of Thinking Christian
June 10, 2024 - 0 min
Beginning June 17th, James will be releasing weekly devotionals every Monday as part of the Thinking Christian line-up. Subscribe to Thinking Christian on your favorite podcasting platform or visit www.thinkingchristianpodcast.com. You can find out more about James and Useful to God at www.usefultogod.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Thinking about Our Fast-Paced Lives: A Conversation with Jody Grubbs
June 6, 2024 - 55 min
In this episode, James hosts author and slow-living activist Jodi Grubbs to discuss her book titled Live Slowly: A Gentle Invitation to Exale. Jodi and James discuss the various ways our world pushes us to move more quickly and take on more than our capacities will allow. They also talk about the church and how community, presence, and intentionality are crucial to develop a cadence of life that allows us to know God, others, and ourselves. To connect with James and Useful to God Ministries, visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us. You can find out more about Jodi at https://jodigrubbs.com/. Her book is available at https://www.ivpress.com/live-slowly (enter IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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How Should Christians think about the "Bro Code": A Conversation with Katelyn Beaty
June 4, 2024 - 55 min
In this episode, James sits down with journalist, author, and podcaster Katelyn Beaty to discuss her series of essays on her substack "The Beaty Beat" about the "Evangelical Bro Code." They consider the various components of the bro code, possible solutions to the bro code, and the ways the bro code negatively impact both women and men. For more from Katelyn subscribe to The Beaty Beat at https://katelynbeaty.substack.com/. You can also listed to more conversations from Katelyn on her podcast Saved by the City or purchase Celebrities for Jesus: How Personas, Platforms, and Profits Are Hurting the Church on amazon.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
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Thinking about the Awkward Conversation of Prayer: A Conversation with John Koessler
May 29, 2024 - 56 min
In this episode, James sits down with his friend John Koessler to talk about prayer. In addition to being a retired faculty emiritus from the Moody Bible Institute, John is an award-winning writer and podcaster whose work has been featured in Christianity Today and Our Daily Bread. James and John discuss John's recent work When God is Silent: Let the Bible Teach You to Pray. They consider a variety of topics including prayer and anger, the need for transparency and authenticity in prayer, and the importance of acknowledging one's own personality as they approach God in prayer. You can get John's book on amazon.com or at his website johnkoessler.com where you can also find free resources designed to go along with When God Is Silent for use in small group study. There is also a link for a discount on When God is Silent at johnkoessler.com. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.
Meet Your Host
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Meet Your Host
James Spencer earned his Ph.D. in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He believes discipleship will open up opportunities beyond anything God’s people could accomplish through their own wit and wisdom. As such, James seeks to help believers think Christianly about social, cultural, and political assumptions. His desire is to see Christians test God by trusting God so that they conform ever more closely to the image of Christ.
In addition to being a regular contributor to Christianity.com and Washingtontimes.com, James has published multiple works, including Christian Resistance: Learnign to Defy the World and Follow Christ, Useful to God: Eight Lessons from the Life of D.L. Moody, Thinking Christian: Essays on Testimony, Accountability, and the Christian Mind, and Trajectories: A Gospel-Centered Introduction to Old Testament Theology.
James currently serves as president of the D. L. Moody Center, an adjunct instructor at Wheaton College Graduate School, and faculty member at Right On Mission.
You can find out more about James at his personal website www.jamesspencer.com.
In addition to being a regular contributor to Christianity.com and Washingtontimes.com, James has published multiple works, including Christian Resistance: Learnign to Defy the World and Follow Christ, Useful to God: Eight Lessons from the Life of D.L. Moody, Thinking Christian: Essays on Testimony, Accountability, and the Christian Mind, and Trajectories: A Gospel-Centered Introduction to Old Testament Theology.
James currently serves as president of the D. L. Moody Center, an adjunct instructor at Wheaton College Graduate School, and faculty member at Right On Mission.
You can find out more about James at his personal website www.jamesspencer.com.