Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing World

In this thought-provoking episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes Alex Kocman—missions leader and co-host of the Missions Podcast—for a wide-ranging conversation on immigration, national identity, and how Christians should engage politically without losing sight of Christ’s lordship. Together, they explore Augustine’s <...

What if the sacred-secular divide is more imagined than real? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with sociologist Elaine Howard Ecklund (Rice University) and business professor Denise Daniels (Wheaton College) to unpack insights from their groundbreaking book Working for Better: A New Approach to Faith at Work. Drawing on the lar...

What if our dating struggles, friendship breakdowns, and even church conflicts trace back not to technique—but to theology? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Erin Moniz—Anglican deacon, Baylor chaplain, and author of Knowing and Being Known—to rethink Christian relationships from the ground up. They tackle...

What if the crushing weight of modern life isn't a bug in the system but a feature of a false belief? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Alan Noble to explore his compelling book, You Are Not Your Own. Together, they unpack why our culture's demand to “define yourself” leads to despair, and how belonging to Chr...

What do a detective novelist, a WWII radio drama, and a blockbuster film have in common? According to Dr. Crystal Downing — everything.

In this episode of Thinking Christian, I’m joined by Dr. Crystal Downing, former co-director of the Marion E. Wade Center and author of The Wages...

Is artificial intelligence just a tool — or are we slowly making it a partner in how we think, relate, and even worship?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, I sit down with Dr. Paul Hoffman — pastor, theologian, and co-author of AI Shepherds and Electric Sheep — to talk a...

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Nate Giarratano to unpack the rapid advance of artificial intelligence, a controversial 10-year moratorium on state regulation, and what it means for Christians navigating a tech-saturated world. From government policy and adolescent mental health to AI-generated “biblical” influencers and enhanced Olympic hopeful...

What does it look like to lead not just with strategy, but with soul? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer speaks with Laura Richter, executive advisor to various healthcare systems, about the quiet revolution happening in Catholic healthcare—mission integration. From executive formation rooted in Catholic social teaching to navigating ethical quandaries with theologians...

What if the next revival didn’t start in a church... but in a prison?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, I sit down with Romney Ruder, President of Lifeline Global Ministries, to explore how God is transforming lives behind bars. From the darkest corners of Angola State Prison to vibrant spiritual communities formed b...

Join Dr. James Spencer on the Thinking Christian Podcast with Dr. Ben Matthew, professor of clinical counseling, as they explore the complex topic of Christians and anxiety. This insightful discussion delves into biblical perspectives on worry and fear, distinguishes between normal concern and problematic anxiety, and offers practical guidance for believers. Learn how anxiety can be understood from both theological and psychologica...

Join Dr. James Spencer on the Thinking Christian Podcast with special guest Reverend Kyle Norman, author of Alive, Loved and Free: Finding Jesus When Faith Is Hard. In this heartfelt episode, Rev. Norman shares his personal journey through his wife's cancer diagnosis and how it reshaped his understanding of faith, prayer, and discouragement. Discover the importance of lament in the Christian life...

Join Dr. James Spencer on the Thinking Christian Podcast with Dr. Shane J. Wood, author of Thinning the Veil: Encountering Jesus Christ in the Book of Revelation. Dive into a unique perspective on Revelation that moves beyond end-times predictions to focus on a transformative encounter with Christ. Explore themes of John's loneliness on Patmos, the nature of persecution as pressure to conform, and how the revelation of Jesus Christ...

Why do so many ministry leaders fall—and how should the church respond when they do?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and co-host Nate Giarratano tackle the complex terrain of restoring leaders who’ve failed morally. Using the recent controversy involving Josh Buice as a springboard, they exp...

Join Dr. James Spencer on the Thinking Christian Podcast as he sits down with Dr. Stanley K. Ridgely, author of "DEI Exposed," for a critical examination of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Discover why Dr. Ridgely calls DEI the "biggest con of the 21st century," how it's impacting university campuses, and its ideological roots that categorize individuals into oppressors and victims. This episode delves into the Christian response...

In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast, Dr. James Spencer and Nate Giarratano explore the critical difference between false prophets and false teachers in Scripture. Learn practical biblical discernment tools to evaluate theological claims, understand how to distinguish between doctrinal mistakes and deliberate false teaching, and discover why aligning with God's Word as your ultimate standard is essential for spiritual ...

This episode features Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave, who shares his remarkable 25-year journey in Christian music ministry. Mike reveals how God has consistently shown up in both celebratory milestones and devastating personal seasons, demonstrating that authentic ministry flows from personal encounter rather than performance.

Through powerful testimonies of lives transformed by music—including a neighbor's journey to faith ...

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes Bible teacher, author, and podcaster Lisa Harper for a rich, heartfelt conversation about her new book A Jesus-Shaped Life. Together, they explore how diving into theology isn’t about elitism or intellect—it’s about intimacy. Lisa shares stories...

In this special announcement, Dr. James Spencer shares details about the upcoming German Reformation Tour, running from October 30 to November 9, 2025. Explore the theological and political heritage of Germany with stops in Wittenberg, Munich, Nuremberg, and beyond. From the legacy of Martin Luther to the resistance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this unique tour blend...

In this episode, James Spencer and Nate Girarratano kick off a series on biblical manhood by asking a foundational question: What does it really mean to be a man under the authority of Christ? Too often, discipleship is confused with mentorship or reduced to checklists and programs. James and Nate reframe discipleship as the life-long process of learning to live in full submission to Jesus—...