What is the state of religious freedom in the US? What about those who claim that religious freedom is sometime seen as code for bigotry and discrimination, inconsistent with some trends toward justice? What are the main challenges to religious freedom in the West today? We’ll answer these questions and more with our guest and good friend, Baylor University Professor Dr. Frank Beckwith.

Dr. Frank Beckwith is Professor of Philosophy & Church-State Studies at Baylor University, where he also serves as Associate Director of the Graduate Program in Philosophy, Affiliate Professor of Political Science, and Resident Scholar in Baylor’s Institute for Studies of Religion (ISR). He is the author of numerous books in philosophy, apologetics, political science and church-state relations.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

Topics of discussion this week:

• 80th Anniversary of Auschwitz’s Liberation – Reflecting on the horrors of the Holocaust, the importance of remembering history, and the moral lessons Auschwitz teaches us today.
• School Choice on the Rise – 2025 may be the tipping point for school choice in the U.S., as more states adopt policies that expand educational options for families.
• The Decline of DEI? – Reports show that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives are being reconsidered, with concerns about their effectiveness and impact on institutions like the military and universities.
• Can You Believe in Jesus and Buddha? – Addressing a listener’s question about whether the teachings of Jesus and Buddha are compatible, and how to navigate those discussions.
• Disabilities and Eternity – If disabilities are removed in the final resurrection, does that mean those with disabilities today are missing something essential?
• Should Christians Watch Horror Movies? – How should believers decide what’s okay to watch? A conversation on discernment, storytelling, and biblical principles in entertainment.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

What does it mean to have a healthy calling? Why are people who view their work as a calling more vulnerable to burnout? How do you know when your work has given way to idolatry? We’ll discuss these questions and much more with our Biola communications colleague, Dr. Ariana Molloy, around her new book, Healthy Calling: From Toxic Burnout to Sustainable Work.

Dr. Arianna Molloy (Ph.D., University of Denver, CO) is an Associate Professor of Organizational Communication in the Division of Communication at Biola University. Dr. Molloy's research focuses on meaningful work, work as a calling, having published in premier journals such the International Journal of Business Communication, Communication Studies, Journal of Management, Spirituality, and Religion. She also works as a communication consultant for organizations such as Chick-fil-A, as well as business professionals, and ministries.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

Scott is joined by Erik Thoennes to discuss:

• Religious Elements in Presidential Inaugurations: A discussion on the profound religious traditions embedded in the U.S. presidential inauguration, highlighting the inclusion of clergy, prayers, and hymns, and their connection to America's cultural and historical fabric.
• Christian Players in the National Championship: Exploration of faith in sports, as prominent Christian athletes publicly credited God, raising questions about divine intervention and faith's role in competitive events.
• Moral Intuitions of a Liberal Atheist: Reflection on a liberal atheist grappling with the sanctity of life, surrogacy, and prenatal ethics, demonstrating how moral intuitions often intersect with theological principles.
• The Ethics of Hormone-Blocking Drugs: Tackling the complex issue of administering hormone-blocking drugs to sex offenders, balancing public safety with ethical concerns and the individual's dignity.
• Hostage Negotiations and Just War Theory: A deep dive into the moral and theological principles surrounding hostage deals, weighing the sanctity of life against potential future consequences.
• God’s Sovereignty in Human Affairs: Insightful discussions on God's role in both monumental and mundane aspects of life, encouraging trust in divine wisdom amid human uncertainties.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

How can Christians think biblically about TV and movies? What kinds of entertainment should Christians consume? And can Christians survive and thrive in Hollywood today? These are the kinds of questions Sean and Scott ask their special guest, Biola professor and dean Tom Halleen, who has worked as an executive in Hollywood for over three decades.

Tom Halleen, former executive vice president of programming strategy, acquisitions and scheduling at AMC Networks, is the founding dean of Biola’s Snyder School of Cinema and Media Arts. Through his nearly 30 years as an entertainment industry executive, Halleen has experience in all divisions of programming national television networks including acquisitions, scheduling, development, production, operations, viewer services, research, legal, standards and practices, and promo/media planning. Throughout his career, Halleen has negotiated for the acquisition of over $1 billion in series, specials and movies.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

This week, Scott & Sean discuss:

• Biblical Perspective on Southern California Fires
  Exploring the theological implications of natural disasters, addressing questions about God's sovereignty and goodness amidst tragedy.
  
  
• Rising Global Anti-Semitism
  Report showing an alarming increase in anti-Semitic sentiments worldwide, especially among younger generations, and highlights the role of social media in spreading these views.
  
  
• Pharmacists Prescribing Abortion Pills
  Examines the new policy in Washington State and its broader implications, including ethical, medical, and biblical perspectives.
  
  
• Listener Questions
  On human rights, biblical definitions of flourishing, and the church's responsibility to address poverty and inequality.
  
  

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

What does it mean to engage Jesus with our senses? What is an embodied approach to studying the life of Jesus as opposed to the way we normally read the gospel accounts? How could this change the way we encounter Jesus in the gospels? We’ll discuss these questions and more with our guest, Talbot colleague Jeannine Hanger in her new book, Engaging Jesus with Our Senses.

Dr. Jeannine Hanger is Associate Professor of New Testament at Talbot. She has a Ph.D. from the University of Aberdeen, and is scholar in residence at Coastline
Covenant Church in Southern California.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.

For the first week of the new year, Sean & Scott discuss:

• Update on the wildfires in Southern California.
• Atheist author argues that true Christianity is key to saving America.
• The California Senate revisits expanding aid-in-dying laws to include dementia and Alzheimer's patients.
• AI’s role in selecting embryos raises significant ethical and moral questions about life and reproduction.
• Listener Response to Jim Daly on singleness
• Listener Question: Responsibility to leave inheritance to a child living a life you don't agree with.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.
Watch video episodes at: https://bit.ly/think-biblically-video.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.