Episodes

Dr. James Spencer welcomes Georgette Beck —author of Junk to Jewels: A Journey from Brokenness and Despair to Beauty and Delight and founder of the Bella Healing Hearts Foundation . Georgette shares her path from low self-worth, early marriage, and divorce to God’s steady restoration as a single mom and, later, in a blended family. We talk generational patterns (genograms), lament that turns to praise, the “limbo” years , and how community, counseling, Scripture, and small groups became lifeline...

James talks with Debbie D’Souza (co-writer/co-director) about the new film The Dragon’s Prophecy —why the project accelerated after Oct 7th, how Revelation 12’s “dragon” frames Israel’s story, what recent archaeology (City of David’s Pilgrimage Road, Pool of Siloam, Tel Dan, etc.) says about the Bible’s historicity, and why the filmmakers went on location near Gaza and at the Nova site. To get tickets to The Dragon's Prophecy, visit: www.thedragonsprophecyfilm.com . You can also find information...

Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Peter Y. Hong —federal prison chaplain and author of The Reconciliation of Humanity in Christ —to explore how a prison chapel became his living parable for our “shrinking” world. Peter describes ministry in a pluralistic, constrained space where Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus, Native American practitioners, and others share one room—and why respect, service, and patience often open gospel doors better than aggressive tactics. From the fall of the Berlin Wa...

Dr. James Spencer talks with Jonathan P. Walton —author of Beauty and Resistance and 12 Lies That Hold America Captive —about moving beyond “thinking Christian” to living as a Christian. Jonathan shares how grief, burnout, and hard family seasons pushed him from activism-on-adrenaline to formation and faithfulness : Sabbath as the minimum , annual “ Dope Day ” planning with his wife, building guardrails for generosity and time, embracing insignificance over platform, and choosing obedience even ...

Dr. James Spencer talks with Peter Greer —CEO/President of HOPE International and author of How Leaders Lose Their Way (and How to Make Sure It Doesn’t Happen to You) —about why organizations drift when leaders first drift personally , and how to course-correct. Peter unpacks the danger of identity in achievement , the difference between mission vs. methods , and why the stat that only 1 in 3 leaders finish well should sober us. We get practical: constellation mentoring (real accountability that...

Dr. James Spencer welcomes Dr. Mikel Del Rosario —theology professor at Moody Bible Institute , host of The Apologetics Guy podcast, and author of Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? —to explore Jesus’ divine self-understanding through both words and deeds. Rather than looking only for the exact phrase “I am God,” Mikel shows how Jesus acted and spoke as God in ways his opponents clearly grasped. We walk through Mark 2 (forgiving sins) and Mark 14 (Son of Man at God’s right hand; Daniel 7 + Psalm 1...

Dr. James Spencer welcomes Eun Strawser —author of You Were Never Meant to Lead Alone and co-vocational lead pastor of Ma Ke Ali o —to rethink church leadership through the lens of Ephesians 4–5 . Instead of celebrity or solitary leaders, Nkei makes the case for polycentric/shared leadership that distributes authority, equips the saints, and embodies mutual submission . We unpack how different kinds of authority (positional, spiritual, relational) operate in churches, and why power must be exami...

James and Nate unpack a recent Gallup poll on Americans’ views of capitalism —down from 60% (2021) to 54% (2025) favorable—and why that headline can mislead. Beneath it: strong support for free enterprise and small business , persistent dislike of big business , and sharp differences across age, gender, and party . Rather than picking teams (“capitalism vs. socialism”), they ask the more Christian question: where are we placing our hope? Drawing on 1 Samuel, the exile, and Daniel, they argue sys...

Dr. James Spencer welcomes Ryan Skoog —author of Lead with Prayer and president of Venture —for a wide-ranging conversation on prayer, discipleship, and the explosive growth of the global church. Ryan shares powerful stories from persecuted and unreached regions where God’s kingdom is breaking out through church-planting movements, miraculous healings, and courageous local believers. Together, James and Ryan explore why persecution forges unity, how oral cultures disciple through obedience and m...

Dr. James Spencer sits down with Will Acuff —author of No Elevator to Everest: Shift from Survive to Thrive through Spirit-Led Self-Awareness and cofounder of Corner to Corner (Nashville)—to explore how Christians can move from frantic survival to joyful, Spirit-led living. We talk practical rhythms (breathwork, journaling, contemplative prayer), why emotions are God-given “sensors,” and Will’s delete / delegate / do differently framework for designing your day. Will shares how Corner to Corner ...

In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast , Dr. James Spencer is joined by Nate Giarratano reflect on recent political commentary surrounding the Israel–Gaza conflict. Instead of offering hot takes on a complex war, they examine how soundbites and slogans from public figures—like those from Marjorie Taylor Greene and Randy Fine—can distort, oversimplify, or inflame rather than inform. The conversation emphasizes why Christians must resist being swept along by unsupported claims and polar...

In a culture obsessed with self-optimization and curated spirituality, Joshua S. Porter offers a counterintuitive call: come and die . In this episode, James Spencer sits down with the punk-rocker-turned-pastor to discuss Porter’s new book, How to Die: Chaos, Morality, and the Scandal of Christian Discipleship . Together, they unpack what it means to reject a domesticated God, embrace an untamable Savior, and walk a path shaped not by personal branding but by the cross. Drawing from Flannery O’C...

What makes temptation so compelling? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer takes us deep into one of Scripture's most foundational passages—the fall narrative in Genesis 3:1-7. Far from a simple story of disobedience, James reveals the sophisticated dynamics at play: the serpent's calculated ambiguity, the woman's thoughtful but tragic reasoning, and the recurring biblical pattern of "seeing good and taking." Exploring the Hebrew nuances often lost in translat...

In this powerful episode of the Thinking Christian podcast, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Hobby Lobby CEO David Green and Legacy Stone CEO Bill High to discuss their upcoming book, Legacy Life: Leading Your Family to Make a Difference for Eternity . Together, they explore how legacy is not about what you leave behind—but what you set in motion. Through honest reflections on family, faith, and even failure, David and Bill reframe concepts like retirement, generational discipleship, and biblica...

In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer explores what it means to live faithfully in increasingly secular spaces—from youth sports and public education to workplace dynamics and political culture. Drawing from personal reflection and current cultural trends, Dr. Spencer challenges listeners to reconsider what Christian influence really looks like in a pluralistic society. Rather than grasping for control, he calls believers to embrace a posture of witness—anchored in Scripture,...

In this episode of Thinking Christian , Dr. James Spencer and Nate dive into the recent Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) vote addressing Christian nationalism. They explore what makes Christian nationalism problematic from a biblical perspective, distinguishing it from both healthy political engagement and American civil religion. With examples ranging from Ten Commandments in classrooms to Doug Wilson’s patriotic theology, they challenge lazy uses of the term "Christian" and advocate for th...

What does it truly mean to be a "helper"? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer challenges common misconceptions surrounding the Hebrew word ezer , often translated as "helper" in Genesis 2:18. Moving beyond traditional hierarchical interpretations, James explores how ezer is used throughout the Old Testament, revealing its profound connection to strength, support, and indispensable aid—qualities that describe God Himself. He delves into various scholarly view...

What if the tabernacle, the Garden of Eden, and the Great Commission are all telling the same story? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series , Dr. James Spencer uncovers the theological thread that weaves from Genesis to Revelation—a sacred space built not of bricks and curtains, but of God’s presence dwelling among His people. Moving through Eden, the Israelite temple system, Jesus’ incarnation, and into the Church, this episode explores how the beatific vision—the promise of see...

What does it actually mean to be made in the image of God? In this episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series , Dr. James Spencer dives deep into one of the Bible’s most profound claims about humanity. Exploring five major views—the substantive, functional, relational, filial, and Christological—James traces how each contributes to our understanding of human worth, purpose, and calling. But he doesn’t stop with theology. He challenges how modern culture often weaponizes the “image of God” la...

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In this premiere episode of Thinking Christian's Prepped Series, Dr. James Spencer takes us to the beginning—not just of the Bible, but of everything. But instead of debating science or timelines, he asks three essential questions: Who is God? Who are we? And what kind of life flows from that relationship? Drawing out the deep theological significance of Genesis 1:1–2:3, James explores God's sovereign, wise, and benevolent nature, the purpose of human life, and how creation’s rhythm calls us to ...

What happens when a culture unplugs from the constraints that once helped us listen well? In this episode of Thinking Christian , James Spencer and Nate reflect on the slow disappearance of AM radio from new vehicles—a shift that signals more than just a tech upgrade. Together, they explore what we lose when we trade shared, time-bound listening experiences for algorithm-driven curation, and how the changing media landscape impacts the way we disciple, learn, and encounter God. From microfiche a...

Can we read the Bible without reducing it to a rulebook, a road map, or a political weapon? In this episode of Thinking Christian , James Spencer sits down with pastor and author Zach Lambert to explore his new book Better Ways to Read the Bible . Together, they unpack four common but harmful lenses—literalism, apocalypticism, moralism, and hierarchy—and replace them with a healthier, Christ-centered, Spirit-guided approach grounded in humility, flourishing, and fruitfulness. This wide-ranging, ...

What does dim sum have to do with discipleship? In this deeply personal and thought-provoking episode, James Spencer talks with author and spiritual formation leader Jen Suen Chin about her book Dim Sum and Faith: How Our Stories Form Our Souls . From round tables with lazy Susans to the spiritual weight of saying goodbye, Jen shares how her Chinese American heritage, years of overseas ministry, and story-shaped spirituality reveal a theology of presence, hospitality, and healing. Together, they...