Welcome to the Thinking Chrisitan Podcast

Season 3

July 3, 2025

The Phony Age: Navigating Digital Deception, Noise, and the Need for …

Can we still spot the truth in a world that specializes in counterfeits? In this episode of Thinking Christian , James Spencer and Nate unpack the unsettling implications of the internet’s influence on our minds, our trust, a...

Listen to the Episode
June 30, 2025

Alex Kocman | Borders, Nations, and the Order of Love: A Christian Co…

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 ...

Listen to the Episode
June 26, 2025

Denise Daniels and Elaine Howard Ecklund | Is Your Job a Calling? Ret…

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 ...

Listen to the Episode
June 23, 2025

Erin Moniz | Intimacy, Identity, and the Church: Reimagining Relation…

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, ...

Listen to the Episode
June 19, 2025

Alan Noble | You Are Not Your Own: Resisting the Gospel of Radical Au…

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 A...

Listen to the Episode
June 16, 2025

Chrystal Downing | More Than a Message: Dorothy Sayers, Film, and the…

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-dire...

Listen to the Episode
June 12, 2025

Paul Hoffman | AI, the Imago Dei, and the Fight for Our Humanity

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-au...

Listen to the Episode
June 9, 2025

AI, Adolescents, and the Apocalypse? Discerning the Digital Age Witho…

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 Ch...

Listen to the Episode
June 5, 2025

Laura Richter | Formation at the Top: Catholic Healthcare, Mission In…

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 revol...

Listen to the Episode
June 2, 2025

Romney Ruder | Revival Behind Bars: Discipleship, Dignity, and Breaki…

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 beh...

Listen to the Episode
May 29, 2025

Ben Matthew | Anxiety, Faith, Fear, and Finding Peace in Christ

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 per...

Listen to the Episode
May 26, 2025

Kyle Norman | Finding Jesus When Faith is Hard

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 ...

Listen to the Episode
May 22, 2025

Shane Wood | Encountering Christ in Revelation

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 beyon...

Listen to the Episode
May 19, 2025

Restoring Fallen Leaders: Integrity, Platforms, and the Hidden Cost o…

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...

Listen to the Episode
May 15, 2025

Stanley K. Ridgley | DEI and the Challenges of Meritocracy

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...

Listen to the Episode
May 5, 2025

Biblical Discernment: How to Identify False Teaching in Today's Church

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 ev...

Listen to the Episode
May 1, 2025

Mike Weaver of Big Daddy Weave | Worship, Grief, and the Grace of God

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 person...

Listen to the Episode
April 28, 2025

Lisa Harper | Theology for the Tenderhearted

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...

Listen to the Episode
April 25, 2025

Join Me in Germany: 2025 Reformation Tour

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 ...

Listen to the Episode
April 24, 2025

Discipled Men: Rethinking Masculinity Through the Lens of Christ

In this episode, James Spencer and Nate Yertano 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 ...

Listen to the Episode
April 22, 2025

Gregg Quiggle | False Religion, the Barmen Declaration, and the Fight…

In this episode of Thinking Christian , I’m joined by Dr. Greg Quiggle for a deep dive into one of the most important yet often overlooked documents of the 20th century—the Barmen Declaration. Against the backdrop of Germany’...

Listen to the Episode
April 21, 2025

Beth Allison Barr | From Pulpit to Parsonage: Gender, Ordination, and…

Historian and author Beth Allison Barr joins Thinking Christian to discuss her latest book, Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry . We explore the medieval redefinitions of...

Listen to the Episode
April 17, 2025

David and Brandon Lindell | Lionhearted Manhood: Leading with Strengt…

In this episode of Thinking Christian , James Spencer is joined by David and Brandon Lindell—pastors at James River Church and authors of Lionhearted: A Man’s Guide to Life . Together, they tackle the complexities of Christia...

Listen to the Episode
April 15, 2025

Gregg Quiggle | Martin Luther’s Legacy and the Chaos of Freedom: Refo…

Was the Reformation a spark for spiritual renewal—or the start of theological chaos? In this episode of Thinking Christian , I’m joined by Dr. Greg Quiggle to explore the sites and significance of the German Reformation in an...

Listen to the Episode