The Denison Forum Podcast - Christian perspective on current events, Christian news and culture, Biblical wisdom (Denison Forum)
Explorez tous les épisodes de The Denison Forum Podcast - Christian perspective on current events, Christian news and culture, Biblical wisdom
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| 20 Dec 2023 | Israel’s options, the pope’s blessing, and the incredible reality of the incarnation | 00:59:29 | |
In this wide-spanning conversation on current events and the Christmas season, Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss what’s happening in the Israel–Hamas war, Pope Francis' recent declaration concerning the blessing of irregular relationships, and the incarnational miracle of Jesus' birth as the Savior of the world. Topics(00:24): Why are the Houthis disrupting commerce on the Red Sea? (09:39): How should Israel handle its Hamas hostage crisis? (16:37): What does the Bible say about relating to people who don’t act in good faith? (24:16): Why did Pope Francis allow priests to bless same-sex couples? (32:50): How does the world define “blessing”? Should we seek blessings? (41:54): What’s your favorite rendition of A Christmas Carol? (43:56): The incredible reality of the Christmas story Resources
About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. Guest bio About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 23 May 2024 | How does a Christian transform the culture? - Part 8 | 00:55:24 | |
In this final episode of our special eight-episode series called “Being Christian in today’s culture,” Dr. Denison discusses the significance of cultural engagement. He explores how Christians can utilize their influence in various areas of society like family, church, community, and job, to foster a closer relationship with God and help the world flourish biblically. The conversation highlights the concept of being a 'cultural missionary' rather than a 'cultural warrior,' stressing the importance of the Holy Spirit’s role in empowering believers to make a practical, tangible difference in the kingdom of God. For more, read this episode’s accompanying articles, “Changed people change the world” and “Lies that lead us astray.” Topics (01:22): The Foundation of Cultural Engagement: White Papers and Biblical Flourishing (04:02): Understanding and Embracing Cultural Engagement (07:31): Strategic and Spirit-Led Cultural Engagement (16:44): Leveraging Spiritual Gifts for Kingdom Impact (29:49) The Challenge of Being Transformational in a Complex World (34:15): The Pursuit of a Christian Majority: Goals and Realities (39:13): The Power of the Holy Spirit in Christian Life (48:46): Cultural Engagement and the Normal Christian Life Resources
About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 15 Aug 2024 | Should Christians be involved in politics? - Part 3 | 00:53:19 | |
In this third episode of the special eight-episode series called 'Politics discerned differently,' Dr. Mark Turman and Kaitlyn Schiess explore the intersection of faith and politics. Kaitlyn, an author and doctoral student in political theology, shares her insights on how Christians can live biblically, engage in political discussions redemptively, and navigate the complexities of elections. They discuss the role of political theology and the impact of extreme rhetoric and offer practical ways to integrate faith into political life. Discover the deeper meaning of Christian engagement in the public sphere and learn how to maintain a balanced and thoughtful approach to politics. Topics
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About Kaitlyn SchiessKaitlyn Schiess is an author, speaker, and perpetual theology student. She is the author of The Ballot and the Bible: How Scripture has been Used and Abused in American Politics and Where We Go from Here (Brazos, 2023) and The Liturgy of Politics: Spiritual Formation for the Sake of Our Neighbor (IVP, 2020). Her writing has appeared at Christianity Today, The New York Times, Christ and Pop Culture, RELEVANT, and Sojourner. She has a Masters in systematic theology from Dallas Theological Seminary and is currently a doctoral student in political theology at Duke Divinity School. She lives in Durham, North Carolina. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 10 Jul 2023 | What is biblical manhood? And, “The Toxic War on Masculinity”: A conversation with Nancy Pearcey | 01:10:03 | |
Nancy Pearcey joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss the rise of secular masculinity, what makes a “good” man versus a “real” man, how Christianity makes men less misogynistic, not more, why young men are struggling, and how Christians can reclaim manhood.
Show notes:Nancy Pearcey discusses why she wanted to write on masculinity, sharing her story of meeting Francis and Edith Schaeffer, converting from agnosticism, and her experience with an abusive father (3:01). She reflects on the history of masculinity, the growth of toxic masculinity during the Industrial Revolution, and why modern women seem to hate men (11:26). Pearcey talks about why she wrote the Toxic War on Masculinity, which delves into the ideas of Christ-like and secular masculinity (19:61). They reflect on the dangers of nominal Christianity, why dedicated evangelical men have the best marriages, but Christian-in-name-only men create the worst marriages (36:44). She says, “nominal Christian men can take the secular script and then sort of baptize it, and the end of actually living worse than secular men.” She provides a multitude of research demonstrating that men becoming evangelical Christians makes them less misogynistic (52:31). She closes by reflecting on the current landscape, how men are falling behind women in all areas, and how true Christians can reclaim masculinity in a healthy way (56:09).
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Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Nancy R. Pearcey is a bestselling author and speaker. A former agnostic, she was hailed in The Economist as “America's pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual.” Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Washington Times, First Things, Human Events, American Thinker, Daily Caller, The Federalist, CNS News, and Fox News. She has appeared on NPR, C-SPAN, and Fox & Friends. She is currently a professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University. Pearcey's books have been translated into 18 languages and include Total Truth, The Soul of Science, Saving Leonardo, Finding Truth, and Love Thy Body.
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| 08 Aug 2022 | Ask Jim: What is a cultural missionary, and how can God redeem the Uvalde shooting? | 00:58:52 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the difference between cultural missionaries and cultural warriors, how to engage with woke businesses, whether our souls are “sent to earth,” and how to make sense of the Uvalde massacre.
Show notes:
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss how we define the difference between cultural missionaries and cultural warriors and why we should exemplify humility as well as boldness (1:29). They discuss the difference between spiritual war and loving people (10:00).
One listener asks whether they should write to the CEO of a grocery store they love expressing displeasure with the LGBTQ support shown by the company, and Dr. Denison responds with how to actively engage in cultural change (19:25). They then consider why businesses feel the need to make statements about LGBTQ issues in culture (24:24).
They turn to another listener question that asks why our souls were “sent to earth” if our goal is to be in heaven (34:10). Dr. Denison responds by addressing some possible confusion in the question, showing the influence of dualism in some Christian theology.
They answer a final question about the problem of evil: How can God redeem the Uvalde tragedy and SBC abuse (39:56)? They continue by talking about how we can lament while ensuring we’re not overwhelmed with compassion fatigue (46:30).
You can submit a question too at askjim@denisonforum.org.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 25 Oct 2023 | “The hands and feet of Jesus”: John-Travis Smith discusses the disaster relief efforts of Texas Baptist Men in Israel | 00:34:27 | |
Texas Baptist Men offers direct ways for you to help those in need.Denison Forum seeks to help people think biblically and act redemptively as culture-changing Christians. In the midst of the war in Israel, we seek to inform believers with resources on how to think biblically about this current crisis. We are also calling on Christians to act redemptively by praying fervently, giving sacrificially, and going eagerly as the Holy Spirit directs. Texas Baptist Men is one of the most effective ministries through which believers can be that redemptive servant in this crisis. Topics
Resources
About John-Travis SmithJohn-Travis Smith is the Associate Executive Director/CFO for Texas Baptist Men (TBM). He grew up in Royal Ambassadors, where he earned the Legion of Honor Award and has served Texas Baptist Men in a variety of capacities, including as vice president for finance and a member of the TBM Forever Foundation board. He also was pastor to young adults at First Baptist Church in Bryan since June 2013. Previously, he served 11 years at First Baptist Church in Hempstead, first as youth minister, later as associate pastor and eventually as interim pastor. Smith manages overall financial operations for TBM, oversees the office staff and updates policies and procedures in areas ranging from accounting to human resources. Smith earned his Bachelor of Business Administration degree in finance from Texas A&M University and his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Kayla, have four children. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.
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| 11 Apr 2022 | What does it mean to be a Christian patriot? | 00:42:37 | |
Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison discuss the differences between patriotism and nationalism, why Christians should be good citizens, what role nationalism plays in the war in Ukraine, and how to avoid echo chambers.
Show notes: Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison discuss Jesus’ trial at the crucifixion and how politics played into the crucifixion (0:39). Dr. Denison then helps the audience understand the difference between patriotism and nationalism and why their definitions are so important (6:03). They discuss how Christians should be good citizens while still giving their ultimate allegiance to Christ and why modern expressions of nationalism over patriotism are misplaced. They then consider how nationalism might play a role in the Russian and Ukrainian war (14:07). Social media plays a massive role in the discussion about patriotism in today’s America. Dr. Denison and Dr. Turman give practical advice on how to get a wide range of sources to avoid echo chambers, reflecting on long-gone journalistic standards (20:20). They close by reflecting on taxes and the biblical idea that Christians can be good citizens and patriots without being nationalists (39:02).
P.S. Jim’s most pivotal book to date, The Coming Tsunami, is now available on Kindle, hardcover, and Audible.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 04 Jul 2022 | Our favorite summer movies, vacations, Bible verses, and Bible characters (not named Jesus) | 00:31:42 | |
In their "summer favorites" series, Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss their favorite summer movies, summer eats, and summer vacations before delving into more spiritual matters and sharing their preferred Bible translations, favorite Bible verses, and their favorite Bible characters—not named Jesus.
About the hostsJim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 30 May 2022 | Responding to the Uvalde shooting: A conversation with Carmen LaBerge | 00:52:13 | |
Carmen LaBerge, Dr. Jim Denison, and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the tragic shooting in Uvalde, how to respond to grief, how the church can help prevent shootings, and the recent SBC scandal.
Show notes: Carmen LaBerge, Dr. Jim Denison, and Dr. Mark Turman begin by talking about the tragedy of the mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas (2:20). They then turn to discuss how churches can step up to be proactive and redemptive to prevent shootings like these through care and love of the isolated (9:00). Carmen talks about bearing grief and how to respond to tragedies (15:34). They reflect on how important prayer is in these circumstances and how pastors can respond to these issues (23:04). They discuss how we can be cultural missionaries as opposed to cultural warriors and spiritual warfare (31:48). LaBerge considers how we can respond to the SBC scandal, her affiliation with the SBC, and how we can move forward (39:28). They end by discussing the ministry that Carmen does through her radio show, which is linked below.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. About the guest
Carmen LaBerge is a writer, speaker, and Christian talk radio host. Carmen is a graduate of the University of Florida and earned an M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. She lives outside of Nashville, TN with her husband Jim and family. Currently, she is the host of Mornings with Carmen LaBerge heard live Monday-Friday, 7-9 a.m. nationwide on The Faith Radio Network, streaming at MyFaithRadio.com and via the Faith Radio app. Carmen’s passion is helping people reconnect the eternal with the everyday by equipping Christians to engage the culture in ways that honor Jesus. She has written for ChristianityToday.com, the Christian Post, and other outlets. | |||
| 24 Jun 2022 | Living pro-life: Serving the voiceless and their parents in a partisan world | 01:01:36 | |
NOTE: This episode was recorded the day before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Dr. Mark Turman discusses protecting the sanctity of life with Holly and Aaron Snell, the executive directors of Hope Women's Center in McKinney, Texas. They are joined by Lisa Freeman, the executive director of Thrive, a crisis pregnancy center in the Dallas area.
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| 14 Mar 2024 | What does it mean to be accountable to God? | 00:52:57 | |
What does it mean to be accountable to God?Dr. Jim Denison, cultural apologist and founder of Denison Ministries, joins Denison Forum Executive Director Dr. Mark Turman to discuss biblical accountability and judgment, emphasizing the importance for Christians to comprehend and think about their accountability to God. Dr. Denison clarifies misconceptions around guilt, shame, and God's judgment and explains how understanding and embracing divine accountability can lead to holy and redemptive living. Additionally, they touch on the significance of Jesus' teachings and his pronouncements of woe on certain communities, examining the implications of personal and corporate sin and judgment. Their conversation also addresses the practical aspect of living out one's faith in today's cultural context, making meaningful connections between biblical times and contemporary society. And they close with a discussion centered on Denison Forum’s latest book, a cultural commentary on the gospel of Matthew simply titled Matthew: A Guide to Genuine Discipleship. Topics(01:50): The Doctrine of Accountability (03:04): The Practical Consequences of Biblical Teachings (04:02): The Role of Accountability in Human Nature (05:57): The Balance Between God's Love and Righteousness (09:59): The Consequences of Moses' Actions (10:39): Understanding God's Judgement (15:21): The Duality of God's Love and Righteousness (25:55): Understanding Boundaries and Rules (26:31): The Importance of Social Interactions (27:27): The Desire for a Right Relationship with God (29:12): Denison Ministries and Its Resources (30:12): The Role of the Holy Spirit in Our Lives (32:53): The Impact of Guilt and Shame (39:10): Understanding Corporate Accountability (43:55): Introducing a New Resource: A Cultural Commentary on the Gospel of Matthew (50:51): Closing Remarks and Gratitude ResourcesWhat does the Bible say about accountability? The line between judgment and accountability Matthew: A Guide to Genuine Discipleship About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 17 Apr 2023 | Sex, singleness, LGBTQ+, and marriage idolatry: A conversation with Lou Phillips | 01:06:48 | |
Lou Phillips, Director of Church Relations for the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, joins Dr. Turman to discuss his work in Christian sexual ethics apologetics, how churches make an idol of marriage and sex, the way to reach out to LGBTQ+ people, and why the culture finds its identity in sexuality.
Show notes:
Lou Phillips starts by sharing his testimony, why he works in teaching Christian sexual ethics in an apologetic setting, and how he’s been received by secular audiences (1:50). They turn to consider how marriage has become an idol in the church and how Christians seek fulfillment in marriage rather than in God (11:20). Phillips and Dr. Turman talk about why sexuality, tied together with suffering, has become the biggest obstacle for our culture coming to Christ (18:17). They dive into the issues of identity, why culture finds it in sexuality, and whether sexual sin is worse than others (29:19). Phillips goes into a complex practical question: Should Christians with homosexual attraction call themselves gay (43:40)? They close by returning to how churches need to do better at supporting single people, which is equally as fulfilling as marriage—it needs to be the crux of the entire argument for Christians (56:02). Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Lou Phillips is the Director of Church Relations for the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender. Phillips attended Grove City College and graduated with a Bachelor of Science, double majoring in molecular biology and political science. Lou also received his certificate of theological studies from the University of Oxford (Wycliffe Hall) and was trained at The OCCA (The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics). For the past eight years, Lou has been traveling and speaking at universities, conferences, and churches, entertaining people’s biggest objections to Christianity. Lou is most interested in topics such as meaning, identity, and sexuality as they relate to the Christian worldview, especially in the lives of students and young adults.
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| 24 Oct 2022 | Can you trust American institutions? A conversation with Curtis Chang | 01:03:34 | |
Curtis Chang joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss our failing trust in institutions and how to redeem them, the role of Christians in politics and the workplace, election integrity, and how to combat anxiety.
Show notes:
Curtis Chang begins by talking about his ministry Redeeming Babel, which trains Christians to engage redemptively in different kinds of communities (2:19). Chang talks about the rising distrust of institutions, and how we can help redeem them, specifically pointing to Colossians 1:15–17 (9:47). In particular, Chang and Dr. Turman talk about work and the role of jobs in Christianity (20:27). They talk about the Trinity and how it helps us understand community (29:14). Chang delves more into how we can trust broken institutions, and how throwing them away will probably lead to greater destruction (38:00). They turn to converse about idolatry, politics, election integrity, and the boundaries of governments (48:53). Chang concludes by touching on anxiety and fear (58:37).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his degree from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Curtis Chang is consulting professor in innovation and organization at Duke Divinity School. He has won an Obama White House award for social innovation as the founder and head of Consulting Within Reach, a firm serving nonprofits and government. He graduated from Harvard Summa Cum Laude. He holds a faculty appointment at American University and is also a senior fellow at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is the author of Engaging Unbelief: A Captivating Strategy from Augustine and Aquinas (IVP) and is a former Rockefeller Fellow. | |||
| 19 Sep 2022 | How to help prevent suicide and aiding survivors: A conversation with Dr. John Mark Caton | 01:05:39 | |
Dr. John Mark Caton and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Dr. Caton’s personal experience with the tragic suicide of his older brother, lingering survivor’s guilt, the importance of community, and how to talk to people contemplating suicide.
Show notes:
Dr. John Mark Caton and Dr. Mark Turman begin this difficult discussion by talking about Caton’s tragic story and the suicide of his older brother (3:27). They talk about guilt, the lingering cloud of sorrow, and the importance of stories (11:15). They summarize how the Bible talks about suicide and whether it’s the unpardonable sin (17:01).
Dr. Caton discusses the importance of community and the church, how to talk to people considering suicide, and why calling 911 is of strong importance (24:46). Dr. Turman and Dr. Caton consider the state of our culture’s relationship to suicide and why it’s gotten worse in young people (40:21).
Dr. Caton brings up the impact of intergenerational relationships as a way to combat rising rates of isolation (48:18). He also gives closing thoughts on next steps in approaching someone in your life whom you’re worried about (56:04). They end by reflecting on the way Dr. Caton has been changed by the death of his brother (1:03:12).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
John Mark Caton, Ph.D., is the Senior Pastor Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church for twenty-seven years and the author of several books. He received a Master of Theology from Criswell College, and a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2001. | |||
| 14 Feb 2022 | If God is sovereign, why does evil exist? | 00:41:07 | |
Summary: In this episode, Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison discuss God’s sovereignty, some basics in philosophy and logic, human agency, Reformed theology, and John Calvin.
Show notes: Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison start by revealing future plans for the podcast to being accepting questions from our audience and bring in more guest speakers.
They introduce the problem of evil and ask, “How can God be sovereign, loving, and allow evil?” Jim establishes that sovereignty means God is Lord and king over every area of life. God’s sovereignty shouldn’t mean that we think of ourselves as automatons or robots. Some theologians believe our free will isn’t real; it’s only an illusion. Or, on the other side, some affirm that God’s sovereignty is limited by our freedom. The middle ground is that we have free agency because God allows us to, which is the position Jim takes. Since we’re limited beings, sometimes truths appear contradictory, when in fact they’re not, and this is the case in regards to God’s sovereignty and human free will.
At this point, Mark and Jim take a turn to give a brief overview of the Reformation and what Reformed theology entails. They discuss Calvin’s systematic theology in his work titled The Institutes of Christian Religion, its brilliance, and its shortcomings. Jim explains his own view in depth regarding the acronym for Calvinist beliefs “TULIP,” describing himself as a “three-and-a-half pointer.”
While these issues are important and warrant discussion, there remains a mystery in the relationship we have with Christ and God’s nature. In the midst of evangelism and debates on Reformed theology, we must remember to be first and foremost humble.
P.S. Jim’s most pivotal book to date, The Coming Tsunami, is now available on Kindle, hardcover, and Audible.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts | |||
| 28 Aug 2023 | How the arts and sciences reveal God’s genius: Dr. Jonathan Witt discusses “A Meaningful World” | 01:02:23 | |
Is the world a meaningless churning of random intersecting events or a beautiful place of genius that reveals the reality of God as the ultimate Genius?Dr. Jonathan Witt joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss this central question of his book, A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature When we encounter, discover, or help to create things in our world that express the unmistakable qualities of depth, harmony, clarity, and elegance, how do we explain them? What are they pointing us to? From great literature to music, to mathematics, biology, chemistry and physics, the majestic fingerprints of an all-powerful, good and majestic creator are all around us—if we have the eyes, ears, and heart to receive them. It just may be that breathtaking beauty and order will lead us to the greatest discovery of all. Topics
Resources
About Dr. Jonathan WittJonathan Witt, PhD, is Executive Editor of Discovery Institute Press and a senior fellow and senior project manager with Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. His latest book is Heretic: One Scientist’s Journey from Darwin to Design (DI Press, 2018) written with Finnish bioengineer Matti Leisola. Witt also authored Intelligent Design Uncensored (IVP, 2010) with William Dembski, and A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature (IVP, 2006) with Benjamin Wiker. He is also the author of The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot (Ignatius, 2014), written with Jay Richards. Witt is also the lead writer and associate producer for Poverty, Inc., winner of the $100,000 Templeton Freedom Award and recipient of over 50 international film festival honors. He also scripted three other documentaries that aired widely on PBS and were translated into multiple languages for airing in countries around the globe: The Privileged Planet (written with Lad Allen), The Birth of Freedom, and The Call of the Entrepreneur. Additionally, he scripted two Acton Media DVD curricula carried by Zondervan, including Effective Stewardship, and he served as the lead writer for The PovertyCure DVD Series and the PovertyCure initiative, which includes a content-rich website, more than a million Facebook followers, and a network of 400+ poverty-fighting organizations from around the world. Witt also has provided editing or deep editing work for several successful books, including three New York Times bestsellers. Before returning to work full time again with Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, Witt served as the managing editor for the news and commentary site The Stream, and as a research fellow for the Acton Institute in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Witt’s academic essays have appeared in various periodicals and he has been interviewed by numerous regional and national radio programs. He is a regular annual speaker for Discovery Institute’s summer seminar on science and culture and has spoken at universities on a range of topics connected to political and economic freedom, cultural renewal, and the arts. Witt previously served as a tenured professor of literature and writing at Lubbock Christian University. He has a Ph.D., with honors, in English and Literary Theory from the University of Kansas. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.
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| 22 Aug 2022 | The greatest thing Jesus ever said | 00:55:30 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Dr. Denison’s unique role and calling, apologetics and theology, “Loving your neighbor,” how to manifest our faithfulness well, and how Christians must avoid dualism.
Show notes:
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Dr. Denison’s various roles he’s taken on (including his job at Dairy Queen) and God’s calling on his life (2:00). They reflect on the meaning of apologetics and theology, especially in reference to culture (7:32). They turn to talk about how to shine our light into the world by manifesting faithfulness well, and how to love our neighbors (13:19). After this, Dr. Denison talks about the pitfall of dualism and Gnosticism, which says that the body doesn’t matter in this life as they unpack Jesus’ saying to Love God with “all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength” (32:31). They conclude by talking about whether we can measure our spiritual health and three steps on how to draw closer to God (46:45).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 25 Apr 2024 | Who determines the value of life? - Part 4 | 01:03:44 | |
In this fourth episode of our special eight-episode series called “Being Christian in today’s culture,” Dr. Denison discusses the sanctity of life as a pillar for biblical flourishing. He answers questions such as: Is life intrinsically sacred? Who determines the value of life? Is euthanasia a sin? The conversation with Dr. Denison highlights the intrinsic value of life from a biblical standpoint, spanning from issues like abortion to broader considerations of human dignity and societal values. He also tackles ethical dilemmas related to human life, euthanasia, and the impact of evolutionary and psychoanalytic theories on society, emphasizing the significance of recognizing the value of every human life. For more, read this episode’s accompanying article, “The sanctity of life from conception to natural death.” Topics(01:04): Introducing the Series: Being Christian in Today's Culture (02:31): Exploring the Sanctity of Life: A Deep Dive (08:11): The Impact of Christianity on Society and Culture (15:01): Christianity's Role in Advancing Women's Status and Addressing Immigration (22:13): Ontology and the Sacredness of Life: A Philosophical Examination (30:14): The Ethical Dilemmas in Modern Conflicts and Surveillance Societies (35:43): The Slippery Slope of Utilitarian Ethics in Euthanasia and Abortion (45:11): Marxism, Capitalism, and the Sanctity of Life (55:04): The Importance of a Biblical Worldview on Identity and Value ResourcesThe sanctity of life from conception to natural death A pathway for becoming culture-changing Christians - Part 1 Live by biblical truth and authority- Part 2 The power of Christ to change the culture - Part 3 About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 16 May 2024 | Why must Christians be civil in uncivil times? - Part 7 | 01:11:59 | |
In this seventh episode of our special eight-episode series called “Being Christian in today’s culture,” Dr. Denison discusses the significance of political civility. He answers questions such as: Are we living in “unprecedented” times? Why are so many Christians now energized by politics? How can Christians deepen their reliance on the Holy Spirit? He emphasizes the binary choice between exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit or the flesh, urging Christians to act as cultural missionaries through biblically rooted political engagement and daily reliance on the Holy Spirit. For more, read this episode’s accompanying article, “The lost art of civility.” Topics(03:14): Diving Deep into Political Civility and Biblical Flourishing (07:23): Unpacking the Unprecedented: Navigating Today's Political Landscape (12:03): The Power of Participation: Engaging in Democracy with Hope (15:45): Navigating Politics with Faith Over Fear (32:27): The Role of Christians in Promoting Biblical Civility (35:31): The Importance of Preserving Christian Witness in Politics (39:26): The Role of Civility in Political Engagement (43:11): Challenging the 'End Justifies the Means' Mentality in Politics (52:11): The Dangers of Celebrity in Politics and Leadership (01:02:25): Embracing the Holy Spirit in Political Civility Resources
About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 29 Feb 2024 | A different kind of strength: Toni Collier on women's Unshakable Moxie | 00:36:28 | |
International women’s minister Toni Collier joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss her life journey and her pivotal role in the Unshakable Moxie docu-series from Our Daily Bread. Collier opens up about her own experiences of hardship, brokenness, and redemption, shining a light on how she uses her story in her ministry called Broken Crayons Still Color. She also provides insights into Unshakable Moxie, explaining its aim to help women channel their strength and resilience through faith, even in times of darkness. Toni touches upon the important role of community for healing, growth, and accountability, encouraging listeners to rekindle connections. The episode ends with a discussion about Women's History Month and the ongoing battle for fairness and equality. Topics(00:00) Introduction and Guest Presentation (01:56) Toni Collier's Personal Journey (04:45) What is Unshakable Moxie? (07:22) The Essence of True Moxie (15:36) The Importance of Community in Faith (21:05) The Power of Connection and the Enemy's Tactics (21:23) Women of Moxie in the Bible (25:45) Avoiding the Comparison Trap (27:56) Celebrating Women's History Month (31:18) The Importance of Women's Voices (34:45) Unshakable Moxie: A Docuseries ResourcesUnshakable Moxie: Growing a Resilient Faith, A 6-Session Women's Bible Study with Video access About Toni CollierToni Collier is the founder of an international women’s ministry called Broken Crayons Still Color, which helps women process through brokenness and get to hope. She is a speaker, host, author of Brave Enough to Be Broken, and consultant who has helped organizations with creative marketing, leadership, student ministry, and strategic planning. She has spoken and worked with organizations such as North Point Community Church, TBN, Chick-fil-A, IF:Gathering, Orange Conference, MOPS International, and more. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 13 Mar 2023 | Women in ministry and leadership: A conversation with Alex Kondratev and Steph Thurling | 01:09:30 | |
Alex Kondratev, Steph Thurling, Dr. Mark Turman, and Dr. Jim Denison discuss women in leadership, especially in ministry, the discrimination women often face in churches, the SBC removing Saddleback for having a female pastor, complementarianism, and egalitarianism.
Show notes:
Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison begin the discussion by talking about the theological and historical background of women in leadership, the patriarchy, and complementarian versus egalitarian views (4:27). Alex Kondratev discusses her background, God calling her to lead, and the difficulties she has faced. Steph Thurling steps in to relate her story and similar calling to leadership, as well as the roadblocks she faced (12:53). Dr. Denison and Kondratev continue by discussing hermeneutics, feminism, and the cultural differences in the Bible (25:56). Thurling and Kondratev discuss the hindrance to their careers because of them being women pursuing leadership in ministry (39:34). Then, they delve into the SBC controversy. The denomination believes the office of pastor is restricted to men and removed Saddleback church and others when they didn’t comply (46:27). They close by discussing the “Billy Graham rule,” its upsides and downsides, and why Christian men in leadership should especially think critically about issues of sexual accountability in a way that doesn’t lead to the hindrance of women (56:55). Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Alex Kondratev serves as the Chief Content Officer at Denison Ministries. With experience in creating and aggregating media from hundreds of Christian ministries, she leads the Denison Ministries brands in getting relevant and transformative content to the world.
Steph Thurling is the Executive Director of Christian Parenting and host of The Christian Parenting Podcast. Steph has her master’s in youth, family, and culture from Fuller Theological Seminary and has a background in youth and children’s ministry. She is co-author of Raising Prayerful Kids, a book that shares easy, life-giving, and fun ways to teach kids to pray. She loves helping families grow closer to each other and to God through meaningful experiences and conversations.
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| 25 Apr 2022 | A dive into cryptocurrency with Dr. Lee Bratcher | 00:58:00 | |
Dr. Lee Bratcher and Dr. Mark Turman dive into the world of cryptocurrency, why Bitcoin is uncensorable, how refugees use it to flee oppression, why Bitcoin will likely rival gold, and why blockchain technology is already being used by banks and governments.
Show notes: Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Lee Bratcher discuss the Institute for Global Engagement at Dallas Baptist University and the Texas Blockchain Counsel, the nonprofit run by Dr. Bratcher. They reflect on what money is, the basics of economics, and the history of Bitcoin (8:16). They discuss the power of Bitcoin to be uncensorable, how even the US government cannot track it, and how it’s already helping refugees escape from authoritarian regimes (16:41). They discuss online “wallets,” how Bitcoin gained value, where it comes from, and how it uses the internet to be decentralized (19:50). Dr. Bratcher goes in depth into why Bitcoin is so secure and why Bitcoin has a market cap of around one trillion dollars right now (28:06). They consider why so many use Bitcoin and how it can be an asset like a stock (even though they are technically not) (38:25). Interestingly enough, they consider how this blockchain technology can make banking as a whole much more efficient and how China is using it already (45:35). Finally, they discuss why religious freedom and Bitcoin are connected, and why Bitcoin is fair according to biblical standards (51:25).
Resources and further reading:
About the host
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Lee Bratcher serves as the Chair for the Politics, Philosophy, and Economics major at Dallas Baptist University as well as the Executive Director for the Institute for Global Engagement, a DBU affiliated think tank. He is a Captain in the US Army reserves working as an instructor for ROTC cadets at DBU and UT Dallas.
Lee received a master's in International Relations from St. Mary's University and is in his sixth year as a Ph.D. candidate at UT Dallas writing a dissertation on the implications of blockchain technology on property rights and real estate. Prior to his transition to academia, Lee served in the military and as a police officer in the DFW area. Lee has been married to Becca Bratcher for 6 years and they have two daughters, Kenzie and Ivy. | |||
| 11 May 2022 | Faith at the movies: The Skit Guys talk about their new film, "Family Camp" | 00:55:22 | |
Tommy Woodard and Eddie James (the Skit Guys) join Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman to discuss why humor is so important to faith, why we should pursue excellence in the arts, and their new film: Family Camp.
Show notes:
Tommy Woodard and Eddie James begin by sharing their testimonies with Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman; how God called them to comedy, how church media picked up in the ‘90s, and what they do in their ministry (0:49). They discuss how Christian media doesn’t need to be bad, why laughter is important to the Christian faith, and how Jesus used humor (6:41). They dive into how God can use humor to redeem hurt (15:31). Woodard and James then go through the backstory of their first full-length movie: “Family Camp,” and how God was involved throughout the process (20:02). They talk about why they wanted to make an excellent, faith-based, family-friendly movie that defies expectations (26:16). Dr. Denison then discusses the history of why the arts have become less important to many modern Christians, and why we should change that (31:25). In fact, God used “secular” media to reach Dr. Turman and James before they became Christians (39:26). They also discuss the idea of a “faith-based comedy” and the preconceptions of Christian movies (43:30). In closing, they consider how this movie will uniquely speak to our culture and give a hopeful picture of family (48:00).
P.S. We highly encourage our audience to go see Family Camp on its opening weekend, in theaters on May 13th. You can buy individual tickets or take a group. You can visit their website: https://familycampmovie.com/
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guests
Tommy Woodard and Eddie James are the “Skit Guys,” and have traveled the world performing for families at events, churches, and conferences. Their SkitGuys.com website has grown into a treasured media resource for families, pastors, and churches. Their numerous short films, skits, and scripts are used to reach families all over the world. On YouTube alone, their channel has collectively reached over 33 million views. | |||
| 11 Jul 2022 | Our favorite books—how many does Dr. Denison read each week? | 00:35:48 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman continue their summer favorites series by discussing their favorite vacation spots, favorite books, and the way Dr. Jim Denison reads.
Show notes: Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman begin by reflecting on their favorite vacation spots (1:43). They then discuss their favorite books, how Mere Christianity impacted Dr. Denison, and about C.S. Lewis’ life (5:00). They also discuss Dr. Denison’s reading habits, which includes reading or skimming about five books a week (25:45).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 19 Jun 2023 | “More Than a White Man’s Religion”: A conversation with apologist Abdu Murray | 00:55:29 | |
Abdu Murray, JD, and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Murray’s conversion from Islam, ho the Bible is neither sexist nor racist, why Christianity historically propelled human rights, why he’s optimistic about race relations in the church, and the effect of Ravi Zacharias’ abuse.
Show notes:
Abdu Murray, JD, begins by talking about his upbringing as a devout Muslim in Detroit, Michigan, and how he came to faith in Christ (1:45). As a now full-time apologist, Murray describes how the younger generation doubts Christianity because they question the Bible’s morality, which led him to write on sexism and racism in More Than a White Man’s Religion (9:05). Murray and Dr. Turman consider how deconstructing can be good, but how historically, Christian thought has led to greater human rights, for women and ethnic minorities. Murray explains the difference between description and prescription in the Bible (21:00). They consider how Anglo people weren’t the first Christ-followers and how Christianity is currently growing most in non-western places (26:40). They talk about why Murray is optimistic about the way churches have pursued diversity, that we can continue to heal from racism despite lingering challenges (33:18). Murray talks about his unique experience as a Muslim outsider in his community. They then celebrate how Jesus opposed sexism in his culture (40:25). They close by reflecting on the legacy of Ravi Zacharias, his treatment of women, and the need for a gracious savior (49:50).
NOTE: We’ve launched our summer campaign. As a 100-percent donor-supported ministry nonprofit, we rely on believers like you to give toward our calling “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). If our work has encouraged or inspired you, please give today. Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Abdu Murray (JD, University of Michigan) is an apologist who has led dialogues, open forums, and debates around the world at universities, churches, and business and government gatherings. He hosts the podcast All Rise and is the author of many articles and three books, including Grand Central Question and Saving Truth. | |||
| 28 Mar 2022 | Ask Jim: How can I share my faith in light of evolution? And other answers to tough questions | 00:51:33 | |
In this week’s episode, Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman respond to the audience's questions, including how to be salt and light, is baptism necessary for salvation, how to handle evolution, and how to deal with feelings of hopelessness when a family member doesn’t believe in God.
Show notes: First, Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison discuss the Benedict Option by Rod Dreher, as people are asking Jim: What do we tell our children about the issues brought up in culture (3:21)? How do we prepare for the coming cultural tsunami which already affects our lives and our family’s lives? Dr. Denison believes in a balanced approach, saying that we must have retreats to spend time with God, to spend quality time with other believers, and make sure we “get away” from the world. However, at the same time, we are salt and light to the world, and we shouldn't hide that from people who desperately need to hear the gospel (16:04). We must engage with the culture in a biblical, loving way.
Next, they discuss a question about how to engage with non-believers. Dr. Denison gives some practical tips, and they consider the value of presence (9:23). Sometimes, we don’t have to say anything; we just need to be there for people. The Holy Spirit will give us the words to say, and he works in ways we don’t often expect. They also discuss how vocational ministry fits into this need for rhythms of rest and regeneration.
Next, they answer the question: Is baptism necessary for salvation? Dr. Denison relates a short history of the theology of baptism, why baptism is important, which option, in his view, most aligns with the Bible, and application for our listener who asked the question (21:04).
Another listener, in the context of sharing their faith, asks how we as believers should handle evolution and the intersection of faith and science (31:18). Dr. Denison believes that these issues are not essential for salvation. It shouldn’t be an issue that divides us. Dr. Denison says it shouldn’t prevent anyone from coming to faith since Christians interpret the Bible differently in this respect. Dr. Denison relates his own view about evolution. He believes in microevolution but not macroevolution, and he explains these views further.
Dr. Denison weighs in on another heavy question: How does the Bible deal with the salvation of close friends or family (44:13)? How do we, as our listener put it, sleep at night? What if one of our children or close relatives doesn’t believe in Jesus? Dr. Denison gives a hopeful message in response and discusses how we can give that weight over to Jesus, knowing that he loves them more than we ever could. He also says to never give up; it’s never too late. Continually pray for them, but know that their salvation is not ultimately your responsibility—it’s between them and God.
P.S. Jim’s most pivotal book to date, The Coming Tsunami, is now available on Kindle, hardcover, and Audible.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 23 Dec 2022 | Peace and Christmas: A conversation with Jack Countryman | 00:28:23 | |
In this bonus episode, Jack Countryman joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss the miracle of peace, how to give over your anxiety to Jesus, Christian publishing, and to give his Christmas blessings to the Denison Forum Podcast audience.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Jack Countryman is the founder of JCountryman Gift Books, a division of Thomas Nelson, and the recipient of the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association Jordan Lifetime Achievement Award. Over the past 30 years, he has developed bestselling gift books such as God's Promises for Your Every Need, God's Promises for Men, God's Promises for Women, God Listens, and Red Letter Words of Jesus. Countryman's books have sold more than 20 million units. | |||
| 15 May 2023 | Fighting pornography and sexual sin: A conversation with Matt Jacobson | 00:57:41 | |
Matt Jacobson joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss being a biblical spouse, the pornography epidemic, how to have freedom from sexual temptation, and the power we have amid spiritual warfare through our identity in Christ. Show notes:Matt Jacobson begins by talking about his testimony, biblical marriage, and the severity of the sin of fornication in the Bible (1:32). Jacobson says that the way Christians believe the lie that they are weak in confronting sexual temptation leads to bondage (14:36). He emphasizes the spiritual warfare around us and at the same time, the choice we have to sin (17:21). They discuss how pornography leads to lonely emptiness, and why Christians must know their power in the Spirit (30:59). Jacobson talks about practical ways to fight the spiritual battle against sexual temptation, drawing on our identity as children of God (39:42). They close with advice for parents and a word of grace and hope for those addicted to pornography (47:53). Resources and further reading:
About the hostMark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. About the guestMatt Jacobson is a teaching pastor of Cline Falls Bible Fellowship and founder of FaithfulMan.com, an online social media community focusing on marriage, parenting, and biblical teaching. He is the creator of Freedom Course, teaching men the powerful, biblical path to getting completely free from porn and sexual sin. Matt is the author of the bestselling Loving Your Wife Well and 100 Words of Affirmation Your Wife Needs to Hear. He lives with his wife, Lisa, in the Pacific Northwest, where they have raised their eight children. Together Matt and Lisa are cohosts of the popular Faithful Life podcast.
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| 27 Jun 2024 | Navigating extremism: A conversation with Elizabeth Neumann | 01:04:31 | |
In this episode of the Denison Forum Podcast, host Dr. Mark Turman converses with Elizabeth Neumann, former Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Elizabeth discusses her book, 'Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace' which highlights her professional journey and insights into radicalization post-9/11 leading up to January 6. The conversation explores the intersections of fear, anger, extremism, and the misuse of Christian principles for political aims. Elizabeth emphasizes the role of communities, especially faith communities, in addressing radicalization and fostering peace. Additionally, she shares her experiences and current work with Moonshot, a company aimed at redirecting those at risk of radicalization towards mental health support. Topics(01:07): Elizabeth's Background and Career (03:27): The Impact of 9/11 and Rise of Domestic Extremism (06:28): Understanding Radicalization and Extremism (15:44): Self-Care and Navigating a Toxic Environment (18:49): The Role of Fear and Anger in Extremism (23:42): The Scale of the Problem and Potential Solutions (29:25): Reclaiming Civility in a Post-COVID World (33:26): The Merging of Extremist Movements (35:07): The Threat of Political Violence (42:09): Radicalization and the Role of Networks (49:30): Addressing Extremism in Communities and Churches (57:19): Elizabeth's Current Work and Final Thoughts ResourcesKingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace 🎧 When politics get extreme, what should Christians do? A conversation with Tim Alberta 🎧 What does it mean to be a Christian patriot? What the controversial God & Country documentary gets right and wrong: Should you watch? About Elizabeth NeumannElizabeth Neumann served as the Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Neumann is a frequent guest on national news outlets, and the Chief Strategy Officer at Moonshot. She is based in the Denver, CO area. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 12 Sep 2024 | The role of politics in protecting the sanctity of life - Part 7 | 01:00:12 | |
In this seventh episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman discusses the sanctity of life and the issue of abortion with Dr. Katie Fruge and Dr. Ryan Denison. The conversation explores the cultural and political landscape surrounding abortion and the challenges faced by the pro-life movement. They emphasize the importance of approaching the conversation with a biblical perspective and a recognition of the innate dignity and worth of every human being. They also discuss the need for a holistic pro-life approach that not only focuses on the pre-born but also supports families and creates a culture of life. The conversation explores the complex and nuanced topic of the sanctity of life, particularly in relation to abortion and IVF. The speakers discuss the different perspectives on when life begins and the sacredness of every stage of life. They emphasize the importance of understanding and respecting differing viewpoints, as well as the need for better conversations around the topic. They also address the role of politics and political parties in addressing the sanctity of life, highlighting the need for a holistic approach and the dangers of oversimplification. The speakers conclude by urging churches to take a comprehensive approach to promoting a culture of life and addressing the various causes of abortion. Topics
ResourcesRelated Denison Forum Podcasts:
Related Denison Forum articles and resources:
Other trusted resources:
About Dr. Katie FrugéKatie Frugé, Ph.D., earned her Master of Divinity degree and Ph.D. in systematic theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Katie Frugé has been named director of Texas Baptists’ Center for Cultural Engagement and the Christian Life Commission. Frugé began her service with the Baptist General Convention of Texas in 2019 as the hunger and human care specialist with the CLC. She later took on the role of associate director of the CLC. About Dr. Ryan DenisonRyan Denison, PhD, is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. Ryan writes The Daily Article every Friday and contributes writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from BH Carroll Theological Institute after having earned his MDiv at Truett Seminary. He’s authored The Path to Purpose, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, How to Bless God by Blessing Others, 7 Deadly Sins, and has contributed writing or research to every Denison Forum book. About Dr. Mark TurmanMark Turman, DMin is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 09 Oct 2023 | The power and relevance of first-century faith: Dr. Jim Denison discusses “Bold Faith” and the Book of Acts | 01:02:12 | |
Can our faith be as bold as the first Christians’ faith?The Holy Spirit who moved through the first-century church is still the same today. God’s power is still just as powerful. So why aren’t most of us experiencing his power in our churches and in our personal lives? Dr. Jim Denison joins The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss Bold Faith: First-Century Lessons for Twenty-First-Century Christians, his biblical commentary on the Book of Acts. Topics
Resources
About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 07 Mar 2022 | What does the Bible say about war? | 00:41:36 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the Ukraine/Russian conflict, why Putin believes the invasion is justified, whether this conflict will devolve into World War III, what the Bible says about war, and four encouraging ways to pray for Ukraine.
Show notes: First, Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman unpack the recent developments in Ukraine. They express admiration for the Ukrainian president Zelensky and the heroic way that Ukraine is holding out against Russia. Then, Dr. Denison talks about the difference between a cold war, a hot war, and the means of conflict in a cyberwar. They also discuss the international backlash against Putin’s move into Ukraine. Then, Dr. Denison relates a difficult reality: The United States is not as prepared for a cyberwar as Russia is. They discuss the risks posing U.S. citizens if that were to unfold.
They then delve into a discussion of the difference between “eastern” (namely, Russia and China) and “western” worldviews. Dr. Denison unpacks how the individualism of the west means that we prize persons above the “whole,” or the “state.” On the other hand, Putin's eastern perspective means that he is willing to sacrifice massive numbers to serve the interests of Russia. Dr. Denison shows how authoritarianism plays into this conflict and Putin’s further interests in taking Ukraine.
At this point, Dr. Denison unpacks St. Augustine’s just war theory with his famous seven justifications, such as self-defense, proportionality, justice, last resort, etc. From Putin’s perspective, from the eastern mindset that serves Russia first above all else, this war meets all the qualifications, while we in the West would say it meets absolutely none of them. This shows how complex war and international politics are. In this context, Dr. Turman and Dr. Denison unfold his likely motivations in greater detail.
They then go off track to discuss a potential parallel: how Mexico could hypothetically use similar logic to Putin, but within the Western worldview, to regain portions of Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and even southern California. This idea of war between the US and Mexico is entirely theoretical, but Dr. Denison covers some history; how America ultimately wronged Mexico by taking land in the 1800s, similar to how Putin is currently trying to take Ukraine. They follow this parallel for some time. Finally, Dr. Denison discusses the origins of the City of God where St. Augustine outlines the just war theory.
In conclusion, Dr. Denison provides applications for Christians in America. We can rest in the Lord, knowing that he has things under control. He also answers whether any Christians should join the Ukrainian defense. Then, he gives four ways to pray for Ukraine:
And finally, Dr. Denison prays himself to close the podcast.
P.S. Jim’s most pivotal book to date, The Coming Tsunami, is now available on Kindle, hardcover, and Audible.
Resources and further reading:Updates on Ukraine - Dr. Jim Denison, Denison Forum team “Just war and personal conflict: a Veterans Day reflection” - Dr. Jim Denison The Next 100 Years: A Forecast for the 21st Century - George Friedman City of God - St. Augustine The Brookings Institute - Fiona Hill About the hostsJim Denison, PhD, is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 07 May 2022 | Faith in the public square: A conversation with David French | 00:59:32 | |
David French, Dr. Jim Denison, and Dr. Mark Turman consider partisan hostility, why Trump divides Christian Americans, the persecution complex of many conservatives, why making abortion illegal won’t solve the problem of abortion, why we need to invest with love in communities, and ultimately how Christians should act in the public square.
Show notes:
Commentator David French joins Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman to discuss the leaked Supreme Court ruling that could overturn Roe v. Wade and why the partisan divide threatens our country.
They discuss the overreactions of conservatives and liberals, how Christians can go beyond hateful political exchanges, and why we should not be cultural warriors (3:12). French points out how good we have it in America and the persecution complex that Christian conservatives often have. He also talks specifically about Donald Trump and how evangelicals have a worrying tendency to defend Trump’s problems (8:36).
They then look to the Civil Rights movement as a model for real cultural change through peaceful means under actual persecution (12:58). French explains why he isn’t worried about the Equality Act under the current Senate (17:14).
They address the “all-or-nothing” trap that politics puts us in and how we subconsciously become lawyers for blue or red instead of the jury or judge (19:10). French points out that God is on the throne, so Christians cannot lose, whether Biden or Trump is president (27:11).
They discuss how making abortion illegal won’t solve the problem of abortion. Rather, it will take a cultural heart change, and there is hopeful news there (31:17). They consider how we need to make change through small institutions and communities, like through Little League, church, and making friends, not through politics.
They also consider how and why fewer and fewer abortions are being done and the current cultural backlash against the sexual revolution (45:47). Lastly, they reflect on Jesus’ teaching to love your enemy with no qualifications and why we need to be Christians in every area of our lives, not just on Sunday (50:16).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
David French is a senior editor for The Dispatch and was formerly a senior writer for National Review. David is a New York Times bestselling author. He is a graduate of Harvard Law School, the past president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, and a former lecturer at Cornell Law School. He has served as a senior counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice and the Alliance Defending Freedom. David is a former major in the United States Army Reserve. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. He has written for The Atlantic, as well as other notable publications. | |||
| 25 Jul 2024 | Why wisdom matters with Janet Denison | 00:47:39 | |
Welcome back to the Denison Forum podcast! This episode features Dr. Mark Turman, executive director of Denison Forum, in conversation with Janet Denison about her ministry and her evening devotional book, Wisdom Matters. They discuss the importance of biblical wisdom, the differences between knowledge and wisdom, and how wisdom can help us navigate life's challenges. Janet shares personal stories and insights from her journey of faith, including early experiences in ministry and how desperation led her to a deeper understanding of scripture. They highlight the role of the Holy Spirit in ministry and the tendency to misuse Bible knowledge. Janet emphasizes the need to lean on God's understanding and not our own, especially in difficult times. They also explain how the devotional book is structured to provide daily wisdom and how it can be accessed both as a hardcover and through the Foundations with Janet app, where users can hear Janet read each devotional. Discover practical ways to end your day with God's wisdom and explore the powerful impact it can have on your life. Topics
Resources
About Janet DenisonJanet Denison has been writing and teaching Bible study for almost forty years and speaks with a voice that has experienced the truth of God’s word. She often says the reason she gets out of bed each day is to help others understand and apply the truth of God’s word to their daily lives. Teaching the Bible is her great privilege, and her goal is to help people live a life that God is able to bless. She is the primary author of the Bible studies at Foundations with Janet. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 08 Aug 2024 | Understanding the role of media in politics and faith - Part 2 | 01:02:12 | |
In this second episode of a special eight-episode series called “Politics discerned differently,” Dr. Turman and Conner Jones, Director of Performance Marketing at Denison Ministries, explore the complex world of news, journalism, and media in the context of today's political climate. They discuss the importance of seeking truth in politics, the evolving nature of journalism and media, and the role of truth from a Christian perspective. They also touch on the influence of social media, independent journalism, conspiracy theories, censorship, and the emerging impact of artificial intelligence on the information landscape. This episode will help you navigate this political season thoughtfully and redemptively. Topics
ResourcesRelated Denison Forum podcasts:
Related Denison Forum articles & resources:
Other trusted resources:
About Conner JonesConner is the Director of Performance Marketing here at Denison Ministries. After graduating from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 with a degree in Business Management, he worked in the PAC-3 Missile program at Lockheed-Martin as a contracts negotiator before coming to Denison Ministries. His role is to leverage many digital platforms to increase the reach of our content and grow the audience of Denison Forum and our three other brands. He passionately follows politics, sports, pop-culture, entertainment, and current events. He enjoys fishing, movie-going, and traveling the world with his wife Raigan, and together they will soon be welcoming a baby boy into the world. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 07 Mar 2024 | How political should Christians be? Preston Sprinkle discusses his new book, “Exiles” | 00:58:11 | |
Dr. Preston M. Sprinkle joined The Denison Forum Podcast to talk about his latest book, Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of the Empire. Along with host Dr. Mark Turman, they delve into biblical history as a guide for today’s Christians navigating the political arena. They warn against intertwining your religious and political identity, and they advocate for a stronger biblical lens when forming political perspectives. They also explore what “exile” and “empire” meant to the first-century church, providing a thought-provoking perspective on how Christians should engage with today’s contentious political atmosphere. Topics(00:21) The Role of Christians in Politics (02:35) The Impact of Politics on Church Unity (05:25) The Shift in News Consumption and its Impact on Politics (11:15) The Role of Identity in Politics (12:26) The Influence of Christianity on Politics (16:01) The Dangers of Christians Seeking Political Power (21:41) Historical Examples of Christian Influence in Politics (26:15) Jesus as a Political Figure (27:32) The Subversive Nature of Jesus's Teachings (28:38) Understanding the Eternal Context (29:15) Christianity and Slavery (30:28) The Power of Sacrifice (32:27) The Metaphor of Exile (38:06) Political Involvement as Christians (47:45) Practical Implications: Pledge of Allegiance (51:36) Conclusion: Faith as the Primary Lens ResourcesExiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender 🎧 “Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?” A conversation with Preston Sprinkle About Dr. Preston SprinkleNew York Times bestselling author Dr. Preston M. Sprinkle has written more than a dozen books. He serves as the president of the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender and the host of the Theology in the Raw podcast. His most recent book is Exiles: The Church in the Shadow of Empire. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 13 Feb 2023 | Authority in modern America: How do Christians know truth? | 00:47:17 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the state of moral and legal authority in America, why God is our ultimate spiritual and moral authority, different ways of knowing God’s truth by interpreting the Bible, where Baptists and Catholics disagree, and how Christians should view authority.
Show notes:Dr. Jim Denison begins by discussing how Americans view authority and why we regard the rule of law as higher than even the president’s power and the difference between legal, moral, and spiritual authority (0:59). They cover why religion was important to America’s founders and how Americans are sorting our views on morality through the judicial courts and legislation at a state, and even city, level (12:07). They comment on the conflict between religious liberty and the civil rights of the LGBTQ+ community (16:01). Dr. Denison considers the differences of spirituality and morality from an “epistemological” perspective for Christians: the intuitive, rational and practical (28:09). This is relevant for Christians to how we pray, read the Bible, and ultimately our view of authority (34:14). They close by tying everything together, discussing the priesthood of all believers, community, church leadership, and the Bible’s grounding authority for our lives (42:43).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
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| 14 Nov 2022 | Advent: The Songs Tell the Story: A conversation with Janet Denison | 00:33:14 | |
Janet Denison talks with Dr. Mark Turman about her Advent devotional series, The Songs Tell the Story, why she wrote it, and shares her favorite hymn and how to make Christmas about Jesus.
Show notes:
Janet Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Janet Denison’s book, The Songs Tell the Story (along with the kid’s version), a Christmas devotional that explores the meaning and origin of our favorite holiday songs. They talk about how Janet wrote the devotional study and the history of Advent (1:02). Janet especially loves O Holy Night, and was surprised to discover its origins (6:10). They discuss why hymns were so important in history for the layperson to understand theology, and their own most profound experiences with hymns (14:42). They give insiders perspective on Christmas in the lives of ministers (20:58). They close by talking about how to use The Songs Tell the Story, and how to make the busy season focused on Jesus (28:47). Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Janet Denison teaches others to live an authentic faith through her writing, speaking, and teaching ministry. She blogs weekly at FoundationsWithJanet.org and leads virtual and in-person Bible studies. She is also the author of The Songs Tell the Story and Content to Be Good, Called to Be Godly, among other books. Janet and her husband, Dr. Jim Denison, live in Dallas, Texas. When they’re not writing or ministering to others, they enjoy spending time with their grown children and their four still-growing grandchildren. | |||
| 26 Jun 2023 | “Revelation for the Rest of Us”: A conversation with Dr. Scot McKnight and Cody Matchett | 00:59:50 | |
Scot McKnight, PhD, Cody Matchett, and Dr. Mark Truman discuss the flaws of dispensationalism, Revelation’s message for discipleship, the Christian life as a peaceful political dissident, how to read Revelation generally, and what this means for Christian worship today.
Show notes:
New Testament scholars Scot McKnight, PhD, and Cody Matchett explain their background with the book of Revelation and why they wrote Revelation for the Rest of Us (2:41). Dr. McKnight explains dispensationalism, its history and ideas, why it fails, and why their reading of Revelation leads to hope rather than paranoia (10:04). They explain what it means to be a dissident disciple, the importance of politics in Revelation, and John’s constant allusions to Rome (24:52). They talk about why this more biblical interpretation makes Revelation apply so fervently to modern Christians. They consider the drama in Revelation’s colorful language and how to interpret John’s vision (30:01). They discuss why John was exiled to Patmos and how Christianity was deemed threatening to the political order (38:19). Revelation compares and contrasts the woman of Babylon and the woman of Jerusalem, revealing to modern churches how to worship more powerfully (47:31).
NOTE: We’ve launched our summer campaign. As a 100-percent donor-supported ministry nonprofit, we rely on believers like you to give toward our calling “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). If our work has encouraged or inspired you, please give today.
Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guests
Scot McKnight (PhD, University of Nottingham) is a world-renowned speaker, writer, professor, and equipper of the Church. He is a recognized authority on the historical Jesus, early Christianity, and the New Testament. His books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Russian, and Portuguese. He is the author of The Jesus Creed, The Blue Parakeet, The King Jesus Gospel, Revelation for the Rest of Us, numerous commentaries, and is now writing a sixteen-volume series of reflections called The Everyday Bible Study.
Cody Matchett is the Scholar in Residence at First Assembly Church in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Cody holds a bachelor’s degree in biblical Studies (Briercrest College) and a Master of Arts in New Testament (Northern Seminary). He is pursuing his PhD at Ridley College, Melbourne. He lives in Calgary with his wife Brianna and his daughter Aleitheia Theodora.
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| 19 Jan 2024 | Why we must choose life | 01:00:56 | |
Abortion is the moral issue of our day.As the National Sanctity of Human Life Day arrives this January 21, Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss why being pro-life matters so deeply. Before they launch into that important conversation, they discuss the historical and biblical significance of the liturgical Christian calendar, including how the season of Lent came about, as well as Denison Forum’s latest book, a Lenten devotional entitled Awaken My Heart. Then they launch into an in-depth discussion on abortion, its moral implications, and how the church should respond, especially given the current increase in chemical abortions. Dr. Denison calls believers to take a practical, compassionate, and prophetic stand against the issue of abortion, with a focus on supporting mothers as well as unborn children. Topics(00:04): Introduction and Overview (00:37): Understanding the Liturgical Christian Calendar (01:28): The History and Significance of the Liturgical Calendar (03:23): The Role of Rhythms and Seasons in Christian Life (04:39): The Protestant Reformation and its Impact on Liturgical Traditions (09:55): The Concept of Lent in Christian Tradition (18:37): The Importance of Sanctity of Life Sunday (22:29): The Seven Pillars of Biblical Flourishing (23:01): The Sanctity of Life and its Biblical Foundation (29:38): Abortion: A Moral Issue of Our Day (31:57): Understanding the Cultural Phenomenon of Abortion (32:24): Reasons Women Choose Abortion (32:57): The Desire for Personal Autonomy (34:12): The Shift in Cultural Morality (35:09): The Importance of Responsibility in Freedom (35:39): The Impact of Personal Privilege on Society (36:36): The Rise of Moral Therapeutic Deism (37:14): Being Pro-Life in Every Biblical Sense (38:16): The Church's Role in Supporting At-Risk Pregnancies (38:48): Understanding the Complexity of Abortion Decisions (39:47): The Aftermath of the Overturning of Roe v. Wade (42:58): The Increase in Chemical Abortions (45:12): The Role of Church Leaders in Addressing Abortion (50:46): Guidance for Individuals Supporting Someone Considering Abortion (56:33): The Spiritual Battle Surrounding Abortion ResourcesNational Sanctity of Human Life Sunday Awaken My Heart: A 47-Day Lenten Devotional Evangelical, Sacramental, and Pentecostal: Why the Church Should Be All Three Why is Lent relevant for evangelicals? What does the Bible say about abortion? How can so many Americans be so wrong on abortion? About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 12 Sep 2022 | Digging into doubts and how to minister to Gen Z: A conversation with Barnabas Piper | 00:57:08 | |
Barnabas Piper joins Dr. Mark Turman and Mark Legg to discuss being a pastor’s kid, talking to teens and Gen Z about doubts, the importance of humor, and depending on Christ in all things.
Show notes:
Barnabas Piper begins by reflecting on his own life’s story and how the Lord refreshed the idea of the church to him (2:32). They discuss the hypocrisy of some Christian leaders and how to move forward with grace (12:31). Piper talks about the restoration of Christian leaders, how to talk to kids openly about your own doubts, and how to raise children who ask deep questions (18:09). They turn to converse about the openness and authenticity of Gen Z (30:56). With everything being in Christ’s hands, they discuss how we can live without fear, and how The Happy Rant podcast came from that sentiment (39:09). They look at the importance of humor, honesty, and self-depreciation in ministry (43:19). Barnabas ends by talking about political idolatry and faithful churches (52:11).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
Mark Legg is the Associate Editor for Denison Forum. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2021 with a degree in Philosophy and Biblical Studies
About the guest
Barnabas Piper is an author, a speaker, and an assistant pastor at Immanuel Church of Nashville. He’s also the co-host of the Happy Rant podcast and co-author of the new book, The Happy Rant. Visit barnabaspiper.com. He has authored four other books: The Pastor’s Kid, Help My Unbelief, The Curious Christian, and Hoping for Happiness. | |||
| 11 Sep 2023 | How to be a good citizen of heaven and America: A conversation with Jim Denison | 01:08:31 | |
Christian, how now shall you vote?America is more divided and hostile along political lines and tribes than ever before. For some, politics may have become their substitute religion in place of a true faith in Christ Jesus as King of kings. So how can Christians understand and engage in our political processes as culture-changing Christians who use their influence in redemptive ways for the glory of God and the good of others? Dr. Jim Denison joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss the presidential political season and the intersection of faith, hope, and love with politics, government, and power. Topics
ResourcesDownload the unedited transcript Podcast episodes
Books Articles
About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. Jim speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 09 Jan 2023 | Is the “Respect for Marriage Act” a threat to religious liberty? | 01:13:02 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the “Respect for Marriage Act,” the tension between politics, state’s rights, and the church, religious liberty updates, and whether Christians should try to legislate morality.
Show notes:
First, they discuss the recently passed, so-called, “Respect For Marriage Act,” and its connection to Obergefell, Congress, and the Supreme Court (6:46). They then consider the cultural events that led up to our present time and why we strayed from biblical marriage (12:00). Dr. Denison explains Constitutional law, and why it’s relevant to the conversation of religious liberty, State’s rights, and whether Christians should defend biblical marriage in the legal arena (20:00). They hone in on the separation of the Church and State, and what the Bible says about Christian’s involvement in politics in the New Testament (33:00). They then discuss whether the Respect For Marriage Act impedes religious liberty (48:00). Dr. Denison closes by explaining the difference between the civil rights protecting LBGTQ people and the civil rights of ethnic minorities, and why we can’t make the legal comparison (56:05)
Resources and further reading:
About the hostsJim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 06 Feb 2023 | Can Christians “pull the plug” on a dying loved one? Is euthanasia biblical? A conversation with Jackson McNeece | 00:58:53 | |
Jackson McNeece and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the bioethics of euthanasia, why our culture has begun to accept physician-assisted suicide, and what the Bible says about “pulling the plug” on people on life support.
Show notes:
Jackson McNeece begins by explaining biomedical ethics, giving the state of the modern debate and culture’s view on euthanasia, and how Christians should react (2:52). They move to define terms like physician-assisted suicide, active and passive euthanasia, and “letting die” (10:10). They talk about why people are choosing physician-assisted suicide in such large numbers (20:44). Then, they discuss “brain death” and persistent vegetative states, comas, heroic measures, life support, and how to treat people with these conditions (26:45). They talk about biblical dualistic versus holistic views on the soul and body, and why it's important to talk to loved ones about death and dying (36:43). If the holistic view is correct, how should we treat comatose patients? Can Christians ever “pull the plug” on a dying loved one (41:42)? They end by considering why the disabled community is so against physician-assisted suicide and why Christians should never take their own lives (56:39).
Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. About the guest
Jackson McNeece is a Master of Divinity student from Oklahoma City, OK. In May of 2021, Jackson graduated from Baylor University with a degree in Medical Humanities. Throughout his studies at Baylor, he developed an intense curiosity for medical ethics, particularly within a healthcare setting. While studying at Duke Divinity, Jackson hopes to continue to cultivate his fascination with medical ethics, learn to ground medical ethics within a theological context, and develop an understanding of what it means to serve in a pastoral capacity in medicine. | |||
| 23 Oct 2023 | Losing Our Religion: A conversation with Russell Moore | 01:04:56 | |
As Christians, have we lost our religion?Evangelical altar calls are urgent invitations to respond to the Holy Spirit and the truth of God with humility, repentance, trust, and renewed obedience. Why do American evangelical Christians need to hear and answer such a call? Have some evangelicals turned things like influence, authority, credibility, and stability into idols? How can Christians become better missionaries to our current culture rather than cultural warriors? Our guest Dr. Russell Moore deals with these and other questions in his newest book, Losing our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America. Dr. Moore also briefly discusses events happening in Israel. Topics
Resources
About Russell MooreRussell Moore is Editor in Chief of Christianity Today and is the author of Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America and many other books. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 01 Feb 2024 | Why we observe Black History Month: Tyrone Johnson discusses biblical equality | 00:57:04 | |
“Where we are now is a part of where we were then.” –Tyrone JohnsonIntroduction Dr. Mark Turman introduces guest Tyrone Johnson, a Dallas-area pastor and worship leader who’s also a friend of both Dr. Turman and Dr. Denison. They set the stage for a conversation on biblical equality and racism in the context of Black History Month. Racial equality and biblical teachings Johnson discusses the origins of Black History Month, emphasizing its importance in recognizing the contributions of African Americans and addressing racial inequalities in the context of biblical teachings. Historical perspectives Dr. Jim Denison joins the conversation, offering insights into how the Bible addresses both good and bad events and how this relates to acknowledging the full scope of American history, including its darker aspects like slavery and racism. The role of the church and believers The podcast explores the responsibility of the church and believers in addressing racism, promoting equality, and fostering reconciliation, drawing parallels with biblical principles. Current social dynamics Johnson and Dr. Denison delve into contemporary social issues, including voting rights, economic disparities, and systemic racism, and how these issues are intertwined with historical contexts and Christian values. Personal reflections and experiences Johnson shares personal anecdotes and reflections, illustrating how historical events and personal experiences shape our understanding of race and equality. Call to action for believers The conversation emphasizes the need for Christians to be actively involved in understanding and addressing racial injustices, encouraging listeners to engage with Black History Month and to reflect on their roles as agents of change. Concluding thoughts The podcast ends with a discussion on the potential for societal change, the importance of historical awareness, and the role of faith in driving positive transformations in society. Resources
About Tyrone JohnsonTyrone Johnson is Pastor at the One Faith Community Church in Plano, TX. His music is rooted and grounded in a deep and sincere desire to worship God with his whole heart. A gifted worship leader and choir director, Tyrone has been blessed to lead people of many ethnicities and nationalities in praise to the God he serves and adores. His ministry has taken him all over the U.S., as well as internationally to such countries as Cuba, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Ethiopia, Kenya, Brazil and Romania. Tyrone's high-energy worship is infectious, glorifying God and edifying the Body of Christ through encouragement, instruction, and inspiration. Tyrone began singing at the age of 7 in his native Louisiana. A graduate of Dillard University of New Orleans, he performed classical, spiritual and gospel music as a featured soloist in the university's Concert Choir and Male Quartet during his college years. Since moving to the Dallas area, Tyrone has served as a choir director and worship leader in a number of area churches. A highly sought-after performer, studio vocalist, producer and arranger, he has also taken the stage in concert venues throughout the Dallas Metroplex and worked on various Jazz, Gospel and Contemporary Christian Music recordings in addition to his own "Smooth Jazz"-flavored projects: Never Alone, which contains original sacred music and new arrangements of favorite hymns, Heaven and Nature Sing, a collection of popular Christmas carols and holiday songs, and After Sunset, a compilation of jazz standards and classic R&B tunes delivered in Tyrone's inimitable silky style. Tyrone followed a calling to plant a church in Plano, TX. He and his wife are looking forward to spreading the good news of Christ to all people. Tyrone and his wife, Angela, are the proud parents of college twins, Faith and Mark. About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 24 Jul 2023 | Ask Jim: Gay “Side-B” Christians, the spectrum of abortion positions, and church discipline | 01:03:11 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman respond to popular reader questions, discussing the spectrum of positions on abortion, how to have honoring conversations about controversial subjects, homosexual attraction versus activity, and healthy church discipline.
Show notes:
Dr. Jim Denison unpacks the various positions on abortion and the spectrum between extreme positions (3:14). They consider the importance of avoiding self-righteousness and heatedness in conversations while preserving ethical consistency (10:14). Dr. Denison reflects on the “post-Dobbs world,” and how we can get involved in pro-life initiatives (19:19). They discuss “side B” gay Christians and how homosexual attraction is not sinful (24:06). They unpack the philosophical framework of various “identities,” how postmodernism infects our language about identity, and why God provides our true foundation (31:41). Dr. Denison continues by addressing how churches should interact with gay visitors, how to treat them with love, and how to navigate church discipline (38:59). Dr. Denison closes by giving thoughts on accountability and Paul’s “handing over to Satan” and how we change our approach to sin when handling non-believers (50:53). NOTE: We’ve launched our summer campaign. As a 100-percent donor-supported ministry nonprofit, we rely on believers like you to give toward our calling “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). If our work has encouraged or inspired you, please give today.
Resources and further reading:
About the hostMark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. Denison Ministries includes DenisonForum.org, First15.org, ChristianParenting.org, and FoundationsWithJanet.org. Jim speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening.
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| 18 Apr 2022 | How to think biblically about Israel | 00:52:28 | |
Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison discuss how to understand modern Israel through a theological lens, the current political climate, the history of the Jewish people, how to pray for Israel, and how Christian and Jewish beliefs differ.
Show notes: Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison begin by giving a brief description of Israel’s geography and its demographics as of today (5:37). Then, Dr. Denison provides a summation of the history of Israel and of the Old Testament (12:05). They discuss how going to Israel makes the Bible 3D and tangible (15:42). He then goes on to fit the story of Jesus into the context in a vivid description in the historical context and discusses why most modern Jews today reject Jesus as the “suffering servant” Messiah (21:43). Dr. Denison then explains differing views on the fulfillment of God’s purpose for Israel and Judaism, including Dispensationalism and “replacement theology.” (27:49) Dr. Denison relates his own view that, while the Jewish people are not chosen by God in fulfillment of prophecy, they have a special quality about their culture that is blessed by God. While God loves all people, Palestinians, Arabs, Muslims, and Jews, he seems to particularly bless the Jewish culture, even in the modern day (31:04). Dr. Turman presses in, asking more about how we can uniquely evangelize to Jews, recognizing that Jesus, his disciples, and the earliest churches were all Jewish (34:41). Within that, they discuss the evident spiritual warfare going on in the hearts of the Jewish people and in Israel right now, which is manifesting as violence. They discuss the current political climate of Israel and how to pray urgently for them (45:45).
P.S. Jim’s most pivotal book to date, The Coming Tsunami, is now available on Kindle, hardcover, and Audible.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 27 Feb 2023 | What is Denison Forum and how did it start? | 00:52:58 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman sit down to discuss the mission of Denison Forum, the origin story of the ministry that now reaches millions of people, how he writes The Daily Article, and the different brands of Denison Ministries.
Show notes:
To begin, Dr. Jim Dension gives the elevator pitch for Denison Forum and how James Davison Hunter’s idea of “manifesting faithful presence” clarified his vision for Denison Forum (0:25). Dr. Denison discusses how Christians should use their influence in America (7:59). Then, he launches into the history of Denison Forum, starting with the early years then moving into The Daily Article (16:15). They consider what “culture” means, and why we want to equip Christians to change the culture (28:57). Dr. Denison shares how he makes The Daily Article and how he picks the topics for it (33:35). They talk about what Denison Ministries does, and its unique mission with multiple brands (44:57). Dr. Denison closes by talking about whether strategic planning is biblical, and how we can use influence to advance Christ’s kingdom (48:34).
Resources and further reading:
About the hostsJim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 18 Dec 2023 | Ask Jim: Jesus in hell, salvation after death, and “God made me this way” | 00:52:53 | |
Cultural apologist Dr. Jim Denison answers a few challenging questions about the Bible from our audience, many of which seemed to ask the same question: Is God just? For example, can people in hell be saved? Did Jesus go to hell after his crucifixion and before his resurrection? If “God is love,” as 1 John 4:16 says, is hell necessary? And what about the millions of people who lived before Jesus came to earth? Are any of them saved? What about people living today who may never hear the gospel? And did God condone genocide in the Old Testament? Dr. Denison also speaks to the postmodern belief underlying the popular statement that “God made me this way” as it relates to same-sex attraction, alcoholism, and other temptations. Topics(00:51): Did Jesus go to hell after his crucifixion? (08:10): Can salvation happen after death? (13:05): Why is hell necessary? (18:21): If salvation is only through Jesus, what about the people who lived before Jesus? (22:24): If people today never hear the gospel, will they go to hell? (31:15): The danger of saying “God made me this way” (41:17): Is God guilty of genocide in the Old Testament? Resources
About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 08 Feb 2024 | Is Gen Z beyond the reach of the church? A conversation with Aaron Pierce | 00:52:28 | |
Aaron Pierce, the International Mission Director for Steiger International, answers with an emphatic no in his latest book, Not Beyond Reach: How To Share Jesus with the Young, the Deconstructed, and the Non-Religious. But that’s not to say significant obstacles still remain, especially in our post-Christian and hyper-wired yet lonely culture. In this episode of The Denison Forum Podcast, Pierce and Dr. Mark Turman dive deep into the challenges and opportunities of Christian outreach with the emerging, global, digitally native generation. They talk about how Christians can effectively engage with Gen Z by striking a balance between being immersed in the world and holding onto biblical principles. They also touch on the idea of deconstruction, the role of technology, and dealing with a post-Christian culture. Pierce also stresses the importance of starting spiritual conversations and intentionally pursuing relationships with nonbelievers, guided by an understanding of the gospel and a love for people. Topics
Resources
About Aaron PierceAaron Pierce serves as the International Mission Director of Steiger International, a global mission organization dedicated to mobilizing followers of Jesus to reach young people who would not walk into a church. Growing up as a missionary kid in the heart of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Aaron witnessed the life-changing impact of the Gospel through his parents' ministry, who founded Steiger as a missionary movement. This experience ignited a deep love for Jesus and a strong desire to live a life fully dedicated to following Him. Aaron is deeply passionate about inspiring and equipping followers of Jesus to live lives of radical faith and to courageously share the message of Jesus in our increasingly secularized culture. His prayer is that God would raise up a radical missionary movement that will transform the Global Youth Culture for Jesus. Aaron’s most important role is his role as husband to Jennifer and dad to Asher, Selah, Hudson, and Wesley. Aaron and his family live in Minneapolis, MN (USA). About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 18 Sep 2023 | Money in the Light of Eternity: A conversation with Art Rainer | 01:03:33 | |
When is enough enough?Art Rainer is the founder of Christian Money Solutions and the author of Money in the Light of Eternity. He joined The Denison Forum Podcast to discuss our collective money problems (and their solutions), seeking contentment in our finances and in our lives, the importance of giving to the church, and more. Topics
Resources
About Art RainerArt Rainer is the founder of Christian Money Solutions. He writes and speaks widely about issues related to finance, wealth, and generosity. He is the author of The Money Challenge: 30 Days of Discovering God's Design for You and Your Money. You can read and hear more from Art at ArtRainer.com. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 10 Oct 2022 | Peace in Politics, how to reduce anxiety during the 2022 midterms: A conversation with Josh Miller | 01:02:02 | |
Josh Miller, Dr. Mark Turman, and Mark Legg discuss partisanship bias, Christian hypocrisy, dealing with anger and anxiety, and how to maintain peace during political uncertainty.
Show notes:
Mark Turman begins by asking about the top five issues for the 2022 midterms, and they discuss how the different politicized news sources will cover the topics (1:45). They turn to discuss the role fear plays in politics now, and how to try to get both sides of the perspective (7:31). Josh speaks about why he wrote Peace in Politics, and the hypocrisy of many Christians when they talk about politics, especially the prevalence of anger and anxiety (20:50). They turn to humility as a crucial part of wrestling with politics for the Christian (32:52). We must not dehumanize political “opponents”, instead we show compassion first and foremost (43:08). They discuss the technology behind social media and how that contributes to our division, and how to practically deal with the intrusion of bias, anger, and anxiety in this political season (47:42).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
Mark Legg is the Associate Editor for Denison Forum. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2021 with a degree in Philosophy and Biblical Studies.
About the guest
Josh Miller is the Creative Director of Denison Ministries and author of First15's free e-book: "Peace in Politics." He’s also a musician, writer, and teacher for a local church in the Dallas area. | |||
| 11 Jul 2024 | Investigating Christianity: A conversation with J. Warner Wallace | 01:03:15 | |
Join Dr. Mark Turman, executive director of Denison Forum, in a profound discussion with J. Warner Wallace on the latest episode of the Denison Forum podcast. Wallace, a celebrated cold case homicide detective and best-selling author, discusses the themes of his new book, The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life. They explore humanity's obsession with drama, the nature of truth and grace, and the deep implications of holding justice and mercy in balance within the Christian faith. This episode offers rich insights into cultural and spiritual identity, humility, and provides practical tools to help listeners think biblically, live holy, and serve redemptively. Topics(00:57): Society's Obsession with Drama (02:39): Interview with Jim Wallace: True Crime and Christianity (04:29): Jim Wallace's Journey to Faith (11:00): The Human Condition and Need for a Savior (17:59): Identity and Trauma (32:21): Exploring Hope and Mortality (34:47): Christian Worldview and Hope (38:46): Humility: The Secret to Flourishing (45:02): The Dangers of Celebrity Culture (51:18): Balancing Justice and Mercy (01:00:18): Concluding Thoughts and Recommendations ResourcesCold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels 'The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life About J. Warner WallaceJ. Warner Wallace is Dateline-featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker, and best-selling author. Relying on more than two decades of investigative experience, Wallace provides the tools needed to investigate the claims of Christianity and make a convincing case for the truth of the Christian worldview. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 02 May 2022 | Our new abnormal: A conversation with Kerby Anderson | 00:52:27 | |
Kerby Anderson, Dr. Jim Denison, and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the state of culture post-pandemic, the economic realities, freedom of speech and religion, how to be involved in politics, and how God is redeeming the darkness overshadowing our culture.
Show notes: Kerby Anderson, Dr. Jim Denison, and Dr. Mark Turman discuss several trends of decline in American culture. They begin by considering the pandemic, and the effects it has had on our culture, inflation, and sociological trends (6:55). They discuss how mRNA vaccines could revolutionize medicine, but how we can’t put our entire trust in scientists (17:23). They look into some positive news in the midst of what feels like lots of bad news, how God is redeeming technology and how we can be a light in the dark world right now (19:13). They consider the sanctions against Russia and their repercussions (24:23). Dr. Denison talks more about the “post-truth” state of our culture, and they consider why religious liberty cases are so important in the face of LGBTQ issues (31:00). They then delve into how Christians should be involved in politics, how we can do good in it, how to handle Trump, and how we shouldn’t allow our involvement with politics to interfere with the gospel (42:23).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Kerby Anderson is a cultural apologist and serves as host of “Point of View” (USA Radio Network) and president of Probe Ministries. He holds a master's degree from Yale and Georgetown University. He is also the author of twenty-five books. | |||
| 28 Mar 2024 | If “Easter” isn’t in the Bible, why do we celebrate it? | 01:08:44 | |
What does “Easter” mean? How did Easter begin? Why is Easter essential to Christianity? Join Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman as they discuss the deep importance of Easter, why every Sunday should be an Easter celebration, and why Jesus’ death and resurrection matters to your life right now. Topics(00:25): Exploring the Origins and Cultural Impact of Easter (01:14): The Etymology of Easter: From Pagan Roots to Christian Celebration (01:42): Easter Celebrations in American Culture: Statistics and Reflections (04:17): The Challenge of Separating Biblical Facts from Cultural Traditions (05:52): Engaging with Culture: From Easter Eggs to the Resurrection Story (24:26): The Power of the Easter Story: Transformative Insights from Scripture (30:27): Revisiting Easter: The Importance of Recurring Celebrations in Faith (34:04): Exploring the Power of Repetition in Faith (35:24): The Importance of Visual Theology (36:52): Discovering New Insights in Familiar Stories (44:11): The Profound Impact of Jesus' Crucifixion (51:24): Understanding the Resurrection's Significance (58:51): The Personal Journey of Faith ResourcesWas the cross really necessary? What does the Bible say about Easter? Why did Jesus rise from the grave? Awaken My Heart: A 47-day Lenten Journey
About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 21 Nov 2022 | Can America be moral without God? | 00:58:12 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the roots of morality, whether America was founded as a Christian nation, how to lovingly disagree with family, and why the Bible is our ultimate source of truth.
Show notes:
Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison discuss how culture flows from a people’s morality, and why morality is like a natural law (1:28). They talk about why everyone can’t escape truth and morality, how our deepest desires always become idols (7:05). They talk about whether a country can be moral without religion, and whether America was founded as a Christian nation (11:31). They turn to talk about discussing morality and politics with family at Thanksgiving, and love family over the long term (24:06). They discuss what Jesus means by loving him more than family (32:53). Dr. Denison leads listeners in how to pray for and talk to lost family members, and how to keep friendships beyond disagreements (45:05). Then, Dr. Denison closes by pointing to the Bible as being capital “T” truth as the foundation for our lives (51:11).
Resources and further reading:
About the hostsJim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 04 Jul 2024 | Parenting with purpose: Insight and tools from Courtney DeFeo | 00:48:18 | |
Join Dr. Mark Turman, executive director of Denison Forum, as he speaks with Courtney DeFeo, host of the 'Pardon the Mess' podcast. They discuss the importance of integrating faith into family life and resources available through Christian Parenting such as the valuable prayer journal, 'A Life of Faith: Knowing, Loving, Following, and Sharing Jesus.' They also discuss the challenges of managing technology and social media, the apologizing to children, and the power of prayer. Through open, honest dialogue, they aim to provide practical, faith-based support for families navigating today's world. Topics(02:06): The Story of Timothy and Christian Parenting (03:31): Introducing Courtney DeFeo (04:30): Courtney's Background and Passion for Parenting (06:56): Navigating Parenting Challenges and College Choices (10:19): Courtney's Faith Journey and Ministry Work (14:58): The Impact of Working at Chick-fil-A (17:34): Pardon the Mess Podcast and Prayer Journal (22:53): The Power of Prayer in Parenting (23:49): Challenges and Realizations in Parenting (26:57): The Importance of Apologizing and Personal Growth (29:00): Journaling as a Tool for Spiritual Growth (36:06): Resources for Christian Parenting (38:24): Navigating Technology and Social Media (44:29): Final Thoughts and Encouragement ResourcesA Parent’s Prayer Journal: A Life of Faith: Knowing, Loving, Following, and Sharing Jesus About Courtney DeFeoCourtney is the host of Pardon the Mess! She is the author of In This House, We Will Giggle and Treasured. She is also the creator of ABC Scripture Cards and the kindness movement, Light ‘Em Up Acts. She loves to encourage parents and women through speaking, writing, and podcasting. She also serves on the board of Lighthouse Family Retreat. Her deepest desire is to encourage others and give generously in a way that draws people to God. Her most honorable mention is her husband Ron and their two wildly fun girls (Ella, 17 and Larson, 15). Courtney is passionate about Jesus, coffee, Auburn football, Coca-Cola classic, her dog Mazie, spending time with friends and family, and finding deals at TJ Maxx. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 11 Apr 2024 | Live by biblical truth and authority - Part 2 | 01:03:09 | |
In part two of our special eight-episode series called “Being Christian in today’s culture,” Dr. Jim Denison explores the intersection of biblical truth, authority, and cultural relevance for Christians today answering questions such as: What does it mean to embrace biblical truth and authority in the modern world? What does it mean to love God with all your mind? What is truth? The conversation highlights the significance of understanding and adhering to biblical principles, not as mere beliefs but as authoritative guides for life's decisions. It emphasizes the transformative power of submitting to biblical authority and striving to live out one's faith authentically in society. Dr. Denison also discusses the role of education and critical thinking in faith, underscoring the need for discernment and engagement with culture without compromising biblical integrity. For more, read this episode’s accompanying article, “Why we should live by biblical truth and authority.” Topics
Resources
About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 03 Apr 2023 | What’s going on in Israel? A conversation with Israeli civil rights lawyer Calev Myers | 01:07:29 | |
Calev Myers, a prominent Israeli lawyer, discusses with Dr. Mark Turman his civil rights advocacy, efforts to support justice in Israel, and the origin and solution to the current civil unrest against the Israeli government.
Show notes:
Calev Myers begins by talking about his career and the founding story of the Jerusalem Institute for Justice, which focuses on Hamas’ abuse of Palestinians while also advocating on behalf of Israeli citizens (4:21). He discusses the relatively peaceful coexistence of Israelis and how to communicate inter-religiously (15:31). Myers elaborates by unfolding the origin of modern Israel and the specific issues he’s dealt with in their Supreme Court (19:47). He then talks about ARISE, a group that helps make business connections and grows Israel economically, which combats an insidious boycott movement called “BDS” (33:52). He shares some of ARISES’ success stories (41:55). Myers and Dr. Turman then consider the current protests and unrest, starting with Israel’s lack of a founding constitution and the imbalance of power in its government (47:44). Myers closes with how we can pray for Israel (1:04:04).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
In 2004, Myers became a partner at Yehuda Raveh & Co., a law firm. In 2004, Myers also founded the Jerusalem Institute of Justice (JIJ), a human rights group active in Israel and its adjacent territories, and has presented reports on their behalf before governmental bodies. In 2009, Myers became a founding partner of the Jerusalem City Center Branch of Yehuda Raveh and Co., which primarily serves foreign clients investing or donating in Israel. Myers’ legal practice focuses primarily on corporate and intellectual property law, as well as non-profit law, immigration law, and civil rights. Myers is the Founder and Chairman of ARISE – Alliance to Reinforce Israel’s Security and Economy and serves as the Chairman of the Anti-BDS Commission of the Israel Association of Bi-National Chambers of Commerce.
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| 21 Aug 2023 | How can doubt and disbelief become transforming faith? A conversation with Alister McGrath | 00:59:24 | |
How the atheist writings of Richard Dawkins led Alister McGrath—and many other intellectuals—to the Christian faith Dr. Alister McGrath was an atheist when he entered Oxford University to study natural sciences. Through a series of influences he switched to theology and became a Christian. In his new book, Coming to Faith through Dawkins, coauthored with Denis Alexander, McGrath compiled twelve essays from fellow scientists, an engineer, a graphic designer, a journalist, and others who were led to question their atheism by reading the work of atheist Dr. Richard Dawkins. In our conversation, McGrath explains how he and others from around the world admire much of the scientific work of Dawkins. But Dawkins’ sometimes-scathing attacks on religion led them to discover the credibility of Christ and Christianity—and eventually to their personal conversions to faith. Download the unedited transcript here (PDF). Summary
Download the unedited transcript here. About Dr. Alister McGrathDr. Alister E. McGrath is a former atheist who studied natural sciences at Oxford before switching to theology and becoming an Anglican priest. He served as the Andreas Idreos Professor of Science and Religion at the University of Oxford from 2014 to 2022. He holds three doctorates from Oxford in molecular biophysics, theology, and intellectual history. McGrath is also the author of the international bestseller The Dawkins Delusion?, as well as C. S. Lewis: A Life and his latest book, Coming to Faith Through Dawkins: 12 Essays on the Pathway from New Atheism to Christianity. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 17 Jan 2024 | On the ground in Israel: An Israeli's perspective on the war | 00:52:57 | |
“You need more than thousand days to hear thousand stories of what happened here in Israel.”In this episode, Israeli citizen and tour guide Rueben Nevo provides insights about the Israel–Hamas conflict from his perspective as an Israeli living in the country. Discussions cover the experiences of Israeli soldiers returning from battle, tensions among citizens, the effects of Hamas' actions on Israel and the Palestinians, to potential strategies for peace in the region. Nevo is joined by Mike Fanning, the founder of MBF Enterprises, a Bible study tour ministry; Dr. Jim Denison, the CEO of Denison Ministries; and Dr. Mark Turman, the Executive Director of Denison Forum. Topics (00:00): Introduction and Guest Introductions (00:25): Guest Backgrounds and Personal Stories (01:41): Discussing Israel Tours and Experiences (02:48): Introducing Reuben and His Background (06:27): Reuben's Personal Experiences and Observations (06:37): Understanding the Impact of Conflict on Kibbutz Life (08:54): The Role and Importance of Kibbutzim in Israel (14:02): Personal Experiences and Impact of the Conflict (15:42): The Psychological Impact of the Conflict (21:54): Supporting Soldiers and Their Families (24:01): Discussion on Relationships with Palestinian Arabs (24:47): Arab Israelis and the Impact of October 7th (26:01): Differentiating Palestinian Groups (26:50): The Impact of October 7th on Israeli Politics (28:13): Understanding the Complexities of Israeli and Palestinian Identities (28:36): The Intricacies of Geography, Race, and Religion in Israel (31:01): The Challenges of Defining Identity in Israel and Palestine (44:33): The Need for New Leadership in Israel and Palestine (50:23): The Power of Unity in Israel (51:17): Closing Thoughts and Prayers for Peace Resources About Reuben Nevo Reuben Nevo is an Israeli citizen and tour guide. Since 1984, he’s guided tours of Israel for many Christian groups, government delegations, educational programs, and Jewish federations. Nevo has spoken at many US churches about Jewish heritage. He served as an officer of combat forces in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), representative of the Jewish Agency and the government of Israel in Chile, as a teacher and director of a guide school in Jewish agency, as developer of the program “Jewish roots in Spain and Europe,” and as an official government tourist guide at the Ministry of Tourism. He holds a masters in History of the Jewish People from Hebrew University in Jerusalem. About Mike Fanning Mike Fanning is the founder and president of MBF Enterprises, “a group tour operations company that specializes in organizing, marketing and leading unique, one-of-a-kind trips. These trips include pilgrimage tours to Israel, Jordan and Egypt, as well as "Journeys of Paul" cruise tours to Greece, Turkey and Italy.” He holds a PhD in Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), Ancient Near Eastern Archaeology, Modern Middle East History, Anthropology, and Hebrew/Greek from Baylor University. About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 05 Jun 2023 | Transgender ideology and what it means to be a woman: A conversation with Dr. Katie McCoy | 01:01:00 | |
Dr. Katie McCoy and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Dr. McCoy’s upcoming book, To Be a Woman, the origin of transgenderism, why so many more women and girls are transitioning, and how to practically, lovingly, engage with trans ideology.
Show notes:
Dr. Katie McCoy talks about why she wrote To Be a Woman and the definition of gender dysphoria (3:13). She discusses the history of ideas that led to the transgender movement and reflects on the surge in female-to-male trans people (13:17). Dr. McCoy defines other terms like gender-affirming care and the effect of social contagion, pointing to social media as a reason for the rise in trans teens (22:24). She ties together critical theory, trans identity, and philosophy to explain how gender and sexuality became separated (42:14). They close by reflecting on gender pronouns, whether Christian kids should be in public schools, and other practical questions of how to live faithfully (51:06).
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Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Katie J. McCoy serves as Director of Women's Ministry at Texas Baptists. She holds a PhD in Systematic Theology from Southwestern Seminary (TX), where she served on faculty for five years. Katie teaches and writes on the intersection of theology, culture, and women's issues, and has co-authored a work on the doctrine of humanity as part of the Theology for the People of God series (B&H Academic). Included among her research is discovering the pattern of justice for women in Old Testament laws. You can find Katie online at blondeorthodoxy.com.
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| 10 Oct 2023 | Crisis in Israel: A conversation with Dr. Jim Denison | 00:57:50 | |
As war in Israel begins, questions abound.What is the crisis in Israel? Who is Hamas, and why did they attack Israel? How is Israel responding? Why should Christians care, and how should we pray and help? What might this new conflict mean for larger nations? How is faith and religion sometimes used as a cloak to cover a relentless pursuit of power? Dr. Jim Denison discusses these and other critical issues connected to the new war between Israel and Hamas. Note: This episode was recorded on the morning of Tuesday, Oct. 10, 2023. Topics ● Who is Hamas? | 03:02 ● How does Hamas view Christians? | 05:15 ● Understanding Israel’s geography | 07:21 ● Defining “occupied territory” | 12:30 ● Why did Hamas attack now? | 19:10 ● What are the larger ramifications of war in Israel? | 21:59 ● Defining radical Islam | 29:14 ● Cloaking power in religious garb | 36:08 ● How should Christians view this conflict? | 41:46 ● A prayer for the crisis | 51:25 Resources● Hamas and Radical Islam: What Christians need to know ● How did the war in Israel happen? Israeli intelligence failures and spiritual warfare ● “This is our 9/11”: Why did Hamas attack Israel? What comes next? ● How to think biblically about Israel About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.
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| 14 Aug 2023 | What happens when a theoretical physicist meets God? A conversation with Dr. Tom Rudelius | 00:50:05 | |
In Chasing Proof, Finding Faith, Dr. Tom Rudelius shares his story of doubt and faith.Dr. Tom Rudelius is a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical physics at UC–Berkeley and the author of Chasing Proof, Finding Faith. In that book, he chronicles his conversion to Christianity while still wrestling with the doubt that science often bears upon faith. An excerpt from his book is available here. In this conversation with Denison Forum Executive Director Dr. Mark Turman, Dr. Rudelius discusses:
Download the unedited transcript (PDF). About Dr. Tom RudeliusTom Rudelius completed his undergraduate work at Cornell, earned a doctorate in physics at Harvard, and has conducted postdoctoral research at the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, New Jersey. Currently a postdoctoral researcher in theoretical physics at the University of California, Berkeley, Tom will begin a faculty position at Durham University (UK) in the fall of 2023. His research focuses on string theory, quantum field theory, and early universe cosmology. A man of faith and an avid sports fan, he is frequently requested to speak on topics related to science and faith. He is also on the board of the Mamelodi Initiative, a tutoring organization based in Mamelodi, South Africa. Tom's newest book, Chasing Proof, Finding Faith, released on August 8, 2023, from Tyndale. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.
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| 15 Aug 2022 | What are my spiritual gifts? A conversation with Dr. Ryan Denison | 01:07:35 | |
In tandem with the release of Denison Forum’s latest book, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, Dr. Ryan Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss spiritual gifts, how they are powered by the Holy Spirit, how we can know our spiritual gifts, the difference between talents and gifts, and how the Lord uses them. Show notesDr. Ryan Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Dr. Ryan Denison’s new book, What Are My Spiritual Gifts: How to Discover, Understand, and Apply Your Spiritual Gifts (2:11). They talk about what spiritual gifts are, how the Bible talks about them, the motivation behind using them, and how they’re used in the church. They talk about how the Spirit uses our talents, personality, and experience to develop our gifts (10:06). They turn to discuss the spiritual gifts inventory we’ve developed at whataremyspirituagifts.com. Denison also discusses how to use the test, how it’s not the final say, and why you might want a friend to fill it out for you (22:46). They also consider why Dr. Ryan Denison divided them up with his categories of “Public, Personal, and Paradigm.” (31:49) They hone in on music as a more unique gift that Dr. Denison identifies (37:31). They end on specifically thinking about the gift of giving (55:40). Resources and further reading:
About the hostsJim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. About the guestDr. Ryan Denison is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. He holds a Ph.D. in church history from B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. He’s written four hundred articles for the Denison Forum in addition to other works, including How to Bless God by Blessing Others and the recently released What Are My Spiritual Gifts? Dr. Ryan Denison is Dr. Jim Denison’s son. He is married to his wife Candice; they have two children and live in East Texas. | |||
| 29 Aug 2024 | Avoiding the idol of politics with a biblical approach - Part 5 | 00:59:27 | |
In this fifth episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Micah Tomasella to discuss the complex relationship between faith and politics, particularly in the context of families, churches, and society at large. They explore how political issues have become increasingly divisive within families and church communities, especially over the past decade. The conversation touches on historical and cultural factors that have contributed to the rise of Christian nationalism and the blending of faith with politics. They emphasize the importance of keeping politics in its proper place, not allowing it to overshadow one's faith or become an idol. The discussion also covers the role of the church in guiding believers through political engagement, encouraging them to prioritize their faith and witness for Christ over political affiliations. Topics
ResourcesRelated Denison Forum podcasts:
Related Denison Forum articles and resources:
Other trusted resources:
About Micah TomasellaMicah Tomasella is the Advancement Officer at Denison Ministries. A graduate of Dallas Baptist University, Micah is married to Emily, and together they are proud parents of two young daughters, Olivia and Joanna. With an extensive background in nonprofit work, finance, and real estate, Micah also brings experience from his years in pastoral church ministry. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 05 Jan 2024 | History is His story: On Jesus’ greatest commandment, the January 6 riot, and the importance of history | 00:47:09 | |
What is the greatest thing Jesus ever said? How can we listen, follow, and know him more deeply? How will knowing Jesus enable us to love better in every area of life? How can we look back historically and biblically so we can see the future more clearly? In this conversation between Dr. Jim Denison, Dr. Ryan Denison, and Dr. Mark Turman, they discuss:
May you be encouraged, challenged, and inspired in your faith and in your witness to the culture. Topics(01:34): What is the greatest thing Jesus ever said? (04:32): Because Jesus shared the greatest commandment, why do we need the rest of the Bible? (06:42): What can people expect when they take the Greatest Commandment course? (11:18): What does the January 6, 2021 riot reveal about our culture? Was it an insurrection? (18:20): How will history consider the January 6 events? (22:21): How should Christians allow history to influence their faith? (29:32): How important is history to Christianity? (36:14): How does history help us trust Scripture? (42:09): How is an understanding of history important to living out the greatest commandment? ResourcesFree course: The Greatest Commandment: How to Love God and Others with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind, and Strength About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Ryan Denison Ryan Denison, PhD, is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. Ryan writes The Daily Article every Friday and contributes writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from BH Carroll Theological Institute after having earned his MDiv at Truett Seminary. He’s authored The Path to Purpose, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, How to Bless God by Blessing Others, 7 Deadly Sins, and has contributed writing or research to every Denison Forum book. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 13 Jun 2022 | We're on break | 00:00:52 | |
We're taking a short summer break. We'll be back in a couple of weeks with a "summer favorites" series. These will be episodes about Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman's favorite things, including movies, life Bible verses, and more. | |||
| 30 Oct 2023 | American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church: A conversation with Andrew L. Whitehead | 01:06:32 | |
The dangers of Christian nationalismAndrew L. Whitehead’s accessible book American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church raises difficult but necessary questions about the influence of Christian nationalism in America. What is Christian nationalism? Why is it dangerous for our faith, our churches, and our country? How can Christians see through Christian nationalism as a false god that twists the good news of Jesus away from his call to “love your neighbor as yourself”? Many Christians have influence, power, and opportunity, but many of us also need to learn more holy ways to utilize power. We need to be wise and wary of the devil's call to fear and the culture's call to violence. God's call is for us to steward our salt and light well personally and in community so that all, and not just some, can flourish. Topics
Resources
About Andrew L. WhiteheadAndrew L. Whitehead (PhD, Baylor University) is associate professor of sociology at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, where he codirects the Association of Religion Data Archives in the Center for the Study of Religion and American Culture. He is the author of American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church and the coauthor of Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States, which won the 2021 Distinguished Book Award from the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion. Whitehead has written for the Washington Post, NBC News, Time, and Religion News Service and speaks frequently about Christian nationalism. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.
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| 12 Oct 2023 | Who’s to blame for the crisis in Israel? | 00:36:04 | |
Dr. Jim Denison shares biblical insight and expert knowledge on the many questions swirling around the ongoing war in Israel:
Resources● How can we pray for Israel? Foundations with Janet ● Talking with your kids about the war in Israel, Christian Parenting ● Current DF resources on the war in Israel About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.
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| 14 Nov 2023 | What college students should know about the war in Israel | 00:49:01 | |
Is Israel an oppressive occupier?Among the many surprising incidents surrounding the war in Israel, the size and vitriol of many American college students decrying Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza is among the most surprising. What’s spurring their protests? And how can parents and families discuss the war in Israel with their college students with truth and in love so that serious discussions can happen without fracturing relationships? Topics(00:34): The latest news from Israel and the ground offensive in Gaza (05:29): Iran’s role in the Israel war (07:26): How Israel and Hamas are responding to global pressure (11:06): Why Israel’s government has Arab representation (18:00): Why Critical Theory calls Israel an “oppressor” (21:59): Has Critical Theory replaced “majority rule with minority rights”? (24:49): Why are many college students protesting the Israel war? (26:59): Blending anti-Zionism with antisemitism (29:34): Why does Palestine keep rejecting a two-state solution? (34:15): Why do so many believe Israel is an “occupying colonizer”? (40:12): How to navigate conversations about the war in Israel with family and friends ResourcesIs Israel committing genocide? Hamas and Radical Islam: What Christians need to know Antisemitism on American college campuses Podcast: How to talk to your kids about the Israel crisis When Critical Theory collides with conflict in the Middle East Why do so many people hate the Jews? Book: Respectfully, I Disagree Further Denison Ministry resources on the war in Israel About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 18 Jul 2022 | When Dr. Jim Denison met Billy Graham | 00:25:31 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman continue the “summer favorites” series. In this episode, they each discuss the most impactful time they met someone and their recent trips to Israel.
Show notes: Dr. Denison and Dr. Turman talk about Jim's most recent experience in Israel and what he learned on this trip (1:03). Then, they talk about their most impactful meetings with heroes of the faith (11:42). For Dr. Denison, it was meeting with Billy Graham, and for Dr. Turman, it was meeting Jim Henry (16:03).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 06 Mar 2023 | What is Christian self-care? A conversation with Erin Kerry | 00:50:24 | |
Erin Kerry joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss how functional and traditional medicine can complement each other, why self-care done right can be biblical, the importance of seeing ourselves as body, mind, and soul, and why nutrition is important to mental health.
Show notes:
Erin Kerry talks about her life story, including her struggle with serious mental illness and how she developed a passion for helping others in the same place (1:40). Kerry discusses integrative nutrition, functional medicine, and how they can complement traditional medicine (8:01). The conversation turns to the difference between self-medicating and self-care, whether Christians should use self-care, and the necessity of sabbath (18:09). She highlights the importance of silence and spiritual rest (31:33). Kerry talks about gluten and why it’s become trendy, as well as how digestion works in your body (38:15). She ends by sharing practical tips better to integrate your life with healthy habits (45:50).
Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guestErin Kerry is a certified integrative nutrition health coach and mom to three children. She has received training from The Institute for Integrative Nutrition and The School of Applied Functional Medicine. As a survivor of mental illness, she is passionate about advocating for mental health. She is the owner of Sparking Wholeness, host of the Sparking Wholeness podcast, and works as the Integrative Health Coach at Living Well Counseling and Wellness Center in Tyler, Texas.
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| 21 Feb 2022 | How we should think | 00:43:58 | |
Summary: Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the thinking of Plato, Aristotle, Kant, and the progression of Western philosophy, which has culminated in the post-truth culture we find ourselves in today.
Show notes: Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman open by explaining Jim’s role as a “cultural apologist.” After a detour into different approaches to preaching, they state that, in a general sense, all of Western philosophy is a footnote to Plato, Aristotle, and Kant (riffing off of the quote by Alfred North Whitehead).
Plato began by claiming that the soul exists before the body and that the material world is fundamentally flawed. It is a “shadow” of the real things, which are “spiritual” or “mental,” and the purpose of physical life is to purify one’s soul. Additionally, according to Plato, if we wanted to study apples, we would think about “appleness.” We wouldn’t study it by looking at apples in the physical world. This Greek categorization of the spiritual and “everything else” is what led to the “Sunday versus Monday” Christianity, which Jim expounds upon.
Then, they delve into Aristotle, who opposed his teacher. Aristotle said that to understand things we should look at the material world. To study an apple, we need to look at apples themselves in the physical world.
They then leap centuries to consider how Plato and Aristotle respectively influenced different applications of the church. While you can loosely trace Plato’s influence to modern Protestantism, you can trace Aristotle’s influence to the Catholic church.
At this point, we can say that Immanuel Kant in the eighteenth century was trying to exercise his thinking to unite these two ways of thinking. The “empiricist” (focus on the physical) and “rationalist” (focus on the rational) were raging in debate at this time. Kant, in trying to marry these two ways, ended up saying that we cannot know the “thing in and of itself” either rationally or empirically. This kind of subjectivism swept Europe. America, however, was somewhat protected from these ideas by “commonsense realism,” which Mark and Jim discuss more.
They then speculate into the two paths Europe and America took in history, given these two opposing views. For instance, Kant’s focus on “duty for duty’s sake” became a potential grounding for the German people’s acceptance of the horrors of Nazism. Recently, this subjectivism, which has become relativism, reached America, which Jim talks about as our “post-truth” culture. At this point, they turn to more recent thinkers like Marx, Freud, and Darwin, discussing how they have continued to influence our thinking until we have become “sexual, economic animals.”
How do we not allow ourselves to be influenced by these ideas in our culture?
We must pray without ceasing, be aware of Jesus’ presence, and renew our minds by taking them captive to obey Christ. Regular Bible study is critical to making sure we submit to the ultimate truth, revealed by God. Only he can be the ultimate standard of objective truth.
P.S. Jim’s most pivotal book to date, The Coming Tsunami, is now available on Kindle, hardcover, and Audible.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, PhD, is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 31 Oct 2022 | Truth over tribe: A conversation with Patrick Miller | 00:57:54 | |
Patrick Miller joins to talk about why Christians should value truth over their tribe, how to talk about politics with family and friends, why Jesus was “political,” and how to avoid fear in our post-truth culture.
Show notes:
Patrick Miller begins by discussing his podcast, Truth Over Tribe, why it was started, and how it’s become so successful (1:47). Then, he talks about writing the book, and how he learned how tribalism can be a good thing in its proper place, in addition to why it’s so dangerous (7:45). They turn to consider the loss of common ground and truth in our culture (16:47). They explore the importance of love in a post-truth culture, how to talk about politics, and how the left and right can be relativistic (21:00). Miller moves to talk about why Jesus was “political” (33:13). He then turns to focus on how Christian the state should be, and why we don’t need to worry (41:29). They close by talking about the way we should use social media redemptively (50:48).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
Mark Legg is the Associate Editor for Denison Forum. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2021 with a degree in Philosophy and Biblical Studies.
About the guest
Pastor, Co-Director of Digital Relationships. Patrick Miller has called Columbia home since 2006. He met his wife, Emily, at Mizzou, where they both completed their undergrads. Together they have two children. Patrick started following Jesus his Freshman year of college after getting connected to The Crossing. He joined the Veritas college ministry staff team in 2010, helped co-direct the ministry in 2015, and became the Director of Crossing Twenties in 2017. He graduated from Covenant Theological Seminary in 2018 and was ordained as pastor shortly after. Patrick leads the Digital Relationships Team, co-hosts Truth Over Tribe, Ten Minute Bible Talks, leads two Covenant Seminary cohorts, and teaches Men's and Women's Bible studies. | |||
| 07 Nov 2022 | We’re in between eras. How to have a non-anxious presence: A conversation with Mark Sayers | 00:51:47 | |
Mark Sayers, Mark Turman, and Mark Legg discuss the great shift the world is going through, the lingering effects of Covid, how the “gray zone” affects ministry, and how to remain a “non-anxious presence.”
Show notes:
Mark Sayers talks about his faith journey and how he started writing (2:14). The three Marks talk about the significance of our culture’s ongoing shift, and the anxiety that comes from it (8:08). Sayers discusses the role of the internet in that shift, and the “hardware” change our culture is going through, focusing on the effects of Covid (12:50). They turn to discuss the culture’s widespread sense of false security, and how abundance leads to us trusting God less (27:16). Sayers digs further into the idea of the “gray zone,” and why confusion leads to anxiety and fear, and how the Bible applies to those struggles (32:14). Sayers ends by discussing the importance of leadership, and why God’s presence is critical in times of transition (43:19).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
Mark Legg is the Associate Editor for Denison Forum. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2021 with a degree in Philosophy and Biblical Studies.
About the guest
Mark Sayers is the senior leader of Red Church in Melbourne, Australia. He is passionate about spiritual renewal and the future of the church. Mark is the author of a number of books including Strange Days and Reappearing Church. Mark lives in Melbourne with his wife, Trudi, his daughter, Grace, and twin boys, Hudson and Billy. | |||
| 16 May 2022 | Ask Jim: When does science say life begins? What about IVF? And other answers to tough questions. | 01:05:30 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman answer four audience questions: does the “1619 project” reflect badly on the New York Times, is God male or genderless, when does life begin, and how do you love people in public sin without compromising your witness?
Show notes:
Dr. Jim Denison responds to your questions on a wide range of topics. In this episode, he begins by addressing the controversial “1619 project.” The journalistic project looks at history and claims that American history truly began when the first African slaves arrived in 1619. Dr. Denison explains why this is faulty reasoning and discusses journalistic standards and the New York Times (1:28). They digress into discussing political biases in reporting. They then move on to discuss whether God is a “male,” whether God has a gender, and the use of metaphor in the Bible (15:10). Third, they go in-depth into Dr. Denisons’ position on when life begins. They consider IVF and think through the consequences of differing views (26:15). Finally, they answer a question about doing ministry alongside people in public sin. They consider Jesus’ heart, which is to become friends with sinners (like we all are), and how to not be naive or compromise our witness, especially with friends in the LGTBQ community (51:24).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 02 Oct 2023 | “The most exciting moment in my lifetime for the gospel in Cuba”: A conversation with Proclaim Cuba | 00:56:27 | |
“The early church is still walking and running around the streets of my Cuba.”With a population of more than 11 million people just ninety miles off the coast of Florida, Cuba was once considered the "paradise of the Caribbean," welcoming tourists from around the world. Today, its history, culture, and faith are shrouded in legend and myth. But God has not abandoned Cuba. He is present, active, and igniting both revival in the church and awakening across this beautiful island. In this episode, we talk with Cuban natives Pastor Carlos Alamino and his son Carly about their thirty-plus years of planting churches and creating relevant gospel ministries to children, students, women, and sports enthusiasts. You'll also hear about Proclaim Cuba's strong work in discipleship and ministry training and its vision to plant seven hundred new churches and eighteen ministry hubs across Cuba. Topics
Resources
About Proclaim CubaProclaim Cuba’s “ministry divisions include a seminary, church planting, pastoring pastors, children’s and youth ministries, women’s ministry, sports evangelism, intercessory prayer, an institute for the arts, and international missions” in Cuba. Their mission is to “reach Cuba and the nations for Christ. Because we are empowered by God, we empower others. Much work still remains, but we know that God has been and always will be faithful. ‘To God be the glory, great things He has done!’” About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 17 Oct 2023 | How to talk to your kids about the Israel crisis: A conversation with Dr. Jim Denison and Steph Thurling | 00:33:06 | |
When your children ask hard questions about conflict in the Middle East, what will you say?Parents and grandparents may feel overwhelmed and underprepared when it comes to talking about the ongoing crisis in Israel, but children are still affected by what they see and hear—and they often see and hear much more than we think, especially in our media-saturated culture. So how much should you share? How can you educate yourself on the conflict to speak confidently about it? To speak biblically about it? And how can we encourage our children to make a difference where they live even when war seems so far away? Steph Thurling, Executive Director of Christian Parenting, talks with Denison Ministries CEO Dr. Jim Denison. Together, they offer keen biblical insight and practical ways to talk about this crisis with your children and grandchildren. Topics(01:48) A very short history of Israel and Palestine| (04:21) Who’s occupying whom? (08:30) The difference between Palestine and Hamas (12:38) Why is Israel so important to so many? (14:43) What does the Bible say about the current crisis in Israel? (17:20) How can we talk with our kids about the Israel crisis? (24:10) How can families show support for Israel? (27:25) More resources on the crisis in Israel (29:54) A prayer for the Middle East Resources
About Steph ThurlingSteph Thurling is executive director of Christian Parenting, host of The Christian Parenting Podcast, and a mom of three amazing kids! Steph has her master’s in youth, family, and culture from Fuller Theological Seminary and has a background in youth and children’s ministry. She is co-author of Raising Prayerful Kids, a book that shares easy, life-giving, and fun ways to teach kids to pray. She loves helping families grow closer to each other and to God through meaningful experiences and conversations. Steph is a frequent speaker at churches and mom groups and is known for her relatable stories, practical ideas, and gentle encouragement. About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources.
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| 01 Aug 2022 | The church and urban ministry: A conversation with Chris Brooks | 00:57:12 | |
Radio show host, pastor, and writer Chris Brooks joins Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman to discuss urban ministry, discipleship and evangelism, and how the Bible defines the church. Show notes:Chris Brooks begins by giving his background and how he got into the world of pastoring and urban apologetics (6:13). They discuss the importance of evangelism and social justice—the advancement of salvation and living well in this life (10:54). They turn to talk about Marxism and Nietzsche’s ideas on human nature, and how Christianity responds to their claims (24:30). They talk about church membership, church leadership, and the connection between theology and practice (31:04). Brooks considers the importance of anthropology in the Bible in particular. They finish by reflecting on how God’s love for us can fight the despondency felt in our culture (47:12). Resources and further reading:
About the hostsJim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. About the guestChris Brooks is the Senior Pastor of Woodside Bible Church, a multisite congregation across the metro-Detroit area. He served as the campus dean of Moody Theological Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan. A popular Detroit radio host since 2005, Chris is the author of Kingdom Dreaming and Urban Apologetics. He graduated from Michigan State University with a BA in Finance, completed his MA in Christian Apologetics at Biola University, and graduated from the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics. He and his wife, Yodit, are the proud parents of 6 children, Christopher, Zewditu, Cameron, Judah, Sophia, and Christyana. | |||
| 03 Jul 2023 | Psalm 42, yearning for God, and the definition of the soul: A conversation with Dr. Jim Denison | 00:50:09 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Psalm 42, how we get the idea of the “soul” wrong, evangelicalism’s weak spot, why we should yearn for God, and how to start hungering for a relationship with Jesus.
Show notes:
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the image of a deer panting after water in Psalm 42 (2:12). They talk about how evangelicalism can unhealthily swing the pendulum away from spiritual discipline to praying “the prayer” of salvation (7:50). They consider in-depth how the Hebrew authors thought of the “soul” and how it differs from the modern notion (17:36). Dr. Denison talks about C.S. Lewis, why we can only find peace in God, and the difference between knowing “about” God versus knowing God personally (27:45). They point listeners to where they should start if they want to yearn for God and consider how to grow that true, intimate longing to be with God (32:50).
NOTE: We’ve launched our summer campaign. As a 100-percent donor-supported ministry nonprofit, we rely on believers like you to give toward our calling “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). If our work has encouraged or inspired you, please give today.
Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. About the guestJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. He holds a Doctor of Philosophy and a Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Dallas Baptist University. Dr. Denison is the Theologian in Residence for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Prior to launching Denison Forum in 2009, he pastored churches in Texas and Georgia.
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| 28 Nov 2022 | Are churches safe? How to run church security: A conversation with John Mark Caton and Paul Cobb | 01:02:14 | |
Dr. John Mark Caton, Paul Cobb, and Dr. Mark Turman discuss church safety, how to run a safety team with laypeople and specialists, and why church security is a hospitality ministry.
Show notes:
Paul Cobb begins by addressing how we so often don’t think about safety at churches, and they explain what church safety should look like (2:23). They go over some stories of crime and medical emergencies that took place at their churches (6:25). Dr. Caton explains how he became aware as a pastor of the need for better church security (16:20). They go over the biblical foundation for smart church security (21:58). Cobb discusses the principle of victim avoidance and deescalation (33:43). They also point to the importance of churches having hospitable, friendly security teams (39:41). Cobb briefly talks about their firearm policy for churches, then they return to the importance of taking security seriously, and how lay people can be involved (50:16).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guests
John Mark Caton, Ph.D., is the Senior Pastor at Cottonwood Creek Baptist Church for twenty-seven years and the author of several books. He received a Master of Theology from Criswell College, and a Master of Divinity with Biblical Languages degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He earned his Ph.D. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2001.
Paul Cobb consults with churches for their security and safety needs. He’s worked in corporate America, serving in the banking industry, and data centers, and specializes in project management. He serves as an elder at Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. | |||
| 22 Aug 2024 | Is America a Christian nation? - Part 4 | 01:14:00 | |
In this fourth episode of the special eight-episode series called ‘Politics discerned differently,’ Dr. Mark Turman, Dr. Jim Denison, and Dr. Ryan Denison explore the intersection of faith and politics as America approaches the presidential election. They discuss the concept of America as a Christian nation, the role of biblical perspectives in civic life, and the implications of Christian nationalism. The conversation extends to historical and theological insights from the American and French revolutions and emphasizes humility, prayer, and living according to biblical teachings to navigate the political landscape. Topics(03:25): Foundational Questions on God's Perspective (06:06): The Role of Prophecy in Modern Times (10:49): Replacement Theology and Its Implications (14:50): American Pride and Patriotism (18:15): Defining a Christian Nation (27:10): Challenges of Legislating Morality (36:31): America as a City on a Hill: Historical Context and Implications (45:27): Christian Nationalism: Definitions and Debates (52:19): Theological Foundations: Human Nature and Democracy (56:51): Comparing the American and French Revolutions (01:05:41): Practical Advice for Christians in Politics ResourcesRelated Denison Forum podcasts:
Related Denison Forum articles and resources:
Other trusted resources:
About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Ryan DenisonRyan Denison, PhD, is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. Ryan writes The Daily Article every Friday and contributes writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from BH Carroll Theological Institute after having earned his MDiv at Truett Seminary. He’s authored The Path to Purpose, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, How to Bless God by Blessing Others, 7 Deadly Sins, and has contributed writing or research to every Denison Forum book. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 30 Jan 2023 | Why we need good Christian shows for kids: A conversation with Minno founder Erick Goss | 00:58:42 | |
Erick Goss and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the importance of discipling young children and teens, why he founded Minno, a Christian streaming service for kids, challenging how churches neglect children’s programming, and ideas for how Christians should handle screen time with their kids.
Show notes:
Erick Goss begins by sharing his testimony, his time in Naval Academy, his struggle against legalism, and how he rose in the ranks at Amazon (2:01). He moves on to tell the story of how he co-founded Minno, a Christ-centered streaming service for children, how the Lord called him to complete dependence, and why gospel-centered media tailored for kids is so critical (15:53). Goss and Dr. Turman discuss why imagination is so important to Christian faith, what to expect on Minno, and why they include devotionals in addition to cartoons (29:14). Lastly, they turn to a crucial issue for parents: screen time. Instead of authoritarian, fearful rules, Goss recommends discussing media with kids and tailoring screen time to each kid for each age (41:47).
Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. About the guest
Erick Goss holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and an M.A. in international relations from Troy University. He was a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy and a spokesperson to the Pentagon. He held senior management positions at Amazon until he moved into the world of Christian media as the Co-CEO of Creative Trust Ventures. In 2018, he became the CEO and co-founder of Minno, a subscription digital media platform with a focus on supporting Christian kids and families. He and his wife Lisa live in Nashville with their three daughters. | |||
| 04 Apr 2024 | A pathway for becoming culture-changing Christians - Part 1 | 01:05:02 | |
In this first episode of a special eight-episode series called “Being Christian in today’s culture,” Dr. Jim Denison lays out seven essential convictions that a Christian who wants to engage and influence their culture most effectively should adhere to. These seven pillars of biblical flourishing are:
At Denison Forum, we often use the phrase “culture-changing Christian.” But what does it truly mean to be a Christian who changes the culture? Can one person even do something so seemingly large? In this opening episode, Christians are encouraged to use their gifts, skills, and influence to serve God and draw others to him. Because when a life is deeply rooted in Christ and a Christian chooses to think biblically and act redemptively, the world can’t help but change. For more, read this episode’s accompanying article, “How to become a culture-changing Christian.” Topics(00:00): Welcome to the Journey: Equipping Culture-Changing Christians (00:22): Introducing the Seven Pillars of Biblical Flourishing (03:05): Exploring the Beatitudes and the Foundation of Christian Beliefs (06:24): The Challenge of Spreading the Gospel in Today's World (12:20): Understanding Biblical Flourishing and Abundant Life (17:33): The Inclusiveness and Uniqueness of Christianity (23:53): Unveiling the Seven Pillars of Biblical Flourishing (33:52): The Dangers of Hypocrisy in Believers (37:47): The Inevitable Consequences of Sin (40:35): The Power of Accountability in Spiritual Growth (55:56): Living a Life of Redemption and Influence ResourcesHow to become a culture-changing Christian About Dr. Jim DenisonJim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 16 Jan 2023 | The 7 Big Questions: Searching for God, Truth, and Purpose | 00:54:23 | |
Bruce Miller, Dr. Mark Turman, and Mark Legg discuss Bruce Miller’s book, The Seven Big Questions, our doubts and questions about faith, life’s purpose, and apologetics.
Show notes:
Bruce discusses why he wrote The Seven Big Questions, and it’s important to ask the deepest questions of life (2:02). They discuss the way the Bible asks dark, honest questions in Ecclesiastes (7:52). Miller talks about the mystery that often persists when we pursue these questions and why we need “epistemic humility” (20:06). Miller delves more deeply into postmodernism and why it’s unsatisfying to our biggest questions of life (32:32). They talk about scientism, and the renewed interest in spirituality shown by the youngest generation (42:45). Miller closes by talking about why ending on the idea of a personal relationship with Jesus is so important (48:23).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Mark Turman, D.Min., is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Bruce is the pastor of Christ Fellowship, a consultant, and an author. He’s written ten books ranging from apologetics to church leadership. He founded The Centers for Church Based Training, and served as a mentor with Leadership Network to equip next-generation and mid-career pastors. He has recently directed his thinking toward LGTBQ+ consulting for Christian leaders to whom he brings a fresh approach full of both grace and truth in full measure. | |||
| 06 Jun 2022 | Reaching the global youth culture and Ukraine: A conversation with Aaron Pierce | 00:50:40 | |
Aaron Pierce and Dr. Mark Turman discuss Steiger International’s ministry to the “global youth culture,” how our audience can help in Ukraine, how Christians have heroically served in Ukraine, and how we can evangelize in the modern world.
Show notes: Aaron begins by relating how Steiger International was founded about forty years ago in Amsterdam and how music became a part of the movement (1:24). They turn to talk about the situation in Ukraine and how Steiger International has seen the Lord work through courageous missionaries (6:50). They move into discussing the refugee crisis this war has created and more stories of ministry by Ukrainian Christians (18:57). Pierce talks about the need for gospel-centered humanitarian help (27:09). They turn to consider how the church has lost credibility in our modern context and how we can reach young people (30:18). Pierce explains how their ministry works on the city level in small groups to build relationships and bring people to Jesus (41:37). Although they originally focused on Europe, they’ve turned to building teams in America as well. Pierce ends by telling the true story of an American volunteer and how God uses unexpected people (45:14).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Aaron Pierce oversees Steiger International’s strategic direction, while teaching at its training events, developing new church and ministry partnerships, continuing to participate in evangelistic outreaches and tours around the world, and much more. Aaron preaches regularly at churches, conferences, and events around the world. Aaron was a member of the evangelistic rock band No Longer Music from 2005 to 2011, preaching the Gospel all over Europe, South America, and the Middle East. | |||
| 19 Jan 2022 | The rise of secular religion | 00:46:49 | |
Summary: Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman explore how Christians have lived faithfully in their cultural moment for thousands of years, how we must break free from the Sunday/Monday heresy, the importance of a personal relationship with Christ, how Christianity is a bad religion without such a personal relationship, and how the culture has created a new religion of humanism and self-affirming authenticity.
Show notes: Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the intended audience of Jim’s new book, The Coming Tsunami, which is for all Christians, and particularly for those in places of cultural influence. Christian movements in history start with a small number of people, “faithfully manifesting” where God put them. They discuss the third and fourth great awakenings (or the Welsh revival), which began with “regular, average” Christians.
Mark discusses how we often don’t see the results of our faithfulness in our lifetime, and we must leave the results to God’s providence. Faithfulness takes patience, and, as Jim has written, “You can’t measure the eternal significance of present faithfulness.” They delve into the Protestant Reformation, how it began, and some of the key believers in the movement.
They then address the “Sunday/Monday heresy,” which refers to the view of many Christians who live as Christians on Sunday morning but have their own lives every other day of the week. Christ calls us to give every minute of our lives over to him.
This leads them to discuss the essential part of Christianity as being in the relationship with Christ, not the religion. While religion is important, i.e., going to church, singing hymns, liturgy, etc., without the relationship, religion is an empty shell. Jim reveals a time when, as a pastor, God convicted him that while Jim loved Jesus, he wasn’t in love with Jesus.
They then delve into what has become the overarching ideology or creed of our culture: personal authenticity. They discuss the evolution of this creed over time: how Christianity was at first important and culturally encouraged, then it became a personal hobby, then irrelevant, and now it’s considered dangerous. The culture has almost fully bought into humanism.
They consider the implications of this creed, how nowadays everything is centered around feelings and our experience.
Sometimes, true repentance is harder than religion. Often, having a relationship with Christ is more difficult than following an empty creed. Many issues in our culture stem from the transference of responsibility to anything and everyone but ourselves. There’s a sense in the culture now that “I” cannot be at fault; it must be the system or other people. While there are complex issues here, the gospel ultimately relies on the submission of oneself to Christ, no matter our circumstances.
P.S. Pre-order The Coming Tsunami today and you’ll be invited to an exclusive, virtual, live Q&A with Dr. Denison discussing whether Critical Race Theory is biblical. Visit TheComingTsunami.com to pre-order and follow the directions on that page to receive your invitation to this book launch event on January 25.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Dr. Jim Denison CVO and cofounder of Denison Forum and a cultural scholar. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy and Master’s in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 14 Mar 2022 | A soldier and priest’s view of Ukraine: A conversation with retired major Father Barry Montgomery | 00:48:57 | |
Summary: Retired Major (US Marines) Father Barry Montgomery joins Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman to discuss the state of affairs in Ukraine, Putin’s military strategy and tactics, how Russian forces have miscalculated, President Zelensky’s leadership, and Putin’s connection to Christianity. Shownotes: In this episode, Dr. Mark Turman and Dr. Jim Denison are joined by Father Barry Montgomery, Retired Major, United States Marines. His specialty in intelligence qualifies him to speak with clarity and insight on the Russian and Ukrainian conflict. They begin by discussing the state of affairs in Ukraine, then consider Putin’s military strategy, which cities he will have to take, and what appears to be his current plan. Father Montgomery provides personal insight into the strengths and weaknesses of the Russian armed forces, pointing out that the number of Russian troops deployed against Ukraine is far too small to complete Putin’s objectives. He discusses what Russia miscalculated, his underestimation of resistance, where their strategy is effective, and potential outcomes for the future of this conflict. They reflect on the courage of Zelensky and the “X-factor” he provides for the conflict. His bravery and leadership parallel that of Winston Churchill on several levels. His ability to rally the average Ukrainian to arms and be willing to die for their country plays a major part in this conflict. Dr. Denison and Father Montgomery pause to reflect on the history of Russia, the nationalistic motivations of Putin, and his glory for a restored pre-soviet Russian empire. They consider his likely beliefs about the Soviet Union, how his vision for himself and Russia goes much farther back to someone like Peter the Great and the tsars rather than to Stalin or Lenin. Then, Dr. Denison and Father Montgomery consider Putin’s spiritual motivations and his strong ties to the Russian Orthodox church. Putin’s socially conservative vision is backed by his authoritarian power, and it’s important to remember that he isn’t trying to restore the atheistic USSR. Putin is partially using spiritual justification and considers the church the glue that holds Russia together in many ways. Dr. Denison and Father Montgomery discuss the implications of this. Father Montgomery closes by reading a prayer from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in America. P.S. Jim’s most pivotal book to date, The Coming Tsunami, is now available on Kindle, hardcover, and Audible. Resources and further reading:
About the featured guest | |||
| 23 Jan 2023 | Should Christians pursue power? A conversation with David French | 01:01:13 | |
David French sits down with Dr. Mark Turman to discuss how Christians should view power, the rise of radicalization and alienation, how to read the news well, and how to be informed without being alarmist.
Show notes:
David French and Dr. Mark Turman begin by discussing the nature of power, why the “will to power” leads to all kinds of sin, whether Christians should pursue influence, and Micah 6:8 (1:06). They discuss apocalyptic language in political commentary, the deepening divide that media encourages, and rising radicalization and alienation (17:24). French worries that the reasonable majority are starting to stay silent and considers why we should start thinking smaller in our communities (30:00). They consider how to be well informed without being alarmist (41:42). Then, they talk about good news outlets, the difference between reporting and opinion, and the value of a free press (49:22). Finally, French closes by commenting on the difference between Christian cultural warriors and cultural missionaries (57:43).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
David French was senior editor for The Dispatch and before that, a senior writer for National Review. He recently accepted a position to write full-time as an opinion columnist for the New York Times. He has written for The Atlantic, as well as many other notable publications. French is a New York Times bestselling author and graduate of Harvard Law School, the past president of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education, and a former lecturer at Cornell Law School. He has served as a senior counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice and the Alliance Defending Freedom. David is a former major in the United States Army Reserve. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq, where he was awarded the Bronze Star. | |||
| 31 Jul 2023 | “Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?” A conversation with Preston Sprinkle | 01:01:25 | |
Dr. Preston Sprinkle joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss his book Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage, how to have uplifting conversations about controversial issues, the Bible’s view of marriage, and common objections to the “historical” interpretation of marriage.
Show notes:
Dr. Preston Sprinkle covers his reasons for writing Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage, how to have a loving, respectful conversation about tough issues, and how he became an author and speaker in this field (2:42). He talks about the need for graciousness, humility, and genuine curiosity, how Gen Xers and Boomers can easily fail at this (12:40). They speculate as to why Christians, and everyone else, seem so bad as having hard conversations (21:17). Dr. Sprinkle defends his using secular psychology and why he uses the term “historical Christian view” (24:19). They turn to discuss singleness, and why life without sex or marriage is still fulfilling in the Christian worldview (34:59). Dr. Sprinkle reflects on the foundational chapters, how to have a healthy disagreement and the foundation for the Bible’s view of marriage (40:06). They hone in on two conversations: could Paul have known about sexual orientation and why some people think the evangelical view is dangerous (48:19).
NOTE: We’ve launched our summer campaign. As a 100-percent donor-supported ministry nonprofit, we rely on believers like you to give toward our calling “to equip the saints for the work of ministry” (Eph. 4:12). If our work has encouraged or inspired you, please give today. Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. About the guest
Dr. Preston Sprinkle is a biblical scholar, speaker, podcaster, a New York Times bestselling author, and the co-founder and president of The Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender. He earned a Ph.D. in New Testament from Aberdeen University in Scotland (2007) and has taught theology at Cedarville University (OH), Nottingham University (UK), and Eternity Bible College (CA). Preston has written a dozen books, including Erasing Hell (with Francis Chan), Nonviolence, Scandalous Grace, People to Be Loved, Living in a Gray World, and Embodied. Preston also hosts a popular bi-weekly podcast titled Theology in the Raw, where he engages in honest conversations with interesting people.
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| 02 May 2024 | What does it mean to hunger and thirst for righteousness? - Part 5 | 01:06:02 | |
In this fifth episode of our special eight-episode series called “Being Christian in today’s culture,” Dr. Denison discusses biblical righteousness. He answers questions such as: What is the difference between righteousness and biblical righteousness? Is righteousness the same thing as justice? What does it look like to be righteous in today’s society? The conversation with Dr. Denison also addresses topics such as racism, gender inequality, economic disparities, immigration, and environmental stewardship. Their conversation seeks to encourage Christians to think biblically, live holy lives, and act redemptively in order to foster a world that flourishes by God's design. For more, read this episode’s accompanying article, “What is biblical righteousness?” Topics (01:55): Diving Deep into Biblical Righteousness (08:12): The Challenge of Hypocrisy in Pursuing Righteousness (14:05): Hungering and Thirsting for Righteousness: A Biblical Perspective (22:28): Navigating Complex Cultural Issues with a Biblical Lens (31:40): The Role of Social Media and Celebrity Culture in Shaping Public Values (33:09): Addressing Racism: From Historical Context to Personal Experiences (38:03): The Complex Landscape of Progress and Challenges in Combating Racism (45:35): Exploring Gender Equality and the Biblical Perspective on Women's Roles (50:5): Immigration, Borders, and the Biblical Call for Compassion (57:53): Confronting Simplification and Polarization in Societal Debates Resources What is biblical righteousness? A pathway for becoming culture-changing Christians - Part 1 Live by biblical truth and authority- Part 2 The power of Christ to change the culture - Part 3 Who determines the value of life - Part 4 About Dr. Jim Denison Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening. About Dr. Mark Turman Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison Forum Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 07 Feb 2022 | Love and marriage in a post-truth culture | 00:45:50 | |
Summary: Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss biblical marriage, Jim and Janet’s forty-year marriage, the true value of authenticity, the culture’s twisting of it, and how godly marriage can be a light in our dark culture, which has lost its way in reference to sex and marriage.
Show notes: Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman discuss marriage and the cultural breakdown around the institution of marriage. To begin, they discuss some observations about the culture made by New York Times columnist David Brooks, whose pieces on culture are insightful and clear.
They take a break from that discussion to talk about Jim and Janet’s forty-one years of marriage. Jim reflects on the beginning of their relationship, their early years, and how Janet’s partnership in ministry has impacted the kingdom.
In this, they unpack the new wave of valuing authenticity, the positives, and negatives of what this term can mean in modern culture. On the face of it, authenticity, genuineness, is a Christlike characteristic. Mark shares how authenticity continues to be one of the core values at Crosspoint Church, where he previously pastored. The focus on authenticity seems to be a reaction to the career-driven approach to life by the previous generation.
At the same time, this good value is conflated to finding that authenticity in oneself, in pride in who you are. It becomes personal, identity-driven, and about finding “your truth.” It has even become militant and adversarial. This could easily be driving a great deal of animosity over politics. They discuss how biblical authenticity and cultural authenticity differ.
In marriage, it becomes critical to get your core identity from Christ, not your spouse. We must pursue Christ first and foremost; that way we don’t become unhealthily co-dependent on our spouse. While we welcome and celebrate support, and that’s a huge part of marriage, neither spouse should need the other. Contrary to the selfish view of the culture, that relationships are contracts that we get what we need out of them, marriage should be covenantal.
The effects of this cultural shift are evident: fewer couples are marrying, and so fewer are divorcing, dating is decreasing, and pornography is on the rise. The most important place for our trust in Christ. As Jim once heard from his youth pastor, you must find “your worth not in who you are, but in whose you are.” Then, authentic community is needed, which can only be found in a local body of believers. We’re often missing that in our culture today as well.
Jim and Mark then unpack two foundational passages on marriage in Genesis 1 and Ephesians 5 and what it means for our lives and marriages. Marriage is about service, not selfishness, and this acts as a window into the church and Christ’s love. Not only does this witness to your spouse, but to your family, friends, and culture as well. Jim uses the example of Martin Luther and his wife and how their marriage exemplified Luther’s teaching that clergy can live godly lives while married.
Godly marriages will act as a light in this dark culture and a window into the revelation of the love of Christ.
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, PhD, is the CEO of Denison Ministries and the author of The Daily Article. He received his PhD in philosophy and Master’s in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Dr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. | |||
| 04 Jan 2022 | The gravest threat Christians in America have ever faced | 00:54:05 | |
Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Mark Turman talk about the origins of Jim’s new book, The Coming Tsunami, and God’s calling on Jim’s life to cultural apologetics. In this first episode, they cover:
In part 1, Jim and Mark delve into Jim’s life and upbringing.
Jim’s father experienced the horrors of World War II and couldn’t reconcile them with Christianity. So, Jim grew up in a “loving, wonderful home but no spiritual life and all my father’s questions.” Eventually, after following Christ in his teens, God called him to ministry.
Fast-forward to two or three years ago. The Holy Spirit pressed on him the “urgency of the moment” in our culture, which eventually led to the writing of The Coming Tsunami. The analogy runs like this: unseen forces (earthquakes) can lead to cultural symptoms that make Christianity a danger in the eyes of the culture (the tsunami).
In part 2, Jim and Mark discuss:
The election of conservative Christians to the presidency seems to have led to passivity among many Christians; political officials cannot change the culture. The way to change culture is to practice what you preach and exercise your influence wherever you are.
In part 3, they talk about encouraging ways God is moving.
For instance, they discuss the growing unity in the church between denominations, the miraculous awakenings in Islam, and the explosive growth of Christianity in Asian countries.
Next, they cover the influx of atheist, secular thinkers into mainstream Western culture. Many are brilliant scientists but overstep into philosophy and theology, places where they make frequent errors but still hold massive influence. This and subjects like the church abuse scandals have broken the church’s image in the modern eye. Philosophy has consequences, and you can trace the ideas of today back generations to people like Kant.
Finally, Jim shares his pastoral insight into how the Lord moves.
While we may feel desperate now, God works awakenings when a culture is on the brink of despair. The Spirit has worked like that before in America, and he can do it again.
P.S. Pre-order The Coming Tsunami today and you’ll be invited to an exclusive, virtual, live Q&A with Dr. Denison discussing whether Critical Race Theory is biblical. Visit TheComingTsunami.com to pre-order and follow the directions on that page to receive your invitation to this book launch event on January 25.
About the hosts
Dr. Jim Denison CVO and cofounder of Denison Forum and a cultural scholar. He received his Ph.D. in philosophy and Master’s in Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
Resources and further reading
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| 01 May 2023 | How to raise Gen Z with a biblical worldview: A conversation with Dr. Jeff Myers | 00:56:57 | |
Dr. Jeff Myers, the president of Summit Ministries, joins Dr. Mark Turman to discuss apologetics for Gen Z through Summit’s summer camps. They also consider the idea of worldviews, explain the philosophical nature of truth, and talk about his book, The Truth Changes Everything.
Show notes:
Dr. Jeff Myers begins by sharing his testimony and how he became president of Summit Ministries, which helps kids stand firm in a biblical worldview through camp and student conferences (5:44). Dr. Myers explains Summit and how they help prepare Gen Z for defending their faith and thinking critically. They also talk about pivotal life moments when faith becomes relevant (11:57). Dr. Myers talks about what a “worldview” is and what led him to write Truth Changes Everything (23:30). Armed with a PhD in philosophy, Dr. Myers provides a deep, philosophical understanding of truth (29:21). Dr. Turman asks why the Christian worldview is unique, given the incarnate person of Christ (47:36).
Resources and further reading:
About the host
Mark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guest
Dr. Jeff Myers is the president of Summit Ministries. As an educator and entrepreneur, Dr. Myers has become one of America’s most respected authorities on youth leadership development. Through his speaking engagements and media appearances, Dr. Myers has become a fresh voice offering humor and insight from a Christian worldview. He is the author of 14 books, including Understanding the Faith, Understanding the Times, and Understanding the Culture textbooks, which are studied by tens of thousands of students. Dr. Myers holds a Ph.D. from the University of Denver. He continues to engage college students and adult learners by serving as a trustee of Colorado Christian University and through a Signature Leadership Course offered by the Lumerit Corporation, which serves the training needs of many Fortune 100 companies. Jeff and his wife Stephanie and their family live in Colorado.
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| 23 May 2022 | Faith and works: A conversation with Dr. Albert Reyes | 01:00:23 | |
Dr. Albert Reyes and Dr. Mark Turman discuss how the gospel and meeting physical needs are two sides of the same coin of advancing God’s kingdom, how Buckner lives this out from “womb to tomb,” the importance of family, and how to get involved.
Show notes: Dr. Albert Reyes and Dr. Mark Turman discuss the unfortunate conflict between two supposed teams: Christians who help people with physical needs and Christians who help with spiritual needs (3:22). Actually, Jesus did both in an integrated way, they are two sides of the same coin (7:16). They talk about the importance of healing, peace, and justice, along with the importance of words (12:13). They discuss the history of Buckner International and the life of Robert Cooke Buckner, the baptist minister who lived out this idea in his life and founded the ministry as an orphanage (19:12). Dr. Reyes then talks about their senior living ministry, and why it's so important in our culture (28:40). Their ministry spans from “womb to tomb,” helping children through fostering, adopting, and orphanages (34:49). Then, they talk about the importance of family and how their ministry supports all kinds of families (38:42). Millennial Christians have learned the importance of adoption, it’s a beautiful return to the roots of Christianity (49:56). They end by talking about how our audience can get involved, and their slow, deliberate process of taking families through the decision to foster and adopt (50:52).
Resources and further reading:
About the hosts
Jim Denison, Ph.D., is an author, speaker, and the CEO of Denison Ministries, which is transforming 6.8 million lives through meaningful digital content. Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. About the guest
Dr. Albert L. Reyes is the sixth President and CEO of Buckner International. He previously served as president of Buckner Children and Family Services. Prior to his tenure at Buckner, Albert was president of Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio. He also has served as pastor of three churches and as a manager for Sprint’s National Customer Service Call Center. Albert and his wife, Belinda, have three children. They are members of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas. | |||
| 25 Jun 2024 | Addressing trauma and loss: A personal conversation with Steve Carter | 00:54:30 | |
In this conversation, Dr. Mark Turman interviews Steve Carter about his new book, which explores his journey of resignation from Willow Creek Community Church in the wake of misconduct allegations against the former pastor, Bill Hybels. The book is titled 'Grieve, Breathe, Receive: Finding a Faith Strong Enough to Hold Us,' which reflects the three key words that guided Steve through his season of struggle and healing. The conversation delves into the events surrounding the resignation, the decision-making process, and the challenges of leadership in the face of institutional preservation. Steve also discusses the themes of grief, breathing, and receiving in the context of personal and ministry transitions. They explore the significance of the Easter weekend and how it aligns with the process of grieving, breathing, and receiving. They also delve into the importance of waiting and how pastors can care for themselves and their families during challenging times. Steve shares insights on the pain, privileges, and promises of ministry, emphasizing the need for both firsthand and secondhand healing. Topics(03:20): The Traumatic Events at Willow Creek (08:14): Writing the Book: Why Now? (12:59): Resignation: Staying or Leaving? (28:46): Losing Loved Ones and the Impact on Identity (30:40): The Mantra of Grieve, Breathe, Receive (36:30): The Journey from Grief to Receiving (40:34): The Difference Between Hope Preached and Hope Embodied (43:34): The Relationship to Waiting and the Definition of Grief (46:38): Honoring Feelings and Trusting God in the Waiting (49:14): Caring for Family in Ministry and the Importance of Healing (52:08): Acknowledging the Pain, Privileges, and Promises of Ministry (54:08): Steve Carter's Current Work and Podcast ResourcesGrieve, Breathe, Receive: Finding a Faith Strong Enough to Hold Us Why the church doesn’t want to talk about trauma The truth about triggers: What the church needs to know about trauma About Steve CarterSteve Carter is a pastor, speaker, author, podcast host, and the former lead teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in Chicago. He hosts the Craft & Character podcast, where he helps people get better at the art and craft of communication while ensuring their character always leads the way. An avid sports fan, Steve has co-hosted with ESPN sports anchor Samantha Ponder, NFL player Sam Acho, and Trey Burton The Home Team Podcast, which unpacks the intersection between faith, culture, sports, and family. With a degree in Biblical Studies from Hope International University, Steve has a heart for the local church. He is currently a teaching pastor at Forest City Church in Elgin, IL, and often speaks for churches, conferences, events, camps, and retreats all over the country. Steve lives in Chicagoland with his wife, Sarah, and their two kids. About Dr. Mark TurmanDr. Mark Turman is the Executive Director of Denison Forum and Vice President of Denison Ministries. Among his many duties, Turman is most notably the host of The Denison Forum Podcast. He is also the chief strategist for DF Pastors, which equips pastors and church leaders to understand and transform today’s culture. About Denison ForumDenison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of the day from a biblical perspective through The Daily Article email newsletter and podcast, The Denison Forum Podcast, as well as many books and additional resources. | |||
| 05 Sep 2022 | How to navigate suicide, self-harm, depression, and emotions with preteens and teens: A conversation with Jeff and Terra Mattson | 01:05:41 | |
Jeff and Terra Mattson join Dr. Mark Turman to discuss the suicide epidemic, how to talk to children and teens about self-harm, suicide, and emotions, and how to navigate parenting through depression and anxiety.
Show notes:
Jeff and Terra Mattson begin by framing the suicide epidemic and mental health crisis (4:02). They discuss how to start early in parenting by putting language to different emotions, and why it’s so important to put words to feelings (10:30). They specifically look at suicide and suicidal ideation, and when to have that conversation with kids (19:15). The Mattson’s talk about the importance of vulnerability and relationships in parenting, and how technology can get in the way of healthy relationships (26:43). They consider when parents should be concerned about their child’s emotional wellbeing (34:14). Dr. Turman asks directly about how to deal with teens who struggle with self-harm (45:15). To close, they discuss the problem of bullying and how to draw healthy boundaries with immature people (52:25).
Resources and further reading:
P.S. What are my Spiritual Gifts? by Ryan Denison Ph.D. is available now at Denison Forum. The book includes biblical examples of each gifting in action. We’ve also refreshed our free spiritual gifts test at whataremyspiritualgifts.org. If you don’t know your spiritual gifts or are unsure how to use them, we encourage you to take the test and pick up a copy of What are my Spiritual Gifts? today.
About the hosts
Dr. Mark Turman is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church.
About the guests
Jeff holds a master's degree in organizational leadership and has decades of experience as a leader in startup companies, family businesses, and nonprofit organizations, which includes universities and ministry settings. Since 2011, he has worked with business and organizational leaders to develop their potential and solve people issues. Terra holds a master's degree in marriage and family therapy from George Fox University in Portland. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor, and now works as an executive coach. For the last 15 years, she has run a thriving private practice while speaking to women, couples, and leaders, including at the American Association of Christian Counselors conference. She is the founder and clinical director of Living Wholehearted counseling and has served as an adjunct professor at George Fox University's Graduate counseling department. She is the author of Courageous: Being Daughters Rooted in Grace. Together, Jeff and Terra co-authored Shrinking the Integrity Gap: Between What Leaders Preach and Live. They founded a global movement called Courageous Girls, an online resource to help moms navigate the needs of their daughters through every season of their lives. They co-host the Living Wholehearted podcast and run the living wholehearted lodge and retreat, and co-host the Dear Mattsons podcast. They currently live just outside of Portland, Oregon, as they raise their two teenage daughters. | |||
| 20 Feb 2023 | The social media problem: A conversation with Dr. Katie Frugé | 00:54:54 | |
Dr. Katie Frugé, Dr. Mark Turman, and Mark Legg discuss why new technology shapes the culture war, the positives and negatives of social media, why algorithms require more regulation, and how parents should navigate social media.
Show notes:
Dr. Katie Frugé talks about her background in seminary and her multi-faceted job as the Director of the Center for Cultural Engagement at the BGCT (1:33). She talks about the so-called culture wars and how social media changes the landscape of public discourse (10:52). She discusses social media algorithms, needed regulation, and tech exploiting sin nature (19:19). Dr. Frugé continues by explaining the upsides to social media and why we’re more connected than ever, but also lonelier than every (28:40). They discuss how rapidly technology advances and the generational gaps in understanding about social media (35:44). Dr. Frugé ends by covering some basic rules for parenting and how to navigate the often dark world of tech, facing the potential dangers of pornography and sexual grooming (42:54)
Resources and further reading:
About the hostsMark Turman, DMin, is the executive director of Denison Forum. He received his DMin from Truett at Baylor and previously served as lead pastor of Crosspoint Church. Mark Legg is an Associate Editor for Denison Forum. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2021 with a degree in Philosophy and Biblical Studies.
About the guest
Katie Frugé, Ph.D., earned her Master of Divinity degree and Ph.D. in systematic theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Katie Frugé has been named director of Texas Baptists’ Center for Cultural Engagement and the Christian Life Commission. Frugé began her service with the Baptist General Convention of Texas in 2019 as the hunger and human care specialist with the CLC. She later took on the role of associate director of the CLC. | |||