In this episode, James talks with Miranda Zapor Cruz who is a professor of hisotrical theology at Indiana Weslyan University and author of Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters. James and Miranda discuss various perspectives on Christians and politics, as well as the way Christian nationalism harms Christianity. 

For more from James visit usefultogod.com or pick up James's new book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness at amazon.com.

You can purchase Miranda's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also find her blog at https://mirandazaporcruz.com/. 

In this episode, James talks with Miranda Zapor Cruz who is a professor of hisotrical theology at Indiana Weslyan University and author of Faithful Politics: Ten Approaches to Christian Citizenship and Why It Matters. James and Miranda discuss various perspectives on Christians and politics, as well as the way Christian nationalism harms Christianity. 
For more from James visit <a href="http://www.usefultogod.com">usefultogod.com</a> or pick up James's new book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness at <a href="https://amzn.to/45BlYQb">amazon.com</a>.
You can purchase Miranda's book at <a href="https://www.ivpress.com/faithful-politics">ivpress.com</a> (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount). You can also find her blog at <a href="https://mirandazaporcruz.com/">https://mirandazaporcruz.com/</a>.

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.

Find more from James at https://usefultogod.com/.

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.
Find more from James at <a href="https://usefultogod.com/">https://usefultogod.com/</a>.

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.

Thinking Christian: Clear Theology for a Confusing World

Christians shouldn’t just think. They should think Christian. Join Dr. James Spencer and guests for calm, thoughtful, theological discussions about a variety of topics Christians face every day. The Thinking Christian Podcast will help you grow spiritually and learn theology as you seek to be faithful in a world that is becoming increasingly proficient at telling stories that deny Christ.
Find more from James at <a href="https://usefultogod.com/">https://usefultogod.com/.</a>

How Should Christians Engage in Politics? A Conversation with Miranda Zapor Cruz

At Christmas, Christians often quote Isaiah 7:14—“the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son”—but few pause to ask what that verse meant for King Ahaz before it pointed to Christ. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer walks through the political and spiritual crisis facing Judah, the rising Assyrian threat, and Ahaz’s refusal to ask God for a sign.

James unpacks why God answered with something that seemed wildly inadequate in the face of war: a child. He explores how this sign functioned as both judgment and hope, how the language of “young woman” and “virgin” works in Hebrew and Greek, and why Matthew is not ripping Isaiah 7:14 out of context when he applies it to Jesus.

Along the way, you’ll see how prophetic patterns ripple across Scripture, how our expectations of power clash with God’s humble ways, and how the virgin birth reveals a Savior who comes not with military might, but with a presence that judges and delivers. Perfect for thoughtful Christians wanting to go deeper this Christmas.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God:www.usefultogod.com

To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

At Christmas, Christians often quote Isaiah 7:14&mdash;&ldquo;the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son&rdquo;&mdash;but few pause to ask what that verse meant for King Ahaz before it pointed to Christ. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer walks through the political and spiritual crisis facing Judah, the rising Assyrian threat, and Ahaz&rsquo;s refusal to ask God for a sign.
James unpacks why God answered with something that seemed wildly inadequate in the face of war: a child. He explores how this sign functioned as both judgment and hope, how the language of &ldquo;young woman&rdquo; and &ldquo;virgin&rdquo; works in Hebrew and Greek, and why Matthew is not ripping Isaiah 7:14 out of context when he applies it to Jesus.
Along the way, you&rsquo;ll see how prophetic patterns ripple across Scripture, how our expectations of power clash with God&rsquo;s humble ways, and how the virgin birth reveals a Savior who comes not with military might, but with a presence that judges and delivers. Perfect for thoughtful Christians wanting to go deeper this Christmas.
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</a>
🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God: <a href="https://www.usefultogod.com">www.usefultogod.com</a>
To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on <a href="https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/">Christianity.com</a>.
📢 Stay Connected &amp; Keep Growing!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

Why God Gave Ahaz a Baby, Not an Army: Isaiah 7:14 and the Virgin Birth

In this episode of Thinking Christian, I sit down with Dr. Tanita Maddox—National Director of Generational Impact for Young Life and author of What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God. Drawing from years of research and on-the-ground ministry, Tanita helps untangle the unique worldview of Gen Z and why many of our “classic” Christian explanations fall flat with today’s young people.

We explore how Gen Z understands concepts like truth, goodness, safety, and identity, and why shared vocabulary often hides radically different assumptions. Tanita explains how Gen Z’s hyper-personalized world shapes their beliefs, why many of their deepest questions begin with, “Is God good?”, and how shifting cultural definitions of safety and justice impact their view of the gospel.

Together, we talk through:


Why Gen Z sees truth as potentially harmful rather than stabilizing


How to share the gospel with a generation that starts their theology with experience


Why Gen Z is deeply communal—often more than previous generations


How to reframe sin, freedom, and human dignity in ways that make sense to them


Why listening—real, patient, non-defensive listening—is the most powerful apologetic tool we have


Practical steps for parents, pastors, and mentors who want to meaningfully engage the next generation

If you have Gen Z kids, work with youth, teach in a church, or simply want to understand the cultural moment shaping the next generation, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and a hopeful path forward.

You can purchase What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God at ivpress.com (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God:www.usefultogod.com

To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

In this episode of Thinking Christian, I sit down with Dr. Tanita Maddox&mdash;National Director of Generational Impact for Young Life and author of What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God. Drawing from years of research and on-the-ground ministry, Tanita helps untangle the unique worldview of Gen Z and why many of our &ldquo;classic&rdquo; Christian explanations fall flat with today&rsquo;s young people.
We explore how Gen Z understands concepts like truth, goodness, safety, and identity, and why shared vocabulary often hides radically different assumptions. Tanita explains how Gen Z&rsquo;s hyper-personalized world shapes their beliefs, why many of their deepest questions begin with, &ldquo;Is God good?&rdquo;, and how shifting cultural definitions of safety and justice impact their view of the gospel.
Together, we talk through:
<ul data-start="951" data-end="1472">
<li data-start="951" data-end="1022">
Why Gen Z sees truth as potentially harmful rather than stabilizing
</li>
<li data-start="1023" data-end="1111">
How to share the gospel with a generation that starts their theology with experience
</li>
<li data-start="1112" data-end="1181">
Why Gen Z is deeply communal&mdash;often more than previous generations
</li>
<li data-start="1182" data-end="1264">
How to reframe sin, freedom, and human dignity in ways that make sense to them
</li>
<li data-start="1265" data-end="1366">
Why listening&mdash;real, patient, non-defensive listening&mdash;is the most powerful apologetic tool we have
</li>
<li data-start="1367" data-end="1472">
Practical steps for parents, pastors, and mentors who want to meaningfully engage the next generation
</li>
</ul>
If you have Gen Z kids, work with youth, teach in a church, or simply want to understand the cultural moment shaping the next generation, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and a hopeful path forward.
You can purchase What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God at <a href="https://www.ivpress.com/what-gen-z-really-wants-to-know-about-god">ivpress.com</a> (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount)&nbsp;
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</a>
🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God: <a href="https://www.usefultogod.com">www.usefultogod.com</a>
To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on <a href="https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/">Christianity.com</a>.
📢 Stay Connected &amp; Keep Growing!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

Tanita Maddox | What Gen Z Really Wants to Know About God

In this episode of the Thinking Christian podcast, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Daniel (Danny) Zacharias and Dr. Christopher Hoklotubbe, co-authors of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation. Together they explore how Indigenous perspectives can help Christians read Scripture more faithfully on this land we often call North America—but which many Indigenous peoples know as “Turtle Island.”

Danny and Chris explain the story of Turtle Island and why naming the land this way matters for Christian theology, discipleship, and biblical interpretation. They introduce “Turtle Island hermeneutics,” a way of reading the Bible that takes land, place, people, and history seriously—built on asset-based theology and the conviction that God was already present and active among Indigenous peoples long before European missionaries arrived.

The conversation dives into:


What “Turtle Island hermeneutics” is and how the medicine wheel shapes their approach


Why it’s theologically flawed to act as if God was absent from North America before colonization


How Indigenous creation stories and traditions can sit alongside Scripture without replacing it


Reading Naboth’s vineyard as a lens on land theft, treaties, and the Doctrine of Discovery


Parallels between the Trail of Tears, Babylonian exile, and Psalm 137


Babylon and boarding schools: how forced assimilation tried to erase Indigenous identity and memory


How songs, stories, and ceremony preserve hope, faith, and cultural resilience


Why discipleship must focus not only on doctrine, but on practices, place, and how we actually live

This episode is for pastors, Bible teachers, seminary students, and everyday Christians who want to understand Indigenous theology, Native North American perspectives, and contextual Bible interpretation without abandoning a high view of Scripture.

Reading the Bible on Turtle Island is published by IVP; check the show notes for a discount link and more information about NAITS, Acadia Divinity College, and the work Danny and Chris are doing to serve the church on Turtle Island.

You can purchase Reading the Bible on Turtle Island at ivpress.com (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount) 

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God:www.usefultogod.com

To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on Christianity.com.

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

In this episode of the Thinking Christian podcast, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Dr. Daniel (Danny) Zacharias and Dr. Christopher Hoklotubbe, co-authors of Reading the Bible on Turtle Island: An Invitation to North American Indigenous Interpretation. Together they explore how Indigenous perspectives can help Christians read Scripture more faithfully on this land we often call North America&mdash;but which many Indigenous peoples know as &ldquo;Turtle Island.&rdquo;
Danny and Chris explain the story of Turtle Island and why naming the land this way matters for Christian theology, discipleship, and biblical interpretation. They introduce &ldquo;Turtle Island hermeneutics,&rdquo; a way of reading the Bible that takes land, place, people, and history seriously&mdash;built on asset-based theology and the conviction that God was already present and active among Indigenous peoples long before European missionaries arrived.
The conversation dives into:
<ul data-start="1133" data-end="1885">
<li data-start="1133" data-end="1222">
What &ldquo;Turtle Island hermeneutics&rdquo; is and how the medicine wheel shapes their approach
</li>
<li data-start="1223" data-end="1323">
Why it&rsquo;s theologically flawed to act as if God was absent from North America before colonization
</li>
<li data-start="1324" data-end="1425">
How Indigenous creation stories and traditions can sit alongside Scripture without replacing it
</li>
<li data-start="1426" data-end="1520">
Reading Naboth&rsquo;s vineyard as a lens on land theft, treaties, and the Doctrine of Discovery
</li>
<li data-start="1521" data-end="1594">
Parallels between the Trail of Tears, Babylonian exile, and Psalm 137
</li>
<li data-start="1595" data-end="1698">
Babylon and boarding schools: how forced assimilation tried to erase Indigenous identity and memory
</li>
<li data-start="1699" data-end="1781">
How songs, stories, and ceremony preserve hope, faith, and cultural resilience
</li>
<li data-start="1782" data-end="1885">
Why discipleship must focus not only on doctrine, but on practices, place, and how we actually live
</li>
</ul>
This episode is for pastors, Bible teachers, seminary students, and everyday Christians who want to understand Indigenous theology, Native North American perspectives, and contextual Bible interpretation without abandoning a high view of Scripture.
Reading the Bible on Turtle Island is published by IVP; check the show notes for a discount link and more information about NAITS, Acadia Divinity College, and the work Danny and Chris are doing to serve the church on Turtle Island.
You can purchase Reading the Bible on Turtle Island&nbsp;at<a href="https://www.ivpress.com/reading-the-bible-on-turtle-island"> ivpress.com</a> (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount)&nbsp;
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</a>
🔗 Download a free resource "Making Everyday Decisions So That God Gets the Glory" from Useful to God: <a href="https://www.usefultogod.com">www.usefultogod.com</a>
To read James's article on this topic, check out his author page on <a href="https://www.christianity.com/author/james-spencer/">Christianity.com</a>.
📢 Stay Connected &amp; Keep Growing!
If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to Thinking Christian so you never miss an insightful conversation!

How Should Christians Engage in Politics? A Conversation with Miranda Zapor Cruz

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