In this episode, James hosts Paul D. Miller author of The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism. Paul and James discuss nationalism, politics, conservatism, and the difference between patriotism and nationalism. The conversation offers Christians a fresh perspective on the importance of distinguishing church from state, as well as addressing the need for incremental change as a political strategy. 

To connect with James visit https://usefultogod.com/contact-us.

You can purchase Paul's book at ivpress.com (use the code IVPPOD20 for 20% off your purchase).

In this episode, James hosts Paul D. Miller author of The Religion of American Greatness: What's Wrong with Christian Nationalism. Paul and James discuss nationalism, politics, conservatism, and the difference between patriotism and nationalism. The conversation offers Christians a fresh perspective on the importance of distinguishing church from state, as well as addressing the need for incremental change as a political strategy. 
To connect with James visit <a href="https://usefultogod.com/contact-us">https://usefultogod.com/contact-us</a>.
You can purchase Paul's book at <a href="https://www.ivpress.com/the-religion-of-american-greatness">ivpress.com</a> (use the code IVPPOD20 for 20% off your purchase).

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 Think about America? A Conversation with Paul D. Miller

What if a major driver of today’s mental health crisis isn’t simply “more disorders,” but more people who feel unseen, unheard, and alone? In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast, Dr. James Spencer talks with Dr. Jackie E. Perry—Clinical Supervisor, Professor of Counselor Education at Columbia International University, and President of the Soulwell Center—about loneliness, the loss of emotional connection, and why the church must recover the skill of attuned listening.

Jackie explains how the Soulwell Center began: while teaching counselor “helping skills,” she realized many of those relational tools could be taught in a lay-friendly way to parents, pastors, and everyday Christians. The result is a training approach that combines practical listening techniques with the neuroscience of relationships—equipping people to hold a safe space where others can feel truly “seen and known.”

James and Jackie discuss a trend Jackie has observed across decades in the mental health field: in the last 10–15 years, more clients have been coming not primarily with severe pathology, but because they don’t have anyone who listens. Therapy becomes a paid place of connection—something that should not be rare in Christian community.

The conversation explores how technology can create distance (including the rise of AI-mediated communication), why many people lack a “mental model” for deep listening, and how shame and perceived “threat” can make relational closeness feel unsafe. Jackie introduces the concept of “eyes of delight”—the nonverbal experience of being attended to with warmth—and explains why nonverbal presence often does more than words.

They also connect listening to the broader formation of disciples: without embodied, relational connection, people drift into isolation, cope through substitutes, and struggle to develop distress tolerance—the ability to endure discomfort and stay engaged through conflict, hardship, and the messiness of real relationships. The result is not only loneliness, but fragility and retreat from vocation, mission, and spiritual maturity.

In the end, Jackie offers a simple but demanding vision: the church must become a community that can listen across difference and reflect the “eyes of Christ.” That kind of faithful presence is not optional—it is essential for discipleship, mental health, and a credible Christian witness today.

Topics include:


Soulwell Center’s mission and the “listening course”


Loneliness, mental health, and why therapy becomes a substitute for community


“Eyes of delight” and the neuroscience of connection


Shame, vulnerability, and why being known can feel threatening


Nonverbal communication and why presence matters


Distress tolerance, overprotection, and the formation of resilient adults


What the church must recover to make faithful disciples

You can purchase Heart Cries of Every Teen here. 

For more information onf the Soulwell Center visit www.thesoulwellcenter.com.

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!

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. “Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org/ 

What if a major driver of today&rsquo;s mental health crisis isn&rsquo;t simply &ldquo;more disorders,&rdquo; but more people who feel unseen, unheard, and alone? In this episode of the Thinking Christian Podcast, Dr. James Spencer talks with Dr. Jackie E. Perry&mdash;Clinical Supervisor, Professor of Counselor Education at Columbia International University, and President of the Soulwell Center&mdash;about loneliness, the loss of emotional connection, and why the church must recover the skill of attuned listening.
Jackie explains how the Soulwell Center began: while teaching counselor &ldquo;helping skills,&rdquo; she realized many of those relational tools could be taught in a lay-friendly way to parents, pastors, and everyday Christians. The result is a training approach that combines practical listening techniques with the neuroscience of relationships&mdash;equipping people to hold a safe space where others can feel truly &ldquo;seen and known.&rdquo;
James and Jackie discuss a trend Jackie has observed across decades in the mental health field: in the last 10&ndash;15 years, more clients have been coming not primarily with severe pathology, but because they don&rsquo;t have anyone who listens. Therapy becomes a paid place of connection&mdash;something that should not be rare in Christian community.
The conversation explores how technology can create distance (including the rise of AI-mediated communication), why many people lack a &ldquo;mental model&rdquo; for deep listening, and how shame and perceived &ldquo;threat&rdquo; can make relational closeness feel unsafe. Jackie introduces the concept of &ldquo;eyes of delight&rdquo;&mdash;the nonverbal experience of being attended to with warmth&mdash;and explains why nonverbal presence often does more than words.
They also connect listening to the broader formation of disciples: without embodied, relational connection, people drift into isolation, cope through substitutes, and struggle to develop distress tolerance&mdash;the ability to endure discomfort and stay engaged through conflict, hardship, and the messiness of real relationships. The result is not only loneliness, but fragility and retreat from vocation, mission, and spiritual maturity.
In the end, Jackie offers a simple but demanding vision: the church must become a community that can listen across difference and reflect the &ldquo;eyes of Christ.&rdquo; That kind of faithful presence is not optional&mdash;it is essential for discipleship, mental health, and a credible Christian witness today.
Topics include:
<ul data-start="3192" data-end="3645">
<li data-start="3192" data-end="3248">
Soulwell Center&rsquo;s mission and the &ldquo;listening course&rdquo;
</li>
<li data-start="3249" data-end="3330">
Loneliness, mental health, and why therapy becomes a substitute for community
</li>
<li data-start="3331" data-end="3387">
&ldquo;Eyes of delight&rdquo; and the neuroscience of connection
</li>
<li data-start="3388" data-end="3454">
Shame, vulnerability, and why being known can feel threatening
</li>
<li data-start="3455" data-end="3507">
Nonverbal communication and why presence matters
</li>
<li data-start="3508" data-end="3585">
Distress tolerance, overprotection, and the formation of resilient adults
</li>
<li data-start="3586" data-end="3645">
What the church must recover to make faithful disciples
</li>
</ul>
You can purchase Heart Cries of Every Teen <a href="https://amzn.to/49SSbGt">here</a>.&nbsp;
For more information onf the Soulwell Center visit <a href="https://www.thesoulwellcenter.com">www.thesoulwellcenter.com</a>.
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!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management.&nbsp;&ldquo;Whether we&rsquo;re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk.&nbsp;Call us at&nbsp;1-800-793-8548&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org/</a>&nbsp;

The Listening Church: Loneliness, Mental Health, and the Skills Every Christian Needs (Dr. Jackie E. Perry)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/dadb5e09-57e3-4768-8a23-b3d20033c7e4/transcript

In this final episode of our German Reformation series, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Greg Quiggle step back from the 16th century to ask a pressing modern question: what does it actually mean to be Protestant today—and what have we gained (and lost) since the Reformation?

Greg frames Protestantism with a memorable realism: it isn’t perfect—it’s the “least problematic” of the major options(Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism). From there, the conversation explores Protestantism’s strengths—Scripture in the common language, broad engagement with the Bible, the dignity and responsibility of ordinary believers, and the freedom to test tradition against God’s Word—while also naming the hazards that come with that freedom.

James and Greg dig into one of the central tensions of modern Protestant life: authority without a pope must still include accountability. The Reformation wasn’t a call for every individual to interpret Scripture with equal authority; it assumed a teaching office and depended on catechesis to form faithful readers. But in today’s digital ecosystem—where influence is often determined by charisma, algorithms, and audience-size—Protestantism can drift into fragmentation, echo chambers, and “pastor-as-pope” dynamics inside independent churches.

This episode also turns practical and pastoral: how should Christians live faithfully amid online outrage cycles, misinformation, and slander—especially when “everyone is a publisher”? Greg and James connect these issues to biblical ethics (truth-telling, false witness) and to the urgent need to rebuild theological formation in the local church.

In this conversation, you’ll hear about:
Why Protestantism is a “best worst” option—and why that matters
The strengths of Protestant diversity (and why it’s also dangerous)
Why the teaching office matters—and what happens when it collapses
How the loss of catechism has weakened Protestant interpretation
The modern digital “echo chamber” problem and credibility collapse
Why truth, slander, and false witness apply directly to social media
Practical next steps: near-term wisdom + long-term formation

Quotelos Travel offers small, expert-led “Tours for Ten” that provide an intimate and unforgettable way to explore church history and culture with guides who truly know the locations. Learn more at quotelostravelservice.com, and check out their upcoming trips to Germany, England, and Switzerland.

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!

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. “Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org/ 

In this final episode of our&nbsp;German Reformation&nbsp;series,&nbsp;Dr. James Spencer&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dr. Greg Quiggle&nbsp;step back from the 16th century to ask a pressing modern question:&nbsp;what does it actually mean to be Protestant today&mdash;and what have we gained (and lost) since the Reformation?
Greg frames Protestantism with a memorable realism: it isn&rsquo;t perfect&mdash;it&rsquo;s the &ldquo;least problematic&rdquo; of the major options(Roman Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Protestantism). From there, the conversation explores Protestantism&rsquo;s strengths&mdash;Scripture in the common language, broad engagement with the Bible, the dignity and responsibility of ordinary believers, and the freedom to test tradition against God&rsquo;s Word&mdash;while also naming the hazards that come with that freedom.
James and Greg dig into one of the central tensions of modern Protestant life:&nbsp;authority without a pope must still include accountability.&nbsp;The Reformation wasn&rsquo;t a call for every individual to interpret Scripture with equal authority; it assumed a&nbsp;teaching office&nbsp;and depended on&nbsp;catechesis&nbsp;to form faithful readers. But in today&rsquo;s digital ecosystem&mdash;where influence is often determined by charisma, algorithms, and audience-size&mdash;Protestantism can drift into fragmentation, echo chambers, and &ldquo;pastor-as-pope&rdquo; dynamics inside independent churches.
This episode also turns practical and pastoral: how should Christians live faithfully amid online outrage cycles, misinformation, and slander&mdash;especially when &ldquo;everyone is a publisher&rdquo;? Greg and James connect these issues to biblical ethics (truth-telling, false witness) and to the urgent need to rebuild theological formation in the local church.
In this conversation, you&rsquo;ll hear about:
<ul>
<li>Why Protestantism is a &ldquo;best worst&rdquo; option&mdash;and why that matters</li>
<li>The strengths of Protestant diversity (and why it&rsquo;s also dangerous)</li>
<li>Why the&nbsp;teaching office&nbsp;matters&mdash;and what happens when it collapses</li>
<li>How the loss of catechism has weakened Protestant interpretation</li>
<li>The modern digital &ldquo;echo chamber&rdquo; problem and credibility collapse</li>
<li>Why truth, slander, and false witness apply directly to social media</li>
<li>Practical next steps: near-term wisdom + long-term formation</li>
</ul>
Quotelos Travel offers small, expert-led &ldquo;Tours for Ten&rdquo; that provide an intimate and unforgettable way to explore church history and culture with guides who truly know the locations. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://quotelostravelservice.com/">quotelostravelservice.com</a>, and check out their upcoming trips to Germany, England, and Switzerland.
Subscribe&nbsp;to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</a>
🔗&nbsp;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&nbsp;<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&nbsp;subscribe&nbsp;to&nbsp;Thinking Christian&nbsp;so you never miss an insightful conversation!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management.&nbsp;&ldquo;Whether we&rsquo;re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk.&nbsp;Call us at&nbsp;1-800-793-8548&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org/</a>&nbsp;

The Legacy of the Reformation: Freedom, Fragmentation, and Accountability

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/d62b7068-3aec-45eb-9478-b3e801622432/transcript

In this episode of our German Reformation series, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Greg Quiggle pivot to one of the defining features of Protestant tradition: the Reformation Solas—and why they still matter for Christians today.

Rather than beginning with a list of “five solas,” Greg frames the Reformation around three theological questions that generated the solas:
What is the Church? (ecclesiology)
How am I saved / how do I stand before God? (soteriology)
Who or what has ultimate authority to define belief and practice? (authority)

From there, Greg explains the contrast between 16th-century Roman Catholic and 16th-century Protestant answers—especially the difference between church-as-organization (a hierarchical structure) and church-as-organism (the priesthood of all believers). That “priesthood” isn’t only about rights; it also includes responsibility—the idea that ministry is not a spectator sport, and that clergy exist chiefly to equip the saints through the Office of the Word.

The conversation then traces how the solas flow from these questions:
Sola Scriptura (Scripture alone as final authority)
Sola Fide (justification by faith alone)
Solus Christus (Christ alone)
and how these reshape Protestant ideas of salvation, grace, and the church’s mediating role.

James also presses into a key modern confusion: “Bible alone” does not mean “my interpretation alone.” Both hosts argue that the Reformation assumed a teaching office, catechesis, and doctrinal boundaries—something many modern churches have lost. They connect this to contemporary debates about faith as mere intellectual assent versus faith as a way of lifemarked by trust, repentance, and fidelity.

This episode includes discussion of:
The three Reformation questions behind the solas
Church as organism vs. church as organization
Priesthood of all believers: rights and responsibilities
The “Office of the Word” and why it still matters
Catholic sacramental mediation vs. Protestant justification by faith
Why authority (Sola Scriptura) is the “non-negotiable” dividing line
Faith as lived trust and repentance—beyond a one-time decision
Why modern American Protestant individualism isn’t the same as Reformation Protestantism

Quotelos Travel offers small, expert-led “Tours for Ten” that provide an intimate and unforgettable way to explore church history and culture with guides who truly know the locations. Learn more at quotelostravelservice.com, and check out their upcoming trips to Germany, England, and Switzerland.

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!

This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management. “Whether we’re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk. Call us at 1-800-793-8548 | https://trinitycredit.org/ 

In this episode of our&nbsp;German Reformation&nbsp;series,&nbsp;Dr. James Spencer&nbsp;and&nbsp;Dr. Greg Quiggle&nbsp;pivot to one of the defining features of Protestant tradition: the&nbsp;Reformation Solas&mdash;and why they still matter for Christians today.
Rather than beginning with a list of &ldquo;five solas,&rdquo; Greg frames the Reformation around&nbsp;three theological questions&nbsp;that generated the solas:
<ol>
<li>What is the Church?&nbsp;(ecclesiology)</li>
<li>How am I saved / how do I stand before God?&nbsp;(soteriology)</li>
<li>Who or what has ultimate authority to define belief and practice?&nbsp;(authority)</li>
</ol>
From there, Greg explains the contrast between&nbsp;16th-century Roman Catholic&nbsp;and&nbsp;16th-century Protestant&nbsp;answers&mdash;especially the difference between&nbsp;church-as-organization&nbsp;(a hierarchical structure) and&nbsp;church-as-organism&nbsp;(the priesthood of all believers). That &ldquo;priesthood&rdquo; isn&rsquo;t only about rights; it also includes&nbsp;responsibility&mdash;the idea that ministry is not a spectator sport, and that clergy exist chiefly to&nbsp;equip the saints&nbsp;through the&nbsp;Office of the Word.
The conversation then traces how the solas flow from these questions:
<ul>
<li>Sola Scriptura&nbsp;(Scripture alone as final authority)</li>
<li>Sola Fide&nbsp;(justification by faith alone)</li>
<li>Solus Christus&nbsp;(Christ alone)</li>
<li>and how these reshape Protestant ideas of salvation, grace, and the church&rsquo;s mediating role.</li>
</ul>
James also presses into a key modern confusion: &ldquo;Bible alone&rdquo; does&nbsp;not&nbsp;mean &ldquo;my interpretation alone.&rdquo; Both hosts argue that the Reformation assumed a&nbsp;teaching office, catechesis, and doctrinal boundaries&mdash;something many modern churches have lost. They connect this to contemporary debates about faith as mere intellectual assent versus faith as a&nbsp;way of lifemarked by trust, repentance, and fidelity.
This episode includes discussion of:
<ul>
<li>The three Reformation questions behind the solas</li>
<li>Church as organism vs. church as organization</li>
<li>Priesthood of all believers: rights&nbsp;and&nbsp;responsibilities</li>
<li>The &ldquo;Office of the Word&rdquo; and why it still matters</li>
<li>Catholic sacramental mediation vs. Protestant justification by faith</li>
<li>Why authority (Sola Scriptura) is the &ldquo;non-negotiable&rdquo; dividing line</li>
<li>Faith as lived trust and repentance&mdash;beyond a one-time decision</li>
<li>Why modern American Protestant individualism isn&rsquo;t the same as Reformation Protestantism</li>
</ul>
Quotelos Travel offers small, expert-led &ldquo;Tours for Ten&rdquo; that provide an intimate and unforgettable way to explore church history and culture with guides who truly know the locations. Learn more at&nbsp;<a href="https://quotelostravelservice.com/">quotelostravelservice.com</a>, and check out their upcoming trips to Germany, England, and Switzerland.
Subscribe&nbsp;to our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</a>
🔗&nbsp;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&nbsp;<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&nbsp;subscribe&nbsp;to&nbsp;Thinking Christian&nbsp;so you never miss an insightful conversation!
This episode is sponsored by Trinity Debt Management.&nbsp;&ldquo;Whether we&rsquo;re helping people pay off their unsecured debt or offering assistance to those behind in their mortgage payments, Trinity has the knowledge and resources to make a difference. Our intention is to help people become debt-free, and most importantly, remain debt-free for keeps!" If your debt has you down, we should talk.&nbsp;Call us at&nbsp;1-800-793-8548&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="https://trinitycredit.org/">https://trinitycredit.org/</a>&nbsp;

Protestantism Isn’t Individualism: The Solas, Catechesis, and Authority (Greg Quiggle)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/c25f542b-7cc7-46d6-90b5-b3e801621fb3/transcript

How Should Christians Think about America? A Conversation with Paul D. Miller

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