Russell Meek is an Old Testament Scholar and author of Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World. He and Dr. James Spencer discuss the book of Ecclesiastes, how it relates to the broader patterns of the Old Testament and why Ecclesiastes is a hopeful book that every Christian should be reading. It is a great discussion of one of the more difficult books in the bible. 

Purchase Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World at amazon.com.

Check out Trajectories: A Gospel-Centered Introduction to Old Testament Theology co-authored by James Spencer, Russ Meek, and Bryan C. Babcock at amazon.com.

You can find more from Russ Meek at www.russmeek.com. 

Russell Meek is an Old Testament Scholar and author of Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World. He and Dr. James Spencer discuss the book of Ecclesiastes, how it relates to the broader patterns of the Old Testament and why Ecclesiastes is a hopeful book that every Christian should be reading. It is a great discussion of one of the more difficult books in the bible. 
Purchase Ecclesiastes and the Search for Meaning in an Upside-Down World at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ecclesiastes-Search-Meaning-Upside-Down-World/dp/1683074165/ref=sr_1_1?crid=L40V5G14FXKM&amp;keywords=ecclesiastes+meek&amp;qid=1702060943&amp;sprefix=ecclesiastes+meek%2Caps%2C88&amp;sr=8-1">amazon.com</a>.
Check out Trajectories: A Gospel-Centered Introduction to Old Testament Theology co-authored by James Spencer, Russ Meek, and Bryan C. Babcock at <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Trajectories-Gospel-Centered-Introduction-Testament-Theology-ebook/dp/B07BGGCFL6?ref_=ast_author_mpb">amazon.com</a>.
You can find more from Russ Meek at <a href="http://www.russmeek.com">www.russmeek.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>

Reading Ecclesiastes with the Old and New Testaments in Mind with Russ Meek

As technology offers us endless ways to be “present” without actually being there, what does it mean for Christians to imitate the incarnation of Christ? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer explores the often-overlooked ethical and theological dimensions of the incarnation—not just that “the Word became flesh,” but how Jesus chose to be with us and for us.

Using The Matrix as a modern parable, James contrasts Christ’s self-giving descent with Cypher’s decision to abandon reality and his friends for the comfort of illusion—what James calls “dis-incarnation.” From there, he turns to Philippians 2 to show how Jesus refused to use equality with God for His own advantage, instead embodying a way of life marked by presence, sacrifice, and service.

James then examines how dominant ideas like liberalism and transhumanism can subtly train us to embody the world in self-determined, self-serving ways, even when they seem to promise freedom or enhancement. He argues that true Christian embodiment isn’t about maximizing personal options or overcoming our biology through technology, but about conforming our lives to the incarnate Christ—using our gifts, bodies, and opportunities not for our own advantage, but for the good of others. This episode will help you rethink Christmas, technology, and your everyday presence in light of the One who became flesh for us.

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!

As technology offers us endless ways to be &ldquo;present&rdquo; without actually being there, what does it mean for Christians to imitate the incarnation of Christ? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer explores the often-overlooked ethical and theological dimensions of the incarnation&mdash;not just that &ldquo;the Word became flesh,&rdquo; but how Jesus chose to be with us and for us.
Using The Matrix as a modern parable, James contrasts Christ&rsquo;s self-giving descent with Cypher&rsquo;s decision to abandon reality and his friends for the comfort of illusion&mdash;what James calls &ldquo;dis-incarnation.&rdquo; From there, he turns to Philippians 2 to show how Jesus refused to use equality with God for His own advantage, instead embodying a way of life marked by presence, sacrifice, and service.
James then examines how dominant ideas like liberalism and transhumanism can subtly train us to embody the world in self-determined, self-serving ways, even when they seem to promise freedom or enhancement. He argues that true Christian embodiment isn&rsquo;t about maximizing personal options or overcoming our biology through technology, but about conforming our lives to the incarnate Christ&mdash;using our gifts, bodies, and opportunities not for our own advantage, but for the good of others. This episode will help you rethink Christmas, technology, and your everyday presence in light of the One who became flesh for us.
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!

Incarnation in a Disincarnate Age: Jesus, The Matrix, and Our Technological Self

Every two years, Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research release The State of Theology—a massive survey that reveals what Americans (including evangelicals) actually believe about God, the Bible, Jesus, and culture. The 2025 report is out, and some of the numbers are… surprising.

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by longtime friend and theologian Dr. Ashish Varmafor a wide-ranging conversation about what the data shows—and what it doesn’t show—about the theological landscape among evangelicals today. Rather than panicking over headline-grabbing statistics, James and Ashish analyze the deeper trends beneath the numbers.

Together they explore:


Why young evangelicals differ sharply from older generations on questions like the Bible’s literal truth and whether science conflicts with Scripture.


Why nearly all evangelicals still say the Bible is their highest authority, even when their answers elsewhere seem to contradict that claim.


How access to information, cultural context, and community shape belief—for better or worse.


The surprising power of church attendance and affiliation in reinforcing core doctrines (and where that influence seems to break down).


Why political theology may be quietly distorting how Christians answer moral questions—especially younger believers.


Which troubling survey results actually matter—and which ones may simply reflect fuzzy categories or ambiguous wording.


How churches should respond: not with panic or doctrinal hammering, but with thoughtful discipleship, richer community life, and deeper formation.

James and Ashish also dive into the complexities of interpreting theological surveys at all—how beliefs are shaped by cultural habitus, how people understand (or misunderstand) terms like myth, literal, or love, and why surveys often reveal more about our formation than our formal theology.

If you’re curious about what evangelicals really believe—and what the church can do about it—this episode offers a hopeful, nuanced, and deeply thoughtful guide through the data.

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!

Every two years, Ligonier Ministries and Lifeway Research release The State of Theology&mdash;a massive survey that reveals what Americans (including evangelicals) actually believe about God, the Bible, Jesus, and culture. The 2025 report is out, and some of the numbers are&hellip; surprising.
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by longtime friend and theologian Dr. Ashish Varmafor a wide-ranging conversation about what the data shows&mdash;and what it doesn&rsquo;t show&mdash;about the theological landscape among evangelicals today. Rather than panicking over headline-grabbing statistics, James and Ashish analyze the deeper trends beneath the numbers.
Together they explore:
<ul data-start="861" data-end="1819">
<li data-start="861" data-end="1019">
Why young evangelicals differ sharply from older generations on questions like the Bible&rsquo;s literal truth and whether science conflicts with Scripture.
</li>
<li data-start="1020" data-end="1168">
Why nearly all evangelicals still say the Bible is their highest authority, even when their answers elsewhere seem to contradict that claim.
</li>
<li data-start="1169" data-end="1269">
How access to information, cultural context, and community shape belief&mdash;for better or worse.
</li>
<li data-start="1270" data-end="1413">
The surprising power of church attendance and affiliation in reinforcing core doctrines (and where that influence seems to break down).
</li>
<li data-start="1414" data-end="1538">
Why political theology may be quietly distorting how Christians answer moral questions&mdash;especially younger believers.
</li>
<li data-start="1539" data-end="1666">
Which troubling survey results actually matter&mdash;and which ones may simply reflect fuzzy categories or ambiguous wording.
</li>
<li data-start="1667" data-end="1819">
How churches should respond: not with panic or doctrinal hammering, but with thoughtful discipleship, richer community life, and deeper formation.
</li>
</ul>
James and Ashish also dive into the complexities of interpreting theological surveys at all&mdash;how beliefs are shaped by cultural habitus, how people understand (or misunderstand) terms like myth, literal, or love, and why surveys often reveal more about our formation than our formal theology.
If you&rsquo;re curious about what evangelicals really believe&mdash;and what the church can do about it&mdash;this episode offers a hopeful, nuanced, and deeply thoughtful guide through the data.
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!

Do Evangelicals Still Believe Evangelical Things? Exploring the 2025 State of Theology

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/ed309cd3-7c3f-4f12-a826-b3b001639689/transcript

In a season filled with noise, outrage, and “cancel culture,” is there still room for real joy? In this Christmas episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer invites you to slow down, listen, and remember. He begins with a personal memory of reading the Christmas story in church as a teenager, then simply does the same for you—reading Luke 2 so you can hear the story of Jesus’s birth without distraction.

After the reading, James reflects on Mary, the shepherds, and the wonder of that first Christmas night, drawing out how God’s timing, kindness, and presence bring deep reassurance in uncertain times. Joined by co-host Richard Beaty, the conversation widens to consider Advent, joy in a culture obsessed with negativity, and why imitating Christ—not chasing trends or grievances—is the path to lasting joy.

Together they explore: how to find joy in the “mundane” moments of everyday life, why our highs and lows feel so extreme at the holidays, how our desires are shaped by what (and whom) we imitate, and why moving from Christmas into the book of Acts helps us live as witnesses in this in-between age. If you’re weary, restless, or just need to hear the Christmas story read over you and be reminded that joy still has the last word, this episode is for you.

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 a season filled with noise, outrage, and &ldquo;cancel culture,&rdquo; is there still room for real joy? In this Christmas episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer invites you to slow down, listen, and remember. He begins with a personal memory of reading the Christmas story in church as a teenager, then simply does the same for you&mdash;reading Luke 2 so you can hear the story of Jesus&rsquo;s birth without distraction.
After the reading, James reflects on Mary, the shepherds, and the wonder of that first Christmas night, drawing out how God&rsquo;s timing, kindness, and presence bring deep reassurance in uncertain times. Joined by co-host Richard Beaty, the conversation widens to consider Advent, joy in a culture obsessed with negativity, and why imitating Christ&mdash;not chasing trends or grievances&mdash;is the path to lasting joy.
Together they explore: how to find joy in the &ldquo;mundane&rdquo; moments of everyday life, why our highs and lows feel so extreme at the holidays, how our desires are shaped by what (and whom) we imitate, and why moving from Christmas into the book of Acts helps us live as witnesses in this in-between age. If you&rsquo;re weary, restless, or just need to hear the Christmas story read over you and be reminded that joy still has the last word, this episode is for you.
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!

Reading Ecclesiastes with the Old and New Testaments in Mind with Russ Meek

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