In this episode, James hosts Samuel Parkison author of To Gaze Upon God. They discuss the beatific vision, eschatology, and Christians conceptions of the afterlife. 

To connect with James, visit usefultogod.com or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on amazon.com. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course here.

You can purchase Samuel's book at ivpress.com (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount).

In this episode, James hosts Samuel Parkison author of To Gaze Upon God. They discuss the beatific vision, eschatology, and Christians conceptions of the afterlife. 
To connect with James, visit<a href="http://www.usefultogod.com"> usefultogod.com</a> or get his latest book Serpents and Doves: Christians, Politics, and the Art of Bearing Witness on <a href="https://amzn.to/3S11cUL">amazon.com</a>. You can also take the Serpents and Doves online course <a href="https://usefultogod.pathwright.com/library/serpents-and-doves-223289/about/">here</a>.
You can purchase Samuel's book at <a href="https://www.ivpress.com/to-gaze-upon-god">ivpress.com</a> (use IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount).

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>

The Blessing of Being in God's Presence: A Conversation with Samuel Parkinson

How can local churches maintain a historic Christian sexual ethic while still being a place where anyone can belong, ask tough questions, and encounter Jesus? 



In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes back Pieter Valk, a licensed clinical counselor and the director of Equip. Together, they tackle the practical, often messy realities that local churches face today when navigating LGBTQ+ topics. Rather than sticking our heads in the sand, Pieter advocates for a framework built on clarity, consistency, and active discipleship.



They dive deep into the distinction between representational leadership roles and low-barrier opportunities for community service, exploring how churches can offer authentic belonging without compromising their theological convictions. Pieter also shares a vital reminder: the most critical LGBTQ+ ministry a church can do is care for the youth already sitting in their pews.



Whether you are a pastor, a church elder, or a believer looking to love your neighbors winsomely, this conversation offers a refreshing, grounded blueprint for building a healthy, thriving church community.



🔍 In this episode, you’ll discover:
The Power of Clarity: Why outlining expectations for mutual accountability prevents a "bait-and-switch" experience for visitors.
Serving vs. Representing: How to distinguish between general service and roles that represent the church's leadership and vision.
The "Belong, Believe, Become" Paradigm: A helpful framework for answering cultural critics while remaining faithful to the scriptures.
Pew-Side Ministry: Why proactive, compassionate discipleship for youth in the church is the most important step leaders can take

Get early access and a bonus with aPatreon membership.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

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!

How can local churches maintain a historic Christian sexual ethic while still being a place where anyone can belong, ask tough questions, and encounter Jesus? 

In this episode of&nbsp;Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes back Pieter Valk, a licensed clinical counselor and the director of Equip. Together, they tackle the practical, often messy realities that local churches face today when navigating LGBTQ+ topics. Rather than sticking our heads in the sand, Pieter advocates for a framework built on clarity, consistency, and active discipleship.

They dive deep into the distinction between representational leadership roles and low-barrier opportunities for community service, exploring how churches can offer authentic belonging without compromising their theological convictions. Pieter also shares a vital reminder: the most critical LGBTQ+ ministry a church can do is care for the youth already sitting in their pews.

Whether you are a pastor, a church elder, or a believer looking to love your neighbors winsomely, this conversation offers a refreshing, grounded blueprint for building a healthy, thriving church community.

🔍 In this episode, you&rsquo;ll discover:
<ul>
<li data-path-to-node="12,0,1">The Power of Clarity: Why outlining expectations for mutual accountability prevents a "bait-and-switch" experience for visitors.</li>
<li>Serving vs. Representing: How to distinguish between general service and roles that represent the church's leadership and vision.</li>
<li>The "Belong, Believe, Become" Paradigm: A helpful framework for answering cultural critics while remaining faithful to the scriptures.</li>
<li>Pew-Side Ministry: Why proactive, compassionate discipleship for youth in the church is the most important step leaders can take</li>
</ul>
Get early access and a bonus with a <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/thinkingchristian/membership">Patreon membership</a>.
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</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!

Belonging vs. Leading: Navigating LGBTQ+ Conversations in the Local Church

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/f14dfa42-decc-4ab6-8815-b41700aec37e/transcript

“Have a safe summer!” “Travel safe!” “Stay safe!” 🛡️ In today’s world, safety isn’t just a wish—it’s a multi-billion dollar industry and a modern obsession. But as Christians, are we sacrificing our mission at the altar of security?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Jeremy Lundgren, author of The Pursuit of Safety: A Theology of Danger, Risk, and Security. Together, they dismantle the cultural "tokens of safety" and explore how our reliance on technology and insurance might actually be distancing us from a life of faith. 🕊️

Inside this episode, we tackle:


The Safety Paradox: Why does more technology (like Life360 📱) often lead to more anxiety rather than peace?


The Theology of Danger: Is being "vulnerable" actually a biblical requirement for Christian community? 🤝


Managing vs. Avoiding Risk: How to navigate a "woundable" world without retreating into a bubble.


The Ultimate Risk: Why the biggest danger isn't physical harm, but "succeeding" in a world while being disloyal to Christ. ⚠️

If you’ve ever felt the tension between wanting to protect your family and wanting to live boldly for the Kingdom, this conversation is for you. It’s time to move beyond the fear of death and rediscover what it means to be truly secure in God.

Guest Bio:Dr. Jeremy Lundgren is the President of Nicolet Bible Institute and an instructor at Wheaton College. His latest book, The Pursuit of Safety, challenges believers to rethink their relationship with risk and security.

Resources Mentioned: 📘 The Pursuit of Safety: A Theology of Danger, Risk, and Security by Jeremy Lundgren (IVP Academic) 🎟️ Discount Code: You can purchase The Pursuit of Safety at ivpress.com (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount).

Get early access and a bonus with aPatreon membership.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

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!

#ChristianPodcast #Theology #FaithOverFear #KingdomMindset #ThinkingChristian #RiskAndFaith #SafetyCulture

&ldquo;Have a safe summer!&rdquo; &ldquo;Travel safe!&rdquo; &ldquo;Stay safe!&rdquo; 🛡️ In today&rsquo;s world, safety isn&rsquo;t just a wish&mdash;it&rsquo;s a multi-billion dollar industry and a modern obsession. But as Christians, are we sacrificing our mission at the altar of security?
In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Jeremy Lundgren, author of The Pursuit of Safety: A Theology of Danger, Risk, and Security. Together, they dismantle the cultural "tokens of safety" and explore how our reliance on technology and insurance might actually be distancing us from a life of faith. 🕊️
Inside this episode, we tackle:
<ul data-path-to-node="5">
<li>
The Safety Paradox: Why does more technology (like Life360 📱) often lead to more anxiety rather than peace?
</li>
<li>
The Theology of Danger: Is being "vulnerable" actually a biblical requirement for Christian community? 🤝
</li>
<li>
Managing vs. Avoiding Risk: How to navigate a "woundable" world without retreating into a bubble.
</li>
<li>
The Ultimate Risk: Why the biggest danger isn't physical harm, but "succeeding" in a world while being disloyal to Christ. ⚠️
</li>
</ul>
If you&rsquo;ve ever felt the tension between wanting to protect your family and wanting to live boldly for the Kingdom, this conversation is for you. It&rsquo;s time to move beyond the fear of death and rediscover what it means to be truly secure in God.
Guest Bio: Dr. Jeremy Lundgren is the President of Nicolet Bible Institute and an instructor at Wheaton College. His latest book, The Pursuit of Safety, challenges believers to rethink their relationship with risk and security.
Resources Mentioned: 📘 The Pursuit of Safety: A Theology of Danger, Risk, and Security by Jeremy Lundgren (IVP Academic) 🎟️ Discount Code: You can purchase The Pursuit of Safety&nbsp;at <a href="http://ivpress.com">ivpress.com</a> (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount).
Get early access and a bonus with a <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/thinkingchristian/membership">Patreon membership</a>.
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</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!
#ChristianPodcast #Theology #FaithOverFear #KingdomMindset #ThinkingChristian #RiskAndFaith #SafetyCulture

🛡️ Is Your Safety an Idol? Risk, Technology, and the Gospel

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/7319a093-35ee-4e75-98d5-b4200083f063/transcript

What happens when a life shaped by violence, poverty, and abandonment meets consistent love, purpose, and the message of the Gospel?

In this powerful episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Greg Harris, Executive Director of Counteract International, to explore the realities facing incarcerated youth in Central America—and the transformative work being done to restore their lives.

Drawing from his book Counteract: Walking Alongside Incarcerated Youth in Central America from Prison to Purpose, Greg shares firsthand stories of young men and women caught in cycles of crime, broken homes, and gang culture—and how mentorship, faith-based education, and intentional relationships are helping them rewrite their futures.

Together, they unpack:


The harsh realities of juvenile detention in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala


The “battle within” every young person must face when choosing their path


Why relationship—not just programs—is the key to lasting transformation


The critical role of faith in restoring identity, dignity, and purpose


The high cost of inaction—and why this mission matters now more than ever

This conversation is both sobering and deeply hopeful, challenging listeners to reconsider how we see justice, redemption, and our responsibility to the most vulnerable.

👉 If you’ve ever wondered whether real change is possible in the hardest places—this episode will show you that it is.

Get early access and a bonus with aPatreon membership.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel

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!

What happens when a life shaped by violence, poverty, and abandonment meets consistent love, purpose, and the message of the Gospel?
In this powerful episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Greg Harris, Executive Director of Counteract International, to explore the realities facing incarcerated youth in Central America&mdash;and the transformative work being done to restore their lives.
Drawing from his book Counteract: Walking Alongside Incarcerated Youth in Central America from Prison to Purpose, Greg shares firsthand stories of young men and women caught in cycles of crime, broken homes, and gang culture&mdash;and how mentorship, faith-based education, and intentional relationships are helping them rewrite their futures.
Together, they unpack:
<ul data-start="1397" data-end="1789">
<li data-section-id="1pa1e1a" data-start="1397" data-end="1482">
The harsh realities of juvenile detention in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala
</li>
<li data-section-id="zk8ktc" data-start="1483" data-end="1560">
The &ldquo;battle within&rdquo; every young person must face when choosing their path
</li>
<li data-section-id="gbkat0" data-start="1561" data-end="1636">
Why relationship&mdash;not just programs&mdash;is the key to lasting transformation
</li>
<li data-section-id="3i1x24" data-start="1637" data-end="1711">
The critical role of faith in restoring identity, dignity, and purpose
</li>
<li data-section-id="mlkz6z" data-start="1712" data-end="1789">
The high cost of inaction&mdash;and why this mission matters now more than ever
</li>
</ul>
This conversation is both sobering and deeply hopeful, challenging listeners to reconsider how we see justice, redemption, and our responsibility to the most vulnerable.
👉 If you&rsquo;ve ever wondered whether real change is possible in the hardest places&mdash;this episode will show you that it is.
Get early access and a bonus with a <a href="https://www.patreon.com/c/thinkingchristian/membership">Patreon membership</a>.
Subscribe to our <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Useful_toGod">YouTube channel</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!

From Prison to Purpose: Restoring Hope for Incarcerated Youth in Central America

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/bc16cfb1-6690-4b23-8c2e-b41600ffbbee/transcript

The Blessing of Being in God's Presence: A Conversation with Samuel Parkinson

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