In this episode, James considers Matthew 10. He talks about what Jesus is trying to teach his disciples (and us!) by sending them out on their initial mission. He also provides an explanation of what it looks like to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves." 

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.

In this episode, James considers Matthew 10. He talks about what Jesus is trying to teach his disciples (and us!) by sending them out on their initial mission. He also provides an explanation of what it looks like to be "wise as serpents and innocent as doves." 
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>.

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>

What Does It Mean to Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent As Doves?

Welcome to Thinking Christian

Introducing Dr. Christa McGirkland

The Personal Journey into Studying Authority

Richard De George's Framework for Authority

Adapting Philosophical Concepts for Christian

Executive and Non-Executive Authorities

Biblical Examples of Different Types of

The Role of the Holy Spirit in Authority

Reinterpreting 1 Timothy 2:12

The Complexities of 1 Timothy 2:12

Challenging Assumptions About Authority

The Importance of Community and Learning

The Dangers of Over-Interpretation

The Challenges of Biblical Interpretation

Embracing Epistemic Humility

The Clearer Path: Romans 12:10

Closing Thoughts and Book Promotion

Life Audio Partnership

Is the way we view church leadership actually doing more harm than good?  In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Christa L. McKirland—Dean of Faculty at Carey Baptist College and author of A Theology of Authority—to dismantle the "CEO model" of ministry and rediscover a biblical, communal framework for the Body of Christ. 



Why This Episode is a Must-Listen:


Beyond "Because I Said So": Discover why imperative authority—the power to command and compel consequences—is actually the lowest form of motivation and often misplaced in the church.


The Four Faces of Authority: Dr. McKirland breaks down the essential differences between Executive (positional) and Non-Executive (knowledge and character-based) authority.


Ending Pastoral Burnout: Learn how a "passive body" that expects to be spoon-fed creates a two-tiered hierarchy that exhausts leaders and robs congregants of their spiritual dignity.


Equipping the Saints: Explore the concept of "Equipping Performative Authority," where the leader's primary role is to empower the community for ministry, not do the ministry for them.


Navigating "Hard" Texts: A deep dive into the context of 1 Timothy 2 and why we often read universal prescriptions into specific historical prohibitions.

Key Takeaways for Your Walk: * 🛡️ Language of Resistance: How to use "Epistemic Authority" (knowledge) to fact-check teaching and protect your community from misinformation. 




🤝 The Sibling Paradigm: Why shifting from "Father" or "CEO" titles to "Brother and Sister" creates a culture of mutual submission and Christ-centered honor.


📖 Christocracy over Democracy: Moving past majority rule to a space where the community listens for the Spirit's voice together.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Christa L. McKirland is the Dean of Faculty and Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Carey Baptist College in New Zealand. She specializes in analytic and exegetical theology, bringing a "fine-tooth comb" approach to the concepts that shape our faith. 



Check out her book:A Theology of Authority: Rethinking Leadership in the Church (Baker Academic).

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!

 #ChurchLeadership #Theology #ChristianPodcast #Discipleship #SpiritualAuthority #EquippingTheSaints #BiblicalEquality #ThinkingChristian 🌟📖⛪

Is the way we view church leadership actually doing more harm than good? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Christa L. McKirland&mdash;Dean of Faculty at Carey Baptist College and author of A Theology of Authority&mdash;to dismantle the "CEO model" of ministry and rediscover a biblical, communal framework for the Body of Christ. 

Why This Episode is a Must-Listen:
<ul data-path-to-node="3">
<li>
Beyond "Because I Said So": Discover why imperative authority&mdash;the power to command and compel consequences&mdash;is actually the lowest form of motivation and often misplaced in the church.
</li>
<li>
The Four Faces of Authority: Dr. McKirland breaks down the essential differences between Executive (positional) and Non-Executive (knowledge and character-based) authority.
</li>
<li>
Ending Pastoral Burnout: Learn how a "passive body" that expects to be spoon-fed creates a two-tiered hierarchy that exhausts leaders and robs congregants of their spiritual dignity.
</li>
<li>
Equipping the Saints: Explore the concept of "Equipping Performative Authority," where the leader's primary role is to empower the community for ministry, not do the ministry for them.
</li>
<li>
Navigating "Hard" Texts: A deep dive into the context of 1 Timothy 2 and why we often read universal prescriptions into specific historical prohibitions.
</li>
</ul>
Key Takeaways for Your Walk: * 🛡️ Language of Resistance: How to use "Epistemic Authority" (knowledge) to fact-check teaching and protect your community from misinformation. 

<ul data-path-to-node="7">
<li>
🤝 The Sibling Paradigm: Why shifting from "Father" or "CEO" titles to "Brother and Sister" creates a culture of mutual submission and Christ-centered honor.
</li>
<li>
📖&nbsp;Christocracy over Democracy: Moving past majority rule to a space where the community listens for the Spirit's voice together.
</li>
</ul>
About Our Guest:
Dr. Christa L. McKirland is the Dean of Faculty and Lecturer in Systematic Theology at Carey Baptist College in New Zealand. She specializes in analytic and exegetical theology, bringing a "fine-tooth comb" approach to the concepts that shape our faith. 

Check out her book: <a href="https://amzn.to/4bvNjGX">A Theology of Authority:</a> Rethinking Leadership in the Church (Baker Academic).
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!
&nbsp;#ChurchLeadership #Theology #ChristianPodcast #Discipleship #SpiritualAuthority #EquippingTheSaints #BiblicalEquality #ThinkingChristian 🌟📖⛪

🎙️ Rethinking Authority: From Control to Community with Dr. Christa L. McKirland

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/5e27a451-e6e6-4c51-aa03-a7370003783c/clips/030b9db0-aaba-4df6-99d1-b41f008b99fc/transcript

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 Does It Mean to Be Wise as Serpents and Innocent As Doves?

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