In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer welcomes Bible teacher, author, and podcaster Lisa Harper for a rich, heartfelt conversation about her new book A Jesus-Shaped Life. Together, they explore how diving into theology isn’t about elitism or intellect—it’s about intimacy. Lisa shares stories that are as moving as they are humorous (yes, snot and sanctification are both on the table), revealing how theological reflection is meant to be lived out in community, kindness, and Christlikeness. From Leviticus to the Trinity, from doctrinal missteps to the presence of God, this episode reminds us that theology done well brings us closer to Jesus and shapes us to reflect His radical love in the world.

Whether you're a seminary student or someone whose eyes glaze over at the word "pericope," this episode will meet you where you are—and invite you deeper.

🔗 For information about the upcoming German Reformation Tour visit thomastours.com.

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

📖 Purchase A Jesus-Shaped Life at amazon.com

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

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

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this special announcement, Dr. James Spencer shares details about the upcoming German Reformation Tour, running from October 30 to November 9, 2025. Explore the theological and political heritage of Germany with stops in Wittenberg, Munich, Nuremberg, and beyond. From the legacy of Martin Luther to the resistance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this unique tour blends biblical insight, historical depth, and cultural discovery.

James will be joined by Reformation expert Dr. Greg Quiggle and political theology scholar Dr. Michael McDuffee—two former Moody Bible Institute professors with extensive experience in Germany and a deep love for its history.

🚨 Booking deadline is May 31, 2025.
📍 Visit thomastours.com for more info and to reserve your spot.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode, James Spencer and Nate Yertano kick off a series on biblical manhood by asking a foundational question: What does it really mean to be a man under the authority of Christ? Too often, discipleship is confused with mentorship or reduced to checklists and programs. James and Nate reframe discipleship as the life-long process of learning to live in full submission to Jesus—and they challenge modern ideas of masculinity that rely more on cultural stereotypes than biblical wisdom. From the Great Commission to the Marks of Paul, from the creeds of the early church to the pressures of 21st-century manhood, this episode digs deep into how men—and all Christians—can learn to embody Christ, not a caricature.

🔗 For information about the upcoming German Reformation Tour visit thomastours.com.

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

🔗 Read "What Are the Characteristics of a Christian Man?" at usefultogod.com/read

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

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

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of Thinking Christian, I’m joined by Dr. Greg Quiggle for a deep dive into one of the most important yet often overlooked documents of the 20th century—the Barmen Declaration. Against the backdrop of Germany’s post-World War I collapse, the rise of Hitler, and the church’s alarming compromise with Nazi ideology, we explore how a handful of theologians like Karl Barth and Dietrich Bonhoeffer fought to preserve the true identity of the church.

Together, we unpack how civil religion, political loyalty, and theological drift threatened the witness of German Christians—and what Barmen still has to teach us today as Christians navigating nationalism, politics, and cultural pressure.

We don’t shy away from controversy. Drawing connections between the German church’s failures and modern American challenges, we wrestle with uncomfortable questions about allegiance, national identity, and the dangers of putting our faith in human institutions.

If you’ve ever wondered how the church can stand faithfully in turbulent times—or how subtle compromises can erode Christian witness—this is a conversation you don’t want to miss.

🔗 For information about the upcoming German Reformation Tour visit thomastours.com.

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

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

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Historian and author Beth Allison Barr joins Thinking Christian to discuss her latest book, Becoming the Pastor’s Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman’s Path to Ministry. We explore the medieval redefinitions of masculinity that reshaped church leadership, the rise of clerical celibacy, and how the Protestant Reformation unwittingly birthed a new ecclesial role: the pastor’s wife. Along the way, we talk ordination, authority, embodiment, cultural expectations, and the invisible burdens placed on ministry families. Whether you're a pastor, a pastor's spouse, or just trying to make sense of biblical manhood and womanhood in the 21st century, this is a conversation you won't want to miss.

🔗 For information about the upcoming German Reformation Tour visit thomastours.com.

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

🔗 Pick up Dr. Barr's Books:

• • Becoming the Pastor's Wife: How Marriage Replaced Ordination as a Woman's Path to Ministry
  • The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

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

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this episode of Thinking Christian, James Spencer is joined by David and Brandon Lindell—pastors at James River Church and authors of Lionhearted: A Man’s Guide to Life. Together, they tackle the complexities of Christian manhood in a culture saturated with extremes. From the misconception of masculinity as mere dominance or passivity, to the heart-level transformation Scripture calls men into, this conversation pulls no punches. The Lindells explain why spiritual leadership starts not with control but with character—and why community, reflection, and a rightly ordered heart matter more than habits alone.

We explore themes like ambition, vulnerability, male friendship, and the subtle dangers of reactionary identity-building. Whether you're a husband, father, single man, or simply someone grappling with cultural models of manhood, this is a conversation worth leaning into.

🔗 For information about the upcoming German Reformation Tour visit thomastours.com.

🔗 Learn more about Lionhearted and the Stronger Men’s Conference in the show notes.

📖 Get the Book: Lionhearted: A Man's Guide to Living Focused, Fulfilled and Fearless

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

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

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Was the Reformation a spark for spiritual renewal—or the start of theological chaos? In this episode of Thinking Christian, I’m joined by Dr. Greg Quiggle to explore the sites and significance of the German Reformation in anticipation of our upcoming tour through Germany. But more than that, we dig into the unintended consequences of Martin Luther’s stand—especially his push for lay engagement with Scripture and the rise of the priesthood of all believers.

Together, we trace how the Reformation reshaped the role of the church, the home, and the public square. From Wittenberg’s backwater transformation into a theological epicenter, to the complexities of canon law, catechesis, and the teaching office, we ask what’s been gained—and lost—in the modern church. We also explore the shadow side of religious freedom: when everyone gets to interpret Scripture for themselves, does anyone know what it really means?

If you’re ready for a spirited tour through church history, political theology, and bratwurst-fueled ecclesiology, this episode is for you.

🔗 For information about the upcoming German Reformation Tour visit thomastours.com.

🔗 Learn more about Useful to God: www.usefultogod.com

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

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

For more resources to help you grow in faith and deepen your walk with Christ, visit Useful to God—where you'll find books, courses, podcasts, and more to equip you for faithful Christian living.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

In this special announcement, Dr. James Spencer shares details about the upcoming German Reformation Tour, running from October 30 to November 9, 2025. Explore the theological and political heritage of Germany with stops in Wittenberg, Munich, Nuremberg, and beyond. From the legacy of Martin Luther to the resistance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, this unique tour blends biblical insight, historical depth, and cultural discovery.

James will be joined by Reformation expert Dr. Greg Quiggle and political theology scholar Dr. Michael McDuffee—two former Moody Bible Institute professors with extensive experience in Germany and a deep love for its history.

🚨 Booking deadline is May 31, 2025.
📍 Visit thomastours.com for more info and to reserve your spot.

Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.