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In this episode, I am joined by Dean Inserra, lead pastor of the City Church and author of a recent book entitled Pure: Why the Bible’s Plan for Sexuality isn’t Outdated, Irrelevant, or Oppressive. Today, we talk about Christian culture and the biblical sexual ethic. Meet Dean:  Dean Inserra is the founding and lead pastor of City Church in Tallahassee Floria, where he leads the vision and preaching. He holds a MA in Theological Studies from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and is pursuing a D.Min from Southern Seminary. He is a member of Baptist 21 and serves in various capacities throughout the Southern Baptist Convention. He is the author of several books including The Unsaved Christian, Getting Over Yourself, and Marks of a Disciple. Resources: Pure by Dean Inserra The Meaning of Marriage by Tim and Kathy Keller What Does the Bible Really Teach About Homosexuality? by Kevin DeYoung God and the Transgender Debate by Andrew Walker Strange New World by Carl Trueman The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Paul D. Miller, professor of the practice of international affairs at Georgetown University and author of a recent book entitled The Religion of American Greatness: What’s Wrong with Christian Nationalism. Today, we talk about religion, politics, social ethics, and the rise of Christian nationalism. Meet Dr. Miller:  Dr. Miller earned his PhD from Georgetown University and holds a masters in public policy from Harvard University. He spent a decade in public service as director for Afghanistan and Pakistan on the National Security Council staff, an intelligence analyst for the Central Intelligence Agency, and a military intelligence officer in the US Army. Miller’s writing has appeared in Foreign Affairs, The Dispatch, The Washington Post, Providence Magazine, Mere Orthodoxy, The Gospel Coalition, Foreign Policy, and elsewhere. He is the author of Just War and Ordered Liberty from Cambridge University Press. Resources: The Religion of American Greatness by Paul D. Miller The Virtue of Nationalism by Yoram Hazony Between Kin and Cosmopolis by Nigel Biggar Taking America Back for God by Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry How the Nations Rage by Jonathan Leeman Politics after Christendom by David VanDrunen The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Matthew Barrett, associate professor of Christian Theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of a recent book entitled Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit. Today, we talk about the centrality of the  doctrine of the trinity in the Christian life. Meet Dr. Barrett:  Matthew Barrett is also the founder and executive editor of Credo Magazine, where he also hosts the Credo podcast, talking with fellow theologians about the most important doctrines of the Christian faith. He is the author of numerous books, such as Simply Trinity: The Unmanipulated Father, Son, and Spirit (Baker) and None Greater: The Undomesticated Attributes of God (Baker). Resources: Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett Nicene Creed On the Incarnation by Athanasius On God and Christ by Gregory of Nazianzus On the Trinity by Augustine On the Trinity by Hilary of Poitiers Communion with God by John Owen The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I talk about a recent article I published at Liberty Magazine titled “Free to Tweet?” and the relationship between content moderation and religious freedom in the digital public square. Resources: “Free to Tweet?” by Jason Thacker Liberty For All by Andrew Walker The Naked Public Square by Richard John Neuhaus Christian Mindset in a Secular Society by Carl F.H. Henry Has Democracy Had It’s Day? by Carl F.H. Henry “Should the government regulate social media?” by Jason Thacker The Twenty-Six Words that Created the Internet by Jeff Kosseff “Where do we draw the line on hate speech?” by Jason Thacker The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Jarvis Williams, associate professor of New Testament interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of a recent book entitled Redemptive Kingdom Diversity: A Biblical Theology of the People of God. Today, we talk about diversity in the Bible and its place in the Kingdom of God. Meet Dr. Williams:  Jarvis J. Williams earned his PhD from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he now serves as an associate professor of New Testament interpretation. He is the author of numerous books, including For Whom Did Christ Die? The Extent of the Atonement in Paul’s Theology, Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law: A Jewish Martyrological Reading of Galatians 3:13, a commentary on Galatians, and a forthcoming commentary on Romans. He has also written popular books and articles on race, racism, and reconciliation. Resources: Redemptive Kingdom Diversity by Jarvis Williams Beyond Racial Division by George Yancey Talking About Race by Isaac Adams The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Thomas Kidd, Vardaman Endowed professor of History at Baylor University and author of a new book with Yale University Press titled Thomas Jefferson: A Biography of Spirit and Flesh. Meet Dr. Kidd:  Thomas Kidd is the Associate Director of Institute for Studies of Religion and the James Vardaman Distinguished Professor of History at Baylor University. He has written for outlets including the Washington Post and the Wall Street Journal. Kidd blogs at “Evangelical History,” and at The Gospel Coalition website. His recent works include Who is an Evangelical?: A History of a Movement in Crisis (Yale University Press, 2019) and Benjamin Franklin: The Religious Life of a Founding Father  (Yale University Press, 2017). Resources: Thomas Jefferson by Thomas Kidd Notes on the State of Virginia by Thomas Jefferson Thomas Jefferson and the Wall of Separation between Church and State by Daniel Dreisbach The Hemingses of Monticello by Annette Gordon-Reed The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Derek Schuurman, professor of computer science at Calvin University and co-author of a new book entitled A Christian Field Guide to Technology for Engineers and Designers with IVP Academic. Today, we talk about how to responsibly develop technology in light of the Christian worldview. Meet Dr. Schurrman:  Derek C. Schuurman earned his PhD at McMaster University and previously taught at Dordt University and Redeemer University before coming to Calvin University. Prior to teaching, he worked as an engineer designing embedded systems. He is the author of Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture and Computer Technology with IVP Academic. Resources: A Christian Field Guide to Technology by Derek Schuurman and Steven Vanderleest Shaping a Digital World by Derek Schurrman Responsible Technology by Stephen Monsma Creation Regained by Albert Wolters Modern Technology and The Human Future by Craig Gay After You Believe by N.T. Wright The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Jake Meador, Editor-in-chief at Mere Orthodoxy and author of a new book with IVP titled What Are Christians For? Life Together at the End of the World. Today, we talk about politics, ethics, and the common good. Meet Jake:  Jake is the author of two books, including his first book was In Search of the Common Good: Christian Fidelity in a Fractured World. His work has been published in First Things, National Review, Books & Culture, Commonweal, Christianity Today, Front Porch Republic, and the University Bookman. He lives with his wife and children in his hometown of Lincoln, Nebraska. Resources: What Are Christians For? by Jake Meador Aggressively Happy by Joy Clarkson Christian Worldview by Herman Bavinck Bavinck by James Eglinton Instruction in Christian Love by Martin Bucer Podcast: “A conversation with Dr. James Eglinton on Herman Bavinck, theology, and ethics” The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Trevin Wax, the vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board and guide to a newly released version of GK Chesterton’s classic work, Orthodoxy. Today, we talk about GK Chesterton and defending the Christian faith Meet Trevin:  In addition to his role at NAMB, Wax also serves as a visiting professor at Wheaton College. A former missionary to Romania, Trevin is a regular columnist at The Gospel Coalition and has contributed to The Washington Post, Religion News Service, World, and Christianity Today. He has served as general editor of The Gospel Project. He is the author of multiple books, including The Multi-Directional Leader, Rethink Your Self, This Is Our Time, Eschatological Discipleship, and Gospel Centered Teaching. Resources: Orthodoxy by GK Chesterton, annotated by Trevin Wax Defiant Joy by Kevin Belmonte Everlasting Man by GK Chesterton Heretics by GK Chesterton Ballad of the White Horse by GK Chesterton In Defense of Sanity by GK Chesterton The Man Who Was Thursday by GK Chesterton Manalive by GK Chesterton Father Brown Stories by GK Chesterton The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Jordan Ballor, director of research at the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy as well as co-editor of Abraham Kuyper’s Collected Works in Public Theology with Lexham Press. Today, we talk about the life and work of Abraham Kuyper, as well as the task of public theology and Christian ethics. Meet Dr. Ballor:  Dr. Ballor earned his doctorate of theology in reformational history from the University of Zurich and PhD in moral theology from  Calvin Theological Seminary. In addition to his role at the Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy, he is also the associate director of the Junius Institute for Digital Reformation Research at Calvin Theological Seminary. Resources: Collected Works of Public Theology by Abraham Kuyper Center for Religion, Culture & Democracy Lectures on Calvinism by Abraham Kuyper Calvinism for a Secular Age by Jessica and Robert Joustra Abraham Kuyper: An Introduction by Richard Mouw As a special treat for newsletter and podcast subscribers, we have partnered with Lexham Press to offer 30% off the newly completed Collected Works of Public Theology by Abraham Kuyper in hardback or Logos editions. Use code DPSFEB22 or visit lexhampress.com/digitalpublicsquare to learn more. This special discount expires on April 30th. The Digital Public Square is an audio production of Owens Productions. It’s produced by Jason Thacker and production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Olivia Enos, senior policy analyst in the Asian Studies Center at the Heritage Foundation. Today, we talk about human rights issues in China and North Korea. Meet Olivia:  Olivia Enos is a senior policy analyst in the Asian Studies Center at The Heritage Foundation. She focuses on human rights and national security challenges in Asia. Her research spans a wide range of subjects, including democracy and governance challenges, human trafficking and human smuggling, religious freedom, refugee issues, and other social challenges in the region. Resources: Olivia Enos (The Heritage Foundation) China’s Search for Security by Andrew J. Nathan & Andrew Scobell The Aquariums of Pyongyang by Kang Chol-Hwan & Pierre Rigoulot China Aid (The Persecuted Church in China) The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Felicia Wu Song, cultural sociologist and author of a recent book entitled Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age. Today, we talk about how technological devices form us and how to gain control over them. Meet Dr. Song:  Felicia Wu Song earned her PhD from the University of Virginia and currently serves as professor of sociology at Westmont College in Santa Barbara. Her publications include Virtual Communities: Bowling Alone, Online Together and articles in such scholarly journals as Gender & Society and Information, Communication & Society. Resources: Restless Devices by Felicia Wu Song Power Failure by Albert Borgmann Liturgy of the Ordinary by Tish Harrison Warren The Common Rule by Justin Earley The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Adonis Vidu, professor of theology at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and author of a new book called The Same God Who Works All Things: Inseparable Operations in Trinitarian Theology. Today, we talk about the doctrine of the trinity and inseparable operations. Meet Dr. Vidu:  Dr. Vidu earned his Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham and came to Gordon-Conwell from his native Romania, where he previously taught at Emmanuel University and the University of Bucharest. He is a constructive theologian who is involved in a recovery of the patristic and medieval Trinitarian theology for the contemporary church. He is also the author of Atonement, Law, and Justice: The Cross in Historical and Cultural Contexts, Theology after Neo- Pragmatism, and Postliberal Theological Method: A Critical Study. Resources: The Same God Who Works All Things by Adonis Vidu Contemplating God with the Great Tradition by Craig Carter The Deep Things of God by Fred Sanders Simply Trinity by Matthew Barrett Which Trinity? by Thomas McCall The Trinity by Augustine Delighting in the Trinity by Michael Reeves The One, the Three and the Many by Colin Gunton God For Us by Catherine Mowry LaCugna The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Tony Reinke, a non-profit journalist and author of numerous books including God, Technology, and the Christian Life. Today, we talk about a biblical theology of technology and how it affects the Christian life. Meet Tony: Tony Reinke also serves as senior teacher and host of the Ask Pastor John podcast at Desiring God. He is the author of Lit!: A Christian Guide to Reading Books, Competing Spectacles, and 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You. Resources: God, Technology, and the Christian Life by Tony Reinke Common Grace by Abraham Kuyper 12 Ways Your Phone Is Changing You by Tony Reinke As a special treat for newsletter and podcast subscribers, we have partnered with Lexham Press to offer 30% off the newly completed Collected Works of Public Theology by Abraham Kuyper in hardback or Logos editions. Use code DPSFEB22 or visit lexhampress.com/digitalpublicsquare to learn more. This special discount expires on March 15th. The Digital Public Square is an audio production of Owens Productions. It’s produced by Jason Thacker and production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Benjamin Gladd, associate professor of New Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary and editor of a series of volumes on biblical theology with InterVarsity Press. Today, we talk about biblical theology and the image of God. Meet Dr. Gladd: Dr. Gladd earned his PhD from Wheaton College and prior to joining the RTS faculty, he served as an adjunct faculty member at Wheaton, teaching New Testament exegesis and interpretation, Greek, and introductory courses on the Old and New Testaments. In addition to his work at RTS, Dr. Gladd has been a member of the editorial board for the online journal, Themelios, since 2019. He is the author of numerous works and serves as the series editor for Essential Studies in Biblical Theology, which includes his work From Adam and Israel to the Church: A Biblical Theology of the People of God. Resources: From Adam to Israel by Benjamin L. Gladd Essential Studies in Biblical Theology edited by Benjamin L. Gladd Created in God’s Image by Anthony Hoekema As a special treat for newsletter and podcast subscribers, we have partnered with Lexham Press to offer 30% off the newly completed Collected Works of Public Theology by Abraham Kuyper in hardback or Logos editions. Use code DPSFEB22 or visit lexhampress.com/digitalpublicsquare to learn more. This special discount expires on March 15th. The Digital Public Square is an audio production of Owens Productions. It’s produced by Jason Thacker and production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by my Drs. Jessica and Robert Joustra, co-editors of a new volume called Calvinism for a Secular Age: A Twenty-First-Century Reading of Abraham Kuyper’s Stone Lectures. Today, we talk about Kuyper’s influence and a Reformed approach to our secular age. Meet Jessica:  Jessica Joustra (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary and the Free University of Amsterdam) is assistant professor of religion and theology at Redeemer University and an associate researcher at the Neo-Calvinist Research Institute at the Theological University of Kampen (NL). She is an editor and translator of Herman Bavinck’s Reformed Ethics and associate editor for the Bavinck Review. Meet Robert: Robert J. Joustra (PhD, University of Bath) is associate professor of politics and international studies and the founding director of the Centre for Christian Scholarship at Redeemer University College. He is the author of The Religious Problem with Religious Freedom and the coauthor of The Church’s Social Responsibility, The Persecuted Church, How to Survive the Apocalypse, and God and the Global Order. Resources: Calvinism for a Secular Age by Jessica and Robert Joustra Collected Works of Public Theology by Abraham Kuyper Abraham Kuyper by James Bratt Abraham Kuyper: An Introduction by Richard Mouw To Be Near unto God by Abraham Kuyper Honey from the Rock by Abraham Kuyper Christ and Culture by Klaas Schilder As a special treat for newsletter and podcast subscribers, we have partnered with Lexham Press to offer 30% off the newly completed Collected Works of Public Theology by Abraham Kuyper in hardback or Logos editions. Use code DPSFEB22 or visit lexhampress.com/digitalpublicsquare to learn more. This special discount expires on March 15th. The Digital Public Square is an audio production of Owens Productions. It’s produced by Jason Thacker and production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Chris Martin, the author of a recent book entitled Terms of Service: The Real Cost of Social Media. Today, we talk about how technology is forming us and what to do about it. Meet Chris:  Chris Martin is a content marketing editor at Moody Publishers and a social media, marketing, and communications consultant. He has led social media strategy at Lifeway Christian Resources and advised some of the foremost Christian leaders and authors on digital content strategy. He writes regularly at TermsOfService.social. Resources: Terms of Service by Chris Martin Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman Irresistible by Adam Alter The Attention Merchants by Tim Wu No Filter by Sarah Frier “Five Things We Need to Know About Technological Change” by Neil Postman The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, the China reporter for Axios. Today, we talk about the Chinese communist party, the upcoming Winter Olympic games in Beijing, and state of global affairs. Meet Bethany: Bethany leads the weekly Axios China newsletter and she covers China’s role in the world. She was previously a staff editor and contributing reporter at Foreign Policy magazine, where she wrote investigations, deeply reported narratives, and analysis related to China. She is also writing a book about China for HarperCollins entitled Beijing Rules: Capitalism, the Coronavirus, and China’s Quest for Global Influence due to release in spring 2023. Resources: Red Carpet by Erich Schwartzel The War on the Uyghurs by Sean R. Roberts The Beautiful Country and the Middle Kingdom by John Pomfret Freedom by Nathan Law Ai Superpowers by Kai-Fu Lee The Third Revolution by Elizabeth C. Economy The Digital Public Square is a production of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and is produced and hosted by Jason Thacker. Production assistance is provided by Cameron Hayner. Technical production provided by Owens Productions. It is edited and mixed by Mark Owens.

In this episode, I am joined by Dr. Matt Emerson, co-executive director of the Center for Baptist Renewal and editor of Baptists and the Christian Tradition: Towards and Evangelical Baptist Catholicity . Today, we talk about Baptists and their place amongst the Christian tradition. Meet Dr. Emerson: Dr. Emerson is dean of theology, arts, & humanities at Oklahoma Baptist University in Shawnee, as well as co-executive director of the Center for Baptist Renewal. His areas of interest include biblical theology, canonical interpretation, theological method, and Baptist theology. He is author of ‘He Descended to the Dead’: An Evangelical Theology of Holy Saturday, and an editor of Baptists and the Christian Tradition: Towards an Evangelical Baptist Catholicity. Resources: Center for Baptist Renewal CBR Reading Challenge Baptists and the Christian Tradition edited by Matt Emerson, Luke Stamps, and Christopher Morgan Credits: Podcast Coordinator: Cameron Hayner Audio Producer: Mark Owens, Owens Productions

In this episode, I am joined by my ERLC colleague Chelsea Sobolik who serves as our director of public policy in Washington, DC. Today, we talk about the ERLC’s public policy priorities in 2022 and how we engage government officials at both the state and federal levels. Meet Chelsea:  Chelsea has worked on Capitol Hill on pro-life policies, domestic and international religious freedom, adoption, and foster care issues in a number of different roles prior to coming to the ERLC. She has been published at the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Gospel Coalition, Christianity Today, and others. She is the author of Longing for Motherhood – Holding onto Hope in the Midst of Childlessness, and a forthcoming book on women and work. She has a B.A. in International Relations from Liberty University, and lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband Michael. Resources: ERLC Public Policy Agenda for 2022 Every Good Endeavor by Timothy Keller The Common Rule by Justin Earley The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer Credits: Podcast Coordinator: Cameron Hayner Audio Producer: Mark Owens, Owens Productions