Think Well

The Old Testament contains commands that can feel strange, confusing, and even troubling. No pork, mixed fabric, or shrimp. In this livestream (Part 5 of our virtual book study through "How Not to Read the Bible", we explore some of the difficult and surprising passages without rushing to easy answers. These questions matter, and understanding them is key to reading the Bible well.We are discussing chapter 4 of Dan Kimball's book, "How (Not) To Read The Bible." Come join the conversation and bring your questions, as this series looks at some of the strangest and most difficult Bible passages. Dan Kimball is the author of several books on leadership, church, and culture. He is on staff at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California, and is on the faculty of Western Seminary. He also leads the ReGeneration Project, which equips church leaders and new generations to respond to the difficult questions being asked today about the Bible and the church.Join the book study Facebook group for further discussion! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437407727782203/Get the book - https://a.co/d/0ezcJgRKRyan's InfoWebsite: https://think-well.org/Get more from Think Well: http://eepurl.com/h77OcHInstagram Think Well Channel: https://ig.me/j/AbYXJE5dgQA8wx5g/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2Instagram, X, TikTok: @ryanpauly3iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430eAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-PodcastSpeaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

The Kalam Cosmological Argument is one of the most popular arguments for the existence of God. Is it a good argument? In this live call-in debate, I’ll be defending the Kalam Cosmological Argument as evidence for God and inviting skeptics to call in with their objections. Bring your questions, pushback, and best arguments!Register for a Summit Ministries summer conference before March 31st and use the discount code THINKWELL26 to save $500! - https://www.summit.org/promotions/think-well/Ryan's InfoWebsite: https://think-well.org/Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcHFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestionsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430eAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-PodcastSpeaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

Have you ever heard someone say, “Never read a Bible verse”? It sounds strange, but it points to an important truth: every verse of Scripture is part of a much bigger story. In the virtual book study this week, we’ll explore the Bible’s six-act storyline and see how understanding the larger context helps us interpret individual verses faithfully.We are discussing chapter 3 of Dan Kimball's book, "How (Not) To Read The Bible." Come join the conversation and bring your questions, as this series looks at some of the strangest and most difficult Bible passages. Dan Kimball is the author of several books on leadership, church, and culture. He is on staff at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California, and is on the faculty of Western Seminary. He also leads the ReGeneration Project, which equips church leaders and new generations to respond to the difficult questions being asked today about the Bible and the church.Join the book study Facebook group for further discussion! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437407727782203/Get the book - https://a.co/d/0ezcJgRKRyan's InfoWebsite: https://think-well.org/Get more from Think Well: http://eepurl.com/h77OcHInstagram Think Well Channel: https://ig.me/j/AbYXJE5dgQA8wx5g/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2Instagram, X, TikTok: @ryanpauly3iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430eAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-PodcastSpeaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

A lot of people are troubled by the Bible and have a lot of questions. Sometimes, Scripture itself seems to act as an obstacle to faith. The authors of "Is It Really The Good Book?" face these questions head-on in a quest to understand and appreciate the Bible better. What they discovered is that assumptions matter when it comes to the bible, and this show will identify and respond to the most common misunderstandings of what the Bible is.Dr. John Marriott is a faculty affiliate of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University's Institute for Quantitative Social Science. He is the former research and program coordinator for the Biola University Center for Christian Thought and teaches part-time in the department of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology.Shawn Wicks is a pastor, author, and ministry leader in Southern California. He serves as vice president of the Southern California Bible Conference, directing camps and retreats at Verdugo Pines Bible Camp. He holds an MDiv from Talbot School of Theology. Shawn and John also co-authored "Before You Go: Uncovering Hidden Factors in Faith Loss."Related ResourcesGet the book - https://a.co/d/0390IvsORyan's InfoWebsite: https://think-well.org/Get more from Think Well: http://eepurl.com/h77OcHInstagram Think Well Channel: https://ig.me/j/AbYXJE5dgQA8wx5g/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestionsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430eAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-PodcastSpeaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

Join me for a live call-in debate as skeptics and believers discuss a central claim to the Christian faith. Disagree respectfully, think deeply, and call in live.Register for a Summit Ministries summer conference before March 31st and use the discount code THINKWELL26 to save $500! - https://www.summit.org/promotions/think-well/Ryan's InfoWebsite: https://think-well.org/Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcHFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestionsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430eAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-PodcastSpeaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

Before criticizing or applying the Bible to your life, it's important to make sure you're properly understanding it. The problem is that most people commit simple Bible-reading mistakes. Today's show will look at 2 facts about how to and how not to read the Bible.We are discussing chapter 2 of Dan Kimball's book, "How (Not) To Read The Bible." Come join the conversation and bring your questions, as this series looks at some of the strangest and most difficult Bible passages. Dan Kimball is the author of several books on leadership, church, and culture. He is on staff at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California, and is on the faculty of Western Seminary. He also leads the ReGeneration Project, which equips church leaders and new generations to respond to the difficult questions being asked today about the Bible and the church.Join the book study Facebook group for further discussion! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437407727782203/Get the book - https://a.co/d/0ezcJgRKRyan's InfoWebsite: https://think-well.org/Get more from Think Well: http://eepurl.com/h77OcHInstagram Think Well Channel: https://ig.me/j/AbYXJE5dgQA8wx5g/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2Instagram, X, TikTok: @ryanpauly3iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430eAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-PodcastSpeaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

Many online memes criticizing the Bible are confusing or persuasive because we have learned how (not) to read the Bible. Are you willing to look beyond the visual image and explore beyond a literal, out-of-context reading of a verse? If so, you'll discover that the Bible is not "sheer nonsense."We are discussing chapter 1 of Dan Kimball's book, "How (Not) To Read The Bible." Come join the conversation and bring your questions, as this series looks at some of the strangest and most difficult Bible passages. Dan Kimball is the author of several books on leadership, church, and culture. He is on staff at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California, and is on the faculty of Western Seminary. He also leads the ReGeneration Project, which equips church leaders and new generations to respond to the difficult questions being asked today about the Bible and the church.Join the book study Facebook group for further discussion!   / 1437407727782203  Get the book - https://a.co/d/0ezcJgRKRyan's InfoWebsite: https://think-well.org/Get more from Think Well: http://eepurl.com/h77OcHInstagram Think Well Channel: https://ig.me/j/AbYXJE5dgQA8wx5g/?igs...Facebook:   / ryanpauly2  Instagram, X, TikTok: @ryanpauly3iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqf...Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c...Speaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

"Pastors and church leaders regularly encourage us to read our Bibles. Yet here is the great irony. It was reading the Bible that caused this student—and an increasing number of others like him today—to leave Christianity."What do you do when you read new parts of the Bible and encounter disturbing things? Do you dismiss them, make sense of them, or do they lead you to doubt Christianity? Whether you're a Christian trying to make sense of Bible difficulties or a skeptic who doesn't believe because of them, this series will make sense of some of the Bible's most difficult challenges. Join me for the introduction to the series and bring your questions! I will be taking callers.Dan Kimball is the author of several books on leadership, church, and culture. He is on staff at Vintage Faith Church in Santa Cruz, California, and is on the faculty of Western Seminary. He also leads the ReGeneration Project, which equips church leaders and new generations to respond to the difficult questions being asked today about the Bible and the church.Join the book study Facebook group for further discussion! https://www.facebook.com/groups/1437407727782203/Get the book - https://a.co/d/0ezcJgRKRyan's InfoWebsite: https://think-well.org/Get more from Think Well: http://eepurl.com/h77OcHInstagram Think Well Channel: https://ig.me/j/AbYXJE5dgQA8wx5g/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2Instagram, X, TikTok: @ryanpauly3iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430eAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-PodcastSpeaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

This is the final livestream debate of 2025, so I am opening up the topic to any objections against Christianity. There are no off-limit questions. Skeptics, seekers, and Christians are all welcome to call in and ask questions about God, the Bible, science, morality, or anything else. Join the conversation, bring your best questions, and let's have a thoughtful, honest dialogue about what's true.2025 Year-End Challenge Info - https://think-well.org/challenge/Today's book giveaway is "On The Incarnation" by Athanasius with an introduction by C. S. Lewis. bit.ly/giveaway1205Register for a Summit Ministries summer conference before March 31st and use the discount code THINKWELL26 to save $500! - https://www.summit.org/promotions/think-well/

"There is now a social cost to being a Christian in many of America's most elite sectors."Today's show will look at hostility and persecution as we walk through chapter 10 of Andrew and Christian Walker's new book, "What Do I Say When...?: A Parents' Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children & Teens." The hope is to explore the shifting culture and how Christians need to adapt to stand firm and minister wisely. Bring your questions! There will be time for Q&A and callers!Andrew Walker (PhD in Christian Ethics) serves at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as Associate Dean in the School of Theology, and Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology. He is also the Director of the Carl F. H. Henry Institute for Evangelical Engagement. Additionally, he is a fellow in Christian Political Thought at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and serves as the Managing Editor of WORLD Opinions. Christian Walker is an accomplished curriculum writer, elementary school educator, and former children's ministry leader.If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

"Without understanding the questions Gen Z is asking, older generations of Christians are providing irrelevant and flawed answers, perpetuating the disconnect between themselves and Gen Z." Join the conversation as we look at the deeper questions that Gen Z is asking and how the church can communicate effectively.Dr. Tanita Tualla Maddox is a graduate of Phoenix Seminary. She is the national director for generational impact for Young Life and associate regional director in the Mountain West Young Life region. With an expertise in contextualizing the gospel for Gen Z, Tanital has ministered to adolescents for over twenty-six years. Related ResourcesGet the book - https://a.co/d/1yfkeYjYear-End Challenge Info - https://think-well.org/challenge/Ryan's InfoWebsite: https://think-well.org/Get more from Think Well: http://eepurl.com/h77OcHInstagram Think Well Channel: https://ig.me/j/AbYXJE5dgQA8wx5g/?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestionsSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430eAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-PodcastSpeaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

Did Jesus really claim to be God? Dr. Mikel Del Rosario believes that Jesus's claim to possess divine authority should be recognized as a highly evidenced fact of history. His new book, "Did Jesus Really Say He Was God?: Making Sense of His Historical Claims," looks at Jesus's claims to forgive sins and judge sins, both seen as acts of blasphemy by the original audience.Mikel Del Rosario (PhD, Dallas Theological Seminary) is professor of Bible and theology at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He has coauthored thirty-one journal articles on apologetics and cultural engagement in "Bibliotheca Sacra" with Darell L. Bock.

Many people see Noah’s Flood as unscientific or morally troubling. How can we make sense of this story in light of modern science? And if it really happened, how could a loving God allow such devastation? For some, believing the Flood was a real event undermines the credibility of Christians in science and morality.Dr. Ross believes that "what triggers strong and derisive reaction to the story of Noah's flood is not the biblical account but, rather, common misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and misrepresentations of what Genesis 6-11 says." Join us today as we break down the biblical and scientific data, clear up misconceptions, and show how a correct understanding of the flood can strengthen both faith and reason. Dr. Hugh Ross is the founder and a senior scholar of Reasons to Believe, an organization dedicated to communicating the compatibility of science and the Christian faith. As an astrophysicist and pastor, Hugh has spoken at hundreds of universities, conferences, and labs around the world. He has written numerous books on science and faith.Get the book! - https://a.co/d/09bt5fUIf you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

Is right and wrong based on a social contract? Does it change from person to person, or culture to culture, or is there an objective morality that applies to all people at all times? In Episode 5 of the Think Well Debate Livestream, I defend the case for objective morality and its ground in God while engaging in a thoughtful and honest conversation with callers. Join the discussion live and bring your questions!Today's book giveaway is "On The Incarnation" by Athanasius with an introduction by C. S. Lewis.Register for a Summit Ministries summer conference before March 31st and use the discount code THINKWELL26 to save $500! - https://www.summit.org/promotions/think-well/

This Hebrew Israelite claimed to shut down our Christian apologetics conference with one question. It's a question that he says no Christian has ever been able to give a concrete answer to. So, how does Jesus saying "my God" in Revelation 3:12 fit in a framework of co-equal and co-eternal persons? Join me, ‪Eric Hernandez‬, and ‪Vocab Malone,‬ as we respond to this claim and show how this "gotcha" question doesn't work.

Is there good evidence that God exists? In Episode 4 of the Think Well Debate Livestream, I defend the case for God while engaging in a thoughtful and honest conversation with callers. Join the discussion live and bring your questions! Today's book giveaway is "What's Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life's Big Questions" by James N. Anderson Register for a Summit Ministries summer conference before March 31st and use the discount code THINKWELL26 to save $500! - https://www.summit.org/promotions/think-well/

The Trinity may be the most challenged doctrine in Christianity, and for good reason. It’s unique to the Christian faith and central to what Christians believe about God. If the Trinity falls, Christianity collapses. Join the live debate and bring your best objections to the table. Today's book giveaway is "What's Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life's Big Questions" by James N. Anderson - https://think-well-shop.fourthwall.com/products/whats-your-worldview-by-james-anderson Register for a Summit Ministries summer conference before March 31st and use the discount code THINKWELL26 to save $500! - https://www.summit.org/promotions/think-well/

What are your biggest objections to the truth of Christianity? What reasons do Christians have for believing Christianity is true? Join the show, bring your questions, and let's Think Well about the Christian faith. Register for a Summit Ministries summer conference before March 31st and use the discount code THINKWELL26 to save $500! - https://www.summit.org/promotions/think-well/

This is the first of a series of debate livestreams. The topic was "Christian Faith Isn't Blind," and callers joined to discuss their thoughts. Enjoy!

"There is as much caution necessary to protect yourself from being politically obsessive as there is the need to reject political apathy." Today's show will take a look at political engagement as we walk through chapter 9 of Andrew and Christian Walker's new book, "What Do I Say When...?: A Parents' Guide to Navigating Cultural Chaos for Children & Teens." The hope is to explore how Christians can influence culture and be involved in society without idolizing politics. There is a biblical worldview for political engagement in a divided world, and that is what we will discuss. Bring your questions! There will be time for Q&A and callers! Andrew Walker (PhD in Christian Ethics) serves at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary as Associate Dean in the School of Theology, and Associate Professor of Christian Ethics and Public Theology. He is also the Director of the Carl F. H. Henry Institute for Evangelical Engagement. Additionally, he is a fellow in Christian Political Thought at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and serves as the Managing Editor of WORLD Opinions. Christian Walker is an accomplished curriculum writer, elementary school educator, and former children's ministry leader.