Welcome to Episode 314 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week we share several upcoming Thinklings announcements and discuss what we’ve been reading before turning to the main conversation: church government, women pastors, and how to read arguments carefully. We examine a recent article responding to the Southern Baptist Convention, its use of Scripture and argumentation, and the broader complementarian and egalitarian debate. We conclude in Ephesians 4:1 with what it means to walk worthy of our calling.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 1:41 — Nonsense & Frivolities: Stopping a Knife Fight

• 2:35 — Announcements

• 5:54 — Books & Business

• 13:57 — Main Content: Church Government & Women Pastors

• 16:37 — “A Letter to SBC Women”

• 22:23 — Examining Motives & Assumptions

• 25:55 — “This Is Not About Scripture; This Is About Power”

• 29:58 — Recognizing Bad Arguments & Logical Fallacies

• 32:54 — The Biblical Case & 1 Timothy 2

• 37:20 — Finding Theology on Social Media

• 39:38 — What Does Authenteo Mean?

• 41:19 — Complementarianism, Egalitarianism & Biblical Scholarship

• 47:26 — The Consequences of Getting the Question Wrong

• 48:54 — Should Women Leave Complementarian Churches?

• 52:22 — Final Meditation: Ephesians 4:1

• 56:13 — Walking Worthy of Our Calling

• 1:00:26 — Closing

📣 Announcements

We’re heading to the IRBC Young Adult Retreat on October 23–24, where the Thinklings will be speaking and giving away Kindle Paperwhites. We also give a reminder about our September Substack giveaway and announce an upcoming seminary Q&A where listeners can submit questions about seminary and theological education.

📚 Books & Business

📖 Peter and the Starcatchers — Dave Barry & Ridley Pearson
📖 A Fine and Pleasant Misery — Patrick F. McManus
📖 Exegetical Fallacies — D. A. Carson & Andrew David Naselli

We discuss a Peter Pan origin story, Patrick McManus’s humorous outdoor writing, and the updated edition of Exegetical Fallacies. The latter receives particular attention for its usefulness in recognizing word-study, grammatical, logical, and genre-related errors in biblical interpretation.

📖 Main Content

Church Government, Women Pastors & Reading Arguments Carefully

We examine an article responding to the Southern Baptist Convention’s position on women serving as pastors and preachers. Rather than merely disagreeing with its conclusion, we work through the reasoning behind it—examining assumptions, claims about motives and power, logical fallacies, and the use of Scripture.

The discussion turns particularly to 1 Timothy 2–3, the meaning of authenteo, and the complementarian and egalitarian debate. More broadly, we consider how Christians can read arguments carefully, recognize weak reasoning, and avoid allowing confident rhetoric or social-media theology to replace serious biblical study.

🌿 Final Meditation

Ephesians 4:1

Paul urges believers to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.” We consider “worthy” through the picture of weight on a scale: on one side is the enormous weight of Christ’s grace, mercy, sacrifice, and our calling in Him; on the other is the way we live.

The Christian life should increasingly reflect the weightiness of what Christ has done for us. His grace becomes our motivation to walk in a manner worthy of our calling.

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And…here is the episode:

The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 313 — Moral Purity, Social Media & Mortifying the Flesh

Welcome to Episode 313 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week we share several upcoming Thinklings announcements before revisiting John Owen’s The Mortification of Sin. Our main conversation considers moral purity, social media, and whether seemingly harmless habits like endless scrolling can feed the flesh and prepare us for greater temptation. We conclude with James 1:1 and what it means to identify ourselves as servants of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 1:09 — Announcements

• 6:12 — Books & Business: The Mortification of Sin

• 9:01 — Main Content: Moral Purity & Social Media

• 16:31 — How Social Media Feeds the Flesh

• 20:30 — Proverbs 7: Walking Near Folly’s Corner

• 22:11 — Social Media as a Gateway to Impure Content

• 25:21 — When “For You” Isn’t Really for You

• 29:55 — Boredom, Scrolling & Endless Consumption

• 33:49 — Empty, Lonely, Anxious or Tired

• 35:38 — Final Meditation: James 1:1

📣 Announcements

Our September book giveaway is Understanding Christian Theology, and every Thinklings Substack subscription counts as an entry. We also preview the IRBC Young Adult Retreat on October 23–24, the upcoming Baptist Theology Bible Study app, and an Abounding Grace book event at Faith on October 8.

📚 Books & Business

📖 The Mortification of Sin — John Owen

We revisit Owen’s classic treatment of putting sin to death, especially his description of mortification as the “habitual weakening” of sinful desire. Rather than focusing only on the moment when we fall into sin, Owen helps us examine the smaller indulgences and desires that lead us there. We give the book an 8 on the Thinklings Goodness Scale and recommend returning to it regularly.

📖 Main Content

Moral Purity, Social Media & Feeding the Flesh

We ask whether Christians are taking the fight for moral purity seriously enough—particularly when it comes to social media, reels, shorts, and endless digital consumption. Using Proverbs 7’s picture of the young man walking near Folly’s corner, we consider how sexualized content, algorithms, boredom, and habitual scrolling can feed desires long before an obvious moral failure occurs.

Rather than merely asking, “What did I do wrong?”, we need to back up and ask what desires and habits were being cultivated beforehand. The goal is not merely avoiding one particular sin, but learning to recognize and mortify the flesh before it carries us farther down the road.

🌿 Final Meditation

James 1:1

We examine the simple but significant way James identifies himself: “a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.” Rather than emphasizing his status or connections, James identifies himself by the Master to whom he belongs. His introduction challenges us to remember that Christ owns our work, our decisions, and ultimately our lives.

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This week we spend the bulk of the episode discussing Homer’s Iliad and asking a simple question: Why should a Christian read it? We consider the place of classic literature in the Christian life before exploring Achilles, Hector, anger, glory, mortality, virtue, and what Homer might be trying to teach us about the good man. We conclude in Ephesians 4 with a meditation on why truthfulness matters within the body of Christ.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 2:04 — Announcements

• 5:46 — Books & Business

• 17:39 — Main Content: Why Should a Christian Read the Iliad?

• 30:07 — The Story of the Iliad

• 36:19 — Achilles: Anger, Honor & Glory

• 42:00 — Hector: What Makes a Good Man?

• 49:41 — Priam, Achilles & the End of Wrath

• 54:31 — Virtue, Homer & the Christian Reader

• 1:00:11 — Final Meditation: Ephesians 4:25

📣 Announcements

Our September Substack giveaway is Understanding Christian Theology, edited by Charles Swindoll and Roy B. Zuck. Anyone subscribed to the Thinklings Podcast or one of our individual Substacks is automatically entered. We also give a reminder about the upcoming Young Adult Retreat at Iowa Regular Baptist Camp and our goal of seeing more than 100 young adults attend.

📚 Books & Business

📖 The Iliad — Homer
📖 Animal Farm — George Orwell
📖 Louis L’Amour: His Life and Trails

We share some current reading, including reflections on Animal Farm and its portrayal of power, propaganda, and rewriting history. We also discuss the remarkable life of Louis L’Amour and how his years of travel, work, reading, and real-world experience eventually shaped him as a writer.

🏛️ Main Content

Why Should a Christian Read the Iliad?

We ask what value an ancient pagan classic can have for Christians and why Homer has remained foundational to the Western literary tradition. Through Achilles and Hector, the Iliad forces us to wrestle with anger, honor, glory, mortality, grief, reconciliation, and the question of what actually makes a good man. Read alongside Scripture, these ancient questions can help us think more carefully about virtue while also revealing how much fuller the Christian answer is.

🌿 Final Meditation

Ephesians 4:25

We consider Paul’s command to put away falsehood and “speak truth” because believers are members of one another. Lying within the body of Christ damages our ability to serve, shepherd, counsel, parent, and care for one another well. As people united to Christ, we should examine where falsehood or careless words remain in our lives and deliberately choose to speak truth.

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This week we announce our August giveaway and upcoming IRBC Young Adult Retreat, share what we’ve been reading, and discuss archaeology and the reliability of the Bible. We close in Matthew 19 with the rich young ruler and Christ’s words that “many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

📣 Announcements

We’re continuing our August Substack giveaway with a copy of Robert Fagles’ translation of The Odyssey. We also announce the winners from the July diner mug and book giveaways, with several winners needing to send in mailing information.

We’ll also be speaking at the IRBC Young Adult Retreat on October 23–24. The goal is to have more than 100 young adults attend, and if we hit that number, we’re hoping to send everyone home with a Thinklings-related gift.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 3:19 — Nonsense & Frivolities

• 3:51 — Announcements & August Giveaway

• 7:03 — IRBC Young Adult Retreat

• 8:30 — Books & Business

• 24:32 — Main Content: Archaeology & Trusting the Bible

• 52:54 — Final Meditation: Matthew 19

📚 Books & Business

📖 Is God Disappointed With Me? — Mark Davis
📖 The Iliad — Homer
📖 How to Exasperate Your Wife
📖 Leonardo da Vinci — Walter Isaacson

The guys discuss human weakness and finitude, Achilles sitting out the Trojan War, marriage, and Leonardo da Vinci.

🏺 Main Content

Archaeology & Trusting the Bible

How does evidence affect whether we consider something reliable? The guys compare claims from Mormonism with the Bible’s historical record and consider several archaeological discoveries connected to Scripture, including the Hittites, the Tel Dan inscription, Gallio, the Pool of Siloam, and Pontius Pilate.

The discussion emphasizes an important distinction: missing evidence is not the same as counter-evidence.

🌿 Final Meditation

Matthew 19:16–30

Beginning a short devotional series, the guys consider the rich young ruler, Peter’s response, and Jesus’ teaching about the first and the last. The discussion closes with a question for believers: What do I love, how much do I love it, and what am I living for?

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Welcome to Episode 310 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week we announce our August giveaway and the upcoming IRBC Young Adult Retreat before discussing Dave Ramsey’s Baby Step Millionaires. We consider how our beliefs about money shape our financial behavior—and how the same principle applies to our theology and Christian lives. We close in Ezekiel 18 with a call to personal responsibility and repentance.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 1:18 — August Substack Giveaway: The Odyssey

• 3:13 — IRBC Young Adult Retreat

• 4:16 — Nonsense & Frivolities

• 5:20 — Books & Business: Baby Step Millionaires

• 14:34 — How Our Beliefs Affect Our Behavior

• 20:02 — Final Meditation: Ezekiel 18

📚 Books & Business

📖 Baby Step Millionaires — Dave Ramsey

We discuss Ramsey’s seven “baby steps,” financial discipline, saving, debt, and the surprising difference between being a millionaire and a billionaire. More broadly, the conversation turns to how wrong beliefs produce wrong behavior—and how consistent, seemingly small choices can make a significant difference over time.

🌿 Final Meditation

Ezekiel 18

We consider Ezekiel’s repeated declaration that “the soul who sins shall die” and the individual responsibility each person has before God. Neither a godly nor ungodly upbringing determines how we must live today. The chapter concludes with God’s mercy and a simple call: repent, turn, and live.

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Welcome to Episode 309 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week we announce our August Substack giveaway and an upcoming Thinklings appearance at the IRBC Young Adult Retreat. In Books & Business, we review Changed Into His Likeness by J. Gary Millar, discussing its biblical theology of sanctification, some helpful observations, and several significant theological concerns. We conclude with Romans 12 and what it means to offer our entire lives to God as living sacrifices.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 4:25 — August Substack Giveaway

• 5:17 — IRBC Young Adult Retreat Announcement

• 7:17 — Frivolities & Josh Update

• 8:11 — Books & Business: Changed Into His Likeness

• 20:13 — Final Meditation: Romans 12

📚 Books & Business

📖 Changed Into His Likeness: A Biblical Theology of Personal Transformation — J. Gary Millar

We work through Millar’s biblical theology of personal transformation and sanctification. While the book offers some helpful thoughts about the gospel, perseverance, and God’s work in changing believers, we raise concerns about its starting point, treatment of the Old Testament, and understanding of regeneration and the Holy Spirit. Ultimately, it receives a 1 on the Thinklings Goodness Scale.

🌿 Final Meditation

Romans 12:1–2

We consider Paul’s command to present our bodies as a “living sacrifice” to God. Unlike an Old Testament sacrifice, the Christian continues living—and therefore must continually choose to offer every part of life to God. The question for us is simple: Are we offering our whole lives to God?

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Welcome to Episode 308 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week the Thinklings welcome new listeners, announce the July Substack book giveaway, and spend the bulk of the episode discussing Dave Ramsey’s The Total Money Makeover. The conversation explores biblical stewardship, debt, generosity, and practical wisdom for managing money before concluding with a meditation from 1 Kings 1–2 on authority, mercy, and receiving God’s grace well.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 2:49 — Listener Spotlight & Podcast Updates

• 4:28 — July Substack Book Giveaway

• 6:15 — Frivolities & Josh Update

• 8:11 — Books & Business

• 20:45 — Final Meditation (1 Kings 1–2)

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling Carter
📖 The Total Money Makeover — Dave Ramsey

Charlie revisits Dave Ramsey’s classic after nearly twenty years and explains why it has shaped the way he thinks about money. The discussion covers Ramsey’s “baby steps,” paying off debt, budgeting, generosity, and why financial stewardship is ultimately about honoring God rather than simply building wealth.

🌿 Final Meditation

1 Kings 1–2

Andy reflects on the transition from David to Solomon and Adonijah’s repeated attempts to seize the throne. The Thinklings discuss authority, mercy, and the consequences of rejecting grace. The episode closes by encouraging believers to receive God’s mercy with humility instead of continuing to pursue their own way.

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This week, Tim reviews Douglas Wilson’s How to Exasperate Your Wife, leading to a practical discussion about biblical marriage, household leadership, parenting, love, respect, and masculine responsibility. The episode concludes with a meditation from Acts 7 on receiving biblical correction with humility.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 0:50 — Opening Conversation: Christian Art & Substack

• 6:02 — Announcements & July Book Giveaway

• 7:09 — Frivolities & Josh’s Absence

• 8:44 — Books & Business: How to Exasperate Your Wife

• 9:03 — The Wife as Ruler of the Home

• 14:05 — Should a Husband Do the Dishes?

• 20:21 — Teaching Boys Responsibility

• 22:54 — Love, Respect & Servant Leadership

• 25:28 — Strength, Tenderness & the “Two-by-Six” Husband

• 27:21 — Thinklings Goodness Scale

• 28:03 — Final Meditation: Receiving Correction from Acts 7

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling Little
📖 How to Exasperate Your Wife — Douglas Wilson

Tim reviews Wilson’s practical book on marriage and gives it a 6 on the Thinklings Goodness Scale. The discussion focuses on the wife’s authority in managing the home, the husband’s responsibility to lead without constantly undermining her, and the difference between servant leadership and overbearing control. The Thinklings also discuss household responsibilities, raising boys to embrace greater responsibility, and the need for husbands to balance strength with tenderness.

🌿 Final Meditation

Acts 7

Andy reflects on Stephen’s sermon before the Sanhedrin and the leaders’ violent response to biblical correction. The passage raises a practical question: How do we respond when a pastor, mentor, parent, or faithful friend tells us something difficult but true? Humility is essential for sanctification, and believers should be willing to receive biblical correction rather than destroy relationships to avoid it.

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Abounding Grace, Great Books, & the Bitter Taste of Sin

Welcome to Episode 306 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week the Thinklings celebrate the release of Abounding Grace, the Festschrift honoring Dr. Myron Houghton, reflect on his lifelong love of theology, great books, and Tolkien, and conclude with a meditation from Proverbs 5 on why temptation often appears sweet before revealing its bitter end.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 2:01 — Announcements

• 3:21 — Substack Giveaway

• 4:56 — Frivolities

• 6:49 — Books & Business

• 15:00 — Final Meditation (Proverbs 5)

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling Little
📖 Abounding Grace: A Festschrift in Honor of Dr. Myron Houghton

Tim introduces the newly released Festschrift honoring Dr. Myron Houghton, highlighting its contributors, several standout chapters from Romans, and the influence Dr. Houghton had as a theologian, teacher, reader, and lifelong learner. The conversation also reflects on his remarkable library, his love for the Great Books and Tolkien, and the example he set of cultivating both the mind and the Christian life.

🌿 Final Meditation

Proverbs 5:3–5

Andy considers Solomon’s warning about temptation. Sin often appears attractive—its words are “sweeter than honey” and “smoother than oil”—but its end is bitter and destructive. Believers are encouraged to distrust the initial appeal of temptation, seek wise counsel, and remember that what looks pleasant in the moment often leads to regret if pursued apart from God’s wisdom.

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For the month of August, the Thinklings are giving away a book to one of our Substack readers/subscribers!

WHAT BOOK ARE WE GIVING AWAY THIS MONTH?

The Odyssey (Fagles Translation)

HOW DO YOU ENTER?

Entering is easy: simply follow or subscribe to any one of the following accounts before July 31:

@thethinklingspodcast
@profstearns
@timlittle00
@thinklingcarter

Each account approaches books, theology, Scripture, ministry, and the Christian life from a slightly different angle. Follow one—or explore all four—and join the conversation.

We’ll select and contact the winner after the giveaway closes.

Know someone who loves books? Restack this note and help us invite a few more readers into the Thinklings corner of Substack.

Parenting, Great Books, & the Hobbit Verse

Welcome to Episode 305 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week the Thinklings announce a new Substack giveaway, share a book recommendation on biblical parenting, reflect on the purpose of education, and conclude with Charlie’s “Hobbit verse” from 1 Thessalonians 4, encouraging believers to aspire to a quiet, servant-hearted life.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 1:33 — Substack Book Giveaway

• 2:28 — Announcements & Josh Update

• 3:26 — Books & Business

• 10:24 — Great Books & Education

• 13:37 — Final Meditation (1 Thessalonians 4)

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling Stearns
📖 Parenting Essentials — Andreas & Margaret Köstenberger

Andy reviews this practical guide to biblical parenting, highlighting the importance of presence, loving leadership, and raising children with intentionality and wisdom.

🌿 Final Meditation

1 Thessalonians 4:9–12

Charlie reflects on Paul’s exhortation to “aspire to live quietly.” Far from encouraging laziness or isolation, Christians are called to pursue lives marked by humble service, faithful work, brotherly love, and a testimony that points others to Christ.

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If you subscribe to any of these Substack accounts in the month of July, you will be entered to win Abounding Grace—the Myron Houghton Festschrift! If you don’t want to do Substack, but you do want to buy a copy—head on over to FBBCbooks!

The Thinklings Podcast is a conversation among three (preferably four) friends who share a love for Scripture, theology, books, teaching, and the life of the church. , , and bring experience from biblical studies, pastoral ministry, Christian education, discipleship, and camp ministry, but the podcast is less a lecture hall than a table around which thoughtful Christians can gather. The main fourth member is Josh, who is now a Christian School Administer in Minnesota (also why he isn’t on as many episodes).

Andy teaches Bible and Greek, Charlie focuses on discipleship and Christian ministry, and Tim specializes in Old Testament studies. Together, they discuss the books they are reading, the ideas they are considering, and the ways Scripture should shape Christian thought and practice.

Our goal is simple: to think carefully, read widely, laugh often, and encourage one another toward wisdom and faithfulness. Whether we are discussing theology, literature, ministry, culture, or the occasional piece of “Ink,” we hope to offer conversations that are serious without being stuffy and thoughtful without losing their sense of humor.

Subscribe now

Welcome to Episode 304 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week the Thinklings catch up on summer projects, publications, and Fourth of July plans before Charlie reviews a book on biblical exegesis. The episode concludes with a meditation on Philippians 4 and the biblical secret of contentment.

JOIN THE THINKLINGS ON SUBSTACK:

(@thethinklingspodcast)
(@profstearns)
(@timlittle00)
(@thinklingcarter)

WIN A THINKLINGS MUG

You can still tag us on social media with a picture of you and a non-thinklings mug, and you can win a new thinklings diner mug!

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 0:21 — Substack Update

• 1:51 — Thinklings Diner Mug Giveaway

• 2:01 — Summer Updates & Announcements

• 4:58 — Books & Business

• 9:56 — Final Meditation

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling Carter
📖 Biblical Exegesis: A Beginner’s Handbook — John H. Hayes & Carl R. Holladay

Charlie reviews the book from the perspective of a Bible teacher, discussing its strengths, concerns, and why discernment is important when reading academic biblical scholarship.

🌿 Final Meditation

Philippians 4:10–13

Charlie considers Paul’s famous statement, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” in its original context. Rather than a promise of unlimited achievement, Paul teaches that contentment is a virtue learned through trusting Christ in both abundance and need.

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Welcome to Episode 303 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This week the Thinklings share a few podcast updates, celebrate the arrival of a new book honoring Dr. Myron Howden, enjoy some listener frivolity, and then Charlie gives his full review of This Is Happiness by Niall Williams. The episode closes with a meditation from Psalm 150 on cultivating a life of joyful praise.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 0:22 — Substack Update

• 2:02 — Announcements

• 3:12 — Thinklings Diner Mug Giveaway

• 4:00 — Listener Frivolities

• 6:05 — Books & Business

• 26:57 — Final Meditation

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling Carter
📖 This Is Happiness — Niall Williams

Charlie shares his thoughts after finishing the novel, discussing its themes of contentment, place, community, forgiveness, and the beauty of ordinary life. He explains why it’s an ideal summer read and reflects on one of the book’s most memorable passages.

🌿 Final Meditation

Psalm 150

Andy reflects on the biblical call to praise God with joy and celebration. Looking at Psalm 150, he encourages listeners to marvel at God’s mighty works and cultivate hearts that naturally respond to His greatness with worship.

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:::

This week the Thinklings begin with some podcast updates, discuss the new Thinklings Diner Mugs, debate which season of hobbit life best fits each person, and enjoy a conversation about C.S. Lewis before turning to a discussion of pastoral qualifications and the importance of guarding sound doctrine in the local church.

⏱️ Chapters

• 0:00 — Welcome & Introduction

• 1:55 — Thinklings Diner Mug Giveaway

• 2:53 — Coffee, Diner Mugs & Hobbit Seasons

• 9:32 — Books & Business

• 19:50 — Final Meditation

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling Little
That Hideous Strength — C.S. Lewis

Tim shares thoughts after revisiting Lewis’s final Ransom Trilogy novel, leading to a conversation about modernity, technology, imagination, and some of Lewis’s recurring themes throughout his fiction.

🌿 Final Meditation

Andy reflects on pastoral qualifications from 1 Timothy and Titus, discussing the responsibility pastors have to guard sound doctrine, teach faithfully, and shepherd God’s people according to Scripture.

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Hobbit Types, Diner Mugs, and Wholehearted Love for the Lord

Welcome to Episode 301 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This episode begins with the Thinklings choosing what kind of hobbit they would be: cozy hobbit, seven-meals-a-day hobbit, gardening hobbit, adventure hobbit, or party hobbit. After that, there’s a quick reminder about the Thinklings Diner Mug giveaway, a Books & Business discussion, and a final meditation from God’s Word.

⏱️ Timestamps

6:43 — Thinklings Diner Mug Giveaway
Want to win a Thinklings Diner Mug?

1. Take a picture of yourself with a regular, non-Thinklings mug while looking appropriately sad that it isn’t a Thinklings Diner Mug.

2. Post it on Facebook and/or Instagram by July 4.

3. Tag The Thinklings Podcast.

4. Wait in eager anticipation.

(Two posts = two entries.)

7:32 — Books & Business
📚 This Is Happiness — Niall Williams

Charlie discusses This Is Happiness, a slow and thoughtful novel about a young man returning home to a small town as electricity arrives. The conversation touches on happiness, beauty, friendship, life, and the way good stories can awaken us to what is true and meaningful.

20:33 — Final Meditation
🌿 Loving the Lord Above All Else

Tim reflects on passages from Deuteronomy, Exodus, Zechariah, and the teaching of Jesus to emphasize that love for God must be supreme over every other love. The meditation calls listeners to examine their hearts, repent where needed, and cultivate a wholehearted devotion to the Lord.

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If you’re going to have good thoughts about good books with good friends,
you need a good mug to go with it.

We’re giving away a batch of official Thinklings diner mugs, and entering is simple.
Show us your current, tragically non-Thinklings mug, tag us, and you’ll be entered
for a chance to win.

Contest Rules

1. Post a picture on Facebook and/or Instagram of you holding a
   “non-Thinklings mug.” Of course, you should look appropriately
   bummed that it is not a Thinklings mug.

2. Tag The Thinklings Podcast in your post so we can see your entry.

3. Make your post before July 4 to be entered!

We’re planning to give away 10 mugs!

One Facebook post and one Instagram post means two chances to enter.

Wow, 300!

Welcome to Episode 300 of The Thinklings Podcast!

Three hundred episodes later, the Thinklings are still gathering around microphones to talk about books, ideas, theology, and the Christian life. In this milestone episode, the conversation begins with some classic Thinklings banter before turning to reflections on reaching 300 episodes and what the podcast has meant over the years.

And because 300 episodes deserves a celebration, the Thinklings are giving away some Thinklings Diner Mugs!

☕ Thinklings Diner Mug Giveaway

Want a chance to win a Thinklings Diner Mug?

Here’s what you do:

1. Take a picture of yourself with a regular, non-Thinklings mug while looking absolutely dejected that you don’t own a Thinklings Diner Mug.

2. Post the picture on Facebook and/or Instagram by July 4. (Two posts = two entries!)

3. Tag The Thinklings Podcast in your post.

4. Wait in eager anticipation to discover whether you’ve won a mug!

🎙️ Episode Highlights

• Opening banter and summer conversation

• Reflections on 300 episodes of The Thinklings Podcast

• Favorite memories, lessons learned, and gratitude for listeners who have joined the journey along the way

📚 Books & Business

Thinkling Stearns

• A Place at the Table

🌿 Final Meditation

A closing meditation from Colossians 1, reflecting on the supremacy of Christ, His work of reconciliation, and the hope believers have in Him.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe

Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, education, and the Christian life. Thanks for joining us for 300 episodes—and here’s to the next 300! 🎉

Welcome to Episode 299 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This is another special summer episode of the podcast, which means a shorter format and a relaxed conversation. The Thinklings begin with some random banter, including a discussion about the pronunciation of Hebrew when reading Scripture in church and a fun summer prompt before moving into Books & Business and a final meditation.

Thanks for tuning in to this summer conversation!

📚 Books & Business

Reading the Old Testament: Method and Study — Thinkling Little

🌿 Final Meditation

A closing meditation from Proverbs 7, offered by Thinkling Stearns, encouraging listeners to pursue wisdom and avoid the paths of folly.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, and the Christian life!

Welcome to Episode 298 of The Thinklings Podcast!

This is a special summer episode of the podcast, which means it is a truncated format. In this summer edition, the Thinklings keep things simple with just one Books & Business selection followed by a final meditation to encourage listeners for the week.

Thanks for tuning in to this summer conversation!

📚 Books & Business

Only the Lover Sings — Thinkling Carter

🌿 Final Meditation

A closing meditation from Ecclesiastes 12, offered by Thinkling Little, calling listeners to remember their Creator with reverence, humility, and wisdom.

🎧 Listen & Subscribe:

Follow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, and the Christian life!