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Articles by Rick Langer
Episode 159: Engaging Critics In Content And Tone
There are two levels of communication - the content level, which involves arguments and reasons, and the relational level, which involves the amount of respect, curiosity, and friendliness between individuals. Our guest today, Dr. John Lennox, models communicating at both levels in prominent debates, and we would do well to learn from his example.
Episode 158: On Being Winsome With Dr. John Lennox
Oxford University mathematician and Christian apologist Dr. John Lennox is no stranger to intense debate, and he’s exchanged ideas with some of the foremost atheists including Dr. Richard Dawkins. Yet, he characteristically demonstrates friendliness, kindness, and care with his disagreers.
Episode 157: Resilient Neighbor Love And Leaning Into Difference
One of our favorite segments involves stories of “people who are doing it right” — people who are demonstrating winsome conviction in their local communities. On today’s episode, Brandon Pasion, a worship leader in the Bay Area, speaks with Tim and Rick about his experience doing bridge-building work between the church and a local school to help bless families at the school.
Episode 156: Come Alongside And Seek To Understand
Although dissent has long been a part of our country, in today’s “argument culture” we approach people who hold different views as combatants. Have things gotten worse in the culture? Have things gotten worse in the Church? On today’s episode, Tim and Rick speak with Dr. Crawford Loritts about a biblical posture Christians ought to reclaim for handling disagreement faithfully and well.
Episode 155: Revisiting What It Means To Be Winsome
What kinds of stuff do Tim and Rick read? Some of our listeners would like to know. So on today’s episode they discuss an article on “winsomeness” and whether being winsome in public engagement and public controversies is biblical. Some would disagree and say being winsome is unbiblical and unhelpful. How might we engage with such thinking? What is there to commend? What is up for a charitable critique?
Episode 153: A New Way To Love Your Neighbor
Rick Langer, Timothy Muehlhoff, Jada Edwards — Jul. 13, 2026 Can you demonstrate intellectual humility while maintaining deep conviction? Or does holding to one preclude holding the other? In fact, holding these together is essential. On today’s episode, Tim and Rick speak with Biola Provost Matthew Hall (Ph.D.) on ways that intellectual humility in its truest sense depends upon conviction.
BONUS: Why Skeptics are Taking Religion Seriously (with Charles Murray)
Charles Murray is a Harvard and MIT-trained policy analyst and the author of Taking Religion Seriously. He joins me to explore why many educated people never seriously consider God—not because they’ve disproven the supernatural, but because they’ve quietly learned to dismiss it.
The Changing Moral Landscape
With Scott Rae Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — July 07, 2026 How has the ethical landscape changed over the past few decades? What new issues and technological challenges have emerged that Christians need to think about and respond to biblically? In this unique episode, Sean interviews Scott about the latest update (5th edition) of his best-selling book Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics.
BONUS: Bart Ehrman on the Moral Argument and the Teachings of Jesus
Did the teachings of Jesus actually transform the moral conscience of the West? And if they did… does that point to objective moral truth or just cultural evolution? Sean shares a bonus episode from his YouTube channel in which he invited Bart Ehrman, one of the leading atheists/agnostics today, to explore one of the most important questions in philosophy and faith: Is morality objective or is it simply a product of human development over time? Here is the link to watch the video on YouTube. Bart D.
Lovingly Confronting Silence & Arrogance
America is in a divided and angry moment. Should "niceness" be our goal? When is it right to confront another Christian and how should we do so? What is the key to balancing grace and truth? In this conversation, Sean talks with pastor and podcaster Shane Idleman about some of the toughest challenges Christian face today.
Episode 152: Intellectual Humility And Deep Convictions
Can you demonstrate intellectual humility while maintaining deep conviction? Or does holding to one preclude holding the other? In fact, holding these together is essential. On today’s episode, Tim and Rick speak with Biola Provost Matthew Hall (Ph.D.) on ways that intellectual humility in its truest sense depends upon conviction.
Episode 151: Talking About Small Talk
Rick Langer, Timothy Muehlhoff, Beth Booram — Jun. 15, 2026 Small talk can be a good ice breaker and a helpful, natural way to start a conversation, but it can also become shallow, impersonal and prevent us from really getting to know people. When does small talk undermine an opportunity to foster a meaningful relationship? On today’s episode, Tim and Rick speak with Beth Booram, a spiritual director, on small talk.
The Desecration of Man
With Carl Trueman Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — June 09, 2026 Has Western culture merely forgotten God, or is the problem even deeper? In his remarkable new book The Desecration of Man, Dr. Carl Trueman argues that we have reached a new point in which culture has not only rejected God, but now desecrates Him. We can see this in the "shout your abortion" movement or the reveling in the mistreatment of immigrants.
Cultural Update: Rethinking Just War; Screen-Free Summer; Separation of Church and State
Rick Langer, Scott Rae — June 05, 2026 This week, we discuss: Rethinking Just War: Pope Francis’s comments on just war theory spark a timely conversation about self-defense, civilian harm, AI warfare, and whether Christian ethics needs fresh application in modern conflict. Marriage Shapes Young Men: New research suggests that having marriage on the horizon can motivate young men toward work, maturity, commitment, and lower-risk choices.
Episode 149: College Students Who Practice Interfaith Dialogue
Part of the mission statement of Biola University is to engage culture, and we take this seriously. So when Brigham Young University (BYU) reached out to see if Biola students would be open to beginning an interfaith dialogue, we jumped at the opportunity. Tim and professor Andrew Reed (Ph.D.) are helping to lead this initiative, which includes co-teaching a class on civility, communication skills, and interfaith dialogue.
Episode 148: A Tale Of Two Universities Fostering Constructive Dialogue
“Praxis” is when you put theory into practice, and this is something we try to do at The Winsome Conviction Project. On today’s episode, Tim and Rick talk about a recent praxis experience involving two religious universities. This spring, Biola University hosted faculty and students from Brigham Young University for a series of constructive dialogues on points of agreement and disagreement between Christianity and Mormonism.
Episode 147: Spiritual Disciplines In The Everyday
The spiritual disciplines have long been a vital activity in the life of Christians for growing into Christlikeness. It is also a significant challenge to practice these disciplines in the everyday hustle and bustle of life. And yet the disciplines can serve as a helpful method of training for learning to depend on the indwelling Holy Spirit who helps us to abide and grow in our relationship with God and with others. Rev.
Episode 146: How Can We Talk Like Jesus?
Friend and New Testament scholar Doug Huffman (Ph.D.) joins today’s episode to speak with Tim and Rick about his work as a consultant on a wildly popular television series, The Chosen. They discuss the fictive portions of the series and consider these in light of the historical gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry. They reflect on questions including, What does the television series portray really well? Why does The Chosen stir up agitation and anger among some Christians?
Episode 145: What’s Going On With Parents In Youth Sports?
Coach and Dr. Ed Uszynski (Ph.D.) is back on the podcast to speak with Tim and Mike about the current state of things in youth sports, and they spotlight what’s going on with the parents. Why do parents get embarrassed when their child makes a mistake on the field? Is a parent justified in getting angry when a referee’s call doesn’t go their way? Can parents approach youth sports as an opportunity for spiritual formation and invite God into the game?
Four Steps To Discover Common Ground
Simon Greer — March 30, 2026 Simon Greer, a frequent collaborator with the Winsome Conviction Project, recently wrote an article for the Greater Good Magazine where he offers four principles for everyday conversations that could help bridge our differences. Read Article More Posts Mike Ahn, Timothy Muehlhoff, Ed Uszynski — Rick Langer, Sean McDowell, Timothy Muehlhoff — Timothy Muehlhoff, Rich Villodas — Rick Langer, Steve Porter —
Episode 144: Being Winsome On Social Media
Is social media the new public square? If it is, when so much anger exists online and social media incentives bad behavior, is it possible to have civil discourse? And what does Christian witness look like when buttons get pushed and the discussion becomes divisive? Today’s guest knows a thing or two about these questions. Dr. Sean McDowell (Ph.D.) joins today’s podcast to speak with Tim and Rick about having public discourse online.
Cultural Update: American Support for Israel; Researchers Uncover Evil AI; Wealth of Nations; Talarico's New Style
American Support for Israel: Support for Israel among younger evangelicals has dropped significantly, moving from 75% in 2018 to just 34% in 2021. This shift is attributed to younger generations being less tethered to traditional end-times theology than their predecessors. Evil AI and Virtue Ethics: Researchers found that even small coding errors in AI can lead to "blatantly evil" suggestions.
Episode 143: The Seducing Power Of Fault-Finding In Others
We long for a life characterized by goodness, beauty, and kindness, but the fractures and hostility in our world get in the way. What can we do? On today’s episode, pastor and author Rich Villodas speaks with Tim about some of these themes in his book, Good and Beautiful and Kind.
Episode 142: Doing Jesus Things The Jesus Way
Mean-spiritedness and vitriol are contributing to the breakdown in our contemporary discourse, and tactics expressive of affective polarization, where disagreements on policies devolve into bitterness and hatred toward people with whom we disagree, are all too tempting for Christians. And yet, aren’t Christians called to a different way, a different manner of public engagement?
Episode 140: Your Heart Drives Your Life
Rick Langer, Timothy Muehlhoff, Todd Pickett — January 19, 2026 In the biblical wisdom literature, Proverbs 4:23 says,”Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” This is sound wisdom, but this bit of advice can often seem irrelevant in matters of church quarreling and cultural rage. And yet, formation in civility, both for the health of the Church and for broader cultural engagement, is crucial. On today’s podcast, Rick and Tim speak with Rev.
Cultural Update: Nick Fuentes and Tucker Carlson; Animal to Human Organ Transplants; Abortion Access
Abortion access after Dobbs: Sean and Scott unpack a New York Times editorial on how telehealth and the abortion pill have reshaped the landscape, debate concerns about safety and framing, and address misleading claims around emergency care. Rising antisemitism: The hosts analyze the resurgence of antisemitism across the political spectrum—including Tucker Carlson platforming Nick Fuentes—and distinguish conversation about Israel from violent antisemitic rhetoric.
Cultural Update: Zohran Mamdani; AI Erotica; Surrogacy in Crisis
Sean McDowell, Scott Rae — November 07, 2025 NYC’s New Mayor: Sean and Scott discuss the election of progressive Muslim democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor—exploring socialism’s renewed appeal, the moral framework behind market economies, and biblical principles of work, property, and caring for the poor Surrogacy in Crisis: Troubling trends in the surrogacy industry—lack of oversight, exploitation of low-income women, legal gray areas, and moral implications of...
Tim Tebow: Behind the Scenes
Sean McDowell (Ph.D.) is an associate professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the Church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. Sean travels throughout the United States and abroad, speaking at camps, churches, schools, universities, and conferences.
Cultural Update: Gambling and Sports; Growing Discontent in Relationships
Rick Langer, Sean McDowell — October 31, 2025 Relational Discontent: Sean and Rick discuss a New York Times piece on growing unhappiness in modern relationships, exploring how dating apps and individualism have replaced duty and community with self-focused fulfillment. They contrast fleeting “happiness” with the deeper pursuit of meaning.
Cultural Update: Gambling and Sports; Growing Discontent in Relationships
Relational Discontent: Sean and Rick discuss a New York Times piece on growing unhappiness in modern relationships, exploring how dating apps and individualism have replaced duty and community with self-focused fulfillment. They contrast fleeting “happiness” with the deeper pursuit of meaning. Gambling and Sports: They unpack the NBA betting scandal and the rise of legalized gambling in America, warning how it’s reshaping sports culture, eroding integrity, and fostering addiction.
Unearthing Colossae: Excavation of Paul’s Ancient City
with Clint Arnold Clinton E. Arnold, Sean McDowell — October 14, 2025 After centuries of anticipation, the ancient city of Colossae—the site of Paul’s letter to the Colossians—is finally being excavated. Dr. Clint Arnold, one of the world’s foremost experts on Colossians, joins Sean McDowell to share breaking news from the dig in modern-day Turkey.
Cultural Update: Israel-Hamas Ceasefire; Conversion Therapy and Free Speech
Topics this week: Marijuana’s Real Impact: A new study finds 40% of fatal crash victims in one Ohio county had high levels of THC, sparking discussion on how far legalization has gone and why Christians must discern between what’s legal and what’s right. AI and the End of “Seeing is Believing”: Sean and Scott unpack the dangers of AI-generated videos like OpenAI’s Sora, the flood of deepfakes, and what it means for truth and communication in a post-trust culture.
Cultural Update: Faith and Politics after Charlie Kirk; Human Eggs from Skin Cells; Pregnancy Robots
Rick Langer, Scott Rae — October 03, 2025 Scott is joined by colleague Rick Langer to discuss: Faith and Politics after the Kirk Shooting – A provocative article on whether Christians should see themselves as warriors or servants, contrasting combative approaches with Dallas Willard’s vision of gentleness in apologetics and civil discourse Abortion Statistics: Good News and Bad News – New data shows reduced abortions in some states with restrictions, but also a troubling rise in overall...
Cultural Update: Does Marriage Have a Future?; Women's Happiness Around the World
Scott Rae is professor of Christian ethics and dean of the faculty at Talbot School of Theology. A noted Christian scholar and ethicist, Scott is the author of such books as Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics; Business for the Common Good; and Beyond Integrity: A Judeo-Christian Approach to Business Ethics.
Episode 130: Offering Apologies Involving Contentious Issues
Dr. Ed Uszynski (Ph.D.) is back on the podcast to speak with Tim about a provocative cultural moment: when Max Lucado issued an apology to a multi-ethnic church in San Antonio, TX, following the death of George Floyd. The incident received mixed responses, positively received as being an act of racial reconciliation to being negatively critiqued as an act of bowing to the woke mob.
Cultural Update: Is Climate Change a Big Deal?; Adulthood Milestones Delayed; School Shooting
Sean McDowell (Ph.D.) is an associate professor in the Christian Apologetics program at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is a gifted communicator with a passion for equipping the Church, and in particular young people, to make the case for the Christian faith. Sean travels throughout the United States and abroad, speaking at camps, churches, schools, universities, and conferences.
Is Business a Force for Good?
Scott Rae is professor of Christian ethics and dean of the faculty at Talbot School of Theology. A noted Christian scholar and ethicist, Scott is the author of such books as Moral Choices: An Introduction to Ethics; Business for the Common Good; and Beyond Integrity: A Judeo-Christian Approach to Business Ethics.
Cultural Update: Single Dads by Choice; Abortion Pills at Costco; Americans dying more often
Rick Langer, Sean McDowell — August 22, 2025 This week, Sean and guest co-host Rick Langer discuss: A growing trend of men becoming single dads by choice sparks discussion on meaning, technology, and the impact on children when family design is redefined. New research shows American millennials and Gen Z are dying at 2.6 times the rate of peers in other wealthy nations—raising questions about loneliness, disordered loves, and deeper spiritual needs.
Episode 127: Emotional Awareness When Engaging Scientific Technologies
On today’s episode, Tim speaks with psychologists Liz Hall (Ph.D.) and Erin Smith (Ph.D.) on how emotions shape perspectives on science, including new scientific technologies.
Episode 126: Reports From The Front: Braver Angels
Tim Milosch (Ph.D.) joins today’s episode for another edition of Report From The Front, conversations with people who are doing it right, to speak with Tim and Rick about his work with Braver Angels, a non-profit dedicated to political depolarization. They discuss the function and benefits of parliamentary procedure - What is it? How to practice it?
Episode 123: Speak Truth In Love In Politics, Too
On today’s episode, political commentator, author, and attorney Denise Gitsham speaks with Tim about some major themes in her book, Politics for People Who Hate Politics. Through a series of personal anecdotes and stories, they discuss some of the challenges to being winsome and loving in our current political climate, especially when you’re being steamrolled by the opposition.
Episode 122: The Spirit Of Our Politics
On today’s episode, Tim speaks with Michael Wear, President and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life and author of the book, The Spirit of Our Politics: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life, on features of Christian faithfulness and civic engagement.
Episode 121: Build Muscle For Inquiry
Stephen Lloyd-Moffett, professor of Religious Studies at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA, is also a campus moderator for the Veritas Forum, a non-profit organization that seeks to help students on college campuses explore truth in dialogue across religious beliefs. On today's episode, Tim, Rick and Stephen consider: What makes for a good moderator when disagreement pops up?
Episode 120: The Religious Impulse And The Quest For God
On today’s episode, Stephen Lloyd-Moffett, professor of Religious Studies at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, CA, speaks with Tim and Rick about the deeply human tendency to search for meaning in religious experience. Stephen shares a story from his younger years that would set him off on a vocational path of religious scholarship.
Episode 119: The Moral Theology of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Today’s episode is a collaborative effort with the Think Biblically podcast, where Scott and Tim speak with Rev. Chris Brooks on the meaning of Dr. King’s legacy and some of its implications for institutions, churches, and individuals today. Transcript Scott Rae: What's the legacy of the great moral theologian, civil rights leader and orator of Martin Luther King Jr.? Why do you think that the culture sometimes neglects the religious and theological foundations for his work?
Episode 118: On Being Called A Heretic
Preston Sprinkle (Ph.D.), good friend of Biola University and The Winsome Conviction Project, knows that being a public figure comes with a cost. Preston joins today’s episode to reflect with Tim and Rick on the times he has been critiqued and what it is like to be called out as heretic.
Benefits of Lunch Outside the Office: A Response
Tim Muehlhoff (Ph.D.) is a professor of communication at Biola University in La Mirada, California. He is the co-director of Biola’s Winsome Conviction Project and co-host of the Winsome Conviction podcast where people with differing views come to engage in perspective-taking. His latest book is, End the Stalemate: Move Past Cancel Culture to Meaningful Conversations (with Sean McDowell).
Have We Become Moral Relativists About Gentleness?
A recent article by James Wood recounts his evolution from a fanboy of Tim Keller to a critic. 1 His argument sparked a flurry of responses, both positive and negative (2). Though I think enough has been said about Wood’s general argument, there is a particular line of thought found in his article that demands further attention. Wood states that for years he loved Keller’s approach to politics which was winsome, missional and gospel-centered.
Episode 116: Tackle Political And Social Issues Like An Exile
Dr. Preston Sprinkle (Ph.D.) joins today’s episode to speak with Tim and Rick on the work he's doing to help foster civil, thoughtful, and faithful disagreements on contentious issues.
Episode 115: On Christian Nationalism
Special guest Tim Milosch (Ph.D.) joins today’s podcast to speak with Tim and Rick on the multifaceted phenomenon of Christian Nationalism. They cover questions including, What is Christian Nationalism? Why has it been important and garnered so much attention? Who are the kinds of people who identify with this cultural phenomenon? What are some of the confusions around Christian Nationalism? And what are noteworthy cautions for Christians who are thinking through how to practice political engagement?
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