s technology shaping us more than we realize? Are we losing our ability to rest, reflect, and be present? In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Felicia Wu Song, sociologist and author of Restless Devices: Recovering Personhood, Presence, and Place in the Digital Age (InterVarsity Press). They explore how digital technology influences our sense of self, why constant connectivity isn’t neutral, and how Christians can resist being shaped by algorithms instead of by God.

📌 Key Discussion Topics:
✅ The hidden ways digital media rewires our attention and habits
✅ Marshall McLuhan & Neil Postman—what they got right about the power of media
✅ Why modern tech trains us to consume, not reflect
✅ The rise of digital exhaustion—why even Gen Z is feeling the burnout
✅ Recovering personhood & presence—practical ways to reclaim attention and space
✅ How Christians can build “analog” rhythms that resist digital overreach

🎧 Listen in for a timely conversation on how we can become more thoughtful, present, and grounded in a world designed to keep us distracted.

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Restless Devices – Buy at ivpress.com (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount)

🌐 Dr. Felicia Wu Song’s Website – feliciawusong.com

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

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

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

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

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

Technology is shaping our world at an unprecedented rate—but how should Christians respond? Are we thoughtfully engaging with the digital world, or are we being shaped by it in ways we don’t even realize?

In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer sits down with Dr. Derek Schuurman, Professor of Computer Science at Calvin University and author of Shaping a Digital World: Faith, Culture, and Computer Technology. Together, they explore how theology, technology, and Christian discipleship intersect in our increasingly digital lives.

📌 Key Discussion Points:
✅ How does the biblical narrative shape our approach to technology?
✅ Are we using technology wisely, or is it using us?
✅ Theological insights from Genesis, the Tower of Babel, and eschatology
✅ Are AI, social media, and digital tools eroding true human connection?
✅ How Christians can practice discernment in an efficiency-driven world
✅ Why technology is not neutral—and how we can shape it responsibly
✅ McLuhan’s Four Laws of Media & how they help us evaluate new tech
✅ Practical ways to maintain human flourishing in a digital-first culture

🎧 This episode is a must-listen for anyone wrestling with how to live faithfully in an age of rapid technological change.

🔗 Resources & Links:
📖 Get Derek Schuurman’s Book: Shaping a Digital World at IVP (use code IVPPOD20 for a 20% discount)

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

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

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

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

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

William Wilberforce wasn’t just a politician—he was a man of deep faith who leveraged his influence to fight for abolition, social reform, and gospel-driven cultural transformation. In this episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer is joined by Michael Morgan, president of William Tennant Seminary, to explore the life and legacy of Wilberforce.

How did Wilberforce’s evangelical convictions shape his mission? What role did his friendships and the Clapham Sectplay in his work? And what can the modern church learn from his radical collaboration and holistic approach to faith in action?

Join us for a thoughtful discussion on Wilberforce’s impact, the intersection of faith and social change, and the importance of authentic Christian friendships in discipleship and cultural engagement.

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

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

For more on Michael Morgan and William Tennent, visit https://www.williamtennent.org/.

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

📢 Stay Connected & Keep Growing!

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

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

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