In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Denison Forum contributing writer Jeff Parker, a North Texas father of five and former accountant and recovery pastor, to talk about his journey from early Christian faith to a seven-year hidden gambling spiral marked by deception and six-figure theft from his company. Jeff explains how shame, a double life in church, and an escalation in risk fueled his addiction, and why he now counts his days since his full confession on January 19, 2015. Together, they explore the cultural normalization and spiritual dangers of modern gambling and online betting.

Jeff describes the role of community, ruthless honesty, and repentance in rebuilding trust with his wife, Stacy, including outside financial accountability, and shares parenting insights on presence and transparency.

Topics

• (0:00) Introduction
• (1:00) Meet Jeff Parker
• (4:37) Childhood and meeting Jesus
• (9:42) Good dad vs godly dad
• (15:53) Double life in adolescence
• (23:53) Marriage pressure and spiral
• (27:46) Hiding at church and telling truth
• (31:16) Power of your story
• (33:38) Gambling spiritual dangers
• (34:46) Four stages of addiction
• (40:38) Hitting bottom and confessing
• (47:00) Rebuilding marriage trust
• (52:27) Practicing wise confession
• (58:06) Living out repentance
• (59:12) Where to follow Jeff
• (1:00:56) Conclusion

Resources

• Denison Forum Home Page
• From the Depths of Gambling into the Love of Christ
• The Inefficiency of Shepherding
• Is gambling the next pornography
• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Jeff Parker

Jeff lives in Allen, TX with his wife Stacey and their five kids, ranging from college to grade school. His career has taken him from big accounting firms to small businesses to serving as a teaching and recovery pastor. After experiencing God’s rescuing hand from a double life of gambling and stealing, he enjoys helping shepherd others in their pursuit of Christ. Now, through Rafa House Church and Voice & Vine he’s rediscovering the ancient rhythms of healing and restoration—learning again to tell his story and trust God to use it to bring wholeness to himself and others.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Dr. Cory Hines, president of Howard Payne University, to discuss how education intersects with Christian faith and cultural headlines. Dr. Hines shares his journey from ministry student at Howard Payne to university leadership, emphasizing multigenerational influence, mentoring, and Ephesians 2:10 as a guiding vision for helping students discover God’s calling. Together, they address higher education’s challenges, including cost, politicization, and skepticism toward the liberal arts, while arguing that education supports human flourishing and wisdom.

Dr. Hines offers guidance for families weighing K–12 and college options by focusing on student needs, culture, and “soil,” not just delivery models, and encourages campus visits and counsel from trusted voices. The conversation also explores college as a key season for worldview and character formation, concerns about faith “deconstruction,” student loneliness, and how AI is shifting education from information toward discernment and wisdom.

Topics

• (0:00) Introduction
• (2:11) Campus life and chapel
• (3:45) Dr. Cory Hines backstory
• (9:55) Ephesians 2 10 vision
• (11:32) Education value and idols
• (14:31) Higher ed under fire
• (25:01) School options and culture
• (31:03) Trust God with choices
• (34:32) College shapes worldview
• (36:46) Beyond the college degree
• (41:06) Wrestling with faith
• (48:40) Loneliness on campus
• (54:04) AI and wisdom
• (57:08) Choosing schools wisely
• (1:01:41) Conclusion

Resources

• Dr. Cory Hines at Howard Payne University
• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Dr. Cory Hines

Dr. Cory Hines serves as the President of Howard Payne University. The Howard Payne University Board of Trustees unanimously elected Dr. Hines as the twentieth President in the school’s 130-year history on March 18, 2019. Dr. Hines began serving as President just two weeks later on April 1, 2019. 

A native of Gainesville, Texas, and a 1997 graduate of Howard Payne, Dr. Hines has a broad range of experience in higher education administration. Before returning home to HPU in April of 2019, Dr. Hines served as the Vice President for Enrollment at a sister Texas Baptist institution. In addition to serving as Vice President for Enrollment, he previously served that institution in other capacities as a Vice President in the areas of Advancement, Graduate Affairs, External Affairs, and Alumni and Community Relations. 

Beyond his administrative responsibilities at his previous institution, he also taught courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral level and provided leadership in the creation of several graduate programs. Active in Texas Baptist life, he also has experience in vocational ministry, having served as executive pastor and student pastor at Ferris Avenue Baptist Church (now The Avenue Church) in Waxahachie, Texas.

Dr. Hines earned his Bachelor of Arts in Religious Education from Howard Payne in 1997. He then went on to earn his Master of Arts in Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2000 and his Doctor of Philosophy in Leadership Studies with a focus in Higher Education from Dallas Baptist University in 2012.

Dr. Hines has been married to the lovely Mrs. Melinda Hines for over twenty-five years. Together they have two children, Mackenzie and Caleb, The Hines’ are members at Coggin Avenue Baptist Church in Brownwood.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Ryan Denison and Denison Forum contributing writer and PhD student Mark Legg to discuss how Christians should think about Halloween, noting its broad cultural participation and spending and debating whether it qualifies as a “holiday.” They reflect on childhood experiences of trick-or-treating, then explore biblical principles such as “all things are permissible but not all things are beneficial,” along with warnings against dabbling in the demonic and passages like John 8:44 and Acts 19, including the burning of occult books in Ephesus. Together, they connect Halloween’s themes to our modern discomfort with death and grieving, highlighting the gospel opportunities that come with it.

Legg addresses horror films, arguing that the Christian worldview has room for horror while emphasizing conscience and spiritual health. Ryan summarizes Halloween’s historical roots in Samhain and its Christian reshaping around All Saints’ Day. The conversation closes with practical ideas for redeeming the night through intentional neighbor engagement and prayer.

Topics

• (0:00) Introduction
• (1:20) Is Halloween a holiday
• (3:20) Halloween by the numbers
• (12:09) Biblical principles for discernment
• (14:05) Satan and spiritual caution
• (16:35) Death and grief in modern culture
• (22:14) Halloween as gospel opportunity
• (26:12) Acts 19 and the occult
• (28:20) Holy Spirit versus demons
• (30:27) Resist the devil
• (32:49) Horror movie faith story
• (34:24) Why horror works
• (42:30) Horror in the Bible
• (47:00) Modern horror and gospel hope
• (48:43) Redeeming Halloween history
• (51:52) Practical outreach ideas
• (54:35) Conclusion

Resources

• National Retail Federation
• Denison Forum website
• What does the Bible say about horror movies
• Cremation Statistics
• Should Christians Celebrate Halloween
• What does the Bible say about Halloween
• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Mark Legg

Mark Legg is a philosophy PhD student at the University of Glasgow, as well as a ghostwriter and editor. He was previously the Associate Editor at Denison Forum before leaving to pursue his master's degree in philosophy at the University of Edinburgh, which he completed in 2024. He's published in The Gospel Coalition, Mockingbird, Remarkable Ordinary, and BioLogos; he's also a regular contributor for Denison Forum. He authors a Substack blog called Agape Sophia, writing about philosophy, following Jesus, and culture. Mark loves reading and writing everything from science fiction to academic papers and enjoys coffee, rock climbing, and drawing. He lives in Austin, Texas with his wife Shannon. You can find him at markhlegg.com or get in touch at [email protected].

About Dr. Ryan Denison

Dr. Ryan Denison is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum and the author of The Focus newsletter, contributing writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from B. H. Carroll Theological Institute and an MDiv from Truett Seminary. Ryan has also taught at B. H. Carroll and Dallas Baptist University.

He and his wife, Candice, live in East Texas and have two children.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Ryan Denison and trial lawyer and historian Talmage Boston to discuss how baseball illustrates biblical truths about grace, human nature, purpose, and character. They explore baseball’s changing place in American culture as television elevated football, why the game is better in person, and how its slower pace fosters conversation. Talmage highlights the faith-driven courage of Jackie Robinson and Branch Rickey in breaking the color barrier, and reflects on heroes’ flaws through Mickey Mantle versus the integrity of Nolan Ryan, along with his own encounters with Robin Roberts and Carl Yastrzemski.

Together, they connect baseball’s built-in failure rate to optimism and perseverance, address steroids and gambling as enforcement issues, and offer parenting advice about the pressure of youth sports. The conversation closes with some World Series rooting for underdogs like Milwaukee and the Rays.

Topics

• (0:00) Introduction
• (2:20) Baseball in America today
• (5:10) Faith and Jackie Robinson
• (9:22) Childhood baseball roots
• (14:06) Heroes and hard truths
• (17:45) Nolan Ryan integrity
• (20:31) Meeting legends up close
• (24:34) Baseball as social glue
• (26:12) Pitch clock and pace
• (28:22) Back from break
• (28:40) Baseball teaches optimism
• (29:46) Hank Aaron mindset
• (31:55) Brewers gamers example
• (33:11) Faith beyond the game
• (37:23) Quiet witness in sports
• (38:55) Books as cultural glue
• (40:43) Steroids and gambling lessons
• (45:33) Parenting youth sports pressure
• (52:33) World Series underdog picks
• (56:17) Conclusion

Resources

• Baseball and the Baby Boomer: A History, Commentary, and Memoir
• 1939: Baseball’s Pivot Year
• Talmage Boston
• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Talmage Boston

Talmage Boston is a well-known figure among leading historians as an author, speaker, and onstage interviewer. His work has been endorsed by David McCullough, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Jon Meacham, Douglas Brinkley, Annette-Gordon-Reed, Evan Thomas, and H.W. Brands, as well as many other esteemed presidential biographers. Boston is the author of Cross-Examining History (foreword by Ken Burns), Raising the Bar (foreword by former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh), Baseball and the Baby Boomer (foreword by Frank Deford), and 1939: Baseball’s Tipping Point (foreword by John Grisham). 

He is also one of the most highly recognized lawyers in Texas, having been chosen for three major statewide awards in the last four years by the Texas Bar Foundation and the State Bar of Texas’ Litigation Section. Boston has been named a “Texas Super Lawyer” by Thompson Reuters every year since 2003, and among the “Best Lawyers in America” every year since 2013. He is the only lawyer to receive a “Presidential Citation” from eight different presidents of the State Bar of Texas for outstanding service to the State Bar.

Working as both a full-time commercial litigator and a full-time historian throughout the twenty-first century, Boston’s varied experience and notable achievements in both fields make him uniquely qualified to write How the Best Did It due to his knowledge of history, his skills as a writer, and his vast experience in business and law. In November 2023, Boston will be recognized by the Dallas Historical Society as “The History Maker of the Year” in the field of promoting history in North Texas.

Boston lives in Dallas with his wife Claire, son Scott, daughter Lindsey, son-in-law Mitchell, and grandson Nolan. To learn more, visit his website at talmageboston.com.

About Dr. Ryan Denison

Dr. Ryan Denison is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum and the author of The Focus newsletter, contributing writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from B. H. Carroll Theological Institute and an MDiv from Truett Seminary. Ryan has also taught at B. H. Carroll and Dallas Baptist University.

He and his wife, Candice, live in East Texas and have two children.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Dr. Chris Harper of BetterMan Ministries to discuss confidence and courage amid cultural confusion about identity, gender, and purpose. Dr. Harper shares how he came to faith in his late 20s, pursued theological training, and shifted his ministry focus to “go after the men,” now leading BetterMan, a redesigned iteration of Men’s Fraternity for millennials and Gen Z. Together, they explore why the church has emphasized restoration more than formation, stressing that “you can’t become what you can’t define,” and distinguish toxic masculinity from biblical masculinity by framing the true opposite of masculinity as immaturity.

Dr. Harper outlines BetterMan’s definition of manhood as the joyful pursuit of sacrificial responsibility and its “four Ws”: Word, woman, work, and world. The conversation also addresses men’s isolation, the loss of intergenerational discipleship, fatherlessness, responsibility in parenting, and guarding against late-life moral failure, closing with an encouragement for younger men to seek guides and for older men to reengage.

Topics

• (0:00) Introduction
• (4:04) Dr. Chris Harper faith story
• (7:05) BetterMan origins
• (7:59) Why men need clarity
• (16:30) Millennials need a guide
• (21:11) Toxic vs biblical manhood
• (23:19) Four Ws of manhood
• (27:37) Why men feel isolated
• (30:18) Rebuilding generational discipleship
• (31:57) Homogenous church trap
• (37:57) Acts 2 vision and dreams
• (40:09) Fatherhood priorities at 14
• (42:34) Raising responsible young adults
• (46:55) Anxiety addictions and worship
• (54:22) Conclusion

Resources

• BetterMan website
• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Dr. Chris Harper

Dr. Chris Harper is passionate about biblical manhood and fatherhood, and often speaks on topics such as a man’s identity in Christ and the importance of being a gospel-centered husband and father. Chris received his Master's degree from Dallas Theological Seminary and his Doctorate from the Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Chris and his wife, Ally, live with their four children - Scarlett, Malachi, Calvin, and Oliver - in Arlington, Texas. In addition to his family, Chris loves pickup basketball and a good cheeseburger, and firmly believes Jordan is better than LeBron.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman welcomes Mark Matlock, founder of WisdomWorks and senior fellow at Barna, to discuss the cultural opportunity created by widespread spiritual curiosity amid church decline. Mark explains how Christian identification differs from practicing faith, why beliefs are more complex than they appear, and how Barna research identified large groups of spiritually curious Americans alongside curious skeptics, naturalists and materialists, practicing Christians, and a low-curiosity group. Together, they explore pre-Christian versus post-Christian mindsets, the impact of COVID on church disengagement, and how curiosity involves stretching and embracing ambiguity while church culture often seeks quick closure.

Mark urges Christians to keep conversations open, engage as one step in a longer journey, ask "spiritual discovery" questions, and share the lived experience of trusting, leaning into, and obeying Jesus. The conversation closes with a look at why a better, more compelling theology of heaven strengthens Christian witness.

Topics

• (0:00) Introduction
• (0:40) Meet Mark Matlock
• (2:39) Christian identity vs attendance
• (5:40) Researching spiritual curiosity
• (7:11) Pre Christian vs post Christian
• (13:25) Curiosity as virtue or vice
• (14:37) Measuring curiosity and openness
• (19:33) Four curiosity profiles
• (25:07) COVID and the rise of nones
• (28:01) Pioneers vs settlers in church
• (35:54) Curiosity builds connection
• (40:03) Defining oneness with Jesus
• (42:37) Leaning into trust
• (49:22) Discovery questions that open doors
• (53:01) Safe conversations in public
• (55:35) Why heaven must inspire
• (1:00:18) Conclusion

Resources

• Faith for the Curious: How an Era of Spiritual Openness Shapes the Way We Live and Help Others Follow Jesus
• The Wisdom Hacker website
• The Wisdom Hacker Instagram
• WisdomWorks
• Barna Group
• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Mark Matlock

Mark Matlock is the Executive Director of Urbana for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and a Senior Fellow at Barna. Mark's research provides insights into younger generations, cultivating resilient disciples, and knowing the pulse of your city. As the founder of WisdomWorks, he has helped national and international faith-based organizations adapt to changing times by turning data and research into strategic action. Mark coauthored Faith for Exiles with David Kinnaman and, most recently, authored Faith for the Curious: How an Era of Spiritual Openness Shapes the Way We Live and Help Others Follow Jesus.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this crossover episode of Faith & Clarity and Culture Brief, Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Katie Frugé and Conner Jones to discuss approaching the midterm elections with Christian discernment. They address why political cynicism grows, emphasizing that policies affect real people and that misplaced hope in candidates can curdle into disappointment, while believers should ground their hope in Christ. Together, they make the case that government slowness and built-in friction can actually protect against harmful rapid change, giving time for debate and public input.

Katie and Conner encourage listeners to be informed voters by researching candidates and ballot measures through direct sources like speeches, podcasts, and campaign websites, and by considering multiple perspectives. The conversation closes with a look at election integrity concerns, an explanation of the decentralized U.S. election "ecosystem," and why transparency, specific evidence, and civic involvement can increase confidence in fair elections.

Topics

• (0:00) Introduction
• (0:27) Midterms and big questions
• (2:17) Fighting political cynicism
• (6:59) Why government moves slow
• (16:53) Becoming an informed voter
• (22:58) Biblical discernment for voting
• (25:10) Practical research tips
• (27:49) Research candidate positions
• (28:25) Trustworthy information sources
• (29:28) Christian witness and truth
• (32:49) Character versus policy voting
• (37:15) Election integrity concerns
• (45:27) How elections actually work
• (52:44) Responding to fraud claims
• (56:02) Conclusion

Resources

• How confident are Americans in the midterm elections’ fairness and accuracy?
• Election Concerns Run High Ahead of 2026 Midterms
• Fewer Than Half of Americans Expect Free and Fair Midterms
• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Dr. Katie Frugé

Katie Frugé, M.Div, Ph.D., serves over 5,000 Texas Baptist churches as the Director of the Christian Life Commission for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. In this role, she equips pastors and ministry leaders to navigate complex cultural, moral, and political issues with biblical faithfulness and pastoral wisdom. Specializing in the imago Dei and human dignity, Dr. Frugé's work addresses questions of human flourishing and faithful witness, informed by her personal journey as a stomach cancer survivor and parent to children with special needs. She is married to her college sweetheart; together they are raising three daughters in Fort Worth, Texas.

About Conner Jones

Conner is the Managing Editor of Denison Forum, host of the Culture Brief podcast and author of the In The Know newsletter. He graduated from Dallas Baptist University in 2019 and has spent his career at the intersection of faith, culture, and current events. Outside the office, he can usually be found at the movies, watching sports, or traveling with his wife, Raigan, and their sons, Nolan and Nash.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman sits down with Brett McCracken, senior editor at The Gospel Coalition, to discuss his book The Wisdom of Sleep and why sleep and rest are biblically significant, countercultural practices in a chaotic, achievement-driven world. Brett shares what drew him to a theology of sleep, the balance between work and rest, and how prioritizing sleep can be an act of trust in God and a witness to others. Together, they discuss research linking poor sleep to major health risks, the importance of good sleep "stewardship," and the role of limits in Christian maturity.

The conversation explores sleep as a daily reminder of mortality and resurrection hope, the science and theology of dreams, and practical approaches to Sabbath as communal worship and grateful enjoyment of God's gifts.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction

(1:30) Why write about sleep

(5:30) Work rest balance

(8:12) Culture sleep myths

(11:21) Sleep crisis stats

(18:08) Bible on sleep

(19:56) Sleep versus rest

(22:06) Sleep as trust

(38:59) Dreams in Scripture

(40:08) Science of dreaming

(43:24) Spiritual warfare at night

(46:33) Remembering dreams

(48:06) Sabbath as trust

(52:12) Communal Sabbath savoring

(55:54) Where to find The Wisdom of Sleep book

(57:03) Conclusion

Resources

• The Gospel Coalition website
• Brett McCracken’s website
• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Brett McCracken

Brett McCracken is a senior editor for The Gospel Coalition and a leading voice at the intersection of faith, culture, and the arts.

For two decades he has written articles and books that have helped Christians love the church, understand cultural trends, and engage the arts with thoughtful appreciation and biblical discernment. In recent years his focus has been on how the digital age shapes souls and erodes wisdom. This emphasis began with his influential 2021 book, The Wisdom Pyramid, followed by a co-edited project in 2025, Scrolling Ourselves to Death. His newest book, The Wisdom of Sleep(Zondervan Reflective, 2026), doubles as a theological reflection on rest and a critique of our optimization-obsessed technological moment.

Born and raised in Tulsa and Kansas City, Brett attended Wheaton College (IL) before venturing west to California, where he received an M.A. at UCLA (Cinema & Media Studies). He’s called Southern California home ever since. From 2008 to 2017 he worked at Biola University, where he met and married his wife Kira. The week he met Kira was also the week Brett’s first book, Hipster Christianity, was released. He invited her to the book-release party and she came. The rest is history!

Brett and Kira now live in Orange County, where they are raising four delightful young children and attend church at Southlands Church Santa Ana.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Ryan Denison to discuss finding "hope beyond the headlines" in the wake of 9/11's 25-year milestone and an uncertain future. Jim distinguishes hope from optimism, describing hope as a better future paired with a plan grounded in faith and love. Together, they outline a "meta-crisis" of threats including terrorism, AI, genomics, and geopolitical tensions with China, and explore how younger generations have grown up amid constant crises and a relentless news cycle.

Jim traces the historical roots of jihadist ideology, clarifies that radicalized Muslims represent a small minority, and unpacks the complexities around "political Islam" and Sharia, while Ryan defines the phrase "from the river to the sea" and Jim explains the Twelver Shia expectation of the Mahdi. The conversation closes with biblical perspectives on suffering, God's sovereignty and redemption, and the need for a personal, Spirit-empowered trust in Christ.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction

(2:25) Faith hope love framework

(3:03) Hope versus optimism

(5:45) Certain hope series

(7:04) Meta crisis threats

(10:07) Generational anxiety

(19:52) News cycle pressure

(20:58) 9/11 and jihadist roots

(24:48) Political Islam and Sharia

(34:19) Sharia compared to Bible

(41:10) Iran apocalyptic politics

(47:10) Suffering and God's sovereignty

(54:53) Romans 8 and realistic hope

(1:12:07) Conclusion

Resources

• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Dr. Jim Denison

Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening.

About Dr. Ryan Denison

Ryan Denison, PhD, is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. Ryan writes The Daily Article every Friday and contributes writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from BH Carroll Theological Institute after having earned his MDiv at Truett Seminary. He’s authored The Path to Purpose, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, How to Bless God by Blessing Others, 7 Deadly Sins, and coauthored Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters and has contributed writing or research to every Denison Forum book.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman welcomes former U.S. Secret Service agent and 9/11 survivor Darin Kinder, who was stationed at 7 World Trade Center that day. Darin describes evacuating the complex, rendering first aid, helping people inside the North Tower, and narrowly surviving both tower collapses. He explains why he stayed silent for ten years, how mentors encouraged him to finally share his story, and how speaking and writing his book, Bury Me in a Dirty Suit, brought healing and a renewed mission to minister to men.

Darin unpacks lessons from 9/11 on perseverance ("do the next thing"), being equipped, and finding "your guys" for strength and effectiveness, along with biblical courage grounded in God's presence and love and the difference between civilians and citizens, including the story of the 9/11 boatlift. He also shares the lasting impact on his wife after their brief phone call just before the collapse.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction

(0:44) Meet Darin Kinder

(3:17) Secret Service in NYC

(4:09) Morning of 9/11

(5:08) From agent to responder

(6:38) Writing for healing

(8:51) “Do the next thing” motto

(15:30) Untold 9/11 details

(25:28) Biblical courage defined

(30:12) Civilian versus citizen

(33:59) Citizens of heaven

(39:36) Marking 25 years

(40:58) Finding purpose after

(43:40) Bury Me Dirty Suit book

(47:45) Where to connect

(48:30) Conclusion

Resources

• Darin Kinder’s website
• Bury Me in a Dirty Suit: Discovering Man's Valiant Purpose in the Aftermath of 9/11
• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Darin Kinder

Darin Kinder is a former Special Agent of the United States Secret Service, where he spent 25 years protecting five US Presidents, other world leaders, and navigating high-stakes environments in 43 different countries. On September 11, 2001, he was on the ground in New York City when the World Trade Center was attacked, an experience that earned him the Secret Service Medal of Valor and forever shaped his faith and perspective on living with purpose. Darin delivers an unforgettable message forged in crisis, rooted in faith, and made relevant for churches and organizations today.

Leaving behind a career tested at the highest levels of government protection, Darin has entered a new chapter as a sought-after keynote speaker. Darin is the author of the hard-hitting book, Bury Me in a Dirty Suit: Discovering Man’s Valiant Purpose in the Aftermath of 9/11. It’s a compelling memoir that explores what it means to lead with courage, live as citizens of heaven, and step into the mess when it matters most to fulfill your God-given purpose. 

Darin is a devoted husband and father to four sons and founder of Fierce Faith, an organization dedicated to inspiring and equipping the next generation with unwavering faith and teaching them to live with Valiant Purpose. 

Darin is a graduate of James Madison University and a former high school history teacher and coach. He loves the mountains, baseball, and any adventure that requires fortitude and grit.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.

In this episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman welcomes Keith and Dee Ann Boyd to discuss the ongoing impact of 9/11 as the 25th anniversary approaches. The Boyds share how they moved from Texas to New York City in 1992, served for 25 years at Trinity Baptist Church in Manhattan, and raised three children in a diverse, multiethnic environment. Keith recounts walking to a pastors' prayer meeting at the Empire State Building, learning of the first crash, watching the North Tower fall from an office window, and later handing out water to people walking home when transportation shut down. Dee Ann describes being isolated in a salon during a magazine photo shoot, scrambling to find her children, and the city's sacred, non-casual way of remembering.

Together, they reflect on communal grief, chaplain ministry at Ground Zero, the USS Comfort's departure, and moments of compassion, along with missed opportunities for lasting spiritual renewal, closing with a prayer for hope in Christ.

Topics

(0:00) Introduction

(0:28) Why 9/11 still matters

(1:07) Meet Keith and Dee Ann Boyd

(7:13) Raising kids in Manhattan

(10:49) Ministry in a diverse city

(14:48) Keith remembers 9/11

(20:54) Dee Ann's 9/11 morning

(23:32) Church response and aftermath

(26:08) Communal grief in NYC

(29:08) Red Cross chaplain at Ground Zero

(31:13) USS Comfort silent tribute

(43:19) Faith tensions after 9/11

(46:25) Church surge and missed moment

(49:16) Marking the anniversary of 9/11

(54:03) Conclusion

Resources

• Ask Us Anything: [email protected]
• Sign-up for a Denison Forum newsletter: DenisonForum.org/subscribe

About Keith & Dee Ann Boyd

Keith and Dee Ann Boyd lived in New York City for 26 years.  Keith served as Lead Pastor of Trinity Baptist Church and Dee Ann served as Director of Leadership Development at The New York City Leadership Center.

Keith and Dee Ann were in Manhattan on 9/11, as well as their children, who were in school, ages 9, 5 and 5 at the time.

The Boyds now reside in Austin, TX where they enjoy their involvement with church, Young Life and 5 rambunctious grandchildren.

About Dr. Mark Turman

Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.

Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.

Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.

About Denison Forum

Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.

All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.