In an increasingly polarized and outrage-driven culture, how can Christians practice genuine empathy, active listening, and perspective-taking without compromising biblical truth and moral conviction? Darrell Bock sits down with Tim Muehlhoff and Sean McDowell to address the current debate surrounding empathy, polarization, and the vital role of communication theory in Christian engagement. Join them as they explore how overcoming agenda anxiety, empathy, and leading with Christlike grace and hope can build meaningful and relational bridges in a divided world.

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How can churches, ministries, and nonprofits successfully navigate leadership transitions without falling victim to ego, mission drift, or organizational failure? Bill Hendricks is joined by Steve Woodworth (founder of Masterworks) and Peter Greer (CEO of HOPE International) to discuss why nearly half of successions stumble and how intentional planning can protect an organization’s mission. Join them as they examine the importance of building an internal leadership pipeline and the essential posture of humility required to pass the baton well. 

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Why do local churches fracture over secondary and cultural gray areas rather than rallying around core gospel truth? Darrell Bock is joined by Craig Schill where they discuss the gray areas in the church today and the critical distinction between cardinal, clear, and gray theological issues. Join them as they explore how embracing adiaphora, extending gracious freedom, and cultivating unity across diverse perspectives demonstrates the authentic power of the gospel in a polarized world. 

00:00  Unity in the Church and Cultural Polarization 

02:21  From Human Resources to Pastoral Ministry and DTS 

03:22  The Challenge of Triage 

05:13  The Genesis of Gray Church: Surveying Causes of Church Discord 

07:07  Defining Gray Issues: Beyond Cardinal and Clear Teachings 

09:30  New Testament Precedent: Dietary Laws, Romans 14–15, and Jew-Gentile Unity 

13:02  How Unity Proves the Gospel Works 

15:39  Pastoral Pressures and the Splits Over Secondary Issues 

17:40  Recovering the Reformation Concept of Adiaphora 

20:31  Distinguishing Cardinal Doctrines, Clear Commands, and Gray Areas 

22:50  The Danger of Elevating Gray Areas  

24:56  Historical Creeds, Statements of Faith, and the Big Four Church Conflicts 

26:37  Practical Advice for Congregations and Pastors: Offering Grace and Options 

29:09  The Core Center of Fellowship and the Gray Issues 

31:11  Unity Under the Cross as the Test of Christianity 

33:49  Elevating Adiaphora: Caring More About Fewer Things 

36:58  Truth with Distinction: Navigating Differences Within Scripture 

39:04  Diversity in Heaven, Creation Mandate, and Gender Collaboration 

42:16  Moving Beyond Tribal Competition to Family in Christ 

43:27  How To Cultivate a Culture of Unity 

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Why does Scripture rely so heavily on poetry, metaphor, and song? Join host Kasey Olander as she sits down with singer-songwriter Jimmy Needham and ministry founder Christine Crawford to explore how poetry fosters embodied faith, deepens worship, and helps us process grief and trauma. Discover practical ways Christians can slow down, notice beauty, and engage the artistic heart of God in everyday life.

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Are you waiting for a sign from God before making your next big move? Join Kasey Olander as she sits down with Bill Hendricks and Jen Wilkin to explore the important topic of how to discern God’s will for your life. Discover how trusting God’s slow process of sanctification can finally relieve the pressure of perfect decision-making.  

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Premiering August 25, Season 15 of The Table Podcast is tackling the biggest issues at the intersection of God and culture. Whether we are discussing  the future of artificial general intelligence or uncovering the beauty of the Psalms, our goal remains the same: showing the relevance of theology to everyday life. Subscribe now and join the conversation!

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Darrell Bock shares an exciting update on the future of The Table Podcast! To help us better serve you, our listeners, and continue bringing you high-quality conversations, we are officially transitioning to a seasonal format. 

Thank you for being part of this journey with us, and we look forward to bringing you brand new episodes this August! 

Helpful Links: 

Explore curated theme series and resources: https://hendrickscenter.dts.edu/podcast-series/ 

Follow DTS on social media for updates: 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dallasseminary?igsh=MTdtbDQyazZhM20xaQ== 

X: https://x.com/DallasSeminary  

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GrDpbH61v/ 

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Is Evangelical support for Israel declining among the next generation? Darrell Bock joins polling experts and Mitch Glaser to reveal surprising new survey data on how modern Christians truly view Israel, and the end times. Discover why biblical theology, rather than politics, continues to drive the Church’s worldview in this episode of The Table Podcast. 

Time Stamps:

00:00  Introduction 

02:08  The 2025 Survey on Christian Attitudes Toward Israel  

05:34  Surprising Data 

07:59  The Theological Foundation: The Abrahamic Covenant 

13:11  The Generational Divide 

17:17  The Impact of Social Media & Echo Chambers  

28:10  Do Evangelicals Only Care About the End Times? 

32:14  Evangelical Support for the Palestinians  

38:23  Combating Misinformation  

41:25  Final Encouragement  

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 In this episode of The Table Podcast, Darrell Bock sits down with Neil Coulter, Brian Chan, and Windrider’s Ryann Heim to reflect on the final Sundance Film Festival in Park City, UT and its upcoming move to Boulder, CO. Join the conversation as we explore standout indie films from Sundance 2026 and discuss how the intersection of theology and film can turn movies into powerful machines for empathy, love, and cultural engagement. 

Time Stamps:  

00:00  Introduction  

02:42  The Last Sundance in Park City  

08:22  The Value of the Sundance Experience  

13:39  Standout Films: Birdie  

19:12  Standout Films: If I Go, Will They Miss Me?  

20:32  Standout Films: Queen of Chess  

24:37  Standout Films: Birds of War & One in a Million  

26:42  The Impact on Seminary Students  

36:15  Movies as Empathy Machines  

49:02  Final Encouragement 

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Is telling a better story more effective than winning an argument? Join Kasey Olander on this episode of The Table Podcast as she sits down with authors Daniel and Mike Blackaby to explore how Christians can better engage today’s culture through the heart. They discuss the power of storytelling, art, and authentic community in sharing the gospel with a generation that is increasingly emotionally driven. Discover why emphasizing the beauty and goodness of God’s narrative is an essential complement to traditional apologetics when communicating biblical truths. 

Time stamps:  

00:00  Introduction    

01:52  Christian Apologetics: Logic vs. Emotion    

07:53  The Ultimate Question: Is God Good?    

14:43  Opportunities in an Emotionally Driven Culture    

16:59  How Storytelling Shapes Culture & Belief    

25:12  Jesus and the Power of Biblical Narrative    

29:27  The Role of Arts and Media in the Church    

33:16  Why Beauty Matters in Christian Worship    

40:10  Gen Z, The Loneliness Epidemic, & Authentic Community   

46:37  Intergenerational Opportunities for the Church  

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In this episode of The Table Podcast, Kasey Olander sits down with DTS alumni Ciaran and June Loughran to explore the shifting landscape of Christianity in Ireland. The Loughrans share their journey from working as engineers to planting Living Hope Church, discussing the unique opportunities of leading a highly multicultural congregation in a post-religious society. Listen in for their insights on maintaining cultural flexibility, keeping the Gospel central, and building trust through authentic pastoral leadership. 

Time codes:  

01:53  Ciaran’s journey  

05:46  June’s story 

08:07  A leap of faith: Leaving engineering for Dallas Theological Seminary  

15:20  The religious history, geography, and demographics of Ireland  

25:39  The “New Irish” and pastoring a growing multicultural church  

34:10  Navigating cultural expectations, dress, and pastoral titles  

42:04  Building trust in a post-religious society through authentic leadership  

47:18  Final encouragements 

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