Episode Details

Is there a "secret recipe" for biblical fatherhood, or have we been looking at the wrong map? 

In this special Father's Day episode of Thinking Christian, Dr. James Spencer and Dr. Ashish Varma sit down to discuss the weight and wonder of Christian fatherhood. Moving beyond cultural stereotypes, they dive into Ephesians 5 and 6 to explore how a father’s role is rooted not in dominance, but in the wisdom of the Spirit and the mutual submission of the household.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Walking in Wisdom: Breaking down Ephesians 5:15-21 and why "making the most of the time" is the foundation of a father’s leadership. 

• Beyond the Recipe: Why parenting is an exercise in wisdom, not a set of predictable "inputs and outputs."

• Mutual Submission: How the command to "submit to one another" in the Spirit reshapes the way fathers relate to their families.

• Statecraft as Soulcraft: Understanding that how you manage your home is the ultimate training ground for your own spiritual formation.

• Individualized Love: The call to recognize each child’s unique personality and needs rather than forcing a uniform standard.

Fatherhood isn't about being the "boss"—it's about being a disciple who leads by following. Join us for a candid conversation about the challenges and joys of raising the next generation. ⚓✨

Thinking Christian is hosted by Dr. James Spencer, president of the D. L. Moody Center and author of Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press). Each conversation reads the Bible as the final authority for life and faith, questioning the assumptions of our culture, even our Christian culture, so that we don't settle for a narrower vision than God's word offers.

Unsettling convention. Cultivating conviction.
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