Podcast
Winsome Conviction
Hosted by Biola University · EN
A podcast for learning how to deepen convictions without dividing communities. Tune in for insight from Tim Muehlhoff and Rick Langer on how to cultivate understanding, civility, and compassion in disagreement.
18episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
A Tale Of Two Universities Fostering Constructive Dialogue
2w ago00:35:12Tap to summarize"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. Tim and Rick discuss three ways the dialogues were impactful, and they also discuss points for application for listeners.Show notes and a full transcript are available.
Transcribe →Spiritual Disciplines In The Everyday
4w ago00:30:01Tap to summarizeThe 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. Dr. Todd Pickett (Ph.D.) is back on the podcast to speak with Tim and Rick about the disciplines and three conversations we can practice to embed the disciplines in relationships in our everyday lives. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
Transcribe →How Can We Talk Like Jesus?
Apr 1300:56:11Tap to summarizeFriend 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? Do controversies in documented in the gospels and depicted in the television series speak to our controversies today? And can fictitious stories show truth things?Show notes and a full transcript are available.
Transcribe →What's Going On With Parents In Youth Sports?
Mar 3000:35:21Tap to summarizeCoach 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? Today’s conversation explores these questions and more, and they draw from Away Game, a book Ed co-authors with Brian Smith, to help foster a love for youth sports without getting swept into the insanity and incivility at youth sporting events.Show notes and a full transcript are available.
Transcribe →Being Winsome On Social Media
Mar 1600:33:15Tap to summarizeIs 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. Sean talks about his vision for his YouTube channel and how he sees his work online as a way to mentor the next generation.Show notes and a full transcript are available.
Transcribe →The Seducing Power Of Fault-Finding In Others
Mar 200:32:06Tap to summarizeWe 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. They discuss the role of empathy and the slippery slope of emotional engagement, the danger of depersonalization and the reality of supernatural battle, recall how Jesus would meet people where they are when speaking about the good news.Show notes and a full transcript are available.
Transcribe →Doing Jesus Things The Jesus Way
Feb 1600:29:36Tap to summarizeMean-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? On today’s episode, Steve Porter (Ph.D.) speaks with Rick on the role of spiritual formation for shaping how we work in public life.Show notes and a full transcript are available.
Transcribe →We Need Faith-Based Institutions
Feb 200:38:11Tap to summarizeThe crisis in higher education highlights the vital role of faith-based institutions within the broader educational landscape and the value these institutions provide to society at large. By integrating rigorous academics with religious identity, faith-based universities are poised to address a meaningful, purpose-driven education. Today’s episode is a live recording of a discussion that took place this past December at Biola University with Dr. Barry Corey (Ph.D.), President of Biola University, and Dr. Shane Reese (Ph.D.), President of Brigham Young University, on the impact of faith-based higher education, and this discussion was moderated by Tim.Show notes and a full transcript are available.
Transcribe →Your Heart Drives Your Life
Jan 1900:30:56Tap to summarizeIn 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. Dr. Todd Pickett (Ph.D.) on the role of spiritual formation in matters of civility and whether becoming formed to the likeness of Jesus is the highest priority for Christians. They discuss discipleship, the spiritual disciplines, the centrality of the heart, and the practice of attunement in pursuing a good life. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
Transcribe →Incivility In Youth Sports
Jan 500:28:44Tap to summarizeOver the past decade, there have been rallying cries among supporters of youth sport “to fix” youth sports. One reason youth sports is not working so well is the apparent and increasing incivility at games and sporting events. Today’s guest thinks Christian parents can do better. Ed Uszynksi (Ph.D.) recently co-authored a book, Away Game: A Christian Parent’s Guide to Navigating Youth Sports, and it’s is sure to be a helpful resource for Christian parents who seek to demonstrate good sportsmanship and civility in today’s youth sports culture. Ed speaks with Tim and Mike on some of the key shifts that have occurred in youth sports in the last 50 years, the adult problem with youth sports, and the need to confront the truths and lies when being a supporter of youth sports. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
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