The Biblical Mind

What does it mean to believe something—and can we genuinely believe while also experiencing doubt? In this episode of the Center for Hebraic Thought and the Biblical Mind Podcast, Mike Tolliver talks with philosopher Dr. Joshua Mugg about his book From Human Reasoning to Belief and his alternative to the influential “dual process” theory of human reasoning.
Mugg explains why he rejects the idea that the mind is simply divided between fast, intuitive thinking and slow, rational thinking. Instead, he proposes that human reasoning operates across multiple dimensions, allowing us to adjust how we think, gather evidence, recruit other beliefs, and repeatedly reconsider our conclusions.
The conversation then explores how this account of human cognition helps illuminate one of the Bible’s most intriguing statements: “I believe; help my unbelief” in the Gospel of Mark. Mugg’s theory of fragmented belief suggests that people can hold different beliefs within distinct cognitive contexts, helping explain how faith and doubt can coexist.
Mike and Josh also discuss anxiety, emotion and reasoning, conspiracy theories, religious belief, deconstruction, Michael Polanyi, Esther Meek, the relationship between faith and certainty, and whether faith will remain in the eschaton. This wide-ranging conversation offers a fresh perspective on belief, doubt, faith, and what it means to know.
Buy Dr. Mugg's book here: https://www.routledge.com/From-Human-Reasoning-to-Belief-An-Empirical-Account/Mugg/p/book/9781032736952
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Dr. Mugg and the focus on belief
01:02 Dr. Mugg's background and academic journey
02:37 From theology to philosophy: questions of knowledge
04:24 Overview of dual process theory in reasoning
05:55 Critique of dual process theory and its messiness
07:41 An alternative to dual process theory: a soundboard model
11:16 Rerunning reasoning in everyday life and decision making
15:50 The biblical story of the father and Jesus' response
19:59 Fragmentation of belief and domain-specific reasoning
24:02 Belief in the context of ancient Israel and religious practices
27:14 Conspiracy theories and reasoning patterns
31:01 The role of emotion in reasoning and belief
33:23 Faith, hope, and love in the eschaton
36:10 Personal journey and influence of Polanyi and Meek
39:33 Christian philosophy and naturalistic methodology
42:58 The relationship between faith and belief in biblical and philosophical context
44:46 Conclusion and future discussions

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How is technology shaping the way we live, relate to one another, and understand what it means to be human? In this episode, Dru Johnson talks with sociologist Dr. Felicia Song about digital technology, AI, social media, Christian discipleship, and the spiritual consequences of living in a world of constant connection.
Song argues that Christians should resist both technological hype and fearmongering and instead develop a more thoughtful, historically informed approach to digital culture. Rather than simply asking whether technology is “good” or “bad,” she encourages us to consider what our devices are actually doing to our relationships, habits, attention, and embodied experience.
The conversation explores social media and mental health, AI companionship, the potential displacement of human relationships, and the ways technology is reshaping churches and Christian communities. Song also challenges Christians to reconsider whether Sunday worship should be one of the few places where people can put their devices away and genuinely rest.
Drawing on the Christian contemplative tradition of silence and stillness, Song suggests that spiritual maturity in the digital age may require learning how to disconnect, be present, and recover forms of human connection that technology cannot replace.
See more of Dr. Song's work here: https://feliciawusong.com/
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the discussion on technology and human experience
04:00 The importance of historical perspective in understanding tech
06:16 The investment in human evolution and technological possibilities
07:52 Technology as a variable in human relationships and self-understanding
10:08 The neurological and phenomenological effects of digital interaction
12:22 The impact of mediated interactions on human experience
14:22 The social and cultural variability in felt experiences
16:40 Imagination and the inability to conceive of a tech-free life
18:24 Using movies and stories to understand different digital experiences
20:44 Young people's resignation and the influence of tech industry narratives
22:18 Historical changes in societal attitudes towards technology
24:20 The analogy of safety belts and cultural change
27:29 Advocacy and community action in digital ethics
28:56 Analog experiences and community building through low-tech practices
30:27 The value of silence and stillness in spiritual maturity
36:32 The societal effects of AI companionship and therapeutic uses
38:02 The role of churches and spiritual spaces in digital life
40:12 Church as a space for digital detox and spiritual rest
43:20 The importance of stillness and silence in Christian practice
45:59 The transformative power of contemplative practices in a digital age

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What did the Puritans really believe about the Old Testament, Mosaic law, Jews, and Israel? In this episode of the Biblical Mind Podcast, historian Dr. Yisroel Benporat explores the fascinating and often misunderstood relationship between Puritan theology and the Hebrew Bible.
Benporat explains why Puritans attempted to apply biblical judicial laws to early American society, including laws concerning adultery, the Sabbath, and criminal punishment. He unpacks the distinction between moral, ceremonial, and judicial law and shows how Puritan thinkers wrestled with the relationship between the Old and New Testaments.
The conversation also challenges the popular myth that Puritans were essentially “quasi-Jews.” Although Puritans were deeply fascinated by Hebrew Scripture and Jewish texts, their views of contemporary Jews were shaped by Christian supersessionism and a strong desire for Jewish conversion.
Finally, Benporat examines Puritan eschatology and the restoration of Israel, exploring why some scholars see connections between Puritan thought and later Christian Zionism. The episode concludes by considering what Puritanism can teach us about biblical interpretation, Christian nationalism, theocracy, Jewish-Christian relations, and the enduring Hebraic roots of Christianity.
For Dr. Yisroel Benporat's website Click Here
Helpful Resources: "How Far Moses Judicialls Bind Mass[achusetts]" (ca. 1643), "John Cotton’s Treatise on the Duration of the Lord’s Day" (1611) , "Legislating the Lord's Day"
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Puritans' biblical interpretation
02:26 Yisrael Ben Parat's interest in Puritan New England
03:26 Puritan laws: adultery and capital punishment
06:46 Sabbath laws and biblical prohibitions
08:17 Puritan use of scripture as political model
11:36 Puritan views on Sabbath and Old Testament laws
14:29 Categories of Mosaic law: moral, ceremonial, judicial
16:21 Puritans' application of judicial laws
21:13 Hermeneutic of continuity and abrogation in Puritan law
24:10 Puritans' view of Jews and anti-Semitism
27:29 Replacement theology and Puritan eschatology
36:55 Puritan eschatological visions and Christian Zionism
44:40 Puritans' objectification of Jews and cultural views
49:36 Modern resurgence of Puritanism and its implications
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How should Christians study the Bible? Does Scripture itself teach us how it should be read? In this episode of The Biblical Mind, Dru Johnson is joined by Dr. Gary Edward Schnittjer, distinguished professor of Old Testament for Cairn Theological Seminary at Cairn University, to discuss his new book, Connected: How Scripture Guides the Study of Scripture. Together they explore why the Bible should be interpreted on its own terms rather than through modern assumptions, and how the biblical authors model faithful reading of Scripture itself.
The conversation begins with the challenges of teaching today's college students, biblical literacy, and how classroom practices have changed over the past three decades. From there, Schnittjer explains why the Bible's literary artistry, historical context, and overarching narrative are essential for understanding God's revelation. Rather than treating Scripture as isolated verses, he argues that the Bible presents one unified story centered on God's covenant relationship with humanity through Jesus Christ.
Along the way, Dru and Gary discuss intertextuality, the importance of reading biblical books within their historical setting, why ancient treaties help illuminate covenant language, and even why Nehemiah might be "the first American" in the Bible. This episode offers practical wisdom for pastors, students, and everyday readers who want to read the Bible more faithfully and discover how Scripture itself teaches us to study Scripture.
Order Dr. Schnittjer's new book, Connected: How Scripture Guides the Study of Scripture: https://bhacademic.bhpublishinggroup.com/product/connected
See more from Dr. Schnittjer at his Substack: https://CarpentersStudent.com
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction and podcast format
01:32 Primary hurdles in biblical teaching
02:35 Changes in seminary and college classrooms
04:03 Teaching biblical discovery to college students
07:02 Adapting teaching methods for modern students
10:36 Classroom dynamics and student engagement
13:33 The impact of technology and culture on biblical understanding
17:50 Using treaties to understand biblical covenants
21:07 The significance of Jesus as a connection maker
26:36 The metaphor of connectedness in Scripture
30:28 Visualizing the biblical story as a scroll
34:31 The importance of genre and context in Scripture
40:07 The role of historical background in biblical interpretation
45:36 Developing biblical wisdom through diverse genres
50:52 Nehemiah as an American archetype
54:18 Closing remarks and book recommendations

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Dr. Robert Joustra joins The Biblical Mind Podcast to explore one of the most neglected questions in Christian ethics: What does the Bible have to say about international politics? Beginning with difficult questions like the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Joustra argues that Christians need more than political pragmatism—they need a distinctly biblical framework for thinking about war, diplomacy, justice, nationalism, and global responsibility.
Drawing from the theological tradition of Augustine, Calvin, and Abraham Kuyper, Joustra explains how concepts like just war theory, ordered loves, sphere sovereignty, and the common good help Christians navigate today's geopolitical challenges. The conversation examines whether Scripture speaks to foreign policy, how the prophets shape our understanding of nations, and why political power must always remain penultimate to the kingship of Christ.
The discussion also engages contemporary debates surrounding nationalism, empire, immigration, religious identity, and the American political experiment, offering a thoughtful Christian response to the complexities of modern international relations.
Whether you're interested in biblical theology, political philosophy, Christian ethics, or global affairs, this episode provides a rich introduction to thinking faithfully about the nations, justice, and the role of Christians in an increasingly interconnected world.
Order Dr. Joustra's new book: (Click Here)
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Robert Joustra and his book
01:52 The significance of 40-minute podcasts for engagement
03:55 Joustra's background and the genesis of his book
07:13 The impact of 9/11 on Christian political thought
09:57 The biblical basis for justice and international relations
14:59 The influence of Neo-Calvinism and the tradition of Kuyper and Calvin
19:54 The relationship between land, language, and culture in identity
24:53 Empire versus nation: Hazony's perspective and Joustra's critique
30:06 The importance of rightly ordered loves in politics
35:14 The role of scripture, prophets, and realism in international relations
40:07 The American experiment and its unique identity
44:45 The significance of geography and land in national identity
50:00 The future of nations and the importance of proximate goods

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