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Winsome Conviction

Biola University

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.

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23 episodes
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Avg 34 min
English

Episodes 23

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#158
September 21 · 27 min
On Being Winsome With Dr. John Lennox
Oxford University mathematician and Christian apologist Dr. John Lennox is no stranger to intense debate, and he’s exchanged ideas with some of the foremost atheists including Dr. Richard Dawkins. Yet, he characteristically demonstrates friendliness, kindness, and care with his disagreers. On today’s episode, Tim and Rick speak with Dr. Lennox about why bother engaging in debate, the importance of balancing thoughtfulness and friendliness in debate, and the influence of spiritual battle during times of debate. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#157
September 7 · 27 min
Resilient Neighbor Love And Leaning Into Difference
One of our favorite segments involves stories of “people who are doing it right” - people who are demonstrating winsome conviction in their local communities. On today’s episode, Brandon Pasion, a worship leader in the Bay Area, speaks with Tim and Rick about his experience doing bridge-building work between the church and a local school to help bless families at the school. While the partnership is unique and involves a depth of personal connection, these efforts have also involved painstaking discussions around holding differing convictions on matters of gender and sexuality. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#156
August 24 · 34 min
Come Alongside And Seek To Understand
Although dissent has long been a part of our country, in today’s “argument culture” we approach people who hold different views as combatants. Have things gotten worse in the culture? Have things gotten worse in the Church? On today’s episode, Tim and Rick speak with Dr. Crawford Loritts about a biblical posture Christians ought to reclaim for handling disagreement faithfully and well. They reflect on the Civil Rights Movement, discuss contemporary issues around “being woke,” and they draw from the Apostle Peter on what to do when someone disagrees with mean intentions. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#155
August 10 · 27 min
Revisiting What It Means To Be Winsome
What kinds of stuff do Tim and Rick read? Some of our listeners would like to know. So on today’s episode they discuss an article on “winsomeness” and whether being winsome in public engagement and public controversies is biblical. Some would disagree with the heart of this project and say that all this talk today about winsomeness is merely a philosophy based in a fear of man. How might we engage with such thinking? What is there to commend? What is up for a charitable critique? If you’ve ever wondered how Tim and Rick understand what it means to be winsome, you’ll benefit from listening to this episode. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#154
July 27 · 34 min
Getting To Know Turning Point USA
On today’s episode, Tim and Mike speak with special guest Lucas Miles, a pastor, New York Times best-selling author, and the Vice President of Turning Point USA and the head of TPUSA Faith. They discuss the mission of Turning Point USA and TPUSA Faith; doctrinal matters that influence unity and disagreement among churches; and whether ministries who disagree on theological issues can work side by side on projects that demonstrate neighbor love to others. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#153
July 13 · 32 min
A New Way To Love Your Neighbor
Jesus tells his followers that the two great commandments are to love God and to love neighbor, and it is difficult to do both. Yet, as we learn to be loved by God and to love from God’s perspective, we may learn anew what it means to love our neighbors. On today’s episode, Tim and Rick speak with author and Bible teacher Jada Edwards about her book, A New Way to Love Your Neighbor. They discuss the difference between “liking” and “loving” one’s neighbor; whether the Christian perspective on love offers something unique in ways of loving one’s neighbor; the differences between divine and cultural perspectives on love; and love’s closely related virtues such as patience. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#152
June 29 · 41 min
Intellectual Humility and Deep Convictions
Can you demonstrate intellectual humility while maintaining deep conviction? Or does holding to one preclude holding the other? In fact, holding these together is essential. On today’s episode, Tim and Rick speak with Biola Provost Matthew Hall (Ph.D.) on ways that intellectual humility in its truest sense depends upon conviction. They explore the difference between tolerance and intellectual humility, the relationship between conviction, courage, and intellectual humility, and they work through some positive examples of intellectual humility. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#151
June 15 · 38 min
Talking About Small Talk
Small talk can be a good ice breaker and a helpful, natural way to start a conversation, but it can also become shallow, impersonal and prevent us from really getting to know people. When does small talk undermine an opportunity to foster a meaningful relationship? On today’s episode, Tim and Rick speak with Beth Booram, a spiritual director, on small talk. They discuss how cultivating spirited, substantial conversations can lead to meaningful relationships with depth. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#150
June 1 · 46 min
Collegiality and Friendship Amidst Religious Disagreement
There is a need for students to learn good models for handling difficult conversations. So on today’s episode, Tim and Dr. Andrew Reed (Ph.D.) from Brigham Young University (BYU) take up this call and continue the conversation by bringing together students from both universities, Biola and BYU, for civil discourse on religion, theology, and social issues. They debrief their experience in a course Tim and Andrew are co-teaching, and they discuss the importance of understanding your neighbor’s perspective as a way to love your neighbor, Aristotle’s method of the dialectic, and the difference between emphatic vs. phatic communication. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#149
May 25 · 34 min
College Students Who Practice Interfaith Dialogue
Part of the mission statement of Biola University is to engage culture, and we take this seriously. So when Brigham Young University (BYU) reached out to see if Biola students would be open to beginning an interfaith dialogue, we jumped at the opportunity. Tim, on behalf of Biola, and professor Andrew Reed (Ph.D.), on behalf of BYU, are helping to lead this initiative, which includes co-teaching a class on civility, communication skills, and interfaith dialogue. On today’s episode, Tim and Andrew invite three students - one from Biola and two from BYU - to discuss their experience dialoguing with one another on points of agreement and disagreement between Evangelical Christianity and Mormonism. Show notes and a full transcript are available.
- Transcript
#148
May 11 · 35 min
A Tale Of Two Universities Fostering Constructive Dialogue
"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.
- Transcript
#147
April 27 · 30 min
Spiritual Disciplines In The Everyday
The 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.
- Transcript
#146
April 13 · 56 min
How Can We Talk Like Jesus?
Friend 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.
- Transcript
#145
March 30 · 35 min
What's Going On With Parents In Youth Sports?
Coach 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.
- Transcript
#144
March 16 · 33 min
Being Winsome On Social Media
Is 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.
- Transcript
#143
March 2 · 32 min
The Seducing Power Of Fault-Finding In Others
We 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.
- Transcript
#142
February 16 · 29 min
Doing Jesus Things The Jesus Way
Mean-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.
- Transcript
#141
February 2 · 38 min
We Need Faith-Based Institutions
The 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.
- Transcript
#140
January 19 · 30 min
Your Heart Drives Your Life
In 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.
- Transcript
#139
January 5 · 28 min
Incivility In Youth Sports
Over 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.
- Transcript

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