Cultural Update: Zohran Mamdani; AI Erotica; Surrogacy in Crisis

NYC’s New Mayor: Sean and Scott discuss the election of progressive Muslim democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani as New York City’s next mayor—exploring socialism’s renewed appeal, the moral framework behind market economies, and biblical principles of work, property, and caring for the poor

Surrogacy in Crisis: Troubling trends in the surrogacy industry—lack of oversight, exploitation of low-income women, legal gray areas, and moral implications of turning children and motherhood into commodities

AI Erotica Launch: Sean and Scott react to ChatGPT’s announced “erotica” feature, warning that it normalizes digital pornography and creates the illusion of emotional connection while eroding real-world relationships

Listener Questions:

• Coping with chronic pain and finding God’s presence through suffering.
• Clarifying democratic socialism vs. authoritarian socialism.
• How Sean and Scott read and evaluate books differently depending on purpose and genre.

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Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith and Culture is a podcast from Talbot School of Theology at Biola University, which offers degrees both online and on campus in Southern California.

Find all episodes of Think Biblically at: https://www.biola.edu/think-biblically.

To submit comments, ask questions, or make suggestions on issues you'd like us to cover or guests you'd like us to have on the podcast, email us at thinkbiblically@biola.edu.