In this "Ask Us Anything" episode of Faith & Clarity, Dr. Mark Turman is joined by Dr. Jim Denison and Dr. Ryan Denison for a relaxed conversation on navigating cultural chaos with biblical truth. Jim and Ryan unpack meta-narratives and meta-crisis, including how a nation's "cultural DNA" shapes current events and why overlapping crises can heighten anxiety, offering prayer and redemptive engagement as a faithful response.
The conversation explores whether a cultural "vibe shift" is increasing openness to hope and spirituality, addresses concerns about Sharia law and religious freedom in American civic life, and reviews worsening conditions in Cuba amid U.S. pressure and CIA activity, with practical ways to pray for and support Cuban believers. They also touch on the post-Dobbs abortion landscape and the debate over transgender athletes in women's sports, closing with some light personal reflections on summer.
Topics
(0:00) Introduction
(1:38) Meta narrative explained
(4:15) America's cultural DNA
(10:18) Cultural vibe shift
(14:51) How history will judge us
(19:20) Sharia law basics
(24:11) Religious freedom and civic action
(29:27) Cuba crisis update
(33:29) Cuba's uncertain future
(35:39) Praying and helping Cuba
(37:33) Cuban church revival
(43:16) God's sovereignty in exile
(49:01) Post-Dobbs pro-life strategy
(53:27) Trans athletes in the WNBA
(59:01) Summer reflections
(1:02:26) Conclusion
Resources
About Dr. Jim Denison
Jim Denison, PhD, is a cultural theologian and the founder and CEO of Denison Ministries. He speaks biblically into significant cultural issues at Denison Forum. He is the chief author of The Daily Article and has written more than 30 books, including The Coming Tsunami, the Biblical Insight to Tough Questions series, and The Fifth Great Awakening.
About Dr. Ryan Denison
Ryan Denison, PhD, is the Senior Editor for Theology at Denison Forum. Ryan writes The Daily Article every Friday and contributes writing and research to many of the ministry’s productions. He holds a PhD in church history from BH Carroll Theological Institute after having earned his MDiv at Truett Seminary. He’s authored The Path to Purpose, What Are My Spiritual Gifts?, How to Bless God by Blessing Others, 7 Deadly Sins, and coauthored Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Designand Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters and has contributed writing or research to every Denison Forum book.
About Dr. Mark Turman
Dr. Mark Turman serves as the Executive Director of Denison Forum, where he leads with a passion for equipping believers to navigate today’s complex culture with biblical truth. He is best known as the host of the Faith & Clarity podcast and the lead pastor of the Possum Kingdom Lake Chapel, the in-person congregation of Denison Ministries.
Dr. Turman is the coauthor of Sacred Sexuality: Reclaiming God’s Design and Who Am I? What the Bible Says About Identity and Why it Matters. He earned his undergraduate degree from Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Texas, and received his Master of Divinity degree from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth. He later completed his Doctor of Ministry degree at George W. Truett Theological Seminary at Baylor University in Waco.
Before joining Denison Forum, Mark served as a pastor for thirty-five years, including twenty-five years as the founding pastor of Crosspoint Church in McKinney, Texas. Mark and his high school sweetheart, Judi, married in 1986. They are proud parents of two adult children and grandparents to three grandchildren.
About Denison Forum
Denison Forum exists to thoughtfully engage the issues of our day from a biblical perspective, helping believers discern today’s news and culture through the lens of faith. Led by Dr. Jim Denison and a team of contributing writers, we offer trusted insight through The Daily Article, a daily email newsletter and podcast, along with articles, podcasts, interviews, books, and other resources. Together, these form a growing ecosystem of Christ-centered content that equips readers to respond to current events not with fear or partisanship, but with clarity, conviction, and hope. To learn more visit DenisonForum.org.
All episodes are produced by Sound of a Rose. For more information, you can visit soundofarose.com.
