About
James Spencer, PhD
Theologian, author, and host of the Thinking Christian podcast.
James Spencer is a biblical scholar whose work concerns Christian formation, political theology, and technology. He holds a PhD in Theological Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and an MA in Biblical Exegesis from Wheaton College, and completed the Institute for Educational Management at the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
He serves as president of the D. L. Moody Center in Northfield, Massachusetts, as an Associate Research Fellow at the Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology, and as adjunct faculty in Wheaton College’s MA in Leadership program.
The Work
His central argument is that Christian formation has been narrowed. The church can hold entirely orthodox commitments and still be formed to treat the Triune God as one factor among many. That happens through three forces — assimilation, fragmentation, and transaction — and two conditions that make those forces harder to recognize.
The response is not better information. It is formation: recognizing God’s reality, cultivating a theological disposition, reasoning by a shared theo-logic, and practicing disciplined inquiry.
Books
Contributor to The Moody Bible Commentary, The Moody Handbook of Messianic Prophecy, and Theology, Religion, and The Office (forthcoming).
Forthcoming: Digital Discernment (InterVarsity Press) — a theological account of formation in a digital age, integrating biblical theology, spiritual formation, and information literacy.
Speaking
James speaks on Christian formation and the narrowing of the church’s vision, digital discernment and misformation, Christian nationalism and political theology, male discipleship, the eight characteristics of a life useful to God, and reading the Old Testament theologically.
Available as keynotes, seminars, and multi-session workshops for churches, conferences, denominational gatherings, and academic settings.
Consulting
Alongside the theological work, James consults selectively with theological schools, Christian colleges, and mission-driven organizations on organizational capacity, enrollment, program design, and leadership development — drawing on a career that began in online education and included senior administrative roles across academic and business operations.
In the Media
Television and radio
TBN, The Rise of Artificial Intelligence — “Retaining Our Humanity in an Age of A.I.” · CBN, Faith vs. Culture — “Dealing with Deconstruction” · Fox News, Lighthouse Faith with Lauren Green — “Faith Under Fire: A Recipe for Christian Resistance” · LIFE Today Live — “Should Christians Be Political?” · Newsmax, American Agenda · VCY TV — “Who Was D. L. Moody”
Panels
The Christian Post, Politics in the Pews — “Christian Nationalism and Political Participation,” Grapevine, Texas
Podcasts and programs
Stand in the Gap Today, American Pastors Network (recurring guest) · The Eric Metaxas Show, Salem Media · Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey, Blaze Media · Dr. James Dobson’s Family Talk · Equipped with Chris Brooks, Moody Radio · The Christian Worldview with David Wheaton · The Drive Home with Greg Seltz, Lutheran Hour Ministries · Higher Ground with Billy Hallowell, The Washington Times · SRN News · The Georgene Rice Show · Providence Forum · Brad Stine Has Issues
Writing
Regular contributor at Christianity.com. His writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, Sojourners, and The Big Picture.
Quoted as an expert source
The Telegraph (UK) · Epoch Times · Fox News
Select Appearances
TBN
Retaining Our Humanity in an Age of A.I.
Watch on YouTube →
CBN, Faith vs. Culture
Dealing with Deconstruction
Watch on YouTube →
CBN, Faith vs. Culture
Discerning Truth
Watch on YouTube →
The Christian Post, Politics in the Pews
Christian Nationalism and Political Participation
Watch on YouTube →
Featured appearance
Faith That Shows Up at Work
Watch on YouTube →
Your Daily Bible Verse
Our Obedience Without Burden
Watch on YouTube →
Featured appearance
The Fear of the Lord
Watch on YouTube →
The Podcast
Thinking Christian is a twice-weekly conversation on formation, theology, and the pressures the church faces. More than 330 episodes, each with a full transcript.
Personal
He is a teaching elder at Skyline Church in O’Fallon, Illinois. He and his wife, Kim, live in central Illinois with their four children.