
The AC Podcast
The Apologetics Canada Podcast helps churches understand and speak the language of our culture and address questions being asked with intellectual honesty, gentleness and respect.
Hosted by Troy Lydiate
Latest episodes

May 24, 2024 • 37min
Biblical Contradictions Part 1
“The Bible is the word of God.” So say Christians. One implication of this is that the Bible cannot contradict itself. But what do we do with the differences between, say, the four Gospels? Why are Jesus’ genealogies different between Matthew and Luke? What were Jesus’ last words on the cross? Many skeptics quickly cry, “Contradiction!” Is that what we actually have? Wes and Steve sat down to hash out some alleged Bible contradictions in this two-part episode of the AC Podcast.

May 17, 2024 • 56min
The Surprising Demise of Atheism
The Four Horsemen of the New Atheists: Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Sam Harris, and Daniel Dennett, have faded from the cultural spotlight they once attracted. The New Atheists are now the Old Atheists. In fact, only two of the four are still alive. The questions they once raised still linger faintly but cultural conversations have shifted dramatically. Instead of asking, "Does God exist?" there are now an array of books and personalities asking and answering questions of sex, gender, and race, to name but a few. We have new questions and new influencers that now dominate the conversation in the academy and households. Yet, as it turns out, the Old Atheists are not as irrelevant as one might think. On the AC podcast this week Andy, Steve, and Wes discuss how this current cultural moment is, in part, a product of their making and what we can learn from it moving forward.

May 10, 2024 • 48min
Satan, the Good Guy?
Is Satan the good guy? Spoiler alert: absolutely not. Yet, there's a rising trend in secular circles casting Satan as a misunderstood cosmic vigilante. From mainstream cartoons to lively round-table debates with Satanists, this narrative is gaining traction. Why is Satan suddenly getting a makeover? And what does this mean for believers and the broader culture?Join us on this week's AC Podcast as Troy, Steve, and Wes dive deep into the shift in perspective. Discover why this reimagining of Satan is spreading, and learn how it's moving from the shadows of the Church of Satan into mainstream media and pop culture. Whether you're a seasoned believer or simply curious about these cultural changes, this episode will surely challenge your thinking and spark meaningful conversation.

May 3, 2024 • 43min
When the Church Breaks Your Heart
If you've been a part of a church community for any length of time, you've likely experienced moments of hurt, disappointment, or even betrayal. These painful incidents often drive people away from their local congregation, their ministry, or, in the worst cases, the faith itself. But what if there's a way to address these wounds before they push us toward deconstructing our faith? What would it take for us to go from, the Church breaking our hearts, to our hearts breaking for the Church? Join us on this week's episode as we explore the power of empathy, forgiveness, and restoration within the body of Christ. Listen as Troy, Andy and Steve discuss how we can transform our church experiences into a movement of healing and unity for the whole body of Christ.

Apr 26, 2024 • 47min
Peace Be the Journey
On this week's episode of the AC Podcast, Troy sits down with TWU students, Rea, Marko, and Jeremy to talk about peace. Recently, this trio of student body leaders were invited to the 3rd Global Peace Summit organized by Humanitarian Affairs Asia. "It is a conference designed to empower the next generation of peacebuilders from diverse corners of the world." In addition to representing TWU at the GP Summit, Rea, Marko, and Jeremy were selected to attend as leaders at the conference. Only 11 people worldwide were accepted for a leadership role from 350 applicants. Listen to this week's episode to hear a story of hope, prayer, and representing Jesus on the global stage.

Apr 17, 2024 • 44min
Reacting to Mark Driscoll: How to Blow Up a Conference
Controversial Christian figure Mark Driscoll causes a stir at a men's conference by criticizing the opening act, leading to his removal from the stage. The podcast delves into the fallout, exploring the boundaries of entertainment at conferences and discussing the complexities of handling public rebukes. The episode also touches on the challenges of expressing strong beliefs online and the importance of unity in religious discussions.

Apr 12, 2024 • 30min
Richard Dawkins Converts to Cultural Christianity?
Once known as the leading figure of the Four Horsemen of New Atheism, Richard Dawkins made a name for himself for his vitriol against religion in general and Christianity in particular. So, then, it surprised many people to hear him self-identify as a cultural Christian. While he rejects the truth claims of Christianity, he still seems to see value in the impact of Christianity, at least in comparison to some other worldviews. Is this new from Dawkins? What should we make of the comment itself? Steve and Wes sat down to discuss them in this week’s edition of the AC Podcast.

Apr 5, 2024 • 1h 2min
Sikh and Ye Shall Find
On this week's episode, Troy sits down for an in-person conversation with Trinity Western student, Rea and AC Adjunct speaker, Isaac Paul. The nature of their conversation revolves around the importance of interfaith dialogue. Listen as Rea unpacks her story of deconverting from Sikhism to Christianity and Isaac's insights as to how we can take a more relational approach to evangelism.

Mar 29, 2024 • 37min
Jesus is Coming, Look Busy?: A Theology of Rest
Rest: an event that often eludes the entrepreneur, parents, and ministry leaders, among many others. As we observe the remainder of the Holy Week on Good Friday and Easter, a person should naturally be reflecting on the finished work of the cross. However, the scriptures outline that there is still much work to be done for the sake of the gospel, while also instructing us to find rest in God. So what is the true sabbath, and how should it be observed? Join Troy and Steve on this week's episode of the AC Podcast to hear their thoughts.

Mar 22, 2024 • 46min
Divinity of Jesus? Prove It. Part 2
Didn’t Jesus say that the Father is greater than he is? Didn’t he call the Father his God? Isn't he called the "firstborn" of God's creation? One of the core teachings of Christianity is the claim that Jesus is God. Yet, some verses seem to contradict this very claim. Andy, Steve, and Wes continue their discussion on the deity of Jesus this week by addressing some verses commonly brought up by those who reject this essential teaching of Christianity.