Between Faith & Reason with Dr. Jeff Lawrence
Foundation Academy
Explore the intersection of faith and reason in shaping families and communities. Hosted by Foundation Academy in partnership with West Orange Observer, "Between Faith & Reason" delves into meaningful conversations about how these two pillars guide our lives, strengthen relationships, and inspire growth. Each episode features thoughtful dialogue with leaders, educators, and community members dedicated to integrating faith and logic in today’s world.
About the Host: Dr. Jeff Lawrence
Jeff Lawrence, a Florida native born and raised in Orlando, seamlessly blends faith and reason to engage a diverse audience in meaningful conversations. With degrees in pharmacology and music from Mississippi College, Jeff's multifaceted background includes performing at Walt Disney World and hosting Disney's Super Star Television Show.
He earned a Master of Divinity in Old Testament and Hebrew from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has served in churches across Atlanta, Orlando, and Tennessee. Notably, Jeff directed Orlando's renowned Singing Christmas Trees for eleven years, gaining national attention from ABC's Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
As the Director of Spiritual Development at Foundation Academy, Jeff has a doctorate in apologetics and theology from Liberty University's Rawlings School of Divinity. His extensive work in apologetics and worldview analysis has equipped him to address complex questions, fostering thoughtful dialogue that resonates with both faith-based and secular listeners.
In Between Faith and Reason, Jeff invites all individuals, regardless of background or beliefs, to explore life's profound questions through engaging discussions that bridge the gap between spirituality and rational thought. Collaborating with the West Orange Observer, this podcast seeks to encourage critical thinking, provide fresh perspectives, and highlight the compelling case for faith in an age of skepticism.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Jeff cherishes time with his wife of 31 years, Lisa, and their two children, Jacob and Kate. An avid outdoorsman and private pilot, he enjoys embarking on new adventures with family and friends.
About the Host: Dr. Jeff Lawrence
Jeff Lawrence, a Florida native born and raised in Orlando, seamlessly blends faith and reason to engage a diverse audience in meaningful conversations. With degrees in pharmacology and music from Mississippi College, Jeff's multifaceted background includes performing at Walt Disney World and hosting Disney's Super Star Television Show.
He earned a Master of Divinity in Old Testament and Hebrew from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and has served in churches across Atlanta, Orlando, and Tennessee. Notably, Jeff directed Orlando's renowned Singing Christmas Trees for eleven years, gaining national attention from ABC's Good Morning America, The Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
As the Director of Spiritual Development at Foundation Academy, Jeff has a doctorate in apologetics and theology from Liberty University's Rawlings School of Divinity. His extensive work in apologetics and worldview analysis has equipped him to address complex questions, fostering thoughtful dialogue that resonates with both faith-based and secular listeners.
In Between Faith and Reason, Jeff invites all individuals, regardless of background or beliefs, to explore life's profound questions through engaging discussions that bridge the gap between spirituality and rational thought. Collaborating with the West Orange Observer, this podcast seeks to encourage critical thinking, provide fresh perspectives, and highlight the compelling case for faith in an age of skepticism.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Jeff cherishes time with his wife of 31 years, Lisa, and their two children, Jacob and Kate. An avid outdoorsman and private pilot, he enjoys embarking on new adventures with family and friends.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 18, 2025 • 1h 11min
Parenting with Doug Campbell, Ministry Team Senior Coordinator at ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International)
Today, Jeff sits down with Doug Campbell, who serves as the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), where he leads initiatives that help schools strengthen biblical worldview formation, spiritual formation, and home-school partnerships.Doug and Jeff discuss parenting, not the picture-perfect filtered version, but the real thing. The moments when frustration rises quicker than we expected. The exhaustion that sneaks up on us, the nagging fear that we're not doing enough.
Oct 30, 2025 • 58min
"A Strange New World" Discussion on Carl Trueman's Book: Special Guest Jeremy Woods
In this engaging discussion, Jeremy Woods, the incoming senior pastor at First Baptist Winter Garden, delves into Carl Trueman's thought-provoking book. He explores how Western culture has redefined identity through expressive individualism and the influence of thinkers like Nietzsche and Freud. Woods also discusses the political nature of sexual liberation and the growing impact of gender theory. They highlight the dangers of losing God as an identity anchor and offer a gospel-centered perspective that brings renewed dignity and hope.
Sep 12, 2025 • 16min
Special Episode: The Tragic Loss of Charlie Kirk: "Light More Lamps"
The tragic death of Charlie Kirk has shaken the country to its core. In many ways, it can cause one to think about how a person, particularly a believer, shares and expresses their faith, beliefs, and ideas. In this special episode, Jeff shares his thoughts on the loss of a remarkable young man who impacted Generation X, and how, as believers, we can respond.
Aug 15, 2025 • 52min
Pressure & Todays Student Athlete with Guest Clinical Counselor Bradley Mack
Today, student-athletes face more pressure than ever before in athletics. This week, Jeff sits down with licensed clinical counselor Bradley Mack to discuss this ever-changing and challenging world of youth and high school athletics. Bradley is the author of The Balanced Blueprint/Manage Pressure, Squash Burnout, Find Balance.You can learn more about this week's guest, Bradley Mack: bradley@thebalancedblueprint.careYou can also find him on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebalancedblueprint
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 4min
The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes by Nancy Pearcey with Special Guest Senior Pastor Tim Grosshans
This week, Jeff sits down with a special guest, Tim Grosshans, Senior Pastor of Winter Garden's First Baptist, to discuss masculinity and Nancy Pearcey's book The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the Sexes. Nancy Pearcey is a bestselling author and speaker. A former agnostic, she was hailed in The Economist as "America's pre-eminent evangelical Protestant female intellectual." Her work has appeared in the Washington Post, Washington Times, First Things, Human Events, American Thinker, Daily Caller, The Federalist, CNSNews, and Fox News. She has appeared on NPR, C-SPAN, and Fox & Friends. She is currently a professor and scholar in residence at Houston Christian University. Pearcey's books have been translated into eighteen languages, including Total Truth, The Soul of Science, Saving Leonardo, Finding Truth, and Love Thy Body.The link to Nancy Pearcey's book:The Toxic War on Masculinity: How Christianity Reconciles the SexesAs a courtesy, here is the other book referred to by Jeff and Pastor Grosshans by Brant HansenThe Men We Need: God’s Purpose for the Manly Man, the Avid Indoorsman, or Any Man Willing to Show Up Pastor Tim Grosshans' Church Winter Garden's First Baptist
Jun 27, 2025 • 47min
Faith: Simple Profession or Something Lived? Guest Corey Cline
Corey Cline, an educational technologist and disciple of Christ, explores the gap between professed and lived faith. He emphasizes the importance of the Sermon on the Mount, which highlights inner attitudes over mere actions. The discussion includes loving God wholeheartedly, the necessity of practical theology, and the transformational power of faith producing good works. Corey also challenges listeners to reflect on their priorities using self-inventory techniques and encourages intentional discipleship, urging all to move from mere conviction to genuine transformation.
Jun 20, 2025 • 12min
An Urgent Message in Uncertain Times
There's a growing sense that the world is falling apart. Turn on the news, scroll social media, talk to your neighbor, and you'll see it: war, riots, political division, fear. We're living in a moment that feels unstable and unsafe.Today, Jeff addresses believers, sharing that we have hope and certainty due to our relationship with the Creator. We can do things daily that will make a difference in how we perceive our world and allow us to make a difference through time in His word and prayer.
May 29, 2025 • 47min
Exploring the Evidence for God with Teacher, Coach and Author Guest Christie Thompson
Believers and non-believers have at one time or another questioned the existence of God. This week, Jeff sits down with Teach, Strength Coach, and Author Christie Thompson to discuss how the evidence of God is very real and her new book, "A King's Heart: Restoring a Relationship with the King." Her book addresses essential questions, such as: Who is God? Can we truly know God? How does God’s character impact my life? What draws God’s heart toward us? Can understanding God's character transform my own?A King's Heart is a journey of discovery. It invites you to see God in a new light and inspires a deeper, more trusting relationship with Him. A King's Heart can be purchased on Amazon.About Jeff's guest, Christie Thompson:Christie Thompson earned her Bachelor of Science in Exercise Science at Virginia Commonwealth University. She teaches Physical Education, Weightlifting, and Varsity Sports Conditioning at the Tilden Campus for middle school and high school and helps lead the SLI Mentor Campus Connection. She enjoys teaching people about health and fitness, playing basketball, and spending time with her family. Christie’s favorite Bible verse is Jeremiah 29:11. Her brother is most influential because he spent time teaching her about basketball.
May 19, 2025 • 46min
Dealing with Doubt with Guest Brent Dyer Coach, Consultant and Licensed Professional Counselor.
This week, Jeff sits down with licensed professional counselor, Brent Dyer. They discuss dealing with doubt. Recognizing it, where it comes from, and how to handle it. For over twenty years, Brent-Dyer has led church worship ministries from 150 to 15,000. Through his work in both single-site congregations and multi-site congregations, Brent has honed his skills as a strategic, creative, and visionary leader. As a pacesetter in some of the nation's largest worship ministries, Brent has vast experience including large-scale productions, songwriting, choral music, leading large teams and staff, and more.In addition to his work as a worship pastor, Brent is a practicing Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in Texas, where he helps people find hope and healing. One of Brent’s greatest passions is seeing people around him thrive and become who God created them to be. This is demonstrated through his deeply relational approach to ministry and life, and the many worship pastors around the nation he mentors and coaches.
May 8, 2025 • 36min
The Search for Truth with Guest Brock Ratzlaff Bible Teacher Foundation Academy
In this week's episode, Jeff welcomes Foundation Academy Bible and Apologetics teacher Brock Ratzlaff to discuss the search for truth, its importance, and how we know it when we find it. Brock is from Frankfort, Ohio. He received an M.A. in Christian and Classical Studies from Knox Theological Seminary. Brock teaches Bible and Apologetics at Foundation Academy's Tilden Campus.
