The Natasha Crain Podcast

Dr. George Barna, a leading researcher at Arizona Christian University, reveals alarming insights into the understanding of biblical Christianity among self-identified Christians. He discusses the troubling gaps in knowledge, especially about core tenets like the Trinity and the nature of God. Barna emphasizes the shift from traditional beliefs to modern individualism and how this affects faith practice. He also introduces a worldview assessment tool designed to help individuals align their beliefs with biblical teachings, highlighting the vital role of meaningful discipleship.

Dr. Len Munsil, President of Arizona Christian University and an advocate for religious freedom, discusses the alarming compromises facing many Christian colleges today. He shares how Arizona Christian University stands firm on biblical values while emphasizing the importance of community and mentorship in student faith. Munsil highlights the critical need for educational institutions to uphold biblical teachings amid cultural pressures and offers insights on defending religious freedoms in higher education.

The website and X account protestia.com got ahold of a training video from Andy Stanley's hugely influential North Point Church on how middle school leaders should respond to trans-identifying kids and their families. The video features Britt Kitchen, the middle school ministry director at North Point, effectively encouraging leaders to affirm trans identities (I say effectively because he doesn't explicitly say that, but it's the implication of all he's presenting). In this episode, I play and respond to 6 brief clips from the video. It's a tragic case study of how unbiblical ideas are being pushed from within the church.Watch the original 6-minute video the clips are pulled from here: https://x.com/Protestia/status/1905574394732118425

Today I’m responding to an X post from author and speaker Preston Sprinkle:“My political theology has allowed me to be so hopeful in this political season. I reject the empire, yet submit to it, because Jesus is king. I embrace and celebrate Christ’s multiethnic kingdom and the many ways we are spreading good in the world. Christians should not be captivated by the binary political playing field that’s been handed to us by Babylon.”I evaluate his frequent political claim that Christians are like exiles in Babylon (an analogy that fails greatly) and address why this quote represents an unbiblical view of politics.Get my new book When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square here: https://www.amazon.com/When-Culture-Hates-You-Persevering/dp/0736984313

Sean and I discuss some fascinating subjects from a new book he edited called Apologetics for an Ever-Changing Culture: A Biblical and Culturally Relevant Approach to Talking about God. Sean is a professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He is the author, editor, or co-author of more than 20 books and has one of the top apologetics YouTube channels. Check out the book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736989277/Sean's website: https://seanmcdowell.org/Get Unshaken Conference Tickets: https://unshakenconference.com/

In today’s episode, I talk with Melissa Dougherty about her groundbreaking new book, Happy Lies: How a Movement You (Probably) Never Heard Of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World. As I said in my endorsement of the book, "Happy Lies is the most important book that Christians don't know they need. Melissa connects dots that give readers a wealth of aha moments and provides invaluable insights that bring clarity to some of the most pervasive errors in the church. As a bonus, she does it all in a writing style that makes it fun and engaging to read."Get the book: https://www.amazon.com/Happy-Lies-Movement-Probably-Self-Obsessed/dp/0310368863Subscribe to Melissa's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MelissaDougherty

My new book, When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square, is out TODAY! In this brief episode, I tell you a bit about the book and answer the question some are asking: Does the culture actually hate Christians?GET YOUR COPY TODAY!Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/When-Culture-Hates-You-Persevering/dp/0736984313ChristianBook.com: https://www.christianbook.com/culture-persevering-christians-hostile-public-square/9780736984317/pd/984311?event=BRSRCG|PSEN

Today I’m addressing the following tweet from someone who is troubled by Christians and others who are concerned about public policy related to transgender issues: “For all those who are terrified of trans people and believe this is more important than any other issue, can you please let me know just once when a trans person harmed you? One personal, specific story please.”

Welcome to my first quick response episode, in which I respond briefly to popular claims I see online that sound good and draw in a lot of Christians, but fail from a biblical and/or logical perspective.Today, I respond to a Tweet from Rev. Benjamin Cremer, a progressive Christian on X who has quickly been gaining influence with a lot of people. Here’s the post:“Dear Christian, If your religion is really about 'saving souls' then you wouldn’t demand for it to be legislated. Because making someone follow your religion by force of law against their will is an extremely effective way to ensure they reject your God in their hearts."Before you listen, see if you can identify three types of errors: logical, civic, and biblical.

Today I’m talking with my good friends from the Center for Biblical Unity, Monique Duson and Krista Bontrager, about their new book, Walking in Unity: Biblical Answers to Questions on Race and Racism. Ever since 2020, there have been all kinds of discussions about race in the church, and unfortunately a lot of those discussions have included some very unbiblical ways of thinking. I’m so grateful that Krista and Monique have written this excellent and accessible book that counteracts culture's problematic ideas. In this conversation, we cover all kinds of topics, like:What is the difference between anti-racism, racial reconciliation, and biblical unity?Should the church see disparities between races as evidence of racism?Why haven’t churches been better at biblical discernment with respect to identifying unbiblical ideas about race and racism?How much should the church be addressing racial justice? Is it mostly a “progressive” issue?Is a “colorblind” approach the best solution? Should all churches be multiethnic?And much more.Get the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Walking-Unity-Biblical-Answers-Questions/dp/0736990895Learn more about the Center for Biblical Unity here: https://www.centerforbiblicalunity.com/