Think Well

Every Christian at one time or another has probably asked, "What is God's will for me in this situation?" Theologian Wayne Grudem has written an accessible booklet that offers practical guidance on how to make biblically informed decisions through the guidance of the Holy Spirit in accordance with God's word. In today's show, Ryan will review this new resource from Wayne Grudem titled, "How to Know God's Will." You will see different factors that should be considered when making decisions, as well as understanding what it means to be "led by the Holy Spirit." Come join the show for this discussion and bring your questions! There will be a Q&A following the book review.

"My Religion/God has helped me so much. How could it not be real?" This is chapter 12 of atheist Armin Nabavi's book, "Why There Is No God." Armin claims, "The benefits of religious communities do not prove the existence of a deity." He even goes so far as to say, "There is no evidence to suggest that God helps people." And if positive outcomes are evidence of God's goodness, does that mean that negative outcomes are evidence of his cruelty? Let's take a look at this chapter and see how religious experience relates to evidence for God. Callers welcome!

I received the following comment on YouTube. "Hello. I am an atheist... My position is that I currently have no good reason to acknowledge the reality of any god. And here is why I currently hold to such a position. Below are 11 facts I must consider when evaluating the claim made by certain theists that a particular god exists in reality." I responded and asked if he would be willing to join the show to discuss his 11 facts, and he agreed. I hope today's show challenges you to consider why you do or don't believe in God and encourages better conversations between people who disagree on God's existence. How would you respond to his 11 facts or my responses?

The cosmological argument is one of the most famous arguments for God's existence. It is usually stated as: P1. Everything that begins to exist has a cause. P2. The universe began to exist. C. Therefore, the universe has a cause. Atheist Armin Navabi responds to this argument in chapter 11 of his book, "Why There is No God." Chapter 11 is titled, "If there is no God, where did everything come from? Without God, there is no explanation." He claims in the chapter that "not knowing the answer does not give us free range to make something up." In fact, he believes this Christian argument commits the "god of the gaps" fallacy, is special pleading, misunderstands physics, and actually says nothing about God. He claims that, "Even if we were to accept that the universe required some sort of 'prime mover,' or originating force, there is no evidence to suggest that this force must conform to any of the traits generally attributed to a god." So as we've been doing in this series, let's take a look at Armin's chapter and see how we can respond well. Where does he misunderstand the cosmological argument? How can Christians use this argument as a powerful argument for God's existence? Join me to see!

Have you heard a Christian argue for God by saying, "There's no evidence that God doesn't exist"? Have you heard an atheist say "Christians are atheists when it comes to the thousands of other gods throughout history"? In Chapter 10 of "Why There Is No God: Simple Responses to 20 Common Arguments for the Existence of God," Atheist Armin Navabi argues that Christians attempt to shift the burden of proof when confronted with criticism. The problem, he says, is that this leads to ad hoc arguments and misunderstands what atheists believe. So, what is it that atheists believe and how should Christians respond? Let's take a look at Armin's chapter and see how we can respond well.

Many argue that Christianity is outdated, oppressive, harmful, and in need of being discarded. They claim that Christians themselves are on the wrong side of history. Is there any truth to this? In today's show, Ryan will review a new book by Sharon James titled, "Is Christianity Good for the World?" You will see that Christianity has had a beneficial and widespread impact on the world. In fact, "The biblical worldview is the only firm foundation for the defense of human dignity and freedom, as well as societal flourishing." Join the show to hear why and ask your questions!

Blaise Pascal was a mid-1600s mathematician and philosopher. He presented an argument for religious belief from a mathematical standpoint that has come to be called Pascal's Wager. The problem is that this argument is often misunderstood and applied in ways that Pascal never intended. In Chapter 8 of "Why There Is No God: Simple Responses to 20 Common Arguments for the Existence of God," Armin Navabi argues that Pascal's Wager "does nothing to prove the nature of God," and "falls apart completely." Is this true? Should Christians stop using Pascal's Wager in our conversations? Let's take a look and think well about Armin's objections and the intended use of Pascal's Wager. Content Discussed: 0:00 Intro 5:36 Response to Armin Navabi 7:15 Background on Pascal's Wager 13:30 Armin's 2 ways that Pascal's Wager breaks down 19:45 How world religions affect Pascal's Wager 25:48 Atheist caller 26:26 If you could prove the Christian God exists, would you become a Christian? 27:40 The Christian God isn't good because he creates people who go to hell for eternity 35:05 Is the most perfect God one who gives us voluntary existence? 43:34 Can we be free if God knows the future? 1:00:18 Is there a cost to following God?

Does God's Word allow for the modern divorce of biological sex and gender identity? What are the core beliefs of the transgender movement? What does Scripture offer on this topic? Join the conversation as Ryan reviews Samuel Ferguson's new book, "Does God Care about Gender Identity?" and offers practical advice to parents and church leaders. Come bring your questions and gain a deeper understanding for a more compassionate engagement.

Have you been left in shock after reading the comment section on a political post? Online discourse seems to have hit a new low. Today's show will address this polarizing issue. Instead of testing the teachings that we see, we often resort to torching the teacher. To avoid torching teachers, we need to start with habits of the heart that "help avoid torching teachers and thereby failing to love our neighbors." We will then look at habits of the mind that "help us test teachings and thereby reject what is false and hold fast to what is true." In short, "Cultivating these habits will equip us not just to be civil but to be faithful to the truth and loving to our neighbors--goals to which I would hope every Christian would aspire." Dr. Rick Langer is my doctoral professor at Biola University where he is a Professor of Biblical Studies and Theology and the Director of the Office of Faith and Learning at Biola University. He specializes in the integration of faith and learning, and has also published in the areas of bioethics, theology and philosophy. He has a passion for helping Christians of all ages understand the connection between the Gospel and all the diverse facets of the created order in which we live. Prior to going to Biola, he served for over twenty years as a pastor at Trinity Evangelical Free Church in Redlands, California.

The best way to respond to deconstruction is to have a healthy faith. How do we cultivate that? Join the show to find out and bring your questions!