
I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST
Cross Examining ideas against the truth and Christianity. Brought to you by CrossExamined.org and AFR.net
Latest episodes

May 2, 2025 • 48min
John Lennox Greatest Hits: Can Science Explain Everything?
Is the rigorous pursuit of scientific knowledge compatible with a sincere faith in God? The brilliant, humble, and always well-spoken, Dr. John Lennox, President of The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, joins Frank for a deep and wide-ranging conversation about the relationship between faith and science. From science and philosophy to personal testimony and practical wisdom, this conversation explores just a handful of the many books Dr. Lennox has written over the years, and why he believes Christianity is worth standing up for—no matter the cost. During their discussion, they tackle questions like:How did an Oxford mathematician come to believe that Christianity is true?Who told John that he needed to give up on God if he wanted a career in science and what was his response?What was it like listening to C.S. Lewis give his last lectures?What's the “roast chicken” analogy?Why can’t physics and chemistry explain the deepest questions of life?What about the God of the Gaps argument?Do the laws of nature prove that miracles are impossible?What does John think is the best evidence for the resurrection?After living out 70+ years of faith and reason is there anything he would do differently?Listeners will enjoy Dr. Lennox’s engaging stories, clever analogies, and practical ways to communicate the Gospel of grace clearly in a skeptical age. Don’t miss this gem of an episode, and be sure to check out some of John's fantastic books listed in the resources section below!Resources mentioned during the episode:John's website: https://www.johnlennox.org/The Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics: https://www.theocca.org/Can Science Explain Everything? - https://a.co/d/gsj0eNF2084 and the AI Revolution - https://a.co/d/fJSJf64Cosmic Chemistry: Do God & Science Mix? - https://a.co/d/bMLux5qRichard Dawkins vs. John Lennox: The God Delusion Debate - https://youtu.be/zF5bPI92-5oRichard Dawkins vs. John Lennox: Has Science Buried God? - https://youtu.be/OVEuQg_Mglw

Apr 29, 2025 • 50min
Is Christianity Unjust? Plus 3 Other BIG Questions
Was the sacrifice of Jesus unjust? Is common ancestry true? And what will happen when Jesus returns? This week, Frank kicks off the episode by tackling a BIG question about the implications of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and it only gets more interesting from there! As he responds to questions sent in by listeners he'll also answer questions like:What is preterism and why doesn't the Bible tell us when Jesus is returning?Does regeneration come before faith?How can tough marriages glorify God and is incompatibility a good reason to get divorced?Why doesn't God ensure that all people will become Christians?What is irreducible complexity and is it inconsistent with the atheistic worldview?How are digital distractions drawing us away from God?Do you have a question for Frank? Send it to hello@crossexamined.org!Resources mentioned during the episode:Stealing From God - https://bit.ly/41hLt91Is the Similarity in Human/Chimp DNA Evidence in for Evolution? - https://bit.ly/3GLtIqoWhat Will Happen When Jesus Returns? - https://bit.ly/4iF21wW12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433552434

Apr 25, 2025 • 48min
Cults and Worldviews: Why Do They Matter? with Dr. Brady Blevins
What is a worldview, and how does it shape everything you believe and do? This week, Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, joins Frank to talk about his brand new course, 'Conversations with the Faiths: Worldviews', which explores the four major groups of worldviews and equips Christians to evangelize those caught in false ideologies and protect Christian churches against modern heresy. In this episode, Frank and Brady will tackle questions like:What are the four major worldviews and why is understanding their differences so important?What's the best approach when someone in your life adopts a worldview that isn't true?Which worldview is taking the lead in our culture today?How do cults and movements like Word of Faith, NAR (the New Apostolic Reformation), and Progressive Christianity subtly twist Scripture and infiltrate the Church?What are the main characteristics of a cult and how do the four functions of math help us spot cults and other false worldviews?What is a great parenting tool that can help kids become more discerning without sounding preachy?Frank and Brady also examine how some of today’s most popular teachings deviate from biblical Christianity and you'll hear real-world examples of false teachers and movements that are shaping minds inside and outside the Church. If you want to be equipped to defend truth and help others find it, be sure to check out Brady's new course: 'Conversations with the Faiths: Worldviews'!Resources mentioned during the episode:Brady's website: https://www.watchman.org/Brady's course: https://bit.ly/42It8kWBrave Books: https://bravebooks.us/

Apr 22, 2025 • 60min
The Top 3 Reasons Why We Can Believe in the Resurrection - Part 2
Last week, Frank introduced three compelling reasons to believe in the resurrection, including embarrassing details and eyewitness testimony. In this midweek episode, he jumps back into more archaeological discoveries that include names of people involved in the death and crucifixion of Jesus and how the excruciating deaths of the eyewitnesses offer powerful evidence that they weren’t lying as well. He also answers questions like:Did any of the apostles recant their eyewitness testimony and is it possible that they were hallucinating?Were the apostles motivated to invent the resurrection story and should their testimony be dismissed because they were Christians?Is martyrdom also evidence that Islam is true?What does Spiderman have to do with the reliability of the New Testament?Is the New Testament just a work of historical fiction?Can other world religions be defended with apologetics?Why are skeptics and non-Christians often motivated to reject Christianity?Later in the episode, Frank draws from major cultural events in modern U.S. history—like 9/11, the OJ Simpson trial, and the Rodney King incident—to reveal how human bias can shape the way we interpret evidence and how “impact events” can help us in evaluating the historicity of the New Testament. If you missed Part 1 of this special Resurrection Weekend mini-series be sure to check it out in the resources section listed below!Resources mentioned during the episode:PART 1 - https://youtu.be/EdvS97epOK4I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist - https://bit.ly/4j64NfEOn the Resurrection Volume 2: Refutations by Gary Habermas - https://www.amazon.com/dp/108777862XDid the Apostles REALLY Die as Martyrs? w/Sean McDowell - https://youtu.be/aTXvmd6_iZ0

Apr 18, 2025 • 48min
The Top 3 Reasons Why We Can Believe in the Resurrection
Did Jesus of Nazareth really rise from the dead? And if that's the case, how should that impact our view of history and everything we believe about God and reality? With the colloquial Easter holiday coming just around the corner, let's dive into the BEST evidence for the resurrection as Frank answers questions like:What is the greatest miracle in the Bible? (SPOILER ALERT: it's NOT the Resurrection)What are the four types of miracles that Jesus performed and what do they teach us about His divinity?Why could we call them the "duh"-ciples of Jesus?How do we know that Islam isn't true? And what about Judaism?What makes the conversion of James (the brother of Jesus) so compelling?Why does Dennis Prager think that the Old Testament is telling the truth and what implications does this have on the historicity of the New Testament?Why do some people refuse to believe in the possibility of a resurrection despite the evidence?What 7 figures associated with the trial and crucifixion of Christ have been discovered via archaeology?Listeners will discover why human life has eternal value, why Christianity stands alone among other worldviews, and how we can know the Bible is historically reliable. Plus, Frank shares a special invitation to join the CE team!Resources mentioned during the episode:Come join our mission! https://careers.crossexamined.org/Testimonial from Wright State Univ. - https://bit.ly/42NB2uhI Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist - https://bit.ly/4j64NfELive Free with Josh Howerton - https://bit.ly/42Bl9pBResurge with Josh Howerton & Josh McPherson - https://bit.ly/4iijgnHConversation with the Faiths: Worldviews - https://bit.ly/42It8kW

Apr 15, 2025 • 1h 24min
What REALLY Happened During the Inquisitions? with Bill Federer
What’s the real history behind the Inquisitions, what do they reveal about the Christian faith, and could history be repeating itself? A few weeks ago, we unpacked the truth about the history of the Crusades. This week, the great Bill Federer returns to shed light on the rise of the first inquisitions, their lasting impact on both the Church and American history, and how these events connect to the biblical narrative. Join Frank and Bill as they tackle questions like:What are some of the key events surrounding the Spanish, Islamic, and Portuguese Inquisitions?What does Islam teach about those who leave the faith?What is the "Divine Right of Kings" and why is it so dangerous?Why was translating the Bible into English considered a serious crime?How did Christian disengagement from politics open the door to more persecution?Is religion really the root cause of most wars—and which worldview has the most violent history?Who did Thomas Jefferson give credit to as the inspiration for his views on freedom of religion?What is Jesus' new way forward now that the Old Covenant law is obsolete?Who in our culture wants to do an inquisition against Christians?In this thought-provoking episode, Frank and Bill explore how political powers throughout history have exploited religion to gain control—often with tragic consequences. From assassinations to coerced conversions, you’ll get a gripping look at the real story behind the inquisitions—while also debunking myths and setting the record straight by looking at the facts! Want to dig deeper? Visit AmericanMinute.com to check out some of Bill's books mentioned in the resource list below!Resources mentioned during the episode:Bill's website: https://americanminute.com/What REALLY Happened During the Crusades? - https://bit.ly/3RiWMYxBackfired - https://bit.ly/4jvVBRoThree Secular Reasons Why America Should Be Under God - https://bit.ly/3RUluywEndangered Speeches - https://bit.ly/42w49knBullies and Saints - https://bit.ly/42xTupo

Apr 11, 2025 • 48min
How Does a Skeptical Philosopher Become a Christian? with Wikipedia Co-Founder Larry Sanger
How does someone go from co-founding one of the world’s most visited websites as an atheist to becoming a Bible-believing Christian? And what kind of evidence can shake a skeptical philosopher out of his naturalistic worldview? This week, Frank sits down with Dr. Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, to explore the surprising path that led him back to faith in Christ. Tune in as they answer questions like:When and why did Larry stop believing in Christianity?How did Wikipedia get started and what does it teach us about human nature?What was it about the Bible that inspired Larry to read through it with a critical lens and what passages intrigued him the most?How did reading the Bible in 90-days change his perspective?What do skeptics and apologists often overlook in the evidence for God?Why is changing someone's worldview so difficult and what's the best approach to do so?From confronting evil in the world to exploring the design behind creation, Larry’s journey is both intellectual and deeply personal. If you're curious about faith, philosophy, or how one of the internet’s pioneers found truth in Scripture, be sure to read Larry's testimony on his website using the link below!Resources mentioned during the episode:Larry's Website - https://larrysanger.org/Larry's Testimony - https://larrysanger.org/2025/02/how-a-skeptical-philosopher-becomes-a-christian

Apr 8, 2025 • 48min
Why is Christianity So Exclusive? Plus More Q&A
Why do Christians think Jesus is the ONLY way to Heaven? In this midweek podcast episode, Frank unpacks what truly sets Christianity apart from other religions and also tackles tough questions from listeners related to same-sex relationships, woke churches, and baptism. Tune in as he addresses questions like:Does simply saying you believe Jesus is our LORD and Saviour enough to save you?Why was Jesus' sacrifice necessary?Are all non-Christians going to Hell, even if they’re "good" people?Why can’t a loving God allow everyone into Heaven, regardless of their beliefs?Do you need Christianity to be a good person?What’s wrong with the popular 'He Gets Us' campaign?How are people tormented in Hell?What's the difference between justice and grace?Why is the nature of truth inherently exclusive?All this and more will be discussed in this special Q&A edition of 'I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be An Atheist'!BOOK: Stealing From God - https://bit.ly/41hLt91BOOK: Street Smarts - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310139139BOOK: Tactics - https://bit.ly/3DgZ1bmPODCAST: What Could Be Wrong About Love? - https://youtu.be/MettT5ToozMTake a trip to Jordan, Israel, & Egypt with Frank! - https://bit.ly/4iUCUHi

Apr 4, 2025 • 48min
After 20 Years of Debates, Why I'm Still a Christian with Justin Brierley
How do you spend 20 years talking to some of the world’s most well-known atheists and still remain a committed Christian? Is it possible that belief in God actually makes sense?Popular radio host and podcaster Justin Brierley has been creating and facilitating constructive conversations about faith for more than two decades, and has had a ringside seat as believers and nonbelievers have debated Christianity. This week on the podcast, Justin joins Frank to discuss his upcoming book, 'Why I'm Still a Christian: After Two Decades of Conversations with Skeptics and Atheists–The Reason I Believe' and shares how he kept his faith intact while engaging with skeptics from around the world. Together, he and Frank answer big questions like:What led Justin to write this book, and what ultimately convinces him that Christianity is true?Is Christianity intellectually defensible in a secular age?What are the strongest arguments for (and against) the existence of God?Why are some leading atheists reconsidering their skepticism?Has science truly made belief in God obsolete?How can Christians engage skeptics without losing their own faith?What advice does Justin have for people who may be "deconstructing" their faith?Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion, and be sure to pre-order your copy of 'Why I'm Still a Christian' to support Justin’s important work in Christian apologetics!Resources mentioned during the episode:How a Dice Can Say That God Exists - https://youtu.be/yy6kaDaeDT8Pre-Order Justin's new book - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1496466934Justin's Podcast - https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth

Apr 1, 2025 • 45min
Are the Gospels Hopelessly Contradictory? with J. Warner Wallace
Are there contradictions between the gospel accounts? If so, how can we trust the central tenet of Christianity--the Resurrection of Jesus? J. Warner Wallace returns to share how he used his skill set as a detective to investigate the claims of the New Testament gospels and compares his findings to those of atheist/agnostic New Testament scholar, Bart Ehrman.Together, Frank and Jim answer questions like:What's necessary to prove an event occurred in the past?Why weren't first-century historians bothered by textual differences found in the Gospels?Why is it better to have four different gospel accounts vs. one harmonization?Why would God allow these textual differences?What surprised Jim the most the first time he read the Gospels as an atheist?Why do detectives separate eyewitnesses?When doing detective work, why does Jim prefer it when the stories are "messy"?Does the evidence always determine the verdict? In other words, why do Jim and Bart come to different conclusions when it comes to the Resurrection of Jesus?Why is bias against the supernatural a double-standard for materialist atheists?What's the best way to test an eyewitness?If the Gospels are contradictory and can’t be trusted, why do critics like Erhman conclude that much of the New Testament is true and that the disciples really believed they saw the resurrected Jesus?How are atheists disagreeing with themselves and agreeing with Christians when it comes to alternative explanations for the resurrection?And so much more! If you normally listen to podcasts on 2x speed you may need to slow it down for this one and take some notes!Resources mentioned during the episode:Jim's website - https://coldcasechristianity.com/Cold Case Christianity - https://a.co/d/dABS4uACase Files: Murder & Meaning - https://casefilesgraphicnovel.com/