I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

What are the rules for engaging a teenage or adult child who is now identifying as trans, deems you toxic, and then threatens to completely cut you off? The natural reaction to freak out usually makes things much worse. But if this happens in your family, how do you work to salvage the relationship without compromising your faith? Far too many parents and grandparents have been confronted with this unimaginable scenario, leaving them both discouraged and unsure of how to even respond. In this midweek podcast episode, Frank addresses this devastating trend while also providing some helpful tips on how to navigate these difficult situations by answering questions like: How should you approach the situation if you’ve already impulsively freaked out? Should you strive to be your “authentic self”? What is a common factor in most true cases of gender dysphoria? What’s one way to determine if someone is having a head problem or a heart problem? What’s in the best interest of gender dysphoria patients according to John Hopkins psychiatrist, Dr. Paul McHugh?   These conversations are challenging but all hope is not lost! Taking the time to tactfully ask the right questions could better your chances of reaching your loved one, even if they don’t budge immediately. Listen as Frank gives you the tools to help your child (in the most loving way) recognize that his or her position doesn’t quite hold up. To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.   Download Transcript  

Pastor Skip Heitzig, author of 'The Bible from 30,000 Feet' and leader of Calvary Church in Albuquerque, engages in a fascinating discussion about enhancing biblical literacy. He addresses the staggering statistic of only 19% of churchgoers reading the Bible daily. Skip breaks down the crucial differences between the Old and New Covenants and explores why Jesus frequently cited Deuteronomy. He encourages practical daily integration of scripture into life, making Bible study less intimidating and more relatable for everyone.

Exploring the exclusivity of Christianity, the podcast tackles questions about salvation, the nature of God, and moral objections to Christianity. It discusses the belief that Jesus is the only way to salvation and addresses the misconception surrounding God's understanding. The podcast emphasizes the freedom provided by the gospel and upcoming courses on Galatians and logic.

In this engaging discussion, Jason Jimenez, author of "Hijacking Jesus" and seasoned apologist, delves into the stark contrasts between traditional and progressive Christianity. He unpacks the alarming misconceptions surrounding core Christian doctrines and challenges listeners to defend their faith. Topics include the critical importance of doctrine, interpretations of Jesus, and the implications of viewing Jesus as a socialist. Jimenez emphasizes the need for sound biblical grounding to counter modern reinterpretations that risk distorting the true essence of Jesus.

Have you ever noticed that most of the disputes we have in our culture and even in the church, are morality based? Whether it’s abortion, marriage, transgenderism, climate change, vaccines, sexuality, etc., they all have to do with some standard of morality. The question is, what standard are we using to make our assessments on those moral issues? In this midweek podcast episode, Frank reviews two controversial articles from the New York Post regarding a lawsuit imposed on The Chino Valley Unified School District by California’s Attorney General, Rob Bonta, who wants to block parents from being notified if their child begins to identify as transgender. As Frank reads the shocking details of this case, he’ll answer questions like: How are non-Christian parents responding to this lawsuit? Do minors have a constitutional right to privacy? What is the purpose of the government according to the Bible? Are Christians guilty of idolizing politics? Why should Christians be MORE involved in politics?   Later in the episode, Frank discusses how Greg Koukl helped his wife take a stand at a school board meeting several years ago, and also highlights the real-life horror story of a detransitioner. After this episode, be sure to pick up your copy of the newly updated and expanded, ‘Correct, Not Politically Correct: About Same-Sex Marriage and Transgenderism‘, where Frank exposes the catastrophic consequences of homosexuality and transgender ideology based solely on evidence and reason (void of religion). To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE. Resources mentioned during the episode: California school board battle: https://bit.ly/3PusQsl CA Attorney General Rob Bonta vs. The Chino Valley Unified school district: https://bit.ly/44K4C1q Greg Koukl’s school board letter: https://bit.ly/3EwaUr6

When a fellow Christian confides in you that they’re “deconstructing”, what do you say and what kind of advice do you give them? Or even worse, what if YOU aren’t sure what to believe anymore? It can be normal to wrestle with lingering doubts, but this slow and steady process of disillusionment often causes many people in our culture today to completely walk away from the truth of the Christian faith. So when this happens, what’s the best way to help someone tackle those doubts without shipwrecking the saving grace of Jesus Christ? Our friend and Biola apologetics professor, Dr. Sean McDowell, is no stranger to struggling with doubt. In this week’s podcast episode, Sean joins Frank to talk about overcoming his own season of deconstruction and how his new book (co-authored with John Marriott), ‘Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith‘ can help others learn how to deconstruct in a safe way. During the episode, Sean and Frank address questions like: How does Sean define the term deconstruction? What are social imaginaries and how do they impact our worldview? What role does social media play in the deconstruction movement? What are the possible risks and benefits that can come along with deconstructing? How should Christians respond when a loved-one decides to deconstruct?   Being the son of one of the most well-known and well-respected Christian apologists, Josh McDowell, didn’t stop Sean from questioning if Christianity is really true. If you’re in the process of deconstruction, what’s your angle? Are you searching for the truth or avoiding it? Listen as Sean will encourage you to approach self-doubt with reconstruction as the end goal, allowing truth to reign supreme. To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE. Sean’s new book: https://a.co/d/iJeEHRc

Homicide detective and best-selling author, J. Warner Wallace, talks about the healing power of humility and how he and his wife are helping police officers save their marriages and recover from trauma. They also discuss the challenges faced by police officers, the importance of placing our identity in Jesus Christ, and the concept of post-traumatic growth. A unique and fascinating conversation with valuable insights.

“You can’t trust the New Testament writers because they were Christians!” How many times have you heard that objection? Atheists and skeptics often claim that the life of Jesus has been embellished throughout the centuries and that the eyewitness testimonies recorded in the Gospels are biased. But is it reasonable to believe that the New Testament authors were motivated to create or exaggerate the resurrection story for their own benefit? In 2013, homicide detective turned Christian apologist, J. Warner Wallace, released the now modern-day apologetics classic, ‘Cold-Case Christianity’, to address those questions and it changed lives around the world! But how could a book as great as ‘Cold-Case Christianity’ be made even better? This week on the podcast, Jim talks to Frank about why he’s releasing an updated and expanded edition of the book for its 10th anniversary while also answering questions like: Is Jim REALLY a cold-case detective? Why is visual content so important? What is the “chain of custody” and how did Jim use it in his investigation of the New Testament? What can Chihuahuas and Great Danes teach us about apologetics? What problems do we face as a culture living in a personality driven world? Is your biblical definition of “hope” totally wrong?   If you loved the first edition of ‘Cold-Case Christianity’, you’ll DEFINITELY want to get your hands on the newest version with 300 new illustrations, bonus sections (including a cool new section on archaeology), as well as a new afterword responding to 12 of the most commonly asked questions about the reliability of the New Testament. And if you pre-order your special edition copy of ‘Cold-Case Christianity’ TODAY, you’ll also receive a FREE digital copy along with a boatload of bonus resources! To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE. Pre-order the UPDATED and EXPANDED ‘Cold-Case Christianity’: http://coldcasechristianitybook.com/

Allen Parr, popular Christian influencer and author of the new book 'Misled', discusses practical ways to make disciples, the importance of discipleship in the church, and how creating less video content impacted his YouTube channel. He shares his personal journey and emphasizes the power of fulfilling the Great Commission through simple actions.

Melissa Dougherty, a former New-Ager and member of CrossExamined Apologist Team, discusses the rise and impact of the New Age movement in America and the church. Topics include the distinction between New Age and New Thought, overlap with Progressive Christianity, redemption for the Gospel, the influence of Jehovah's Witnesses, and God's role in the New Age. The episode explores how New Age teachings compromise the truth of the Gospel.