Hank Unplugged: Essential Christian Conversations

Nathan Jacobs is a renaissance man. As an artist, author, philosopher, professor and filmmaker, Dr. Jacobs is truly an inspirational, informative and interesting individual. He joins Hank Hanegraaff for a series of podcasts seeking to better explain Eastern Orthodoxy and explain away many of the most common misconceptions people have about Eastern Orthodoxy. In this podcast they make a historical and biblical defense of icons and wonder whether those who are against iconography may actually have an inadequate understanding of the incarnation.Topics discussed include: John of Damascas and his defense of icons (2:35); do those who are against icons, iconoclasts, have an inadequate view of the incarnation? (6:00); explaining the veneration of icons (13:45); the historical role of icons in a world of illiteracy and oral traditions that didn’t have the biblical texts that we often take for granted today (26:35); the appeal and potential profundity of icons in our world today as evangelical examples (31:20); an article by Hank’s son David Hanegraaff, “Does the Bible Answer Man’s son believe he has left the Christian faith?” and a preview of the next podcast in the series (38:25). https://www.equip.org/article/does-the-bible-answer-mans-son-believe-that-he-has-left-the-christian-faith/Nathan Jacobs article, “John of Damascus and His Defense of Icons” is in the following issue of the Christian Research Journal. https://www.equip.org/christian-research-journal/dantes-inferno-explains-hell-to-modern-seekers/ Subscribe today (Feb 2020) and receive this as your first issue. https://www.equip.org/product/crj-subscription/Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Nathan Jacobs is a renaissance man. As an artist, author, philosopher, professor and filmmaker, Dr. Jacobs is truly an inspirational, informative and interesting individual. He joins Hank Hanegraaff for a series of podcasts seeking to better explain Eastern Orthodoxy and explain away many of the most common misconceptions people have about Eastern Orthodoxy. They begin by discussing some differences between Catholicism, Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy.Topics discussed include: Becoming Truly Human, the documentary by Nathan Jacobs detailing the rise of the “nones,” those with no religious affiliation, in society today (2:55); comparing Catholicism, Protestantism and Eastern Orthodoxy (9:40); different conceptions of Christian anthropology (16:15); the difference between tradition and traditionalism (25:20).To learn about the documentary Becoming Truly Human please click here. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-wa1708sp4-becoming-truly-human/

“How do you continue to find God as dementia pulls your loved one into the darkness?” Douglas Groothuis details the gradual loss of his wife to dementia and ultimately death in his book Walking Through Twilight: A Wife's Illness―A Philosopher's Lament (available at Equip.org). https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-walking-through-twilight-a-wifes-illness-a-philosophers-lament/ Groothuis joined Hank Hanegraaff to discuss what he learned from his season of suffering and how sharing his own vulnerable experiences can help lead other “siblings in suffering” closer to Christ. Douglas Groothuis is a longtime contributor to the Christian Research Journal and many of his articles can be found on the web at Equip.org. Topics discussed include: Dealing with the gradual loss of someone with dementia and the experience of ambiguous loss after they die (3:30); how apologetics can aid spiritual formation and helps Christians deal with moments of doubt (6:00); Douglas Groothuis discusses his temptation to hate God, comparing his experiences to the Psalms of lament in the Bible (11:10); why Groothuis decided to embrace vulnerability by writing the autobiographical account of his suffering in Walking Through Twilight: A Wife's Illness—A Philosopher's Lament https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-walking-through-twilight-a-wifes-illness-a-philosophers-lament/(15:05); finding solace in the wisdom of the Psalms (20:45); finding meaning in the midst of suffering (26:30); what lessons can we learn from dogs?? (29:35); the power of music (33:45); the value of memorizing scripture (37:20); how adversity can help us grow—you can become bitter or you can become better (43:45); wise ways to use social media (46:30); the value of reading and the difference between digital books and physical books (48:45); practical guidelines for helping those who are hurting (54:20); was Jesus a philosopher? (1:00:30); do we think enough about our own immortality? (1:04:45); should apologists embrace mystery more often? (1:06:45); embracing apologetics as a source of spiritual formation (1:09:45); a brief summary of Christian apologetics (1:11:40); the value of art and music in a Christian life (1:16:35).Please click here to learn about partnering with us and receiving the book Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness―A Philosopher’s Lament. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-walking-through-twilight-a-wifes-illness-a-philosophers-lament/ Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Like millions of others concerned about their health, Hank Hanegraaff never knew which diet plan to trust, but he believes that he has found the secret to healing the whole of you–body, mind and spirit. Eat, Fast, Feast: Heal Your Body While Feeding Your Soul — A Christian Guide to Fasting is the latest book by Jay Richards, outlining a plan based on the ancient Christian practice of intermittent fasting that can help you experience deeper life in Christ while getting healthier physically. This podcast features a conversation between Hank and Jay in which they discuss the benefits of fasting and a six-week plan for a powerful paradigm shift that could make this the healthiest year of your life.Topics discussed include: The impact that reading Eat, Fast, Feast had on Hank’s cancer treatment and going into remission (1:30); why Jay Richards believes that it is no coincidence that a decrease in fasting has led to an increase in diseases of civilization such as heart disease, obesity, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and cancer (6:25); why our bodies are designed for fasting (12:05); why did Christians stop fasting? (17:25); did Jesus assume that His followers would fast? (20:45); why should we care about early Christian practice today? (24:20); examining the practice of intermittent fasting (29:45); is dietary fat bad for us? (37:20); are all calories equal? (40:45); the difference between dieting and fasting (43:25); the benefits of combining a ketogenic diet with fasting (46:25); the problem with carbohydrates (48:40); the importance of consuming water and salt (52:10); do our bodies have two brains? (55:25); the growing evidence that fasting can fight diseases such as Alzheimer’s, epilepsy, Parkinson’s, cancer, etc. (57:05); getting your body into recycle and repair mode (59:25); examples of fasting incorrectly (1:02:40); the physical and spiritual benefits of the Christian seasons of fasting (1:04:25); Darwinian associations with various diets (1:07:40); does feasting lose it’s significance without fasting? (1:11:05); how do our taste buds change? (1:13:15); are there health benefits of alcohol (1:15:30); the problem with “nutritionalism” and reducing food to its chemical composition (1:16:25); Eucharistic symbolism and understanding our body soul unity (1:18:05); the loss of fasting as an ordinary part of the Christian life for many modern Christians (1:20:35); what to expect if you follow Jay Richards’ 6 week fasting routine (1:22:35).For further information on Eat, Fast, Feast: Heal Your Body While Feeding Your Soul — A Christian Guide to Fasting please click here. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri2001hup/Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Hell can be hard to explain. Professor Louis Markos joins Hank to discuss how works of art can help us understand and explain complex topics like hell, which is the topic of Markos’ feature article in the Christian Research Journal titled How Dante’s Inferno Can Help Explain Hell to Modern Seekers. This is a high energy, passionate conversation covering a wide range of topics that we promise you won’t want to miss. Subscribe today and receive this as your first issue, please click here to learn more. https://www.equip.org/product/crj-subscription/Topics discussed include: Is cultural apologetics important? (4:05); the relationship between art and the incarnation (8:30); are icons idols or a window into another world? (10:30); the depth of Dante’s Inferno (20:30); the two meanings of the word comedy (23:40); evil is perverted goodness (26:30); the power of symbolism in the practice of sacraments in the church such as baptism (36:00); what is hell? (44:40); comparing The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis and Dante’s Divine Comedy (46:40); do we have free will? what is free will? (48:40); is white-collar crime worse than blue-collar crime? (54:10); the essence of sin is the perversion of good (56:25); should reading be considered a spiritual discipline? (1:01:40); Bart Ehrman and the importance of reading the Bible in the proper context (1:13:20); the importance of asking the question “is it true?” (1:17:45); what does Heaven mean? (1:21:00); is the Bible perfect? (1:28:25); the significance of tradition in relation to the Bible (1:31:05).Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Award winning journalist John S. Dickerson joins Hank to discuss the credibility and impact of Christianity as detailed in Dickerson’s new book Jesus Skeptic. They discuss how Christianity has impacted and shaped our culture, including how followers of Jesus helped to abolish slavery, establish public education, found modern hospitals, support women’s rights, drive racial reconciliation, and fight for justice and progress in various other arenas. In a generation that wants to make the world a better place, this episode will display what humanity’s greatest champions had in common: a Christian faith.Topics discussed include: Is the great evangelical recession global? (1:30); what if Jesus Christ had never been born? (4:05); why are so many people skeptical of Jesus and Christianity? (11:15); the role of Christians in the foundation of colleges, universities and education as we know it (14:50); political correctness in universities today and the danger of losing freedom thought (19:00); does Western society take the impact of Christianity for granted? (21:25); is Christianity a keystone species in society? (25:15); the Christian foundations of modern hospitals and healthcare (29:00); Christians and the Scientific Revolution (31:45); Christianity and women’s rights (43:45); how the Christian ethic helped to abolish slavery (46:30); was Hitler a Christian? (52:10); the importance of the Bible (56:45); predictions that Jesus made (59:50); was Jesus the most influential person in history? (1:04:40); what is the history of Christianity? (1:07:15); the origins of literacy and how society is drifting towards post-literacy (1:13:20); the importance of reading (1:17:10); what does the book of nature tell us about God? (1:24:30).To learn more about the book Jesus Skeptic click here. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri1912wa/

Robert Spencer has not only faced death threats for speaking the truth about Islam, people have actually attempted to kill him. In an era of political correctness gone crazy it is downright dangerous to have an honest conversation about Islamic history and the teachings of Muhammad that Muslims honor as their prophet. A willingness to follow truth wherever it leads, even if it is unpopular, is what makes Robert Spencer so special and why Hank has such a deep respect for his work. Their conversation details the role of Islam in the world today through a thorough understanding of Islam throughout world history. Topics discussed include: Robert Spencer once trained US military personnel on the mindset of an Islamic terrorist and why CAIR asked for him to be removed from that position (2:55); divine providence saving both Hank Hanegraaff and Robert Spencer’s lives and how facing death changes the way you live your life (5:25); the contributions that Christianity has made to Western Civilization and why an Islamic worldview could never have led to them (11:30); contrasting the history of Jesus Christ and Mohammed (14:00); addressing the state of affairs in Turkey today and the restoration of an Islamic Caliphate (16:45); why the history of jihad is not known or remembered by most Americans (19:20); the phenomena of Islamophobia and the lack of honest discourse on Islam (21:50); why Sharia makes Islam and democracy an impossible combination (27:35); Meccan and Medinan Suras and the contradictions in the Quran (29:45); the growing Muslim majority in the western world as an example of demographic jihad (33:35); Rashida Tlaib and Ilhan Omar, anti-Semitism and the growing Islamic influence in the US government (35:30); did Ilhan Omar marry her own brother in a case of immigration fraud? (37:30); the impact of Islam in Michigan and the future of Islam in America (39:30); why does the radical left love Islam and hate Christianity? (41:55); the difference between the just war theory in Christianity and jihad in Islam(46:00); why it is critical to put the history of the Crusades into a proper perspective (47:35); the mass genocide of Christians in the Middle East today and how political correctness is helping it to happen (51:55); Pope Francis, Barack Obama and George W. Bush defending Islam as a religion of peace (54:25); the state of Islamic terrorism today (1:09:15); the Dome of the Rock, the Hagia Sophia and Muslims reappropriation of important religious sites of other religions into mosques (1:13:30); Robert Spencer’s return to Eastern Orthodoxy (1:21:40); why Robert Spencer is writing an apologetic for Orthodoxy focused on arguments against papal authority (1:23:15); why Islam is the biggest threat to Western Civilization (1:27:10); is Iran, Saudi Arabia or Turkey the biggest threat to the West in the Islamic world? (1:29:25); Robert Spencer receiving death threats (1:32:35); Robert Spencer’s upcoming book The Palestinian Delusion: The Catastrophic History of the Middle East Peace Process (1:35:55).Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

In a special edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast, Hank Hanegraaff offers an exclusive preview of his new book, Truth Matters, Life Matters More. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri1909wa/ Essentially, Truth Matters, Life Matters More is two books in one. Because truth matters, part one memorably equips readers in the essential truth of the Christian faith. In part two Hank explains why life matters more and how we can experience the height of human existence—union with God. Simply put, the map is not the territory. The menu is not the meal. We cheat ourselves of authentic union with Christ when we elevate the message above the Messenger. Hanegraaff earnestly believes that Truth Matters, Life Matters More is his magnum opus and the crowning achievement of over 3 decades in ministry. To get your copy of Truth Matters, Life Matters More visit www.equip.org.https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri1909wa/Topics discussed include: Hank Hanegraaff begins by explaining why he felt the need to compose Truth Matters, Life Matters More as two books in one (0:00); an exclusive listen to the audiobook reading of the introduction to part two of the Truth Matters, Life Matters More, titled Life Matters More read by Hank Hanegraaff (18:40); Hanegraaff thanks the audience for listening and reminds listeners that Truth Matters, Life Matters more is available for your support of the Christian Research Institute at www.equip.org (36:30).https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri1909wa/Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Rankin Wilbournes Union with Christ is one of Hanks favorite books, so when Wilbournes newest book The Cross Before Me The Way to the Good Life arrived in the mail he read it immediately. As soon as he finished reading the book he knew that he needed to promote it as much as possible and invite Rankin Wilbourne back on the Hank Unplugged podcast for another discussion on the most important aspect of our human existence union with God. Topics discussed include: Why did Rankin Wilbourne decide to write The Cross Before Me The Way to the Good Life with Brian Gregor (8:50); what did the cross mean in the ancient world? (10:10); how to find true happiness in the cross (12:50); the relationship between Union with Christ and The Cross Before Me and how both books truly show the way to live your best life now (16:55); the importance of doing all that we do for the Glory of God (20:30); why Rankin Wilbourne used Tom Brady, Brad Pitt and Andre Agassi as examples that all men seek to find true happiness (23:00); the problem with seeking a culture driven formula for happiness as opposed to a Christ driven formula for true happiness (26:40); the significance of suffering and why we should rejoice in our suffering (30:20); Ephrem the Syrian, Bernard of Clairvaux and Jesus Christ on the importance of humility (34:30); Hank recalls a time when he was critical of the prosperity gospel and how it taught him to focus on the opinion of God instead of the opinion of man (41:45); the importance of confession as a spiritual exercise (44:00); the problem with cultural Christianity and the idea that we can have union with Christ and union with the culture, making Jesus an accessory to our identity as opposed to the center of our reality (47:00); recovering the scandal of the cross in a culture that has domesticated the cross (50:35); the importance of crucifying our ambition and ego (54:00); recapturing a sense of history and the value of Christian tradition rightly understood in order to properly understand the Bible its Sola Scriptura not Solo Scriptura (57:00); misunderstanding freedom as the ability to do whatever we want and why cruciform freedom is the source of true freedom (1:01:05); the greatest failure in life is a failure to love, but the cross shows us what love looks like and how to live a life of cruciform love (1:04:00); the myth that the church needs to be more relevant to grow (1:09:20); examining the idea that you cannot have God as your Father without having the Church as your mother (1:13:00); who deserves a good life? (1:18:00); God wants us to be both happy and holy, because a life of holiness is a life of happiness (1:23:00); the importance of spiritual exercises to improve our spiritual health because grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to merit (1:24:30). For more information on Rankin Wilbourne s Union with Christ and The Cross Before Me The Way to the Good Life click here. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri1910hup/ Listen to Hanks podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent. You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from all the channels we are listed on

Hank Hanegraaff and his son David continue their discussion with focus on Hanks magnum opus Truth Matters, Life Matters More: The Unexpected Beauty of an Authentic Christian Life.https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource1909hup/ See Episode 79 Journey through Cancer and Eastern Orthodoxy Hanks Conversation with David Hanegraaff, Part One also. Topics discussed include: Salvation transcends transaction, pointing to transformation and union with God (0:35); Truth Matters, Life Matters More is Hanks most profoundly personal and surprising book (1:55); saved by a miracle (see HUP 079 Journey through Cancer and Eastern Orthodoxy Hanks Conversation with David Hanegraaff, Part One at 1:45) (6:10); following truth wherever it leads (7:30); writing and rewriting (8:00); physical facts do not fix all the facts (9:15); must learn to read literature properly (9:40); outlandish biblical interpretations within evangelicalism motivated search that led to Orthodoxy (10:00); should Christians ask and pray for forgiveness for sin? (10:40); ancient sacrament of confession (11:00); life matters more, but truth is necessary (11:45); why not just skip to part two of book? (12:45); facts are necessary but vulnerability attracts (14:00); issue of Sacred Tradition (15:30); Tradition vs traditionalism (16:45); Tradition is the Bible rightly interpreted (17:55); Bible passed down through people closely associated with the original writings therefore better able to translate and interpret Scripture (18:00); Irenaeus and Ignatius (20:00); solace in consulting early Church Fathers’ interpretation (21:00); no lone ranger Christians need the church, ground and pillar of truth, which dispensed the necessary graces of God (23:00); Fusion and the imperative for Christian unity, and the Lords High Priestly prayer (John 17) (23:50); fusion is difficult, fission is easy (24:30); in essentials unity (26:50); in nonessentials liberty thus God has His people everywhere (28:40); unity not uniformity (32:30); Hank learned much from David (33:10); David awaiting birth of firstborn baby (33:40) UPDATE: Smush is a boy!; grand parents are heroes (34:35); Kathy and oneness in marriage (38:05); reading and meeting Jean Claude Larchet, The Theology of Illness https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-the-theology-of-illness/ (39:25); Father Alex Karloutsos asks, What engendered the most fear, being ostracized for becoming Orthodox, or cancer diagnosis? (41:25); first thought at cancer diagnosis (42:50); ultimately not about living or dying but about living well to the glory of God (47:50); Hanks hope for Truth Matters, Life Matters Hope (48:25); paradigm shift from transaction to transformation (49:00); focus on larger arch from creation to redemption and experience now life that is life to the full union with God https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri1909wa/(see HUP 079 at 43:20) (49:15); catching on within body of Christ Wilbourne’s Union with Christ (51:15); that the church can become the church again (51:50); John Dickerson’s Great Evangelical Recession https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri1808wa/(52:15); church life is necessary receive the graces of God through the church (52:30); Romans 12 (53:20); paramount grace is the Eucharist, and there are other graces (53:50); sacrament of confession (54:10); that the church would worship God in spirit and in truth (54:50); the body of Christ may be one; fusion (55:35); closing thoughts (56:00). Listen to Hanks podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent. You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from all the channels we are listed on