Hank Unplugged: Essential Christian Conversations

In the greatest sermon ever preached—The Sermon on the Mount—Christ provides us with the three-legged stool of prayer, fasting and almsgiving that is axiomatic for living the Christian life of experiencing an ever-deepening union with God. As we observe the Lord’s example it is evident that in order to grow in our faith it is essential that we devote our lives to developing these disciplines in our daily lives. Fr. Evan Armatas refers to these disciplines as a “spiritual toolkit” and joins Hank Hanegraaff to discuss the fundamentals of prayer, fasting and almsgiving in a conversation that is both practical and profound. For further information on how to receive Toolkit for Spiritual Growth: A Practical Guide to Prayer, Fasting, and Almsgiving for your partnering gift, please click here.Topics discussed include: Jesus taught us to practice prayer, fasting and almsgiving in His Sermon on the Mount (1:00); what is the purpose of prayer? (7:20); what is the eye of the soul? Exploring the idea of the “nous” (10:25); who do we pray to when we pray? the importance of understanding Trinitarian prayer (12:10); should we only practice extemporaneous prayer? the importance of praying written prayers and praying in a liturgical fashion (16:30); the little church—the importance of having a prayer corner in our homes (24:00); can tending to a vigil lamp can change your life? (34:30); what should we do with our body while we pray? (37:35); creation and incarnation –matter matters (40:45); what is the significance of almsgiving? almsgiving is not something we do, but it is something we become (47:00); what is toxic charity and how can we avoid it? (55:45); the way that the liturgical calendar of the Church can aid us in our spiritual growth (59:10); the liturgical calendar walks you through the life of Christ throughout the year (1:06:45); why is fasting an important practice for every Christian? (1:09:45); the importance of building spiritual disciplines over time (1:17:30); why are so many modern Christians hesitant to embrace the spiritual discipline of fasting (1:20:30); the four seasons of fasting for Christians (1:23:00); Christianity is about setting patterns of practice that reorient our lives towards an eternal process of growing closer to God (1:27:50); the joyful sorrow of prayer, fasting and almsgiving (1:32:50). 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.

Western Culture is in a state of crisis. Objective truth is replaced by virtual reality, humanity by “transhumanism,” meaning by meaninglessness, religion by whole-hearted devotion to scientism, and the republican government by the liberal internationalist regime. This cultural chaos inevitably leads to the question—Can the West be saved? On this episode of Hank Unplugged the Oxford-educated classicist Spencer Klavan joins Hank Hanegraaff to discuss his new book How to Save the West: Ancient Wisdom for 5 Modern Crises https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-how-to-save-the-west-ancient-wisdom-for-5-modern-crises/in which Klavan identifies five “essential crises”: The Crisis of Reality, The Crisis of the Body, The Crisis of Meaning, The Crisis of Religion and The Crisis of Regime. Klavan’s deep understanding of the roots of Western civilization make him a trustworthy guide for those concerned about the future of Western civilization. The situation is dire. But every crisis we face today we have faced—and surmounted—before. For more information on How to Save the West: Ancient Wisdom for 5 Modern Crises and how to receive for your partnering gift, please click here.https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-how-to-save-the-west-ancient-wisdom-for-5-modern-crises/Topics discussed include: Hank explains how he became familiar with Spencer Klavan’s work and their differences on human sexuality (:45); the crisis that ensues when we fail to communicate even when we disagree (7:25); how do we define Western Civilization? (9:35); does maintaining the traditions of Western Civilization matter? (13:45); are we experiencing a reality crisis? (19:30); if you can’t tell what is real or fake, then how can you determine good vs. evil? (24:30); what is reality privilege? (29:00); the connection between Mark Zuckerberg’s Metaverse and Plato’s Cave (32:45); the crisis of the body, consciousness and the soul (37:00); the purely fabricated notion of gender (43:00); the slippery slope from transgenderism to transhumanism (45:45); the state of our culture wars and the crisis of meaning (49:15); where do the rules of reality come from for a materialist? (53:45); the new religions of scientism and social justice (59:50); the disservice that the Enlightenment did to Western Civilization (1:04:50); the modern infatuation with the multiverse theories (1:09:10); why most people do not have the courage to live according to their convictions (1:13:45); the mythology that follows in the wake of science—the problem with science trying to answer questions that it was never designed to ask (1:17:20); our current political crisis is a crisis of civic love (1:20:05); the bright side of technology (1:30:00); how can we save the West? (1:31:35). NOTE: Hank Hanegraaff and the Christian Research Institute hold to the historic Christian orthodox view of marriage and sexuality; namely, that marriage is the exclusive, permanent, and comprehensive union of one man and one woman, the proper end of which is the bearing and rearing of children (Girgis, Anderson, George, What Is Marriage? Encounter Books; 1st Edition (December 11, 2012 ). Indeed, biblical marriage and sexuality constitute essential teaching of the faith—not an area about which Christians can simply agree to disagree. Nonetheless, professing Christians who have strong disagreements on primary doctrines can work together as cobelligerents on common cause issues. Guest Spencer Klavan, who is married to a man, brings brilliant scholarship and deep understanding to bear on the specific areas addressed in his book, How to Save the West, and the Hank Unplugged/Bible Answer Man conversation. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin from another context, we either hang together against the common threats to society or, most assuredly, we shall all hang separately. In not allowing the perfect to become the enemy of the good, it is our prayer and hope that Hank’s modeling of an uncomfortable conversation will benefit all listeners. For further study, see Scott Klusendorf, “Should Christians Be Cobelligerents in Ecumenical Coalitions?,” Christian Research Journal 29, 03 (2006), and Rev. Matthew M. Kennedy, “Marriage is about the Gospel: Clarifying the Boundaries of Christian Orthodoxy,” Christian Research Journal 45, 2/3 (2022): 16–23.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.

Hank Hanegraaff is joined by Nathan Jacobs and Metropolitan K.P. Yohannan for the first in a series of wide-ranging roundtable discussions. A professor, artist, author, philosopher and filmmaker—Nathan Jacobs is Scholar in Residence of Philosophy and Religion in the Religion in the Arts in Contemporary Culture Program based in Vanderbilt University Divinity School. Metropolitan K.P. Yohannan is the author of dozens of books and the founder/president of GFA World—formerly Gospel for Asia—one of the largest outreach organizations in the world that focuses primarily on the 10-40 window in India and Asia. Metropolitan Yohannan is also the head of Believers Eastern Church. They discuss such topics as: why they are Christians, the misunderstood concept of mystery in the Christian faith, Orthodox anthropology, the hope found in Christianity and more. For further information see Hank’s most recent book Truth Matters, Life Matters More.Topics discussed include: Why are you a Christian? (9:10); why do we need the church? an argument for the church as the epicenter of the universe (27:10); the often misunderstood role of mystery in the Christian faith (38:50); differences between Eastern and Western theology (47:15); Orthodox anthropology is about more than merely being saved—it is about theosis (59:05); salvation as progressive transformation as opposed to punctiliar and transactional (1:13:10); the problem with making the Bible an end to itself as opposed to a means (1:19:45); what is the hope of Christianity? (1:26:00). 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.

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, explains why the redefinition of marriage is such a serious matter. In the considered opinions of such great western philosophers as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, marriage was seen as a relationship between men and women. Indeed, in the Judeo-Christian tradition marriage has always been rooted in the dual, gender-distinct nature of humanity. As such, intercourse consummates marriage as a multifaceted mystery in which two people are forged together as one flesh. In mysterious union, a man and a woman procreate children fashioned in the image and likeness of their Creator. Marriage, however, is even more profound than procreation and paradisiacal pleasure—it is a mysterious parable of Christ and His church. The union of two people a poignant portrait of the unity of Christ and His bride. The parable has its roots in Genesis and bears ultimate fruit in Revelation. There are essentially three building blocks of civil society—marriage, church, government—resting atop the foundation of human life. Of the three none is more significant than marriage. The ABC’S—Anthropology: women and men enjoy strategic complementarity; as such, both are essential in the rearing of children. Biology: sexual reproduction requires male and female. Civics: Redefining marriage opens Pandora’s Box and spells the death knell to civil society.

Millions of Christians around the world use the sign of the Cross—and have done so for centuries—as a gesture of blessing. It is practiced when alone, during worship, before sleep, upon waking, before eating, before travel, and many other times throughout the day. But, what does it mean? Where did it originate? What did the sign of the Cross mean to the first Christians, and how has this simple movement of the hand evolved over the centuries?The sign of the Cross is literally a tracing of the Cross of Christ onto the body. By so doing, Christians invite the mystery of the Cross into their everyday lives. Andreas Andreopoulos joins Hank Hanegraaff to discuss the symbolism, the history and the mystery behind the sign of the cross—an interesting, informative and inspirational conversation that truly fulfills the mission statement of Hank Unplugged.For more information on receiving Andreas Andreopoulos book, The Sign of the Cross The Gesture, the Mystery, the History for your partnering gift, please click here. Topics discussed include: Metamorphosis and the theology of the transfiguration (3:30); art and theology (10:00); the depth and symbolism of icons (13:30); biblical authority and whether all Christians should practice making the sign of the cross? (20:30); making the sign of the cross as a form of prayer that centers us in Christ (31:30); the many ways that the symbol of the cross is used throughout Christian practice (34:40); the connection between the Eucharist and the cross (41:30); what does the cross have to do with our own suffering? (45:10); the cross as a weapon against spiritual warfare (48:15); the sign of the cross as a declaration of faith and Christian identity (52:00); the symbolic nature behind the gesture of the sign of the cross and the use of it as a way to bless oneself and/or others (55:15); theology as experience and experience of—recovering from an overly rationalistic form of faith and rediscovering our shared Christian tradition (1:00:15); Dionysius and the threefold process of ascent (1:02:05); what is prayer? what is contemplative prayer? (1:09:10); different expressions of the sign of the cross and the different occasions they are used (1:13:10); learning to become imitators of Christ and the cross—WWJD (1:16:00); what the sign of the cross has to offer Christians from all traditions—despite differences in tradition (1:19:45); the significance of personally connecting with Christological events such as the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection and the second coming (1:23:25); what is the cosmic cross? (1:28:30); different understandings of original/ancestral sin (1:34:00); a summary of the significance of the sign of the cross (1:41:40).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.

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, comments on an article in The Economist, “Christianity Is a Minority Religion in England and Wales,” which notes the precipitous decline of Christianity in Britain. Less than one half of the population now consider themselves to be Christian and the number of people who have “no religion” has rocketed up 57 percent. In the meantime, Islam has risen 42 percent, partly due to immigration. Millions of Muslims have come to a place like England (and the US) to fill a void created by death and abortion. Perhaps as troubling is that what is left of the Church in England has become increasingly irrelevant. Instead of being a change agent in the culture, the church has become a microcosm of the culture. More often than not the notion that marriage is between a man and a woman or that biological sex is real has become anathema. In other words, the church has become increasingly politically correct. We can curse the darkness or be part of the solution. We can refocus our attention on the great and glorious reality that Christ became Man so that we might be adopted into the family of God—as sons and daughters of God called to enter into the very life of the Trinity. United to God and to one another, the church is empowered by an unlimited flow of divine energy by which to provide light and life to the world.See “Christianity Is a Minority Religion in England and Wales,” The Economist, November 30, 2022, https://www.economist.com/britain/2022/11/30/christianity-is-a-minority-religion-in-england-and-walesFor further study, see Hank Hanegraaff, Truth Matters, Life Matters More: The Unexpected Beauty of an Authentic Christian Life.

Hank Hanegraaff, the host of the 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘯 broadcast and the 𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘜𝘯𝘱𝘭𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘥 podcast, reflects on Pilate’s question to Jesus, “Are you a king, then?” and its relevance to the powerful message of Christmas.Also see The Heart of Christmas: A Devotional for the Season.

Hank Hanegraaff, the host of the 𝘉𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘈𝘯𝘴𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘔𝘢𝘯 broadcast and the 𝘏𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘜𝘯𝘱𝘭𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘥 podcast, offers a candid meditation on trusting the Lord in the midst of suffering. Please keep the Hanegraaff family in your prayers at this difficult time.

Through the incarnation of Christ, His kenosis (emptying) makes our theosis (deification) possible. But, what is theosis? While Hanegraaff believes that theosis is the crown jewel of theology, he is aware that for many Christians theosis is a foreign concept and those who are aware of it all too often misunderstand it. Yet, if we ignore—or denounce—theosis than we miss the point of all theological speculation. Said Vladimir Lossky, ‘Christian theology is always in the last resort a means: a unity of knowledge subserving an end which transcends all knowledge. This ultimate end is union with God or deification.” For more information on Hank’s view see Truth Matters, Life Matters More available for your partnering gift here. In short, theosis is best understood as the process of attaining an ever-deepening union with God—a process that begins during our lives on earth and extends into eternity. As we celebrate the incarnation it is critical to remember that Jesus Christ came not only to save us from death, but to give us life. Theosis is what our lives are for and the process through which we become fully human. For more information on receiving Fellow Workers With God: Orthodox Thinking on Theosis for your partnering gift please click here. Topics discussed include: Why do so many Christians denounce deification? (4:30); what is deification? (9:20); the difference between the essence and energies of God and why it matters (11:30); what does it mean to experience theosis? (15:00); the incarnation, theosis and kenosis (17:45); we can’t do it alone—the ecclesial and sacramental nature of theosis (21:55); was the incarnation always intended to happen? (25:00); cooperation with God—some quintessential examples of theosis (32:05); self-transcendence and the communal experience of Christ—we cannot experience theosis on our own (38:25); the power of the Sacraments—chiefly the Eucharist (42:30); the Jesus Prayer and Hesychasm—seeking divine stillness through the contemplation of God in uninterrupted prayer (48:45). 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.

Hank Hanegraaff, president of the Christian Research Institute and host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast, comments on the story of the first biological male to win a local Miss America pageant (New Hampshire). Brían Nguyen said, “I am ecstatic to be the first transgender woman to be a Miss America local titleholder, and I hope to make everyone proud and become the first to walk the Miss America stage.” Among Hank’s first thoughts upon seeing the story was the question, Why are the fellow women contestants cheering and going along with the ruse? Here is a clear example of absurdity. The pageant is no longer about authentic feminine beauty. This is a charade. Yet, all too often we are quiet. Perhaps we, too, fear that if we say something, we’ll be called out as out of touch with social trends—as backward or benighted. But we do need to speak up. And we must teach our children principles to live by so they are not swept along by this radical Wokism tide.See Amanda Harding, “Transgender-Identifying Teen Becomes First Male To Win A Miss America Sponsored Beauty Pageant,” The Daily Wire, November 10, 2022, https://www.dailywire.com/news/transgender-identifying-teen-becomes-first-male-to-win-a-miss-america-sponsored-beauty-pageant.See also, Douglas R. Groothuis, Fire in the Streets: How You Can Confidently Respond to Incendiary Cultural Topics https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-fire-in-the-streets-how-you-can-confidently-respond-to-incendiary-cultural-topics/ and Noelle Mering, Awake, Not Woke: A Christian Response to the Cult of Progressive Ideology. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-awake-not-woke-a-christian-response-to-the-cult-of-progressive-ideology-wa2209fl2/