Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin

Gavin Ortlund, an expert on divine transcendence and the incarnation, explores why God doesn't make Himself obvious. They discuss misplaced expectations, the limitations of human understanding, and the veiled nature of God's revelation through Jesus. They also address the unfairness objection and emphasize the importance of missions and seeking God.

Hey there! Get ready for an exciting season where we're going to talk about some big questions that people have about Christianity. Every Tuesday, we'll dive into topics like why God isn't more visible, what Christianity says about love and relationships, and how science and faith can fit together. We'll discuss if things like resurrection and euthanasia make sense in Christianity, and we'll even talk about whether the Bible has anything to say about tough issues like slavery. So tune in each week, and if you've got questions, let us know so we can talk about them in future episodes. Don't forget to give us a review on iTunes! See you next week for our first episode! Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

This podcast explores the story of Mary and the doubts and controversy surrounding the virgin birth. It also reflects on the significance of Mary's presence in Jesus' life and the love of Jesus for humanity.

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by her friend, Justine, who recently got baptized to answer some questions submitted by listeners!Questions Covered in This Episode:Do you have any advice for a first-time mom trying to keep up and stay connected to the church during the first six weeks? Any thoughts on how to practically lead a discipleship group for new moms?How should we understand passages like 1 Corinthians 14:33-36 or 1 Timothy 2:11-12 that say women should learn in silence?Why is the church referred to as “she;” is the church not the body of Christ?Will you respond to Matthew Vines's book “God and the Gay Christian”?Do you think it's important to have specific study groups for women in the church or do you find it more edifying to have men and women together to study? Any resources you would recommend?Do you think the command to “be fruitful and multiply” still applies to Christians today? What are your thoughts about Christian couples deferring having children?Do you think the Old Testament law applies to believers today? If so, in what way?Resources Mentioned:Isaiah 49:15, 1 Corinthians 14:33-36, 1 Timothy 2:11-12, Ephesians 5, Genesis 1:28, Matthew 28:18-20Knowing Faith“Does the Bible Affirm Same-Sex Relationships?” by Rebecca McLaughlin“Jesus Through the Eyes of Women” by Rebecca McLaughlinSponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny Theologians Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Author Susan Lim joins Rebecca McLaughlin to discuss her book 'Light of the World.' They explore the origins of the Bible, the reliability of the New Testament, the inclusion of morally shocking failures of the apostles, the sacredness of the Old Testament, and the author's personal journey from Buddhism to Christianity.

Glen Scrivener, an ordained minister and evangelist, discusses the gospel of Jesus and the overall story of the Bible. Topics covered include the concept of the Trinity, the trustworthiness of scripture, the profound significance of the cross in the first century, and the connection between Christmas and the message of the Bible.

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Andrew Wilson to have a conversation about his book “Remaking the World.”Questions Covered in This Episode:Can you tell us what your new book is actually about?How might the line, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal” otherwise be known?What would you say to someone who understands this originates from Christianity but believes it has evolved past that?What would you say to someone who thinks Christianity is taking a step backward in enlightenment?What does it mean that the West is post-Christian? What is currently happening in London?What would you say gives you the most hope and encouragement in terms of the gospel spreading?How would you encourage someone who is exploring Christianity?What was it for you that made Jesus beautiful?Guest Bio:Andrew is Teaching Pastor at King’s Church London, and has degrees in history and theology from Cambridge (MA) and King’s College London (PhD). He’s the author of several books, including Remaking the World, Incomparable, God of All Things, and Echoes of Exodus. You can follow him on Twitter. Andrew is married to Rachel and they have three children: Zeke, Anna and Samuel.Resources Mentioned:“Remaking the World: How 1776 Created the Post-Christian West” by Andrew WilsonSponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Hannah Anderson to have a conversation about the book of Ecclesiastes.Questions Covered in This Episode:What is the context of the book of Ecclesiastes?In the first verse, the word “preacher” is a complex word in Hebrew, can you help us understand that?What can we gather from Ecclesiastes 3:1-8?What would you say to the person whose life feels kind of meaningless?How does the book of Ecclesiastes show us how to demonstrate the full range of human feelings and how God engages with us?Why is the phrase, “all is vanity” repeated so many times?How can someone who is struggling with depression find comfort in the book of Ecclesiastes?Guest Bio:Hannah Anderson lives with her family in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where her husband, Nathan, pastors Brookhill Baptist Church. Hannah is the author of several books, including Humble Roots, All That’s Good, Life Under the Sun. You can find more of her writing at sometimesalight.com or follow her on Twitter.Resources Mentioned:Ecclesiastes“Life Under the Sun” by Hannah Anderson“Turn, Turn, Turn” by Pete SeegerSponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Molly Worthen to discuss how Jesus can transform the life of an academic.Questions Covered in This Episode:What is your story of how you became a Christian?What were the main barriers from keeping you from becoming a Christian?Can you share about your conversation with J. D. Greear?What pieces of evidence were you surprised by when you researched if Jesus was raised from the dead?What about the eye witness accounts of the gospels and their accuracy?What would you say to someone who has an academic background and doesn’t believe in anything supernatural?If someone said to you, I’m so glad that you believe in Jesus but it's just not for me, how would you respond?Guest Bio:Molly Worthen is an associate professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a freelance journalist. She received her BA and PhD from Yale University. Her research focuses on North American religious and intellectual history. Her most recent book, Apostles of Reason, examines American evangelical intellectual life since 1945, especially the internal conflicts among different evangelical subcultures. Resources Mentioned:“The Resurrection of the Son of God” by N.T. WrightSponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠

Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Jen Wilkin to have a conversation about the ten commandments and why they are important to us today.Questions Covered in This Episode:What did you want to be when you grow up?What is an image bearer?Where do the ten commandments fit into the story of the Bible?Tell us about the first command and why it is at the top of the list.How do the ten plagues connect to the ten commandments?Why would we read and show interest in the ten commandments?What is the purpose of rules?Help us think through the commandments that dont intuitively make sense to us today.Why is the gospel beautiful and compelling?Guest Bio:Jen Wilkin is an author and Bible teacher from Dallas, Texas. She has organized and led studies for women in home, church, and parachurch contexts. An advocate for Bible literacy, her passion is to see others become articulate and committed followers of Christ, with a clear understanding of why they believe what they believe, grounded in the Word of God.Resources Mentioned:Genesis 1:26-27, Exodus 20, Genesis 3-4, Exodus 7-11, Matthew 12:48-50, 1 Timothy 5:1-2 Matthew 5-7“Ten Words to Live By” by Jen WilkinSponsors:To learn more about our sponsors please visit our website.Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Follow Us:Instagram | TwitterOur Sister Shows:Knowing Faith | The Family Discipleship Podcast | Starting Place | Tiny TheologiansConfronting Christianity is a podcast of Training the Church. For ad-free episodes and more content check out our Patreon. Produced by⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠