CrossExamined Blog
Tackling today’s toughest questions, these posts explore topics on God, morality, science, and culture.
Whether you’re a skeptic or believer, each article challenges your worldview and sharpens your thinking. Engaging, thought-provoking, and unapologetic, this is a place to dig deeper and follow the truth wherever it leads.
Dangerous Homefront, part 1: OT Prooftexts we Know and Love
1. Does Truth Exist?, 4. Is the NT True?Years ago, on a trip to Washington DC I found myself going through a few different airports and learning a life lesson along the way. The flights led me through several security checks. I had no problem with the baggage scans and the metal detectors till I got to LaGuardia airport in New York. I […]
Why We Praise God
Theology and Christian ApologeticsChristian apologists are accustomed to dealing with the “straw man” fallacy. This is where the skeptic paints a false picture of a theistic position, making it easier to ridicule or defeat, and then concludes, triumphantly, that his skeptical view prevails. But not every challenge that misstates our views is intentional. At times, the challenger simply […]
A Crash Course in How to Study the Bible, Part 2
1. Does Truth Exist?, 4. Is the NT True?, Theology and Christian ApologeticsNT Greek Scholar, Dan Wallace stated, “As a Protestant I cherish the NT teaching on the priesthood of believers—that each Christian has the right to his own interpretation, but also that each Christian has the responsibility to get it right.” Well said. But how do we do that? Here is a simple acrostic that can […]
A Crash Course in How to Study the Bible, Part 1
1. Does Truth Exist?, 4. Is the NT True?, Theology and Christian ApologeticsImagine arriving at the lake each Sunday at 10AM to capture the mad skills of a gifted fisherman as he captures your lunch for the day. In doing so, do you think you’d learn to fish for yourself by simply marveling at his skills? Not likely. Sure, you’d learn some ins and outs about the […]
Yes, There is a Difference Between New Age and New Thought
Culture CrossExamined, Theology and Christian ApologeticsWhen people hear the word “New Age,” they might think of the hippie generation of the ’60s. When people hear “New Thought,” however, most people have no idea what it means. I believe New Thought has much more influence than New Age. Don’t be fooled by the names. Neither one of them are new. They’re […]
A Trendy New Breathing and Meditation Technique… and it’s Odd.
Culture CrossExamined, Theology and Christian ApologeticsI was scrolling through the Gram one day, and since I look up a lot of New Age things, the almighty algorithm put in front of my face something it thought I would enjoy. My eyes fell upon people rolling around, screaming, laughing hysterically, crying, convulsing, and rocking back and forth. I, no kidding, thought […]
5 Fatal Flaws in Transgender Ideology
Culture CrossExamined, Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsMany people who support transgender surgery and cross-sex hormones may be well-intentioned, but the transgender ideology behind those intentions is fraught with fatal flaws. Here are just five of many. Contrary to transgender ideology: 1. The Design of the Body Proves There are Only Two Genders Transgender advocates insist there are multiple genders. However, the […]
As Long as It Doesn’t Hurt Anyone Or does it?
Culture CrossExamined, Theology and Christian ApologeticsWatching classic TV recently I ran across one of my favorite episodes of the Twilight Zone series. Fans of that show will probably remember the classic episode “To Serve Man.” In the story, aliens from a distant world come to Earth with they offer “to help.” Initially reluctant, the inhabitants of Earth are quickly convinced […]
Ever Heard of the Kezazah Ceremony?
4. Is the NT True?, Apologetics for ParentsWe’ve all heard the story of the prodigal son in Luke 15. The boy cashes in early on his inheritance only to squander it all away. Eventually he comes to his senses and returns home. And yet, what we read is the shocking celebration of grace personified through the father’s response. In the distance, this […]
Is Scientology Compatible with Christianity?
Jesus Christ, Theology and Christian ApologeticsBy Bobby Conway I’m often surprised to hear some of the beliefs that Christians contend are compatible with Christianity. One such belief is Scientology. As Christians we are expected to remain discerning about the various beliefs that come our way. That’s why it’s worth asking, “Is Scientology compatible with Christianity?” To all those Christians who’d […]
Why is God’s Word so Hard to Understand?
1. Does Truth Exist?, 4. Is the NT True?The following question comes from one our Crossexamined Community members. “Why did God allow the Bible to be written in a way that gives Christians an opportunity to misunderstand it?” This question intrigues me because it’s a universal problem. Everyone who’s ever tried to dig into the Bible has found it difficult sometimes to understand […]
What Does it Mean That “God Won’t Let You Down?”
3. Are Miracles Possible?, Theology and Christian ApologeticsWe often hear in popular Christian songs and from pulpits that “God is never gonna let me down!” or “God hasn’t failed me yet!” Besides the tragedy of grammar (I mean, how does God not fail you yet?), what does that mean? What does the Bible actually say about this? Does God actually make all […]
How Much Punishment Is Enough?
Jesus Christ, Theology and Christian ApologeticsMany people reject the possibility of an eternal Hell because they feel that “the punishment doesn’t fit the crime.” Some atheists focus on this perceived inequality between the sins we commit here on Earth and the unending punishment we face in the life to come. One skeptic framed the challenge this way: “God is perfectly […]
What is Apatheism?
Atheism, Culture CrossExaminedApatheism was a term coined by the late philosopher Robert Nash.[1] It’s meant to describe the indifference or apathy some people have toward the question of whether God or gods exist. To be an apatheist is to be spiritually indifferent about the subject matter of God altogether. So much so, that adherents are uninterested in […]
Is the God of the OT the Same God of the NT?
Atheism, Theology and Christian ApologeticsThere’s no shortage of accusations claiming the Bible depicts a vision of two Gods: the grumpy, moody, and often volatile, curmudgeon like God of the Old Testament, and the mushy, judge free, glorified sugar daddy God of the New Testament. Is this the case? Does the Bible present a clash of the God’s? The malevolent […]
Three Ways to Recognize False Guilt
1. Does Truth Exist?, Culture CrossExaminedLord knows we have enough true guilt going around that we hardly need to concern ourselves with this extra layer of toxic false guilt, which is seemingly all too ready to accuse us. But how can we know whether the guilt we are experiencing is true or false? What are some of the signs to […]
Jesus Wasn’t a Refugee
Culture CrossExamined, Jesus ChristIt seems that every few years, Christians must deal with a new cultural narrative about who Jesus is and what He came to do. Contextualizing turns into syncretism. Jesus’s name is mixed in with the “gods” of the people. Suddenly we have different versions of Jesus made to fit contemporary expectations, more palatable to the […]
Is The God of the Old Testament The Same as the God of The New Testament?
Atheism, Theology and Christian ApologeticsThere’s no shortage of accusations claiming the Bible depicts a vision of two Gods: the grumpy, moody, and often volatile, curmudgeon like God of the Old Testament, and the mushy, judge free, glorified sugar daddy God of the New Testament. Is this the case? Does the Bible present a clash of the God’s? The malevolent […]
Millenials: An Undeveloped Generation
Apologetics for Parents, Culture CrossExaminedMillennials tend to think and feel differently than previous generations. Their behaviors, buying habits, and brand loyalty (or lack of it) are far less predictable than those of their parents, and certainly grandparents. Yet the one thing that appears predictable among most millennials—is their abandonment of Christianity. Despite the 24/7 streaming and uploading, millennials feel […]
In Defense of Marriage
Jesus Christ, Theology and Christian ApologeticsLanguage is complex. Language provides the building blocks for communication in society. What certain words or phrases mean within a given context helps to shape the understanding of the culture at large. Words, and their definitions, are what organize society. Words that define a culture’s foundational institutions most of all. Concise language provides clarity and […]
The Resurrection of Jesus: The Evidential Contribution of Luke-Acts
Jesus Christ, Theology and Christian ApologeticsAny discussion of the evidence for the resurrection must first ascertain what the original apostolic witnesses claimed and whether those claims are best explained by the resurrection, or by some alternative hypothesis. The contemporary discussion of the case for the resurrection has largely focused around 1 Corinthians 15:3-8, a text believed by many scholars to […]