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.
If Life Ends at Death, Then Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, for Tomorrow We Die
Theology and Christian ApologeticsThe book of Ecclesiastes is notoriously difficult to interpret. In this article I share my best attempt at understanding and explaining what this book is about. Many have argued that the main message of Ecclesiastes is that we shouldn’t look for meaning and purpose in this world or in this mortal life. While that might […]
But Jesus Never CLAIMED to be God? Actually, He Did—3 Times
Jesus ChristOne of the most common objections skeptics raise to the deity of Christ is the idea that Jesus never actually claimed to be God. Sure the church ended up worshiping Him as such, but this was a later development that was projected onto Jesus but wasn’t something He intended to claim for Himself . . . or so the argument […]
Did Jesus even claim to be God?
4. Is the NT True?I sat down with some Jehovah’s Witnesses who were visiting with me. The elder who was leading our study stated that Jesus never claimed to be God. Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that Jesus is a created being. Liberal “Christians” argue that Jesus never claimed to be God. Many other groups say the same. If such is […]
Truth, Love, & Rage Bait
Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsThousands of amateur investigators across the interwebs are scouring the Charlie Kirk assassination case. That’s not necessarily a bad thing. Many of them pose sincere questions and innocent curiosity. There should be no problem with a healthy exercise of free speech, free inquiry, and the marketplace of ideas. Mainstream narratives deserve a fair share of […]
What is the Gospel?
Theology and Christian ApologeticsRecent events have shaken the world. The various murders, and specifically the assassination of Charlie Kirk, have left many Americans with questions of justice, the future, and truth. Our world has never seemed so dark, and the divide in America has never seemed so wide. Yet despite the horror and darkness of the past few […]
Moral Argument 3.0: How Neuroscience Bolsters Objective Morality
2. Does God Exist?Thinkers for centuries have strived to develop arguments to prove the existence of God.[i] Who’d have thought that neurosurgeons would find keys to rocket the traditional Moral Argument into the 21st century? The earlier moral arguments used reason, logic, and common internal thoughts and human experience to make a case for God’s existence.[ii] The Immortal […]
The Book of Acts is High-Resolution Reportage, Part 2
4. Is the NT True?[Editor’s note: in Part 1 of this two-part series, Jonathan explained this method of historical argument known as “Undesigned Coincidences.” These are lines of evidence that emerge when one part of Scripture explains, resolves, or entails, unplanned detail from elsewhere in Scripture and the the wider historical record. Jonathan focuses on the evidence from four […]
The Book of Acts is High-Resolution Reportage Part 1
CrossExaminedThe book of Acts is one of the most fascinating books of the Bible. No other book matches its level of historical corroboration from both internal and external sources. The abundant evidence, that we shall sample in this essay, of Luke’s credibility and meticulousness as a historian, indirectly supports the credibility of Luke’s gospel (which […]
Was the Messiah Predicted in the Old Testament?
Theology and Christian ApologeticsIn Galatians Paul wrote that the Law served as a “tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24). Even though Paul was specifically referring to the Mosaic Law, the same could be said concerning the Old Testament as a whole. The Messiah, His person, His work, and […]
Ambiguous Islam
Theology and Christian Apologetics[Editor’s Note: This article first appeared in 2011 in Christian Research Journal, vol. 34, no. 6, and reprinted online in 2014 at: https://www.equip.org/articles/ambiguous-islam/. Any additions are in [brackets]]. Usama Bin Laden was a moderate. Right? Was he not a tragic peace-loving hero with a grand vision for a democratic Afghanistan? Like a photograph overexposed, zeal […]
Nick Fuentes in His Own Words
Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsWith the interview on Tucker Carlson followed by Ben Shapiro’s scathing response, and the failed diplomatic intervention of Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts, Nick Fuentes ias no longer under the radar. I guess we have to talk about this guy. I should have some comments to share soon. But in the mean time, it will […]
The Role of Apologetics in Student Ministry
Theology and Christian ApologeticsI have recently become involved in student ministry as a Family Life Pastor over the last few months. As a trained academic with a PhD in Apologetics, I wondered how much of my training I would really be able to use in this capacity. Would students care about apologetics? Would they even need it? What […]
The Persecution of Christians on Campus
Legislating Morality, Culture & Politics[Editor’s Note: “The point of peak persecution on American soil is the University” – John Ferrer. This article from Christian Apologetics professor and high school Bible teacher, Steve Lee has been his passion project spanning most of his teaching career at the high school and college level. Over the past 14 years, this list of […]
Inside the Antifa Mind, Part 1: The Myth of Oppression
Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsWelcome to my new series on the belief system known as Antifa. If you’re a parent or student, you might be wondering: What do the Antifa professors on my campus actually believe? Why are they pushing communism? My goal in this first installment is to explain their ideological foundation—how they think the world works—so that […]
The Contradiction In Demanding Extraordinary Evidence
CrossExaminedMy last post discussed some of the problems with demanding “extraordinary” evidence before considering the possibility that an extraordinary event – like the Resurrection of Jesus – actually did occur. Setting artificial standards for evidence, I argued, does little to advance the goal of determining the truth. Skeptics often respond by insisting that nothing short […]
The Bible Tells Us That We Need Apologetics
Theology and Christian ApologeticsPaul met the Lord on a road (Acts 9:1-9), Peter fell down before him by the sea (Luke 5:1-11), the Ethiopian eunuch came to him after having the scriptures explained to him (Acts 8:26-40), and the man possessed by a legion of demons believed after experiencing a liberating miracle on his life (Mark 5:1-20). The […]
Legislating Religion Or Morality?
Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsIt’s often said that “You shouldn’t legislate morality!” But, as Frank Turek argues ably, “all laws legislate morality.” He’s got a point. Legislating morality is inevitable. The question isn’t whether to legislate morality, but whose morality to legislate.[1] This predicament sets the stage for a genuine power struggle. Whose moral vision should win that tug-of-war? […]
Spiritual Foundation #4 Environmental Preparation
Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsAs we wrap up our blog series on foundational types of college preparation, let’s review what we’ve covered. We’ve surveyed laying a strong faith-based foundation with personal habits of Bible study and prayer. Then we built on the importance of intellectual preparation, largely using the study of apologetics and its related disciplines. Next, we discussed the need for relational […]
Spiritual Foundation #3 Relational Preparation
Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsAs excited as I was to go to the university of my dreams, 40+ years later, I still remember the empty feeling of watching my parents and sister drive away. What would things be like at home without me? What would things be like at college without them? Will I make friends? Will I find my way? […]
Spiritual Foundation #2 Intellectual Preparation
Culture and Politics, Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsIn the previous blog in this series, we recommended starting spiritual college preparation with the faith-based foundation of Bible study and prayer. To that, we suggest adding several intellectual disciplines, which together help us love God with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We start with the faith-building strength training of apologetics. Intellectual Challenges Your Kid May […]
How To Prepare Your Kids Faith Before They Leave For College, Part 2: Faith-Based Preparation
Theology and Christian ApologeticsIt’s doubtful parents would send their kids to college without some sort of meal plan, but are parents as diligent in helping set up a spiritual meal plan for their children? Once that dorm key is issued, there will be no more spoon-fed lessons by the youth group. When our kids head to college, it’s time for […]