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.
The Surprising Way Tinkerbell Shows the Flaw in the Transgender Identity Crisis
Culture CrossExamined, Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsI know what you might be thinking. “Tinkerbell, Melissa? Seriously?” But stay with me here. The pre-woke movie era had some good stuff in it that’s surprisingly relevant and counter-cultural by 2023 standards. Tinkerbell (2008) So first, here is a brief movie synopsis for those who may not have seen the movie: The first Tinkerbell […]
Where Rebellion Against God Leads
Theology and Christian ApologeticsImagine a time in the not-too-distant future. Trying to compensate for a declining population, scientists use advanced technology to build a “race” of robots, giving them not only human appearance and abilities, but also increasing amounts of AI. Things work smoothly in the short run, as the robots’ nearly limitless energy for work transforms Earth […]
The Danger of Promising Universal Salvation
4. Is the NT True?, Theology and Christian ApologeticsIf you’re going to contend that universalism is true, i.e., the belief that everyone will eventually end up in heaven, then you best beware of the consequences of doing so. Evacuating a Dying Planet To illustrate. Imagine you live on a planet called Elpis (in Greek this means “hope” or “expectation”). You have been tasked […]
The Shocking Effects of Grace
Jesus ChristIn his book Rumors of Another World, Philip Yancey shares how Nelson Mandela, after coming into power as president of South Africa, took drastic measures to heal his apartheid-torn nation. Mandela appointed Archbishop Desmond Tutu to head the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The commission’s hearings were designed to bring together accusers with those who had […]
Dangerous Homefront, part 3: Correcting Prooftexts
1. Does Truth Exist?, 4. Is the NT True?In part 1 of this series we looked at prooftexts from the Old Testament. In part 2 we looked at prooftexts from the New Testament. At this point you may be wondering, “So what’s the big deal?” People will misinterpret things, so what? What’s the Big Deal? Clearly, misinterpretation occurs often within the Church. Does […]
Meet Robot Jesus
Culture CrossExaminedHave you talked with Jesus yet today? No, I’m not talking about your morning prayers. I’m talking about the new Text-With-Jesus app. This is a downloadable smartphone app that will put you in a text-message conversation with an AI simulation of Jesus, and other biblical characters. You’re basically talking to a robot programmed to say […]
Is teaching kids about God child abuse?
Apologetics for ParentsPeople always tell me not to look at the comment section of a social media post. I didn’t listen. We just promoted the new kid’s curriculum Let’s Get Real: Examining the Evidence for God, based on Turek and Geisler’s best seller: I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist. I anticipated backlash. I know […]
Dangerous Homefront, part 2: NT Prooftexts we Know and Love
1. Does Truth Exist?, 4. Is the NT True?In part 1 of this series, we looked at a few Old Testament passages that people often misinterpret. In part 2 we shift to the New Testament. It’s worth noting that sometimes the error is just an innocent mistake. It’s not always from bad intentions, or false teachers, or heretical theology. Sometimes there are malicious […]
Why God Can’t Be the Universe
2. Does God Exist?, Theology and Christian ApologeticsMost people believe in God. The question is, which God? Who is this God? Is He personal? Impersonal? An “it”? A vague source or amorphous energy? It’s important to think this through because if God exists, then there are spiritual ramifications for this. Christians understand God to be personal. They’re not pantheists or panentheists where […]
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 […]