Tag Archive for: apologetics

A Student is Not Greater Than His Teacher

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I still have nightmares about being in college. It usually has something to do with a math final and being unable to graduate without passing it. Why does it always have to be math? I wake up vowing I will never go back to college. One thing that was sure to make or break my semester in university was something some students might not consider before enrolling. It wasn’t the subject. It wasn’t even the course requirements listed on the syllabus. It was something much more important: the teacher.

The teacher is a major contributor to whether you succeed or fail a class. Several of my teachers started the first day’s introductions by giving the most un-motivational speech that was sure to make more students drop the class before the ink on the syllabus was dry. It went something like this: “No one will ever get an A in this class so don’t expect one.” Who wants a teacher like that? Shouldn’t teachers want their students to excel in their class? Shouldn’t teachers encourage students to become as knowledgeable in the subject matter as them? If this is the attitude of your teacher, you won’t get a good education.

A Good Education Begins With a Good Teacher

As an educator, I am burdened with the responsibility to teach my students well. I often reminded my 5th graders that my job was to teach them. Their job was to let me know when they didn’t understand. As a teacher, I knew something my students never questioned or considered. My knowledge of the material had to be at mastery level so I could take them to the next level. And if I didn’t? They would never succeed.

When we think of education, we often don’t think of Christian education. Education is the transfer of knowledge systematically. Sure, that happens in the public education system all the time. It happens on college campuses every semester. But it should happen in the church. The problem is, it doesn’t. Why? Because the teachers don’t know the material as they should.

Let me explain.

George Barna’s American Worldview Inventory from 2022-2023 shows that only 36% of senior pastors in the United States have a biblical worldview. If that shocks you, it only gets worse when you look into the stats of children and youth pastors. A staggering 17% of them have a biblical worldview. It’s no wonder that the worldview of those in the church is only 6%, while 64% of Americans claim to be Christian. Why the disparity in the stats? It all comes down to the teacher.

A Student Is Not Greater Than His Teacher

 Jesus told His disciples that a student is not greater than his teacher. In Luke 6:40, Jesus said, “The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.”[1] Every teacher should strive to teach their students all they know; to take them to a depth of learning that makes the student like his teacher, with the result of the student becoming a teacher himself. Because, according to Jesus, that is as far as a teacher can take his student – to the depths of learning they’ve experienced and nothing more.

This means one of two things can happen:

  1. A student can eventually graduate their teacher’s program and become equipped to teach.

Or

2. A teacher can stunt the student’s growth because they’re not an equipped teacher.

Which one should be the goal of the teacher? For the student to outgrow you, meaning the student no longer needs the teacher but becomes the teacher himself. How does that happen? Once again, we need to focus on the qualifications of a teacher in Christian education.

Choose Your Teachers Wiseley

In the first century, disciples chose their teachers (rabbis). But in Jesus’ case, He often reminded His disciples that He chose them. Nevertheless, Jesus made an example of teachers and warned His followers that they ought to be careful whom they chose as their teachers.

Let’s look at some examples where Jesus encountered or commented on teachers.

Nicodemus Skipped the Basics

Nicodemus was a teacher of the Law. He was a Pharisee and part of the Sanhedrin. With all of these titles, it appeared he was qualified. In John 3, Nicodemus came to Jesus at night to ask Him some questions. But the conversation took a turn that made Nicodemus scratch his head in confusion. Jesus shifted the conversation to a phrase not well known in the first century. He mentioned that all who would see the kingdom of God would be born again. This concept was lost on Nicodemus. He thought Jesus was talking about physical matters when Jesus was clearly speaking of spiritual matters. What Jesus said next exposed the kind of teacher Nicodemus was. Jesus asked a rhetorical question, “You are Israel’s teacher and you don’t understand these things? (10) …  I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?” (12)

Nicodemus, a teacher of the Law, did not understand the basics. And Jesus called him out. Teachers in Christian Education must have mastered the basics. If they haven’t, they will never effectively teach the truths of Christianity.

Going back to Barna’s American Worldview Inventory, the questions that determine whether or not an educator has a biblical worldview comes down to the fundamentals of the faith. Education, whether it’s Christian or secular, must lay the foundation in the fundamentals. The problem is that Christians are skipping the basics and that’s usually because the teachers themselves don’t even know them.

Hypocritical Pharisees

If there is one group of teachers in the Bible Jesus consistently conflicted with, it’s the Pharisees. But there is one passage that stands out above all passages when Jesus explained what the students of the Pharisees should take note of and emulate. Remember, the hope a student has is not that he will become greater than his teacher but that he will become like him. Jesus often called them hypocrites, whitewashed tombs full of dead men’s bones, and blind guides. Jesus then turned to their followers and said, “The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’s seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach” (Matthew 23:2-3).

A Christian educator’s life should be consistent with what he preaches. “Do as I say, not as I do” is not a teaching strategy. In fact, more kids these days are turning to other influences rather than their parents because they are witnessing inconsistencies in what is communicated versus what is lived. Jesus did not allow the Pharisees to get away with hypocrisy. The church shouldn’t either.

A Teacher Worth Following

Students don’t often think about what to look for in a good teacher. But as a teacher, I can give you some tips on what to look for when it comes to choosing who you follow and who you put in front of your kids when it comes to Christian education. Here are three things to look for in a teacher worth following:

  1. Knowledge.
  2. Character.
  3. Service.

As George Barna says, you can’t give what you don’t have. I say it this way, you can’t teach what you don’t know. A teacher must know more than the student and be capable of taking the student on a journey to deeper knowledge that leads to spiritual growth. That happens systematically and it begins with the basics. So, a Christian teacher has to know at least two things: first, he must know the Bible. Second, he must know how to transfer that knowledge systematically.

A teacher must have good character and live what he preaches. That means a Christian educator must have a biblical worldview where what he believes, what he speaks, and what he lives are all aligned to the Bible. Without this, forget number one because he doesn’t have real knowledge and therefore he cannot live it.

Finally, a good teacher serves his students. In the first century, it was the lowly servant who washed the feet of his master. The disciple not only learned from his teacher, but he served him too. Not with Jesus. Jesus showed His disciples that He was there to serve because the servant is the greatest. It was a model of discipleship not witnessed during this time in history and is still countercultural today. Nevertheless, it is the model of a teacher and the model a disciple is to emulate as he becomes like his teacher.

In conclusion, a good education begins and ends with a solid teacher. A teacher can only take their students to the depths of knowledge in which they have chosen to venture. James warns those in the church that “not many should become teachers because they will be judged more strictly” (James 3:1). The warning is to those in Christian education, whether it be Sunday school, Bible study, or the classroom. An effective teacher will both teach with their words and their actions. Since a student is to become like his teacher, we ought to proceed with caution when choosing who we sit in front of or who we put in front of our kids. The spiritual growth of our families and the church depends on it.

 

References:

[1] Editor’s Note: Jesus was probably talking about Rabbis here. Rabbis were known for teaching students to read, write, study the Bible, know the law, theology, etc. But Rabbis were also personal mentors to their students, imparting not just religious knowledge but a whole lifestyle including etiquette, customs, eating habits, traditions, relationships, worldview, and more.

Recommended resources related to the topic:

Intellectual Predators: How Professors Prey on Christian Students by Frank Turek (mp4 Download) (mp3) (DVD)

Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Greg Koukl (Book)

Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide), and (DVD)      

Your Most Important Thinking Skill by Dr. Frank Turek DVD, (mp4) download

Woman to Woman: Preparing Yourself to Mentor (Book) by Edna Ellison & Tricia Scribner

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Shanda Fulbright is a credentialed teacher and has a certificate in Christian Apologetics from Biola University, a certificate from the CrossExamined Instructor’s Academy as well as several certificates from Online Christian Courses. She hosts Her Faith Inspires podcast where she takes cultural issues and aligns them to biblical truth. You can read her blogs and find out more about her at shandafulbright.com.

 

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10 Salvations and Takin’ it to the Streets with Tytus Jones

It’s a busy week here at CrossExamined! In this midweek podcast episode, Frank reports on the biggest campus event in the history of our ministry and several opportunities for you to get involved in apologetics wherever you are. Then, Phoenix Hayes and Tytus Jones show how we can effectively engage urban communities with the Gospel.

Tytus is a CrossExamined team member and Christian YouTuber who specializes in the unique field of urban apologetics and why it’s needed in the Church today. Having personally encountered friends and loved ones who began to identify as “Hebrew Israelites”, Tytus has used these interactions as inspiration to create content that offers a biblical, apologetic response to various identity-based cult groups. During their talk, Phoenix and Tytus will answer questions like:

  • What is Urban Apologetics and what resources are available on the topic?
  • Who are the Hebrew Israelites and what are their core beliefs?
  • How did debating a Hebrew Israelite affect Ty’s faith journey?
  • What attitude do Hebrew Israelites typically hold toward Jews?
  • What is the appeal of Hebrew Israelism and what are some of the inconsistencies in their worldview?
  • What is the Yoruba tradition and how have celebrities like Beyonce helped to popularize it?

Urban apologetics often seeks to answer the popular (and false) notion that Christianity is just “the white man’s religion.” If you know someone who believes themselves to be a Hebrew Israelite or has now become a practitioner of African spirituality, this is the episode for you! And be sure to subscribe to Ty’s YouTube channel to learn more about urban apologetics!

To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.

You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.

Join Ratio Christi: https://ratiochristi.org/join/

Follow Ty on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TytusJones

Barack Obama vs. The Black Hebrew Israelites by Vocab Malone https://a.co/d/4F6w1VD

Urban Apologetics by Eric Mason https://a.co/d/ddufLlP

 

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Pronoun Mania

If you haven’t had a chance to freshen up on the latest gender pronoun trend, be sure to do so by visiting a Starbucks near you. There you’ll be warmly greeted by your barista, who might be your standard he or she but could be he/they, she/they, or they/them. On another visit you might encounter ze/hir or ze/zer, or perhaps even xe/xem or ze/zim or sie/her; and, oh yeah, I almost forgot about pir too. It’s sort of like going to McDonald’s as a kid and ordering a happy meal, eagerly waiting to discover what new treat/toy they/them or ze/zer has put inside your box. If you’re confused, don’t worry—that makes two of us. Or does it? You can always purchase your own personal gender pronoun pocket guide in the event you fail to remember whether he is a she or she is a he or he and she are they/them. But let the buyer beware. By the time you finish reading your copy, you’ll want to look for a fresh edition straight off the press to address the growing list.

On one of my latest visits to Starbucks with my wife, Heather, I was met by a lady, or rather they/them, who after taking my order said, “It’ll be right up, sir.” I’m not sure why she assumed I was a man. What if I felt like a pir? But I took no offense. However, out of genuine curiosity, I struck up a friendly conversation with they/them and said, “I noticed you called me ‘sir.’ And typically, we use sir or ma’am for male and female adults, but what does they/them use for a title?” They/them said, “For the nonbinary person, it’s Mx, M.—or some people might prefer Misc.”

I wish I could say that was helpful, but it wasn’t. If anything, I found myself even more confused by the complete hack job of the English language taking place in our culture right now. On top of this, we’re strongly warned by some to not mis-gender people, as this may cause harm. Never mind the fact that they/them assumed I was male by calling me sir instead of pir. All that to say I find it ironic that even those who champion this pronoun discussion the most are guilty of breaking their own rules by assuming the obvious in terms of others when referring to people like me as sir.

If all this pronoun distinction is not enough to keep up with, we’re told that one’s gender pronoun doesn’t necessarily reveal one’s sexual preference. Just as gender is fluid, apparently one’s sexuality is, too. As I spoke with my barista that day, they/them schooled me on this topic, informing me as well that they/them (i.e., my barista) is pansexual, which basically means that what’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Although my barista is pansexual, there are other options as well. For example, there are others who might be ze/zer or ze/zim, and regarding sexual preferences they/them may be allosexual; autoromantic; autosexual; androsexual; curiosexual; and of course, asexual. If someone or someze is asexual, it’s important to know how to orient oneself on the asexual spectrum. That’s because you could be sex-averse, sex-favorable, cupiosexual, graysexual, or even libidoist asexual, to name a few options. But fear not, if the above list is too narrow-minded, the LGBTQIA2 has left a + sign on the end just for you.

I’d like to buy a vowel, please.

As Heather and I left Starbucks that day, we both felt overwhelmed by how much our country has changed. I guess we both felt a bit like Dorothy, who observed to Toto, “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” It kind of feels like we are living in a foreign land these days. And I wish I could say that this pronoun-obsessed culture is our only problem.

It’s not.

Recommended resources related to the topic:

Correct, Not Politically Correct: About Same-Sex Marriage and Transgenderism 2023 Edition by Dr. Frank Turek Book

4 P’s & 4 Q’s: Quick Case FOR Natural Marriage & AGAINST Same-Sex Marriage (DVD) by Dr. Frank Turek 

Legislating Morality (mp4 download),  (DVD Set), (MP3 Set), (PowerPoint download), and (PowerPoint CD) by Frank Turek

Does Love and Tolerance Equal Affirmation? (DVD) (Mp4)  by Dr. Frank Turek

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Bobby serves as lead pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is well known for his YouTube ministry called, One Minute Apologist, which now goes by the name Christianity Still Makes Sense. He also serves as the Co-Host of Pastors’ Perspective, a nationally syndicated call-in radio show on KWVE in Southern California. Bobby earned his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, his Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham (England), where he was supervised under David Cheetham and Yujin Nagasawa. Bobby’s also written several books, including The Fifth Gospel, Doubting Toward Faith, Does God Exist, and Fifty-One Other Questions About God and the Bible, and the forthcoming Christianity Still Makes Sense, to be published by Tyndale in April 2024. He’s married to his lovely wife Heather, and together they have two grown kids: Haley and Dawson.

 

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Did Jesus REALLY Rise From the Dead? On the Resurrection (Vol.1) | with Dr. Gary Habermas

What would it take to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Christianity is true? If God exists and Jesus rose from the dead, then Christianity is true. Case closed! The BIG question is, what evidence do we have in support of these truth claims? Furthermore, are skeptics and non-Christians ready and willing to give the resurrection some serious thought and explore the facts?

In this much anticipated podcast episode, Frank invites the great scholar, author, and resurrection expert, Dr. Gary Habermas, on the show to discuss the first volume of his magnum opus, ‘On the Resurrection: Volume 1-Evidences.’ Literally decades in the making, Gary sets the record straight on the historical resurrection, responding to common atheist objections, and exposing the areas of consensus in mainstream scholarship surrounding the major events written about in the Gospels. During the episode, Frank and Gary will answer questions like:

  • What inspired Gary to dedicate his life to researching this topic?
  • What kept Gary from converting to Buddhism?
  • Why is it important for Christians to get familiar with the evidence for the resurrection?
  • Should Christians appeal to the Gospels when arguing for the resurrection? Isn’t that circular reasoning?
  • Why do naturalism and the problem of evil fail to disprove the resurrection?

It’s impossible to touch on everything covered in this massive 1000+ page resurrection investigation during a single episode, but Frank and Gary will address things like the significance of near death experiences (NDEs), share helpful insights from an unlikely source (Bart Ehrman), and talk about how the resurrection brought comfort to Gary during one of the most painful seasons of his life. Be sure to pick up your hard copy of this astonishing work before it sells out!

To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.

You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.

Order Gary’s book from Amazon: https://a.co/d/hU8nEoP

 

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Help! My Loved One Says I’m Toxic! | with Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett

What do you do when someone calls you “toxic” and says they don’t want you in their life anymore? Is it even possible to reason with someone who rejects reason and objective truth? Because deconstruction can manifest itself in various ways and across various types of relationships, there is no one-size-fits all approach to these questions. But how do you determine what to say, how to say it, and when to even set your own personal boundaries in conversations about faith and doubt?

This week, Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett return to continue the discussion on their brand-new book, ‘The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond.’ Frank, Alisa, and Tim will unpack some of the challenges that come with walking alongside people in the process of deconstruction and tips on how Christians can navigate these unique challenges. What’s the connection between deconstruction and critical theory? Should you feel guilty if you fail to successfully reach an ex-vangelical? How can you discern the motivation behind a person’s decision to deconstruct? All this and more will be discussed in this special follow-up podcast episode!

To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.

You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Tim and Alisa’s book: https://a.co/d/1MnXiDr

Alisa Childer’s website: https://alisachilders.com/

Red Pen Logic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RedPenLogic

Reality Apologetics Conference (Texas): https://www.realityapologetics.com/tx/

 

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Why People Love a False Jesus

By Melissa Dougherty

You know something I never see? I never see the average person say that Buddha was made up from stories of ancient pagan gods. Or that Gandhi was actually a Jewish mystic who was misunderstood. Or that Mohammad was an atheist. There’s usually only one historical figure that is distorted more than any other to fit whatever modern agenda they need at the moment: Jesus Christ.

You can get the identity of Buddha, Gandhi, Mohammad, and even other historical figures such as Alexander the Great or Abraham Lincoln wrong, and it does not have any bearing on what that means to you spiritually. In a manner of speaking, who they are is meaningless in this regard. But people would correct you in a hot second if you made a false claim about who they are historically. This is because it’s verifiable to see who these people were, what they did, and what they stood for.

So why do people not hold this same standard to Jesus, the one Person who can affect their spiritual standing before God? I believe there are a few reasons.

1. People Don’t Want Jesus to Be What the Bible Says.

If Jesus is who He says He is, and the Bible is true, then this has consequences. Does it really matter if Buddha wasn’t who He claimed to be? Not really. People might feel a little jaded, but they would believe that their spirituality wouldn’t be in limbo. However, Christianity is different. Jesus’s claim to divinity and the exclusive way to be saved has consequences for humanity. And, quite simply, humans love to run after other gods. They have to turn away from idols and self-worship to turn to the One True God who has the power to save. But that means giving up certain aspects of their lifestyle that are sinful they have grown accustomed to. It brings them death and destruction and they are blinded by it. Jesus says in John 3:19-20 that “Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of the light because their deeds are evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.”

So people make another Jesus that likes what they like, believes what they believe, and approves of what they do.

2. Spiritual Warfare

I don’t find it to be any coincidence at all that it’s specifically Jesus who has all the attention when it comes to the variety of identities. Satan doesn’t care if you say you believe in God. Even he believes that. He doesn’t even care if you believe in Jesus. As long as it’s a false Jesus, one that has no power to save you. This is one of the oldest rules in the devil’s playbook: distort Jesus. His energy goes into fighting truth, not lies. Jesus says Satan is the Father of Lies and that it would be foolish for Satan to cast himself out because then his kingdom wouldn’t stand. He perpetuates the lies and does what he can to distort the truth.

Who cares about the other spiritual figures because they aren’t really his target. If anything, they’re his allies.

3. People See Truth as Hate

We live in an odd time. People don’t want truth. They want affirmation. This is true even outside of religious circles but also exists in casual friendships, families, and work acquaintances. I’m sure people have witnessed other people’s complete lack of humility and perhaps even a complete disconnect from reality, all in the name of “their truth.” They want their voice to be heard. And they make it heard by shutting everyone else up. It’s a grand level of entitlement that is sweeping our nation with a vengeance. So, when you speak up about Jesus and who He really is, as described in the Bible, if it hurts them emotionally or is seen as unloving, then they discard it because it’s hateful. Our culture has a strong view of truth: if it’s not loving, then it’s not true. This is how the average postmodern New Ager sees truth, too, by the way.

So, their guard goes up if they perceive anything that you’re saying as hurtful to them. Ironically, what informs this way of thinking usually comes from a place of hurt. But instead of looking at it as an obstacle to overcome and grow from, people now expect others to cater to their emotional needs with no expectation of themselves to take any responsibility to grow.

False Christ, False Gospel

Ultimately, when people deny truth and who Jesus is, they are embracing a false version of Him who isn’t going to save anybody. They might have some comfort in their denial, but it’s only a comfort that leads to destruction. Stop running from Jesus. Run to Him. Go to the Scriptures and read about who Jesus is. Let the Holy Spirit guide and convict you and lead you to the Living Waters, the Bread of Life, who will give you what you’ve been yearning for.

 

Recommended resources related to the topic:

Was Jesus Intolerant? by Frank Turek (DVD and Mp4)

How Can Jesus be the Only Way? Mp4, Mp3, and DVD by Frank Turek

Cold Case Resurrection Set by J. Warner Wallace (books)  

Person of Interest: Why Jesus Still Matters in a World that Rejects the Bible by J. Warner Wallace (Paperback), (Investigator’s Guide).

 

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Melissa Dougherty is a Christian Apologist best known for her YouTube channel as an ex-new ager. She has two associate’s degrees, one in Early Childhood Multicultural Education, and the other in Liberal Arts. She also has a bachelor’s degree in Religious Studies at Southern Evangelical Seminary.

 

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The Deconstruction of Christianity | with Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett

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What is this thing called “deconstruction” that has disrupted, dismantled, and destroyed the faith of so many people? Is it really a quest for truth, or is this radical spiritual makeover motivated by something else? As the deconstruction movement continues to grow in popularity, families and faith communities are often blindsided by individuals who leave Christianity and place the blame on “toxic Christians” or the allegedly “immoral” God of the Bible. How do you keep the line of communication open with “exvangelicals” and what types of questions can help foster meaningful faith conversations?

This week, our friends Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett join Frank to get to the heart of deconstruction and provide answers for Christians looking to tactfully engage people who have been swept up in the movement. During this podcast episode, they’ll discuss the inspiration behind their brand-new book, ‘The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond‘ and also identify some of the pitfalls that have led many to abandon Christianity altogether. Listen as Frank, Alisa, and Tim answer questions like:

  • What is the motivation behind deconstruction?
  • Why doesn’t Alisa classify her faith crisis as true deconstruction?
  • What’s an exvangelical and where did the term originate?
  • What are Tim and Alisa’s personal experiences with exvangelicals?
  • What are some of the glaring inconsistencies within the deconstruction movement?
  • Should Christians interpret the Bible “literally”?

 

If the deconstruction movement has come knocking on your door, this is the episode for you! As you’ll hear during the conversation, having a strong grasp on the true Gospel and a working knowledge of apologetics can help Christians to escape the draw to deconstruction. Frank, Alisa, and Tim will only scratch the surface in this podcast, so be sure to check out the upcoming midweek podcast where they’ll dive deeper into the consequences of deconstruction, its connection to critical theory, and the best way to communicate with people who call you “toxic”.

To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.

You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Tim and Alisa’s book: https://a.co/d/1MnXiDr

Alisa’s website: https://alisachilders.com/

Tim’s website: https://www.timbarnett.org/

Red Pen Logic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RedPenLogic

Reality Apologetics Conference (Texas): https://www.realityapologetics.com/tx/

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How to Evangelize Muslims | with Dr. Brady Blevins

What are the major “Do’s and Don’ts” of witnessing to Muslims? On last week’s podcast, Dr. Brady Blevins from Watchman Fellowship gave listeners some great advice on how to have effective faith conversations with Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses. This week, Brady returns to the program to discuss how Christians can effectively engage in conversations with Muslims about Jesus and the Bible in a way that feels natural and how researching their (sometimes difficult!) questions has helped him understand proper theology. He and Frank answer questions like:

  • What exactly does “cult” mean and what are the 4 characteristics of a cult?
  • What do Muslims generally believe and what makes them different from Christians?
  • What is the Quranic Dilemma?
  • How should you respond when a Muslim says that the Bible is corrupt?
  • What are some predominant characteristics of the culture that can help you be a better and more effective communicator with Muslims?

As you’ll learn in this episode, effective evangelism is a lot more about gardening than it is about harvesting. Our job is to be obedient ambassadors for Christ by interacting positively with the people He puts on our path (or on our doorstep!) and letting Him handle the rest. You’ll also discover that there is no one better to help us on this mission of interfaith apologetics than Brady, as he shares stories from many of the fascinating conversations he’s had with his Muslim friends over the past 10-15 years!

Be sure to sign-up for his PREMIUM COURSE ‘Conversations with the Faiths‘ which starts on 2/5 to experience a total deep-dive into Mormonism, Islam, and JWs in addition to 5 Zoom Q&A sessions with Brady. Or, choose from one of the three self-paced options listed in the resources below!

To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.

You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.

Resources mentioned during the podcast:

Watchman Fellowship

‘Conversations with the Faiths‘ – PREMIUM COURSE

‘Conversations with Muslims‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE

‘Conversations with Mormons‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE

‘Conversations with JWs‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE

 

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Has God Warmed Up to Religious Pluralism?

We live in an age of a prevailing belief known as “Religious Pluralism”, which says no one religion (especially Christianity) holds the exclusive title to “absolute truth.” Religious pluralism says all religions ultimately lead to one nebulous God, the Creator and Savior of us all.

A Way or The Way?

Unfortunately today, those who believe in a first-century Jewish Rabbi as “THE way” are seen as harsh, mean-spirited, arrogant and backward. And who wants to be like that? However, simply swap that definite article (‘the’) for an ‘a’ and instantly Jesus (and His followers) become a lot more palatable to modern tastes. The Gospel aroma magically becomes more pleasant to millions in an all-inclusive world. One little word makes all the difference in a person’s beliefs about salvation, life and the life to come. It reveals whether you’re an exclusivist (a belief that only one religion is true) or a pluralist (all religions lead to God). Pluralism is prevalent in our culture and sounds like this:

  • “It doesn’t matter what you believe as long as you’re sincere.”
  • “As long as it works for you and makes you happy.”
  • “There is no such thing as ultimate (or absolute) truth.”
  • “I believe there are many ways to God.”
  • “It’s rude to say one person’s religion is better than another’s.”
  • “It takes everyone’s truth to equal the truth.”
  • “What makes you think your religion is right and everyone else is wrong?

Sound familiar?

It is now socially unacceptable to criticize another person’s religious beliefs (unless of course you’re slamming Christianity!). But keep in mind that, historically, ours has always been a creedal faith, meaning our beliefs direct and influence our attitudes and actions. As Christ-followers, we believe God has made Himself known through creation, our conscience and special revelation in Scripture. And He has never stuttered when He spoke, making His character crystal clear so that we wouldn’t mistake Him for any other so-called “gods”. And 2000 years later, in the midst of our culture’s buffet-style theology, Christianity still maintains that God’s identity isn’t optional (or even open to a face-lift).

Nothing New Under the Sun

The idea of pluralism is also nothing new. Way back in the Old Testament era, a diverse range of religious beliefs co-existed alongside ancient, monotheistic Judaism. Baal worship and various forms of Canaanite deities are systemic throughout the Jewish record. And it was in this world-view context that God spoke, clearly setting Himself apart from other deities and distinguishing Israel from other nations. A simple read of the Old Testament and one can see that God isn’t hip on sharing His glory with other belief systems or so-called gods.

“I am the LORD; that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to carved idols” (Isaiah 42:8).

“…My glory I will not give to another” (Isaiah 48:11b).

And though Scripture claims the Lord does all things well, sharing His glory apparently isn’t one of them. He is decidedly intolerant on that particular issue. Interestingly, when the ancient Assyrians and Babylonians took Israel into captivity it was largely due to the Jewish nation’s worship of multiple gods, abandoning their allegiance to the one true God. Over time, it had become very fashionable to mix the worship of Yahweh with Ashtoreth and Molech, the cultural gods of Baal.

God isn’t a Middle School Girl

But God’s intolerance of rivals isn’t because He’s “insecure” or jealous like some middle school girl. God’s jealousy for His glory goes much deeper than mere human emotion or understanding. This guarding of His glory and an unwillingness to share the spotlight of praise is rooted in the essence of God Himself. The very nature – even the idea of God – demands that he has no peers. No equals. If the Bible is true, then Yahweh stands alone as God. By direct inference, this would logically mean there is no such thing as Allah. No Molech. No Baal. No Krishna.

So, do the logic. Either Yahweh is God or He isn’t. And if He isn’t, then every other religion or belief system on planet earth is equally valid – or at least on the same level as Jesus. Like your choice of music, food, clothing or lifestyle – it’s whatever works best for you. Personal preference and experience then become the path to paradise, not some irrefutable absolute truth about an invisible Supreme Being. Unfortunately, this preference for pluralism didn’t work out so well for the Jewish nation, resulting in painful and prolonged consequences – displacement, subjugation and slavery. And in time, they realized God was not the syncretistic, eclectic Deity who is one of many faith options.

No Matter the Fashion Truth Excludes Falsity

Fast-forward to today. What are people really saying when they affirm, “It doesn’t really matter what you believe as long as you are sincere and treat others fairly.” Does this make sense? Is it even rational?  With a myriad of belief systems available today, it can be both confusing and difficult as Christians paddle their way upstream against the flow. As some postmodern theologians suggest, time and history has changed God’s character and what ancient Scripture says is true of Him. But the author of Hebrews (who claimed the Word of God was living) maintained, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb 4:12; 13:8). The prophet Malachi wrote, “For I the LORD do not change” (Mal 3:6). Since God exists outside of time, centuries of history and the advance of civilizations cannot alter His character. . . or caused Him to warm up to the idea of pluralism. According to Scripture, there is still only room for One on Heaven’s throne.

Footnotes:

*This post is adapted from my book, The Fifth Gospel, Harvest House, 2014.

Recommended resources related to the topic:

How Can Jesus be the Only Way? Mp4, Mp3, and DVD by Frank Turek

Jesus, You and the Essentials of Christianity by Frank Turek (INSTRUCTOR Study Guide), (STUDENT Study Guide)

Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers (book)

Can All Religions Be True? mp3 by Frank Turek

 

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Bobby serves as lead pastor of Image Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, and is well known for his YouTube ministry called, One Minute Apologist, which now goes by the name Christianity Still Makes Sense. He also serves as the Co-Host of Pastors’ Perspective, a nationally syndicated call-in radio show on KWVE in Southern California. Bobby earned his Master of Theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary, his Doctor of Ministry in Apologetics from Southern Evangelical Seminary, and his Ph.D. in Philosophy of Religion from the University of Birmingham (England), where he was supervised under David Cheetham and Yujin Nagasawa. Bobby’s also written several books, including The Fifth Gospel, Doubting Toward Faith, Does God Exist, and Fifty-One Other Questions About God and the Bible, and the forthcoming Christianity Still Makes Sense, to be published by Tyndale in April 2024. He’s married to his lovely wife Heather, and together they have two grown kids: Haley and Dawson.

 

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How to Evangelize Mormons and Jehovah Witnesses | with Dr. Brady Blevins

Knock, knock. Who’s there? If a Mormon or a Jehovah’s Witness comes to your door, what should you do and what should you say? As tempting as it may be, resist the urge to close the blinds and pretend you’re not home or even worse, slam the door in their faces. Evangelizing someone involved in a cult may seem hopeless, but what if God wants to use you (yes YOU!) to reach them with the TRUE Gospel?

What are the “Do’s and Don’ts” of witnessing to members of the WatchTower Society and the so-called Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? That’s what we’re addressing in this week’s podcast as Frank interviews Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist of Watchman Fellowship and instructor for our brand-new online course, ‘Conversations with the Faiths.’ During this podcast episode, Frank and Brady will answer questions like:

  • What was Brady’s first personal encounter with a Jehovah’s Witness?
  • What do JW’s and Mormons believe about Jesus and why do they evangelize in pairs?
  • What are the consequences of leaving these cults?
  • How long does it typically take a Mormon to convert to orthodox Christianity?
  • What single Bible verse obliterates the theology of Jehovah’s Witnesses?
  • How have false prophecies affected JW membership?

As you’ll be reminded during this episode, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons are not your enemy. But if you want to be effective in reaching them, you’ve got to exercise patience and prepare to have ongoing conversations with their members. And what better way to prepare than by signing up for Brady’s course, ‘Conversations with the Faiths‘? Class starts on Monday, 2/5 so enroll NOW and stay tuned for the upcoming midweek podcast where Brady will lay out the game plan for evangelizing Muslims too!

To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry.

You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.

Resources mentioned during the podcast:

Watchman Fellowship

‘Conversations with the Faiths‘ – PREMIUM COURSE

‘Conversations with Muslims‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE

‘Conversations with Mormons‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE

‘Conversations with JWs‘ – SELF-PACED COURSE

 

Download Transcript

 

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