Tag Archive for: apologetics

What Can Americans Learn From the Hamas Attack? Victor Marx LIVE from Israel

We all witnessed the footage and truly disturbing reports following the 10/7 Hamas attack on Israel, but just how bad was it? With a death toll of 1400+ and hostages who are still in captivity, the devastation caused at the hands of the “religion of peace” can’t be understated. What’s happening in Israel today and what can the Church and Americans do to help?

It’s a brand-new year and we’re kicking it off by getting an eyewitness account of what’s really been going on in Israel since it was invaded by the Hamas terrorist group. For this midweek podcast episode, our friend, president of All Things Possible Ministries, and former member of the military, Victor Marx, joins Frank LIVE from Israel to talk about what he’s seen in the aftermath of the recent attacks. How are Victor and his team helping to heal trauma among Israeli citizens? Should Americans be worried about possible attacks in the U.S.? How can we pray for Israel and America? All these questions and more will be addressed in this informative but difficult discussion.

Please be forewarned, this conversation may be tough for some to hear and may not be age appropriate for a younger audience. That being said, we feel it’s a much needed subject to tackle in light of these current events and pray that this episode provides encouragement and awareness for our listeners.

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.

DONATE to Victor’s work in Israel: https://victormarx.com/israel/

 

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The Pulpit Apologist, Pt. 1

If apologetics has ever met its moment in our culture that moment is now. And it’s especially urgent for some good old-fashioned pulpit apologetics. We need preachers to rise to the occasion and equip their flocks with the apologetic know-how to reach this confused and collapsing culture. As the great wordsmith Carl Trueman put it:

“Every age has had its darkness and its dangers. The task of the Christian is not to whine about the moment in which he or she lives but to understand its problems and respond appropriately to them.” [1]

It’s no secret that ours is a country replete with problems, so much so it’s even harder to imagine a real United States again. And like those ancient Corinthians many in the church have joined the cultural party of unrestrained living. Here’s where apologetic preaching comes into play by helping churches to better navigate these trying times. As a tool, apologetics can (1) aid pastors seeking to help people racked by doubts, it can (2) equip believers with a biblical worldview, apologetics can also (3) help believers articulate the credibility of Christianity to a culture where many have written it off as a superstition of the past and it can (4) help heighten believers discernment to detect false ideas before they take root. And finally (5) apologetic preaching can protect our flocks from going the way of culture. But where do we begin? I mean, what does this look like to apologetically equip our churches from our pulpits?

First, it’s important to understand our own local ministry context.

We need to answer the questions unique to our milieu. If you reside in LA then learn something about Scientology, if you abide in Salt Lake City you’ll want to freshen up on Mormonism, if you’re in Hawaii think through Buddhist teachings, but obviously, if you’re in Texas pouring over Confucianism is not very strategic, unless you’re in Austin.

Second, we need to discern and confront the ideas that have shaped the values of our American landscape.

Ours is a country shaped by militant secularism, religious pluralism, and sexual obsession. I’ve never seen a culture so obsessed with their genitals. It’s such a problem that many have turned sex into a god. But serving the sex-god makes for a poor savior. To leverage Trueman again, in his book, The Real Scandal of the Evangelical Mind, he reminds us,

“A movement that cannot or will not draw boundaries, or that allows the modern cultural fear of exclusion to set its theological agenda, is doomed to lose its doctrinal identity. Once it does, it will drift from whatever moorings it may have had in historic Christianity.”[2]

Third, get familiar with the biggest longstanding objections to Christianity.

Here’s where every pastor needs to brush up on the age-old apologetic answers to questions regarding truth, evidence for God’s existence, the possibility of miracles, the problem of evil and suffering, the reliability of Scripture and the historical evidence for Christ’s resurrection.

Fourth, as pastors we need to maintain a steady diet of learning.

Seminary is not the end, but the beginning. Today’s pulpiteer should be a student of Scripture, philosophy, apologetics, theology, psychology, and culture. This is what made Timothy Keller so impactful. He was a well-rounded communicator. And as a result, his preaching connected with people’s hearts—big time! I know it can be overwhelming as there is so much to learn. I feel it myself. It’s overwhelming at times in our information age. But know this. My intent is not to burden you, but to offer an approach to the pulpit that will richly equip you and your congregation. At the end of the day, there’s no end to learning. So, enjoy it instead of trying to conquer it.

In my next blog, I’ll carry on this discussion by developing some further points to consider as it relates to apologetic preaching. In the meantime, I hope this offers you a little food for thought. Bon appetit.

 

Footnotes

[1] The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self (2020), 30

[2]The Real Scandal of the Evangelical Mind (2012; pg. 25)

 

Recommended resources related to the topic:

Counter Culture Christian: Is the Bible True? by Frank Turek (Mp3), (Mp4), and (DVD)

Defending Absolutes in a Relativistic World (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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Is God Real? Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life | with Lee Strobel

The statistics show that skepticism, atheism, and agnosticism are on the rise among American adults today, along with hostility towards the Christian faith. But what if these current statistics aren’t telling the whole story? Could it be that people are just as curious about God today as they’ve always been?

It’s the final podcast episode of 2023 and we’re going out with a bang! This week, Frank talks with the one and only Lee Strobel about his brand-new book, ‘Is God Real: Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life.‘ Aiming to answer today’s biggest objections to God’s existence (the problem of evil and divine hiddenness), Lee uses his latest book to unpack some of the best philosophical, scientific, and historical evidence for God. During their conversation, Frank and Lee will answer questions like:

  • What makes this book unique in comparison to Lee’s previous work?
  • How has the attitude towards atheism evolved in recent decades?
  • Why doesn’t God make His existence more obvious?
  • Which top scholars did Lee interview for the book?
  • Why is faith in God (seemingly) on the decline in America?
  • Which argument for God is most difficult for atheists to counter?
  • What is the Apologetics Pyramid and how do you use it as a tool for evangelism?

As you’ll hear during the episode, not a second goes by without someone (about 200 someones to be exact!) Googling the question: “Is God Real?” which leads to a digital tidal wave of information that generates more confusion than answers. On the contrary, Lee’s book is an easy, yet compelling and logical explanation that pulls the apologetic cookies from the top shelf to the bottom shelf for anyone open and interested in learning more about the evidence we have for God’s existence. And for those who want to go even further in their studies, consider enrolling in the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University!

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 on the podcast:

Lee’s Book: Is God Real?

Lee’s website: LeeStrobel.com

The Lee Strobel Center at Colorado State University

 

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Harvard, Heresy, and Near Death Experiences – Plus More Q&A

Is Harvard ready to embrace THE truth or is it doubling down on President Claudine Gay’s “truth”? Just a couple weeks ago, Frank discussed the rising antisemitism on college campuses like Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT. During this midweek episode, Frank continues the conversation and briefly addresses President Gay’s plagiarism scandal and the Harvard Crimson’s censorship of Alan Dershowitz, a Jewish liberal and former Harvard professor who recently wrote an opinion piece on the matter. He also takes a look at Harvard’s surprising history and how this so-called esteemed institution has totally gone off the rails.

Later in the show, Frank also takes the time to respond to some listener questions surrounding objective morality, the real meaning of Christmas, NDEs (near death experiences), and confronting heresy among fellow believers. Is there a war between Christianity and science? What do NDEs tell us about Christianity? How do you navigate conversations with professing Christians who believe heresies? All of these questions and more will be discussed in this jam-packed midweek podcast episode you definitely don’t want to miss!

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.

Article: The Harvard Crimson Refuses to Publish My Letter Critical of President Claudine Gay

Blog Post: He Gets Us, But Do We Get Him? The Case for Criticizing False Teachers

 

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Escaping Twin Flames – A Netflix Docuseries

While searching for some light entertainment one Saturday evening, I stumbled upon the exact opposite by way of a new 3-part docuseries on Netflix titled ‘Escaping Twin Flames’. With only a brief description to go by and a short preview that showed former members describing the abuse and manipulation they encountered during their time at something called ‘Twin Flame Universe’, the curiosity in me couldn’t resist diving in. What followed was an eye-opening look into the tremendous cost that thousands of people (women in particular) are willing to pay when the promise of love and wholeness is dangled in front of them.

The series also reveals the sinister lengths some individuals will take to exploit this deep-rooted need in humanity. It was both infuriating and heartbreaking to watch. But with an estimated 10,000 cults still operating in the USA[1], and an increase in online cults since the pandemic, it is important for modern-day Christians to be aware that though the vehicle of the message has changed, the message itself has not. Now with unfettered access to the vulnerable, these online leaders offer a false and costly solution to an age-old problem of human longing that has never been solved without Jesus Christ.

 What is a Twin Flame?
While most people tend to view the idea of a “soul mate” as a complimentary relationship, the twin flame relationship differs in that it describes two pieces of the same soul reuniting. Though the term “Twin Flame” is relatively modern, the idea stems from Greek mythology where it was believed that humans originally had two faces, four arms, and four legs. Feeling threatened by humanity’s power and strength, Zeus split humans into two halves, forcing them to spend the rest of their lives in search of their other half.

Soulmates today are often viewed as a complimentary match, like two puzzle pieces, however, twin flames are viewed as two parts of the same whole, they mirror each other rather than complement each other. The appeal of this concept is the promise that finding such a person will allow you to fully and finally know yourself, find emotional and spiritual healing, fulfillment, and peace within the world. It also warns, however, that such a match is likely to amplify both one’s best and worse qualities as the two halves “mirror” each other.

There are two ways one can find their twin flame:

1. The universe brings them together.

2. A spiritual guide can identify the pair and match them (for a fee).

If your alarms bells aren’t ringing at this point, perhaps this will help. It is not uncommon for one of the twin flames to begin to distance themselves from their match over time. According to twin flame ideology, this behavior is caused by either “unresolved trauma” or some other spiritual block. In such cases, one of the twins must carry the burden of “chaser” while the other tries to “run”. The chaser carries the responsibility of remaining committed to the union, pursuing their twin flame relentlessly, and healing the “block” or trauma that the “runner” is avoiding. And before you ask, yes, restraining orders have been issued and violated thanks to this belief system.[2]

 What is Twin Flame Universe?
Created by millennial snake oil salesman Jeff Ayan and his wife, Shaleia Ayan (both recently changed their last names to “Divine”), Twin Flame Universe (TFU) is a subscription service raking in a tremendous amount of money. Hopeful individuals (mostly women) pay for access to a community of like-minded people, TFU courses, one-on-one coaching, in-person events, bonus products, and even diet plans. All of which are designed with the unified goal of ensuring you (1) find your “Twin Flame” and (2) ascend to and maintain a “Harmonious Twin Flame Union” (HTFU).

From a business perspective, the structure of TFU is nothing more than a multi-tier marketing scheme where coaches pay thousands of dollars for a never-ending list of required “training” taught by Jeff and Shaleia. This training allows the coaches to build their own client portfolio of people wishing to join TFU and pay for its various services.

How Can a Christian Respond to Twin Flame Ideology?
Two docuseries[3] and numerous articles have already been dedicated to uncovering the abusive nature of this online cult and the textbook narcissistic delusions of its founders. But for the thousands of people who have joined TFU, it’s safe to assume that countless more ascribe to the Twin Flame ideology, even if they haven’t made a financial commitment to TFU. So, the question is, how can the Christian respond?

  1. Recognize the Truth

Twin Flame ideology highlights a very real pain point for almost all humans throughout time. C.S. Lewis identified this pain point in what is now called ‘The Argument from Desire’. In Lewis’s own words, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.”[4] In short, unfulfilled transcendent desires lead us to conclude that such fulfillment is possible but not here in earth. The unfulfilled desire identified in twin flame ideology is the longing for wholeness and emotional healing.

  1. Identify the Lie.

While Twin Flame ideology recognizes a universal pain point, it incorrectly diagnoses the source of that pain, and unsurprisingly, prescribes a false remedy. Those looking for their twin flame believe that they are broken and incomplete because their souls were split in two and that wholeness can only be found by uniting these two pieces of soul together. The problem? It is demonstrably false that the union between two broken people results in the happiness and completeness of both.

Christian theology offers a different cause for our brokenness. Genesis explains how humans were created in the image of our Creator (Gen 1:27) and describes an intimate relationship in which Adam and Eve once walked and talked with God in the Garden of Eden. Their disobedience, however, led them to be removed from the Garden of Eden so that they and all future offspring would exist in separation from God (Gen 3:22-24). The most important relationship for our spiritual survival was severed because of sin. “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2). That is the true cause of our pain.

The solution? Jesus Christ who, through faith in him, reconnects us to our Creator and Father. And though we aren’t promised complete healing and wholeness during our time on earth, we can at least experience moments of it as we hold to the blessed assurance of our eventual restoration and reunion with Him in Heaven (Hebrews 10:22).

Summary

Cults, communities, and charismatic leaders will always rise up and offer false solutions to the universal problem of human brokenness and pain.  The Bible warned us of this in Matthew 24:24. However, unlike the false promises of people like Jeff and Shaleia Divine, Jesus requires no payment and no ongoing system of “work” that must be done. One must only trust in him and receive the mercy and grace he offers us thanks to his own sacrifice on the cross, done in love for our salvation.

Footnotes

[1] Paul LaRoda, “How to Identify a Cult: Six Tips From an Expert,” CBS News (24 February 2018), https://www.cbsnews.com/news/how-to-identify-a-cult-six-expert-tips/

[2] Dusica Sue Malesivec, “My ‘Twin Flame’-obsessed ex ‘stalked me on vacation’ in Europe: new podcast,” NY Post (7 March 2022), https://nypost.com/2022/03/07/my-twin-flame-obsessed-ex-stalked-me-on-vacation-podcast/

[3] ‘Escaping Twin Flames’ (Netflix) and ‘Desperately Seeking Soulmate: Escaping Twin Flames Universe (Prime Video)

[4] C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity, Rev. ed. (San Francisco: Harper, 2001), 135-137

 

Recommended resources related to the topic:

Another Gospel? by Alisa Childers (book)

Sex and Your Commanding Officer (DVD) (Mp4 Download) by Dr. Frank Turek

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

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Born and raised in New Zealand’s North Island, Phoenix is a proud Kiwi-American raising a young family in North Carolina with her husband. Today she works as the Creative Director for CrossExamined.org where she gets to combine her love of Christian apologetics and digital communication. Phoenix is a content creator, speaker, and staff writer and is currently completing her M.A. in Christian Apologetics and Theology at Southern Evangelical Seminary.

 

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Santa, Christmas Trees, and Reindeer: Pagan or Christian? | with Bill Federer

Have you ever wondered where Christmas traditions come from? Better yet, is there any CHRISTIAN truth to these traditions, or are they all rooted in paganism? And what’s the deal with Santa Claus? Where did he come from and how did he become such a legend in the hearts and minds of both children and adults? The answers may surprise you!

Back by popular demand (and just in time for the holidays), nationally known speaker and best-selling author, Bill Federer, joins Frank to discuss the TRUE history of Christmas and debunk some of the popular myths circulating online about its origins. During this episode, Bill will unpack the story of St. Nicholas as detailed in his popular book ‘There Really Is a Santa Claus‘, and explore the various Christmas traditions that have evolved across different cultures over time. Listen as Frank and Bill answer questions like:

  • Was Jesus really born on December 25th?
  • Is Christmas a copycat of Sol Invictus?
  • What role did St. Nicholas play at the Council of Nicaea?
  • Where did the Christmas tree come from?
  • How did Martin Luther change Germany’s Christmas traditions?
  • Is it ok for Christians to use the term X-mas and where did it come from?
  • Should Christians teach their kids that the mythical Santa Claus is real?
  • What is the true meaning of Christmas?

And so much more! As you’ll hear in this fascinating conversation, Bill is an amazing historian, storyteller, and fan favorite of the CrossExamined community. His wealth of knowledge on this subject will not only encourage you to defend the Christmas holiday, but also help you to see how it ultimately points to the plan of redemption. For more fun facts about history, be sure to sign up for Bill’s email list by visiting his website, AmericanMinute.com.

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.

Bill’s website: American Minute

You can purchase Bill’s Christmas book on his website HERE.

 

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Making Sense of Christmas

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The Christmas season has a way of quickening the senses, doesn’t it? The taste of a kiss under a mistletoe tree, the flavor of nursing steamed Ghirardelli hot chocolate, or the sheer ecstasy of biting into that freshly made batch of flaky peanut brittle. Then there are the smells. Oh, the smells. The smell of Gingerbread houses, hot caramel apple pie, and the dreaded Turkish Delight. We cannot forget the sounds. The sounds of Christmas carolers, holiday bells and our favorite seasonal hymns and not so favorite ones too, like, Last Christmas. It’s also a sight fest. The sight of homes bedecked with multi-colored lights, lawns graced by nativity scenes, and Salvation Army volunteers ringing their bells for coins in the coffer. And of course, we cannot forget the touch of holding that long-awaited for gift as it is first unwrapped. Oh, how I loved unwrapping those Lego sets, or tearing open my new Star Wars action figures. Luke Skywalker. Darth Vader. Stormtroopers. Chewbacca. Yoda. Hans Solo. Keep them coming.

Alright, enough of that. We’re getting a little too sappy here. So, here’s my point. While it’s true that the Christmas season touches the chord of our senses, it’s also true that the heightened sensory extravaganza can numb us to the essential meaning of Christmas, making it even difficult for some to make sense of Christmas with all the added hoopla. As we inch toward this season, let us make sense of the season once again. But before we do, let me set an objection aside. Some might contend that since we don’t know the day on which Jesus was born, then we should avoid a collective celebration of Christmas altogether. While I’d agree, despite some who claim otherwise, I don’t think we can know Jesus’s D.O.B. But that’s to miss the point. We can still reserve a time to celebrate Christ’s incarnation, regardless of a fixed date, we can still revel in his descent to rescue us. Besides, it’s the event, not the date, that counts. It’s the Christ, not the calendar that we worship in remembrance.

Now to the event. The incarnation. The virgin birth. The very infleshing of the Logos. This is an event that’s hard to digest. We’re talking about God becoming flesh. It’s to this event that great sage from many decades ago, Mr. C.S. Lewis himself, referred to as, “The Grand Miracle.” Think about what so grandly entails this pivotal event. Or better yet, try and imagine it for a moment. We’re talking about God in gestation. I know, that’s a lot. On one level you can see the problem. And it’s this. In one sense, we can never make full sense of it. That’s because incarnation thinking boggles the brain. And yet, just the thought of it for the believer should humble our hearts in worship. We’re reflecting on a God who fastened himself in the Person of Christ to human flesh for all time. Knowing that God is Spirit, you’d think after Christ’s death He’d ditch the bodily experience throughout eternity, but no, it was a physical/bodily resurrection. It’s one thing to assume our nature for an earthly sojourn and another thing to assume our nature for an eternal sojourn.

As we seek to make sense of Christmas this year, make sense of this. Christ came to identify with us. To share in our nature. But there’s more. Much more. And yet, space permits me to carry us much farther. So, I’ll close with a few final reflections to feast on for December. First, Christmas is a time to remember that God became man so that man could be one with God. Yes, Christmas reminds us that God is a reconciling God. A rescuing God. A saving God. A relational God. Second, Christmas is a time to remember that God came to earth so that we could go to heaven. This is good news. No, it’s great news. By attaching ourselves to Christ we gain much more than forgiveness of our sins, removal of our guilt and the elimination of our shame. That’s because Jesus came down so we can go up. He came to earth, so we can go to heaven. And finally, Christmas is a gift, and the best gifts are meant to be shared. It’s the gift that keeps on giving. The gift that we will never finish unwrapping. The gift that’s meant to be given away. Christmas is a time for sharing. For sharing the Greatest Story Ever Told. It’s a time to remember that there are miracles and there is The Grand Miracle. That Light came into the world of darkness so that a world of darkness could enter His everlasting light. Selah.

 

Recommended resources related to the topic:

Miracles: The Evidence by Frank Turek DVD and Mp4

Early Evidence for the Resurrection by Dr. Gary Habermas (DVD), (Mp3) and (Mp4)

Reflecting Jesus into a Dark World by Dr. Frank Turek – DVD Complete Series, Video mp4 DOWNLOAD Complete Series, and mp3 audio DOWNLOAD Complete Series

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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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Have You Joined the Rebellion Against Jesus Because of Leftist Infiltration? | with Megan Basham

Have you unknowingly joined the rebellion AGAINST Jesus? You’ve probably noticed that there’s no shortage of faith leaders and church denominations that have departed from biblical teachings to follow the political and moral positions of the culture instead. But with this secular societal backdrop, how can Christians remain faithful and avoid selling out to the whims of the culture?

In this week’s eye-opening podcast episode, Frank speaks with author, investigative reporter, (Christian) journalist, and writer for The Daily Wire, Megan Basham, to discuss the various ways in which Leftists have strategically infiltrated churches, parachurch organizations, and even Christian media with their secular agendas. During this episode, Megan will uncover the true reason why Leftists are targeting the Church and emphasize the need for Christians to be on guard against false teachers. Listen as Frank and Megan answer questions like:

  • How did Megan get into journalism (and why should more Christians become journalists)?
  • Has ‘Christianity Today’ gone woke?
  • Are churches like Saddleback and well-known pastors like Andy Stanley headed in the wrong direction?
  • What are the signs of Leftist indoctrination within the Church?
  • What are the culture’s “Twin Commandments” according to Megan?
  • What should you do if some of these ideas have made their way into YOUR church?

It seems we’re being pressured on all sides to recant our Christian viewpoints, but we must stand firm on biblical truth and refuse to join in the rebellion against Jesus. We’re confident that this podcast episode will help you to do just that!

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.

Follow Megan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/megbasham

Follow Megan on The Daily Wire: https://www.dailywire.com/author/megan-basham

 

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Is Christmas Pagan?

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Tree decorating. Repetitive Christmas music on the radio. Sleigh bells ringing. Chestnuts burning. (Like, what does this even mean? Do people actually do this?) And the incessant cyber throat-punching over Christians who celebrate Christmas are actually celebrating an evil pagan holiday.

Ah… it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

Christmas is that magical time of the year again, full of bright lights, joyful music, and the warm and fuzzy feelings of family and gift-giving. But every so often, you might hear a claim tossed around that Christmas is rooted in pagan traditions. There are many people, especially online, who take this time of year very personally and feel the need to remind Christians that we are, indeed, participating in a pagan holiday. This can be very confusing for some Christians. They want to make sure they’re doing the right thing in God’s eyes but also don’t want to miss out on a holiday that worships our Lord because some people— passionate as they may seem— might be misled about this topic. If you’re a Christian, you might be left scratching your head, wondering if there’s any truth to these claims. Let’s break it down and look at Christmas from the Christian perspective.

A History Lesson (Don’t Worry, It’s a Short One!) 

The mix-up often comes from the fact that Christmas is celebrated around the same time as the winter solstice and some ancient Roman festivals like Saturnalia. The early Christians didn’t have Jesus’s exact birthdate in their calendars. Deciding to celebrate on December 25th wasn’t about hopping on the pagan bandwagon, though. It was more about carving out a Christian identity that was distinct and separate from these celebrations. So the irony here is they were trying to be distinct from pagan practices, not syncretize with them.

Jesus’s Birthday Bash

From a Christian viewpoint, Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, and it’s got nothing to do with pagan festivals. This is probably the one that I want to emphasize the most. Think of the entire point of Christmas. It’s not a fake or false worship of Jesus, but the exact opposite. It’s remembering His birth and how God became human. The Gospels of Matthew and Luke in the New Testament give us these deets on Jesus’s birth. It involves heavenly announcements, prophetic fulfillments, and divine revelations – not exactly your typical pagan celebration ingredients.

All About Those Traditions

Across the ages, Christians have crafted and refined a plethora of charming traditions to honor and celebrate the holiday of Christmas. These customs range from the use of Advent calendars to mark the days leading up to the event, to the lighting of candles to signify the arrival of the Christ child. Another beloved activity is the singing of carols, which often feature lyrics that tell the story of the Nativity. Finally, many Christians enjoy creating intricate and beautiful nativity scenes, which depict the manger where Jesus was born surrounded by various characters from the Bible. These beloved traditions are deeply rooted in the Christian faith and are regarded as essential components of the Christmas season, rather than being borrowed from other religious or cultural practices.

The Real Meaning of Christmas

I alluded to this before, but it is worth noting that Christmas holds a significant connection to the Christian faith. The holiday revolves around the doctrine of the incarnation, which is the belief that God took on human form through the birth of Jesus. The idea of the incarnation is deeply rooted in the New Testament and was frequently discussed by the Apostle Paul in his letters. He emphasized the incredible mystery and beauty of this belief, which has been central to the Christian faith for centuries. As a result, various Christian customs have developed over time to celebrate the miraculous birth of Jesus Christ. These customs range from religious services and prayer to gift-giving and festive decorations. Overall, Christmas is a time for Christians to reflect on the significance of the incarnation and to celebrate the joy of Jesus’s birth.

Wrapping It Up (See What I Did There?) 

So, there you have it. This isn’t an exhaustive list, and numerous Christians (and even non-Christians!) have written about this topic, debunking it over and over again. When it comes to Christmas, it’s essential to separate myth from fact. For Christians, Christmas isn’t a refurbished pagan holiday but a heartfelt celebration of the birth of Jesus, with its unique traditions and meanings. Sure, Christmas trees and gift exchanges are all good, but at the core, it’s all about remembering that moment when heaven touched earth. In this context, Christmas will always be a Christian holiday. For that, I’m grateful.

I made a satirical video about this on my YouTube channel. I used my most controversial character, Judy McJudgerson, to make this point. So… even if you don’t agree with me, I hope you get a kick out of the mediocre wig. You can check it out here.

So no. Christmas isn’t pagan. Let’s stop the madness.

Merry Christmas.

 

Recommended resources related to the topic:

Miracles: The Evidence by Frank Turek DVD and Mp4

Early Evidence for the Resurrection by Dr. Gary Habermas (DVD), (Mp3) and (Mp4)

Reflecting Jesus into a Dark World by Dr. Frank Turek – DVD Complete Series, Video mp4 DOWNLOAD Complete Series, and mp3 audio DOWNLOAD Complete Series

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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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My Truth vs. THE Truth at Harvard

Why has antisemitism exploded on college campuses and around the world? In the aftermath of the horrifying Oct. 7th Hamas attack on Israel, students and even faculty members of some of our most prestigious institutions have gone on record to support the senseless and evil slaughtering of innocent Israeli citizens. As blatant acts of bullying and harassment have now been redirected toward Jewish college students, are the aggressors involved being held accountable?

During this week’s podcast episode, Frank reviews some disturbing headlines regarding antisemitism on college campuses and also talks about the recent congressional testimony of not one, but THREE (!) university presidents from Harvard, the University of Pennsylvania, and MIT who clearly stated on record that calling for the genocide (death) of Jews only constitutes harassment “depending on the context”. Frank will also play clips from the congressional meeting so that you can hear the madness for yourself! Listen as Frank answers questions like:

  • Where must we draw the line when it comes to freedom of speech?
  • Where does Harvard president Claudine Gay TOTALLY drop the ball when it comes to objective truth and morality?
  • What “truths” are colleges like Harvard and Penn actually teaching their students?
  • If freedom of speech is so important to Harvard and Penn, how do they currently rank according to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression?

When Ivy League presidents like Claudine Gay can’t come right out and say that calling for the murder of Jews is objectively wrong, we have a BIG problem. Is a gaslight apology coupled with the lighting of menorah candles enough to vindicate leaders who unashamedly defend the violent pro-Palestinian agenda? Frank will discuss all this and more in this eye-opening and emotional 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 during the podcast:

The Most Extreme Anti-Israel, Hamas-Sympathizing Moments on College Campuses Since the 10/7 Attacks

‘I Am Sorry’: Harvard President Gay Addresses Backlash Over Congressional Testimony on Antisemitism

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression

 

Download Transcript

 

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