Tag Archive for: New Testament reliability

Atheist Christopher Hitchens once wrote, “religion poisons everything”, and he included the Christian religion in that assessment. When you look at the behavior of some claiming to be Christians over the centuries— when you look at church history— you realize that Hitchens was right in many ways. The history of Christianity has been a mixed bag historically: some very good behavior and some very bad behavior.

Dr. John Dickson of the University of Sydney and visiting professor at Oxford has written a brilliant and balanced book called, ‘Bullies and Saints: An Honest Look at the Good and Evil of Christian History,’ that covers every century of church history. He joins Frank to reveal the truth about:

  • The behavior of the first believers (they were “good losers”)
  • Myths about Constantine
  • How the religious freedom beliefs of Tertullian got to Thomas Jefferson
  • Why slavery was eradicated and why it took so long
  • The Crusades
  • The Spanish Inquisition
  • The real reason for the violence in Northern Ireland
  • The worst scandal in church history
  • The most unique ethical contributions of Christianity
  • The most surprising discovery made by Dr. Dickson in his research
  • Why bullies are common, but saints are not
  • How our bad behavior implies a standard and our need for a Savior

Get the book here: https://amzn.to/3cvMaRu

And please check out Dr. Dickson’s wonderfully produced podcast at undeceptions.com.

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: https://cutt.ly/0E2eua9
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

 

One of the greatest myths regarding God and science is that science has somehow disproven God. The exact opposite is actually closer to the truth. If science has disproven anything, it has disproven atheism. How can that be? The Great Dr. John Lennox, Professor at Oxford University, joins Frank to offer answers by discussing his new book Cosmic Chemistry.  They address questions such as:

  • What can science explain and what are its limits— what can’t it explain?
  • What are new developments in science that are pointing more toward intelligence as a cause?
  • How does atheistic materialism negate our ability to reason and our ability to do science?
  • Why does science depend on an intelligent being?
  • What is the origin of natural laws?
  • What is the origin of information and why can’t information be explained by natural laws?
  • Why does evolution fail to disprove God?
  • Even if macroevolution is true, how do we know there is an intelligence behind the evolutionary process?
  • What about the “God of the gaps” objection?

Dr. Lennox is his usual cogent and winsome self-offering analogies that help us all understand complex subjects.

Don’t miss this one and make sure to get his new book here: https://amzn.to/2YEp1ZU

For his movie “Against the Tide” click here: https://amzn.to/321wPqd

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: https://cutt.ly/0E2eua9
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

 

Is it wrong to criticize someone’s moral or religious beliefs? Many people think so. Frank takes this assertion head on and reveals that it is self-defeating, impractical, and unbiblical. For example, those who claim we can’t judge anyone’s moral beliefs are judging themselves and asserting a moral belief. If we can’t criticize someone’s moral beliefs then how can we say the Nazis were wrong or the Jihadists on 9-11 were wrong? How can you say your position on LGBTQ issues, racism, or climate change is right? How can we follow the teachings of the prophets and Jesus and the apostles? Tune in. There’s a lot of ground covered in this one!

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: https://cutt.ly/0E2eua9
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

 

Best-selling author Eric Metaxas (Bonhoeffer, Luther, Amazing Grace, Miracles) joins Frank to reveal highlights of his new book Is Atheism Dead? Eric covers the discoveries pointing to God from science and archaeology, and he does so by telling the stories leading to these momentous discoveries. It’s a delightful read, and it shows how much the script has flipped from science points away from God to now science strongly pointing toward God. On the podcast, Frank and Eric discuss the Big Bang, the fine-tuning of the universe, and the utter futility of trying to find a natural cause for the first life. The universe and life provide compelling evidence for supreme intelligence. They also cite a few of the more prominent archaeological finds, including the home of Jesus and Mary in Nazareth which was just discovered last year.

Get the book here: https://amzn.to/2Zvj5Ta

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: https://cutt.ly/0E2eua9
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

 

The top apologetics book over the past two years on Amazon has been Hillary Morgan Ferrer’s Mama Bear Apologetics (yes, I think it’s sold even more than Mere Christianity). Well, Hillary is back with an equally great new book called Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality. And she writes about hard issues in a fun and memorable way. For example, here’s a short excerpt:

The idea that sexuality should be guarded is not very popular. Our society sees it as just a prudish phase we went through back in the Victorian era. Thanks to Freud, we are now supposedly enlightened, understanding that sexual repression is basically the gateway to all mental illnesses. Be free, little birdies! It’s for your own good! Don’t listen to those religious nutjobs. They craaazy!

Well, are we craaazy? Listen in as Frank asks Hillary to explain why biblical sexual ethics are correct and how you can teach them to your kids. You can’t refute something that you don’t understand. This podcast and Hillary’s book will help you understand the top issues of our day.

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: https://cutt.ly/0E2eua9
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

 

Is there really an afterlife? Is there any evidence outside the Bible that we live on after death? What will Heaven be like?

The great Lee Strobel is back on the show with another wonderful “case” book, this one is called The Case for Heaven. Frank asks Lee several intriguing questions that are answered in his new book such as:

  • What evidence is there that we have a soul?
  • What do Near Death Experiences tell us about the afterlife?
  • How can we confirm that NDEs are real and not invented stories? (Some have been invented, but others verified.)
  • What is Hell like?
  • Is it possible that Hell is temporary?
  • Why would God punish someone eternally for temporal sin?
  • Where do we go when we die?
  • Is there are a chance to accept Christ after death?
  • What is Heaven really like? It’s not one long church service, is it?

If Heaven is real (and it is), you don’t want to miss it!

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: https://cutt.ly/0E2eua9
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

 

Are you a Moody Christian?

Do you rely on your feelings about Christianity or the evidence for Christianity?

Should you have certain feelings that confirm you are saved?

Frank answers those questions and offers some practical insights from C.S. Lewis on not only how to develop your relationship with Christ but how to develop your relationships with your loved ones. He also shows why most of what you know is based on the testimony of others. That’s even true for scientists! Finally, Frank shows why you can trust the testimonies of the New Testament writers.

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: https://cutt.ly/0E2eua9
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

 

• What is faith?
• Is faith blind?
• Doesn’t the Bible say that faith is the conviction of things not seen?
• What is the difference between “belief that” and “belief in”?
• Did Jesus use evidence to prove who he was?
• What is the relationship between faith and reason?
• Is there a difference between knowledge and certainty?
• Do atheists just lack a belief in God or do they have faith too?

Join Frank as he investigates these questions and shows why everyone has faith, from Christians to atheists and everyone in between.

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Google
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

 

Detective Wallace is back to show us through his new book, Person of Interest, the monumental and unparalleled impact Jesus of Nazareth has had on the entire world.  But this isn’t a softball interview.  Frank plays devil’s advocate with Jim to see how he responds to some tough objection’s skeptics might levy against some of his points, such as:

  • Sure, Jesus has had a big impact, but couldn’t Christianity be based on a lie and then promoted by the Roman empire?
  • You say Christians started science, but everyone was a Christian back then, so what’s the big deal?
  • Aren’t science and Christianity at odds?  After all, look at how the church treated Galileo!

As for the book, it is truly a unique and inspiring work that helps you realize the tremendous influence of the historical Jesus, which is best explained by His resurrection from the dead.  Person of Interest is wonderfully argued and illustrated (over 400 drawings).  If you want to buy the book or view a sample chapter, go to www.personofinterestbook.com.

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Google
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

 

Do you trust experts? Do you trust science? Why do we get conflicting advice from experts and scientists?

Frank investigates those questions by citing the bogus papers Dr. Peter Boghossian published in academic journals which exposes that experts, like the rest of us, are susceptible to biases, social pressure, ideological blindness, and groupthink. Be especially wary when people claim there is a scientific “consensus”! That normally means there really isn’t a consensus, and people will pressure dissenters into silence. But the history of science shows that our knowledge advances when we question the prevailing orthodoxy— when we ask for the evidence that people use to come to their conclusions.

Frank also cites evidence that science related to Covid has become politicized— that certain policies and treatment recommendations lead to contradictions and questions. The censors will be out for this episode!

Links cited:

My University Sacrificed Ideas for Ideology. So Today I Quit.

Politics Disguised as Science: When to Doubt a Scientific ‘Consensus’

The Grievance Studies Affair revealed

There is no American monarchy

Ivermectin Wins in India

Why You Should Not Use Ivermectin to Treat or Prevent COVID-19

A five-day course of ivermectin for the treatment of COVID-19 may reduce the duration of illness

If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org.

Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!
Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Google
Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast
Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher