Tag Archive for: philosophy

Why Do You Do What You Do: Truth or Incentives? – Part 2

Are you following the truth or are you following incentives that may cause you to turn your back on Christianity and throw Jesus under the bus? On this midweek podcast episode, Frank continues the conversation on the powerful incentives that often prevent us from denying ourselves and picking up our cross for Christ as we go through our daily lives. He’ll answer questions like:

  • What does FOMO (the fear of missing out) reveal about our underlying motivations?
  • Why does the question, “If Christianity were true, would you be a Christian?” often reveal a non-believer’s true intentions and desires?
  • What did Norman Geisler mean when he said, “Fraternity will almost always overcome theology.”?
  • What are some examples from the Bible when people follow incentives instead of following Christ?

Near the end of the program, Frank addresses two listener questions related to this topic–one from an Indian American who is struggling to commit to Christianity because his family wants him to embrace his Hindu roots, and the second from a Muslim seeking clarification on some differences between the Quran and the Bible. There’s no doubt that following Christ is ever an easy decision to make, and even Christians are susceptible to falling off the rails for the sake of convenience and not ruffling any feathers. But we hope this episode will encourage you no matter where you are on your journey with Jesus!

 

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY HERE. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

 

Resources mentioned during the episode:

Truth or Incentives? Part 1 – https://bit.ly/408gz0K

Book – ‘Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes’ – https://a.co/d/1dANcEz

Online Course – ‘How to Interpret Your Bible’ – https://bit.ly/3BoEhxD

Book – ‘The Anxious Generation’ – https://a.co/d/b08gb1p

Blog Post – ‘The Anxious Generation’ – https://bit.ly/3zW4ySM

Watchman Fellowship – https://www.watchman.org/

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Why Do You Do What You Do: Truth or Incentives?

Blaise Pascal, once said, “People almost invariably arrive at their beliefs not on the basis of proof, but on the basis of what they find attractive.” Have you ever taken the time to reflect on what it is that primarily motivates all of us to make decisions? Is it based on what’s objectively true or what we find attractive? Are we following facts or are we more inclined to follow our desires and self-preservation?

It’s a brand-new year, and since many of us set goals for 2025, Frank is kicking things off with an investigation into how incentives can often lead both Christians and non-Christians away from the truth; how to recognize when we’re being influenced by cultural peer pressure; and how incentives have historically led the masses to do the unthinkable. Listen as Frank answers questions like:

  • Is it possible to pursue your self-interests and reason at the same time?
  • What are the 3 incentives that cause people to sin and what makes them so powerful?
  • Are incentives inherently wrong?
  • How do “normal” people become proponents and active participants of genocide?
  • Where do we see examples of incentives in our schools, workplace, and health care system?
  • What is the root cause of bad economic policy here in the United States and all over the world?
  • What’s the 2nd most important truth in the Bible for our culture today?
  • Why do many pastors avoid talking about controversial issues?
  • What’s the driving force on social media that often causes both kids and adults to throw Jesus and Christianity under the bus?

Let’s face it, we’re all tempted to do the wrong thing for what we tell ourselves are good reasons, but in reality we are incentivized to lie to ourselves. When incentives push you to lie or follow what you find attractive, will you be committed to denying yourself and following Christ? Or will you conform to the cultural norms, compromising the truth for comfort and acceptance like so many people of the past and present? Tough question that even Peter failed to answer rightly. Pray and choose wisely!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY HERE. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:

Book – ‘Same as Ever: A Guide to What Never Changes’ – https://a.co/d/1dANcEz

Dr. Robert W. Malone on X: https://x.com/RWMaloneMD

Dr. Peter A. McCullough on X: https://x.com/P_McCulloughMD

Online Course – ‘Why Does God Allow Evil?’ – https://bit.ly/4gYjT5v

Online Course – ‘How to Interpret Your Bible’ – https://bit.ly/3BoEhxD

Blog Post – Sex at Work? https://crossexamined.org/sex-at-work

Book – ‘The Anxious Generation’ – https://a.co/d/b08gb1p

Blog Post – ‘The Anxious Generation’ – https://bit.ly/3zW4ySM

 

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The Top 3 Things Christians Need to Know About Government, Evolution, and the Health Crisis with Dr. Jay Richards

 

 

In our final podcast episode of 2024, Dr. Jay Richards returns to discuss three essential topics that often cause confusion and dissent among both Christians and non-Christians in America today: the history and purpose of government, macroevolutionary theory vs. intelligent design, and the root cause of chronic disease. Together, Frank and Jay address questions like:

  • What is the biblical purpose of government?
  • Where do our rights come from?
  • How should we define American exceptionalism?
  • Was America founded on Christianity or something else?
  • What did Thomas Jefferson mean by “separation of church and state” and how has the term been misused and misunderstood?
  • What is macroevolutionary theory and why does it fail to explain the origin of life and new life forms?
  • How should Christians respond to the “God of the gaps” objection?
  • Is Darwinism consistent with what we can observe in biology?
  • Why is America sicker than ever despite our ultra-advanced health care system and will RFK Jr. solve the problem?

From politics to science to health, Frank and Jay will cover a lot of essential truths in this year-end episode of ‘I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist’ that will still be relevant in the decades to come! If you want to learn more about any of these topics, be sure to check out our list of recommended resources below. Let’s continue standing for truth, defending the faith, and boldly living out the biblical worldview in every area of life in 2025!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY HERE. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:

Jay’s work at The Heritage Foundation: https://www.heritage.org/staff/jay-w-richards-phd

Follow Jay on X: https://x.com/DrJayRichards

Stephen Meyer at the Discovery Institute: https://www.discovery.org/p/meyer/

Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine: https://segm.org/

Biological Integrity: https://biologicalintegrity.org/

The Privileged Planet – https://privilegedplanet.com/

Book – ‘Money, Greed, and God’ by Dr. Jay Richards: https://a.co/d/46pGwlS

Book – ‘Return of the God Hypothesis’: https://a.co/d/hI6RmYt

Book – ‘Undeniable’: https://a.co/d/5w0aCby

Book – ‘Eat, Fast, and Feast’: https://a.co/d/7zVgxmg

Book – ‘Good Energy’: https://a.co/d/igUjom0

 

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What Every Christian Needs to Know About Economics and Transgenderism with Dr. Jay Richards

Charles Spurgeon once said that discernment is knowing the difference between right and “almost right”. But when there’s so much noise and confusion happening in the news and on social media these days, how can we tell the difference?

As we approach the end of 2024, our friend Dr. Jay Richards returns to unpack some of the essentials of economics, the Christian worldview, and social trends so that you can be informed when it comes to the issues that matter the most. Join Frank and Jay as they discuss the importance of understanding the basics of economics and how it can help Christians think clearly about government policies, healthcare, and how it can equip believers to protect the most vulnerable populations in our society. Tune in as Frank and Jay answer questions like:

  • Does the Bible advocate for a specific economic system?
  • How did the government become so bloated, and why did it get involved in housing and education?
  • What’s the difference between socialism and free-market capitalism?
  • What’s the best way to help those in poverty and how do people end up trapped in the welfare system?
  • What did economist and philosopher Adam Smith mean by “the invisible hand”?

During the second half of the program, they’ll shift gears to examine the economic and cultural factors that are specifically driving the transgender movement. From the profit motives behind gender-affirming care to the resurgence of ancient Gnostic ideas, this thought-provoking conversation will shed light on how transgenderism became politicized, what’s causing the major spike in gender dysphoria, and how to end child transitioning for good!

Don’t miss this thought-provoking, year-end episode, and please consider making a tax-deductible donation to CrossExamined so that we can continue to help Christians defend the faith and do our part to make Christ known across the globe! 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:

Book – ‘Money, Greed, and God’ by Dr. Jay Richards: https://a.co/d/46pGwlS

Jay’s work at The Heritage Foundation: https://www.heritage.org/staff/jay-w-richards-phd

Society for Evidence-Based Gender Medicine: https://segm.org/

Biological Integrity: https://biologicalintegrity.org/

Previous podcast – ‘Money, Greed, and God’ with Dr. Jay Richards: https://bit.ly/3DvSZn7

 

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The Birthday That Changed the History of the World with Bill Federer

Why is December 25th celebrated as the birth of Jesus? Was it a date chosen to overshadow pagan festivals like Saturnalia or Sol Invictus, or does it have deeper Christian roots? While the Bible doesn’t provide a specific birthdate for Christ, it may offer more clues than you think!

Just in time for the holiday season, historian and author Bill Federer returns to unpack the fascinating origins of the Christmas story and its rich Christian heritage. One of our most popular topics, this episode dives deeper into the history, theology, and traditions surrounding the incarnation of Christ—a moment that forever changed the course of human history. Join Frank and Bill as they explore questions like:

  • How do the Dead Sea Scrolls provide evidence for Jesus’ actual birthday?
  • Why do some Christians celebrate Christmas on Jan. 6th?
  • When did Christians start celebrating Dec. 25th as the birthday of Jesus?
  • What is one of the most overlooked pro-life passages in the Bible?
  • What’s the story of King Herod and was he really capable of being a baby killer?
  • Why was there strife between the Pharisees and Sadducees, and how did Rome get involved in Jewish politics?
  • How many wise men brought gifts to Jesus and when did they visit Him?
  • Why are the Old Testament prophecies about Jesus so vague?
  • What’s the origin of the “12 days of Christmas”?
  • How does the history of the entire world center on the birth of Christ?

Tune in as Bill dispels some of the common myths surrounding the Christmas holiday and uses his gift of storytelling to connect the historical and biblical pieces together. This episode will be both enlightening and entertaining as it also lays out the message of the Gospel, so be sure to share it with a friend! Merry Christmas from the CrossExamined team and please check out our earlier conversation with Bill where he shares even MORE history behind some of today’s most beloved Christmas traditions with visuals included!

Did you enjoy this episode? HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING THE PODCAST HERE.

Resources mentioned during the episode:

VIDEO PODCAST: Is There Any CHRISTIAN Truth to Our CHRISTMAS Traditions? – CEevents.org
BILL’S WEBSITE: https://americanminute.com/
BILL’S BOOK: ‘There Really is a Santa Claus‘

 

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Is THIS the REAL Mt. Sinai?

 

What would you expect to find at the REAL Mount Sinai? Could its true location be in Saudi Arabia rather than the traditional site in the Sinai Peninsula? Recent discoveries have reignited interest in Jabal al-Lawz as a possible candidate for the biblical Mount Sinai, and this week, you’ll have the chance to examine the evidence for yourself!

In this podcast episode, Frank unpacks some of the details of his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, including what he and the group saw as they climbed the mountain at Jabal al-Lawz. He’ll also discuss what fascinating markers distinguish this mountain as a great contender for Mount Sinai and why it’s more important than ever for trained archaeologists to continue exploring the site. During the episode, Frank will answer questions like:

  • Why was the Sinai Peninsula originally selected as Mount Sinai?
  • How long did it take Frank and the group to get up the mountain?
  • Why have there been so few excavations at Jabal al-Lawz?
  • Who is Hathor and what’s a possible explanation for all the cow drawings found on the mountain?
  • What evidence exists suggesting that Jabal al-Lawz is the true Mount Sinai?
  • What were Frank and the group AMAZED to see once they reached the top of Jabal al-Lawz?
  • What’s so special about the Split Rock of Horeb? And how many people were involved in the Exodus?

While it’s still too early to make a concrete conclusion on Jabal al-Lawz, the circumstantial evidence discussed in the podcast episode may cause you to seriously consider it to be the REAL Mount Sinai. To catch some of this exclusive footage for yourself, be sure to follow us on all our social media platforms and subscribe to the CrossExamined YouTube channel. And stay tuned for MUCH more exciting news about what Frank and the group were able to dig up in Egypt and Saudi Arabia!

Did you enjoy this episode? HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY HERE. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:

Living Passages Unveils the True Mount Sinai in Saudi Arabia: http://youtu.be/JBaY–L5NPY
Frank Visits the Merneptah Stele in Egypt: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gy-RanSnzik
Preaching the Good News at the Giza Pyramids: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/Cf4JjuRFA0Q
Moses and the Split Rock of Horeb: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/HLgzLDXFCB8
Was the Golden Calf HERE? https://www.youtube.com/shorts/h5yAwssDU5Y

 

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3 More BIG Questions: Fine-tuning? Feeling God? Inerrancy?

Does the scientific evidence fall short of proving the fine-tuning of the universe? Should Christians regularly “feel God’s presence”? And since there are minor differences in the Gospels, does that disprove biblical inerrancy? In this midweek podcast episode, Frank tackles three more BIG questions from our listening audience along with questions like:

  • What are the 3 levels of fine-tuning and does it only occur here on planet Earth?
  • Can the fine-tuning argument alone actually prove Christianity is true? And can all truth be explained through science?
  • Where exactly are Heaven and Hell?
  • What’s the true meaning of Christmas?
  • Is loving God an emotion, a feeling, or a decision?
  • If God chooses not to reveal Himself to us is that proof that He doesn’t exist?
  • What’s a great question to ask your skeptic friends?

Have a question you’d like Frank to address in a future episode? Send it to hello[at]crossexamined.org, and stay tuned for Friday’s podcast to hear more about his recent trip to Egypt and Saudi Arabia!

Did you enjoy this episode? HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING THE PODCAST HERE.

Resources mentioned during the episode:

BOOK: Hollywood Heroes – https://bit.ly/3Or82Ax
BOOK: Stealing From God – https://bit.ly/41hLt91
BOOK: Decision Making and the Will of God – https://a.co/d/gQhMD3m
OCC Course: How to Interpret Your Bible – https://bit.ly/3BoEhxD
ARTICLE: Does God Whisper? Part 1 – https://bit.ly/3P0KW47
ARTICLE: Does God Whisper? Part 2 – https://bit.ly/3ZY3hVJ
ARTICLE: Does God Whisper? Part 3 – https://bit.ly/3ZzqOe8

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The Privileged Planet – Designed for Discovery with Dr. Jay Richards

The fine-tuning of the universe is one of the most compelling arguments for Intelligent Design—so compelling that even atheists like Richard Dawkins and the late Christopher Hitchens have acknowledged its challenge to materialistic explanations. Why is the fine-tuning argument so extraordinary, and how have recent scientific discoveries made it even clearer that the universe points to a divine Creator?

This week, Dr. Jay Richards joins Frank to discuss the 20th anniversary edition of ‘The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos Is Designed for Discovery‘, the groundbreaking book he co-authored with Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez. Together, they explore the updated book and the remarkable new scientific discoveries that continue to affirm its hypothesis. During their conversation, they’ll address:

  • How did Guillermo’s career suffer when the book was first released in 2004?
  • What updates have been made to the 20th anniversary edition?
  • What is the likelihood that life exists on other planets?
  • How is materialism a self-defeating worldview?
  • What is the cosmological constant and what type of precision is required in order for a planet to be able to sustain life?
  • How probable is a multiverse?
  • What’s so special about “perfect” solar eclipses?
  • What are the most common atheist objections to fine-tuning and our privileged position in the Universe?

If you’re looking for a good stocking stuffer this Christmas, grab the 20th Anniversary Edition of ‘The Privileged Planet‘, a book and documentary film that continues to stand the test of time and compels readers to acknowledge how the complexity and fine-tuning of the universe couldn’t possibly be the result of a cosmic accident. And be sure to stay tuned for an update on the Kingdom AI Project that’s helping CrossExamined to place apologetics resources around the globe as a result of your continued support!

Did you enjoy this episode? HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING THE PODCAST HERE.

Resources mentioned during the episode:

The Privileged Planet Website: https://privilegedplanet.com/

The Privileged Planet 20th Anniversary Book: https://www.discovery.org/b/privileged-planet/

The Privileged Planet Video on Demand: https://go2rpi.com/privileged-planet-vod/

Follow Dr. Jay Richards on X: https://x.com/DrJayRichards

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3 BIG Questions About Homosexuality, Human Flourishing, and Hell

How do you convince non-Christians that homosexuality is wrong without using the Bible? Does human flourishing replace the need for God and the moral argument? And why does God create people that He knows will end up in Hell?  In this week’s solo podcast episode, Frank tackles three BIG questions that were recently sent in from our listening audience. During this discussion, Frank shares some practical advice on how to address these sensitive topics along with questions like:

  • Should Christians be concerned about what people do privately?
  • How does natural marriage contribute to spiritual maturity?
  • Are morals biologically determined?
  • Does the existence of Hell prove that God is unjust?
  • What thought-provoking questions can you ask people who are in support of homosexuality?
  • Why doesn’t atheism solve the problem of evil?
  • What does the Bible say about divine justice?
  • How can pain and suffering possibly result in GOOD?

Brace yourself — this episode is not politically correct, but it will be correct! Be sure to grab a copy of ‘Correct, Not Politically Correct: About Same-Sex Marriage & Transgenderism‘ and ‘Stealing from God‘ for more in-depth answers to these three BIG questions!

Did you enjoy this episode? HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING THE PODCAST HERE.

Resources mentioned during the episode:

BOOK: Toxic Empathy – https://www.toxicempathy.com/
BOOK: Correct Not Politically Correct – https://bit.ly/3qws2ZL
BOOK: Stealing From God – https://bit.ly/41hLt91
VIDEO: Frank and Alex O’Connor – https://youtu.be/qNeB1RVeJHo

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World Religions in Seven Sentences with Dr. Doug Groothuis

 

 

How much do you know about the major world religions? Whether it’s atheism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, or one of the many Eastern religions, humanity holds a wide array of beliefs about who God is and if He even exists at all. But what if more Christians dedicated time to learning about other religions? How could this strengthen our faith along with our ability to share the Gospel?

We’re kicking off December with renowned Christian apologist and philosopher, Dr. Doug Groothuis, professor at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI and the author of 20+ books, including his latest work, ‘World Religions in Seven Sentences: A Small Introduction to a Vast Topic‘. In this episode, Frank and Doug discuss the inspiration behind the book and unpack some of the core beliefs of today’s major world religions—one sentence at a time. Together, they’ll tackle questions like:

  • What are the seven sentences that represent each world religion and why did Doug choose them?
  • What makes Friedrich Nietzsche the “quintessential atheist”?
  • Should atheism be classified as a religion? And what typically happens when atheism and Marxism collide?
  • What are some of the key differences between Hinduism and Buddhism?
  • What’s the connection between Nietzsche, Pol Pot, Ted Bundy, and human depravity?
  • Why do some people choose to be atheists?
  • What happened when Doug encountered a Hinda guru at the age of 18?
  • How do Judaism and Islam differ in their relationship to Christianity?

If exploring diverse faith systems seems overwhelming, ‘World Religions in Seven Sentences‘ is the perfect guide to get started. Tune in as Frank and Doug reveal how false religions often lead to human suffering and why Christianity alone is the solution to the problem of evil in the world. Be sure to grab your copy of Doug’s book and subscribe to his Truth Tribe podcast for even more great content!

Did you enjoy this episode? HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING THE PODCAST HERE.

Resources mentioned during the episode:

‘World Religions in 7 Sentences’: https://a.co/d/gExzxhz
Doug’s Website: https://www.douglasgroothuis.com/
Doug’s Podcast: https://www.douglasgroothuis.com/podcast-1

 

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