I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist

How can Christians defend the faith in light of today’s most common objections from young atheists and agnostics? America’s “best and brightest” have a bone to pick with God and the Christian worldview, which means evangelizing this demographic is of the utmost importance. But how can Christians effectively reach young people when factors like the problem of evil and the reality of suffering prohibit them from wanting to embrace theism? Back by popular demand, Cliffe and Stewart Knechtle of the popular YouTube channel, Give Me An Answer, return to share more insights on how they tackle today’s toughest philosophical questions from college and university students. Does the truth of Christianity depend on how good (or bad) Christians live out their faith? Why is free will a necessary component of a moral universe? Is there biblical precedence for open-air evangelism? What effect has moral relativism had on the minds of high school students? All this and more will be discussed in Part 2 of this lighthearted but highly informative midweek 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. Ask Cliffe YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@askcliffe Give Me An Answer (website) Grace Community Church in New Canaan, CT Download Transcript

Do young people today reject theism and Christianity for the same reasons as past generations? If you ask the average American college student why they doubt Christianity or God’s existence, you’re sure to get a range of responses. But are their objections grounded in evidence, reason, and rationality? Or are they allowing their emotions and desires to guide their unbelief? Evangelizing college students is no easy task, but today’s guests have mastered the art of dialoguing with young people who have major questions when it comes to faith, morality, and identity. This week, Frank sits down with the humble father/son duo, Cliffe and Stuart Knechtle of the popular YouTube channel, Give Me an Answer. During the episode, Frank, Cliffe, and Stuart will answer questions like: What are some of the top objections they get to Christianity and how do they respond? Why and how did Cliffe and Stuart start doing open-air apologetics on college campuses? How does atheism contradict the Black Lives Matter movement? Should depressed teens have the right to commit suicide? Should Christian parents send their kids to secular colleges and universities? What are some of the CRAZY (and sometimes frightening) ways that students have responded to their ministry?   As you’ll hear throughout this conversation, Cliffe and Stuart take a head, heart, and hands approach when they evangelize on college campuses. This podcast episode is all about showcasing how to present both the love and the truth of Christ without (purposely) offending a potentially hostile audience. We know you’re going to appreciate what Cliffe and Stuart have to say, so be sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel and stay tuned for the upcoming midweek podcast episode where Frank will wrap up the conversation with Cliffe and Stuart on how to effectively engage young people through Christian 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. Ask Cliffe YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@askcliffe Give Me An Answer (website) Grace Community Church in New Canaan, CT

What are the historical and ideological factors that have shaped the modern state of Israel and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict? Religion, corruption, and even money laundering cannot be overlooked when having a nuanced discussion on what has happened and is happening in that region. But with the complexity of this ongoing war of ideologies and power grabs, where does the true solution lie? During last week’s podcast, Frank and our guest, best-selling author and historian Bill Federer, walked us through some of ancient Israel’s history as documented through archaeology and in the Old Testament. This week, Bill briefly revisits the miraculous re-founding of Israel in 1948 and then gets into the weeds of many of the challenges that the Jews have faced in light of re-establishing their nation and protecting it from Islamic regimes that are dedicated to destroying Israel for good. Listen as Frank and Bill answer questions like: How did a population of only 600,000 Jews manage to defeat an army of five different countries the day after the modern state of Israel was founded? Why did the Palestinians vacate the land once it was reclaimed by Israel? What role does critical theory play in the history of the modern rise of Islamic governments? What’s the ideology of Wahhabism and jihad? How did US government officials like Franklin D. Roosevelt, President Biden, Hilary Clinton, and others contribute to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? What led the son of Hamas’ founder to turn away from Islam and convert to Christianity? How is Jesus the ultimate solution to this never-ending war?   As Bill ties up some of the loose ends from the prior podcast episode, he’ll take us even deeper into the centuries-long hostility between Arab nations, Muslim fundamentalists, and Israel. Part 2 of this series is sure to leave you with a better understanding of the significance of the October 7th Hamas attack, decades-old oil transactions, critical theory, and how they’re all linked to a long chain of antisemitic uprisings from past and present history. And just in case you missed Part 1, be sure to go back and check out the previous episode that aired on 1/5 so that you’re fully in the loop! 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. Previous podcast (Part 1): The History of Modern-Day Israel with Bill Federer – Part 1 Bill’s book: What Every American Needs to Know about the Qur’an: A History of Islam & the United States Download Transcript

How did Israel get to where it is today? Do Israeli’s have a rightful claim to the land, or does it actually belong to the Palestinians? And is the conflict REALLY about land after all? We can learn a lot about the history of ancient Israel by reading the Bible and studying archaeology, but what else should concerned citizens know about modern-day Israel and the rise of antisemitism since that time? As promised, we’re using the first podcast episode of 2024 to explore the history of modern-day Israel. Just a few weeks ago, nationally known speaker, best-selling author, and historian Bill Federer (founder of The American Minute) joined us to breakdown the TRUE history of Christmas. But this week he’s back to discuss modern Israel’s extensive origin story with Frank. During the show, Frank and Bill will answer questions like: How did the state of modern Israel begin? What archaeological finds corroborate Israel’s long substantiated claim to the land? Was there a state of Palestine before 1948? How has the discovery of oil fueled the rise of antisemitism? Why is every land for peace deal rejected? And is this dispute really about land?   Believe it or not, Frank and Bill only begin the discussion in this podcast episode, so be sure to check out the upcoming midweek podcast episode this Tuesday to look even further into Israel and Palestine’s past, present, and ongoing conflict. There’s so much left to unpack and you have to stay tuned for the conclusion of this historical break down from a true expert! In the meantime, remember to sign up for Bill’s email list so that you can continue to receive history nuggets like this every week! 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 book: What Every American Needs to Know about the Qur’an: A History of Islam & the United States Download Transcript

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/

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

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 Download Transcript

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.

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

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