I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist

Do most Christians have the wrong definition of inerrancy? You may have noticed some pretty significant discrepancies between the different Gospel accounts in the New Testament—discrepancies that skeptic Bart Ehrman didn't hesitate to point out during past debates with Dr. William Lane Craig, Jimmy Akin, AND today's guest! Is there a way for Bible-believing Christians to harmonize these variations, or should we throw out the concept of Bible inerrancy altogether?This week, author, Christian apologist, and New Testament scholar Dr. Mike Licona sits down with Frank to expose the truth about "errors" in the Bible, specifically tackling some of Bart Ehrman's objections to the reliability of the New Testament. He'll also discuss the release of his new book, 'Jesus, Contradicted: Why the Gospels Tell the Same Story Differently', which is a resource aimed to help Christians navigate through textual variances. During the episode, Frank and Mike will answer questions like:What is the true meaning of divine inspiration?What is the Chicago Statement of Inerrancy, and what are some of its shortcomings?Did God dictate to the Gospel authors?Are there errors in the original Bible manuscripts?What is literary spotlighting, and how does it apply to the Resurrection narratives?Buckle your seatbelts, friends, because this podcast episode is likely going to make you uncomfortable by challenging much of what you've been taught (or assumed) about biblical inerrancy. Is it okay that the Bible doesn't have camera-like accuracy in some places? Listen as Dr. Licona helps us to take a fresh look at the doctrine of inerrancy and then decide for ourselves. And be sure to pick up a copy of the book, 'Jesus, Contradicted'!To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST, be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into great discussions with like-minded Christians while providing financial support for our ministry.You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE.Mike's book: Jesus, Contradicted: Why the Gospels Tell the Same Story DifferentlyDEBATE: Is the Bible Inerrant? (Mike Licona vs. Richard Howe)

Do most Protestants have a good grasp on Roman Catholic theology or are they largely misunderstanding some of its core doctrines? While Protestants and Catholics share certain beliefs, there are also key doctrinal differences that have led to numerous church councils and theological debates throughout Church history. What are some of the most common misconceptions that many Protestants have about Roman Catholicism and what exactly does the Catholic Church teach about eternal salvation? For this midweek podcast, author and Catholic Apologist, Jimmy Akin, returns to set the record straight about the Catholic faith and to dispel some of the false ideas that Protestants have about the Roman Catholic Church. With his unique perspective as a former Protestant himself, Akin will unpack what it is that Catholics actually believe in regards to the Gospel, justification, baptism, purgatory, and much more! During their conversation, Frank and Jimmy will answer questions like: Why do Catholics consider the Apostle Peter to be the first Pope? What are some of the things that Protestants and Catholics agree on? Why was the Council of Trent important? How do Catholics define justification? Do Catholics believe that atheists can be saved? Does Roman Catholicism teach faith by works? In this friendly dialogue (not debate) between Frank and Jimmy, you'll get insight on why they both decided to switch churches on their faith journey as they talk about their own personal experiences with Protestantism and the Catholic Church. To learn more about the theology of Roman Catholicism from a Protestant perspective, grab a copy of the book 'Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences' (co-authored by the late Dr. Norman Geisler), and also endorsed by Jimmy. And be sure to subscribe to Jimmy's YouTube channel as well as his Mysterious World podcast! 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. Jimmy's website: JimmyAkin.com Jimmy's podcast: Mysterious World or Watch on YouTube BOOK: Roman Catholics and Evangelicals: Agreements and Differences

When Christians suggest that the Bible is without error, what does that actually mean? And are there really good reasons to believe that the Bible, (specifically the New Testament) is both historically reliable and inerrant? Critics like Bart Ehrman raise challenging and thought-provoking questions about contradictions in the Gospels and Jesus' resurrection, but are they true contradictions or just apparent contradictions? For this week's podcast, Frank sits down with author and Catholic apologist, Jimmy Akin, to talk about his recent debate with the well-known atheist and UNC Chapel Hill professor, Bart Ehrman. Serving as a senior apologist on Catholic Answers, Jimmy will unpack how he used his seasoned debate skills to graciously disarm his opponent while laying out a good case for New Testament reliability and exploring the standards of writing in the first century. During their conversation, Frank and Jimmy will answer questions like: Did the Gospel writers remember and record the exact words of Jesus? Did Jesus have a twin brother who appeared to the disciples after the Resurrection? How do undesigned coincidences point towards New Testament reliability? Why are some of the New Testament events seemingly out of chronological order? Why did Bart Ehrman transition from a conservative fundamentalist Protestant Christian to now identifying as an atheist/agnostic? As Jimmy shares his unique strategy in approaching his dialogue with Ehrman, he'll also drop some insight on the importance of understanding the Bible's historical context, clarify the difference between truth and precision, and touch on why there are a variety of writing styles among the New Testament authors. This laid back and light-hearted podcast episode comes jam-packed with apologetics knowledge bombs so grab your pen and paper and prepare to learn more about what it really means for the New Testament to be reliable! And be sure to watch Akin and Ehrman's full debate on his YouTube channel HERE along with his fascinating podcast, 'Mysterious World'.

Were Harrison Butker’s bold statements during his recent Benedictine College commencement speech worth all of the public backlash he received in response? Although many are now hailing the Super Bowl winning NFL kicker as a hero for speaking up, others are calling for him to be fired from the league altogether. What exactly did he say that caused so much outrage and what biblical truths can we gather from the controversial (and now viral) speech?For this midweek podcast, Frank unpacks Harrison Butker’s words from a biblical worldview and highlights how Butker called out some of the lies, harmful ideologies, and inconsistencies that our culture and national leaders have been feeding us. During this podcast episode, Frank will answer questions like:Does the book of James teach salvation by works?What does the game of football teach us about morality?Do Christians always have to be “nice” in order to be loving?Did Jesus ever engage in politics?How is Joe Biden “neglecting the weightier matters of the law”?Are biblical gender roles oppressive to women?Is comfort the true meaning of life?What are the pros and cons of becoming a Christian? Later in the episode, Frank will share his own personal experience of being canceled in corporate America due to writing his book ‘Correct, Not Politically Correct: About Same-Sex Marriage and Transgenderism‘ and how it launched him into ministry full-time. He’ll also talk about the importance of being willing to speak up (like Butker) as a means to fight back against cancel culture and to illustrate TRUE love, even if it comes at a cost.And if you want to learn more about how to stand up for truth in a toxic culture, consider enrolling at Frank’s alma mater, Southern Evangelical Seminary!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.

Why do your kids believe what they believe about the world and the purpose of life? Are you equipping them to make good decisions now and in the future when you’re no longer there to protect them? Will their knowledge of truth, logic, and God’s Word ultimately prevail against the conflicting (and sometimes hidden) messages they might hear from friends, teachers, and TikTok? If you’re a Christian parent, these are the questions that keep you up at night, but have no fear–the great Shanda Fulbright is here! As a mom, former California public school teacher, and certified apologist, Shanda is no stranger to the challenges Christian parents face during these crazy cultural times. In this week’s podcast episode, Shanda and Frank discuss the subtle ways that secular society is indoctrinating or “discipling” today’s youth with destructive and even anti-Christian ideologies. During their discussion, Frank and Shanda will answer questions like: What made Shanda question her faith as a 17-year old raised in the Church and what helped her overcome her doubts? What are the 3 key characteristics of “discipleship” and how is it more than just a religious term? What are 3 ways that the public school system is strategically discipling K-12 students? How did Shanda react when a teacher shared a book about transgender ideology with her son’s class? What do the statistics show about faith in God among America’s youth and their parents and what does that mean for the Church? What are Shanda’s top 3 tips for parents who want to be more intentional about discipling their kids? Parents and other caregivers–consider this your wake-up call! The reality is that your kids are being discipled by someone or some thing. If you don’t disciple them with THE truth, who will? We know you’ll benefit from this week’s podcast episode, and as a follow-up, consider enrolling your middle-school student in one of Shanda’s self-paced courses this summer, or join Shanda LIVE in her ‘Train Your Brain: An Introduction to Logic‘ PREMIUM course this fall! 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. Shanda’s courses: Is Hell Real? Understanding a Place Nobody Likes to Talk About – Self-Paced Course Let’s Get Real: Examining the Evidence for God – Self-Paced Course Train Your Brain: An Introduction to Logic – Self-Paced Course Train Your Brain: An Introduction to Logic – PREMIUM Course Starts 9/9/2024 Other resources mentioned during the episode: Apologetics Curriculum for All Ages – 2nd Grade to Adult! Jonathan Haidt – Research and articles on effects of social media on adolescents

You love your pastor, but why won’t he address crucial cultural, moral, or political issues from the pulpit? Is there anything that you or your church can do about it? Furthermore, what risks lie ahead for faithful pastors who do actually speak out against the culture and rightly stand up for the truth of God’s Word? For this midweek podcast episode, pro-life advocate and political leader, Tony Perkins, returns to talk more about the need for Christians and pastors to engage in political issues, and to defend the biblical worldview in the public square. If your pastor or your church seems totally disengaged from the political world, how can you inspire a change of heart? Why do so many pastors choose to remain quiet on culturally taboo issues like the right to life and natural marriage? And what resources are available for those who want to lead the charge and equip people in the church on where the candidates and parties stand on the most important issues? Frank and Tony will discuss all of this and MUCH more in the conclusion of their talk on faith and politics! 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 episode: Part 1: The Top 3 Reasons Why Christians Should Be Involved in Politics with Tony Perkins Family Research Council: https://www.frc.org/ FRC Action: https://frcaction.org/ Pray Vote Stand: https://prayvotestand.org/ Tony’s website: TonyPerkins.com

Should Christians get involved with politics, or should we just stay out of the way because “religion and politics don’t mix”? While some Christians have the tendency to idolize political influence, others have gone to the opposite end of the spectrum, choosing to completely shy away from engaging in public policy altogether. What does the Bible and common sense have to say about this? This week Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council who has worked with congress and presidents for decades, joins Frank to talk about the need for Christians to take politics seriously and use it as a means to advance the Gospel by protecting religious freedom and to love their neighbors by protecting them from evil for generations to come. As a pro-life/pro-family advocate and political leader with a background in both the U.S. Marine Corps and ministry, Tony will share some valuable insights into the current political landscape, urging Christians to actively participate in shaping laws and policies. During their conversation, Frank and Tony will answer questions like: How did Tony unexpectedly enter the realm of politics and why does he think more Christians should do the same? How can Christians be salt and light in the government and treat it as a mission field? What should Christians do when candidates for each party are morally compromised? How have Christians been negatively impacted by bad policies? What political issues can Christians disagree over? How can Christians and conservatives make real policy gains?   A force for good in Washington, Tony will lay out just a few reasons why Christians should not only get involved in politics, but view it as a form of ministry. He and Frank will also address the latest controversy with Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson, explain the distinction between imposing religion and legislating morality, and lay out some of the key platform differences between Democrats and Republicans. And don’t miss the conclusion to this eye-opening conversation as Tony returns next week for the midweek podcast! 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 episode: Family Research Council: https://www.frc.org/ FRC Voter Guides: https://frcaction.org/ iVoterGuide: https://ivoterguide.com/ Tony’s website: TonyPerkins.com

Can Christians learn to love the same way God loves? Cold-case homicide detective turned Christian apologist, J. Warner Wallace, answers that question for us in his brand-new book ‘The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life.’ But how exactly did researching some of his own murder investigations lead him to discover the truth about God’s nature and His love for humanity? For this midweek podcast episode, Jim returns to talk more about his new book and to share what he’s learned about marriage, justice, grace, and mercy through his deep study of contemporary true crime. What key quality is needed to be successful in life? Why do so many police officers struggle in their marriage? Why is pride such a dangerous sin? What’s the distinction between shame and guilt? All of these questions and more will be addressed as Frank and Jim wrap up this intriguing and insightful two-part discussion! To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE. Order Jim’s Book: The Truth in True Crime Listen to Part 1 of the discussion: The Truth in True Crime with J. Warner Wallace

Have you ever wondered why America is so obsessed with death and murder, or why some of today’s most popular podcasts, shows, and TV networks are all centered around the topic of true crime? What’s the reason for our curiosity with murder and what life lessons can we learn from studying even the worst of these true crime stories? If you’re a true crime junkie, this is the podcast episode for you! This week, our favorite cold-case homicide detective turned Christian apologist and author, J. Warner Wallace, sits down with Frank to talk about the inspiration behind his brand-new book, ‘The Truth in True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life‘, which explores 15 life-truths that he discovered through his study of the Scriptures and some of his most notorious murder investigations. During their conversation, Frank and Jim will answer questions like: Why are women especially drawn to the genre of true crime? How do men and women view identity differently? What is the true cause of trauma and PTSD? What are two common ways that identity is formed in people? How does humility contribute to human flourishing? Later in the episode, Jim will open up about his own personal journey through an unexpected season of identity crisis and reveal the most shocking discovery he made while writing the book. Be sure to pick up your copy of ‘The Truth in True Crime‘ and come back next week to hear the conclusion of Frank and Jim’s discussion on how true crime exposes certain truths about human nature. To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE. Order Jim’s Book: The Truth in True Crime

How is today’s censorship trend affecting your job, your child’s education, and your medical healthcare of all things? And what about the political right? Are they as guilty of imposing censorship on society as the far left? For this midweek podcast episode, Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, returns to speak more about the issue of censorship and how it’s restricting our freedoms in unimaginable and potentially devastating ways. Why are conservatives banning books from school libraries? How is wokism negatively impacting how doctors prescribe medicine? Is the distribution of porn protected under the First Amendment? And why can’t comedians be funny anymore? All of these questions and more will be addressed as Frank and Seth continue this ongoing conversation about the fight for free speech! 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. Listen to Part 1: Censoring The Babylon Bee? with Seth Dillon