I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist

Is the U.S. government deliberately targeting patriotic Americans with conservative values? In a post 9/11 America, the necessary push to prevent Islamic terrorism opened the door for justice agencies to shift their focus to what they now call “domestic terrorists”. But what if your conservative, Christian beliefs have the potential to put you on the government’s radar as a domestic threat? This week, author, apologist, speaker, and political commentator, Dinesh D’Souza, joins Frank to discuss his new documentary film ‘Police State‘, which is sounding the alarm on the Deep State’s witch hunt of ordinary, law-abiding citizens who happen to be conservatives and/or Christians. D’Souza will share his own frightening run-in with the feds following the release of his film ‘Obama’s America‘, and expose how he was able to survive the shakedown and the attempted sabotage of his career. During their conversation, Frank and Dinesh will answer questions like: How did this targeting of U.S. citizens begin? What financial incentive is there to target “domestic terrorists”? Why does the Biden Administration desire an open border, and why are they allowing children to be trafficked? What can U.S. citizens do to protect themselves in such a corrupt society? Why does the government insist on prosecuting Trump but not Biden? What is the Red Referral Network and how can it benefit Christians and conservatives? In D’Souza’s live action dramatization (based on actual footage recorded at the scene), he’ll give you a glimpse of the horrific real-life events that devastated the lives of innocent people like Catholic pro-lifer, Mark Houck, a loving husband and father of seven. Could identifying as a pro-lifer, supporting natural marriage, or even opposing transgender ideology in your kid’s school be enough for you to be categorized as a “domestic terrorist”? Be sure to check out the crowdfunded film ‘Police State‘, and learn more about America’s move towards government domination and what you can do about it! 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: Police State (Documentary Film)What’s So Great About Christianity? (Book)Red Referral NetworkOther Books & Films by Dinesh D’Souza Download Transcript

Do you have to believe that the Bible is completely without error to be a true Christian? If you don’t agree with the Bible, you ultimately find yourself at odds with the teachings of Jesus and that’s never a good idea. But if both the Old and New Testaments have discrepancies, why should we consider our Bible to be inspired? This week, Frank dives into the issue of the inspiration of Scripture and tackles several questions from the audience, briefly discussing topics like abortion, free will, and God’s sovereignty. He’ll also examine some of the apparent contradictions in the Bible and offer insights from scholars and theologians regarding the variations between the eyewitness testimonies recorded in the New Testament. During the episode, Frank will answer questions like: Do humans beings inevitably make mistakes? If so, how can we trust the Bible? If everything happens for a reason, do we still have free will? How did St. Augustine approach the inerrancy of Scripture? Why is it important to have an eternal perspective? Does the parable of the landowner contradict the promise of rewards in heaven?   Additionally, Frank will take us into the cosmic realm and explore the implications of the Big Bang on the creation story in Genesis. For those wanting to go deeper into these questions, Frank shares his recommended reads to expand their understanding. If grappling with challenging passages in the Bible has been a hurdle for you, this episode is a must-listen! By the conclusion of this podcast, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how to interpret the Bible within its literary and historical framework, empowering you to steer clear of common misinterpretations of Scripture. 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 in the episode: Book: The Big Book of Bible Difficulties by Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe Book: Seven Days That Divide the World by John Lennox Book: I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek

Do you have blood on your hands? Are Christian beliefs motivating trans people to commit the unthinkable act of suicide? The alarming prevalence of depression among people battling gender dysphoria has prompted advocates of the transgender movement to demand political action, proposing that the solution lies in the push for “trans rights”. But what happens when the pursuit of these “rights” collide with basic human rights? This week, Frank tackles a very sensitive question from a listener regarding the outcry for more “trans rights” by the parents of a young trans person who tragically decided to end his life prematurely. As Frank shares some of the details of this heartbreaking story, he’ll address the erroneous notion that being in opposition to “trans rights” is what caused the untimely death of their child. During this podcast episode, Frank will answer questions like: What are trans rights? How do they collide with basic human rights? What are the main conditions surrounding trans suicide? Does social acceptance lessen the likelihood of suicide among transgender people? How did a high school in Virginia fail in protecting not one, but two teenage victims of sexual assault? How do trans activists bully people? What is the best way to love someone struggling with gender dysphoria? Is it approval? Frank will also highlight a few examples of how “trans rights” have compromised the overall safety and privacy of young women and briefly discuss how so-called gender affirming care has contributed to the current mental health crisis. Later in the episode, Frank will identify the root cause of the staggering suicide rates among transgender people and explore solutions that can offer true healing for those within the trans community. To learn more about the major flaws of transgender ideology, be sure to pick up the updated and expanded copy of Frank’s book, ‘Correct, Not Politically Correct: About Same-Sex Marriage and Transgenderism‘. 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: Article: A Landmark Finnish Study is Changing How We Approach Transgender Kids Article: Adversity is the Key to Raising Resilient Kids (highlights Abigail Shrier’s new book ‘Bad Therapy‘) Frank’s Book: Correct, Not Politically Correct Download Transcript

If Jesus rose from the dead, wouldn’t that also demonstrate beyond a reasonable doubt that the Messianic prophecies were about Him? Even if you can convince an orthodox Jew that the resurrection actually happened, it still may not be enough to persuade them that Jesus is the promised Messiah of the Old Testament. Where exactly is the disconnect and why do so many Jews (and even Christians) have trouble detecting the link between these prophecies and the events described in the Gospels? This week, Frank invites Eric Chabot, author of the book ‘The Resurrection of the Jewish Messiah‘, and contributor to the new book, ‘Faith Examined‘, to explore the Old Testament’s references to the Messiah and the great significance of the literary theme of the third day throughout the Scriptures. Serving as the chapter leader of Ratio Christi at The Ohio State University, Eric will share how Ratio Christi is reaching college students with the Gospel on his local campus and also touch on why there is a Jewish aversion to accepting Jesus as the Messiah. During their conversation, Frank and Eric will answer questions like: What strategies does Ratio Christi use to engage students on The Ohio State campus? How has the attitude towards religion shifted in recent years at Ohio State? Why do Jews often avoid Isaiah 53? What’s so special about 1 Corinthians 15? Do Messianic prophecies specifically promise that the Messiah will rise from the dead? What is the commonality between Jews who had previously claimed to be the Messiah prior to Jesus? As you’ll hear during this midweek podcast episode, key passages from the Old and New Testaments include symbolism, typology, and metaphors, all pointing to the reality that Jesus meets all of the qualifications of the Jewish Messiah. Because of his background growing up in a Jewish community, Eric has a passion for drawing Jewish people to Christ and has used these clues from the Scriptures to foster meaningful conversations with people in that demographic. If you want to dig deeper into the significance of the Messianic prophecies, be sure to pick up a copy of Eric’s book ‘The Resurrection of the Jewish Messiah‘ and also read his chapter on this topic in the new book written by CIA graduates called ‘Faith Examined: New Arguments for Persistent Questions, Essays in Honor of Dr. Frank Turek.’ 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: Faith Examined book: https://a.co/d/hvS13kK The Resurrection of the Jewish Messiah: https://a.co/d/1AvTNHd

It’s the age old question–if God is sovereign over all things then how do we have free will? And if God controls everything, does that make Him the author of evil since He causes humans to sin? How do we reconcile a good God with all of the pain and suffering that’s happening in the world? It can seem like a bit of a conundrum for Christians, and the lack of satisfactory answers has caused many people to turn away from God. But what if there was a doctrine or school of thought that could help us make sense of these seemingly intractable problems? Joining Frank on the podcast this week is CIA graduate and professor of Theology at Trinity Theological Seminary, Tim Stratton, who has spent his fair share of time studying these dillemmas. So much time in fact, that this centuries old school of thought known as “Mere Molinism” became the focus of his doctoral dissertation. During the episode, Frank and Tim will answer questions like: What event in his personal life caused Tim to question his former Calvinist beliefs? Where does the term Molinism come from? What are the two “main ingredients” of Molinism? How does Molinism compare to Arminianism and Calvinism? What is the proper interpretation of Romans 9? How does Molinism solve the problem of evil? How does Avengers: Infinity War and Endgame apply to Molinism? If you’ve ever struggled with the problem of evil or wondered how we can possibly steer our own ship when God is completely omniscient, then this episode will definitely give you a few light bulb moments! For more information on this topic, be sure to check out Tim’s contribution to Faith Examined (a collection of essays written by CIA graduates) or Tim’s book ‘Human Freedom, Divine Knowledge, and Mere Molinism‘. 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: Faith Examined book: https://a.co/d/hvS13kK Free Thinking Ministries: https://freethinkingministries.com/ Tim’s book on Mere Molinism: https://a.co/d/bBWr0u1 In-Person CIA (Charlotte, NC): https://crossexamined.org/what-is-cia/ CIA Online 2024: https://bit.ly/3T8Unjw

Can a purely materialistic worldview account for concepts like human dignity, moral absolutes, or objective meaning? In a surprising (and encouraging) turn of events, many who once held to an atheistic worldview are beginning to see that a search for meaning without God is ultimately futile. As this realization continues to permeate the minds of prominent intellectuals within the new atheist movement, will this spark a new interest in faith conversations and even Christianity itself? This week, Justin Brierley returns to talk more about his new book (and podcast), ‘The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again‘, as well as explore the positive impacts of Christianity on contemporary society and its overarching role in uplifting humanity. Why did Christianity spread so quickly in the ancient world? Was Julias Caesar a hero or a tyrant? Why are people flocking to hear Jordan Peterson speak about the Bible of all things? All of this and more will be discussed in the conclusion of this special two-part series! 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. Justin’s book: https://justinbrierley.com/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god/ The Surprising Rebirth podcast: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/

Could we be witnessing a return of belief in God during our generation? It seems that the Christian narrative that shaped the West has been replaced by sweeping secularism. But is that the end of the story? In recent years, a number of highly intellectual atheists have abandoned their secularism and found themselves surprised by the continuing resonance and relevance of Christianity in today’s modern world. Is it possible that the new atheist movement is now dealing with a massive downward spiral of its own? And what’s pushing this new generation of secular thinkers to reconsider the Christian worldview in a positive light? This week, Frank speaks with the one and only Justin Brierley, former host of the popular show ‘Unbelievable’ and author of the new book, ‘The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again.’ In conjunction with the release of the book, Justin is here to share the details on his new documentary podcast of the same title, and how this project has reignited his hope for the survival of the Christian faith in secular society. During the episode, Frank and Justin will answer questions like: Why did Justin end his time on ‘Unbelievable’? What is the focus of Justin’s new podcast? What contributed to the rise of New Atheism after 9/11? Is Richard Dawkins a “Christian Atheist?” Why did Christianity fuel the modern scientific revolution? Who are the prominent voices leading the exodus of new atheism? Justin and Frank will also touch on some of the splits within the new atheist movement and highlight the ways in which atheism maintains its own version of dogmatism and religiosity. Want to dive deeper into the unfolding story of ‘The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God’? Be sure to check out Justin’s new book and 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. Justin’s book: https://justinbrierley.com/the-surprising-rebirth-of-belief-in-god/ The Surprising Rebirth podcast: https://justinbrierley.com/surprisingrebirth/

Is social media turning your kids into digital zombies? You wouldn’t believe how much time the average person will spend scrolling their phone in a lifetime, but the effects that endless scrolling is having on today’s youth is becoming more and more apparent. Is there anything that concerned parents can do to safeguard the well-being of vulnerable children, teens, and young adults from the tech industry’s attacks? In this midweek podcast episode, Jorge Gil sounds the alarm on the negative impact that the overuse of technology is having on our modern culture and how it’s brainwashing younger generations. A pressing issue hiding in plain sight, parents and even grandparents have the huge responsibility to stay in the know when it comes to their children’s online interactions. During this episode, Jorge will answer questions like: In what ways is social media lying to you and your children? What is the connection between social media and depression rates among young people? What practical rules can you put in place to protect kids from their devices? How long does the average person spend scrolling everyday? How can Christians use technology for good instead of evil?   Phone addiction doesn’t discriminate, but the good news is, you can do something about it if you tackle it now! This episode will give you a lot to think about as Jorge exposes the dangers of allowing young people to have too much access to social media without any accountability. Jorge will also give you the tools you need to fight back against the tech industry’s digital assault on your family and share practical advice on how to use technology in a way that honors God. 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: Article: Has the Smartphone Destroyed a Generation Article: The Tech Industry’s War on Kids Book: American Girls: Social Media and the Secret Lives of Teenagers Book: A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World  

Where do you go to find good Christian commentary on current events happening in pop-culture? YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other social media channels have created an almost endless online space for Christians to defend the faith and weigh in on cultural issues. But what has been the overall impact of Christian content creation and are most Christian content creators using their influence in a way that truly gives glory to God? This week, Frank sits down with one of today’s most well-known and relatable Christian YouTubers, Ruslan KD. A refugee from Baku, Azerbaijan, Ruslan moved to the U.S. as a child and over the years slowly made the transition from being a troubled gang member to a devout follower of Jesus Christ. Covering a variety of topics from pop culture, to theology, apologetics, and even politics, Ruslan’s down-to-earth content has helped him gain a massive following, attracting Christians and non-Christians from all walks of life. During their conversation, Frank and Ruslan will answer questions like: How did Ruslan transition from atheism to Christianity and what did his overall faith journey look like? What makes Greg Laurie stand out as one of Ruslan’s favorite past guests? How and why did Ruslan make the transition from a successful Hip Hop artist to a successful Christian YouTuber (seemingly overnight)? Why is Ruslan such a big fan of the Joe Rogan podcast? How is the current moral decline we see happening in culture leading more people to Christ? What advice does Ruslan have to offer for Christian content creators? As Ruslan shares his story, you’ll get the inside scoop (along with some shocking details) on his past traumas, and how all of this (plus an apologetics book recommendation) ultimately led him to lean into the good news of the Gospel. Regardless of your faith or cultural background, Ruslan will offer you a fresh perspective on trending topics that’s grounded in compassion and biblical truth. And be sure to subscribe to Ruslan’s YouTube channel for more cultural commentary from a Christian worldview! 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 Ruslan KD on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RuslanKD Book Ruslan for a speaking event: https://www.kingsdreament.com/booking

Is it necessary to have all the answers to complex theological or cultural questions when talking to non-Christians? Absolutely not! But the fear of not having a response, let alone a convincing one, can be overwhelming, leading many Christians to shy away from sharing their beliefs. When you feel trapped in such situations, is there an easy way out? Christian apologist and author Eric Hernandez knows a thing or two about how to navigate tough conversations with skeptics. This week, Frank invites Eric on the show to talk about his new book ‘The Lazy Approach to Evangelism: A Simple Guide for Conversing with Nonbelievers,’ a wonderful resource for Christians who want to be more effective as they engage non-Christians with the Gospel (think ‘Tactics’ combined with ‘I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist’!). During the episode, Frank and Eric role play through a lively debate Eric recently had with a feminist lawyer on abortion and answer questions like: What are the 5 essential tools for “lazy apologetics”? Rebutting vs. refuting – what’s the difference? How did Eric stump a pro-choice advocate? How can Christians defend the faith when talking to people who don’t believe the Bible? What two principles did the Apostle Paul instruct us to use when dialoguing with non-Christians? What did Jesus do when He was confronted with a well-packaged logical fallacy? Evangelism can be tough at times, but it’s a lot easier when you get a good grasp on how to spot faulty and inconsistent ideas. As you’ll hear during this conversation, learning how to graciously shift the burden of proof to your opponent can make a world of difference. Want to learn more about how to master the art of lazy apologetics? Make sure to grab your copy of ‘The Lazy Approach to Evangelism‘ today! 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. Eric’s book: The Lazy Approach to Evangelism Eric’s website: http://www.erichernandezministries.com/ Debate: Eric vs. Feminist Lawyer on Abortion Texas Apologetics: TexasApologetics.org