30Aug 2024 by Post

Is It Wrong for Christians to Call Out Shepherds?

AFR, Apologetics, app, Bible, Christianity, cross examined, faith, google play, Jesus Christ, philosophy, Podcast, Politics, Radio, Spotify, stitcher, Tim Keller
Should we criticize our fellow Christians? And when, if ever, is it appropriate to call out trusted pastors when they get something wrong? Contending for the faith can sometimes be seen as divisive, so how do you discern when to speak up and when to remain silent? Megan Basham’s new book, ‘Shepherds for Sale‘ continues to spark controversy and this week, some of the controversy is coming Frank’s way! In this podcast episode, Frank responds to an email from a pastor and loyal listener who took offense to Frank and Megan’s criticism of the late pastor (and one of Frank’s favorite preachers) Tim Keller in a previous podcast episode. During the discussion, Frank will answer questions like: Which issues should Christians publicly call out? Where did Tim Keller go wrong politically,…
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28Aug 2024 by Post

The Ethics of AI in Writing

Academic Integrity, Apologetics, Artificial Intelligence, ChatGPT, cheating, Christianity, Gospel, John Ferrer, Legislating Morality, Culture & Politics, plagiarism, publishing, Writing ethics
When it comes to Artificial Intelligence, I’m a luddite. I’m analog over digital. Forget Pandora® and Spotify® or even CD’s. Vinyl LP’s rule them all. I grew up playing outside, climbing trees, chasing things, reveling over sticks – not joysticks, just sticks. If they look like a sword or a gun, even better. I’m a Labrador retriever, but literate. I have the tech-savvy of your average canine too. That’s because I’m Gen X. I was raised before the interweb, before social media and Netflix. I remember Atari, Nintendo, and Sega, and Alladin’s Palace. I slogged through the dial-up era. I even met my wife on Myspace. Rock on! When Sunday comes, I actually leave my house to go to church! I turn my phone off to listen to the sermon.…
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27Aug 2024 by Post

Why Aren’t Christians Better People? + Politics Q&A

AFR, Apologetics, app, Bible, Christianity, cross examined, faith, google play, Jesus Christ, philosophy, Podcast, Politics, Radio, Spotify, stitcher
If Christianity is true, why aren’t Christians better people? Why are there so many hypocrites in the church? Why haven’t they been transformed by Christ? Skeptics often question how transformative Christianity truly is when they see Christians behaving badly. But is this a fair critique of the faith itself? When a musician plays Beethoven poorly, do you blame Beethoven? This week, Frank is diving into your listener questions! Tune in as he responds to an email from a concerned Christian husband whose wife is currently deconstructing her faith, due in part to Christian hypocrisy and “a lack of transformation among Christians as a whole.” During the episode, Frank will answer questions like: How did C.S. Lewis address the “Christians behave poorly” objection? Why is comparing the behavior of “Christians” to…
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26Aug 2024 by Post

In the Gospels, Jesus is Pro-Life

abortion, Apologetics, bioethics, ChristianConcern.com, Christianity, Gospel, Jesus, Legislating Morality, Culture & Politics, New Testament, pro-choice, pro-life, Sean Redfearn
When you encounter Jesus in the gospels, it’s not hard to see why the world would be a better place if everyone was more like him. And in the gospels, Jesus is pro-life. In fact, life is the issue for Jesus. ‘Life’ is why Jesus came into the world. The Bible is About Life The Bible’s most famous verse even says: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV) Humans weren’t originally created to face death (Romans 5:12), and Jesus hates death – that’s why he conquered it (Romans 6:9; 2 Timothy 1:10). Jesus’ mission is to bring dead people to life (Mark 10:45; John 5:24; 1 Timothy 1:15)…
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23Aug 2024 by Post

How Philosophy Helps Theology & Apologetics | with Dr. Richard Howe

AFR, Apologetics, app, Bible, Christianity, cross examined, faith, google play, Jesus Christ, philosophy, Podcast, Politics, Radio, Richard Howe, Spotify, stitcher
Do Christians really need to understand philosophy? Can’t we just read our Bibles and share the Gospel? The answer depends on how successful you want to be at doing both of those things! This week, our friend, CIA Instructor, and Southern Evangelical Seminary professor, Dr. Richard Howe, sits down with Frank to explore why philosophy is a MUST in our current day and age if we want to be more effective in studying the Bible and reaching a society that no longer believes in truth, absolutes, or objective morality. Listen as Frank and Richard discuss questions like: Why does good theology start with good philosophy? What’s a self-refuting statement and why should Christians learn how to identify them? Does the Bible instruct Christians to avoid philosophy? And if so, which philosophies are to…
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21Aug 2024 by Post

3 Tips for Dealing with Harsh Comments and Criticism | with Alisa Childers

AFR, Alisa Childers, Apologetics, app, Bible, Christianity, cross examined, faith, google play, Jesus Christ, Podcast, Politics, Radio, Spotify, stitcher
What can Christian influencers do to prepare for the inevitable avalanche of criticism that comes along with doing ministry online or even speaking out in the public square? Vocalizing your faith in the toxic world of social media comes at an increasingly high cost these days and can lead to depression and anxiety if you’re not careful. So how do you handle internet trolls and keyboard warriors without becoming toxic yourself or ultimately killing your witness for the Gospel? This week, our friend and Christian apologist, Alisa Childers, joins Frank for another special CIA edition of the podcast to discuss how to deal with criticism effectively and appropriately. No stranger to harsh critiques herself, Alisa will share her unique insights based on past experiences of online attacks and how she learned…
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19Aug 2024 by Post

5 Important Reasons Christians Should Study Apologetics

Apologetics, Bible study, Christianity, critical thinking, discipleship, Evangelism, General Apologetics, Heaven Not Harvard, HeavenNotHarvard.com, Jennifer Defrates, theology, Theology and Christian Apologetics
All Christians should study apologetics. Christians should study apologetics may sound like a bold claim if you’ve barely even heard of apologetics, but I promise you apologetics has been the most important thing I’ve done for my faith besides reading my Bible regularly. What is Apologetics? Apologetics is a rational, organized defense of the Christian faith. It is the why behind the what we believe. Apologetics has many different aspects. Some people study the timelines of events in the Bible. Astrophysicists study the universe and God’s hand in creation. Some apologists are philosophers who consider the rational reasoning behind having faith. Some are archaeologists who examine artifacts and geographical evidence that supports the Bible. Apologetics has many different branches, but they all stem from the same tree of demonstrating the reasonableness of the Christian faith. Reason 1 why all Christians…
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16Aug 2024 by Post

5 EASY Biblical Issues the Culture Gets Wrong | with Greg Koukl

AFR, Apologetics, app, Bible, Christianity, cross examined, faith, google play, Greg Koukl, Jesus Christ, Podcast, Politics, Radio, Spotify, stitcher
Do you ever get the sense that there’s growing confusion among Christians on issues we should all agree on? Young Christians today seem especially vulnerable when it comes to discerning right from wrong according to God’s Word. What’s causing this gap between biblical Christianity and how it’s lived out in the modern world? And what does the Bible REALLY say about the most controversial issues that our culture faces today? This week, the great Greg Koukl, President of Stand to Reason and bestselling author of ‘Tactics‘ and more recently ‘Street Smarts‘, sits down with Frank during CIA 2024 to explore why so many Christians (both young and old) are struggling to answer EASY questions about the faith, the pro-life position, and sexual morality. During their conversation, Frank and Greg will answer questions…
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14Aug 2024 by Post

Dealing with Hurt and Trusting God: Biblical Tips for Overcoming Pain

Apologetics, Christianity, Gospel, grief, Jason Jimenez, Problem of Evil, problem of pain, Stand Strong Ministries, StandStrongMinistries.Org, Suffering, Theology and Christian Apologetics, trusting God
Life presents numerous trials and challenges, many of which result not from our own actions but from the behavior and transgressions of others. Betrayal, injustice, or rejection can inflict profound emotional pain and distress. The overwhelming nature of the suffering, particularly when caused by another individual, prompts natural questioning of how an omnibenevolent God could permit such affliction during the darkest moments. I can tell you from my own personal pain that it’s tough to be at peace in life after being wounded and betrayed by someone you trusted. The emotional pain can leave you feeling as though you cannot trust God and forgive others. However, it’s essential to recognize that this pain does not reflect the absence of God’s love or presence in our lives. Instead, it offers a…
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