13Dec 2023 by Post

Is Your Church A Personality Cult, Part 2

Apologetics, Christianity, Church leaders, Church leadership, Culture, faith, Jesus Christ, John Ferrer, Leaving the church, pastors, Theology and Christian Apologetics, truth, Wisdom Chronicle
In part one, we looked at how “cult” can refer to a group’s heretical theology (“theological cult”) or to its dangerous practices (“sociological cult). A personality cult is the second type, with personality-driven problems centering on central leader. To discuss the signs of a personality cult, we used the name named Al, as he sees himself as the Alpha, the #1, the head-honcho. And depending on how narcissistic he is, he might honestly believe he’s the only hope for this church’s success. Then we looked six signs of a personality cult: 1. One Charismatic Leader Is THE Face Of The Church 2. Narcissistic Leader 3. Authoritarian Leadership-Model 4. Other Leaders In The Church Are “Yes Men” 5. “Lone Wolf” Approach To Decision-Making 6. Vindictive Church Discipline Now let’s look at…
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12Dec 2023 by Post

What Babylon Teaches The Church About Discipleship | with Shanda Fulbright

AFR, Apologetics, app, Artificial Intelligence, CIA, cross examined, cross examined official podcast, faith, God, google play, iTunes, Jesus Christ, Phoenix Hayes, Podcast, Politics and Religion, Radio, Shanda Fulbright, Spotify, stitcher, truth, Weekly Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS Who (or WHAT) is discipling you and your family? We often talk about discipleship in Christian circles, with most of us instinctively associating it with some form of ministry training. While this is certainly an aspect of discipleship, it doesn’t quite encapsulate the concept as a whole. Is it safe to assume that the Church has been exclusive in its pursuit of producing disciples? Or has the culture managed to make a few disciples of its own? In this midweek podcast, Phoenix Hayes sits down with former public school teacher, OCC instructor, and Biola certified Christian apologist, Shanda Fulbright, to talk about some practical ways to make faithful disciples. With help…
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08Dec 2023 by Post

Can Mathematics Be Used to Detect Design in Nature? | with Dr. William Dembski

AFR, Apologetics, app, Artificial Intelligence, CIA, cross examined, cross examined official podcast, faith, God, google play, iTunes, Jesus Christ, Podcast, Politics and Religion, Radio, Spotify, stitcher, truth, Weekly Podcast, William Dembski
Podcast: Play in new window Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS How do we know that life is designed? Would it surprise you to know that it can be done mathematically? You see, things like biological systems, specified complexity, and probabilistic hurdles leave no reasonable explanation for life as we know it without a creator. But are atheists and skeptics willing and able to address these hurdles without attributing them to so-called “chance”? In this week’s podcast episode, Frank interviews Dr. William “Bill” Dembski, one of the founders of the modern-day intelligent design movement, who has an impressive academic background in philosophy, mathematics, and theology and sits on the Board of Directors at the Discovery Institute. In this…
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06Dec 2023 by Post

Deconstructing Critical Theory | with Krista Bontrager & Monique Duson

AFR, Apologetics, app, Artificial Intelligence, CIA, cross examined, cross examined official podcast, faith, God, google play, iTunes, Jesus Christ, Krista Bontrager, Monique Duson, Phoenix Hayes, Podcast, Politics and Religion, Radio, Spotify, stitcher, truth, Weekly Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS What does the Bible teach us about race, ethnicity, unity, and justice? When Krista Bontrager (a conservative wife, homeschool mom, and Biola graduate) formed a close relationship with Monique Duson (a self-proclaimed former social justice warrior, international missionary, and Biola graduate), both women discovered that even in their shared love for Jesus, their views on these social issues couldn’t have been more diametrically opposed. With a topic as (potentially) divisive, triggering, and racially charged as social justice, how exactly did Krista and Monique manage to develop a close friendship and redirect their prior experiences and individual perspectives to form a ministry dedicated to answering…
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04Dec 2023 by Post

Soon vs Suddenly: An Important Distinction on Jesus’ Return

1000 years, 4. Is the NT True?, Apologetics, Christianity, Christians, Christ’s Return, end times, eschatology, Jesus Christ, Kent Suter, Parousia, revelation, the Lord’s Day
The word “soon” can be quite ambiguous, if not misleading. When asked about homework, a teenager might reply that they expect to finish sometime soon. In my family, that word could equal 30 seconds for one child or 30 minutes for another. But despite these variations, the word “soon” still conjures up an idea of an approaching realization, like a progress bar on your phone that reads 99% complete. We’ve all seen the signs that read, “Jesus is coming soon.” Taken straight from the Bible, we see no less than three times in one chapter when Jesus mentions “I am coming soon” (Rev 22:6-7, 12, 20). To some readers, this is a source of great hope and encouragement, but to others it is a source of mockery since it’s been…
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28Nov 2023 by Post

How Biochemistry Led Me to the Creator | with Dr. Fazale “Fuz” Rana

AFR, Apologetics, app, CIA, cross examined, cross examined official podcast, faith, Fazale Rana, God, google play, iTunes, Jesus Christ, Podcast, Politics and Religion, Radio, Spotify, stitcher, truth, Weekly Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS How in the world did a biochemist with a Muslim father find his saving grace through Jesus Christ? Fazale “Fuz” Rana is president, CEO, and senior scholar of Reasons to Believe (RTB), an organization dedicated to communicating the powerful scientific case for God’s existence and the Bible’s reliability to both Christians and non-Christians. Though he initially embraced the evolutionary paradigm, he eventually drew the conclusion that only a Creator’s involvement could explain the elegance of biochemical systems. But how? In this midweek podcast episode, Dan sits down with Fuz (a former agnostic) to discuss how science and faith intricately work together, ultimately pointing to the reality of intelligent…
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24Nov 2023 by Post

Inside Noah’s Ark with | Dr. Tim Chaffey

AFR, Apologetics, app, CIA, cross examined, cross examined official podcast, faith, God, google play, iTunes, Jesus Christ, Podcast, Politics and Religion, Radio, Spotify, stitcher, Tim Chaffey, truth, Weekly Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS Can we REALLY believe in Noah’s ark? Practically speaking, the idea of a massive flood, a giant ark, a rainbow covenant, and the preservation of animals through the care of one small family on an ancient ship sounds outlandish at best. But are there legitimate answers to some of the most common objections raised by skeptics in regards to this well-known Bible story? Earlier this month, Frank had the pleasure of visiting the Ark Encounter, which is an AMAZING exhibit that features a full-size replica of Noah’s ark based on the dimensions specified in the Bible. During his time at the Ark Encounter, Frank got…
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21Nov 2023 by Post

Weathering Climate Change | with Dr. Hugh Ross

AFR, Apologetics, app, CIA, cross examined, cross examined official podcast, Dan Hodges, faith, God, google play, Hugh Ross, iTunes, Jesus Christ, Podcast, Politics and Religion, Radio, Spotify, stitcher, truth, Weekly Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS What (if anything) can the Bible teach us about climate change? Arguably, the most controversial aspect of the climate change debate seems to be whether it’s occurring naturally or as a result of human technological advances. But with an issue as polarizing and politicized as it’s become over the last few decades, is there a rational way to work towards a solution that benefits everyone (along with our environment)? In this midweek podcast episode, astrophysicist and best-selling author, Dr. Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe, joins Dan to discuss Hugh’s book ‘Weathering Climate Change: A Fresh Approach.’ Atheists and skeptics often question WHY God made the universe the way that He did, a question…
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17Nov 2023 by Post

Faith Examined | with Professor Clark Bates

AFR, Apologetics, app, CIA, Clark Bates, cross examined, cross examined official podcast, faith, God, google play, iTunes, Jesus Christ, Podcast, Politics and Religion, Radio, Spotify, stitcher, truth, Weekly Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS This show will bless you if you have ever supported CrossExamined.org (and even if you haven’t). Just two weeks ago at the Unshaken conference in Nashville, TN, Frank was both shocked and honored to learn that a group of graduates from the CrossExamined Instructor Academy (CIA) began a book project back in 2019 called, ‘Faith Examined: New Arguments for Persistent Questions, Essays in Honor of Dr. Frank Turek’. The first copy of that book was given to Frank that night! In this week’s podcast episode, Frank interviews the book’s editor, Professor and New Testament scholar, Clark Bates, who spearheaded the project. During their conversation, Frank and Clark answer questions like: How did a festschrift in honor of CrossExamined…
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14Nov 2023 by Post

Are Christian Politicians Trying to Set Up a Theocracy? – Part 2

AFR, Apologetics, app, CIA, cross examined, cross examined official podcast, Dan Hodges, faith, God, google play, iTunes, Jesus Christ, Joel Kramer, Podcast, Politics and Religion, Radio, Spotify, stitcher, truth, Weekly Podcast
Podcast: Play in new window Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Email | TuneIn | RSS Do evangelical Christians hold political views that are “wildly extreme”? If the sanctity of human life and the institution of marriage being solely between one man and one woman are extreme, then the answer is a resounding yes! Jihadist terrorism on the other hand? Not so much. Since when did defending basic human rights, freedom of religion, and free speech become extreme? Furthermore, why is the left so hesitant to condemn such heinous acts against humanity, even as those acts continue to threaten western civilization as we know it? In this midweek podcast episode, Frank continues the discussion on attorney Marci A. Hamilton’s hit piece that accused House…
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