You slip on a ring, and SNAP! You're invisible. What will you do with this power? This week, Shawn Boonstra turns to an old fable of Plato's to confront who we are in the dark, when no one is looking. But while it's easy to sin in secret, the ancient wisdom of Proverbs reminds us: there's a real cost even in this life...and a REAL path to your authentic self.
Crucifixion on its own is horrific enough...but if you believe Jesus' death on the cross was the punishment for our sins, it's even WORSE. Some object and say the cross was about pure love—nothing to do with judgment or wrath. Shawn Boonstra investigates the feelings and reasoning at play, and why the biblical framing of Christ's death still holds such power to both disturb and astound us.
Desperate to find the meaning of life? It’s only human. Philosophers and theologians have long invented ideas to build an understanding of the universe. But they’ve reached a dead end. In this episode, Shawn Boonstra traces humanity’s precarious path to nihilism and confronts modern misconceptions about divine justice. To understand God and hell, we must turn to the Bible. The WHOLE Bible.
Shivering in the shadow of life’s darkest problems, will we ever think our way to the light? Inspired by Thomas Aquinas, nineteenth-century philosophers argued that we could. Shawn Boonstra claims the opposite. Learn why human reason often paves the way to corruption—and discover what it really takes to find the answers to those deepest of life’s questions.
We often credit the Greeks with inventing Western philosophy. But how often were they borrowing from another great society? This week, we’re exploring the ancient world to uncover the hidden influences behind Plato, Pythagoras, Democritus, and more. The real roots of popular thought—and your own worldview—may shock you.
Is it wrong to want more? In this episode, Shawn Boonstra breaks down what the Bible really says about envy, greed, and material possessions. Turns out, the tenth commandment is about a lot more than wanting a nicer car—this law is a cosmic clue pointing us to the only source of real happiness.
What does it really mean to “bear false witness”? Does the ninth commandment warn us against ALL falsehoods? Shawn Boonstra doesn’t think so. From gossip to political spin, lies intended to wound another’s reputation can—like wildfire—spiral out of control, causing irreparable damage. Join us for a fresh look at this law on deception . . . and the powerful truth it reveals.
Some claim that the road to a perfect society starts with abolishing private property. But the Bible—and a history littered with failed utopian experiments—tells a different story. In this episode, Shawn Boonstra analyzes infamous history, popular philosophy, and the eighth commandment: “You shall not steal.” Could this simple law contain answers for modern issues?
Is the sanctity of marriage collecting dust? Shawn Boonstra breaks down modern culture’s take on marriage, infidelity, and passion vs. reason. When so many have thrown away God’s seventh commandment, he argues that this law against adultery holds timeless truths—revelations about God’s character that can enrich our lives today.
Humans once swarmed bloody arenas, howling in delight as gladiators slaughtered each other. Today, we consider ourselves enlightened, better than our ancestors—but have we successfully killed our appetite for violence? In this episode, Shawn Boonstra unpacks the sixth commandment, revealing how hatred and mainstream media shape our view of human life. Murder isn’t just about violent crimes—it starts in the heart.
In a world that’s too hectic and angry to listen to the wisdom of past generations, are we unknowingly setting ourselves up for failure? Can honoring one’s parents really enhance lives—even entire civilizations? In this episode on the fifth commandment, Shawn Boonstra answers these questions and sheds light on a dangerous cultural shift that’s redefining authority.
Finding a moment of rest in today’s bustling society can be difficult—even impossible. So why do many modern Christians reject the Sabbath? Shawn Boonstra uncovers the Sabbath’s true purpose as a day of rest and SO much more. This week on Authentic, discover why God set the seventh day apart and how this forgotten commandment can help us connect with God in a new dimension.
What does it really mean to take God’s name in vain? Is it just about expletives and oaths, or is there something much greater at stake? Shawn Boonstra explores God’s third commandment and its ties to identity theft, our daily conduct, and the majesty of Yahweh. You might be surprised at how relevant this ancient edict is today.
This week on Authentic, Shawn gets to the heart of what exactly "inspired by God" means when it comes to Scripture—writing it, compiling it, interpreting it. And what about all those "extra" books of the Apocrypha? Are they Scripture? Join us for part 2 of our series on how the Bible came to be.
Almost one-third of humanity sees the Bible as “God-breathed.” But it didn’t appear out of thin air...so where did these scriptures come from, and who decided they were authoritative? Join Shawn Boonstra for a new Authentic series on the astounding history of the Bible. We’ll start with the rich cultures of ancient Mesopotamia—and take a moment to debunk a popular myth from “The Da Vinci Code.”
Why was a tree that led to DEATH placed in paradise in the first place? Was God setting up Adam and Eve for temptation and failure? In part 6 of his "Answers for a Skeptic" series, Shawn Boonstra explores God's choices, our choices, and the troubling mystery of sin. Don't miss this fascinating discussion that sheds light on an age-old dilemma.
In this thought-provoking episode, Shawn Boonstra confronts the challenging topic of slavery in the Bible and its relevance to a modern audience. Join us as we focus on God’s efforts to mitigate the consequences of human choices. This is part 5 in Shawn’s series called “Answers for a Skeptic.”
This week Shawn continues investigating the common idea of hell and comparing it with Scripture. Where IS hell, exactly? Is it burning in the bowels of the earth? Is hell really everlasting? And is it a truly just punishment? Be sure to catch last week's Part 1 if you haven't already.
Join host Shawn Boonstra for a compelling two-parter as he tackles the age-old misconceptions surrounding hell and eternal punishment. This week he'll explore the origins of these beliefs, the very purpose of hell, and how God's character relates to it all. This is part 3 in Shawn's series called "Answers for a Skeptic."
On this week's episode of Authentic, host Shawn Boonstra continues his series called "Answers for a Skeptic" by focusing on the claim that the Bible is full of mistakes and contradictions.
Join Shawn Boonstra on Authentic as he begins tackling some truly tough questions posed by skeptics about faith, God, and the Bible. First up: why does God stay silent and hidden? The answer may be closer than you think...
In the devil’s final temptation to Jesus, he offers to give Jesus the kingdoms of the world in return for worshipping him. Host Shawn Boonstra highlights the vital message that there are no shortcuts to glory—that is, to a meaningful relationship with God.
Doubt can be useful—healthy, even!—but it can also be poisonous. Saints and skeptics alike have wrestled with suspicions about God, His character, and His words and promises. In "The Temptation of Christ, Part 2," Shawn Boonstra looks at the sharp impulse to doubt that confronted Jesus and entraps us today.
Times of desperation can often tempt us to shift our values—make us consider things we’d never consider under any other circumstances. Shawn Boonstra talks about why you can trust Jesus to help you overcome Satan's temptation just like He did. AUTHENTIC is presented by the Voice of Prophecy.
Everyone copes with anxiety in their own way. Sometimes a simple distraction like playing a game of Tetris or (on the stranger side) digging a big tunnel might be enough to make you feel better. Host Shawn Boonstra explores how spending time with God in prayer might be the best way to deal with your problems.
One of the most stunningly prophetic passages in Scripture has been mangled by modern Christians. Time to reconstruct a tapestry: Shawn Boonstra traces the beautiful threads that tie the Temple, Israel, and Messiah her Prince all together.
Back in the earliest years of Christian history, a lot of deep thinkers struggled to wrap their minds around the concept of Jesus being not just a man, and not just God, but instead BOTH things at the very same time. 🤯 How could the eternal Almighty Himself come to this earth as a real flesh-and-blood human? Shawn Boonstra takes a little time to examine that claim in this special Christmas episode.
Lots of people are cool with Jesus, and even Yahweh...except for that pesky claim of exclusivity. What’s His deal? Some have diagnosed God as an egomaniacal control freak. This week Shawn Boonstra analyzes the first commandment—“no other gods before Me." Yet what IS a god to us? An idol? It all has to do with the dynamics of Creator, created, and the trust that builds or breaks us.
True freedom or lawful obedience? In the human mind, these concepts are at war, just as modern Christian thought severs our lives today from the Old Testament era: the age of the law (many claim). Join Shawn Boonstra as he unearths the truth—it has ALWAYS been an age of grace—and the ensuing question: if we’ve never had to buy our salvation, what’s the point of God’s law?
