Rebecca and Rachel Zhang explore the intersection of literature and Christianity on today's episode. Rachel, an assistant professor at Emerson College, discusses her research on 17th-century literature and her experience as a Christian in academia. They analyze the influence of faith on studying literature, the power of fiction, and the importance of engaging with works from diverse worldviews. Follow Rachel : X Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/Subscribe Follow Confronting Chri...
Mar 04, 2025•51 min
Rebecca and Sam Chan explore the complexities of living an authentic life through a Christian lens. They discuss cultural narratives about being true to oneself and the contrasting biblical perspective of finding true identity through Jesus. Sam shares from his experiences as a medical doctor to explore themes of identity, sacrifice, and the pursuit of truth, challenging listeners to seek life's purpose beyond self-centered desires and inviting them to discover fulfillment in a relationship with...
Feb 25, 2025•38 min
Rebecca and Gavin Ortlund dive into the art of disagreeing while maintaining relationships. They explore biblical insights and discuss the balance between boldness and love in conversations, especially when addressing religious and ideological differences. Whether navigating disagreements with friends or discussing contentious issues, this episode provides thoughtful guidance for engaging in meaningful and respectful dialogue. Follow Gavin : YouTube , X , Instagram , and Website The Story of Jes...
Feb 18, 2025•42 min
Kyla Gillespie joins Rebecca to discuss her journey with gender dysphoria and same-sex attraction. Raised in a Christian home, Kyla shares her struggle with identity, navigating both a passion for hockey and feelings of not fitting traditional gender roles. She recounts her experiences with transition, faith, and alcoholism, ultimately returning to faith and finding solace in her identity as a woman in Christ. This episode explores the nuanced intersections of gender, faith, and personal transfo...
Feb 11, 2025•55 min
Rebecca and Dr. Michael J. Kruger discuss the origins and reliability of the New Testament, the textual transmission from early Christianity, the authenticity of gospel accounts, and address common skeptic arguments, including Bart Ehrman's views on manuscript variations. Dr. Kruger highlights the significance of Jesus' character and teachings while discussing the historical importance of early Christian texts. Subscribe to Mike's Blog : Miniature Codices in Early Christianity Follow Mike Kruger...
Feb 04, 2025•43 min
Rebecca and Dr. Christy Thornton explore Christian unity and diversity as they tackle key theological topics, including the Lord's Supper and baptism, examining what Christians agree on and where denominational differences lie. Listen into the discussions on important terms like sacraments and ordinances, and discover how these practices shape Christian tradition. Dr. Thornton shares insights from her newest book " Confessing Christ: An Invitation to Baptist Dogmatics ." Buy Christy's Book : Con...
Jan 28, 2025•47 min
Rebecca sits down with Rachel Jones, editor at The Good Book Company and author of The Quiet Time Kickstart: Six Weeks to a Healthy Bible Habit. Drawing inspiration from the Couch to 5K program, Rachel shares how this book was designed to help anyone build a sustainable and meaningful habit of meeting God in His Word. Together, Rebecca and Rachel dive into the real struggles that often hold us back, the joy of encountering Scripture, and practical strategies for keeping Bible reading a part of d...
Jan 21, 2025•37 min
The 6th season of Confronting Christianity is set to launch on January 21st! Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/Subscribe Follow Confronting Christianity: Instagram | X Produced by The Good Podcast Co. Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/Subscribe Follow Us on Instagram and X Produced by The Good Podcast Co....
Jan 17, 2025•2 min
Rebecca and Justine explore questions submitted by our listeners! They explore challenges of infertility, perspectives on the morning-after pill, and how Christians can thoughtfully engage in politics. The discussion also highlights strategies for evangelism, especially within diverse religious contexts, and how to discern primary doctrinal issues. List of Questions Answered How can we effectively and practically share the gospel with Muslim friends, especially if we've known them for a long tim...
Dec 17, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 17
About the Guest: Kyle Worley is a dedicated pastor, insightful author, and engaging podcaster. Alongside his spiritual commitments and teachings, Kyle is also a foster father, showcasing his passion for nurturing and supporting the next generation. His latest endeavor is his forthcoming book titled "Home with God: Union with Christ," which delves into the profound theological concept of union with Christ. Rebecca McLaughlin: Rebecca McLaughlin is a prominent Christian author and speaker, known f...
Dec 10, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 16
Michael Keller is a prominent pastor with a distinguished career intertwining academia and theology. Having spent his formative years in New York City and obtaining degrees in History and Psychology from Vanderbilt University, Michael pursued theological studies at Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, earning both M.Div and THM degrees. He has served in various pastoral roles across London and Boston and most notably, Michael holds a Ph.D. in Computational Linguistics applied to the sermons of J...
Dec 03, 2024•38 min•Season 5Ep. 15
Rebecca hosts Dr. Sharon Dirckx, a renowned expert in science and theology, to explore the intersection of faith and neuroscience. Dr. Dirckx, author of "Am I Just My Brain?", explores the complex relationship between brain and mind, challenging the notion that consciousness is merely an illusion. The discussion highlights scientific phenomena that suggest we are more than our neurons and explores how the Christian worldview can provide a more comprehensive understanding of human existence. Sign...
Nov 26, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 14
Lisa Fields is a renowned Christian apologist, recognized for her significant contributions to the African American community. She is the CEO of Jude 3 Project, which is dedicated to helping Black Christians understand their faith. Lisa is an accomplished documentary producer, known for "Unspoken" and "Juneteenth, Faith and Freedom". She is also the author of " When Faith Disappoints: The Gap between What We Believe and What We Experience ". Episode Summary: Rebecca welcomes back Christian apolo...
Nov 19, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 13
Glenn Scrivener is a prominent pastor and communicator based in Eastbourne, UK, known for his dynamic approach to evangelism. Having lived in England for decades after growing up in Australia, Glen uses his cross-cultural experiences to enrich his ministry efforts. He is deeply involved in digital outreach through his organization, Speak Life , which offers resources and insights on sharing the Christian faith in contemporary contexts. Glen is also an accomplished author, with his latest book be...
Nov 12, 2024•33 min•Season 5Ep. 12
Sean McDowell is an associate professor of Christian apologetics at Biola University. He is a bestselling author and co-author of more than twenty books, specializing in cultural apologetics and addressing the concerns of Gen Z. Sean is also the co-host of the Think Biblically podcast and runs a popular YouTube channel . Tim Muehlhoff is a professor of communication at Biola University and co-director of Biola's Winsome Conviction Project. An accomplished author, Tim co-hosts the Winsome Convict...
Nov 05, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 11
Blair Linne is an accomplished author and the author of " Finding My Father: How the Gospel Heals the Pain of Fatherlessness ." She serves as a Bible teacher, actress, and spoken word artist, with experience sharing the gospel through various platforms, including prestigious venues like Carnegie Hall. She is the creator of Glo with The Gospel Coalition. Blair resides in Portland with her husband Shai Linne and their three children, continuing her impactful work in teaching and performing across ...
Oct 29, 2024•42 min•Season 5Ep. 10
Stephen Foster is the leader of St Aldates Church in Oxford , a dynamic and expanding community with a diverse congregation of young adults, students, and families. Stephen holds a law degree from Oxford and a theology degree from Cambridge, reflecting both his academic prowess and spiritual dedication. Before entering full-time ministry, he worked as a barrister in the UK, gaining extensive experience in criminal defense. Episode Summary : Rebecca speaks with Stephen Foster, the leader of St Al...
Oct 22, 2024•39 min•Season 5Ep. 9
Bri Stensrud is an established author, human dignity advocate, and director of Women of Welcome. With a master's degree in biblical and theological studies from Dallas Theological Seminary, she is dedicated to equipping churches to actively and consistently engage in comprehensive human dignity issues. Bri serves on the board of directors for the National Association of Evangelicals and has penned two insightful books: "Start with the Journey Toward a Confident and Compassionate Immigration Conv...
Oct 15, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 8
Ellie Weiner is a PhD candidate at Cambridge University, specializing in the Old Testament with a particular focus on the Book of Job. Her academic journey began at Gordon College, followed by a double MA at Gordon-Conwell in Old Testament and biblical languages. Known for her impressive feat of memorizing the entire Book of Job in Hebrew, Ellie is keen on exploring the theological and linguistic intricacies of this complex text. Her work is characterized by a joyful engagement with scripture, c...
Oct 08, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 7
Sita Slavov is a professor at George Mason University. She grew up in a Hindu family in Houston, Texas. Over time, she explored different faiths, including Zen Buddhism, and eventually embraced Christianity. She has a PhD in economics from Stanford University and now lives in Virginia with her husband, leading a women's Bible study at her church. Episode Summary : Rebecca talks with Sita Slavov about her spiritual journey from growing up in a Hindu family to embracing Christianity. Sita shares h...
Oct 01, 2024•27 min•Season 5Ep. 6
Alan Noble is an Associate Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University. He has contributed articles to prestigious publications such as The Atlantic, The Gospel Coalition, First Things, and Christianity Today. He is the author of three books, with his most recent work being "On Getting Out of Bed: The Burden and Gift of Living." His academic interests and writings often explore the intersections of literature, faith, and mental health. Episode Summary : Rebecca interviews Dr. Alan Noble,...
Sep 24, 2024•32 min
Quina Aragon is an accomplished author, editor, and spoken word artist based in Orlando, Florida. She lives with her husband and their daughter. Kina has penned the children’s book trilogy— Love Made , Love Gave , and Love Can —which creatively retells biblical scripture through a trinitarian lens of love. Additionally, she is the author of Love Has A Story: 100 Meditations on the Enduring Love of God, a book exploring God's love through scripture and personal reflection. Her work bridges the ga...
Sep 17, 2024•28 min•Season 5Ep. 4
Daniel Gilman is a PhD candidate at the University of Cambridge in the Faculty of History, focusing on how public speaking helped end the slave trade. He serves as a legislative advisor to the Inter Parliamentary Task Force on human trafficking, collaborating with global politicians to end human trafficking and combat sexual abuse. He and his wife, Alexandra, aim to make the church safer from predators. Follow his research and advocacy on X at @ DanielGilmanHQ . Episode Summary : Rebecca speaks ...
Sep 10, 2024•29 min•Season 5Ep. 3
Sarah Irving-Stonebraker is a distinguished historian and a professor at Australian Catholic University. Specializing in early modern history, particularly the intersections of science and religion, Sarah has authored a new book titled "Priests of History: Stewarding the Past in an Ahistoric Age." Her scholarly journey has seen her transition from atheism to Christianity, influenced by intellectual and historical investigations. Episode Summary : Rebecca reconnects with her long-time friend and ...
Sep 03, 2024•48 min•Season 5Ep. 2
Rebecca engages in a profound conversation with Rachel Gilson, author and theologian, on navigating the complexities of raising Christian children in an LGBT-affirming world. Reflecting on her newest book, " Parenting Without Panic in an LGBT-Affirming World: Discipling Our Kids with Jesus' Truth and Love ", Rachel shares the impetus behind her writing and the life experiences that shaped her perspectives. Throughout the episode, Rebecca and Rachel deeply explore the challenges that today's Chri...
Aug 27, 2024•56 min•Season 5Ep. 1
In season 5 we will explore important questions like how to talk to kids about sexuality, the relevance of Christianity's history today, and how faith can help with depression and anxiety. We'll also discuss perspectives on immigration, slavery in the Bible, women's right to choose, and Buddhism as a path to peace. Rebecca will talk with various friends and experts to see how their faith shapes their thoughts and lives. For more insights, you can sign up for weekly emails at rebeccamclaughlin.or...
Aug 20, 2024•53 sec
Rebecca McLaughlin wraps us the season by answering questions asked by listeners! Questions Covered in This Episode: What does the Bible say about what it is to be a woman? Can we define it across all cultures and time? I have a daughter who has drifted from the faith as she embraced LGBT and has now been with a girl for 3 years and they are talking about marriage. I want to make a last stand of sorts for her life but don’t know how to do it. What would the advice be if this woman still identifi...
Jun 11, 2024•47 min•Season 4Ep. 20
Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Kyle Worley to discuss how Christians are called to interact with others.Questions Covered in This Episode: Where does the ethos of discussing truth with grace to others with differing opinions or ideas come from? Why is there a difference between what Christians are called to (Colossians 3) and the way they live and interact with others? How do you shepherd people as we enter into a season with more intense political debate and differences? What is the future of ...
Jun 04, 2024•26 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Michael Graham to discuss why Americans have stopped going to church and Questions Covered in This Episode: How did you become a Christian? How did you become interested in “The Great Dechurching”? What is the history of American church attendance? What happened from the height of attendance in the 80s to now? What proportion of Americans who previously went to church have stopped attending church? Why did Americans stop going to church? How would you respond to p...
May 28, 2024•42 min•Season 4Ep. 18
Rebecca McLaughlin is joined by Karyn Becker to discuss how we are called to care for refugees and the practical ways we can do so.Questions Covered in This Episode: What is design thinking? As you started out helping refugees, did you think through it in design thinking? How has your faith in Jesus motivated you to spend time with refugees? Can you tell us about the project Dovely? How do you see this model being implemented in other parts of the world? How do I support this project? Why are yo...
May 21, 2024•41 min•Season 4Ep. 17
