In this special Christmas episode, we talk about our favorite Christmas traditions, imaginative storytelling, and the deeper meaning behind the season. From nostalgic books and movies to the magic of childhood wonder, we reflect on why Christmas is more than just a holiday. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:09) - The hot toddy illustration (04:24) - Christmas traditions (15:26) - Favorite Christmas books and movies (24:19) - Christmas traditions and activities (25:34) - The magic of Christmas...
Dec 19, 2024•45 min•Ep 14•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we wrap up season one of The Christian Skeptic and reflect on the topics of grace, faith, and why the Bible plays such a critical role in our lives. The root of Christian Skepticism is about the willingness to continually challenge and re-examine our own bias and convictions in light of Scripture. Our goal in season one was to lay the foundation for how we do that. As we wrap up, we invite you to keep questioning and join us in the new year for more discussions around how we live out ...
Nov 12, 2024•34 min•Transcript available on Metacast In part four of our series on biblical authority we dive into the last five of 10 crucial principles for interpreting Scripture. We also discuss some common pitfalls, like interpreting the Bible through the lens of our experience, the problems with "what would Jesus do", and more. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (05:21) - What Would Jesus Do? (13:32) - Interpret the Bible through the lens of gospel and grace (20:59) - Biblical examples are only authoritative when supported by a command (30:10) ...
Nov 05, 2024•49 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we continue our series on biblical authority and discuss principles for interpreting the Bible accurately. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:53) - Introduction to biblical interpretation (02:50) - Challenges in understanding the Bible (10:11) - Let Scripture interpret Scripture (24:02) - Meaning is derived from context (32:07) - Interpret Scripture normatively (36:33) - Don't look for unique or secret meaning (38:52) - Descriptive vs. prescriptive Get full show notes and links at h...
Oct 29, 2024•45 min•Transcript available on Metacast How can we know if the Bible is true? In part 02 of our series on Biblical authority and interpretation, we dive into why we believe the Bible is true and authoritative. We discuss the historical, archaeological, and scientific evidence, and how that has shaped our thinking. Despite being written over centuries by more than 40 authors in multiple languages, the Bible presents remarkable consistency that holds up under scrutiny. Ultimately, the overwhelming evidence—from eyewitness accounts to hi...
Oct 22, 2024•48 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we kick off a three-part series about the Bible and our claim that it is not only our ultimate authority, but the foundation of all truth. In part 01, we ask, what is the connection between skepticism and belief? How can we know what is true and what is false? We explore how Christianity, once intellectually respected and revered, has become a watered-down shadow of itself, leading to confusion and a loss of truth. We also discuss the contradictions of moral relativism and the dangers...
Oct 15, 2024•34 min•Ep 9•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we talk about whether or not Christians should evaluate each other’s actions, what Jesus means when he says “you will know them by their fruit”, and the difference between clear, biblically-defined sin, and subjective behaviors. We also discuss the recent controversy around Steve Lawson, how Christians should respond to the failures of public figures, and what it means for a pastor to be “disqualified” from ministry. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:29) - Steve Lawson controversy ...
Oct 01, 2024•39 min•Ep 8•Transcript available on Metacast Is it a cop-out to say ‘God’s in control’? Is everything that happens really God’s will? This week, we talk about the tension between God’s sovereignty and human accountability. We dive into the concepts of determinism, free will, and God’s role in sweeping up the messes we create. We also reflect on the difference between God allowing suffering versus actively causing it, and how that shapes our understanding of his care in both cosmic and personal contexts. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (03...
Sep 24, 2024•47 min•Ep 7•Transcript available on Metacast Is God actually happy with us? What is the connection between faith, works, and grace in the Christian life? Is there such a thing as a “good Christian”? This week, we explore these questions and discuss what it means to please God. We wrestle with the complexity of identity in Christ, the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, the concept of future grace, and how our actions—whether good or bad—reveal deeper realities about our faith. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:27) - A practical theology (0...
Sep 17, 2024•45 min•Ep 6•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we talk about eschatology—the study of the end times. Church history is replete with people predicting the end of the world and Jesus’ second coming. And yet, we’re still here. We examine the common thread that ties all these predictions together, and do a deep dive into the various views of the second coming, and the four main frameworks used to understand and interpret apocalyptic literature in scripture. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:48) - Weather skeptics? (03:06) - Are we ...
Sep 10, 2024•52 min•Ep 5•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we dive deep into Antinomianism, what it is, and how it has impacted our lives. We also discuss the danger of unexamined beliefs, misunderstandings around justification and sanctification, the role of the law in Christianity, and the interplay between sin, grace, and identity. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:38) - Owning your crap (01:53) - Caring what people think (03:19) - The role of the law in Christianity (05:27) - Enneagram 5s vs tradition (10:58) - What is Antinomianism? (...
Sep 03, 2024•43 min•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we dive into the concept of Christian Skepticism, exploring its meaning, significance, and how it ultimately leads to joy. Christian Skepticism is a worldview that questions all doctrines, confessions, lifestyles, and practices—regardless of popularity or cultural/religious acceptance—in an effort to separate absolute truth from mere opinion, bias, or propaganda, using the Bible as the highest authority is determining these absolutes. We believe that God is not honored through falseho...
Aug 27, 2024•40 min•Ep 3•Transcript available on Metacast This week, we talk about deconstruction vs deconversion, and why much of historic Christianity has been lost amid centuries of cultural and theological opinion and bias. We also discuss how suffering has shaped our faith, and tackle questions about God’s goodness, our lack of ability to be “good Christians”, and the role of intellect and emotion in our faith. In this episode: (00:00) - Welcome to The Christian Skeptic (02:58) - Why we have not deconverted (14:46) - What's different about the pai...
Aug 20, 2024•39 min•Ep 2•Transcript available on Metacast In this inaugural episode of The Christian Skeptic, we talk about how much our lives have changed in recent years and why we're doing this podcast now. We discuss how suffering has impacted our faith, being raised in a strict religious environment, and our struggles with modern Christianity. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:12) - A decade in the making (05:00) - The cult next door (06:29) - Grey Town (13:15) - Radical grace (23:00) - Theological shifts (26:56) - Does God make sense? Links Ch...
Aug 13, 2024•30 min•Ep 1•Transcript available on Metacast Welcome to The Christian Skeptic, a podcast about faith, doubt, and what it means to be a Christian. Our Manifesto Christian Skepticism is a worldview that questions all doctrines, confessions, lifestyles, and practices — regardless of popularity or cultural/religious acceptance — in an effort to separate absolute truth from mere opinion, bias, or propaganda, using the Bible as the highest authority is determining these absolutes. We believe that God is not honored through falsehood, ungrounded ...
Aug 05, 2024•6 min•Transcript available on Metacast 
