Apologetics 315 Podcast

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview Dr. Stephen C. Meyer on his latest book Return of the God Hypothesis.

0:43 - Intro to Dr. Stephen Meyer, author of Return of the God Hypothesis, Signature in the Cell, and Darwin’s Doubt.
3:00 - Dr. Meyer’s background, education, and how he got interested in the question of intelligent design.
9:58 - Meyer’s view of science and philosophy of science, the importance for understanding philosophy when doing science.
16:28 - reviewing five centuries of the history of science, the false idea that science and religion have always been at war.
23:49 - The reason for telling the story of the rise of science, the rejection of the God hypothesis, and its subsequent return based on the most recent scientific discoveries.
28:15 - Explaining the methodology of inference to the best explanation. How this fits within theistic apologetics.
36:30 - Is our goal truth, or a pre-commitment to naturalism? What challenges has Meyer faced when arguing for intelligent design?
39:45 - Are there problems with postulating a mind as an intelligent cause? Are certain explanations “out of bounds” when doing science?
43:00 - Shannon information
43:55 - The origin of the universe, the fine-tuning of the universe, and the information in the cell. Resistance to change from a materialistic worldview.
47:40 - Huge theistic implications and the corresponding push-back to them.
49:15 - Helpful illustrations to explain the fine-tuning of the universe for life.
53:38 - Douglas Adams’ “puddle objection” to the fine-tuning argument; the response, and a counter-analogy. The weak-anthropic principle.
58:50 - How might these arguments fit into an apologetic for Christianity? The role of natural theology and the need for special revelation. The false dichotomy between evidentialism and presuppositional apologetics.

www.returnofthegodhypothesis.com

If you have a question for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross discuss the past interviews and take-aways, and lessons learned along the way.

5:10 - Peter S. Williams, Dawkins, and winsome argumentation.
7:38 - Fazale Rana, interacting with ideas and those who disagree.
11:40 - The live podcasts, and personal prophecies, and a discussion on false prophecies and false teachers.
22:18 - David Baggett and moral apologetics, and arguments that point people to Christ.
25:33 - The Belfast Bigot, the “bigot cave,” and pro-life arguments.
28:04 - Signs of a coming revival, fruit baskets, and how topics change you.
31:19 - Craig Hazen, his book on prayer, and the usefulness of personal anecdotes as a communicator.
34:12 - The Wintery Knight interview, Christianity in the public square, and more reflections on how that interview challenged us, the book “Slave” by John MacArthur.
39:35 - Jacob Varghese and SAFT Apologetics, atheistic challenges in India, the urgency of apologetics.
42:54 - Sarah Enterline, the life of Susanna Newcome, arguments leading to Christ.
45:20 - Erik Manning (the Testify YouTube channel), the power of the work of lay apologists.
47:00 - More interviews ahead, please give us your feedback.
47:30 - We’re running out of Ghostbusters quotes, and a proposal to “open up the canon” to another highly quotable movie….

If you have a question for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview Erik Manning, creator of the Testify YouTube Channel about doing apologetics on the internet, responding to critics, and using one’s talent to make an impact.

0:35 - Introduction to our guest, Erik Manning.
3:54 - How Erik got into apologetics and how his YouTube channel started.

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCadiEsTZ0hNxs5OxwGiyELQ
www.isjesusalive.com

8:38 - A personal anecdote about God speaking today.
11:10 - The process and inspiration for creating YouTube content.
16:22 - Most influential Christian thinkers on Erik’s work and study.
20:52 - The importance of interacting on YouTube and other online venues.
26:05 - Erik’s experience interacting with skeptics and detractors online.
27:50 - How to not take things personally.
29:37 - How someone can do apologetics ministry while still taking care of family commitments with five children.
32:02 - The biggest challenges to face when doing online ministry.
34:49 - The tools that Erik uses for making videos.
36:40 - How internet ministry makes an impact, and examples, testimonies.
41:42 - Words of advice for those thinking of making an impact online.

Support Erik on Patreon here:
https://www.patreon.com/isjesusalive

If you have a question for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview Sarah R. Enterline (www.sarahrenterline.com) about her recent book No Apologies: The Life & Work of Susanna Newcome.

0:30 - Update: A nice fruit basket.

1:47 - Intro to Sarah Enterline.

4:24 - What Sarah has been working on lately with The Library of Historical Apologetics. Cataloging and researching the work of historical apologists.

5:50 - What Sarah didn’t expect to learn about apologists from the past, and what most people don’t know about C.S. Lewis.

7:18 - What interested Sarah in Susanna Newcome? Her character and life, her academics.

10:44 - The odd relationship between Susanna and her husband. Susanna’s reputation as a top-class thinker.

13:42 - Why character matters more than ever.

16:27 - What makes this book different? And why it’s so amazing.

18:51 - The state of women in apologetics today, and how we might see more interest and involvement of women in apologetics.

23:21 - The shift to more women in apologetics today.

24:34 - Are men more interested in the rational side of faith than women, or is that a myth?

30:18 - The amazing range of arguments for God in Susanna Newcome’s work. Unique perspectives she brings to the table that we don’t see today. Appeals to happiness.

36:51 - The importance of defining one’s terms, and how to make a good argument. Lots of footnotes is a good thing.

40:43 - When looking for evidence for God, we should expect to see miracles. What sort of evidence are we looking for?

45:14 - Anticipating potential objections and answering them.

45:59 - Susanna wrote a second version of her work to answer new objections on the scene in her day.

49:02 - Argument from prophecy: should we see them more today? How helpful are they, and in what areas are they most beneficial?

53:21 - Apologetic arguments that bolster the faith of believers, not only geared to non-believers.

54:35 - What can apologists today learn from the life and work of Susanna Newcome? How to logically lay out an argument.

Places to check out:
www.noapologiesbook.com
www.sarahrenterline.com
www.historicalapologetics.org
www.womeninapologetics.com
Special Divine Action Project
https://sda.bodleian.ox.ac.uk/sda/#!/about

If you have a question for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview Jacob Varghese from SAFT Apologetics, an apologetics ministry based in India with an international reach. www.saftapologetics.com

2:40 - Introduction to Jacob Varghese and the work of SAFT Apologetics.
7:45 - How Jacob got into apologetics and the beginnings of SAFT.
12:00 - Seeking answers, finding truth. The growth of the podcast.
20:00 - Cultural differences in apologetics in India. Naturalism, supernaturalism, and apologetic questions. Which is harder to deal with: naturalism or supernaturalism? Cultural and religious diversity in India.
36:10 - Atheism on the rise in India.
39:30 - The recent SAFT Online Conference: https://areopagus.saftapologetics.com
50:00 - What’s on the horizon for SAFT?

Support SAFT Apologetics here:
Website: www.saftapologetics.com
Patreon: www.patreon.com/saftapologetics
Podcast webpage: https://saftpodcast.buzzsprout.com
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/saftapologetics

If you have a question for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview Christian blogger Wintery Knight on the topics of Christian blogging, apologetics in the workplace and in the public square, how policy effects Christian freedoms, and more. www.winteryknight.com

1:30 - Discussing moral and ethical issues, having an alias, and observing the changers in culture.

8:00 - The conflict between the Happiness Quest and the Truth Quest.

10:00 - The difficulty getting apologetics into the church. The importance of a commitment to a truth quest.

13:00 - Doing apologetics on the internet.

17:30 - How to interact with skeptics, and what to do when the people you interact with become hostile.

20:00 - In-person interaction and discerning the right way to communicate in the workplace or public square.

25:20 - How can Christians be informed about what’s going on in culture and public policy? How does one become equipped? Resources for being equipped.

37:00 - “The Equality Act” and religious liberty issues.

43:00 - The speed of cultural change in the US, and the importance of religious freedoms.

52:45 - Christianity and politics.

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross answer listener questions: one concerning the historical reliability of the Old Testament and one on the topic of revival.

2:30 - Mailbag questions #1: “What are your thoughts on the following view of scripture?” Is the Old Testament a product of imaginative interpretation? Is the OT fiction? Do we have archeological evidence for the OT?

24:50 - Mailbag questions #2: “Are there signs of a coming revival? What must Christians do to usher in this revival?” A conversation about what revival is, what revival is for, what has happened in revivals historically, and whether or not there are signs of a “coming revival”. Is there anything Christians can do to bring about revival?

Suggested resources:
* Revival by Martyn Lloyd Jones (Youtube | Book )
• Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill
• Power Through Prayer by E.M. Bounds
• The Valley of Vision: A Collection of Puritan Prayers & Devotions

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview “The Belfast Bigot” (www.facebook.com/thebelfastbigot) on the topic of abortion, and defending a pro-life position in the public square.

1:00 - Intro to the Belfast Bigot, why use that name? The history of the Belfast Bigot blog.

5:30 - The goals of apologetics interaction online.

9:10 - Why does the Belfast Bigot talk so much about abortion? Main influences and resources.

12:00 - The abortion situation in the UK / Ireland. The common views on abortion in the UK / Ireland.

17:00 - How do you make a case for life? What is the best angle to take? “What is the unborn?”

20:00 - The use of scientific arguments for the pro-life position. Three types of pro-abortion views.

24:00 - Examples of some bad pro-life arguments. The use of graphic images (are they helpful or not?)

32:50 - What are the common objections to

39:00 - The violinist argument in favor of abortion.

44:00 - “This pregnancy is the product of rape.”

49:00 - What if the life of the mother is at risk?

51:00 - Why blog anonymously?

56:30 - Pro-life resources and more:
• The Case for Life by Scott Klusendorf
• Why Pro-Life by Randy Alcorn
• Love Unleashes Life by Stephanie Gray
• The Ethics of Abortion by Christopher Kaczor
• Love Thy Body by Nancy Percy

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview Christian philosopher David Baggett on the topic of moral apologetics, arguments for God from morality, and the Masters of Arts programs available at Houston Baptist University.

0:30 - Over 100 arguments for the existence of God.
Capturing Christianity: Over 100 Arguments for the Existence of God
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qi7ANgO2ZBU

1:50 - Intro to David Baggett and his books.
God and Cosmos: Moral Truth and Human Meaning
https://www.amazon.com/God-Cosmos-Moral-Truth-Meaning/dp/0199931216
The Moral Argument: A History
https://www.amazon.com/Moral-Argument-History-David-Baggett/dp/0190246375
Good God: The Theistic Foundations of Morality
https://www.amazon.com/Good-God-Theistic-Foundations-Morality/dp/0199751811
The Morals of the Story: Good News About a Good God
https://www.amazon.com/Morals-Story-Good-News-About/dp/0830852077

5:15 - David Baggett’s background, education, and about Michigan.

7:35 - The Houston Baptist University campus experience and the Master's of Arts and apologetics degree.

10:00 - The Center for Moral Apologetics at HBU.

12:50 - Cultural apologetics: what is it? How does HBU educate in cultural apologetics?

15:15 - Cultural apologetics and philosophical apologetics: the importance of having both.

18:50 - Further discussion on distinctions in cultural apologetics.

22:05 - Opportunities at HBU for distance learning programs.

23:20 - What’s it like being married to an academic and also writing a book together?

26:35 - “The Morals of the Story” - the purpose and scope of the book. The fourfold moral argument. Defending theistic ethics.

38:25 - The personal impact of moral arguments for God.

39:25 - The most persuasive moral arguments for God.

42:35 - Guilt, shame, and how they point to a transcendent source of morality.

46:40 - Answering the Euthyphro dilemma. Has the Euthyphro argument lost its potency?

55:10 - Best introductory texts and recommended reading for moral apologetics, morality. Resources at www.moralapologetics.com

58:00 - Biggest misconceptions about moral arguments for God.

1:00:00 - Harry Potter and Philosophy
https://www.amazon.com/Harry-Potter-Philosophy-Aristotle-Hogwarts-ebook/dp/B003S3RL7G
Parenting and an incarnation model of approaching what we find in the world.

1:08:30 - David’s encouragement to those who are considering the moral argument for God.

1:13:00 - Wrapping up with David Baggett, and a reminder to listen to the end for bonus content.

1:16:15 - What's the difference between William Lane Craig's moral argument and David Baggett’s moral argument?

In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross interview Craig Hazen of Biola University, talking to him about Masters degrees in Apologetics at Biola University, his book Fearless Prayer, and his insights on defending the faith.

Biola Masters Programs
https://www.biola.edu/christian-apologetics-ma
Certificate in Christian Apologetics
https://www.biola.edu/christian-apologetics-certificate

1:30 - Intro to Craig Hazen
4:00 - Craig's background, upbringing and Christian background, motivation for getting into apologetics, and how he got to Biola.
11:00 - The Masters programs in Christian Apologetics at Biola.

Biola Masters Programs
https://www.biola.edu/christian-apologetics-ma
Certificate in Christian Apologetics
https://www.biola.edu/christian-apologetics-certificate

12:30 - What is the cross-section of the students in the apologetics program? The now fully online apologetics program.

15:45 - Distance/remote learning vs. on-campus study.

17:45 - Are the questions about Christianity changing? How has culture shifted? Bring rooted in foundational topics and being able to handle the basics.

22:15 - The faculty at Biola

25:00 - The role of philosophy when thinking about Christianity. Is there a conflict? How can it help?

29:00 - Religious studies and comparative religions; Craig's background in studying the world's religions.

31:40 - Craig's book Fearless Prayer. The goal in writing it, and the overall focus of the book.

36:00 - Stories of answered prayer.

38:30 - Advice for those who are having a hard time with praying; intellectual obstacles to prayer.