Apologetics 315 Podcast

Episode Summary:
In this episode, Brian and Chad welcome Melissa Dougherty, author and apologist, to discuss the influence of the New Thought movement on modern culture and Christianity. Melissa shares insights from her book, explaining how New Thought has infiltrated self-help teachings, Word of Faith theology, and broader church beliefs. She also explores its historical roots and the challenges of recognizing and addressing these ideas in Christian circles.

Key Topics Discussed:
1. Introduction to New Thought
Overview of New Thought as a movement distinct from New Age beliefs.
How it has subtly shaped modern self-help, prosperity gospel, and even mainstream Christian teachings.

2. The Influence of New Thought in Popular Culture
Connections to figures like Oprah Winfrey and self-help gurus.
The role of books like Think and Grow Rich in spreading New Thought principles.
Influence on multi-level marketing (MLM) mindset and motivation tactics.

3. Theological Implications and Concerns
How New Thought distorts biblical concepts such as faith, prayer, and God's sovereignty.
The impact on Word of Faith theology and the prosperity gospel.
The dangers of "manifesting" and the law of attraction from a biblical perspective.

4. Engaging with Those Influenced by New Thought
Melissa’s research approach, including attending Unity churches and speaking with adherents.
The importance of asking thoughtful questions rather than attacking beliefs.
Encouraging discernment and deeper biblical study to counteract misleading teachings.

5. Practical Steps for Listeners
How to recognize New Thought influence in Christian teaching.
Resources for deeper study, including Melissa’s book and other apologetics materials.
Encouragement to develop strong hermeneutics and biblical literacy.

Quotable Moments:
"New Thought isn’t New Age—it’s something much sneakier because it uses Christian language."
"If the faith cure movement, Pentecostalism, and New Thought had a baby, it would be the Word of Faith movement."
"We need to understand scripture in context, rather than cherry-picking verses to fit our desires."

Resources Mentioned:

Happy Lies: How a Movement You Probably Never Heard of Shaped Our Self-Obsessed World by Melissa Dougherty

Melissa Dougherty’s YouTube Channel
Apologetics 315 Website: apologetics315.com
SpeakPipe for listener questions: speakpipe.com/apologetics315
Truthbomb Apologetics Blog: truthbomb.blogspot.com
Connect with Us:
Email: [email protected]
Leave a voice message: speakpipe.com/apologetics315
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Episode Summary:

In this first episode of 2025, Brian Auten and Chad Gross dive into a "Cornucopia" of topics, offering an eclectic mix of discussion points for anyone interested in apologetics, Christian living, and the new year ahead. The hosts share insights on their favorite apologetic arguments, explore the reliability of the New Testament, and provide encouragement for Christian parents. They also discuss Wesley Huff's recent debate and appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast, reflecting on lessons learned and the importance of humility and grace in apologetic engagement. The episode wraps up with reflections on God's will, advice for parents raising children in the faith, and plans for upcoming book discussions in the podcast.

Time Stamps:
00:00 – Introduction: Happy New Year from Brian and Chad! Overview of the "Cornucopia" episode.
02:31 – Quickfire Apologetics Questions: Favorite topics, arguments, and conversation starters.
09:31 – Favorite Argument to Explain: Resurrection vs. design vs. contingency.
14:24 – Key Question for Non-Believers: How to initiate meaningful faith conversations.
21:22 – Illustrating the Moral Argument: Using movie characters like the Joker to highlight objective morality.
26:05 – Content Creation vs. Artistry: Balancing authenticity with modern pressures of creating content.
40:35 – Wesley Huff's Joe Rogan Appearance: Reflections on debates, patience, and truth in apologetics.
54:43 – Book Club Announcement: Rational Faith by Stephen T. Davis – What to expect.
01:02:01 – Listener Question: What does "God's will" mean in different contexts?
01:13:56 – Encouragement for Christian Parents: When children stray from faith – lessons from Genesis.
01:21:16 – Closing Thoughts and Gratitude: Looking ahead to new episodes and topics.

Rational Faith by Stephen T. Davis: https://www.amazon.com/Rational-Faith-Philosophers-Defense-Christianity/dp/0830844740
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Summary
In this episode of the Apologetics 315 podcast, hosts Brian Auden and Chad Gross engage with Dr. Michael Licona, a prominent New Testament scholar, to discuss his latest book, 'Jesus Contradicted.' The conversation delves into the historical reliability of the Gospels, addressing the differences in accounts and how they can be understood within the context of ancient biography. Dr. Licona shares insights from his extensive research, emphasizing the importance of compositional devices used by ancient biographers and how these techniques can illuminate our understanding of the Gospels. 

The discussion also explores various responses to Gospel differences, providing a nuanced perspective on the trustworthiness of biblical texts. They discuss the nature of inspiration and inerrancy, emphasizing that the differences in the Gospel accounts do not undermine the truth of Christianity. The dialogue highlights the importance of understanding the historical context and literary techniques employed in ancient writings, advocating for a more nuanced approach to biblical interpretation.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction of Michael Licona
01:44 Exploring Gospel Differences and Historical Reliability
08:43 Responses to Gospel Differences
13:26 Understanding the Genre of the Gospels
19:11 Compositional Devices in the Gospels
26:19 Exploring the Resurrection Accounts
30:08 Understanding Compositional Devices in Gospel Writing
34:55 The Nature of Inspiration and Inerrancy
43:35 Practical Approaches to Gospel Differences

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You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

Summary
In this episode of the Apologetics 315 Podcast, host Chad Gross interviews Eric Chabot about his essay, 'Does the Resurrection of Jesus Prove He is the Jewish Messiah?' The conversation explores Chabot's background, his work with Ratio Christi, and the significance of the resurrection in the context of Jewish messianic expectations. Chabot discusses the concept of the Messiah, the varied expectations of the Jewish people in the first century, and the challenges faced when discussing these topics with secular Jews. The episode culminates in Chabot's argument for how the resurrection of Jesus fulfills the role of the Messiah as outlined in the Old Testament. He discusses the role of Israel as a light to the nations and how Jesus fulfills this calling through his ministry and resurrection. He explores Jewish identity, common objections to Jesus as the Messiah, and the significance of the resurrection in proving Jesus' messianic claims. The discussion also delves into the interpretation of Isaiah 53 and the complexities of Jewish reactions to Jesus, emphasizing the need for understanding and dialogue. Eric concludes by recommending resources for further study on these topics.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Apologetics 315 Podcast
03:11 Interview with Eric Chabot: The Resurrection and the Messiah
09:38 Understanding the Concept of Messiah
13:52 Exploring First Century Messianic Expectations
19:17 Challenges in Conversations about the Messiah
23:55 Making the Case for Jesus as the Jewish Messiah
29:07 Israel's Calling and the Light to the Nations
32:16 Jewish Identity and Beliefs
34:38 Common Objections to Jesus as Messiah
37:25 Evidential Concerns and the Resurrection
41:31 Isaiah 53: The Messianic Debate
47:32 Understanding Jewish Reactions to Jesus
54:14 Resources for Further Study
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We appreciate your feedback.
If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
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Summary
In this episode of the Apologetics 315 podcast, hosts Brian Auten and Chad Gross speak with Benjamin Shaw, a distinguished Christian apologist and author of Trustworthy: 13 Arguments for the Reliability of the New Testament.'The discussion covers Shaw's personal journey into apologetics, the importance of New Testament reliability, and the historical criteria that support it. Shaw emphasizes the cumulative approach to understanding the New Testament, the significance of the Gospels as Greco-Roman biographies, and the value of both Christian and non-Christian sources in establishing the reliability of the New Testament. The conversation also touches on the minimal facts approach to the resurrection and the mission of Core Apologetics to make apologetic resources more accessible to churches and believers.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
05:46 Introducing Benjamin Shaw and His Work
06:14 Benjamin Shaw's Background and Journey
11:29 Lessons from Gary Habermas
14:52 Core Apologetics and Its Mission
15:50 Exploring New Testament Reliability
16:19 Historical Criteria for Reliability
21:53 Understanding Trustworthiness and Reliability
23:47 Cumulative Approach to Reliability
26:11 Gospels as Greco-Roman Biographies
30:02 Authorship and Its Importance
37:02 Non-Christian Sources and Their Value
41:49 Confidence in Early Sources
48:32 Persuasive Arguments for Reliability
54:39 Minimal Facts vs. Maximal Approach
58:51 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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We appreciate your feedback.
If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

Summary
In this conversation, Brian and Chad interview J. Warner Wallace, a former cold case detective turned Christian apologist and author. They discuss his new book, 'The Truth and True Crime: What Investigating Death Teaches Us About the Meaning of Life.' 

The book explores the intersection of true crime and spirituality, focusing on 15 principles that lead to human flourishing. They delve into topics such as the three motivations behind every crime (money, sex, and power), the dangers of fame and power within the church, the fascination with true crime, and the relevance of the book for both believers and non-believers. 

In this conversation, they discuss the themes of identity, suffering, and finding meaning in life. They explore how trauma can shatter our worldview and expectations, and how redefining our identity in Christ can help us flourish post-trauma. They also discuss the importance of having a narrative that includes the persisting self and the hope and reduced fear of dying that comes from a Christian worldview. Jim shares his personal struggle with redefining his identity after retiring as a police officer and offers insights on how to find true meaning and purpose in life.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Overview
03:54 Interview with J. Warner Wallace
09:06 The Dangers of Fame and Power Within the Church
11:26 Marriage and Identity
13:18 The Proximity Principle and Friendships
15:28 The Fascination with True Crime
18:05 Writing with Personal Interest and Creativity
21:53 Relevance for Believers and Non-Believers
23:23 Addressing Both Believers and Unbelievers
24:17 Redefining Identity in Christ: Finding Meaning and Purpose
26:13 Flourishing Post-Trauma: Rethinking Worldview and Expectations
29:06 The Power of a Christian Worldview: Hope and Reduced Fear of Dying
36:53 Finding True Meaning: Making Christ Known Through Our Lives
41:34 Navigating the Risk of Suffering: The Resources of the Christian Worldview

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We appreciate your feedback.
If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

Summary
In this conversation, Chad Gross interviews Eric Hernandez about the existence of the soul. They discuss the definition of the soul, the relationship between the mind and the brain, and the arguments against physicalism. Eric presents the case for substance dualism and argues that consciousness cannot be reduced to physical properties. They also touch on the panpsychist view of consciousness and its implications. The conversation delves into the philosophy of mind and the implications for atheism and theism. In this conversation, Eric Hernandez discusses the concept of the soul and argues against physicalism and in favor of substance dualism. He presents three arguments for the existence of the soul: identity through change, indivisibility of personhood, and the argument from free will. Hernandez emphasizes that if physicalism is true, determinism is also true, which would undermine moral responsibility and intellectual integrity. He recommends J.P. Moreland's books 'The Soul: How We Know It's Real and Why It Matters' and 'Body and Soul: Human Nature and the Crisis in Ethics' as resources for further study on the philosophy of mind and the soul.

Takeaways

• The soul can be defined as an immaterial substance that possesses consciousness and animates the body.
• Consciousness cannot be reduced to physical properties, and therefore physicalism is false.
• Panpsychism suggests that consciousness is fundamental to reality and can arise under the right conditions.
• The arguments surrounding consciousness and the soul have implications for atheism and theism.
• The philosophy of mind is an important area of study for understanding the nature of consciousness. The concept of the soul is central to understanding human nature and consciousness.
• Physicalism, the belief that everything is physical, cannot account for the existence of consciousness and free will.
• Arguments for the existence of the soul include identity through change, indivisibility of personhood, and the argument from free will.
• If physicalism is true, determinism is also true, which undermines moral responsibility and intellectual integrity.
• Further study on the philosophy of mind and the soul can be pursued through books by J.P. Moreland.

Sound Bites
"I don't have a soul, but rather I am a soul and I have a body."
"If physicalism is true, consciousness can't exist."
"Why not just become a Christian? That's exactly the heart of the Christian worldview."
"Philosophy of mind is where it's at and where it's going to be."
"I am either an immaterial soul or an immaterial substance."
"I am not a purely physical object. I am a soul."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Movie Discussion
02:40 Interview with Eric Hernandez: The Existence of the Soul
09:30 Defining the Soul and Substance Dualism
19:27 Consciousness and the Mind-Brain Relationship
25:06 Objections to Dualism and the Panpsychist View
31:43 Justin Schieber's View on Consciousness
36:28 Moral Obligation and Implications for Atheism and Theism
37:28 Understanding the Concept of the Soul
39:26 Challenging Physicalism and Arguing for Substance Dualism
44:32 Three Arguments for the Existence of the Soul
50:02 The Implications of Determinism for Moral Responsibility and Intellectual Integrity
58:01 Recommended Resources for Further Study on the Soul

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We appreciate your feedback.
If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
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Summary
Robbie Lashua discusses the Stand to Reason (STR) Outposts initiative, its purpose, and the process of starting one at a local church. He shares his journey of getting involved with STR and his role as the outpost coordinator. The conversation also covers the flexibility of outposts, the target audience, and the use of STRU courses for small group discussions. Robbie is interviewed about STR's Outpost program, which equips local churches with apologetics resources. The program allows flexibility for churches to use other materials but requires adherence to STR's mission statement. Outposts are not meant to teach doctrinal distinctives, and the local church is responsible for indoctrinating its members. Outpost directors have access to resources and support from STR for managing difficult personalities and theological issues. The program has seen significant growth and is open to churches of all sizes.

https://www.str.org/outposts

Takeaways

• STR Outposts provide small group curriculum for training lay people in apologetics within local churches.
• The target audience for STR Outposts is lay people in the church who are not equipped to compete in the marketplace of ideas and culture.
• The use of STRU courses and small group discussions makes apologetics training more accessible and digestible for lay people in the church. STR's Outpost program equips local churches with apologetics resources and allows flexibility in using other materials.
• Outposts are not meant to teach doctrinal distinctives, and the responsibility for indoctrinating members lies with the local church.
• Outpost directors have access to resources and support from STR for managing difficult personalities and theological issues.
• The program has seen significant growth and is open to churches of all sizes.

Chapters
00:00 The Purpose of STR Outposts
03:16 Starting an STR Outpost at Your Church
06:00 Flexibility and Target Audience of STR Outposts
22:33 Equipping Local Churches with Apologetics Resources
26:24 Navigating Doctrinal Distinctives and Flexibility in Apologetics
38:37 Support and Resources for Outpost Directors
42:26 Growth and Inclusivity of the Outpost Program

================================
We appreciate your feedback.
If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

Summary
Nate Sala shares his journey from leaving the church to becoming a Christian, his ministry Wise Disciple, and his insights on debate and persuasion. He discusses the importance of objectivity in debate analysis and the criteria for judging debates. The conversation covers various aspects of debate preparation, styles, and strategies, as well as the role of emotion and rhetoric in debates. It also delves into the significance of cross-examination and the art of debate, along with the impact of personal biases and emotional connections in the context of debates. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the host's channel and its content.
Takeaways

• Nate Sala's personal journey from leaving the church to becoming a Christian highlights the role of apologetics in evangelism.
• Wise Disciple ministry focuses on helping Christians effectively incorporate theology and apologetics into their conversations.
• Nate Sala's insights on debate and persuasion emphasize the importance of objectivity and the criteria for judging debates. Debate preparation involves considering the opponent, the topic, and the audience.
• Emotional connection and rhetoric play a significant role in debates, alongside logical arguments.
• Cross-examination is a crucial aspect of debates, allowing debaters to showcase their critical thinking abilities.
• Personal biases and emotional connections can influence the analysis and perception of debates.
• The guest's channel offers content on debate analysis, sermon breakdowns, and Bible study sessions.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
02:12 The Journey to Faith and Ministry
09:06 Insights on Debate and Persuasion
26:14 Emotion and Rhetoric in Debates
33:41 The Significance of Cross-Examination
45:26 Exploring the Host's Channel and Content

================================
We appreciate your feedback.
If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]

Summary
In this episode, Brian and Chad interview Travis Dickinson about the argument from reason. They discuss the different options for explaining the existence of logical principles, focusing on naturalism and Platonism. Travis argues that if God does not exist, logical principles either do not exist or exist as brute abstract objects. He explains that naturalism, which denies the existence of anything outside the natural world, cannot account for the existence of logical principles. Platonism, on the other hand, posits the existence of abstract objects in a separate realm, but this explanation is ad hoc and lacks independent reasons. Travis concludes that the most plausible explanation for logical principles is the existence of God. In this part of the conversation, Brian and Travis discuss the argument from reason and its connection to the existence of God. They explore the idea that our ability to reason and use logic points to the existence of a higher mind, which they identify as God. They also discuss how the argument from reason can be used in practical apologetics to engage with skeptics and point them towards Christ.

Takeaways

• The argument from reason posits that if God does not exist, logical principles either do not exist or exist as brute abstract objects.
• Naturalism, which denies the existence of anything outside the natural world, cannot account for the existence of logical principles.
• Platonism, which posits the existence of abstract objects in a separate realm, is an ad hoc explanation without independent reasons.
• The most plausible explanation for logical principles is the existence of God. Our ability to reason and use logic suggests the existence of a higher mind, which can be identified as God.
• The argument from reason can be used in practical apologetics to engage with skeptics and challenge their worldview.
• The moral argument may be more effective in hitting people in the gut, but the argument from reason provides a strong intellectual foundation for belief in God.
• Studying logic and critical thinking can be seen as a way of studying God and living in a way that reflects the mind of Christ.
• The argument from reason points to the idea that God is the greatest conceivable being, worthy of worship and the normative standard for reasoning.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:17 Guest Introduction
03:33 The Incompatibility of Naturalism and Logical Principles
05:01 Reason as the Observable Phenomenon
06:29 The Plausibility of God as the Ground of Logical Principles
16:21 The Ad Hoc Nature of Platonism
24:23 The Limitations of Platonism
26:14 The Need for a Ground of Logical Principles
27:13 The Argument from Reason and the Existence of God
30:07 The Platonic View vs. the Theistic View
35:17 Jesus as the Originating Logical Principle
39:38 Jesus as the Ground of Being and Logic
51:03 The End of Every Philosophical Question is God

================================
We appreciate your feedback.
If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]