New Atheism is in decline but atheism in general still persists. But so too does Christianity. What are the current trends today in the Atheist and Christian dialogue? Is Christianity also declining or is there a general resurgence of interest in the Bible and the Person of Christ? Or is it a little of both?

This week and next on the Profile we talk with author, speaker, and podcaster from the U.K. Justin Brierley and get his insights on these and other topics from over twenty years of engaging believers and nonbelievers.

From http://justinbrierley.com/about/

Justin is a freelance writer, speaker and broadcaster who has become known for creating dialogues between Christians and non-Christians. Justin is passionate about creating conversations around faith, science, theology and culture. Through creative use of podcast, radio, print, video and social media, he aims to showcase an intellectually compelling case for Christianity, while taking seriously the questions and objections of sceptics.

Justin's first book 'Unbelievable? Why, after ten years of talking with atheists, I'm still a Christian' (SPCK) was published in 2017. His new book 'The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God' (Tyndale) was published in Sep 2023.

Justin currently co-hosts the Re-Enchanting podcast for Seen & Unseen, and is a guest presenter for the Maybe God podcast. He has also recently launched The Surprising Rebirth Of Belief in God podcast documentary series. Contact Justin at  [email protected].

Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship: 

Featured clips on this broadcast from YouTube
https://youtu.be/3mKXYI1d8-8?si=KRSSsJ2GjsBQJ47P
https://youtu.be/IEjB3OX0JME?si=cla3xrquzTyl8eL1
https://youtu.be/AvwGhlBI1hA?si=ZnMtXui0FXY8LYtV
https://youtu.be/OVEuQg_Mglw?si=YsdypJcSZgRZi7gH

Additional Resources
FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

The Bible tells us that we can see and understand "God's invisible attributes" through what He has created. And this is precisely what former atheist Michael Ray Lewis discovered as he spent three years examining the evidence for Christianity. One of the most impressive arguments he encountered during his time of searching was that of the fine tuning of the universe. 

Jesus eventually got hold of Michael and not long thereafter his wife encouraged him to make a documentary about the evidence he had uncovered for Christianity. 

Here on part two of our conversation with filmmaker Michael Ray Lewis, we'll hear the story of how the idea of the film, Universe Designed, became a reality.

For more information about the film Universe Designed, visit the official website at https://www.UniverseDesigned.com

Resources from Watchman Fellowship:

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook.
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.
Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

God's creation shows us His invisible attributes. He uses His creation to lead us to Christ, through whom and for whom the entirety of the heavens and earth were made (Colossians 1).

Daniel Ray recently met a former atheist who became a Christian and who has recently completed the final edits on a remarkable docudrama film about the cosmos and how it all points us to Jesus. The film is called Universe Designed and it is the passion project of our guest on Apologetics for the next two weeks, filmmaker Michael Ray Lewis. 

Universe Designed rivals anything produced by National Geographic or the Discovery Channel, without the naturalism of course, and is entirely Christ-centered. It is due to be released sometime toward the end of this year. 

Here on part one, Michael shares with us his story about how God began a good work in his life.

For more information about the film Universe Designed, visit the official website at https://www.UniverseDesigned.com

Resources from Watchman Fellowship:

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook.
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.
Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

The 15th president of the LDS Church Gordon B. Hinkley said in 1961 that "this cause is either true or false. Either this is the kingdom of God, or it is a shame and a delusion. Either Joseph talked with the Father and the Son, or he did not. If he did not, we are engaged in blasphemy."

This week we wrap up our conversation with former Latter-day Saint Sandra Tanner about many of the difficulties surrounding The Book of Mormon facing the LDS Church today.

Sandra Tanner and her late husband Jerald were raised in the LDS faith, both with a strong Mormon family history. Jerald was the great-great-grandson of John Tanner, well known for his sizeable financial contributions to Joseph Smith and the LDS church in 1835 when the church was deeply in debt. Sandra Tanner is a great-great-granddaughter of Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church.

As teenagers, before they met, Jerald and Sandra were challenged by different people and events to examine the origins of Mormonism. Soon after their introduction, they jointly began researching Mormonism and became engaged. Both accepted Christ during these early years of study and have left the Mormon church. Sandra remains today a Christian.

The Tanners are authors of over forty books on the subject of Mormonism. They are well known for their extensive research into Mormon history and doctrine. Utah Lighthouse™ Ministry provides these books and research, as well as photocopies and reprints of original Mormon documents to the public. https://www.utlm.org/navaboutus.htm

Free PDF Copy of Mormonism - Shadow or Reality?

Audio Links used in this broadcast:
Jacob Hansen - https://www.youtube.com/live/9V_N0cRqzQU?si=WchZKk0jhSpkvPjM
Robert Ritner - https://youtu.be/ORNYUyHg3pY?si=13TiSMCuGS1uGQL7

Related Links: 

Additional Resources:
FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/Notebook
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

How could a young, relatively uneducated farm boy from upstate New York in the late 1820s have written something like The Book of Mormon? Was it inspired by God or is it merely the product of Joseph Smith's vivid imagination and storytelling?

This week and next on the Profile we will be featuring our conversation with Sandra Tanner from this past April, recorded on General Conference Weekend in Utah. Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray had the privilege of talking to Sandra about Smith, The Book of Mormon, and several other challenges facing the LDS Church today.

Sandra Tanner and her late husband Jerald were raised in the LDS faith, both with a strong Mormon family history. Jerald was the great-great-grandson of John Tanner, well known for his sizeable financial contributions to Joseph Smith and the LDS church in 1835 when the church was deeply in debt. Sandra Tanner is a great-great-granddaughter of Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church.

As teenagers, before they met, Jerald and Sandra were challenged by different people and events to examine the origins of Mormonism. Soon after their introduction, they jointly began researching Mormonism and became engaged. Both accepted Christ during these early years of study and have left the Mormon church. Sandra remains today a Christian. 

The Tanners are authors of over forty books on the subject of Mormonism. They are well known for their extensive research into Mormon history and doctrine. Utah Lighthouse™ Ministry provides these books and research, as well as photocopies and reprints of original Mormon documents to the public. https://www.utlm.org/navaboutus.htm

Free PDF Copy of Mormonism - Shadow or Reality?

Audio Links used in this broadcast:
Brad Wilcox - https://youtu.be/wKfhkj0fHNk?si=vpbozHEmZbd4U3yy
Ezra Benson - https://youtu.be/TN1Ez7MjvBU?si=2ku-Wi2DAprnYX73
Russel Nelson - https://youtu.be/DG181zFA5YM?si=EmrSaXvm9nwrjqTA

Related Links: 

Additional Resources:
FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/Notebook
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

There exists a popular myth among skeptics and non-believers that Jesus did not really rise from the dead. What may have happened, they suggest, is that Peter and/or Paul experienced some kind of hallucination or vision of Jesus after His death. 

Our guest again this week on the Profile, resurrection scholar Dr. Gary Habermas, argues however, that in order for this hypothesis even to get off the ground, the skeptic must first establish the truth of a purely naturalistic worldview, which, Gary believes, cannot be done. Naturalistic refutations of Jesus' resurrection fail to provide any significant challenge to the narratives found in the four Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. 

Dr. Gary Habermas has dedicated his professional life to the examination of the relevant historical, philosophical, and theological issues surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. His extensive list of publications and debates provides a thorough account of the current state of the issue. He has also contributed more than 60 chapters or articles to additional books, and over 100 articles and reviews in journals and other publications. In recent years, he has been a visiting or adjunct professor at about 15 different graduate schools and seminaries in the United States and abroad. Dr. Habermas is a Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy. He is married to Eileen and they have seven children and 11 grandchildren. https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/seminary/faculty/gary-habermas/

Gary's Books 

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Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (660 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

If Jesus did not rise from the dead, as skeptics claim, then our faith in Christ is worthless and we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17). So do arguments rooted in naturalism, aimed at criticizing and casting doubt upon the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, pose any significant challenge to the Christian faith?

According to our guest this week, the world's leading scholar on the resurrection of Jesus, Dr. Gary Habermas, the answer is "Absolutely not!"

Dr. Gary Habermas has dedicated his professional life to the examination of the relevant historical, philosophical, and theological issues surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. His extensive list of publications and debates provides a thorough account of the current state of the issue. He has also contributed more than 60 chapters or articles to additional books, and over 100 articles and reviews in journals and other publications. In recent years, he has been a visiting or adjunct professor at about 15 different graduate schools and seminaries in the United States and abroad. Dr. Habermas is a Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy. He is married to Eileen and they have seven children and 11 grandchildren. https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/seminary/faculty/gary-habermas/

Gary's Books 

Free Profiles from Watchman Fellowship! 

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (660 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

How many invisible entities does it take to explain the origin of the universe? Is the origin and existence of the cosmos ultimately best explained by a host of invisible theoretical entities or is it all best explained by a single, intelligent Agent?

We continue our conversation from last week on the topic of Intelligent Design with Discovery Institute associates Dr. Casey Luskin and his wife Kristin Marais.

Casey Luskin is a scientist and an attorney with graduate degrees in science and law, giving him expertise in both the scientific and legal dimensions of the debate over evolution. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Johannesburg He earned a law degree from the University of San Diego. His B.S. and M.S. degrees in Earth Sciences are from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Luskin has been a California-licensed attorney since 2005, practicing primarily in the area of evolution-education in public schools and defending academic freedom for scientists who face discrimination because of their support for intelligent design (ID). https://www.discovery.org/p/luskin/

Kristin Marais has roughly 15 years of educational experience spanning the traditional building classroom, online classroom, curriculum development, and tutoring. She graduated from the University of California Riverside with a BS in biochemistry and then completed a MS in Teaching through Western Washington University. Kristin is a Washington state certified teacher with endorsements in chemistry, biology, and general science. https://discoveryinstitute.academy/chemistry/

Featured Audio Clips Sources:
Joe Rogan and Steven C. Meyer: https://youtu.be/jYYnULUru-w?si=7CgKmkolObKXZIBw and
https://youtu.be/tb1Ubw1Iu5w?si=MPojWnmHhFQLSpQB
Eric Hedin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA4QutvxX88&t=92s

Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship

Naturalism: https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdf
Scientism: https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdf
Panpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdf
Postmodernism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePostmodernism.pdf
Atheism: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdf

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/Notebook
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Critics call it creationism in a cheap tuxedo. Some think is merely religion masquerading as a pseudo-scientific theory, but many others believe it to be a viable scientific theory that should be taken seriously.

So what exactly is the theory of Intelligent Design (ID)?

This week and next on the Profile, we'll explore the answer to that question with two very knowledgeable proponents of ID, Dr. Casey Luskin and his wife Kristin Marais from Discovery Institute in Seattle, Washington.

Casey Luskin is a scientist and an attorney with graduate degrees in science and law, giving him expertise in both the scientific and legal dimensions of the debate over evolution. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Johannesburg He earned a law degree from the University of San Diego. His B.S. and M.S. degrees in Earth Sciences are from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Luskin has been a California-licensed attorney since 2005, practicing primarily in the area of evolution-education in public schools and defending academic freedom for scientists who face discrimination because of their support for intelligent design (ID). https://www.discovery.org/p/luskin/

Kristin Marais has roughly 15 years of educational experience spanning the traditional building classroom, online classroom, curriculum development, and tutoring. She graduated from the University of California Riverside with a BS in biochemistry and then completed a MS in Teaching through Western Washington University. Kristin is a Washington state certified teacher with endorsements in chemistry, biology, and general science. https://discoveryinstitute.academy/chemistry/

Featured Audio Clips Sources:
Dr. Marco Fasoli: https://youtu.be/jYYnULUru-w?si=7CgKmkolObKXZIBw
Richard Dawkins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_5gVn6G_1Y
Joe Rogan and Steven C. Meyer: https://youtu.be/jYYnULUru-w?si=7CgKmkolObKXZIBw and
https://youtu.be/tb1Ubw1Iu5w?si=MPojWnmHhFQLSpQB

Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship

Naturalism: https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdf
Scientism: https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdf
Panpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdf
Postmodernism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePostmodernism.pdf
Atheism: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdf

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/Notebook
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Evolutionary biologists have attempted in a multitude of different ways to genetically alter a species of fruit fly in an attempt to create some kind of new species. But their efforts have not yielded the desired results. In addition, contemporary discoveries pertaining to our own human genetic make up have brought a significant challenge to the reigning orthodoxy of Neo-Darwinian evolution. Naturalists are bereft of any kind of explanation regarding from where the information in the genome has come or how nature on its own could create such specified and complex information.

This week on the Profile we wrap up Daniel Ray's informal conversation with Discovery Institute fellow Dr. Paul Nelson. Paul discusses these and other philosophical and theological implications of Darwin's groundbreaking theory for us today.

Paul Nelson, PhD, Senior Fellow, Center for Science and Culture, is an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Arts Program in Science & Religion at Biola University. He received his PhD in the philosophy of biology and evolutionary theory from the University of Chicago, and he lectures frequently at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Europe. His scholarly articles have appeared in journals such as Biology & Philosophy, BIO-Complexity, Zygon, Rhetoric and Public Affairs, and Touchstone, and his book chapters have appeared in the anthologies Mere Creation (Intervarsity Press), Signs of Intelligence (Brazos), Intelligent Design Creationism and Its Critics (MIT Press), Darwin, Design, Public Education (Michigan State University Press), and Next Generation Systematics (Cambridge University Press). Heis co-author of thebiology textbook Explore Evolution, and he has appeared in several films on intelligent design for Illustra Media.

Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship

Naturalism: https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdf
Scientism: https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdf
Panpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdf
Postmodernism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePostmodernism.pdf
Atheism: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdf

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free
PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/Notebook
SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.