As you read this, there is presently a growing community of online social media savvy atheists and skeptics learning and engaging in conversational techniques that are designed to plant seeds of doubt in the minds of Christians about their faith in Christ. This growing phenomenon is known as Street Epistemology, or SE for short. 

SE includes a financially supported non-profit organization that produces materials and content, trained practitioners who give seminars on how to use SE, a multitude of social media platforms including Facebook, Reddit, Discord, YouTube, Clubhouse, and Twitter, and an enthusiastic community of lay atheists and skeptics dedicated to the promotion and use of this technique. And if you or your children or grandchildren are active on social media, it's not unlikely you or they will eventually chat with a street epistemologist. 

So what is street epistemology? What are some of the ways you can recognize if you are talking to a street epistemologist? What should you say? How should you respond? 

On this episode of Apologetics Profile, Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray sits down with long-time friend of Watchman Fellowship, Kerby Anderson, host of the nationally syndicated talk radio show Point of View to discuss the basics of what you and your family need to know about this growing online atheist movement.

WATCH THE VIDEO: You may also watch the interview here: https://vimeo.com/710522615.

And just as a reminder, this broadcast of Apologetics Profile is a rebroadcast of Daniel's conversation with Kerby on Point of View. So even though Kerby is going to invite people to call in, please do not call the studio, as this is not a live broadcast!

KERBY ANDERSON serves as president of Probe Ministries (www.probe.org) in Plano, Texas. He is a regular contributor to the Probe radio program heard on over 600 radio outlets (including the USA Radio Network, Moody Broadcasting Network, Bott Radio Network, and American Family Network). He also serves as host of “Point of View” (USA Radio Network) heard on 290 radio outlets nationwide as well as on the Internet (www.pointofview.net) and shortwave.

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What would you say to a skeptic who asks you to describe the differences between your faith and the faith of a Muslim or a Hindu? Would you be able to explain the basic differences between your faith and that of a Mormon or Jehovah's Witness who knocks at your door? 

In our ever-increasingly religiously diverse and pluralistic society, we cannot afford to ignore the ideas, beliefs, and practices surrounding us. But we also do not need to become scholars in comparative religions to be able to give a defense for the hope that is in us as Christians to those who believe differently than we do. 

On part two of our conversation about religious pluralism, Mama Bear Apologetics world religions specialist Lindsey Medenwaldt gives us more practical advice about how to engage with those of other faiths. Knowing what others believe and giving a defense to them of your faith in Christ is not as overwhelming as it might first seem.

Lindsey Medenwaldt is Director of Ministry Operations at Mama Bear Apologetics, and she is their resident worldview and world religion specialist. She has a master’s degree in apologetics and ethics from Denver Seminary, as well as a master’s in public administration and a law degree. She’s also a full-time children’s pastor, an editor and writer for the Christian Research Journal, and a member of the Pelican Project. She recently contributed a chapter about the Jehovah’s Witnesses to the Harvest House Popular Handbook of World Religions (March 2021). Lindsey and her husband, Jay (who is also an apologist), have been married for 14 years. They have three daughters and live in Texas. In her spare time, Lindsey loves watching British reality television, especially The Great British Baking Show, and she’s an avid reader (Jay and Lindsey have an at-home library of more than 2,000 books!).

LINDSEY MEDENWALDT RESOURCES:

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship
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Increasingly our neighborhoods, schools, workplace, and culture at large have become much more religiously and ethnically diverse. We also have instantaneous access to a plethora of information about other religions through the internet and social media. We meet all kinds of people who accept a wide variety of different beliefs and practices related to God. These present significant challenges to the exclusivity of Jesus being the only way to the Father. 

What is the difference between religious diversity and religious plurality? Do all paths lead to God or is there finally only one way, as Jesus proclaimed? What are we to make of the multiplicity of other religions by which we are surrounded? How do we best equip ourselves as Christians to understand the times and ideas in which we live? How do we reach out to our religious non-Christian neighbors?

On the next two episodes of Apologetics Profile we offer some down-to-earth advice from a "Mama Bear" about how we can effectively engage our non-Christian religious friends and neighbors without having to become an expert in comparative religious studies! World religion specialist Lindsey Medenwaldt shares with us her wisdom and experience and offers some great insights you can begin applying immediately to your conversations with people of other faiths.

Lindsey Medenwaldt is Director of Ministry Operations at Mama Bear Apologetics, and she is their resident worldview and world religion specialist. She has a master’s degree in apologetics and ethics from Denver Seminary, as well as a master’s in public administration and a law degree. She’s also a full-time children’s pastor, an editor and writer for the Christian Research Journal, and a member of the Pelican Project. She recently contributed a chapter about the Jehovah’s Witnesses to the Harvest House Popular Handbook of World Religions (March 2021). Lindsey and her husband, Jay (who is also an apologist), have been married for 14 years. They have three daughters and live in Texas. In her spare time, Lindsey loves watching British reality television, especially The Great British Baking Show, and she’s an avid reader (Jay and Lindsey have an at-home library of more than 2,000 books!).

LINDSEY MEDENWALDT RESOURCES:

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship
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Our culture is arguably more ethnically and religiously diverse than it has ever been in its brief history. Technology in communication and transportation has brought a world of people and ideas to our shores. We can know about events all around the globe in just an instant. We are bombarded with ideas and beliefs that are wholly foreign to our own. The information age can be overwhelming at times. 

Our neighbors may be Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, agnostic or atheist. Where do we begin a dialogue with them? Where can we find a modicum of common ground with our non-Christian friends and neighbors? 

On the second part of our discussion with Dr. Gary Habermas about Jesus among other world religions, we unpack a few helpful points about how to thoughtfully engage those outside the Christian faith. What are some areas of agreement upon which we might focus? What makes Christianity unique? Who is Jesus? Who do men say that He is? Who do you say Jesus is? 

These the most important questions we can ask ourselves and others and Gary gives us some help in asking and responding to those outside the Christian faith. 

Dr. Gary Habermas is a Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy and chairman of the department of philosophy at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He received a Doctor of Philosophy degree (1976) from Michigan State University in history and philosophy of religion with a thesis entitled "The resurrection of Jesus: a rational inquiry," and previously a master's degree (1973) from the University of Detroit in philosophical theology. He has specialized in cataloging and communicating trends among scholars in the field of historical Jesus and New Testament studies. In 1985, Habermas debated the then-atheist and evidentialist philosopher, Antony Flew, on the question of Jesus' resurrection as a literal and historical/physical event, before 3,000 attendees. Five philosophers and five professional debate judges judged the debate. Of the philosophers who judged on the content of the debate, four voted that Habermas won and the other was undecided.... [Before his death in 2010, Dr. Flew converted from atheism to theism.] In his memoir Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi [a former Muslim] relates how Habermas was influential in his conversion, and describes him as looking like "a mix between Santa Claus and an offensive lineman."

GARY HABERMAS RESOURCES:

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship
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On the next four episodes of Apologetics Profile, we will be diving into some of the basics of other major world religions and provide you with a variety of resources to enable you to begin intelligent and thoughtful dialogue with your Muslim, Hindu, or Buddhist neighbors. We'll also discuss some basic ways in which you can respond to atheists and agnostics who generally hold to a naturalistic worldview. 

Here on part one of our four-part series on Jesus and Christianity among other religions, we speak once more with New Testament historian and scholar Dr. Gary Habermas as he helps us identify what is unique among Christianity and why Jesus stands alone and unique among other worldviews and religions. 

Dr. Gary Habermas is a Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy and chairman of the department of philosophy at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. He received a Doctor of Philosophy degree (1976) from Michigan State University in history and philosophy of religion with a thesis entitled "The resurrection of Jesus: a rational inquiry," and previously a master's degree (1973) from the University of Detroit in philosophical theology. He has specialized in cataloging and communicating trends among scholars in the field of historical Jesus and New Testament studies. In 1985, Habermas debated the then-atheist and evidentialist philosopher, Antony Flew, on the question of Jesus' resurrection as a literal and historical/physical event, before 3,000 attendees. Five philosophers and five professional debate judges judged the debate. Of the philosophers who judged on the content of the debate, four voted that Habermas won and the other was undecided.... [Before his death in 2010, Dr. Flew converted from atheism to theism.] In his memoir Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus, Nabeel Qureshi [a former Muslim] relates how Habermas was influential in his conversion, and describes him as looking like "a mix between Santa Claus and an offensive lineman."

GARY HABERMAS RESOURCES:

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

You've likely heard the statistics or the stories of how young Christians who go off to a secular college or university end up losing their faith. On this episode of Apologetics Profile we talk with Pastor Rich Day who shares his ministerial experiences and engagement with both Christian and non-Christian students on secular campuses. Pastor Rich gives us insights and practical helps as to how we can engage students of all beliefs who have doubts about God. 

Rich Day is the lead pastor at Lakeview Baptist Church (LakeviewBaptistTallahassee.com) in Tallahassee, Florida. In addition to his pastoral duties, he is also the Director of Ratio Christi at Florida State University (FSU), the Baptist Collegiate Ministries at the local community college and Regional Director for The Great Exchange. Pastor Day was recently awarded a Doctor of Ministry degree in Apologetics and Executive Administration from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (www.NOBTS.edu) where he also graduated with his MDiv. and MA.

RESOURCES: Be sure to check Rich's earlier podcast and Watchman Fellowship Profile on the controversial movement known as the Black Hebrew Israelites: 

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship
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Scripture exhorts us not to be conformed to this world, but to be transformed by the renewing of our minds. How much does the world subtly influence our thinking about God? In our day and age we are accustomed to "Googling" or asking Alexa for facts and information about anything from the weather to world news. How does this impact our thinking about God? Is God just a set of propositions to be defended? And must we exhaustively demonstrate evidence for God through rigorous proofs and experiments? 

On part two of our discussion with Christian philosopher Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek, we unpack some of these problematic ideas about modernist thinking and Esther offers insightful correctives to modern ideas through integrating the thoughts of scientist and philosopher Michael Polanyi and theologian John M. Frame  in her own thesis as "covenant epistemology." 

Whether it is the art of science, riding a bike, or knowing your auto mechanic, knowledge is inherently personal and participatory. We are beings in bodies, living souls, divine image bearers, subjects of our Creator. Our knowledge of God comes through participating in the community and work in which He has placed us.

Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek (BA Cedarville College, MA Western Kentucky University, Ph.D Temple University) is Professor of Philosophy emeritus at Geneva College, in Western Pennsylvania. She is a Fellow Scholar with the Fujimura Institute, an Associate Fellow with the Kirby Laing Center for Public Theology, and a member of the Polanyi Society. She offers courses for Theopolis Institute, The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and Regent College. Esther now works from Steubenville, Ohio. Her books include:

Be sure to check out our other podcasts on the importance of philosophy in the Christian faith!

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship
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It is no small claim to say that we know God. But how do we know God? What does it mean to have faith in God? And must we scientifically demonstrate our knowledge about God to our skeptic friends and neighbors who demand we do so?

On the next two episodes of Apologetics Profile, we will explore these epistemological questions with Christian philosopher Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek, whose personal skeptical quest (beginning at age 13) to know how she knew about God eventually led her to the theology of John M. Frame and the work of Christian philosopher and scientist Michael Polanyi. 

Esther's book, Longing to Know - The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People (Baker Publishing Group) uhop.me/LongingToKnow, uniquely combines the ideas of Frame and Polanyi into what she proposes as "covenant epistemology." This synthesis embodies real-world, practical examples of how we know what we know and relates them to our knowledge of and relationship with God. We hope these next two episodes will encourage and equip you to be prepared to give a charitable and intelligent defense of your faith in Christ to those who ask. 

Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek (BA Cedarville College, MA Western Kentucky University, Ph.D Temple University) is Professor of Philosophy emeritus at Geneva College, in Western Pennsylvania. She is a Fellow Scholar with the Fujimura Institute, an Associate Fellow with the Kirby Laing Center for Public Theology, and a member of the Polanyi Society. She offers courses for Theopolis Institute, The Seattle School of Theology and Psychology, and Regent College. Esther now works from Steubenville, Ohio. Her additional books include:

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship
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© Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

"How do we know what we know?" asks our guest this week, Dr. Jamie Dew, Christian philosopher and president of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (nobts.edu). "This is the basic question that undergirds the discipline of epistemology. We take it for granted that we know many different things, but we rarely ask this basic question about our knowledge." That comes from Jamie's co-authored book with Mark W. Foreman, How Do We Know? An Introduction to Epistemology, 2nd Edition, (https://amzn.to/3KN2FIy).

It is important for Christians to be able to answer this question, as many skeptics and atheists are increasingly utilizing it in their attempts to get Christians to doubt their faith. In this episode, Jamie outlines the basics about epistemology in relation to God, equipping us to better understand how to answer our skeptical friends and neighbors. 

This is part one of a three-part series on epistemology. The next two weeks will feature our interview with Christian philosopher Dr. Esther Lightcap Meek about her 2003 book, Longing to Know - The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People.

Dr. Jamie Dew holds a PH.D in philosophy from the University of Birmingham (UK) and a Ph.D. in theological studies at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (SEBTS). He currently serves as president at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (nobts.edu). He also earned a Master of Divinity in Pastoral Ministry is from SEBTS and his Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies is from Toccoa Falls College, Toccoa, Ga. Dr. Dew's publications include:

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Perhaps you have heard skeptics say that "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence." What exactly does that mean? From where does it come? How can we as Christians intelligently respond to this claim when engaging our unbelieving friends and neighbors? 

On the second part of our discussion about David Hume with Christian philosopher Dr. Timothy McGrew, we unpack this popular phrase that Tim says is often "wielded like a talisman" in Christian/Atheist debates and discussions. We also unpack significant quotes from the second part of Hume's essay, Of Miracles. Tim provides more practical thought in how we can intelligently engage Hume and those who often cite him. 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: 

Additional Reading: Books mentioned in this episode include:

Dr. Timothy McGrew is Professor and Chairman of the Department of Philosophy at Western Michigan University. He specializes in theory of knowledge, logic, probability theory, and the history and philosophy of science. He has published in numerous journals including Mind, The Monist, Analysis, Erkenntnis, British Journal for the Philosophy of Science, and Philosophia Christi. His recent publications include the article on “Evidence” in The Routledge Companion to Epistemology, coauthorship of The Philosophy of Science: An Historical Anthology, coauthorship (with Lydia McGrew) of the article on “The Argument from Miracles” in The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology, and the article on “Miracles” for The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy.

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Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship
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© Watchman Fellowship, Inc.