AUTHENTIC with Shawn Boonstra

"The gospel of Luke is, by some accounts, the human face of Jesus. It's arguably the most relatable part of the Bible telling the story of Jesus on Earth. And AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra explains why Luke had regular people like you in mind when he wrote it.
This is part four of a series called "The Four Witnesses."

Mark is a great place to start reading the Bible. It’s short enough that you can read it in one sitting, and the gospel talks about how Jesus relates to real, everyday people. But it turns out that maybe Mark isn't actually the author. AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra walks you through the evidence in part 3 of a series called "The Four Witnesses".

If you want to know what it really looks like to be a Christian, the gospel of Matthew is a great place to start. It reads like a training guide—talking about what Jesus said, and then about what he did. And what better example to copy than Jesus himself? AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra walks you through some of the most interesting parts of the Bible's first gospel.

This is part two of a series called "The Four Witnesses."

Ever wonder why the Bible has four versions of Jesus' life—in four gospels? AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra kicks off a multi-part study series about how the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—are different and alike. Series name: "The Four Witnesses."

Back in the earliest years of Christian history, a lot of deep thinkers struggled to wrap their minds around the concept of Jesus being not just a man, and not just God, but instead BOTH things at the very same time. 🤯 How could the eternal Almighty Himself come to this earth as a real flesh-and-blood human? Shawn Boonstra takes a little time to examine that claim in this special Christmas episode.

The thought that somebody might be out there pretending to be you is enough to keep you up at night. How much money are they borrowing in your name? What kinds of crimes are they committing? When bad things happen, people have a tendency to blame God. Is it possible that we’re actually blaming the wrong person? Shawn Boonstra looks for answers in the story of Job’s unwavering commitment to God.

Turns out music might be one of the best pieces of evidence against evolution as an origins theory. Shawn Boonstra examines the seemingly miraculous story of Dae-bum Lee, a Korean baritone turned stroke survivor who’s managed to sing in classical concert halls even though he can’t speak.

We never seem to have time for quiet reflection. Have you ever tried giving yourself a full day away from the digital world? Shawn Boonstra challenges you to try it. Take a whole day with your Bible and listen to what God has been trying to tell you.

The Thanksgiving holiday gives us an incredible opportunity to practice real gratitude AND quit living with brutal anxiety. Watch this episode to find out why Shawn Boonstra thinks Thanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year.

Some of the most vocal people in American politics also seem to be the most religious. And while that's not a bad thing inherently, it can be dangerous. Shawn Boonstra walks through the pages of atheist and Christian philosophers, such as Thomas Paine, to uncover how religious influence on government has quashed freedom and killed dissidents.