AUTHENTIC with Shawn Boonstra

Humans once swarmed bloody arenas, howling in delight as gladiators slaughtered each other. Today, we consider ourselves enlightened, better than our ancestors—but have we successfully killed our appetite for violence? In this episode, Shawn Boonstra unpacks the sixth commandment, revealing how hatred and mainstream media shape our view of human life. Murder isn’t just about violent crimes—it starts in the heart.

In a world that’s too hectic and angry to listen to the wisdom of past generations, are we unknowingly setting ourselves up for failure? Can honoring one’s parents really enhance lives—even entire civilizations? In this episode on the fifth commandment, Shawn Boonstra answers these questions and sheds light on a dangerous cultural shift that’s redefining authority.

Finding a moment of rest in today’s bustling society can be difficult—even impossible. So why do many modern Christians reject the Sabbath? Shawn Boonstra uncovers the Sabbath’s true purpose as a day of rest and SO much more. This week on Authentic, discover why God set the seventh day apart and how this forgotten commandment can help us connect with God in a new dimension.

What does it really mean to take God’s name in vain? Is it just about expletives and oaths, or is there something much greater at stake?

Shawn Boonstra explores God’s third commandment and its ties to identity theft, our daily conduct, and the majesty of Yahweh. You might be surprised at how relevant this ancient edict is today.

This week on Authentic, Shawn gets to the heart of what exactly "inspired by God" means when it comes to Scripture—writing it, compiling it, interpreting it. And what about all those "extra" books of the Apocrypha? Are they Scripture? Join us for part 2 of our series on how the Bible came to be.

Almost one-third of humanity sees the Bible as “God-breathed.” But it didn’t appear out of thin air...so where did these scriptures come from, and who decided they were authoritative? Join Shawn Boonstra for a new Authentic series on the astounding history of the Bible. We’ll start with the rich cultures of ancient Mesopotamia—and take a moment to debunk a popular myth from “The Da Vinci Code.”

Why was a tree that led to DEATH placed in paradise in the first place? Was God setting up Adam and Eve for temptation and failure? In part 6 of his "Answers for a Skeptic" series, Shawn Boonstra explores God's choices, our choices, and the troubling mystery of sin. Don't miss this fascinating discussion that sheds light on an age-old dilemma.

In this thought-provoking episode, Shawn Boonstra confronts the challenging topic of slavery in the Bible and its relevance to a modern audience. Join us as we focus on God’s efforts to mitigate the consequences of human choices.
 
This is part 5 in Shawn’s series called “Answers for a Skeptic.”

This week Shawn continues investigating the common idea of hell and comparing it with Scripture. Where IS hell, exactly? Is it burning in the bowels of the earth? Is hell really everlasting? And is it a truly just punishment?

Be sure to catch last week's Part 1 if you haven't already.