https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xVGV6G4g87I

We have the absolute pleasure of welcoming Dr. James Anderson to the show. We recently went through his book “Why Should I Believe Christianity” which was a presuppositional take on taking seriously the claims of the worldview of Christianity. We also said it was a good give-away book in that it was one you could give to someone asking questions about Christianity or someone who recently became a Christian. You can find all the episodes of that book on our website. TAG Christian Is It!

In the interview, we talk about Dr. Anderson’s background in computer programming and how that benefited his coming into the Christian apologetic field. We get a quick overview of the transcendental argument (TAG) and see two versions of it. We discuss the importance of transcendental arguments and how it is not a circular fallacy. We talk about his book and why Christianity being a coherent worldview is important when addressing the claims of The Bible. We also find out what he thinks of the current state of the Christian Church and what to look out for and how we are feast set on apologetics but famine set on utilizing what God has provided.

We thank Dr. Anderson for his ministry and his work as well as coming on the show and making a couple of theology book nerds’ day.

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep138

Dr. James Anderson Links

Dr. Anderson’s Website – Analogical Thoughts

Dr. Anderson Twitter

Dr. Anderson’s Reformed Theological Seminary Page

12:37 – I Like Michael J. Kruger

22:45 – The Lord of Non-Contradiction: An Argument for God from Logic by James N. Anderson and Greg Welty paper

30:15 – Revealed Apologetics Interviews:

Why Should I Believe Christianity by James Anderson

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3frtJAt

How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe’s Poorest Nation Created Our World and Everything in It: The True Story of … Created Our World and Everything in It by Arthur Herman

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3mmnZeO

Truth in a Culture of Doubt: Engaging Skeptical Challenges to the Bible by Andreas Köstenberger, Darrell Bock, and Josh Chatraw.

Kindle – https://amzn.to/2JX62lL

Van TIl’s Apologetics by Greg Bahnsen

Apologetics – A Justification Of Christian Belief by John Frame

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3gnGADo

“As an Amazon Associate, we earn income to support us from qualifying purchases.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-O9k6a1-ZE

We introduce the next book we’re going over. The book is What About Evil? A Defense of God’s Sovereign Glory by Scott Christensen. In this episode, we just go over the prelude to evil.

From the Amazon description:

“Reconciling the existence of God and evil has been a long-standing conundrum in Christian theology, yet a philosophical approach–rather than a theological one–dominates the discussion. Turning to the Bible’s grand storyline, Scott Christensen examines how sin, evil, corruption, and death fit into the broad outlines of redemptive history. He argues that God’s ultimate end in creation is to magnify his glory to his image-bearers, most notably by defeating evil through the atoning work of Christ.”

We hope you’ll pick up the book and join us on one of the most cited issues people have with the Christian worldview. There are answers and like with all things it points us to the glory and majesty of the Triune God.

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep137

01:20 – Scott Christensen Interview

Scott Christensen Website

What about Evil? A Defense of God’s Sovereign Glory by Scott Christensen

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn5DgC38frY

This week we welcome Pastor Jim Li onto the show for some prayer help. Pastor Li pastors in California but is very active in teaching in the Asian churches. As a result, his identity will be hidden today. And with Tony on vacation, you’re stuck looking at Patrick. Good thing we make an audio-only version of the show.

Patrick invited Pastor Jim on to discuss prayer. As Patrick struggles with prayer, Pastor Jim was gracious enough to sit down and have a conversation about how to have a conversation with God. What is prayer? What are the elements of a good prayer? And of course, some good book recommendations on the subject. We hope you are edified by this discussion.

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep136

Veritas Domain Website

Praying with Paul: A Call to Spiritual Reformation by D.A. Carson

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3fFJjrf

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3jBkder

Audible – https://amzn.to/2VBtI5b

Try Audible For Free – https://amzn.to/3cN0giE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YdR6NTe50B4

We conclude Dr. James Anderson’s book by looking at what if Christianity’s true. We discuss alternative explanations to the Resurrection and see that they don’t rise to the occasion. Did Jesus swoon? Have His body stolen? By the disciples? By the Romans/Jewish leaders? Was it all an illusion? There are good reasons to believe Jesus was raised from the dead.

In the conclusion, we look at what to do now. We summarize what we looked at in the book and what we didn’t see in the book. Finally, if Christianity is true then we know that God still speaks but if salvation is a supernatural act why even write a book or tell others about Jesus? If Christianity is true then this is the most important message that answers the biggest worldview questions we have to answer.

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep135

Why Should I Believe Christianity? by James Anderson

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3frtJAt

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3davBL3

C.T. Studd – Cricketer & Pioneer by Norman Grubb

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3yfNBgn

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3xiPDuR

Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3xkpEmK

For the Glory: The Untold and Inspiring Story of Eric Liddell, Hero of Chariots of Fire by Duncan Hamilton

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3ygFmka

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3BZQvbo

Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3j1cwxO

Audible – https://amzn.to/2V0mIyN

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eiCZjsBaX6o

The ultimate moment in history for Christians is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. If Christianity is true, this event is the most important event for every person who lived, living, or will ever live. Where do Resurrection proofs fit in the Christian worldview then?

Through the anticipation of Old Testament prophecy, the testimony of friends and foes that would become followers, and the actions of Jesus Himself we have a great confidence that the Resurrection took place just as The Bible describes it.

While not an exhaustive list of reasons, this does highlight some of the areas we can look at to show that Jesus was God and that when He died He rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures for the payment of the sins of those who believe in Him.

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep134

14:51 – J. Warner Wallace On The Supernatural

Why Should I Believe Christianity? by James Anderson

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3frtJAt

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3davBL3

Miracles by C.S. Lewis

Kindle – https://amzn.to/2UIczXc

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3iLbsOr

Audible – https://amzn.to/3BztUSV

Collision – Christopher Hitchens vs. Douglas Wilson

Movie – https://amzn.to/3BL5Bl5

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg7ujYmemtY

After looking at the claims made by others about who Jesus is, we turn to Jesus and see what He says about Himself. We can conclude that Jesus is God by His own testimony and the events surrounding His life.

We look at Jesus accepting worship, approving the use of the title “Messiah”, calling Himself the Son of God, forgiving sins, associating Himself with the Father as one, living a perfect life, fulfilling prophecies, and culminating in rising from the dead.

While it may be difficult to conceive of Jesus being God it is not contradictory and, in fact, it is something we would want to see for the type of work by God that comes out of the Christian worldview and message.

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep133

12:03 – Anarchist Bible Study – The Trial Of Jesus

Why Should I Believe Christianity? by James Anderson

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3frtJAt

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3davBL3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg7ujYmemtY

“Who is Jesus?” is a question that has not only been asked of by Christians and skeptics. That question is an important one to many other world religions, people seeking understanding, people of today and yesterday.

A big part of the Christian worldview revolves around the centrality of – Christ, Jesus. We cover what’s been said about Jesus according to the main sources and what that means that informs the Christian understanding of the world and the lens through which Christians should see through.

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep132

17:19 – Why Christianity Is The Full Answer To Judaism

Why Should I Believe Christianity? by James Anderson

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3frtJAt

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3davBL3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xGUWArNvAc

Is Old Testament Christianity an oxymoron or do we Christians still have a lot to learn from the Tanakh? Dr. Tiberius Rata is Associate Dean of the School of Ministry Studies and Professor of Old Testament Studies at Grace Theological Seminary. He is the author of several Old Testament commentaries as well.

Dr. Rata joins us to talk about what it was like growing up in communist Romania before coming to America and taking to the pulpit. Then we discuss the importance of the Old Testament and how should we as 21st century, Western Christians read and study it. Finally, we discuss the importance of apologetics he sees in seminary and what the future of apologetics looks like.

Plus, lots of book recommendations.

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep131

01:22 – Dr. Tiberius Rata’s Exodus Series

**Click here to go to the list of books recommended by Dr. Tiberius Rata for each book of the Old Testament (and a few others) – we’ve created this page.  

Fear God and Keep His Commandments: A Practical Exposition of Ecclesiastes by Tiberius Rata & Kevin Roberts

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3An4R4I

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3wosk2t

Ezra & Nehemiah: A Mentor Commentary by Tiberius Rata

Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3dFIhdN

Walking the Ancient Paths: A Commentary on Jeremiah by Tiberius Rata & Walter Kaiser

Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3xgHMP5

The Covenant Motif in Jeremiah’s Book of Comfort: Textual and Intertextual Studies of Jeremiah 30-33 by Tiberius Rata

Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3xgPB7F

Creation and Blessing: A Guide to the Study and Exposition of Genesis by Allen Ross

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3ygZzG6

Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3hpxtBK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgYFw3t5UWs

Christianity declares that it is the sole way, truth, & life. But it is not the only origin truth claim in town. Eastern religions, Islam, and Judaism are competing truth claims. They are all mutually exclusive – contradict each other and can’t all be true. So examining what we’ve covered so far, we see if Christianity or the other systems offered a better explanatory position that still coheres with itself. And of course, we cover everything in this 36-minute video fully and completely and answer all objections so that no one has anything left to say.  I’d say that’s enough to share, like, subscribe, and leave a review on your favorite podcast platform!

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep130

Qur’an Getting The Trinity Wrong

06:15 – Testing A Religion

Why Should I Believe Christianity? by James Anderson

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3frtJAt

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3davBL3

Evidence That Demands A Verdict – Life-Changing Truth for a Skeptical World by Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3hqqZ77

Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3fjeCat

Audible – https://amzn.to/2RlxyNO

Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus (5 book series) by Michael L. Brown

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgYFw3t5UWs

A written Bible is expected and should be wanted. Following the logic that just as we are created beings who communicate in a personal way with language to convey information; we would expect the Creator God to also communicate in a personal way. So not only should we understand that something like the Bible is expected to come from this personal God but it’s also something we should desire out of all the different ways God can communicate to us.

00:00 – Introduction

The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep129

15:25 – The Importance Of Mission Trips With Christian Youths

Why Should I Believe Christianity? by James Anderson

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3frtJAt

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3davBL3

Commentary On The New Testament Use Of The Old Testament by G.K. Beale & D.A. Carson

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3xAJb31

Hardcover – https://amzn.to/3cRsaJH

Handbook On The New Testament Use Of The Old Testament by G.K. Beale

Kindle – https://amzn.to/3cTTyHg

Paperback – https://amzn.to/3xBSHD3

*Note – This is the condensed version of Commentary On The New Testament Use Of The Old Testament