The Christian Skeptic

This week, we’re sharing a live Q&A where we talk Christian nationalism, predestination, identity in Christ, and what it means to trust grace without abusing it. We explore how God forms us, how to walk with those who feel spiritually numb, and why the church remains central to following Jesus.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:00) - What’s the problem with “Christian nationalism”?

(06:54) - Is it wrong for Christians to stay out of politics?

(08:50) - What does predestination mean for me—and my family?

(17:08) - Are we passive in our relationship with God?

(22:12) - Can grace be abused—and what would that look like?

(24:09) - If we fall short of biblical commands, do we lose our inheritance?

(26:07) - Does grace extend to all—including the marginalized and LGBTQ?

(27:37) - How do you help someone who’s become callous to sin?

(30:38) - How can we make the church central to our lives?

(34:03) - Why is Ephesians so relevant to today’s church?

(35:04) - Does the Spirit shape our character—and our behavior?

(36:06) - How does the church keep building on Christ’s foundation today?

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.

This week, we respond to a clip from Soul Boom with Rhett McLaughlin and Rainn Wilson. We unpack the allure of a “just-the-teachings” Jesus, why it falls apart under scrutiny, and why you can’t separate the words of Jesus from the person of Jesus. We explore the intellectual and theological inconsistency of cherry-picking Jesus’ words while ignoring the radical, exclusive claims he made about himself. 

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:13) – Rhett & Rainn’s take on Jesus

(03:38) – The appeal of a softer faith

(05:13) – Can you follow Jesus without belief?

(07:33) – What Jesus actually said

(10:13) – Liar, lunatic, or Lord?

(12:23) – When smart people say absurd things

(14:13) – Does it matter if Jesus was real?

(16:58) – Belief vs. bias

(18:38) – The red-letter remix

(21:13) – No resurrection, no Christianity

(23:43) – Just a teacher?

(26:03) – The prophecies they can’t explain away

(27:43) – The new crutch: soft Jesus

(29:13) – Why it matters what Jesus said about himself

(31:13) – The question everyone must answer

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.

This week, we discuss a recent clip from John Piper, and explore the role of emotion in the Christian life. Is constant emotional intensity the measure of genuine belief? What about the seasons of doubt or dryness many believers experience? We also discuss confessional Christianity, the limits of emotionalism, and the freedom that comes not from emotion, but from the unchanging truth of the gospel.

In this episode:

(00:00) - Intro

(01:52) - John Piper on AI and worship

(04:47) - When you don’t “feel” like a Christian

(06:17) - The hidden pressure of emotional Christianity

(10:44) - The danger of undefined emotional expectations

(13:10) - Manufactured vs. suppressed emotions in faith

(19:08) - Adopted, secure, and kept forever

(21:23) - Grace awakens feeling, not the other way around

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.

What does it really mean to be “above reproach”? This week, we dismantle modern evangelical assumptions about pastoral perfection and argue for a more honest, grace-centered understanding rooted in Scripture.

In this episode:

(00:00) – Intro

(03:39) - David Mathis on being above reproach

(06:12) - The ambiguity of “above reproach”

(10:24) – Exemplary doesn’t mean perfect

(12:54) – Grace vs. behavior-based qualification

(16:23) – Hypocrisy, idolatry, and the double standard

(22:00) – Can a fallen pastor be restored?

(28:45) – The real disqualifier

(33:52) – Loss of trust vs. loss of calling

(36:00) – The lie of the perfect pastor

(39:00) – Confession is not a weakness

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.

This week, we dissect a clip claiming that current events in Israel and Iran are predicted in Ezekiel 38 and 39. But is that what the Bible actually says? We explore the history behind this passage, why it’s been misinterpreted, and how fear-based theology distorts Scripture. From the rise of modern dispensationalism to the ancient context of Ezekiel’s vision, we unpack what the text really means—and why it matters how we read the Bible. 

In this episode:

(00:00) – The Middle East is exploding (again)

(05:01) – Will Jesus descend and win the war for Israel?

(06:39) – Manufactured theology

(08:33) – Interpreting the Bible badly

(10:34) – A quick history of bad predictions

(14:27) – What is Ezekiel actually talking about?

(22:29) – Gog, Haman, and the book of Esther

(25:30) – Why fear is the wrong response

(28:00) – The real problem with “end times” theology

(33:35) – Jesus wins, but not like that

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.

This week, we explore the often misunderstood doctrine of sanctification, what it is, and isn’t. Is it something we accomplish through effort, or something God alone works in us? We unpack the difference between performative piety and genuine transformation, arguing that grace—not fear—is the engine of Christian growth. 

In this episode:

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.

This week, we’re sharing a special live Q&A where we explore the complexities of the Christian life. From practical advice on living out your faith to tackling deep theological questions, we cover topics such as faith versus belief, predestination versus free will, overcoming fear, LGBTQ+ issues in the church, and much more.

In this episode:

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.

Is it our job to warn others away from sin—or just to help them pick up the pieces after they fall? This week, we react to a provocative clip from Tullian Tchividjian and explore the tension between grace, truth, and our responsibility to each other in Christian community.

In this episode:

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.

Does suffering prove God’s love? Does ease mean he’s abandoned you? In this reaction episode, we respond to a video from Paul Washer on hardship, holiness, and God’s love—and challenge some common theological misconceptions. We break down Washer’s claims, discuss the dangers of works-based faith, and explore why grace—not suffering or circumstances—defines our standing with God.

In this episode:

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.

This week, we dive into one of Jesus’ most unsettling statements from Matthew 7:21-23—”I never knew you. Depart from me.” Often misinterpreted as a call for believers to work more and try harder, we unpack how this passage actually dismantles a works-based approach to salvation, revealing that knowing Jesus—not religious performance—is what truly matters. We explore cultural and personal struggles with grace, how legalism warps our understanding of faith, and why even good works can become a form of self-salvation. Let’s get to it!

In this episode:

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org. 

Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic.