Apologetics Profile

In the Book of Mormon, Moroni chapter ten verse 32 says "Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ..." The words sound familiar, but do Moroni's references to "grace" and "Christ" really speak of the same grace and of the same Christ found in the New Testament? No. Note that Moroni says God's grace is only sufficient if you deny yourself of all ungodliness first. But how is that to be done? According to Romans 7, not even the Apostle Paul could do that! But according to Moroni, you must deny yourself of all ungodliness before Christ bestows sufficent grace upon you. Then and only then does God's grace "kick in." The second book of Nephi, chapter 25, verse 23 says for example that "it is by grace we are saved" however grace comes only "after all we can do." Clearly this is not in accordance with what the New Testament teaches. It is indeed by grace we are saved, but not by works of our own. We can't simply do stuff in church to make ourselves right with God. We cannot earn our salvation. "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9, NASB). On part two of our conversation with former LDS Sandra Tanner, we explore in more detail the LDS concept of grace, works, and salvation. We also discuss the problematic LDS scripture known as the Book of Abraham.Related Links: Get the rest of the story including some of our most popular podcasts on Mormonism, access to some of our key LDS articles and our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism): Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: watchman.org/Mormonism Sandra Tanner's ministry - Utah Lighthouse: Utlm.org New biography, Lighthouse: Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Despised and Beloved Critics of Mormonism, by Ronald Huggins V. Huggins: uhop.me/Lighthouse. Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Our very special guest for the next three episodes of Apologetics Profile is Sandra Tanner, former Mormon and the great-great granddaughter of LDS Prophet Brigham Young. Sandra sits down with Watchman Fellowship President James Walker to discuss her and her late husband Jerald's journey out of the LDS church in her new biography Lighthouse - Jerald and Sandra Tanner Despised and Beloved Critics of Mormonism by Ronald V. Huggins.Sandra was kind and gracious enough to come and speak with our mission team that traveled to Utah this past July to share the gospel with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The full interview was recorded live with our team and part three will feature a question-and-answer session with our missionaries and Sandra. Here on part one, Sandra describes how she as a Mormon boasted of being related to Brigham Young but had never read any of his most famous sermons. Related Links: Get the rest of the story including some of our most popular podcasts on Mormonism, access to some of our key LDS articles and our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism): Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: watchman.org/Mormonism Sandra Tanner's ministry - Utah Lighthouse: Utlm.org New biography, Lighthouse: Jerald and Sandra Tanner, Despised and Beloved Critics of Mormonism, by Ronald Huggins V. Huggins: uhop.me/Lighthouse. Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

NASA recently displayed several breathtaking new images taken by the recently launched James Webb Space Telescope. But by the time you have seen the pictures and have read a little something about the science behind the stunning cosmic entities, the information has been filtered multiple times. It is filtered first by the enormous industrial-technical conglomerate of NASA itself, then by the scientists and engineers who present the information, then by members of the media and press, then by the media outlets, many of which are large for-profit corporations. But it is not just the universe which is processed and interpreted this way.Any event that makes the headlines or goes viral on social media is likewise filtered through a variety of agencies and interpretations. In such a predominantly secular and technological culture like ours which gives deference to science, technology, and the economy, reading the times in light of Scripture is no easy task, especially when the volume of news and information thrown at us is far more than we could ever keep up with, let alone respond to. Our guest again this week is associate professor of English at Grove City College in Pennsylvania, Dr. Jeffery Bilbro. Jeff discusses with us his new book Reading the Times - A Literary and Theological Inquiry Into the News. Here on part two, Jeff continues to discuss some of the ideas of Wendell Berry in reflecting about ways in which we as believers can begin to filter, read, and understand news and social media.Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro is an Associate Professor of English at Grove City College and the Editor-in-Chief at Front Porch Republic. He grew up in the mountainous state of Washington and earned his B.A. in Writing and Literature from George Fox University in Oregon and his Ph.D. in English from Baylor University. His books include Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News, Loving God’s Wildness: The Christian Roots of Ecological Ethics in American Literature, Wendell Berry and Higher Education: Cultivating Virtues of Place (written with Jack Baker), and Virtues of Renewal: Wendell Berry’s Sustainable Forms.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Dr. Bilbro's website: www.JeffBilbro.com Book by Dr. Bilbro - Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News: https://amzn.to/3PyjI3c Book by Wendell Berry - A Timbered Choir: https://amzn.to/3aFZrdg A Good Heavens! podcast with Daniel Ray on the Pleiades: https://apple.co/3PbseW4 Book by Daniel Ray - The Story of the Cosmos - How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God: watchman.org/CosmosBook Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV Series) by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

We are inundated with social media, non-stop news, and information coming at us from all directions. How do we even begin to filter it all? What are some ways in which we can think Christianly about the news and social media today without succumbing to the secularist assumptions and the often overwhelmingly trivial, inane, and tragic events that routinely fill our newsfeeds? One way is to refamiliarize ourselves with our physical environments. Though not a cure-all for our hypermodern technological media culture we inhabit, a reorienting of ourselves to Christ, to nature and neighbor, as mediated through the lens of Scripture, is certainly one way we can healthfully filter the information inundation we daily encounter online. Our guest author on the next two episodes of Apologetics Profile, Dr. Jeffery Bilbro, has written a smart little book (the idea of which sprang from a discussion in social media) about how we as Christians can not only think but act redemptively and contemplatively toward the news and social media. Here on part one, Jeff discusses some of the thoughts and theology of Wendell Berry, an agrarian, poet, and essayist. Can Berry's theology of creation and place serve as a means by which we can recover a thoughtful Christian response to today's hypermedia culture?Dr. Jeffrey Bilbro is an Associate Professor of English at Grove City College and the Editor-in-Chief at Front Porch Republic. He grew up in the mountainous state of Washington and earned his B.A. in Writing and Literature from George Fox University in Oregon and his Ph.D. in English from Baylor University. His books include Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News, Loving God’s Wildness: The Christian Roots of Ecological Ethics in American Literature, Wendell Berry and Higher Education: Cultivating Virtues of Place (written with Jack Baker), and Virtues of Renewal: Wendell Berry’s Sustainable Forms.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Dr. Bilbro's website: www.JeffBilbro.com Book by Dr. Bilbro - Reading the Times: A Literary and Theological Inquiry into the News: https://amzn.to/3PyjI3c Book by Wendell Berry - A Timbered Choir: https://amzn.to/3aFZrdg A Good Heavens! podcast with Daniel Ray on the Pleiades: https://apple.co/3PbseW4 Book by Daniel Ray - The Story of the Cosmos - How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God: watchman.org/CosmosBook Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV Series) by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

We worship a God who speaks. All that is contained in the heavens and earth has been created and is presently being sustained by the LOGOS, the Word of God, God made flesh, who existed in the beginning, even "before" the foundation of the world (Genesis 1; John 1; Colossians 1; Ephesians 1).The Lord Jesus spoke creation into existence. By His Spirit, He inspired the Bible to be written through the agency of men. And when He proclaimed His Good News in and around Jerusalem, His stories and parables displayed a dazzlingly simple but profound logic that not only encouraged the brokenhearted but silenced His fiercest critics. His teaching glistened brightly like the very stars He has created, numbered and named, fitting His wisdom into brilliant constellations of exhortation, rebuke, encouragement and hope.On part two of our conversation with Professor of Philosophy at Dallas Baptist University, Travis Dickinson, Travis unpacks the glorious brilliance of Jesus' timeless teaching and proclamation of Good News and reminds us that the life of the mind is a commandment; an essential part of Christian discipleship. Though we fall short of obeying any of the commandments, a pursuit of knowing more about God's love and mercy in light of our own sin can only serve to strengthen our faith and enable us to give reasonable and logical defense for the hope that is in us.Travis Dickinson is the author of three books with one more on the way. His most recent book, Logic and the Way of Jesus, discusses logic and critical thinking modeled in the life and ministry of Jesus. And his forthcoming book, Wandering Towards God: Finding Faith in Doubts and Big Questions (IVP, October 2022), argues that leaning into our questions and doubts can lead to even greater faith as we discover truth and knowledge. Dr. Dickinson also posts articles and resources about the study of apologetics and philosophy on his blog, www.travisdickinson.com.Related Links: You may order Dr. Dickinson's book, visit his personal website, and access free copies of our related 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profiles: Book: Logic and the Way of Jesus by Dr. Travis Dickinson: https://uhop.me/LogicJesus Website of Travis Dickinson: TravisDickinson.com Watchman Fellowship Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

"What does Athens have to do with Jerusalem?" a church father from the ancient past once asked. In other words.... What does the intellectual life of the mind have to do with Gospel proclamation? Is it necessary for the believer in Christ to know intellectual arguments and defenses for the Christian faith? Do we really need to know logic and reason to be able to present the Gospel clearly to our unbelieving neighbors? Do we have to become scholars to be good witnesses for Christ? On this two-part episode of Apologetics Profile we sit down with Professor of Philosophy at Dallas Baptist University, Dr. Travis Dickinson, to discuss a few of these questions as well as his new book Logic and the Way of Jesus - Thinking Critically and Christianly (https://uhop.me/LogicJesus). Travis argues that though one need not become a scholar in order to love God with all of our minds, we are called to think logically and reasonably about our faith and not neglect the gift of the intellect with which God has equipped all of us. The life of the mind, Travis argues, is an important part of how we worship God and fulfill the Great Commision. On part one Travis talks about what he sees as a disconnect between Jesus and formal logic in contemporary evangelicalism and how important it is for us as believers to know both what God has made and what He has inspired to be written in order that we may properly love God and our neighbors.Travis Dickinson is the author of three books with one more on the way. His most recent book, Logic and the Way of Jesus, discusses logic and critical thinking modeled in the life and ministry of Jesus. And his forthcoming book, Wandering Towards God: Finding Faith in Doubts and Big Questions (IVP, October 2022), argues that leaning into our questions and doubts can lead to even greater faith as we discover truth and knowledge. Dr. Dickinson also posts articles and resources about the study of apologetics and philosophy on his blog, www.travisdickinson.com.Related Links: You may order Dr. Dickinson's book, visit his personal website, and access free copies of our related 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profiles: Book: Logic and the Way of Jesus by Dr. Travis Dickinson: https://uhop.me/LogicJesus Website of Travis Dickinson: TravisDickinson.com Watchman Fellowship Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.apologetics, Christianity, evangelism, Watchman Fellowship, Apologetics Profile, Travis Dickinson, Daniel Ray, Logic and the Way of Jesus, atheism, agnostic, skeptic, Logic, philosophy, epistemology

This week's episode of Apologetics Profile is part 2 of James Walker's interview with former Mormon Dr. Lynn K. Wilder, author of the book Unveiling Grace. Lynn, who was a tenured professor at Brigham Young University (BYU), recounts her compelling journey from Mormonism to the grace of Christ. She gave up her Mormon culture, community, career and identity to embrace the biblical Jesus and His gospel of grace.Related Links: You may visit Lynn's podcast, order Lynn's book, access our related articles and our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism): Podcast: Unveiling Grace with Dr. Lynn K. Wilder: UnveilingGracePodcast.com Book: Unveiling Grace by Dr. Lynn K. Wilder: https://amzn.to/3QNOM0k Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: watchman.org/Mormonism Additional Resources FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

FIVE DAILY BONUS EPISODES Part I (Tuesday): https://bit.ly/CharlieDukePart1 Part II (Wednesday): https://bit.ly/CharlieDukePart2 Part III (Thursday): https://bit.ly/CharlieDukePart3 Part IV (Friday): https://bit.ly/CharlieDukePart4 Part V (Saturday): https://bit.ly/CharlieDukePart5 In celebration of the Fourth of July and as 2022 is the year of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 16 moon landing, Daniel Ray sits down for a conversation with Apollo 16 astronaut, the tenth man to walk upon the lunar surface, Charlie Duke. Duke is a retired Air Force Brigadier General and the CAPCOM "voice" of Houston for the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon in July of 1969. It was such an honor and delight to speak with Charlie. It was like talking to family. His delight in telling his remarkable story is evident. We spoke for an hour and twenty minutes about his time working as CAPCOM for Apollo 11, his own trip to the moon on Apollo 16 and ultimately how the Lord Jesus Christ saved both Charlie and his family.Here on part V, Charlie and John attempt Lunar Olympics only to have Houston quickly cancel them. Charlie describes a moment of fear he had when he fell backward on the moon, shares what the Saturn V rocket ride was like and the former CAPCOM voice of Mission Control for Apollo 11 gives us some life-saving guidance. You may also watch the video version of this same interview series. Part V here: https://youtu.be/t92uWbjtQQ4NOTE: This 5-part series is a joint production of Watchman Fellowship through Apologetics Profile and our sister podcast, Good Heavens! To check out our unique content on Good Heavens!, visit https://www.patreon.com/GoodHeavens ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Charlie Duke's website: CharlieDuke.com Book by Charlie and Dotty Duke - Moonwalker: https://amzn.to/3Id7oD5 Book by Daniel Ray - The Story of the Cosmos - How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God: watchman.org/CosmosBook Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV Series) by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

FIVE DAILY BONUS EPISODES (Tuesday through Saturday) Episode IV of VIn celebration of the Fourth of July and as 2022 is the year of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 16 moon landing, Daniel Ray sits down for a conversation with Apollo 16 astronaut, the tenth man to walk upon the lunar surface, Charlie Duke. Duke is a retired Air Force Brigadier General and the CAPCOM "voice" of Houston for the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon in July of 1969. It was such an honor and delight to speak with Charlie. It was like talking to family. His delight in telling his remarkable story is evident. We spoke for an hour and twenty minutes about his time working as CAPCOM for Apollo 11, his own trip to the moon on Apollo 16 and ultimately how the Lord Jesus Christ saved both Charlie and his family.Here on part IV, Charlie tells the story of how he and John Young set a lunar land speed record in the Lunar Rover, shares what his space suit was like, tells the exciting and mysterious tale of "House Rock" and shares with us his wonder and awe of the views from the highest elevation man has ever been on another world. You may also watch the video version of this same interview series. Part IV here: https://youtu.be/VKcXLtXHrzkNOTE: This 5-part series is a joint production of Watchman Fellowship through Apologetics Profile and our sister podcast, Good Heavens! To check out our unique content on Good Heavens!, visit https://www.patreon.com/GoodHeavens ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Charlie Duke's website: CharlieDuke.com Book by Charlie and Dotty Duke - Moonwalker: https://amzn.to/3Id7oD5 Book by Daniel Ray - The Story of the Cosmos - How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God: watchman.org/CosmosBook Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV Series) by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

FIVE DAILY BONUS EPISODES (Tuesday through Saturday) Episode III of VIn celebration of the Fourth of July and as 2022 is the year of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 16 moon landing, Daniel Ray sits down for a conversation with Apollo 16 astronaut, the tenth man to walk upon the lunar surface, Charlie Duke. Duke is a retired Air Force Brigadier General and the CAPCOM "voice" of Houston for the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon in July of 1969. It was such an honor and delight to speak with Charlie. It was like talking to family. His delight in telling his remarkable story is evident. We spoke for an hour and twenty minutes about his time working as CAPCOM for Apollo 11, his own trip to the moon on Apollo 16 and ultimately how the Lord Jesus Christ saved both Charlie and his family.Here on part III, Charlie reads from some of his favorite Psalms, shares a remarkable story about a wedding ring floating in the heavens and shares the beginnings of Jesus saving him and his family. You may also watch the video version of this same interview series. Part III here: https://youtu.be/xZerXQ-S0AUNOTE: This 5-part series is a joint production of Watchman Fellowship through Apologetics Profile and our sister podcast, Good Heavens! To check out our unique content on Good Heavens!, visit https://www.patreon.com/GoodHeavens ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Charlie Duke's website: CharlieDuke.com Book by Charlie and Dotty Duke - Moonwalker: https://amzn.to/3Id7oD5 Book by Daniel Ray - The Story of the Cosmos - How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God: watchman.org/CosmosBook Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV Series) by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

FIVE DAILY BONUS EPISODES (Tuesday through Saturday) Episode II of VIn celebration of the Fourth of July and as 2022 is the year of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 16 moon landing, Daniel Ray sits down for a conversation with Apollo 16 astronaut, the tenth man to walk upon the lunar surface, Charlie Duke. Duke is a retired Air Force Brigadier General and the CAPCOM "voice" of Houston for the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon in July of 1969. It was such an honor and delight to speak with Charlie. It was like talking to family. His delight in telling his remarkable story is evident. We spoke for an hour and twenty minutes about his time working as CAPCOM for Apollo 11, his own trip to the moon on Apollo 16 and ultimately how the Lord Jesus Christ saved both Charlie and his family.Here on part II Charlie looks back on his own landing on the moon with John Young, talks a little bit about Buzz Aldrin's communion on the moon after Apollo 11 had landed, remembers James Irwin of Apollo 15 quoting from Psalm 121 from the moon, and reflects on the Apollo 8 crew on Christmas Eve of 1968 reading from the first chapter of Genesis. You may also watch the video version of this same interview series. Part II here: https://youtu.be/9YpNFwbKTBANOTE: This 5-part series is a joint production of Watchman Fellowship through Apologetics Profile and our sister podcast, Good Heavens! To check out our unique content on Good Heavens!, visit https://www.patreon.com/GoodHeavens ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Charlie Duke's website: CharlieDuke.com Book by Charlie and Dotty Duke - Moonwalker: https://amzn.to/3Id7oD5 Book by Daniel Ray - The Story of the Cosmos - How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God: watchman.org/CosmosBook Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV Series) by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

FIVE DAILY BONUS EPISODES (Tuesday through Saturday) Part I of VIn celebration of the Fourth of July and as 2022 is the year of the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 16 moon landing, Daniel Ray sits down for a conversation with Apollo 16 astronaut, the tenth man to walk upon the lunar surface, Charlie Duke. Duke is a retired Air Force Brigadier General and the CAPCOM "voice" of Houston for the historic Apollo 11 mission to the moon in July of 1969. It was such an honor and delight to speak with Charlie. It was like talking to family. His delight in telling his remarkable story is evident. We spoke for an hour and twenty minutes about his time working as CAPCOM for Apollo 11, his own trip to the moon on Apollo 16 and ultimately how the Lord Jesus Christ saved both Charlie and his family.Here on part one Charlie reflects on his experiences on the moon 50 years later and what it was like during the very tense final moments before Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon during the historical Apollo 11 mission.We are releasing the full conversation as five bonus episodes each daily in five parts so stay tuned!You may also watch the video version of this same interview. Part I premieres on YouTube Tuesday, July 5th here: https://youtu.be/WmGsoZklgcs Be sure to listen all the way to the end for some hilarious bonus material! You can't hear Charlie's reaction on the audio, but he is grinning ear to ear in the video.NOTE: This 5-part series is a joint production of Watchman Fellowship through Apologetics Profile and our sister podcast, Good Heavens! To check out our unique content on Good Heavens!, visit https://www.patreon.com/GoodHeavens ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Charlie Duke's website: CharlieDuke.com Book by Charlie and Dotty Duke - Moonwalker: https://amzn.to/3Id7oD5 Book by Daniel Ray - The Story of the Cosmos - How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God: watchman.org/CosmosBook Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV Series) by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.apologetics, Christianity, God, NASA, Apollo, Apollo 16, Charlie Duke, moonwalker, astronaut, cosmos, space,

Today's podcast is part 1 of James Walker's interview with former Mormon Dr. Lynn K. Wilder, author of the book Unveiling Grace. Lynn, who was a tenured professor at Brigham Young University (BYU), recounts her compelling journey from Mormonism to the grace of Christ. She gave up her Mormon culture, community, career and identity to embrace the biblical Jesus and His gospel of grace.Related Links: You may visit Lynn's podcast, order Lynn's book, access our related articles and our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism): Podcast: Unveiling Grace with Dr. Lynn K. Wilder: UnveilingGracePodcast.com Book: Unveiling Grace by Dr. Lynn K. Wilder: https://amzn.to/3QNOM0k Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: watchman.org/Mormonism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

This is part two of a rebroadcast of a live panel discussion between two atheists and two theists. The panel featured our very own President of Watchman Fellowship James Walker. If you have not listened to the first part, we suggest listening to that broadcast first for more context for part two. How do we have productive conversations in our day and age with those who not only do not believe in God but are actively outspoken against God's existence? There is no easy, one-size-fits-all method for giving a defense for the hope that is in us by any means, but we believe this conversation can serve as at least one example. As you listen to the conversation, ask yourself how you might respond to the topics and questions discussed. Perhaps you have had these questions asked of you by non-Christians before. We hope this conversation can encourage and equip you to give a defense for your faith with gentleness and respect. We are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses and people will indeed ask you some of what you'll hear on our broadcast today. So be ready! Special thanks to Jim Hall of the Atheist Edge YouTube channel for permission to rebroadcast this for Apologetics Profile. CONTENT WARNING: This has been edited for time and to remove explicit language. Mature themes are discussed in the broadcast. You may also watch the full interview on Atheist Edge YouTube channel here (Warning: Explicit Language and Mature Themes): https://youtu.be/mbZcEWqMSqs.JAMES WALKER is the president of Watchman Fellowship and a host of Apologetics Profile podcast. He is a former fourth generation Mormon with over twenty-five years of ministry experience in the field of Christian evangelism and apologetics. He is cofounder of the Atheist & Christian Book Club. Education: Rev. Walker holds a BA in Biblical Studies and an MA in Theology from Criswell College. He serves as an adjunct professor at Arlington Baptist University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an ordained Baptist minister and a member of the International Society of Christian Apologetics (ISCA), the Evangelical Press Association, and serves on the Board of Directors of Evangelical Missions to Non-Christian Religions (EMNR). Media and Books: He has been interviewed as an expert on new religious movements and cults on a variety of network television programs including Nightline, ABC World News Tonight, and PBS NewsHour. In addition to network television, Rev. Walker has been interviewed numerous nationwide Christian radio programs. These include Truths that Transform with Dr. D. James Kennedy; Hope for the Heart, with June Hunt, OpenLine with Kirby Anderson on the Moody Broadcasting Network, and Point of View. He authored the books, The Concise Guide to Today’s Religions and Spirituality, What the Qur’an Really Teaches about Jesus, and coauthored The Truth Behind 'The Secret.' ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: The Atheist & Christian Book Club: www.AtheistChristianBookClub.com Complete YouTube Video Playlist on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/PlaylistSE Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

We may be quite familiar with the biblical exhortation from 1 Peter 3:15 to be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in us with gentleness and respect, but in our day and age where dialogue with those with whom we disagree is so polarized and divisive, we may easily forget what 1 Peter 3:15 looks like in practice. For the next two broadcasts of Apologetics Profile, we're stepping away from our normal "interview" format to bring you a special rebroadcast in two parts of a panel discussion between two atheists and two theists. One of those panel participants is James Walker, President of Watchman Fellowship. James was asked to appear on the panel by long-time friend of James', Jim Hall, himself a lifelong atheist. The challenge for the panel was to "trade places" with each other, with the atheists offering what they believed were the best arguments for God's existence and the weakest arguments for atheism, while the theists were challenged to offer what they thought were the strongest arguments for atheism and the weakest arguments for God's existence. The discussion was civil and cordial and we believe serves as a good example of how to put into practice what 1 Peter 3:15 tells us. We hope it serves to encourage you to have more informed and civil conversations in your own engagement with your non-Christian neighbors and friends. Special thanks to Jim Hall of Atheist Edge for permission to rebroadcast this for Apologetics Profile. CONTENT WARNING: This has been edited for time and to remove explicit language. Mature themes are discussed in the broadcast. You may also watch the full interview on Atheist Edge YouTube channel here (Warning: Explicit Language and Mature Themes): https://youtu.be/mbZcEWqMSqs.JAMES WALKER is the president of Watchman Fellowship and a host of Apologetics Profile podcast. He is a former fourth generation Mormon with over twenty-five years of ministry experience in the field of Christian evangelism and apologetics. He is cofounder of the Atheist & Christian Book Club. Education: Rev. Walker holds a BA in Biblical Studies and an MA in Theology from Criswell College. He serves as an adjunct professor at Arlington Baptist University and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an ordained Baptist minister and a member of the International Society of Christian Apologetics (ISCA), the Evangelical Press Association, and serves on the Board of Directors of Evangelical Missions to Non-Christian Religions (EMNR). Media and Books: He has been interviewed as an expert on new religious movements and cults on a variety of network television programs including Nightline, ABC World News Tonight, and PBS NewsHour. In addition to network television, Rev. Walker has been interviewed numerous nationwide Christian radio programs. These include Truths that Transform with Dr. D. James Kennedy; Hope for the Heart, with June Hunt, OpenLine with Kirby Anderson on the Moody Broadcasting Network, and Point of View. He authored the books, The Concise Guide to Today’s Religions and Spirituality, What the Qur’an Really Teaches about Jesus, and coauthored The Truth Behind 'The Secret.' ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: The Atheist & Christian Book Club: www.AtheistChristianBookClub.com Complete YouTube Video Playlist on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/PlaylistSE Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

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.EDUCATION B.S., Oregon State University (Zoology) M.F.S., Yale University (Science) M.A., Georgetown University (Government) Kennedy Institute of Bioethics (Washington, D.C) AUTHOR Fossils in Focus (1977) Life, Death and Beyond (1980) Genetic Engineering (1982) Origin Science (1987) Living Ethically In the 90s (1990) Signs of Warning, Signs of Hope (1994) Moral Dilemmas (1998) Christian Ethics in Plain Language (2005) A Biblical Point of View on Islam (2007) A Biblical Point of View on Homosexuality (2008) A Biblical Point of View on Intelligent Design (2008) A Biblical Point of View on Spiritual Warfare (2009) Making the Most of Your Money in Tough Times (2009) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Complete YouTube Video Playlist on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/PlaylistSE Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeProfile Notebook: Get the full collection of 4-page Profiles published by Watchman Fellowship (over 600 pages!) here: watchman.org/DigitalNotebook.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

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: Lindsay's blog on other religions: www.mamabearapologetics.com/author/lindsey-medenwaldt/ Meet the Mama Bears Apologetics Team: www.mamabearapologetics.com/about/meet-the-mama-bears/ Lindsay's Watchman Fellowship Profile on Religious Pluralism: watchman.org/Pluralism ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Watchman Fellowship article "The Key to Effective Religious Dialogue" by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Dialogue Watchman Fellowship article "Just Two Kinds of Religion" by Timothy Oliver: watchman.org/2Kinds Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Hinduism by C. Fred Smith: watchman.org/Hindu Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Zen Buddhism by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Zen Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) by Tim Martin: watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses) by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Watchtower FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeProfile Notebook: Get the full collection of 4-page Profiles published by Watchman Fellowship (over 600 pages!) here: watchman.org/DigitalNotebook.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

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: Lindsay's blog on other religions: www.mamabearapologetics.com/author/lindsey-medenwaldt/ Meet the Mama Bears Apologetics Team: www.mamabearapologetics.com/about/meet-the-mama-bears/ Lindsay's Watchman Fellowship Profile on Religious Pluralism: watchman.org/Pluralism ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Watchman Fellowship article "The Key to Effective Religious Dialogue" by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Dialogue Watchman Fellowship article "Just Two Kinds of Religion" by Timothy Oliver: watchman.org/2Kinds Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Hinduism by C. Fred Smith: watchman.org/Hindu Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Zen Buddhism by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Zen Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism) by Tim Martin: watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on The Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (Jehovah's Witnesses) by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Watchtower FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeProfile Notebook: Get the full collection of 4-page Profiles published by Watchman Fellowship (over 600 pages!) here: watchman.org/DigitalNotebook.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

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: Gary Habermas' personal research and publications webpage: GaryHabermas.com Gary Habermas' YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/HabermasYouTube Free E-Book by Gary Habermas: http://garyhabermas.com/Evidence2/Habermas-Uniqueness-of-Jesus-Christ-2016.pdf Book - Risen Indeed: A Historical Investigation Into the Resurrection of Jesus, (2021) by Dr. Gary Habermas: https://amzn.to/3tvUUzd ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Watchman Fellowship article "The Key to Effective Religious Dialogue" by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Dialogue Watchman Fellowship article "Just Two Kinds of Religion" by Timothy Oliver: watchman.org/2Kinds Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Religious Pluralism by Lindsey Medenwaldt: watchman.org/Pluralism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Hinduism by C. Fred Smith: watchman.org/Hindu Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Zen Buddhism by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Zen Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeProfile Notebook: Get the full collection of 4-page Profiles published by Watchman Fellowship (over 600 pages!) here: watchman.org/DigitalNotebook.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

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: Gary Habermas' personal research and publications webpage: GaryHabermas.com Gary Habermas' YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/HabermasYouTube Free E-Book by Gary Habermas: http://garyhabermas.com/Evidence2/Habermas-Uniqueness-of-Jesus-Christ-2016.pdf Book - Risen Indeed: A Historical Investigation Into the Resurrection of Jesus, (2021) by Dr. Gary Habermas: https://amzn.to/3tvUUzd ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Watchman Fellowship article "The Key to Effective Religious Dialogue" by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Dialogue Watchman Fellowship article "Just Two Kinds of Religion" by Timothy Oliver: watchman.org/2Kinds Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Religious Pluralism by Lindsey Medenwaldt: watchman.org/Pluralism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Hinduism by C. Fred Smith: watchman.org/Hindu Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Zen Buddhism by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Zen Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeProfile Notebook: Get the full collection of 4-page Profiles published by Watchman Fellowship (over 600 pages!) here: watchman.org/DigitalNotebook.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor 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: Apologetics Profile podcast: Black Hebrew Israelites Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Black Hebrew Israelites ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV Series) by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Religious Pluralism by Lindsey Medenwaldt: watchman.org/Pluralism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by and Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeProfile Notebook: Get the full collection of 4-page Profiles published by Watchman Fellowship (over 600 pages!) here: watchman.org/DigitalNotebook.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

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: Longing to Know - The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People (Baker Publishing Group, 2003) Loving To Know - Covenant Epistemology (Cascade Books, 2011) A Little Manual For Knowing (Cascade Books, 2014) Contact with Reality (Cascade Books, 2017) Be sure to check out our other podcasts on the importance of philosophy in the Christian faith! Dr. Timothy McGrew discusses the problems with David Hume's skepticism (Part 1, Part 2) Dr. Jamie Dew discusses basic epistemology as it relates to our knowledge of God (Listen Here) Dr. Paul Gould discusses why philosophy is important for Christianity (Part 1, Part 2) Dr. Luke Barnes discusses a philosophy of science known as "scientism" (Part 1, Part 2) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Dr. Meek's website: EstherLightcapMeek.com Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by and Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

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: Loving To Know - Covenant Epistemology (Cascade Books, 2011) A Little Manual For Knowing (Cascade Books, 2014) Contact with Reality (Cascade Books, 2017) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Dr. Meek's website: EstherLightcapMeek.com Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by and Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org© 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: Philosophy: A Christian Introduction, with Paul M. Gould (Baker, 2019) Understanding Postmodernism: a Christian Perspective, with Stewart E. Kelly (IVP Academic, 2017) God and the Problem of Evil: Five Views, with Chad Meister (IVP Academic, 2017) How Do We Know? An Introduction to Epistemology, with Mark W. Foreman (IVP Academic, 2014) God and Evil: The Case for God in a World filled with Pain, with Chad Meister (IVP Books, 2013) Science and Theology: An Assessment of Alister McGrath's Critical Realist Perspective (Wipf & Stock, 2014) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by and Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org© Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

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: Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by and Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE Tim McGrew Vs Peter Boghossian debate on the topic of Street Epistemology and the book, A Manual for Creating Atheists (YouTube): http://bit.ly/TimMcGrew Tim McGrew and atheist philosopher Graham Oppy discuss their book, Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy, at the Atheist & Christian Book Club (YouTube): https://youtu.be/2gGvCl4Kbbs Additional Reading: Books mentioned in this episode include: William Adam: An Essay in Answer to Mr. Hume's Essay on Miracles (Third Edition) George Campbell: A Dissertation On Miracles: Containing an Examination of the Principles Advanced by David Hume in an Essay On Miracles John Douglas: The Criterion ; Or, Rules by which the True Miracles Recorded in the New Testament are Distinguished from the Spurious Miracles of Pagans and Papists 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.FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org© Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

David Hume (1711 - 1776) penned what has arguably become one of the most widely quoted works against the possibility of miracles. Hume's essay, "Of Miracles," appears in his larger work, An Inquiry Concerning Human Understanding. In this short essay, Hume tries to argue in such a way that virtually no evidence for a miracle would be sufficient to establish a claim that a miracle has taken place. On the next two editions of Apologetics Profile we speak with Christian philosopher Dr. Timothy McGrew about Hume's life and times and some of the weaknesses of Hume's arguments. Tim gives us helpful insights into the nature of Hume's thesis and helps us understand some of the more often cited quotations used by non-believers today who argue against the possibility of miracles. On part one we talk a little about Hume's life and times and get into part one of Hume's essay. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Atheism by Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Scientism by and Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Street Epistemology by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/SE Tim McGrew Vs Peter Boghossian debate on the topic of Street Epistemology and the book, A Manual for Creating Atheists (YouTube): http://bit.ly/TimMcGrew Tim McGrew and atheist philosopher Graham Oppy discuss their book, Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy, at the Atheist & Christian Book Club (YouTube): https://youtu.be/2gGvCl4Kbbs BONUS: Tim was also interviewed for one of our meetings of the Atheist & Christian Book Club (www.AtheistChristianBookClub.com) to respond to Bart Ehrman's book, Jesus Interrupted. You can watch that interview here: VIDEO -- Tim McGrew interview Part 1 (12-min.): https://vimeo.com/249968983 VIDEO -- Tim McGrew interview Part 2 (8-min.): https://vimeo.com/249969201 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.FREE: We are also offering a free subscription to our bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreeSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org© Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

In this week's episode of Apologetics Profile, Daniel Ray concludes his discussion with CERN experimental particle physicist Dr. Michael Strauss. They explore further wondrous evidences of God's design and handiwork at levels never before imagined by anyone. Mathematics and the designs in the physical world, as counterintuitive as they may seem to our common sense, all point us to a benevolent Creator and reveal to us many of the invisible attributes of the Logos, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.This two-part podcast was recorded in January 2022 on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary during their annual Defend apologetics conference (www.DefendTheFaith.net).Dr. Michael Strauss is an experimental particle physicist currently doing research on the ATLAS detector, one of the two multi-purpose particle detectors located on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN near Geneva, Switzerland. He has been a professor at the University of Oklahoma in Norman since 1995. He is also a Christian and his web-site and blog are a result of the many discussions he has had, and questions he receives about the relationship between science, rational thinking, objective evidence, and Christian faith.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Dr. Michael Strauss's webpage: www.michaelgstrauss.com Book - The Creator Revealed - A Physicist Examines the Big Bang and the Bible, (2019) by Dr. Michael Strauss: https://amzn.to/3qnXQxj Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV series): watchman.org/files/Profilecosmos.pdf Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism: www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdf SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship. For more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

On the next two episodes of Apologetics Profile, Watchman Fellowship staff apologist Daniel Ray interviews University of Oklahoma particle physicist, Dr. Michael Strauss. A devout Christian, Dr. Strauss discusses some of the growing scientific evidences for the existence of God including in his field of particle physics. Dr. Strauss splits his research time between the University of Oklahoma and the Large Hadron Collider at CERN in Switzerland. What does the Big Bang have to do with the Bible? Is there any redeemable common ground to be found between the scientific understanding of the origin of our universe and the account of the creation of the heavens and earth as we read in Genesis? While there certainly are differences between the two narratives, one thing the Big Bang does give us as believers is a point of commonality with skeptics and atheists about the beginning of our universe. Theories which posit something "before" the Big Bang cannot be tested in a laboratory. They are theoretical in nature and there have been many attempts to circumvent the idea of a beginning to our universe. From many worlds to multiverses, nothing has concretely overturned the current scientific paradigm that our universe had a definitive beginning. As atheist and cosmologist Dr. Lawrence Krauss recently told our Atheist & Christian Book Club, "Here's the point. Everything we now see, all of space, all of time, all of the galaxies, all the matter all the radiation, everything that makes up our universe did not exist and then it existed."[YouTube reference time-stamped: https://youtu.be/Y1g8xxsQfjE?t=3346] A theologian could not have described the Genesis doctrine of creation ex nihilo any better.Dr. Michael Strauss discusses some of the theological implications of "Big Bang" cosmology and why he believes his field of physics of subatomic particles more wondrously than ever reveals the glory of God.Dr. Michael Strauss is an experimental particle physicist currently doing research on the ATLAS detector, one of the two multi-purpose particle detectors located on the Large Hadron Collider at CERN near Geneva, Switzerland. He has been a professor at the University of Oklahoma in Norman since 1995. He is also a Christian and his web-site and blog are a result of the many discussions he has had, and questions he receives about the relationship between science, rational thinking, objective evidence, and Christian faith.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Dr. Michael Strauss's webpage: www.michaelgstrauss.com Book - The Creator Revealed - A Physicist Examines the Big Bang and the Bible , (2019) by Dr. Michael Strauss: https://amzn.to/3qnXQxj Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Cosmos (TV series): watchman.org/files/Profilecosmos.pdf Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism: www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdf SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship. For more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Skeptics who disbelieve in the Bible will often propose different reasons for why the New Testament was written. One popular objection suggests "legendary" information crept into the texts we have today and there is just no way to tell fact from fiction. Others say that the Gospels contain real historical information but that the disciples and others were simply mistaken about Jesus' resurrection. They thought Jesus appeared to them, but there is no way to tell if He really did or not. New Testament historian and scholar Dr. Gary Habermas, our guest this week on Apologetics Profile, has heard most every popular objection ever given about Jesus rising from the dead. He has debated and been interviewed by atheists and skeptics and has spent most of his professional career compiling solid historical evidence for the resurrection. Here on part two of our conversation with Gary, he provides us with a myriad of reasons why we can know that what we have in the pages of the Gospels is historically trustworthy and authentic. 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." [1]ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Gary Habermas' personal research and publications webpage: www.GaryHabermas.com Gary Habermas' YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/HabermasYouTube Book - Risen Indeed: A Historical Investigation Into the Resurrection of Jesus, (2021) by Dr. Gary Habermas: https://amzn.to/3tvUUzd SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship. For more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.[1] "Gary Habermas," Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Habermas

A burgeoning challenge for Christians today is the increasing criticism from skeptics and atheists about the historical reliability of the Gospels, especially the resurrection of Jesus. While some atheists and skeptics, such as New Testament scholar Bart Ehrman, affirm Jesus really did exist, almost all either deny or doubt that Jesus actually rose bodily from the grave and afterward appeared to eye witnesses. Since most of us are not New Testament historians or scholars, we might feel ill-equipped to address such criticisms. This is where our guest on the next two editions of Apologetics Profile provides us with a basic framework for answering our skeptical critics about the historicity of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. Dr. Gary Habermas is a New Testament scholar and historian. His life's work has been compiling historical information surrounding Jesus' resurrection and distilling his data into a series of 'minimal facts' that the vast majority credentialed scholars in the fields of antiquities, ancient history, New Testament criticism and historical Jesus studies accept. These are some 'minimal facts' on which nearly all Christians scholars, secular academics and even atheist professors agree. This is the 'minimal facts' approach; a kind of historical "Roman's Road" that provides very basic historical information in "headline" format for helping lay and scholar alike to begin conversations with skeptics who doubt the resurrection. These 'minimal facts' on the the resurrection of Jesus are certainly not the only historical data that to which Christians may appeal. This 'common ground' approach, however, may be seen as a helpful starting place for believers and non-believers to begin a discussion.This episode of Apologetics Profile is part one of a two-part podcast. In this episode, Dr. Habermas sits down with Watchman Fellowship's Staff Apologist, Daniel Ray, and outlines the origin and development of the minimal facts approach. 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." [1]ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Gary Habermas' personal research and publications webpage: www.GaryHabermas.com Gary Habermas' YouTube channel: https://bit.ly/HabermasYouTube Book - Risen Indeed: A Historical Investigation Into the Resurrection of Jesus, (2021) by Dr. Gary Habermas: https://amzn.to/3tvUUzd SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.[1] "Gary Habermas," Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Habermas

At Watchman Fellowship, our staff is routinely exposed to the objections about the Bible from skeptics and atheists. Such objections often include arguments against the historical reliability of the New Testament. It seems those objections become even more intensified over the historical reliability of the Gospel of John. Critics often ask of John: If Jesus really said what John reports, why don’t we find those same statements in the other three Gospel accounts? Why is John so different than the other Gospels? Did the apostle John really write the gospel attributed to him? Are the Jesus’ statements recorded in John actually what Jesus said or were based on later interpretations created by an anonymous community of followers of John? Unfortunately, these concerns and suspicions surrounding John’s Gospel don’t just come from atheists and skeptics critics but also from some Christian scholars. So what can those of us not versed in the critical scholarship of John do? Are we hopelessly tossed about in a sea of scholarly criticism, skeptical objections and textual ambiguities? Absolutely not for John himself intentions in writing about his personal experiences with the Lord Jesus “written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and I believe in you may have life in his name.” This is the conclusion of a two-part episode of Apologetics Profile. Our staff apologist, Daniel Ray, talks with Dr. Lydia McGrew about her new book defending the historicity and reliability of the Gospel of John. It is entitled, The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage.Dr. Lydia McGrew is a widely published analytic philosopher and author. She received her PhD in English from Vanderbilt University in 1995. She has published extensively in the theory of knowledge, specializing in formal epistemology and in its application to the evaluation of testimony and to the philosophy of religion. She defends the reliability of the Gospels and Acts in her books Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts, The Mirror or the Mask: Liberating the Gospels From Literary Devices, and most recently The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Book - The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage by Dr. Lydia McGrew: https://amzn.to/3JBwISz Book - The Mirror or the Mask: Liberating the Gospels from Literary Devices by Dr. Lydia McGrew: https://amzn.to/3h06xZE Follow Lydia McGrew's author page on Facebook: facebook.com/LydiaMcGrewAuthor SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

At Watchman Fellowship, our staff is routinely exposed to the objections about the Bible from skeptics and atheists. Such objections often include arguments against the historical reliability of the New Testament. It seems those objections become even more intensified over the historical reliability of the Gospel of John. Critics often ask of John: If Jesus really said what John reports, why don’t we find those same statements in the other three Gospel accounts? Why is John so different than the other Gospels? Did the apostle John really write the gospel attributed to him? Are the Jesus’ statements recorded in John actually what Jesus said or were based on later interpretations created by an anonymous community of followers of John? Unfortunately, these concerns and suspicions surrounding John’s Gospel don’t just come from atheists and skeptics critics but also from some Christian scholars. So what can those of us not versed in the critical scholarship of John do? Are we hopelessly tossed about in a sea of scholarly criticism, skeptical objections and textual ambiguities? Absolutely not for John himself intentions in writing about his personal experiences with the Lord Jesus “written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God and I believe in you may have life in his name.” This is part one of a two-part episode of Apologetics Profile. Our staff apologist, Daniel Ray, talks with Dr. Lydia McGrew about her new book defending the historicity and reliability of the Gospel of John. It is entitled, The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage.Dr. Lydia McGrew is a widely published analytic philosopher and author. She received her PhD in English from Vanderbilt University in 1995. She has published extensively in the theory of knowledge, specializing in formal epistemology and in its application to the evaluation of testimony and to the philosophy of religion. She defends the reliability of the Gospels and Acts in her books Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts, The Mirror or the Mask: Liberating the Gospels From Literary Devices, and most recently The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Book - The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage by Dr. Lydia McGrew: https://amzn.to/3JBwISz Book - The Mirror or the Mask: Liberating the Gospels from Literary Devices by Dr. Lydia McGrew: https://amzn.to/3h06xZE Follow Lydia McGrew's author page on Facebook: facebook.com/LydiaMcGrewAuthor SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

How should believers defend their faith and share the Christian gospel with those of other worldviews, religions and philosophies? Just what are the "best practices" for Christians seeking to incorporate apologetics as they engage in evangelism and gospel conversations?Perhaps one of the clearest biblical examples effective apologetics is the Apostle Paul's brief address to the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers at the Areopagus (Mars Hill) in Athens that was recorded by Luke in Acts 17. Dr. Robert Stewart, a member of the Board of Directors of Watchman Fellowship, presented an overview of Paul's unique approach to Christian apologetics at a plenary session of the Defend 2022 Apologetics Conference at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He called Paul's method of blending evangelism with defending the faith "A-Paul-ogetics." After his talk, Dr. Stewart sat down with Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray to further discuss A-Paul-ogetics and answer some important questions for this week's Apologetics Profile.Dr. Robert Stewart has been a member of the Board of Directors of Watchman Fellowship for over 20 years. He also serves as Professor of Philosophy and Theology, and Greer-Heard Professor of Faith and Culture, at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary where he directs the Institute for Christian Apologetics. In addition to teaching, he frequently speaks in churches and on university campuses, as well as researching and writing on the subjects of Philosophy of Religion, Christian Theology, Christian Apologetics, and the Historical Jesus. He enjoys golf, music (his first degree was in music--but he got over it!), and spending time with his wife, Marilyn, and their family. He resides in New Orleans, LA.. For more on Dr. Stewart, visit: www.nobts.edu/faculty/stewart-robert.html.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: What Did the Cross Accomplish? by Simon Gathercole, Robert Stewart and NT Wright: https://amzn.to/3uFHpzi The Reliability of the New Testament: Bart Ehrman and Daniel Wallace in Dialogue, (Greer-Heard Lectures) by Robert Stewart: https://amzn.to/3BckJId Can We Trust the Bible on the Historical Jesus? by Bart Ehrman, Craig Evans and Robert Stewart: https://amzn.to/3JCAbAv SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

The New Testament is historically reliable. Part of what gives us the confidence in their historical trustworthiness are what are known as undesigned coincidences; details about names, places, and peculiarities of first-century Israel under the provincial oversight of the Roman Empire that would have been difficult to fabricate for someone writing outside of the region and time of the events in question. In part one of this podcast, Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray talked with Dr. Tawa Anderson about some examples of "incidental details" and "insider knowledge" recorded in the New Testament. In part two, they will discuss some examples of "intricate convergence" found in the pages of Scripture. We hope these episodes will encourage you to find and delight in the rich details found in the Gospels and New Testament and give you more confidence that the Scriptures are indeed historically reliable in what they describe.Dr. Tawa J. Anderson joined the Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) faculty as Assistant Professor of Philosophy in the fall of 2011, shortly after completing his Ph.D. in Worldview & Apologetics at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in Louisville, KY. Before arriving at OBU, Anderson served as a Garrett Fellow at SBTS, guest lecturing in a broad variety of philosophy courses. For more on Dr. Anderson, visit: www.okbu.edu/directory/tawa-anderson.htmlADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Why Believe: Christian Apologetics for a Skeptical Age by Tawa J. Anderson: https://amzn.to/3L3HXVB An Introduction to Christian Worldview: Pursuing God's Perspective in a Pluralistic World by Tawa J. Anderson: https://amzn.to/3H5OAUK Lydia McGrew's book on undesigned coincidences: Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts - https://amzn.to/3H9nPyI SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Skeptics will routinely make the claim that the Gospels and New Testament are filled with contradictions and historically unreliable. Maybe at times you feel like you have to be a biblical scholar to refute such claims. Don't worry! On this special two-part episode, we sit down with professor of philosophy and apologetics at Oklahoma Baptist University Dr. Tawa Anderson to discuss a simple way to understand how the New Testament is indeed historically reliable. You need not have a seminary degree to follow along, either! It's called undesigned coincidences. First introduced in 1790 by William Paley, this concept highlights simple, seemingly trivial details in the New Testament that would have been difficult if not virtually impossible for someone writing much later and outside the region of first-century Israel and Jerusalem to have correctly mentioned. On part one, Tawa gives us examples of two kinds of undesigned coincidences found in the New Testament he terms “incidental details” and “insider knowledge.”In part two we’ll dive deeper into what Tawa calls “intricate convergence” what undesigned coincidences are mostly all about. This is when details in one Gospel account in say Mark are explained in an entirely unrelated account in Luke or Matthew.Dr. Tawa J. Anderson joined the Oklahoma Baptist University (OBU) faculty as Assistant Professor of Philosophy in the fall of 2011, shortly after completing his Ph.D. in Worldview & Apologetics at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in Louisville, KY. Before arriving at OBU, Anderson served as a Garrett Fellow at SBTS, guest lecturing in a broad variety of philosophy courses. For more on Dr. Anderson, visit: www.okbu.edu/directory/tawa-anderson.htmlADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Why Believe: Christian Apologetics for a Skeptical Age by Tawa J. Anderson: https://amzn.to/3L3HXVB An Introduction to Christian Worldview: Pursuing God's Perspective in a Pluralistic World by Tawa J. Anderson: https://amzn.to/3H5OAUK Lydia McGrew's book on undesigned coincidences: Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts - https://amzn.to/3H9nPyI SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

David Henke, the founder of Watchman Fellowship, has over 45 years experience in witnessing and sharing the gospel with Jehovah's Witnesses. In part two of this podcast, David wraps up his conversation with Daniel Ray about controversial history and theology of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, some of his unusual experiences through the years, and what motivates him to pursue apologetics and evangelism as his life's calling. This podcast was recorded on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary during the 2022 Defend apologetics conference. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Watchman's 4-page Profile on Jehovah's Witnesses by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Watchtower Watchman Fellowship Articles on Jehovah's Witnesses: watchman.org/jw Watchman's 4-page Profile on Spiritual Abuse by David Henke: watchman.org/Abuse Spiritual Abuse Recovery Notebook by David Henke: watchman.org/SA SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

David Henke, the founder of Watchman Fellowship, has over 45 years experience in witnessing and sharing the gospel with Jehovah's Witnesses. In this two-part podcast, David sits down with Daniel Ray and talks about the controversial history and theology of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, some of his unusual experiences through the years, and what motivates him to pursue apologetics and evangelism as his life's calling. This podcast was recorded on the campus of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary during the 2022 Defend apologetics conference. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Watchman's 4-page Profile on Jehovah's Witnesses by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Watchtower Watchman Fellowship Articles on Jehovah's Witnesses: watchman.org/jw Watchman's 4-page Profile on Spiritual Abuse by David Henke: watchman.org/Abuse Spiritual Abuse Recovery Notebook by David Henke: watchman.org/SA SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Scripture mentions "everlasting," "eternal," and "forever and ever" in regards to the final judgment of the unrepentant unbeliever in hell (see Mark 9:42-48; Rev. 14:11; 20:10; Matt. 25:41-46). Do those words and verses suggest or teach that the unbeliever will eventually be annihilated from conscious existence? There is a minority belief within Christianity that claims lost souls will eventually be annihilated called "annihilationism." This idea claims that though the unrepentant will suffer in hell their torment will not last forever. But is that what the Bible really says? Here in part two of our discussion about annihilationism Daniel Ray and Brady Blevins look at what Scripture says and remind us that hell is not an easy topic to discuss and we must do so with wisdom and compassion. We cannot minimize God's holiness, righteousness, and judgment. The Gospel is indeed good news, but it must first be understood in terms of sin and its consequences. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

"We cannot magnify God's love by minimizing his holy wrath against sin," writes John F. MacArthur, Jr. "Some of the most tender pleadings in Scripture are Jesus' warnings to unrepentant unbelievers in danger of being caught up in the eternal wrath of God." But there is a minority point-of-view among Christians about the nature of hell called annihilationism which claims that unrepentant souls in hell will not suffer forever but eventually be annihilated from conscious existence. For the annihilationist, the "non-existence" of the unbeliever is what will last forever, not eternal conscious torment. Why do people believe the Bible teaches annihilationism? What does the word "eternal" actually mean when used in descriptions about hell? What theologians have promoted this idea? On this two-part episode of Apologetics Profile Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray and Watchman senior apologist Brady Blevins discuss the problems with annihilationism and what the Bible says about eternal separation from God.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

How silently, how silently,the wondrous gift is giv’n!So God imparts to human heartsthe blessings of his heav’n.No ear may hear his coming,but in this world of sin,where meek souls will receive him, stillthe dear Christ enters in.You have likely heard or sung these very lines over the course of the last few weeks. They are a verse from Philip Brooks' 1868 Christmas hymn O Little Town of Bethlehem. Bethlehem. It means "house of bread." It is called the "city of David" and is the birthplace of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, prophesied as Immanuel, God with us, the star of Jacob, the sun of righteousness. Bethlehem is a fitting name for the place where the very bread of life Himself would come into the world as an infant, as a man, for man. The One who made the stars with the breath of His mouth drew his first infant breath under the starry skies of a lowly Judean province. As Charles Wesley's famous 1739 Christmas hymn proclaims:Mild He lays His glory byBorn that man no more may dieHark! The herald angels singGlory to the newborn King!On part two of our discussion about the star of Bethlehem, we discuss more of the Scripture, background and history of what the star the Magi saw in the east may have been. Though another Christmas has come and gone so quickly, let us never forget that the real star of Bethlehem was not the star itself, but the bright and morning star (Rev. 22:16, the star of Jacob (Num. 24:17), the Creator of the stars and the entire cosmos (Gen. 1:1,14; Col. 1:16-20; John 1:1-14), incarnate as a babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a manger (Luke 2). ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Wayne Spencer's article on the Star of Bethlehem: https://bit.ly/WiseMenStar Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on the Zoroastrianism by Brady Blevins: watchman.org/Zoro Subscribe to our sister podcast, Good Heavens! watchman.org/GoodHeavens SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Stars, and the heavens in which they reside, all declare the glory of God. They were created for signs and for seasons and for days and years. They were created through Christ Jesus and for Him. They are numbered and named by God Himself. They are silent messengers of divine glory. The LORD Himself told Abram that his descendants would be as the multitude of the stars in the sky. And in Revelation 22:16 Jesus identifies Himself as the "bright and morning Star." So then it is no surprise that we find reference to a star in Matthew's gospel. A single, silent, enigmatic sign that led wise men, the Magi, to Jerusalem to inquire about He who had been born King of the Jews. But what was the star? What exactly did the Magi see? Was it an actual astronomical phenomena or a miraculous manifestation of light? On this special two-part combined Christmas episode of Apologetics Profile and our sister podcast Good Heavens!, Daniel Ray, Wayne Spencer and Brady Blevins discuss the many ideas that have been proposed for what Matthew's star may have been. But more importantly, we offer a reminder of who the star is really all about. So like the Magi and the shepherds did, come and lift your eyes up on high and see what the star and the angels proclaimed long ago. Come and see wonders await you in discovering Immanuel, God with us, the Lord Jesus Christ.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Wayne Spencer's article on the Star of Bethlehem: https://bit.ly/WiseMenStar Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on the Zoroastrianism by Brady Blevins: watchman.org/Zoro Subscribe to our sister podcast, Good Heavens! watchman.org/GoodHeavens SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

On part two president of Watchman Fellowship, James Walker, concludes his keynote on the nature of God and the Trinity presented at the Witness Now for Jesus Ex-Jehovah's Witness conference. We examine the history behind some of the classic heretical teachings that confronted the early Christianity, how they reappear in our time and how you can recognize them. We hope these insights will give you practical and edifying truths as you give a defense for the hope that is in you to friends, family, and loved ones who don't know Jesus. As we learned last week, the doctrine of God as Three-in-One, the Trinity, is absolutely central to our faith. Any deviation from understanding this teaching inevitably results in false doctrines and heresy. Historical councils of the Church throughout history have rigorously addressed the aberrant views of the Trinity, such as the Council of Nicea (325 A.D.) and the Council of Chalcedon (451 A.D.). Yet despite these efforts, heretical doctrines regarding the nature of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit resurface in non-Christian religions and cults. How might you address objections to God as Three-in-One? Are you prepared to give a defense of the Trinity? What would you say to a Mormon who might object that the word "Trinity" is not found in the Bible, or a Muslim who says it is blasphemy to refer to God as three distinct Persons? What might you say to someone who argues Jesus is not God? Or that only the Father is God? How might you answer someone who would claim God is not really three Persons, but just appears to us in three different modes?James Walker is a former fourth-generation Mormon who is currently president of Watchman Fellowship, an evangelical apologetics ministry focused on interfaith evangelism. He is author of The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality (watchman.org/ConciseGuide), What the Qur'an Really Teaches about Jesus (watchman.org/Quran), and coauthor of The Truth Behind The Secret (bit.ly/TruthSecret). He is the cofounder of the Atheist & Christian Book Club (AtheistChristianBookClub.com) and cohosts Mormons in Transition Meetup in north Texas (ExMoDFW.com).ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: watchman.org/Watchtower Watchman Fellowship articles on Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower: watchman.org/JW We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free This message is also available in video format from the Witness Now For Jesus (WNFJ) YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/4uTOEMkYXNQ SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Was Jesus the creator of all things or was He actually a created being? Creator or creature? God with us or the angel Michael with us? These are foundational questions for Jehovah's Witnesses and other controversial religions. This two-part episode of Apologetics Profile features Watchman Fellowship president, James Walker, sharing a keynote message given at the Witness Now for Jesus Conference of former Jehovah's Witnesses. This message provides helpful reminders and insights about the uniqueness and wonder of seeing God as One God and as three distinct Persons. The doctrine of the Trinity can be difficult to wrap our minds around, but it is absolutely foundational for our faith. No matter where you are in your walk with Christ, we hope this presentation will be helpful and edifying to you this Christmas season as you reach out to those who don't know Christ. So come and see! Come and celebrate the incarnate Immanuel, God with us, the Babe lying in a manger wrapped in swaddling clothes who is also Creator and Lord of the heavens and earth. James Walker is a former fourth-generation Mormon who is currently president of Watchman Fellowship, an evangelical apologetics ministry focused on interfaith evangelism. He is author of The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality (watchman.org/ConciseGuide), What the Qur'an Really Teaches about Jesus (watchman.org/Quran), and coauthor of The Truth Behind The Secret (bit.ly/TruthSecret). He is the cofounder of the Atheist & Christian Book Club (AtheistChristianBookClub.com) and cohosts Mormons in Transition Meetup in north Texas (ExMoDFW.com).ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: watchman.org/Watchtower Watchman Fellowship articles on Jehovah's Witnesses and the Watchtower: watchman.org/JW We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free This message is also available in video format from the Witness Now For Jesus (WNFJ) YouTube Channel here: https://youtu.be/4uTOEMkYXNQ SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

This podcast is also available in video format on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2gGvCl4KbbsWhat would you say to an atheist who says “I don’t believe your God exists. I just believe in one less God than you do?” This is part two of our special two-part episode recorded live at our Atheist & Christian Book Club featuring guest authors Timothy McGrew, a Christian philosopher, and Graham Oppy, an atheist philosopher. McGrew continues the discussion and puts the question of "one less God than you" in context. McGrew shows us that there is much more at stake than just a mere belief in the non-existence of God. What are the implications, philosophically, theologically, historically, for denying the existence of the God of the Bible? We also discuss other philosophical theories about knowledge with McGrew and Oppy as we continue our focus on their contributions to the book Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy.In the book, Oppy admits that his atheistic account of the world is not a “persuasive argument; nonetheless, I think that it is a case that deserves serious consideration.” So come and hear the conclusion of the whole matter. Does Christian philosophy or does atheist philosophy best account for the universe and our place within it?Dr. Graham Oppy is Professor of Philosophy at Monash University. He is author of Ontological Arguments and Belief in God; Philosophical Perspectives on Infinity; Arguing about Gods; Reading Philosophy of Religion (with Michael Scott); The Best Argument Against God; Reinventing Philosophy of Religion: An Opinionated Introduction; and Describing Gods: An Investigation of Divine Attributes. He is editor of The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion and (with Nick Trakakis) The History of Western Philosophy of Religion.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.Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy, edited by Paul M. Gould and Richard Brian Davis is available here: https://bit.ly/4ViewsBookThe Atheist & Christian Book Club meets both in person (Arlington, Texas) and online via Zoom. Learn more, watch past book clubs or to join the club: www.AtheistChristianBookClub.comWe are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

This podcast is also available in video format on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2gGvCl4KbbsThis two part special edition of Apologetics Profile was recorded live at our Atheist & Christian Book Club, a monthly gathering of believers and skeptics respectfully discussing important book from both perspectives. Our guest authors were atheist philosopher Graham Oppy and Christian philosopher Timothy McGrew discussing their contributions to the book Four Views On Christianity and Philosophy.Dr. Oppy who defends the “Conflict view, arguing that philosophy is vastly superior as a way to truth and a way of life, and thus trumps Christianity.” Dr. Timothy McGrew argues for the “Convergence view that philosophy confirms Christianity and Christianity completes philosophy.” Come and hear a robust and civil discussion (and disagreement) about what philosophy best informs and explains the existence of the cosmos and our place within it.Dr. Graham Oppy is Professor of Philosophy at Monash University. He is author of Ontological Arguments and Belief in God; Philosophical Perspectives on Infinity; Arguing about Gods; Reading Philosophy of Religion (with Michael Scott); The Best Argument Against God; Reinventing Philosophy of Religion: An Opinionated Introduction; and Describing Gods: An Investigation of Divine Attributes. He is editor of The Routledge Handbook of Contemporary Philosophy of Religion and (with Nick Trakakis) The History of Western Philosophy of Religion.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.Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy, edited by Paul M. Gould and Richard Brian Davis is available here: https://bit.ly/4ViewsBookThe Atheist & Christian Book Club meets both in person (Arlington, Texas) and online via Zoom. Learn more, watch past book clubs or to join the club: www.AtheistChristianBookClub.comWe are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Theology, or more simply, the study of God, can seem like a daunting task for us, something only scholarly professionals or seminary students bother thinking about. There are many sub-disciplines of theology, such as historical theology, biblical theology, and philosophical theology. What do they all mean? Why are they separate? Is one more important than the other? And how might a layperson begin to better understand theology for their own witness and faith in Christ? We are all theologians, from non-believers to pastors and laypersons alike. And our theology will impact how we live our lives. On part two of our conversation with theologian Dr. Rhyne Putman, we explore more of the practical applications that emanate from a proper understanding of Christian theology. Rhyne's new book The Method of Christian Theology - A Basic Introduction is written for both the lay and academic theologian. It is an immensely helpful and practical look at how we can understand and apply basic theological principles to our own walk with Christ. Rhyne shares his passion for translating Christian theology and doctrine into disciple making for the glory of God in Christ and His kingdom. Dr. Rhyne R. Putman is associate vice president for academic affairs and director of worldview formation at Williams Baptist University, as well as associate professor of theology and culture at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served on the Board of Directors of Watchman Fellowship for over 10 years and has authored a number of our 4-page Profiles.Watchman Profiles by Rhyne PutmanDr. Putman has written our our 4-page Profiles on several leading atheist authors as well as the New Age teacher and self-help author, Eckhart Tolle: Watchman's Profile on Richard Dawkins: watchman.org/Dawkins Watchman's Profile on Bart Ehrman: watchman.org/Ehrman Watchman's Profile on Sam Harris: watchman.org/Harris Watchman's Profile on Eckhart Tolle: watchman.org/Tolle We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: To help us create more content like this, please make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

As Christians, it can be a challenge to figure out how our faith in Christ and our knowledge of God can address the difficulties and problems of our time. In a world of what seems like nothing more than a patchwork quilt of disparate and disconnected events, how can we even begin to make sense of it all?The first step in the attempt is a proper foundational understanding of Christian theology and doctrine. What is sound Christian theology? What do we mean by Christian doctrine? Do we have to be professional theologians to face the challenges of our time? Where can we turn for help in better articulating our theology to our culture today? On this episode, we talk with theologian Dr. Rhyne Putman about his latest book The Method of Christian Theology - A Basic Introduction. Rhyne's book helps equip both the lay and scholastic theologian with the basics about Christian theology and practice. He lays down a foundation for where to begin that is both comprehensive, yet easy to read, outlining everything from what theology and doctrine are, to philosophical ideas about worldviews to how to write a theology paper or put together a sermon. Dr. Rhyne R. Putman is associate vice president for academic affairs and director of worldview formation at Williams Baptist University, as well as associate professor of theology and culture at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He has served on the Board of Directors of Watchman Fellowship for over 10 years and has authored a number of our 4-page Profiles.Watchman Profiles by Rhyne PutmanDr. Putman has written our our 4-page Profiles on several leading atheist authors as well as the New Age teacher and self-help author, Eckhart Tolle: Watchman's Profile on Richard Dawkins: watchman.org/Dawkins Watchman's Profile on Bart Ehrman: watchman.org/Ehrman Watchman's Profile on Sam Harris: watchman.org/Harris Watchman's Profile on Eckhart Tolle: watchman.org/Tolle We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

We live in an age of uncertainty, war and rumors of wars. Headlines filled with news of pestilence, famine, earthquakes, fires, and political turmoil seem poised and ready to engulf us in despair and hopelessness at every turn. But this could be said of any age. A hundred years ago or a thousand years ago, there was never any such time where life was without its trials and tribulations.On this episode of Apologetics Profile, we talk with historian and author Joseph Loconte as he shares with us how the fantasy writings and lives of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis and the tumultuous and bitter conflicts of their era can give us wisdom and inspiration to persevere through our own personal and cultural challenges and suffering today. Joe offers insights from his 2015 book, A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War as to how the friendship, love of literature and ultimately the Christian faith of both men enabled them to overcome the despair and cynicism of a culture embroiled in the tragedies of two world wars. Joe's book is currently debuting this year as a five-part drama-documentary. Part one has been released this year. You can view the trailer of the film here. Joseph Loconte, PhD, is the Director of the B. Kenneth Simon Center for American Studies at the Heritage Foundation. He also serves as a Senior Fellow in Christianity and Culture at The King’s College in New York City. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller A Hobbit, a Wardrobe, and a Great War: How J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis Rediscovered Faith, Friendship, and Heroism in the Cataclysm of 1914-1918 (Harper Collins, 2015) and winner of the 2017 Best Article award from the Tolkien Society for his article How J.R.R. Tolkien Found Mordor on the Western Front.Mr. Loconte previously served as a Distinguished Visiting Professor at the School of Public Policy at Pepperdine University, where he taught on religion and public policy. He was a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center in Washington, D.C., and from 1999-2006 he held the first chair in religion and civil society as the William E. Simon Fellow at the Heritage Foundation. MORE RESOURCES: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Former Mormon James Walker, president of Watchman Fellowship, had the rare opportunity to participate in a public dialogue with a top Latter-day Saint defender, Scott Gordon, president of FairLatterDaySaints.org. Their discussion question was "What is the Gospel?" The dialogue was held at the [un]Apologetic Conference sponsored last month by the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) and hosted by Dr. Jeremy Evans of Woodridge Baptist Church in Kingwood, Texas.In episode two of this two-part podcast, James and Scott take questions texted in from the live audience as moderated by Dr. Evans. They seek to further clarify and provide their unique perspectives on the similarities and differences between the Latter-day Saint and evangelical Christian understanding of the Good News of Jesus Christ.For more about LDS apologist Scott Gordon and evangelical Christian apologist James Walker: Scott Gordon, President FairLatterDaySaints.org: fairlatterdaysaints.org James Walker, President of Watchman Fellowship: watchman.org/James Scott and James interviewed on Fox News Radio with the late Alan Colmes: watchman.org/colmes.pdf RELATED LINKS: More information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Mormonism: watchman.org/Mormonism Related articles on Mormonism: watchman.org/LDS Is Mormonism True? by TrueLife.org (23-min.): TrueLife.org/categories/mormonism James Walker's debate with Latter-day Saint CES Director Joseph Evans on the question "Is Mormonism Christian?" (video, 2-hours): watchman.org/MormonDebate MORE RESOURCES: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Former Mormon James Walker, president of Watchman Fellowship, had the rare opportunity to participate in a public dialogue with a top Latter-day Saint defender, Scott Gordon, president of FairLatterDaySaints.org. Their discussion question was "What is the Gospel?" The dialogue was held at the [un]Apologetic Conference sponsored last month by the Baptist General Convention of Texas (BGCT) and hosted by Dr. Jeremy Evans of Woodridge Baptist Church in Kingwood, Texas.In part one of this two-part podcast, James and Scott take about 25-minutes each to lay out to lay out their understanding of the essentials of the gospel. They identify and discuss the similarities and differences between the Latter-day Saint and evangelical Christian understanding of the Good News of Jesus Christ.For more about LDS apologist Scott Gordon and evangelical Christian apologist James Walker: Scott Gordon, President FairLatterDaySaints.org: fairlatterdaysaints.org James Walker, President of Watchman Fellowship: watchman.org/James Scott and James interviewed on Fox News Radio with the late Alan Colmes: watchman.org/colmes.pdf RELATED LINKS: More information on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Mormonism: watchman.org/Mormonism Related articles on Mormonism: watchman.org/LDS Is Mormonism True? by TrueLife.org (23-min.): TrueLife.org/categories/mormonism MORE RESOURCES: We are also offering a free subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.