Apologetics Profile

In the late 19th century, William Draper and Andrew White, set out to make a historical case that science and religion were not in conflict. Yet today, Draper and White are often portrayed as the progenitors of the conflict between science and religion in popular skeptic and atheist polemics against religion. On part two of our interview with historian of science Dr. James Ungureanu, we will examine how Draper and White's works have come to serve contemporary atheist polemics against Christianity. The "conflict" as many of Draper and White's contemporaries saw their work, was not with science and traditional Christianity, but in Draper and White's attenuated versions of Christianity, more akin to a minimal deism than anything resembling a traditional orthodox Christian faith. RELATED LINKS: More information on Dr. James Ungureanu and his book: James Ungureanu: www.jamescungureanu.com Science, Religion, and the Protestant Tradition - Retracing the Origins of the Conflict: https://bit.ly/SciReligion ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Some of Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profiles and our website Atheism Profile: watchman.org/atheism Agnosticism Profile: watchman.org/agnostic Scientism Profile: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship Website: watchman.org 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.

We are often told by skeptics that there is a conflict between science and religion, more specifically, science and the Bible. This is often referred to by historians as the "conflict thesis." On our two part episode with historian of science James Ungureanu, we will explore the historical roots of the "conflict thesis" as it pertains to Protestant Christianity in the late 19th and early twentieth centuries. Ungureanu's latest book, Science, Religion, and the Protestant Tradition - Retracing the Origins of the Conflict, examines the ideas and writings of two authors who are often attributed as the originators of the conflict thesis, William Draper and Andrew White. Ungureanu does not critique their ideas so much as he aims to show that Draper and White were finally not the genesis of the conflict, but rather spokespersons for the spirit of the times; a zeitgeist which included the indelible belief in moral and scientific progress, human rationality, anti-Catholicism and a deistic view of God. Draper and White were not atheists, but liberal Protestants who saw themselves as heirs of the Protestant Reformation. They did not intend for their writings to be seen as anti-religious polemics, yet over the ensuing decades that followed, with a burgeoning emphasis and appeal to Darwinian evolution and natural selection, atheists and skeptics capitalized on the attenuated deism of Draper and White, taking it one step further and attempted to eliminate God from science altogether.RELATED LINKS: More information on Dr. James Ungureanu and his book: James Ungureanu: www.jamescungureanu.com Science, Religion, and the Protestant Tradition - Retracing the Origins of the Conflict: https://bit.ly/SciReligion ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Some of Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profiles and our website Atheism Profile: watchman.org/atheism Agnosticism Profile: watchman.org/agnostic Scientism Profile: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship Website: watchman.org 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.

On last week's episode Daniel Ray and Brady Blevins discussed the nature of divine hiddenness from a theological and biblical standpoint. This week Daniel and Brady tackle a different aspect of divine hiddenness, this time from a philosophical argument created by atheist philosopher J.L. Schellenberg, against the existence of God. Not to be confused with theological hiddenness, Schellenberg's argument is known as the Hiddenness Argument and is outlined in his two books, one from 2006 titled Divine Hiddenness and Human Reason and one from 2017, a simpler version of the argument titled The Hiddenness Argument - Philosophy's New Challenge to Belief in God. It is a more popular argument among thoughtful skeptics and atheists, one your children or grandchildren away at college may encounter from their unbelieving peers. On this episode Daniel and Brady break down the argument in an easy-to-understand conversation and compare it to what the Bible has to say. We are also featuring a four-page Profile on both theological and philosophical divine hiddenness researched and written by Daniel Ray.RESOURCES: Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/DivineHiddennessWe feature an 18-minute easy-to-understand video presentation on the topic of Divine Hiddenness you may find here: https://youtu.be/xO9qQv0lU0IWe 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 is a 4-minute special edition of Apologetics Profile. We are offering all of our listener a free copy our book, The Story of the Cosmos - How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God, coauthored and coedited by our staff apologist, Daniel Ray. We are also offering the companion online course from our Watchman School of Apologetics containing 15 video lessons, bonus video, study guides and optional video. The book and online course (a $68 value) are free, we only ask for a donation of at least $3.82 to help cover the postage. Any donation beyond the postage will help us recover from a significant drop in donations we experienced this summer.To request the book and course, visit www.watchman.org/Story.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

There comes a time in all of our lives when God seems distant or seems to have forgotten us. Our prayers appear to go unanswered. We are not spared from trial or difficulty or suffering and we wonder if God has indeed forsaken us. This is not an uncommon experience of those whom God equips for service. The Bible is filled with examples of God's chosen people wandering in darkness, lamenting their sins, emotionally struggling to find solace and comfort in a God who doesn't seem to mind or care that they are suffering. Examples of Moses, Job, David, Elijah, Peter, Paul, and even the Lord Jesus Himself have all passed through trials of what some theologians have called the "hiddenness of God". As Jesus cried out on the cross "My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?" On this episode of Apologetics Profile, Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray and senior apologist Brady Blevins walk through biblical examples of this hiddenness and offer insights from Scripture and their own experiences as to how we can negotiate through such perilous times in our faith. RESOURCES: Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/DivineHiddennessWe 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.

In part two, James Walker, president of Watchman Fellowship, concludes his interview with the founder of our ministry, David Henke, about his new book, Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook. Unfortunately, spiritual abuse is not limited to non-Christian sects, controversial religions and cults. Any spiritual leader, church or religious setting can become toxic and spiritually abusive regardless of the groups doctrinal statement or theological orthodoxy. David and James discuss the key issues and answer some critical questions: What is spiritual abuse? Why is it so damaging? What are the main warning signs? What does the Bible say? How can one recover from spiritual abuse? Related Links: David Henke's book and our free 4-page Profile Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: watchman.org/SA Spiritual Abuse Profile (4-pages) by David Henke: watchman.org/Abuse 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.

In this two-part podcast James Walker, president of Watchman Fellowship, interviews the founder of our ministry, David Henke, about his new book, Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook. Unfortunately, spiritual abuse is not limited to non-Christian sects, controversial religions and cults. Any spiritual leader, church or religious setting, can become toxic and spiritually abusive regardless of the groups doctrinal statement or theological orthodoxy. David and James discuss the key issues and answer critical questions: What is spiritual abuse? Why is it so damaging? What are the main warning signs? What does the Bible say? How can one recover from spiritual abuse? Related Links: David Henke's book and our free 4-page Profile Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: watchman.org/SA Spiritual Abuse Profile (4-pages) by David Henke: watchman.org/Abuse 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: www.watchman.org/Turek2In this two-part podcast from Watchman Fellowship, Senior Apologist Dr. Brady Blevins interviews a nationally-known speaker, author and apologist, Dr. Frank Turek. Brady and Frank discuss ten of the top objections being used by skeptics and atheists today against Christianity. In part one, they focused on the reliability of the Bible and on the effect Christianity has had on world history. In this episode, Part Two, Brady and Frank unpack five additional objections to Christianity including some of the scientific problems. In addition, they tackle a question about Critical Race Theory and the divisions spoken of in Galatians. Their conversation today includes these 5 major objections to Christianity. Science disproves the Bible. Why would God create a world that he knew was going to go wrong eventually; then punish us for doing what He knew we would do? Why would God punish us for all eternity for committing finite sins? Some atheists have said that the God of the OT is horrible and hate filled but the God of the NT is worse because He sends people to hell for just believing the wrong way. The Bible teaches that all humans were born broken and full of sin. Critical Race Theory (CRT) states that we all have a propensity toward racism. What’s the difference between saying someone is born with sin and saying they are born racists? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Some of Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profiles and our website Atheism Profile: watchman.org/atheism Agnosticism Profile: watchman.org/agnostic Scientism Profile: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship Website: watchman.org RELATED LINKS: More information on Dr. Frank Turek and his ministry, CrossExamined: Dr. Frank Turek: www.crossexamined.org/dr-frank-turek/ CrossExamined: www.crossexamined.org I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek: https://amzn.to/3APRvxv Stealing From God by Frank Turek: https://amzn.to/2W1MvH0 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: www.watchman.org/Turek1In this two-part podcast from Watchman Fellowship, Senior Apologist Dr. Brady Blevins interviews a nationally-known speaker, author and apologist, Dr. Frank Turek. Brady and Frank discuss ten of the top objections being used by skeptics and atheists today against Christianity. In part one, they focus on the reliability of the Bible and on the effect Christianity has had on world history. Their conversation includes these 5 major objections to Christianity. Society is getting better, there are fewer wars going on around the world today per capita than ever before in history and we have made strides toward equality – This is evidence that we don’t need God to be good. There’s no way to know that the Bible really came from God. After all the writers could have simply made it all up. Men make mistakes; therefore, how can we trust the Bible because it was written by men? The books of the Bible were not decided until the council of Nicaea when they were mandated by the Emperor Constantine. There’s no evidence for God. Science has disproven God’s existence. Besides how can anybody know that God exists? Be sure to listen to part two next week when they unpack five additional objections to Christianity including some of the scientific problems. In addition, they will tackle a question about Critical Race Theory and the divisions spoken of in Galatians.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES: Some of Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profiles and our website Atheism Profile: watchman.org/atheism Agnosticism Profile: watchman.org/agnostic Scientism Profile: watchman.org/scientism Watchman Fellowship Website: watchman.org RELATED LINKS: More information on Dr. Frank Turek and his ministry, CrossExamined: Dr. Frank Turek: www.crossexamined.org/dr-frank-turek/ CrossExamined: www.crossexamined.org I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist, by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek: https://amzn.to/3APRvxv Stealing From God by Frank Turek: https://amzn.to/2W1MvH0 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.

NOTE: An expanded edition of this podcast is also available. Listen to the complete WMSCOG podcast here (84-minutes): www.watchman.org/WMSCOG_FullIn this week's episode Watchman Fellowship's Senior Apologist, Brady Blevins, interviews Steve Matthews about a controversial new religion that is now impacting the United States. The World Mission Society Church of God (WMSCOG) is a "mother-god" cult out of South Korea. Critics claim that their tactics, often and most notable on college campuses across the country, include a combination of aggressively seeking out unsuspecting young people and twisting Scripture to make converts.While the group claims the Bible as authoritative, their unique and unusual theology is largely based on the teachings of their founder, Ahn Sahng-hong. While most groups make their teachings available to anyone and everyone, the WMSCOG only allows members who reach a certain level of dedication to obtain the written copies of the deeper teachings of the group. According to dissents and some former members, once new converts join the group, the WMSCOG will look to control every aspect of the person’s life even to the point of convincing them that if they miss church they will go to hell. This group is very persuasive with their twisting of Scripture. Because of their emphasis on campus recruitment, this should be especially noted for anyone who is going to college or has loved ones in the university system. RELATED LINKS: More information on WMSCOG: Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/WMSCOG Our Expanded Edition WMSCOG Podcast (1 hour, 24-minutes): www.watchman.org/WMSCOG_Full Our help sheet for Bible verses showing there is only one true God: www.watchman.org/WMSCOG_OneGod.pdf 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: www.watchman.org/HughRoss2The Bible tells us that in the last days, there will be mockers who will scoff at the idea of a biblical flood. If you are a Christian who has ever talked to a skeptic or an unbeliever, you may have experienced this mockery first-hand. You've been told there's no evidence for a flood, or that the Bible is just a mythical tale, and that while the story of Noah and the animals on the ark might be a cute Sunday school lesson on a felt board, no thoughtful adult takes it seriously. On this episode, we talk to astrophysicist and Christian apologist, Dr. Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe. Dr. Ross has explored in great detail the text of Scripture and has participated in discussions and debates with believers and unbelievers alike about the reality of Noah's flood found in the book of Genesis, chapters 6-9. Dr. Ross takes what is known as an "old-earth" view of the flood. That is, Dr. Ross believes the earth to be billions of years old, rather than six to ten thousand years old. He also does not believe the flood covered the entire globe. We have also featured a "young-earth" view of the flood from Dr. Tim Clarey of the Institute for Creation Research. You can listen to that episode on our Good Heavens! podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/53039288 We believe as Christians that there is room for civil and charitable disagreement about the scientific details of the flood and we hope that no matter if you are a young or old-earth creationist, or a skeptic or unbeliever, that you can see how Dr. Ross and Dr. Clarey charitably disagree but affirm that the flood described in the Bible really did happen and most importantly, they both affirm the inspiration of Scripture and the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. For more about Dr. Ross and Reasons to Believe: https://reasons.org/team/hugh-ross https://reasons.org/ This broadcast and our broadcast with Tim Clarey of the Institute for Creation Research are designed to present different perspectives and model Christian charity and love in how we address the issues that divide believers.RELATED LINKS: More information on Dr. Hugh Ross and his ministry, Reasons to Believe, and book: Hugh Ross: www.reasons.org/team/hugh-ross Reasons to Believe: www.reasons.org Days of Noah (DVD): https://bit.ly/NoahDVD Improbable Planet, by Hugh Ross: https://amzn.to/3C0m0SN 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: www.watchman.org/HughRoss1The Bible tells us that in the last days, there will be mockers who will scoff at the idea of a biblical flood. If you are a Christian who has ever talked to a skeptic or an unbeliever, you may have experienced this mockery first-hand. You've been told there's no evidence for a flood, or that the Bible is just a mythical tale, and that while the story of Noah and the animals on the ark might be a cute Sunday school lesson on a felt board, no thoughtful adult takes it seriously. On this episode, we talk to astrophysicist and Christian apologist, Dr. Hugh Ross of Reasons to Believe. Dr. Ross has explored in great detail the text of Scripture and has participated in discussions and debates with believers and unbelievers alike about the reality of Noah's flood found in the book of Genesis, chapters 6-9. Dr. Ross takes what is known as an "old-earth" view of the flood. That is, Dr. Ross believes the earth to be billions of years old, rather than six to ten thousand years old. He also does not believe the flood covered the entire globe. We have also featured a "young-earth" view of the flood from Dr. Tim Clarey of the Institute for Creation Research. You can listen to that episode on our Good Heavens! podcast here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/53039288 We believe as Christians that there is room for civil and charitable disagreement about the scientific details of the flood and we hope that no matter if you are a young or old-earth creationist, or a skeptic or unbeliever, that you can see how Dr. Ross and Dr. Clarey charitably disagree but affirm that the flood described in the Bible really did happen and most importantly, they both affirm the inspiration of Scripture and the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. For more about Dr. Ross and Reasons to Believe: https://reasons.org/team/hugh-ross https://reasons.org/ This broadcast and our broadcast with Tim Clarey of the Institute for Creation Research are designed to present different perspectives and model Christian charity and love in how we address the issues that divide believers.RELATED LINKS: More information on Dr. Hugh Ross and his ministry, Reasons to Believe, and book: Hugh Ross: www.reasons.org/team/hugh-ross Reasons to Believe: www.reasons.org Days of Noah (DVD): https://bit.ly/NoahDVD Improbable Planet, by Hugh Ross: https://amzn.to/3C0m0SN 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: www.watchman.org/Markos2When the Apostle Paul preached his sermon on Mars Hill to the Greek philosophers, he quoted from two Greek poets writing about Zeus, but he used the poem as a bridge to show the Athenians the truth about the risen Lord Jesus Christ. And as we learned in part one, Dr. Markos argues Jesus may have done the very same thing when speaking to a group of curious Greek seekers. But what would this kind of creative bridge-building look like for us today? Dr. Markos argues Christianity isn't just a story, but the best story. In our scientific, rational and post-Enlightenment age people flock to the movies, starving for redemption, meaning and purpose. And though we all know the stories of the sliver screen are indeed not true in a literal sense, some may true on a much deeper level. A strong man comes to deliver us and do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. Bravery, sacrifice, standing up for truth and goodness in a world filled with evil. Our culture wants this to be true. And the good news is that it is true. Dr. Markos argues Christians should seek to find Christian truths in our movies and in the ancient myths. As C.S. Lewis noted in his essay, Myth Became Fact, "We must not be nervous about 'parallels' and 'pagan Christs': they ought to be there - it would be a stumbling block if they weren't. We must not, in false spirituality, withhold our imaginative welcome." On part two, Dr. Markos gives us more insights into the ways we can use the ancient myths in proclamation of Gospel truth. RELATED LINKS: More information on Dr. Louis Markos and a link to his website and book: The Myth Made Fact by Louis Markos: https://bit.ly/MythMadeFact Myth Made Fact (website, course, PowerPoint, and files): MythMadeFact.com About Dr. Louis Markos: hbu.edu/contact/louis-markos 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: www.watchman.org/Markos1You have probably heard skeptics make the claim that Jesus is just a myth, just like all the other dying-and-rising-god myths the ancient world. But is that really true? Absolutely not, argues our guest this week, Dr. Louis Markos of Houston Baptist University. His latest book The Myth Made Fact, argues that rather than being just another myth, Christianity is the fulfillment of all the great myths of the past. And by myth Dr. Markos does not mean "falsehood," but rather a cultural narrative rooted in the truth of who we are as created in the image of God. If Jesus is not the Savior of the world who died and rose again for the salvation of mankind, the skeptic is hard-pressed to explain why many of the ancient tales contain tinctures of Gospel truth. Why the need for a Savior? A strong man? What has gone wrong with man? Why is life depicted as a cosmic battle between gods and men? The "Proto-Evangelium" Dr. Markos argues, the "First Gospel," ideas of fall and redemption, appear throughout Greek and Roman mythology. And like the early Christians transformed "pagan symbols into Christian iconography," Dr. Markos believes Christians today can and should creatively do the very same thing, using the Gospel as our standard. Following in the footsteps of C.S. Lewis, Dr. Markos believes the stories and mythical tales can serve to help believers show how the truth of the Gospel is indeed the fulfillment of the best myths, it is indeed the greatest story ever told.RELATED LINKS: More information on Dr. Louis Markos and a link to his website and book: The Myth Made Fact by Louis Markos: https://bit.ly/MythMadeFact Myth Made Fact (website, course, PowerPoint, and files): MythMadeFact.com About Dr. Louis Markos: hbu.edu/contact/louis-markos 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: watchman.org/Tarot2Divination is an occultic practice that attempts to contact the spirit world in hopes of gaining wisdom and/or power by supernatural means apart from the God of the Bible. In part two of our discussion on tarot cards, the influence of Carl Jung on the understanding of how tarot cards “work” is examined. The types of questions and problems that the tarot cards are said to be able to answer are considered. Daniel and Brady discuss the act of the divinator and their practice in reading the cards. The conversation focuses on issues such as, how the cards are shuffled, spread out and are interpreted. Special attention is given to the subjective nature of the divinator and how the cards are purported to “work.” Finally, the act of divination is discussed from a biblical perspective. The warning throughout scripture and especially the New Testament are weighed against the actions of the divinator. RELATED LINKS: Access our free, 4-page Watchman Felloship Profiles on Tarot Cards, Psychics, the Occult and Aleister Crowley: Profile on Tarot Cards: www.watchman.org/Tarot Profile on Psychics: www.watchman.org/Psychics Profile on the Occult: www.watchman.org/TheOccult Profile on Aleister Crowley: www.watchman.org/Crowley 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: watchman.org/Tarot1The history of tarot cards is shrouded in mystery but the modern-day usage of the cards can be tracked back to the 15th century. In today’s podcast, Senior Apologist Brady Blevins discusses the history of tarot cards and how they have grown in popularity. Along with Daniel Ray, Brady discusses the significance of the cards and major divisions that affect how divinators determine the meaning based on the type of cards. The suits and court cards are discussed as well as the difference between tarot cards and a regular deck of playing cards. The warnings about divination from the Old Testament are illuminated and the table is set for a deeper discussion in part two. RELATED LINKS: Access our free, 4-page Watchman Felloship Profiles on Tarot Cards, Psychics, the Occult and Aleister Crowley: Profile on Tarot Cards: www.watchman.org/Tarot Profile on Psychics: www.watchman.org/Psychics Profile on the Occult: www.watchman.org/TheOccult Profile on Aleister Crowley: www.watchman.org/Crowley 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.

Apologetics Profile is a weekly podcast published by Watchman Fellowship, an evangelical Christian ministry focused on interfaith evangelism and apologetics. To subscribe, visit www.watchman.org/Podcast or text Podcast to 50700.Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: www.watchman.org/Meyer2.Charles Darwin published his landmark work The Origin of the Species in 1859. Today, evolution and natural selection remain the dominant scientific paradigms of our time regarding the development of biological life. Many atheists and skeptics regard Darwin's ideas as having finally done away with the idea that life is the special creation of the God of the Bible. Our guest this week, Dr. Stephen C. Meyer of the Discovery Institute in Seattle, Washington, and best-selling author of The Return of the God Hypothesis suggests the findings of contemporary biological sciences point in the opposite direction.On this episode, Dr. Meyer unpacks with resplendent clarity how the intricate designs and arrangement of molecules and proteins in living cells serve to affirm the fantastic truths proclaimed in Genesis and the Psalms. Life is indeed the special creation of the living God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Our cellular composition reflects exquisite design and purpose. Life is fearfully and wonderfully made. God's invisible attributes; His wisdom, creativity, power, intelligence, beauty, and majesty are reflected in everything He has made from the tiniest zygote to the swiftest Zebra on the Serengeti. You don't want to miss this episode!Stephen C. Meyer received his Ph.D. in the philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. A former geophysicist and college professor, he now directs Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture in Seattle.In addition to Meyer’s two landmark books, the New York Times bestseller Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design and Times (of London) Literary Supplement Book of the Year Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design, his many other publications include contributions to, and the editing of, the peer-reviewed volume Darwinism, Design and Public Education (Michigan State University Press, 2004) and the innovative textbook Explore Evolution (Hill House Publishers, 2007). Meyer has also published editorials in national newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The National Post (of Canada), The Daily Telegraph (of London) and The Los Angeles Times. He has appeared on national television and radio programs such as The Jim Lehrer News Hour, NBC Nightly News, ABC Nightly News, CBS Sunday Morning, Nightline, Fox News Live, Paula Zahn Now (CNN), Good Morning America and the Tavis Smiley Show on PBS. He has also been featured in two New York Times front-page stories and has garnered attention in other top national media.For more information, visit: https://www.thereturnofthegodhypothesis.com.Related LinksOrder Dr. Meyer's book and access our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profiles on Atheism and Agnosticism: Return of the God Hypothesis by Stephen C. Meyer: http://bit.ly/StephenMeyer Profile on Atheism: watchman.org/Atheism Profile on Agnosticism: watchman.org/Agnostic Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

This podcast is also available to watch in video format here: www.watchman.org/Meyer1. Today there exists a confidence in the minds of many skeptics and unbelievers that science has somehow disproved God's existence; that cutting-edge theories in cosmology and biology have once-and-for-all triumphed over the need to explain such wonders as the handiwork and intelligence of God.According to our guest this week, Dr. Stephen C. Meyer of Discover Institute, nothing could be further from the truth. In his latest book, The Return of the God Hypothesis, Dr. Meyer unpacks and examines the leading scientific theories in both cosmology and biology and demonstrates with lucid, evidentiary detail, how God is indeed the best explanation for the existence of the universe and life within it.On part one, we discuss Dr. Meyer's personal journey and the latest findings in the science of the universe. You'll find your faith encouraged as we discover together that rather than doing away with God, the exquisite discoveries of the last century point directly to divine intelligence, affirming the wondrous truths of Scripture that everything that has come to be has been made and is sustained by the risen Lord Jesus Christ (Genesis 1; Psalm 19; Psalm 111; Isaiah 40:26; Colossians 1; John 1; Hebrews 1:3; 11:3).Stephen C. Meyer received his Ph.D. in the philosophy of science from the University of Cambridge. A former geophysicist and college professor, he now directs Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture in Seattle.In addition to Meyer’s two landmark books, the New York Times bestseller Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design and Times (of London) Literary Supplement Book of the Year Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design, his many other publications include contributions to, and the editing of, the peer-reviewed volume Darwinism, Design and Public Education (Michigan State University Press, 2004) and the innovative textbook Explore Evolution (Hill House Publishers, 2007). Meyer has also published editorials in national newspapers such as The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The National Post (of Canada), The Daily Telegraph (of London) and The Los Angeles Times. He has appeared on national television and radio programs such as The Jim Lehrer News Hour, NBC Nightly News, ABC Nightly News, CBS Sunday Morning, Nightline, Fox News Live, Paula Zahn Now (CNN), Good Morning America and the Tavis Smiley Show on PBS. He has also been featured in two New York Times front-page stories and has garnered attention in other top national media.For more information, visit: https://www.thereturnofthegodhypothesis.com.Related LinksOrder Dr. Meyer's book and access our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profiles on Atheism and Agnosticism: Return of the God Hypothesis by Stephen C. Meyer: http://bit.ly/StephenMeyer Profile on Atheism: watchman.org/Atheism Profile on Agnosticism: watchman.org/Agnostic Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

In part two, Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, and Staff Apologist Daniel Ray continue their conversation about some practical ways Christians can engage in productive gospel conversations with their Mormon friends.Jesus said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Latter-day Saints are taught that they obtain righteousness by their own "obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel" (Articles of Faith #3). We tend not to "hunger and thirst" for that which we believe we already have. But this raises some important questions: Can anyone become righteous based on the requirements of the gospel found in the Book of Mormon? What must we really do to obtain "sufficient grace" according to the gospel in the Book of Mormon? Brady and Daniel discuss the requirements of the "Restored Gospel" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and share practical advice on how to discuss these issues with our Mormon friends, coworkers and family. Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist with Watchman Fellowship, is a featured speaker and writer with the ministry. He also serves as the editor of our Profile Notebook. He holds a BS in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College, a MA in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a Doctorate in Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/BradyBlevinsBio.pdf.Daniel Ray, Staff Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer, and podcast producer with the ministry. He holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University and an MA in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. He is coeditor and cowriter of The Story of the Cosmos, How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/DanielRayBio.pdf.Related LinksRead our 4-page Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and learn more about having "hunger and thirst" discussions with LDS: Watchman Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: watchman.org/Mormonism Mormonism Articles by Watchman Fellowship: watchman.org/LDS Free Video training on "Hunger and Thirst" gospel conversations with Mormons: Text the word Utah to 50700. Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

In this two-part episode, Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, and Staff Apologist Daniel Ray suggest some practical ways Christians can engage in productive gospel conversations with their Mormon friends.Jesus said, "Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled" (Matthew 5:6). Latter-day Saints are taught that they obtain righteousness by their own "obedience to the laws and ordinances of the gospel" (Articles of Faith #3). We tend not to "hunger and thirst" for that which we believe we already have. But this raises some important questions: Can anyone become righteous based on the requirements of the gospel found in the Book of Mormon? What must we really do to obtain "sufficient grace" according to the gospel in the Book of Mormon? Brady and Daniel discuss the requirements of the "Restored Gospel" of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and share practical advice on how to discuss these issues with our Mormon friends, coworkers and family. Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist with Watchman Fellowship, is a featured speaker and writer with the ministry. He also serves as the editor of our Profile Notebook. He holds a BS in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College, a MA in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a Doctorate in Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/BradyBlevinsBio.pdf.Daniel Ray, Staff Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer, and podcast producer with the ministry. He holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University and an MA in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. He is coeditor and cowriter of The Story of the Cosmos, How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/DanielRayBio.pdf.Related LinksRead our 4-page Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and learn more about having "hunger and thirst" discussions with LDS: Watchman Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: watchman.org/Mormonism Mormonism Articles by Watchman Fellowship: watchman.org/LDS Free Video training on "Hunger and Thirst" gospel conversations with Mormons: Text the word Utah to 50700. Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

The Case for Miracles -- On this special edition of Apologetics Profile, we visit a recent meeting of our Atheist & Christian Book Club to hear our guest author, Christian philosopher Dr. Craig Keener, make a case for miracles. The Atheist & Christian Book Club, an outreach of Watchman Fellowship, is a monthly gathering of believers and skeptics respectfully discussing important books from both perspectives. We usually invite the author to join the club to interact with our members and take our questions. For the previous month, our guest author was John Loftus discussing his anthology, The Case Against Miracles.In this podcast we take you to highlights of the following book club as Dr. Keener discusses his three-chapter interview in Lee Strobel's book The Case for Miracles and his own two-volume work, Miracles: The Credibility of the New Testament Accounts.Dr. Craig Keener holds a PhD from Duke University and is professor of Biblical Studies as Asbury Seminary. His expertise includes New Testament Background, Acts, Historical Jesus, Miracles, the Gospels, Ethnic/racial Reconciliation, and Education. He has authored 28 books, six of which have won book awards in Christianity Today, of which altogether more than one million copies are in circulation. Related LinksLearn more about Dr. Keener and the Atheist & Christian Book Club: About Craig Keener: http://bit.ly/CraigKeener Miracles (two volumes) by Craig Keener: http://bit.ly/2VolMiracles The Case for Miracles by Lee Strobel: http://bit.ly/CaseForMiracles Watch the full Book Club Video: http://bit.ly/PastClubs Other videos from Dr. Keener: http://bit.ly/KeenerVideo Atheist & Christian Book Club: AtheistChristianBookClub.com Watchman Profile on Atheism: watchman.org/atheism Watchman Profile on Agnosticism: watchman.org/agnostic Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

On part two of our discussion with former atheist, Dr. Sarah Salviander, she continues to give us wisdom and insight from her successes and failures of engaging skeptics and seekers through social media. If you or someone you know is active on social media, especially in the areas of apologetics and evangelism this is an episode you and your friends & family do not want to miss!Is it possible to exhibit humility and grace through our communication with skeptics on social media? Yes. While social media is not the ideal means to communicate our faith in Christ with unbelievers, we can, by God's grace, exhibit a difference in our online conduct and engagements.Too often we as believers can become short, sarcastic, and demeaning in our social media interactions. It is very tempting, given the impersonal and often anonymous nature of social media, to respond with snark and ridicule. Dr. Salviander encourages us to more Christ-like and productive in our online conversations.Dr. Sarah Salviander is an astrophysicist interested in the intersection between science and Christianity. She was raised atheist in a secular country, but was led to Christianity while getting her PhD after discovering the confluence between modern science and scripture. Dr. Salviander recently retired from her career as a university research scientist and professor to focus on ministry. She remains active in astrophysical research through a small, private institute. Her scholarly articles can be found on arXiv or the NASA ADS. She maintains an archive of articles on science and faith at her website, sarahsalviander.com, and enjoys interacting with followers on Twitter and Instagram. Related LinksLearn more about Dr. Salviander, download our related 4-page Profiles and explore our monthly Atheist & Christian Book Club, a great place for Christians and skeptics to engage in civil dialogue: Sarah Salviander -- Apologist, Astrophysicist and Author: sarahsalviander.com Watchman Profile on Atheism: watchman.org/atheism Watchman Profile on Agnosticism: watchman.org/agnostic Atheist & Christian Book Club: AtheistChristianBookClub.com Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

On this special two-part episode of Apologetics Profile, we talk with former atheist, astrophysicist Dr. Sarah Salviander, who has been engaging skeptics and seekers through social media for several years. She gives us tips and wisdom from her experiences we think can help you better communicate with others in cyberspace.Since the advent of the pandemic in 2020, life seems to have retreated to the Internet. And online, there exists the problem of not being present with one another in conversation. If you have ever been involved in a discussion in social media with a skeptic or atheist, you know such engagements can quickly deteriorate into a milieu of incivility and vitriol from both sides.While it is not the most effective way to engage our unbelieving neighbors, social media is an ever-present facet of our time that we must know how to intelligently utilize for the glory of God.Communications technologies are inherently impersonal and seem to foster unhealthy dialogue, but that doesn't mean Christians cannot still exhibit grace, tact, and humility when talking to people on social media about our faith. If you or someone you know is active on social media, especially in the areas of apologetics and evangelism this is an episode you and your friends and family do not want to miss!Dr. Sarah Salviander is an astrophysicist interested in the intersection between science and Christianity. She was raised atheist in a secular country, but was led to Christianity while getting her PhD after discovering the confluence between modern science and scripture. Dr. Salviander recently retired from her career as a university research scientist and professor to focus on ministry. She remains active in astrophysical research through a small, private institute. Her scholarly articles can be found on arXiv or the NASA ADS. She maintains an archive of articles on science and faith at her website, sarahsalviander.com, and enjoys interacting with followers on Twitter and Instagram.Related LinksLearn more about Dr. Salviander, download our related 4-page Profiles and explore our monthly Atheist & Christian Book Club, a great place for Christians and skeptics to engage in civil dialogue: Sarah Salviander -- Apologist, Astrophysicist and Author: sarahsalviander.com Watchman Profile on Atheism: watchman.org/atheism Watchman Profile on Agnosticism: watchman.org/agnostic Atheist & Christian Book Club: AtheistChristianBookClub.com Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

The Atheist & Christian Book Club is an outreach of Watchman Fellowship, the parent ministry of Apologetics Profile. It is a monthly gathering of believers and skeptics respectfully discussing important books from both perspectives.In this special edition of Apologetics Profile, Kerby Anderson of Probe ministries interviews Christian apologist James Walker and atheist apologist Bill Kluck about this unique book club they founded in 2017. The interview originally aired on Point of View, an international syndicated radio program carried on 265 stations with an audience of about 1 million. Watchman staff apologist, Daniel Ray who helps facilitate the book club, was also interviewed.What Happens at the Club? Each month between 25 to 60 athesits and Christians share a meal together and then discuss important books alternating each month between an athiest book and a Christian book. Usually the author of the book is present to discuss the book or is avaialble by video conferencing to provide additional insight and take questions from the club. Since the pandemic, the club has been moved online to Zoom where the membership has grown to include particiapants as far away as India and Africa.Atheist and agnostic authors who have joined the club to discuss their books include: Michael Ruse, Graham Oppy, Richard Carrier, Robert Price, Aron Ra, David Fitzgerald, John Loftus, Seth Andrews, Steve McRae, Sasha Sagan (daughter of the late Carl Sagan), Jim Hall, Ken Daniels, and David Madison.Christian authors who have joined the club to discuss their books include: Gary Habermas, Paul Copan, Tim McGrew, Craig Keener, Frank Turek, Sean McDowell, Travis Dickenson, Melissa Cain Travis, J. Warner Wallace, Holly Ordway, Michael Bird, Craig Evans, Justin Brierley and Hugh Ross.Check out the links below to join the club online via Zoom.Related LinksLearn more about the Atheist & Christian Book Club, Point of View and Probe Ministries: Atheist & Christian Book Club: AtheistChristianBookClub.com Next Month's Book Club: AtheistChristianBookClub.com/Next-Meeting Watch Previous Clubs: atheistchristianbookclub.com/previous-meetings Book Club Facebook Page: Facebook.com/AtheistChristianBookClub Point of View: www.PointOfView.net Probe Ministry: Probe.org Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

On part two of Daniel Ray's discussion with Dr. W. David Beck, we look into the history of moral arguments for God’s existence and how skeptics and non-believers have traditionally responded. We also give you some practical advice as to how to apply this rich philosophical tradition to your own life and witness in dialogue with skeptics who are familiar with these arguments.Moral Arguments for God: Perhaps you have heard it said from your skeptic and non-believing friends and family members that we can be “good without God.” Maybe you’ve also heard Christians say “Atheists can’t be good without God!” Sometimes that sort of back-and-forth misses a crucial point. The Bible says plainly that we have all, believers and unbelievers, fallen short of the glory of God. It is not that Christians are moral and atheists are immoral, but rather it is a question of the origin and foundation of our moral nature. What is the foundational justification for our sense of right and wrong? Is it just feelings, emotions, and desires hard-wired into our genetics or particular in-group, passed along to us from our ancestors? Or do right and wrong emanate from a transcendent source, traditionally understood by Abrahamic faiths as God? These questions have been debated ever since the dawn of time and our existence on the planet. There is a long-standing tradition of philosophical defenses for the existence of God, known as moral arguments. Through appealing to man’s intellectual and reasoning capacities, moral arguments rely upon logic, reason, and philosophical thought, not in opposition to the revealed truth of Scripture, but as a complementary help meet, demonstrating that it is logical and reasonable to conclude, from the existence of our moral natures, that God exists.FREE BOOK FOR 5 PODCAST LISTENERS!The first five listeners who contact Daniel Ray by email will receive a free copy of Dr. Beck’s latest book, Does God Exist? A History of Answers to the Question courtesy InterVarsity Press. Daniel’s office email is [email protected] you are unable to get a free copy of Dr. Beck’s latest book, you can find it on Amazon: http://bit.ly/WDavidBeck. Related ProfilesWatchman Fellowship has published several Profiles related with this week's topic on the existance of God: Profile on Atheism, Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile: www.watchman.org/Atheism Profile on Agnosticism, Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile: www.watchman.org/Agnostic Profile on Richard Dawkins, Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile: www.watchman.org/Dawkins W. David Beck (PhD, Boston University) is emeritus professor of philosophy at Liberty University. He is author of Does God Exist? A History of Answers to the Question and is the coeditor of Raised on the Third Day: Defending the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus. His written work has also appeared in publications including Philosophia Christi, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, and Christianity Today. Visit Dr. Beck's author's page here: http://bit.ly/WDavidBeck.Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

On this two-part episode of Apologetics Profile, we talk with Christian philosopher Dr. W. David Beck about his latest book Does God Exist? A History of Answers to the Question. In his book he looks at the historical back-and-forth of four fundamental arguments used in defense of God’s existence, the cosmological, teleological, moral, and ontological arguments. It is a condensed historical, theological and philosophical survey of the principal contributors of each argument from both a materialist and religious point of view. In his classic apologetic work Mere Christianity, scholar, author, and Christian apologist C.S. Lewis observes that “atheism turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning: just as, if there were no light in the universe and therefore no creatures with eyes, we should never know it was dark. Dark would be a word without meaning.”That the universe exists is something upon which we can all universally agree. As the Bible says, the heavens are telling of the glory of God, and the expanse shows forth His handiwork. God’s divine workmanship are known throughout the world in all times and in all places. But for the skeptic, what best explains why the universe exists? Agnostic cosmologist Dr. Sean Carroll suggests in a 2018 post on his blog Preposterous Universe that “The demand for something more — a reason why the universe exists at all — is a relic piece of metaphysical baggage we would be better off to discard.”That statement of course is a piece of metaphysics itself, philosophy in the strict sense of the word, not science. An attempt to make the question go away, does not finally address the question of why there is something rather than nothing. For centuries we have been interpreting and discussing the universe and our place within it, and as Lewis noted in Mere Christianity there are fundamentally two types of views, a materialist view and a religious view. And as long as we have been contemplating the cosmos, philosophers, theologians, skeptics, and atheists have often used rigorous philosophical arguments in defense of their respective positions.Stay tuned also to part two, where we will be giving away some free copies of Dr. Beck's Book courtesy InterVarsity Press! Be sure to listen to part two as we share exactly how you can request a free copy (while supplies last). Related ProfilesWatchman Fellowship has published several Profiles related with this week's topic on the existance of God: Profile on Atheism, Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile: www.watchman.org/Atheism Profile on Agnosticism, Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile: www.watchman.org/Agnostic Profile on Richard Dawkins, Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile: www.watchman.org/Dawkins W. David Beck (PhD, Boston University) is emeritus professor of philosophy at Liberty University. He is author of Does God Exist? A History of Answers to the Question and is the coeditor of Raised on the Third Day: Defending the Historicity of the Resurrection of Jesus. His written work has also appeared in publications including Philosophia Christi, Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, and Christianity Today. Visit Dr. Beck's author's page here: http://bit.ly/WDavidBeck.Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

In this week's Apologetics Profile, James Walker interviews Addam Swapp, a former member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who became a Fundamentalist Mormon practicing polygamy. Addam was involved in the bombing of a Mormon chapel followed by a 13-day standoff and shootout with law enforcement in which one officer was fatally shot and killed. In federal prison, Addam found himself on the floor of a dirty cell, broken and defeated. At this time of his deepest despair, he called out to Jesus. In this interview with Watchman Fellowship President, James Walker, Addam share the chain of events that led him to that prison floor and the remarkable transformation of his life following that desperate prayer.Related ProfilesWatchman Fellowship has published two Profiles on polygamous Mormon fundamentalist groups similar to the one Addam was involved with: Profile on the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saint (FLDS), Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile: www.watchman.org/FLDS Profile on the True and Living Church of Jesus Christ of Saints of the Last Days (TLC), Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile: www.watchman.org/TLC James Walker, President of Watchman Fellowship, is a former fourth-generation Mormon with over 25 years' experience in Christian apologetics, evangelism and discernment. He is a featured speaker, the author of several books, a podcaster. He is also the cofounder of the Atheist & Christian Book Club, a monthly gathering of believers and skeptics respectfully discussing important books from both perspectives. For more information, visit: www.watchman.org/staff/James.Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

In this week's Apologetics Profile, Brady Blevins visits with Holly Pivec for Part 2 of a discussion about Bethel Church of Redding, Calif. and its controversial leader, Pastor Bill Johnson. Bethel Redding was by far our #1 most requested Profile topic over the last several years. Questions raised included Bethel's ties to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and more recently the failed prophecies predicting Donald Trump's reelection by Kris Vallotton, Senior Associate Pastor at Bethel Church.This 11,000 member church having a major but problematic influence on Christianity throughout the US and worldwide. Johnson’s reach touches thousands of churches not otherwise associated with NAR through affiliated ministries including Bethel Music, Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, and Bethel Leaders Network.Books and Profile Profile on Bill Johnson and Bethel, Redding, Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile: https://www.watchman.org/ProfileBethelRedding.pdf A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement, by R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec: http://bit.ly/HollyPivec God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement, by R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec: http://bit.ly/HollyPivec2 Holly Pivec a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University. She was the University Editor at Biola for nearly a decade and also served as managing editor of the award-winning Biola Magazine. Together with Biola professor Doug Geivett, she co-authored two books about NAR: A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement and God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement (see links above). For more information, visit: www.hollypivec.comDr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer and researcher for the ministry. He serves as Profile Editor and is frequent host of our Apologetics Profile podcast. He holds a BS in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College, a MA in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a Doctorate in Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an ordained Baptist minister and a member of the International Society of Christian Apologetics (ISCA), and the Evangelical Press Association (EPA). For more information visit: www.watchman.org/staff/BradyBlevinsBio.pdf.Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

In this week's Apologetics Profile, Brady Blevins sits down with Holly Pivec for Part 1 of a discussion about Bethel Church of Redding, Calif. and its controversial leader, Pastor Bill Johnson. Bethel Redding was by far our #1 most requested Profile topic over the last several years. Questions raised included Bethel's ties to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and more recently the failed prophecies predicting Donald Trump's reelection by Kris Vallotton, Senior Associate Pastor at Bethel ChurchThis 11,000 member church having a major but problematic influence on Christianity throughout the US and worldwide. Johnson’s reach touches thousands of churches not otherwise associated with NAR through affiliated ministries including Bethel Music, Bethel School of Supernatural Ministry, and Bethel Leaders Network.Books and Profile Profile on Bill Johnson and Bethel, Redding, Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile: https://www.watchman.org/ProfileBethelRedding.pdf A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement, by R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec: http://bit.ly/HollyPivec God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement, by R. Douglas Geivett and Holly Pivec: http://bit.ly/HollyPivec2 Holly Pivec a master’s degree in Christian apologetics from Biola University. She was the University Editor at Biola for nearly a decade and also served as managing editor of the award-winning Biola Magazine. Together with Biola professor Doug Geivett, she co-authored two books about NAR: A New Apostolic Reformation?: A Biblical Response to a Worldwide Movement and God’s Super-Apostles: Encountering the Worldwide Prophets and Apostles Movement (see links above). For more information, visit: www.hollypivec.comDr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer and researcher for the ministry. He serves as Profile Editor and is frequent host of our Apologetics Profile podcast. He holds a BS in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College, a MA in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a Doctorate in Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is an ordained Baptist minister and a member of the International Society of Christian Apologetics (ISCA), and the Evangelical Press Association (EPA). For more information visit: www.watchman.org/staff/BradyBlevinsBio.pdf.Additional ResourcesFREE: 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.

What are "deceitful philosophies"? The Bible exhorts us to be on guard against the empty and deceitful philosophies of men and the traditions and customs by which the world tempts and challenges us. Perhaps we can spot bad biblical doctrine, but what about counterfeit and deceitful philosophies? How does bad philosophy make inroads into our minds and become the norm? How do we know what is true? How can we test what is true? If our minds are just leftover stardust, if the universe is just a violent and chaotic place, if natural unguided forces and processes are finally what cobbled us together, then we shouldn't even trust our minds. Can we trust the secular sciences when they tell us what life is, what the cosmos means, and what we should do about our lives? Are we just stardust? Are we merely the universe come to life? Are our brains just an accidental byproduct of an impersonal nature?In order to counter the prevailing philosophies of our time, to proclaim truth, to make Christ known, we must understand and employ a Christ-centered philosophy in engaging our unbelieving neighbors. All truth belongs to God, wherever it may be found.On part 2 of our discussion with Christian philosopher Dr. Paul Gould, we unpack ways in which we can apply a Christ-centered philosophy in addressing the concerns of our time. What is truth? How do we know if what someone is telling us is true? Come along and let Dr. Gould encourage and equip you for our present sojourning through these times of uncertainty and confusion. And remember the worlds of the Apostle Paul in the 12th chapter of Romans "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewign of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Rom. 12:12). Additional Resources Paul Gould directs the Masters Program in Philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University: https://pbaschoolofministry.com/mastersphilosophyreligion/ Philosophy: A Christian Introduction, by James K. Dew and Paul M. Gould: http://bit.ly/PhilosophyIntro How Do We Know?: An Introduction to Epistemology, by James K. Dew and Mark W. Foreman: http://bit.ly/EpistemologyIntro. Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy, by Paul M. Gould and Richard Brian Davis (Editors): http://bit.ly/4ViewsBook The Story of the Cosmos: How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God, by Daniel Ray and Paul M. Gould (Editors): www.watchman.org/CosmosBook Dr. Paul M. Gould is the Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Director of the M.A. Philosophy of Religion program at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Dr. Gould is the author or editor of ten scholarly and popular-level books including Cultural Apologetics, Philosophy: A Christian Introduction (Zondervan, 2019) and The Story of the Cosmos (Harvest House, 2019). He has been a visiting scholar at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s Henry Center, working on the intersection of science and faith, and is the founder and president of the Two Tasks Institute. He is a widely sought after speaker in apologetics and philosophy. He speaks regularly at universities, churches, and ministries around the country, including Summit Ministries, the C.S. Lewis Institute, and the Evangelical Philosophical Society’s annual apologetics conference. You can find out more about Dr. Gould and his work at www.paul-gould.com and www.twotasksinstitute.org. He is married to Ethel and has four children.Daniel Ray, Staff Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer, and podcast producer with the ministry. He holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University and an MA in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. He is coeditor and cowriter of The Story of the Cosmos, How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/DanielRayBio.pdf.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESFREE: 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.

Why Do We Need Philosophy? Our guest this week and next on Apologetics Profile is Christian philosopher and author Dr. Paul Gould, who routinely gets asked this question.Dr. Gould believes that "philosophy is simply too important to give up on. Philosophy continues to play a vital role in our lives and in contemporary discussions on almost everything." And he is "not convinced that philosophy needs to be so difficult. Sure, there are a lot of philosophical issues that are difficult, but there are also a lot of issues that aren't that difficult."1 It is Dr. Gould's passion to make philosophy lucid, understandable, and Christ-centered. Isn't philosophy just a complicated discipline for academics? What relevance does it have for my faith? For the faith of my children or grandchildren? Must we get a degree in philosophy? Isn't the Bible enough? Dr. Gould addresses these and many other important philosophical topics in a very easy-to-understand, down-to-earth conversation with Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray. He unpacks the relevance of philosophy for everyone, especially Christians.Now more than ever, truth seems to be in short supply. Bad philosophy is making the rounds, taking people captive, causing division, doubt and confusion, as we saw in our previous two episodes on Street Epistemology. Paul helps us to rediscover that in Christ Himself "are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). We must strive to counter bad philosophy "and empty deception according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ" (Col. 2:8). Philosophy is simply a Greek word meaning "the love of wisdom" (philo-sophia). The Bible has much to say about loving and embracing wisdom (Job 28; Proverbs 8; Colossians 2; 1 Corinthians 1; John 1). Dr. Gould helps us to understand how the best sort of philosophy is centered upon the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. So come and listen to Dr. Gould's very inspirational and practical advice about building and utilizing sound philosophy, all to the glory of God (1 Cor. 10:31).Additional Resources Paul directs the Masters Program in Philosophy at Palm Beach Atlantic University: https://pbaschoolofministry.com/mastersphilosophyreligion/ Philosophy: A Christian Introduction, by James K. Dew and Paul M. Gould: http://bit.ly/PhilosophyIntro How Do We Know?: An Introduction to Epistemology, by James K. Dew and Mark W. Foreman: http://bit.ly/EpistemologyIntro. Four Views on Christianity and Philosophy, by Paul M. Gould and Richard Brian Davis (Editors): http://bit.ly/4ViewsBook The Story of the Cosmos: How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God, by Daniel Ray and Paul M. Gould (Editors): www.watchman.org/CosmosBook Dr. Paul M. Gould is the Associate Professor of Philosophy of Religion and Director of the M.A. Philosophy of Religion program at Palm Beach Atlantic University. Dr. Gould is the author or editor of ten scholarly and popular-level books including Cultural Apologetics, Philosophy: A Christian Introduction (Zondervan, 2019) and The Story of the Cosmos (Harvest House, 2019). He has been a visiting scholar at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School’s Henry Center, working on the intersection of science and faith, and is the founder and president of the Two Tasks Institute. He is a widely sought after speaker in apologetics and philosophy. He speaks regularly at universities, churches, and ministries around the country, including Summit Ministries, the C.S. Lewis Institute, and the Evangelical Philosophical Society’s annual apologetics conference. You can find out more about Dr. Gould and his work at www.paul-gould.com and www.twotasksinstitute.org. He is married to Ethel and has four children.Daniel Ray, Staff Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer, and podcast producer with the ministry. He holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University and an MA in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. He is coeditor and cowriter of The Story of the Cosmos, How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/DanielRayBio.pdf.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESFREE: 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.1 James K. Dew and Paul M. Gould, Philosophy A Christian Introduction (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2019), vii.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

[NOTE: This podcast is also available on video here: https://youtu.be/jvwhJpZiQZ8]On part two of our special two-part video and podcast episode of Peter Boghossian and Street Epistemology, Watchman Fellowship staff apologist Daniel Ray speaks with senior apologist Brady Blevins about how to recognize a street epistemology conversation and how we can and should respond. If you have children or grandchildren active on social media sharing their faith or if they are away at college, they are likely to encounter atheists using the tactics and techniques of street epistemology. In this day and time, where it seems truth is in short supply, it is more crucial than ever that we know why we believe what we believe. The difficult questions and challenges to our faith are on the rise. We must be prepared to give a defense for the hope that is in us with gentleness and reverence (1 Peter 3:15). Street epistemology is a growing, worldwide phenomena used by many atheists and skeptics for the purpose of getting believers to doubt and/or give up their faith altogether. On this episode you'll hear and see real-world examples of street epistemologists engaging people with their carefully crafted questions and we'll give you the practical and biblical tips and insights as to how you can respond. We have prepared a treasure trove of resources on this important topic. In addition to this podcast and video, we have prepared three additional videos on the topic as well as a four-page Profile on Peter Boghossian and Street Epistemology.STREET EPISTEMOLOGY RESOURCESDaniel has also written a 4-page Profile on Peter Boghossian and produced three additional videos on Street Epistemology for you to share with anyone you know who may have encountered SE online or at college. 4-page Profile on Peter Boghossian by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/SE Daniel's first review of street epistemology: https://youtu.be/_irb_8f0klc This video was reviewed by street epistemologists: https://youtu.be/FsJgmRyrsU0 Daniel's book review of How to Have Impossible Conversations: https://youtu.be/A1G1KTt1qgc This video was also reviewed by street epistemologists: https://youtu.be/0BfC9PME5a0 Daniel's third review of the street epistemologists' "confidence scale": https://youtu.be/ScHiMqtQE3U (The street epistemologist have not yet reviewed this video. Additional Christian Resources on Street Epistemology Christian philosopher Tim McGrew debating Peter Boghossian in 2013: http://bit.ly/TimMcGrew Apologist Tom Gilson's short e-book responding to Peter Boghossian and street epistemology, Peter Boghossian, Atheist Tactician : A Preliminary Response to A Manual for Creating Atheists: http://bit.ly/TomGilson Street epistemology videos featured in this podcast/video: Reid, Tia, and "Bible Class": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-M1EyhcRS8 Mamma Bear Mary Ann: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLN_3W8CTko Dan and Anthony: What Else is there but Faith?: https://youtu.be/OpwxM2wNChE Anthony Magnabosco speaking at the Black Nonbelievers Conference: https://youtu.be/hZJTScfX_2A Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist with Watchman Fellowship, is a featured speaker and writer with the ministry. He also serves as the editor of our Profile Notebook. He holds a BS in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College, a MA in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a Doctorate in Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/BradyBlevinsBio.pdf.Daniel Ray, Staff Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer, and podcast producer with the ministry. He holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University and an MA in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. He is coeditor and cowriter of The Story of the Cosmos, How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/DanielRayBio.pdf.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESFREE: 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.

[NOTE: This podcast is also available on video here: https://youtu.be/fMUF_y9q1ew]Chances are, if you are actively sharing your faith on social media to any degree, or if you have children or grandchildren away at college, or if you're out for a stroll in a public park, you may have or will eventually encounter a "street epistemologist." What is street epistemology? It is a movement within the atheist and skeptic community which began from a 2013 book A Manual For Creating Atheists written by atheist and philosopher Peter Boghossian. Though Boghossian himself is no longer actively involved in the movement today, it nevertheless has remained a popular and growing trend among skeptics in engaging Christians and other theists in conversation with the intent to cause doubt and, as the book title says clearly, create atheists. Street Epistemology or SE for short, is a kind of dialectical method that incorporates carefully crafted Socratic-like questions about a Christian's level of confidence in their belief in God. The SE'er will ask several questions, without ever directly engaging in factual discussions about Christianity, but will instead ask specific philosophical questions about how and why a Christian holds to the confidence of their belief, with the intent of causing doubt. To this day, it remains a movement within the atheist and skeptic community, though many who practice SE will often converse about other topics such as karma, new age mysticism, other religions, politics, alternative medicines and many others. But the most popular videos on YouTube of SE practitioners are those where believers are suddenly questioning their beliefs within the span of a very brief conversation. Sadly, this method has had "success" in catching Christians unaware, many unprepared or simply unable to provide solid answers to the questions put to them, especially regarding the definition and use of the word "faith" which to this day remains a primary target of SE disciples. It is not a cult or a secret organization with a hierarchy of leadership, but an open and publicly practiced technique, complete with a comprehensive website (StreetEpistemology.com), YouTube videos, and a growing and influential social-media presence. On this special two-part episode, Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray and Watchman Senior Apologist Brady Blevins take you inside the movement and give you a first-hand account of Peter Boghossian, the leading practitioners of SE, how to recognize it, and how to respond with confidence and truth. On Part 1 we examine the work and background of Peter Boghossian and talk about the basics of what SE is. STREET EPISTEMOLOGY RESOURCESDaniel has also written a 4-page Profile on Peter Boghossian and produced three additional videos on Street Epistemology for you to share with anyone you know who may have encountered SE online or at college. 4-page Profile on Peter Boghossian by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/SE Daniel's first review of street epistemology: https://youtu.be/_irb_8f0klc This video was reviewed by street epistemologists: https://youtu.be/FsJgmRyrsU0 Daniel's book review of How to Have Impossible Conversations: https://youtu.be/A1G1KTt1qgc This video was also reviewed by street epistemologists: https://youtu.be/0BfC9PME5a0 Daniel's third review of the street epistemologists' "confidence scale": https://youtu.be/ScHiMqtQE3U (The street epistemologist have not yet reviewed this video. Street epistemology videos featured in this podcast/video: Psychology Z factor (psychological aspects of SE) Dragoncon 2017 with Anthony Magnabosco: https://youtu.be/oYNcs6BtA-s Anthony Magnabosco on evidence and faith: https://youtu.be/VYrg-n04Sj8 Anthony Magnabosco unraveling Miguel’s faith: https://youtu.be/D8LYTy4DmEs Peter Boghossian at PSU in 2012: https://youtu.be/WIaPXtZpzBw Can SE hurt people? Objectively Dan: https://youtu.be/cmUS5oxRhB4 Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist with Watchman Fellowship, is a featured speaker and writer with the ministry. He also serves as the editor of our Profile Notebook. He holds a BS in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College, a MA in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a Doctorate in Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/BradyBlevinsBio.pdf.Daniel Ray, Staff Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer, and podcast producer with the ministry. He holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University and an MA in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. He is coeditor and cowriter of The Story of the Cosmos, How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/DanielRayBio.pdf.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESFREE: 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.

This week's episode of Apologetics Profile is the conclusion of a two part discussion on apologetics and evangelism featuring our Senior Apologist, Dr. Brady Blevins and staff apologist Daniel Ray. In this series, Daniel and Brady discuss practical principles of communication that we can apply to our personal Christian apologetics and relational evangelism.Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist with Watchman Fellowship, is a featured speaker and writer with the ministry. He also serves as the editor of our Profile Notebook. He holds a BS in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College, a MA in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a Doctorate in Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/BradyBlevinsBio.pdf.Daniel Ray, Staff Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer, and podcast producer with the ministry. He holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University and an MA in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. He is coeditor and cowriter of The Story of the Cosmos, How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/DanielRayBio.pdf.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESSpurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression, by Zack Eswine: https://amzn.to/3rw7ADDFREE: 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.

This week's episode of Apologetics Profile is the first of a two part discussion on apologetics and evangelism featuring our Senior Apologist, Dr. Brady Blevins and staff apologist Daniel Ray.Last week we concluded our discussion with professor of communication, Dr. Steven Beebee, about the legendary Christian apologist C.S. Lewis and the skills and techniques he used to be such an effective communicator. In this series, Daniel and Brady discuss practical principles of communication that we can apply to our personal Christian apologetics and relational evangelism.Dr. Brady Blevins, Senior Apologist with Watchman Fellowship, is a featured speaker and writer with the ministry. He also serves as the editor of our Profile Notebook. He holds a BS in Bible and Pastoral Ministries from Arlington Baptist College, a MA in Counseling from Dallas Baptist University and a Doctorate in Educational Ministries from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/BradyBlevinsBio.pdf.Daniel Ray, Staff Apologist at Watchman Fellowship, is a speaker, writer, and podcast producer with the ministry. He holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Austin Peay State University and an MA in Cultural Apologetics from Houston Baptist University. He is coeditor and cowriter of The Story of the Cosmos, How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. For more information: www.watchman.org/staff/DanielRayBio.pdf.ADDITIONAL RESOURCESSpurgeon’s Sorrows: Realistic Hope for those who Suffer from Depression, by Zack Eswine: https://amzn.to/3rw7ADDFREE: 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.

Are we consciously aware of how we choose our words? Are we cognizant of what kind of tacit impressions our words have on others? Are we loving our neighbors in such a way that we can understand their language? Their experiences? Can we translate what we know to those who have little familiarity with what is so familiar to us? How can we effectively share the Gospel with those who are lost? How do we plant seeds? How do we water? How do we harvest? Shockingly, much of the work of evangelizing and discipleship is in wisely using our words. Jesus commands us to go into all the world, proclaiming His truth, but do we know the world well enough to be able to communicate effectively and redemptively with them? Do we have the right words? On part two of our conversation with professor of communication Dr. Steven A. Beebe, we explore more in depth about how C.S. Lewis’s conversion to Christianity equipped him with the remarkable ability to reach an enormously broad audience, even long after his death in 1963. How is it that Lewis could be such an effective communicator? How did his Christian faith inform the way in which he communicated and what can we learn in our own attempts at sharing Christ with others? From a small biscuit tin garden made by his brother to his trip to the Whipsnade Zoo in the sidecar of his brother’s motorcycle, to the prolific volumes of correspondence and professional writing, Lewis’s life stands as an example of the impact we can have if we too, by the grace of God, choose our words carefully.ABOUT STEVEN A. BEEBE: Dr. Beebe is Regents' and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at Texas State University. He served as Chair of his department at Texas State for 28 years and concurrently as Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication for 25 years. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas State he was a tenured member of the Communication faculty at the University of Miami for 10 years. He is author and co-author of fourteen books (with editions totaling more than 75 books) that have been used at hundreds of colleges and universities (including international, Canadian, Russian and Chinese editions) by several million students throughout the world. Steve’s research focuses on instructional communication and communication skill development.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES C.S. Lewis and the Craft of Communication by Steven Beebe: www.cslewisandthecraftofcommunication.com. Dr. Beebe's author page on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/2Ngo1VY FREE: 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 at Watchman Fellowship are committed to helping and equipping the church to effectively communicate the Gospel to those of other religions and worldviews. But such communication is never really easy. The first step in being able to successfully articulate the Gospel is a relatively simple one, though -- Being familiar with the message. The second step is to know the language of your audience. Are they Mormons? Atheists? Muslims? Jehovah’s Witnesses? The wisdom and skill in effective communication is to be able to translate the message of the Gospel to your audience, using reason, imagination, metaphors, story, and parable, just as Jesus did. If you’ve ever tried sharing the Gospel with people, you have likely experienced the need to further clarify what you are trying to share to people unfamiliar with language that is familiar and common to you. How do you explain the atonement to atheists? The Trinity to Muslims? The Deity of Jesus to Jehovah’s Witnesses? On this special two-part episode with communications professor Dr. Steven A. Beebe, we look into the craft and techniques of communication used by C.S. Lewis. How have Lewis’s works become so widely popular and influential in communicating the Christian faith to people? What can we learn from Lewis as we try to communicate the truth of God’s word to a non-Christian world that neither understands nor accepts it? In part one, Dr. Beebe shares how he became interested in Lewis and how Lewis’s ability to communicate makes his readers feel that they have a genuine relationship with the author. ABOUT STEVEN A. BEEBE: Dr. Beebe is Regents' and University Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Communication Studies at Texas State University. He served as Chair of his department at Texas State for 28 years and concurrently as Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts and Communication for 25 years. Prior to joining the faculty at Texas State he was a tenured member of the Communication faculty at the University of Miami for 10 years. He is author and co-author of fourteen books (with editions totaling more than 75 books) that have been used at hundreds of colleges and universities (including international, Canadian, Russian and Chinese editions) by several million students throughout the world. Steve’s research focuses on instructional communication and communication skill development.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES C.S. Lewis and the Craft of Communication by Steven Beebe: www.cslewisandthecraftofcommunication.com. Dr. Beebe's author page on Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/2Ngo1VY FREE: 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.

In part two, Dr. Brady Blevins and Daniel Ray conclude their discussion of the controversy surrounding Bikram Yoga and its fugitive founder who fled the US refusing to pay a $7 million court-ordered judgement.Bikram Choudhury and his trademarked Bikram Yoga has attracted significant media scrutiny as accusations from former students and associates have multiplied. The media accounts mainly focused on these credible abuse allegations and on fact-checking questionable claims Choudhury has made about his past. This episode of Apologetics Profile goes beyond those concerns to examine the underlying doctrines and theology at the foundation of Bikram Yoga and to evaluate those beliefs from a Christian perspective.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on Bikram Yoga by Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ProfileBikramYoga.pdf Our free 4-page Profile on Yoga by Robert Velarde: www.watchman.org/staff/jwalker/ProfileYoga.pdf "Yoga: Exercise or Religious Practice" by Brad Scott: www.watchman.org/articles/new-age/yoga--exercise-or-religious-practice/ Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator (Nov. 2019; Netflix Original Official Trailer on YouTube: www.bit.ly/BikramYouTube) FREE: 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.

In this episode, Dr. Brady Blevins and Daniel Ray discuss the controversy surrounding Bikram Yoga and its founder. Facing a warrant for his arrest from the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Bikram Choudhury, the guru who founded Bikram Yoga, has fled the United States refusing to pay a court-ordered judgement of about $7 million in damages. This judgement resulted from a wrongful termination and sexual harassment lawsuit filed by his former legal adviser, Minakshi Jafa-Boden. But as Daniel and Brady discovered, the legal, ethical and spiritual controversies surrounding Bikram Yoga go much deeper than this one lawsuit.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on Bikram Yoga by Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ProfileBikramYoga.pdf Our free 4-page Profile on Yoga by Robert Velarde: www.watchman.org/staff/jwalker/ProfileYoga.pdf "Yoga: Exercise or Religious Practice" by Brad Scott: www.watchman.org/articles/new-age/yoga--exercise-or-religious-practice/ Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator (Nov. 2019; Netflix Original Official Trailer on YouTube: www.bit.ly/BikramYouTube) FREE: 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.

In part 2, James Walker continues his discussion with Naomi Wright about her unique journey out of a polygamous cult led by her father to faith in Jesus Christ. Her religion was a radical breakoff of a controversial sect founded by William Branham. Her father borrowed many of Branham's doctrines including "serpent seed," legalism, works-based salvation and anti-Trinitarianism then added in other elements from Oneness Pentecostalism. On this doctrinal foundation, he introduced the practice of polygamy and the claim that the group's leaders were immortal.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on Branhamism by Phillip Arnn: www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/branhamismprofile.pdf Our free 4-page Profile on Oneness Pentecostalism by Jason Barker: www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/onenesspentecostalismprofile.pdf Naomi Wright Ministries (Official Website): www.NaomiWrightMinistries.com FREE: 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.

James Walker interviews Naomi Wright about her unique journey out of a polygamous cult led by her father to faith in Jesus Christ. Her religion was a radical breakoff of a controversial sect founded by William Branham. Her father borrowed many of Branham's doctrines including "serpent seed," legalism, works-based salvation and anti-Trinitarianism then added in other elements from Oneness Pentecostalism. On this doctrinal foundation, he introduced the practice of polygamy and the claim that the group's leaders were immortal.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on Branhamism by Phillip Arnn: www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/branhamismprofile.pdf Our free 4-page Profile on Oneness Pentecostalism by Jason Barker: www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/onenesspentecostalismprofile.pdf Naomi Wright Ministries (Official Website): www.NaomiWrightMinistries.com FREE: 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.

Daniel Grissom was one of Jehovah's Witnesses when he first connected with James Walker and the Watchman Fellowship ministry team. By God's grace, Daniel left the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for the grace of Jesus Christ and now serves on our Board of Directors. In this episode (part two) we conclude our discussion. Daniel talks about the importance of discipleship and how to talk with the Jehovah's Witnesses when they knock on your door: Is the average Christian church equipped to help former Jehovah's Witnesses transition to the true gospel of the grace of Christ? What is one of the best questions we can ask a Jehovah's Witness? How can a "SEE" (significant emotional event) be a catalyst for spiritual transition? Besides the Bible, what one book helped Daniel clearly see the Jehovah's Witnesses errors? Why did Daniel join the leadership team as a board member at Watchman Fellowship? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society by Jason Barker: www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/watchtowerprofile.pdf Jesus Is Not Your Mediator by Daniel Grissom (YouTube): https://youtu.be/upJtFKKw2vA Watchtower documentation for Jesus Is Not Your Mediator: www.watchman.org/mediator.pdf Crisis of Conscious by Raymond Frans, former Governing Body member of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (594-pages): www.watchman.org/Crisis Ministry update from the Board of Directors by Daniel Grissom (video 2-min.): www.watchman.org/video FREE: 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.

In this very short, special bonus edition of Apologetics Profile, Daniel Grissom shares a two-minute update about the future of our ministry. Daniel is a former Jehovah's Witness who serves on our Board of Directors.End-of-Year Ministry UpdateAs we come to the close of 2020, we are at a crossroads. Our ministry opportunities have never been higher but our donations have dropped drastically. Barring a miracle between now and the end of the year, our support will drop to a 20-year low. We are asking for your prayers and financial support to finish the year strong. We want to go into 2021 ready to maximize our calling and ministry. We want to continue: Training and sending missionary teams to Utah each year Reaching nonbelievers through our Atheist & Christian Book Club Publishing 4-page Profiles on cults and alternative religions Broadcasting two weekly podcasts: Good Heavens! and Apologetics Profile Hosting our Mormons in Transition monthly meetup for Latter-day Saints with questions Sharing the gospel with those of other faiths and religions (and much more!) We know many are now unable to support the ministry because of health, finances, or both. Believe me, we understand! For those who can help, now is the critical time. Your help is much needed and greatly appreciated.SUPPORT: If you are able to stand with us, please consider a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give. Every gift counts!Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman FellowshipFor more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Daniel Grissom was one of Jehovah's Witnesses when he first connected with James Walker and the Watchman Fellowship ministry team. Daniel left the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society for the grace of Jesus Christ and now serves on our Board of Directors. In part one of this discussion, Daniel shares his journey from the Kingdom Hall to the Kingdom of God: When he first got the knock at his front door, what attracted Daniel to listen to the Jehovah's Witnesses and initially embrace their teachings? What caused Daniel to mistake the Jehovah's Witnesses sincerity for their accuracy? Why is it difficult for former Jehovah's Witnesses to believe in Jesus even after they learn their religion was wrong? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society by Jason Barker: www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/watchtowerprofile.pdf Jesus Is Not Your Mediator by Daniel Grissom (YouTube): https://youtu.be/upJtFKKw2vA Watchtower documentation for Jesus Is Not Your Mediator: www.watchman.org/mediator.pdf Crisis of Conscious by Raymond Frans, former Governing Body member of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (594-pages): www.watchman.org/Crisis Ministry update from the Board of Directors by Daniel Grissom (video 2-min.): www.watchman.org/video FREE: 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.

In this week's episode Brady Blevins and Steve Matthews conclude their conversation about Kip McKean, World Missions Evangelist of the controversial International Christian Church (ICC). Brady and Steve address some questions underlying decades of criticism the the movement has received from Christian discernment ministries and secular cult-watch organizations: How can we distinguish between a strong commitment to Christian discipleship and inappropriate high-demand organizations which can foster spiritual abuse? To what degree and on what level should a "discipler" be given control of a follower's personal discussion-making? Does salvation require water baptism into a ICC-style "discipling" church? ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on the International Churches of Christ (ICC) by Steve Matthews and Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ICC Our original 4-page Profile on the Boston Church of Christ / International Churches of Christ (ICOC) by Rick Branch: www.watchman.org/Boston Our 4-page Profile on Spiritual Abuse by David Henke: www.watchman.org/Abuse FREE: 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.

In this week's episode Brady Blevins and Steve Matthews discuss Kip McKean, World Missions Evangelist of the controversial International Christian Church (ICC), a worldwide movement headquartered in Los Angeles. In part one of this two-part discussion we explore the history, growth and some of the criticisms directed at the organization that first began as an on campus discipling ministry of the Crossroads Church of Christ at the University of Florida in Gainesville.McKean became the world leader when the sect was known as the Boston Church of Christ and later as the group expanded its worldwide strategies under the name International Church of Christ (ICOC). In the midst of external and internal criticisms and calls for reform, McKean resigned from the ICOC later forming his rival organization, the ICC.The movement has been under fire for decades even being banned from major university campuses including "American University, the University of Lowell (Mass.), Birmingham University (United Kingdom), the University of Manchester (United Kingdom), Boston College, Marquette University, Boston University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Georgia Institute of Technology, Harvard University, the University of London (United Kingdom), Vanderbilt University, the University of Miami, Northeastern University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Smith College, the United States Military Academy, the University of Southern California and York University (Canada)."1Why is the ICC so popular and what drives the criticisms? Brady and Steve discuss some of the controversies surrounding Kip McKean and the ICC including their theological distinctives and questionable discipleship practices.ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on the International Churches of Christ (ICC) by Steve Matthews and Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ICC Our original 4-page Profile on the Boston Church of Christ / International Churches of Christ (ICOC) by Rick Branch www.watchman.org/Boston Our 4-page Profile on Spiritual Abuse by David Henke: www.watchman.org/Abuse FREE: 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.1 John W. Morehead, "International Christian Churches: Disciples of Abuse?" www.apologeticsindex.org/i05.html

In this week's episode Daniel Ray and Dr. Luke Barnes conclude their discussion of the question "What is Scientism?" Science is fully compatible with the Christian worldview and for the most part has done much to expand knowledge and in most cases provided tremendous progress in advancing human wellbeing and flourishing. There is, however, a controversial philosophy of science that seems to be growing in popularity that can be called Scientism.In part two of their conversation, Daniel and Luke critique some assumptions and draw some conclusions on and questions raised by Scientism: Must science and religion be seen as in conflict? Has science disproven the existence of God? Is science the best or even only way to know truth? For anything to be true, does it have to be observable, testable, repeatable and peer reviewed? Luke A. Barnes is a theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and postdoctoral researcher at Western Sydney University. He received his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge in 2009. He is a John Templeton Fellow. He has published papers in the fields of galaxy formation and the fine-tuning of the Universe for life. For more on Dr. Barnes, see his CV here: http://bit.ly/LukeBarnes ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Scientism A Fortunate Universe by Geraint Lewis and Luke Barnes: https://amzn.to/2GaGDDD The Cosmic Revolutionary's Handbook by Geraint Lewis and Luke Barnes: https://amzn.to/34FvXGD The Story of the Cosmos by Daniel Ray and Paul Gould: www.watchman.org/CosmosBook Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology by JP Moreland: https://bit.ly/Scientism1 FREE: 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.

In this week's episode Daniel Ray and Dr. Luke Barnes explore the question "What is Scientism?" Science is fully compatible with the Christian worldview and for the most part has done much to expand knowledge and in most cases provided tremendous progress in advancing human wellbeing and flourishing. There is, however, a controversial philosophy of science that seems to be growing in popularity that can be called Scientism.In part one of this two-part conversation, Daniel and Luke discuss some of the assumptions made and questions raised by Scientism: Must science and religion be seen as in conflict? Has science disproven the existence of God? Is science the best or even only way to know truth? For anything to be true, does it have to be observable, testable, repeatable and peer reviewed? Luke A. Barnes is a theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and postdoctoral researcher at Western Sydney University. He received his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge in 2009. He is a John Templeton Fellow. He has published papers in the fields of galaxy formation and the fine-tuning of the Universe for life. For more on Dr. Barnes, see his CV here: http://bit.ly/LukeBarnes ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Our free 4-page Profile on Scientism by Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Scientism A Fortunate Universe by Geraint Lewis and Luke Barnes: https://amzn.to/2GaGDDD The Cosmic Revolutionary's Handbook by Geraint Lewis and Luke Barnes: https://amzn.to/34FvXGD The Story of the Cosmos by Daniel Ray and Paul Gould: www.watchman.org/CosmosBook Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology by JP Moreland: https://bit.ly/Scientism1 FREE: 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.

British philosopher Mary Midgley suggests that evolutionary "theory itself has again and again been distorted by biases flowing from over-simple, unbalanced world-pictures. The trouble does not, of course, lie in mere wish-fulfilment of the obvious kind that paints the world as we should like it to be. It involves being obsessed by a picture so colorful and striking that it numbs thought about the evidence required to support it. Standards of proof fall headlong.” Midgley notes that there is an underlying assumption about evolution she calls “hypertrophied forms of cosmic optimism...” Essentially, the “cosmic optimism” is the idea that evolution is a kind of progress from “gas to genius,” that the future is one of guaranteed improvement of our species toward what Midgely calls “some superhuman spiritual stratosphere”. On part two of our discussion with Discovery Institute fellow Dr. Michael Keas, we explore the falsehoods and false hopes of the messianic-like blank check myth of our time. This myth suggests that either through the discovery of benevolent superintelligent extraterrestrial beings and/or sheer technological progress, mankind will eventually progress from his sullied and sad state of death, disease, and decay into a poorly defined "superhman spiritual stratosphere", a kind of "Singularity" as many futurists term it, where man and machine combine to produce a quasi kind of spiritual perfection and eternal existence.Will artificial intelligence or extraterrestrial intelligence save us? No, Keas reminds us. "The futuristic ET enlightenment myth and its terrestrial Singularity companion share a strong aversion to Christianity... Both ET and AI salvation are supposed to occur by technological good works, not by accepting the undeserved sacrificial gift of Jesus," Keas writes.We hope this episode will equip and encourage you to think biblically about the modern futuristic myths promulgated by science and give you the tools to respond to your secular friends, neighbors, and family members who may be caught up in the utopic-like hopes of modern science. As the Apostle Peter proclaims of the Lord Jesus Christ, "And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).For more information on Dr. Keas' work, you can visit his website at the Discovery Institute (https://www.discovery.org/p/keas/). We also encourage you to check out his latest book, Unbelievable - 7 Myths About the History and Future of Science and Religion (http://bit.ly/MikeKeas). FREE: 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.