Cave To The Cross Apologetics

No Obligation To Answer For Evil We see John Frame call again for us to turn to Scripture to see what he believes is The Bible’s explanation for the problem of evil. Frame surveys many parts of Scripture, both OT & NT, and finds that in the number of places where man asks God why a certain evil thing happens, God has a usual way of answering. However, as we see from God’s character and transcendent position that He is under no obligation to answer. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:31 – God Is The Standard For His Own Actions 07:41 – The Bible Doesn’t Always Give An Explanation For Every Evil 11:34 – God Is Not Obligated To Give Any Answer 30:12 – Romans Shows A Great Theodicy 38:41 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Lacking Explanations For Evil Rounding out this chapter, Frame covers six different theodicies he says are lacking explanations for evil. Frame critiques process theologians, open theists, and even some in his Reformed camp. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:20 – Character Building Theodicy Issues 05:18 – Stable Environment Theodicy Issues 07:28 – Divine Weakness Theodicy Issues 10:39 – Indirect Cause Theodicy Issues 14:17 – The Ex Lex Theodicy Issues 19:47 – Ad Hominem Theodicy Issues 24:11 – Conclusion LINKS: 25:04 – What About Evil Playlist BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Free Will To Do Evil? One of the most subscribed to answers to theodicy is that as humans we have free will to do evil. It is all our fault and God has nothing to do with it but can work with us in our fallen state to bring about His will. And that’s all fine – well, except, there are some issues within Scripture that seem to knock it down and the implications of subscribing to the theory seems to push God a little too far out of the picture. The next couple of episodes might be on the shorter side as vacations come up so if you like to run while listening to us, you can get your fartleks in! Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:10 – Free Will Defense For Evil 09:31 – The Scriptural Issue With Free Will 12:09 – It Always Comes Back To Romans 9 16:58 – Internal Issues With Free Will 20:24 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

What The Bible Does Not Say About Evil While this may seem like familiar territory to friends of the show, it will be interesting to see the similarities and differences presented by John Frame on the problem of evil. Starting out at looking at what The Bible say or more so, does not say about evil is where we start after defining what is evil and where to turn to. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:39 – Apologetics As Defense 03:56 – Is There A Problem Of Evil? 06:48 – Difference Between Theodicy & Defense 07:38 – Difference Between Natural & Moral Evil 10:54 – God Is Able To Use Evil For His Purpose 15:16 – Turning To The Bible For Why There Is Evil 17:38 – What Happens When You Don’t Use The Bible 20:30 – What The Bible Does Not Say About Evil 22:08 – The Nature Of Evil – It’s All An Illusion 23:47 – Why Evil Isn’t An Illusion 26:14 – The Contribution Of Evil – Best Possible World 27:51 – It’s Not The Best Possible World, Others Are Possible 31:54 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos   The Grand Demonstration By Jay Adams Paperback Logos

The Bible’s Rationale For The Gospel Continuing With John Frame’s proof of the Gospel (and therefore Scripture) we turn now to The Bible’s rationale for the Gospel. Here we see that there is a rational basis for belief in the trust that Christians have and then we look at particular claims such as fulfilled prophecy and miracles. Frame critiques the critiques of David Hume on miracles. Finally, we look at the outcomes of miracles and show that even when one is presented, belief doesn’t always follow from it. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:58 – Faith In A Rational Basis 03:58 – Argument From Prophecy 08:30 – Jesus Fulfills The OT Messiah Claims 11:13 – Jesus Did Miracles & Resurrected 16:27 – Three Issues To Look At With Miracles 17:36 – Are Miracles Possible Or Probable? 20:56 – Christianity Solves For The Problem Of Induction 22:08 – Is There Sufficient Evidence For Miracles? 24:47 – Critiquing Hume’s Critique 33:42 – Epistemological Critique Of Hume 34:53 – Miracles Persuade – But Sometimes They Don’t 38:38 – The Gospel Is Credible 40:47 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

The Bible’s Rationale For Itself We now move onto an important apologetic concept for John Frame and that is what The Bible’s rationale for itself is. A defense of the Gospel – the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ resides in the defense of the Scriptures. Frame’s take is presuppositional in nature and also critical of so-called Bible scholars involved in biblical criticism. Patrick also provides some scathing critique of a film from 2010 that kinda falls in line of what the great philosopher is talking about – we hope. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:38 – Proving The Gospel – A Defense Of The Scriptures 04:08 – Scriptures’ Doctrine On Scripture Itself 05:55 – Prejudice Against Words 09:58 – The Role Of The Holy Spirit – A Presupposition 14:53 – Biblical Criticism – The Good & The Bad 19:30 – The Age Of Enlightenment Left Us In The Dark 22:54 – Scholars Assume The Bible Must Be Studied From Non-Biblical Assumptions 24:03 – A Small Rant By Patrick On The Book Of Eli 25:24 – A Supernatural Book 26:33 – The Academy Can’t Allow God In 28:43 – Is Scripture Teaching About Itself Credible? 31:16 – God Is Self-Attesting & So Is Scripture 34:09 – Jesus Taught The Same Thing 35:42 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos   The Question of Canon: Challenging the Status Quo in the New Testament Debate by Michael J. Kruger Kindle Paperback

Cosmological And Ontological Arguments Cosmological And Ontological Arguments are classic theistic arguments. They are some of the most well-known and oldest in the philosophy field. Frame’s approach puts a presuppositional spin to both kinds that bolsters each point better by providing a foundation for the argument. Here, we cover the impossibility of uncaused causes in the universe. We also talk about the nature of God and the necessity of existence. We also sneak a little Austrian Economics in with Praxeology. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:37 – The Universe Is Finite, Therefore God Exists 03:50 – The Praxiology Of The Universe 04:55 – How Do You Rationally Prove An Uncaused Cause? 08:19 – The Irrationality Of Rationally Talking About An Uncaused Cause 10:03 – Everything Happens For A Reason – Even The Start Of The Universe 14:17 – If God Can Be The Endless 1st Cause, Why Can’t The Universe Be? 17:12 – The Cosmological Argument Is Ultimately Epistemological In Nature 17:53 – God Has All Perfect Qualities, Therefore God Exists 19:16 – What About A Perfect Island? 21:23 – Jumping From Concept To Reality? 24:03 – Are We Adding Existence Unnecessarily? 27:04 – Is Existence Actually A Perfect Quality? 30:44 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Knowledge And Design Moving from the moral argument for God to one of knowledge and design takes us further into the traditional theistic arguments. Here, Frame presents the epistemological nature of a source that is personal and allows us to know things. The alternative explanation does not give us any reason to justify knowledge or understand why we should think the world outside of our mind is how the world actually is. From there an actual teleological argument is presented which has taken a backseat in popularity recently because of objections to it. However, Frame says that those objections are actually quite helpful and helps Christians further prove the point that a personal Creator made everything – and we can know it. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:50 – The Trouble With Figuring Out How We Can Know Things 05:03 – The Mind And The Universe Must Mirror Each Other 08:06 – The Impersonal Vs. Personal Theory Of Knowledge 14:29 – The Ethical Implications Of Epistemology 15:17 – Metaphysical Arguments For God 16:29 – The Teleological Argument For God 20:59 – Objections To Telelogical Are Actually Productive 24:54 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Absolute Moral Authority Last week we looked at issues when it comes to thinking moral authority is arbitrary or just happens to be. This week, Frame looks at absolute moral authority and where it comes from. Probably no surprise that God is going to be the source but do we run into circular issues by saying something is good because God decreed it and God is good because He’s God? Frame tackles those claims. Timeline: Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:59 – Moral Authority 08:57 – Where Does Absolute Moral Authority Come From? 14:30 – How Is God’s Authority The Best Standard? 22:31 – Is God’s Goodness Being Good Circular? 26:38 – Not Viciously Circular 29:27 – Conclusion LINKS: 29:11 – Nancy Pearcey Finding Truth Playlist BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

The Moral Argument For Theism We jump back into John Frame’s Apologetics book by digging into what Frames to be valuable theistic arguments – even for presuppositionalists. After laying the foundation and critiquing agnosticism, Frame provides the start of what he considers one of the best proofs for God – the moral argument for theism. Timeline: Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:51 – Traditional Theistic Arguments As A Presuppositionalist 06:04 – Moral Proof For God With Presuppositional Flavoring 07:31 – Atheists-Agnostics Don’t Exist 13:03 – Moral Values Exist Therefore God Exists 14:35 – Moral Values More Than Just Experiences 14:55 – Just Because Something Is The Case Doesn’t Mean It Ought To Be The Case 18:01 – Moral Values More Than Just Subjective Feelings 22:11 – Moral Values More Than Just Cultural Values 24:24 – Moral Values Have An Objective Standard 33:32 – Conclusion LINKS: 07:07 – Does TAG Only Work With Negative Arguments? – BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Biblical Theology – A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach We are privileged to welcome back Dr. Andreas Köstenberger and welcome Dr. Gregory Goswell as we discuss their newest book from Crossway Publishing, Biblical Theology – A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach. We talk with the good doctors about what went into the book and how the reader can best use the work. We talk about the differences (and helpfulness) between biblical theology and systematic theology. We talk about the missing aspect of ethics in many works of biblical theology (or theology in general) and even how biblical theology can help in our understanding and formation of presuppositions. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:25 – A Quick Review 02:53 – The Division Of Labor & Working Together 06:13 – Biblical Theology Vs. Systematic Theology Or Partnership? 10:31 – How Biblical Theology Helps Our Presuppositions 15:40 – You Too Can Do Biblical Theology 17:30 – Ethics In Focus In Biblical Theology 27:07 – Theologians Share Surprises In Biblical Theology 31:28 – How To Use The Biblical Theology Book 36:10 – Other Points About The Book 38:57 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep221 Andreas Köstenberger Links Biblical Foundations Facebook Twitter Gregory Goswell Faculty Page LINKS: Truth In A Culture Of Doubt Series Andreas Köstenberger Interview Patrick Book Reivew Books mentioned in this episode: Biblical Theology: A Canonical, Thematic, and Ethical Approach Kindle Hardcover Logos Crossway Truth In A Culture Of Doubt – Engaging Skeptical Challenges to the Bibleby Andreas Köstenberger, Darrell Bock, and Josh Chatraw Kindle Paperback     Signs Of The Messiah – An Introduction to John’s Gospel by Andreas Köstenberger Kindle Hardcover         Truth Matters – Confident Faith in a Confusing World by Andreas Köstenberger, Darrell Bock, and Josh Chatraw Kindle Hardcover Paperback The Heresy Of Orthodoxy – How Contemporary Culture’s Fascination with Diversity Has Reshaped Our Understanding of Early Christianity by Michael J. Kruger & Andreas Köstenberger Kindle Paperback           The Cradle, the Cross, and the Crown: An Introduction to the New Testament by Andreas Köstenberger, L. Scott Kellum, Charles L Quarles Kindle Hardcover         Women in the Church – An Interpretation and Application of 1 Timothy 2:9-15 by Andreas Köstenberger & Thomas R. Schreiner Kindle Paperback         God’s Design for Man and Woman – A Biblical-Theological Survey by Andreas Köstenberger & Margaret Elizabeth Köstenberger Kindle Paperback           God, Marriage, And Family – Rebuilding the Biblical Foundation by Andreas Köstenberger & David W. Jones Kindle Paperback Text and Paratext: Book Order, Title, and Division as Keys to Biblical Interpretation by Gregory Goswell  

The Historic Reliability Of The Resurrection We have a special episode coming up and yesterday was Easter so it makes sense to get this episode out now. Thanks for checking out these episodes that hopefully you see the next step we encourage after reading and learning from the books we’ve collected – using them to preach the Gospel and building the Church. Here’s the historic reliability of the Resurrection for a high school audience. TIMELINE: 00:00 – Introduction 01:12 – The Centrality Of The Resurrection 02:19 – Why Did Jesus The Messiah Have To Die? 07:35 – How To Have Proof Without A Body 12:15 – 3 Avenues Of Proof 12:34 – Disciples Preaching 16:27 – The Four Gospel Eyewitnesses 20:24 – The Women Witnesses 24:16 – Post-Mortem Apperances 25:21 – The 500 Witnesses 25:54 – James, The Brother Of Jesus 27:30 – Saul Of Tarsus (Paul) 29:17 – The Origin Of The Church LINKS: 08:52 – J. Warner Wallice Interview 20:13 – Andreas Kostenberger Interview 29:10 – James Anderson Interview  

The Church’s Purpose In Relationship To Each Other This is part two of the mini-series I was privileged enough to teach to my (Patrick’s) church’s high school group. We go from the Church’s relationship to God and move into the Church’s relationship to each other. Topics covered are communion, sharing meals, and fellowshipping with one another. I even call the students to rebel!  

The Church’s Purpose In Relationship To God Taking a pause from our John Frame book, the next two weeks will be parts one and two of a message I (Patrick) gave to my church’s high school group. This week I cover the Church’s relationship to God. Covering what is church then what is The Church and how does the church in community understand who God is and what He wants from us? You’ll notice a good number of topics covered from the show and that’s to show that this show isn’t just about me or about us – it’s about all of us opening books and learning who God is and how we can enjoy Him.  

John Frame’s TAG Argument Frame finishes up his critique of VanTil’s TAG argument and one that focuses on a big point of contention of TAG users – the apologetic use of probability and certainty. Then presented is John Frame’s TAG argument in which he offers not to eradicate TAG but offers a 6-point reevaluation of it. Presuppositionalism still holds value and TAG still is important – it just might include a few extra areas of understanding and molding. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:40 – Absolute Certainty & Probability 02:42 – 3 Levels Of Certainty 13:56 – Frame’s Take On Certainty 19:50 – Frame’s Sketch On TAG 20:59 – John Frame’s 6-Point TAG Argument 23:14 – Presuppositionalists At Heart BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

TAG, Trinity, & Negative Arguments Within Frame’s critique of VanTil’s version of the transcendental argument, he’s not throwing it all away and Frame’s fair judgment of where TAG emphasizes the rights points are brought out. Here, TAG, Trinity, & negative arguments are discussed to show that TAG is best used, especially from a worldview level, by the Christian. Other theists might attempt to claim to use TAG for their religious outcomes, but the same approach to the Christian worldview must be taken with those claims. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:05 – TAG & The Trinity 06:21 – How TAG Can Defend Against Rival Theism (Like Islam) 09:47 – Negative & Positive Arguments 13:34 – Are Indirect Arguments Different Than Direct Arguments In TAG? 17:08 – TAG Doesn’t Suppress Pride 19:15 – Conclusion LINKS: 04:32 – The Problem Of The One & The Many Solved By God Existing (Ep.125) 08:09 – Truth In A Culture Of Doubt Playlist 17:03 – Ep. 55 – One Shot – Five Views On Apologetics & Faith Has Its Reasons BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos     The Trinity and the Vindication of Christian Paradox: An Interpretation and Refinement of the Theological Apologetic of Cornelius Van Til by Brant Bosserman Kindle Paperback Hardcover       Five Views on Apologetics (CounterPoint Series) Kindle Paperback One Shot Episode

Questioning TAG Now that John Frame has presented TAG in an overview, he is going to be questioning TAG as what he might consider some deficiencies – or at least in a way that VanTil presents TAG as being the one argument to rule them all and in the light, bind them. This is exactly the thing we need in Christian circles of good, godly men who honor and treat fairly those who have come before and build upon their mighty works. As readers, let us also seek to do likewise. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:55 – Where’s VanTil’s TAG Argument? 05:57 – Greg Bahnsen – Classical Apologist? 08:39 – VanTil Makes God The God Of Non-Intelligibility 11:35 – Traditional God Arguments Can Be Useful Even To Presuppositionalists 13:10 – Traditional God Arguments Can Persuade People Even Over Presuppositional Ones 15:49 – TAG Is More Than A Single Argument 19:30 – God Is More Complex Than A Single Argument 21:33 – Conclusion LINKS: 04:20 – Gary Habermas On Revealed Apologetics Critique Of VanTil 22:39 – Hobbit Review From A 7-Year Old BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

The Best Argument For God “The Transcendental Argument (TAG) is the best argument for God!” You may have heard this claim along keywords like “preconditions of intelligibility” and “by what standard”. However, what makes TAG so powerful is something that is beneficial for not just the apologist or the philosophically minded to know and understand – this is a way to better understand who God is and be able to communicate that to your family, children, coworkers, and nonbelievers. We’ll help break down John Frame’s breakdown of TAG and see if we don’t get broken down along the way. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:11 – The Desire To Expand Arguments 04:32 – Introduction To The Transcendental Arguments 06:06 – Kant & Transcendentalism 07:31 – Is Knowledge Even Possible? 09:39 – VanTil’s Christian Transcendentalism 12:12 – The Case Against Human Autonomy 14:41 – We Know Everything Until The Next Revolution 16:24 – One Must Adopt Only A Theistic Belief To Be Able To Know Things 17:43 – What Are The Preconditions Of Intelligibility 23:34 – TAG In An Outline 25:59 – To Argue Against God Is To Presuppose Him 27:18 – TAG In A Nutshell 29:55 – Logic Demands God’s Existence 35:51 – Ethics Demands God’s Existence 41:04 – Science Demands God’s Existence 48:02 – Conclusion & A Gentle Warning LINKS: 03:14 – Ep.138 – Dr. James Anderson Interview 03:38 – Dr. James Anderson On Is Presuppositionalism & TAG A Circular Fallacy 36:29 – Dr. James Anderson On The Metaphysical Proof Of God From Morality   BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Accepting Evidence Accepting evidence for a position seems like an easy thing to do in theory. See what’s presented before you and if you properly understand everything you move from unbelief to belief. Ya, well, except it’s definitely not that simple and it’s not how people come to belief, especially about something as big a concept as God. Not only is that the case for human nature and psychology but it’s also what The Bible has to say about belief as well. As Christians, maybe we should start listening to that a bit more. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:07 – Do We Have A Need For Proof? 08:29 – Does Evidence Lead To Christian Belief? 13:30 – Point Of Contact With Evidence 20:49 – How One Surpresses The Evidence 29:15 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Apologetics As Proof It might sound weird to say that we offer up apologetics as proof when it comes to our faith in God. But what Frame is presenting here is that we sometimes overestimate what we are thinking proof is or isn’t. We’ve let others define what faith is for so long that even if modern shows and movies acknowledge faith it’s always some bad take of believing in spite of evidence or what you know not to be the case. Frame lays out the position of what we see in Scripture as exercises of faith have a proof of evidence component to them and we should likewise consider this when we do apologetics. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:42 – Abraham Shows Us Proof Of Evidence In Faith 09:48 – Scripture As Proof Of Evidence In The Resurrection 17:29 – Jesus Gives Us Proof Outside Of Scripture As Well 21:59 – The Concept Of Proof 32:41 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Every Thought Captive We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Corn. 10:5). Those same thoughts about the nature of all reality. The nature of knowledge. The nature of right and wrong. Not only those things but even how we present that message to others should be done by declaring that God is Creator and Sovereign and we should proclaim His message in the way He prescribes it to us in His Word. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:57 – God’s Sovereignty In Christian Metaphysics 06:22 – The Trinity In Christian Metaphysics 10:41 – God’s Role In Christian Epistemology 15:49 – God’s Role In Christian Ethics 22:49 – The Role Of The Gospel Good News In Apologetics 28:19 – The Uniqueness Of Christianity Is Unique 30:19 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

The Nature Of All Reality The term “metaphysics” might seem like one of those scary words that only the eggheads use (true); the term just means what is the nature of all reality. What is it that makes the things we are and experience the things they are? The Christian worldview necessitates and calls for a drastically different take than what most scientists claim. But why is that? When the establishment wants to say that all reality can be traced back to non-personal entities, the Christian worldview not only comes in conflict with that but also why the other side would want to and need to say the opposite. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:12 – Christianity Is Philosophy & Good News 05:30 – No Separation Of Church & State 11:31 – Christianity As Metaphysics In 3 Parts 12:20 – The Nature Of All Reality 14:58 – The Great Question Confronting Us On What Is Fundamental 18:37 – The Consequences Of Both Views 25:23 – The Survey Of Scientists Says…Only One? 31:54 – Christianity Explains Why Man Only Wants To See The Impersonal 36:51 – The Creator-Creature Distinction 40:21 – Conclusion LINKS: Lost In The Math Book Review BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Evidence & Presuppositionalism Evidence & presuppositionalism have absolutely nothing to do with each other! Well except that all evidence is God’s evidence and so the best use of evidence can be had when an apologist has established their foundation on something that makes sense of them and allows them to exist. The scary thing is that this entails everything in human history and beyond. The non-scary thing is that God is the “everything” and “beyond”. John Frame gives us the role of evidence for the presuppositions and warns us what bad apologetics could entail. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:40 – The Circularity Issue Question Mark? 09:19 – How The Christian & The Non-Christian Talk To Each Other 13:03 – Apologetics Can Take On Many Forms 14:12 – The Role Of Evidence For A Presuppositionalist 20:58 – God’s Responsibility & Ours 22:30 – What About Sola Scriptura? 26:20 – The Balance Of Sola Scriptura & Natural Revelation 32:56 – What’s The Value Of Apologetics? 33:45 – The Dangers Of Apologetics 44:07 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

The Basics Of Apologetics We crack open John Frame’s Apologetics book by doing what we like doing best here – defining our terms. With that we find out what the basics of apologetics are and the right way and wrong way we can carry out the command from Scripture to always be ready to give an apologetic for the hope that you have. But what about the verses before and after that? Well, those are important too. Oh ya, and all the rest of Scripture. You probably should read that all. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:50 – Apologetics’ Creed – Begin With Christ 04:53 – 3 Aspects Of Apologetics 06:21 – Apologetics As Proof 09:12 – Apologetics As Defense 10:29 – Apologetics As Offense 14:11 – Relationship To The Aspects 16:38 – The Word Of God As Our Ultimate Commitment 19:27 – Apologetics Is Not An Neutral To God’s Word 24:21 – What Opposing Neutrality Means 26:17 – Neutrality Doesn’t Mean There Are No Areas Of Agreement 30:31 – Conclusion LINKS: 15:38 – What About Evil Playlist BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

The Need To Clarify And Encourage Another apologetics book? But why? 2,000 years of Church History and we haven’t said everything we need to say? Well, believe it or not, another apologetics book is needed as it gives us the ability to clarify and encourage. Also, it’s kind of what the Bible tells us to do and that’s a pretty big deal. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:27 – Frame On The 1st Edition 04:31 – Frame On The Term Presuppositionalism 08:52 – Why Another Book On Presuppositionalism? 10:52 – Why Another Edition Of Apologetics By Frame? 12:00 – A Biblical Perspective On Apologetics 14:41 – Obedience To Scripture 17:11 – Application To Unbelief 18:51 – A Constant Need For Clarification 23:52 – Ch.1 Finally…Next Week 😀 BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Introducing John Frame & Apologetics We begin our next book by introducing John Frame & apologetics. We open to the preface where Frame’s friend and ministry partner Vern Poythress gives us a mini-book in apologetics and what we’ll see in the rest of the book. If we can talk about just the preface for this long, just imagine the bang for your buck you’ll be getting for the rest of the book! Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:36 – Book Introduction 02:29 – John Frame Introduction 05:02 – Forward By Vern Poythress Intro 08:05 – Be A Disciple 09:10 – Discipleship Affects Apologetics 14:31 – The Lure Of Religious Neutrality 17:42 – No One Is Really Neutral 21:31 – We All Bring Prior Commitments To The Table 24:33 – Presuppositionalists And Bad Circularity? 28:31 – The Centrality Of The Bible For Apologists 29:15 – God Gives Us Language To Use To Communicate With Him 30:16 – We Are Not Independent Of God, So Let’s Not Act Like It 31:33 – Universities Try & Act Independent From God 34:32 – Our Christianity Should Direct How We Share Christ 35:52 – The Irony Of Unbelief 41:44 – The Persuasiveness Of General Revelation 44:22 – The Need For Christ Followers To Disciple In Apologetics 45:38 – Conclusion BOOK LINKS: Apologetics – A Justification of Christian Belief by John Frame Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

2022 Book Reviews – Part 2 The final reviews of 2022 include some IndiePub, poetry, sci-fi, and theology. Our hope for our ministry is that you pull off those books from your shelf, blow off the dust, and make use of them for God’s glory. You can start at any time and start at any length of book. Our God is a storyteller and we reflect His image when we read and write our stories. Let us do all for the glory of God. TIMELINE: Timeline: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:00:20 – What About Evil By Scott Christensen 00:03:56 – Travels In The Land Of Serpents And Pearls By Marco Polo 00:05:36 – How We Weep And Laugh At The Same Thing By Michel De Montaigne 00:09:46 – Anthem For Doomed Youth By Wilfred Owen 00:11:27 – How High We Go In The Dark By Sequoia Nagamatsu 00:20:04 – Fighting For Holiness By J.C. Ryle 00:23:34 – The Lord’s Work In The Lord’s Way & No Little People By Francis Shaeffer 00:26:51 – Created Equal By Michael Pack & Mark Paoletta 00:31:48 – Uriel’s Revenge By David Roome 00:40:20 – Grace At Work By Bryan Chapell 00:44:41 – The Emotional Life Of Our Lord By B.B. Warfield 00:49:01 – Dark Matter By Blake Crouch 00:54:12 – Sheltering Mercy By Ryan Whitaker Smith & Dan Wilt 00:57:21 – Against All Opposition By Greg Bahnsen 01:01:14 – Omelas Revisted By C.S. Johnson 01:03:14 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep205/ LINKS 00:52 – What About Evil Playlist 11:16 – AnarchoChristian Episode On Anthem For Doomed Youth 58:30 – Against All Opposition Playlist 01:01:01 – Finding Truth Playlist Tim Challies Reading Challenge Books Links to the books can be found linked in the Timeline.

2022 Book Reviews – Part 1 For the last two weeks of the year, we’ll be populating the show with books Patrick has read during the year. Some are homeschool supplementals, some are fiction, and – yes, some are even theology. Whether you’re set in your ways of only picking books from the New York Times from Trad Pubs or you’re a guilded member of the Iron Age of Indie Pubs, we hope this might help in finding some good books to read before they collect dust on your shelves. Reviews contain No Spoilers…except that God wins in the end. TIMELINE: Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:31 – Ten Boys/Girls Who Use Their Talents By Irene Howat 07:46 – How To Read A Painting By Christopher Jones 10:41 – Ten Boys/Girls Who Didn’t Give In By Irene Howat 14:49 – You Wouldn’t Want To Be A Sumerian Slave By Jacqueline Morley 16:29 – Ten Boys/Girls Who Made History By Irene Howat 19:59 – EMMA – Emergent Movement Of Militant Anarchists By Michael Segedy 22:07 – Ten Boys/Girls Who Made A Difference By Irene Howat 25:50 – Our Darker Angel By Michael Segedy 28:37 – Recovering The Lost Tools Of Learning By Douglas Wilson 32:52 – Ten Boys/Girls Who Changed The World By Irene Howat 36:00 – Taking Hold Of God By Joel Beeke & Brian Najapfour 39:00 – You Wouldn’t Want To Be An Assyrian Soldier By Rupert Matthews 41:23 – Recovering The Lost Art Of Reading By Leland Ryken & Glenda Faye Mathes 45:39 – Praying The Bible By Donald Whitney 47:54 – Prayer (9Marks) By John Onwuchekwa 50:52 – Alfred The Great By Justin Pollard 55:24 – To Be Continued Next Week The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep204/ Books Links to the books can be found linked in the Timeline.

Bob Murphy Interview Redux The final two weeks of the year will be a year-end roundup of the book Patrick has read and starting the first Monday of the year we’ll be starting John Frame’s Book “Apologetics – A Justification Of Christian Belief”. Today we revisit episodes 47 & 48 with Dr. Bob Murphy @BobMurphyAncap . This was an honor for me to have a conversation to the man who inspired me to learn more about economics for the glory of God. Dr. Murphy is a brilliant Austrian economist and Christian whose contributions and insights into economics is one of the best out there today. In this first part of the interview, Dr. Murphy talks about what economics is and why Christians should care. We also discuss the fact that the Christian worldview accounts for economic theories. We also talk about the application of Austrian Economic theory, a theory based on presuppositional claims, when it comes to showing that slavery is not only immoral but a terrible economic decision. In this second part of the interview, Dr. Murphy talks about where economic truth derives from. If the Fall never occurred would economic principles still stand? Then we talk about some of the weird stances people can have when applying economic principles to other parts of their lives. Dr. Murphy and Patrick have a discussion on the similarities Austrian Economics has with Presuppositional Apologetics. Dr. Murphy gives some advice to Christians from an economic standpoint & encourages other Christians to learn economics as part of God’s ordered universe. The episode link is cavetothecross.com/MurphyRedux/ About Dr. Murphy Dr. Murphy is a Research Assistant Professor at the Free Market Institute at Texas Tech University. He is also Senior Economist with the Institute for Energy Research, a Research Fellow with the Independent Institute, an Associated Scholar Senior Fellow with the Mises Institute, and a Senior Fellow with the Fraser Institute in Canada. His current research focuses on the economics of climate change as well as the impact of minimum wages. He earned his B.A. in economics from Hillsdale College and his Ph.D. in economics from New York University. Links To Dr. Murphy Dr. Murphy’s Blog & Website – https://consultingbyrpm.com/blog Facebook Twitter Learn Economics With Dr. Murphy at “Liberty Classroom” – Signing Up Through This Link Supports The Show! Dr. Murphy’s Podcasts:   The Bob Murphy Show     Contra Krugman     The Lara-Murphy Show   Dr. Murphy’s Books Understanding Money Mechanics Kindle Paperback Hardcover   Choice: Cooperation, Enterprise, and Human Action Kindle Paperback     Lessons for the Young Economist Kindle Hardcover     Contra Krugman: Smashing the Errors of America’s Most Famous Keynesian Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free The Primal Prescription: Surviving The “Sick Care” Sinkhole Kindle Hardcover Audible Try Audible For Free   The Politically Incorrect Guide to the Great Depression and the New Deal Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free The Politically Incorrect Guide to Capitalism Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free   Chaos Theory Kindle Paperback       The Three Lads and the Lizard King (Fiction) Paperback         How Privatized Banking Really Works: Integrating Austrian Economics with the Infinite Banking Concept Paperback         The Case for IBC Kindle Paperback       Study Guide to Man, Economy, and State Kindle           Human Action Study Guide Kindle       Study Guide to the Theory of Money and Credit Kindle         Other books mentioned in this episode: Man, Economy, and State with Power and Market by Murray Rothbard Kindle Hardcover Audible Try Audible For Free Human Action by Ludwig von Mises Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free       The Theory of Money and Credit by Ludwig von Mises Kindle Paperback

J. Warner Wallace Interview Redux We needed to reschedule some things for our next book so we’re almost thinking of starting Frame’s book at the first of the year. Next couple of weeks, I’m thinking of doing a year-end review of all the books I read this year and see if there’s any interest in that. This week we’re pulling an interview that we did with J. Warner Wallace @ColdCaseChristianity all the way back from episodes 51 and 52. We were all so young back then… We discuss Detective Wallace’s background and what led him to start questioning the claims of Christianity. He talks about using his approach for looking at the veracity and claims of the biblical Gospels and how the Gospels differ from the Book Of Mormon. Then we discuss some responses from critics of the Gospel. In the second half, we take a deeper look into Detective Wallace’s process of establishing the Gospels as credible eyewitness testimony. We then ask him how he deals with evaluating the possibility of supernatural causes in everyday life. We, of course, have to talk about how he responds to presuppositionalists and also the great case for morality Christians have. We finish up with a charge and challenge from Detective Wallace on always being ready to give a defense for the hope we have. The episode link is cavetothecross.com/WallaceRedux/ Books mentioned in this episode: Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels by J. Warner Wallace Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free   Person of Interest: Why Jesus Still Matters in a World that Rejects the Bible by J. Warner Wallace Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free   God’s Crime Scene: A Cold-Case Detective Examines the Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe by J. Warner Wallace Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free   Forensic Faith: A Homicide Detective Makes the Case for a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith by J. Warner Wallace Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free

Our 9th Book Announcement A very blurry Patrick (if you’re watching the video) announces the 9th book that’s going to be covered on the show. Links are here in the description and we hope you’ll join us as we focus (with Patrick’s camera in focus) on this next book in our book club. BOOK LINKS: Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free Logos

Internal Critique Of Other Religions With the final chapter of Bahnsen’s book, we look at the internal critique of other religions. The same system we’ve been using with looking at worldviews for other philosophies and worldviews works just as well with religion. In fact, the codification and systematic approach other religions have probably make it easier to develop and carry out an internal critique. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:49 – Application Against Non-Christian Religions 05:31 – The Internal Critique Of Mormonism (LDS) 07:44 – Mormons’ View Of Scriptures 12:48 – Internal Critique Of Mormon Scripture View 24:28 – The Internal Critique Of Islam 25:29 – Muslims’ View Of Scriptures 31:37 – The Internal Critique Of Muslim Scripture View 35:05 – The Internal Critique Of The Moonies 39:10 – Moonies Claim Christianity Is False While Being Christian 41:25 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep203/ LINKS: 08:36 – Truth In A Culture Of Doubt Playlist Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library Truth In A Culture Of Doubt by Andreas J. Köstenberger, Darrell L. Bock, and Josh Chatraw Kindle Paperback           Is The Mormon My Brother? by James White Paperback           What Every Christian Needs To Know About The Qur’an by James White Kindle Paperback Audible Try Audible For Free         Textual Criticism and Qur’an Manuscripts by Keith Small Kindle Paperback           Kingdom Of The Cults by Walter Martin Kindle Hardcover Audible Try Audible For Free  

Dualism & Other Religions Critiqued Moving on from atheism to see how dualism & other religions critiqued. Applying the two-step method of providing an internal critique and then giving the biblical answer, we see the arbitrary and inconsistent nature of these worldviews. Platonism with its mind and body dualism and Aristotle with his materialism give a movement toward the Christian worldview but without a basis for knowledge. Finally, we look at three types of non-Christian religious worldviews. Representing them are Hinduism, Hare Krishna, and Buddhism. We see the denial of some parts of reality lead to a rejection of their own worldview. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:13 – Looking At Other Religions 02:42 – Believers In Mind & Body Dualism 03:47 – Plato & Forms 08:32 – How Do We Know About The Form Realm? 10:20 – The Student Becomes The Master 11:21 – Explanation For Motion? 15:36 – Aristotle Fairs No Better 17:08 – 3 Types Of Non-Christian Religious Views 23:10 – Defining Terms 28:12 – Hinduism 31:54 – Buddhism 41:01 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep202/ LINKS: 17:04 – Ep.200 & Ep.201 26:34 – Cultish – Leaving The Moonies – Part 1 & Part 2 30:39 – Responding To Hindus & Hare Krishnas Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library  

All Unbelievers Believe Continuing with the internal critique of both the Christian and the unbeliever, the Christian comes to see that since God is Sovereign and Creator over all things and all men are made in His Image, it is impossible to rebel so far away from that so as to be outside of God’s rule or image. As in Romans 1 we see that all unbelievers believe in the one true God. And it is evidenced by their beliefs and actions of being unable to live consistently within their own worldview. It is the Christian who is able to point out the inconsistency and to provide not just the proper worldview that accounts for accounting but to account for why the unbeliever doesn’t account for accounting. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:21 – Without Christianity, You Couldn’t Know Anything 04:59 – Without Christianity, There Couldn’t Be Any More Absolutes 07:08 – No BASIS For Morality 09:16 – “Is Just Works” Is Not An Answer 11:39 – Three Types Of Belief Concerning A Worldview 14:48 – Difference Between Believing & Being Able To Justify It 16:25 – Beliefs About Our Beliefs 19:46 – Justifying Our Beliefs 24:30 – The Unbeliever’s Inconsistent Living Points To God 30:40 – Why Pointing This Out Doesn’t Turn Unbelievers Into Believers 36:38 – When One Gives Up Their Rationality 45:05 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep201/ LINKS: 31:08 – Lost In Math Review 31:34 – Premier Unbelievable? With Sabine Hossenfelder & Luke Barnes 36:27 – Nihilists Should Say Yes To Drugs Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library  

Atheist Issues – Mind & Morality The problem of induction to do science and the problem of deduction to do logic are used but are baseless in a materialistic atheistic worldview. But that’s not the only issues. Atheist issues mind & morality also arise with great issue. The mind, as opposed to the brain, just doesn’t exist. You are nothing more than a meat sack and your actions cannot be right or wrong they just are. To hold men accountable for their actions would be like holding lions accountable for killing zebras. Yet, we have a history of people wanting to reject God as evil while providing no basis other than the same basis they would use to pick ice cream flavors. Where are to we look? Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:14 – The Atheist’s Problem Of The Mind 15:18 – The Atheist’s Problem Of Morality 22:35 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep200/ LINKS: 09:33 – Katie Roome from Periapsis Press Interview (Ep.169) Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library  

Atheist Issues – Induction & Deduction One of the most common worldviews you’re likely to encounter is that of the materialistic atheist. This worldview states that reality is only made up of physical things. There is no supernatural or transcendental realm of objects. Only what’s available to our senses is what is real and that’s the only thing that matters. Here’s the issue though – there are a lot of things this excludes. Two of them are induction & deduction. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:46 – An Internal Critique Of Atheism 04:19 – A Need For A Transcendental Precondition Of Intelligibility 10:29 – The Atheist’s Problem Of Induction 16:40 – The Christian Answer For Induction 23:01 – “It Will Probably Be” Is Not An Answer To Induction 30:15 – How Atheists Can Do Science 32:33 – The Atheist’s Problem Of Deduction 41:09 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep199/ LINKS: 06:07 – Dr. James Anderson Interview 39:04 – The Great Debate – Bahnsen-Stein 39:14 – Wise Disciple – The Great Debate Breakdown Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library  

Tools To Evaluate Worldviews We finish the chapter by looking at some more tools to evaluate worldviews. Finishing up with atomists that want to keep free will we see hedonism and existentialism reign here. Then we take a slight detour to cover those worldviews that say you either can’t know or it doesn’t matter what all of reality is like. Is the easy way out the best route? Finally, we look at two facts used in evaluating worldviews. Once you classified each worldview in the nice grid system we covered in this chapter, you have a much easier time of where to put the pin of belief of everyone you might meet in the world and run an internal critique on what they view is true about all reality and how it differs from the Christian worldview. From there, you have a two-pronged approach to presenting the Gospel while responding to their view of the world, the universe, and everything. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 01:43 – Free Will Atomism 05:33 – Utilitarian Hedonists 08:06 – Existentialism 11:26 – The Metaphysical View Of Reality Summed Up 13:03 – Can You Know Reality – Pragmatism Or Skepticism 18:16 – All Worldviews Come To The Various Positions Covered 21:46 – Two Ways To Consider Worldviews 22:23 – Arbitrariness Is Not Rational 25:30 – Inconsistency Lets You Believe Anything 27:31 – The Ultimate Foundation Question All Worldviews Have To Answer 28:16 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep198/ Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library  

Three Views Of Reality If there’s one thing we tend to stress on this show it’s that definitions matter. If you can define it then you can classify it. If you can classify it then you’re better able to know where that fits in the conversation about God, His World, and those who exist in His World. As such, Greg Bahnsen has identified three views of reality that all people have. We walk through those definitions to not only see where Christians might stand but also where everyone else stands. And from that vantage point, you don’t need to know absolutely everything about every worldview but you can more easily find points of discussion and separation from what the Christian worldview describes as what reality actually is. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:26 – Categorizing Worldviews 05:15 – Spiritual Monism 08:07 – Dualism 08:27 – Idealism Dualism 13:17 – Stocism Dualism 15:44 – Materialistic Atomism 19:44 – Deterministic Materialistic Atomism 20:54 – Behaviorist Determinism 23:26 – Marxism Determinism 26:00 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep197/ Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                   Bahnsen Lecture Library  

Everyone Is A Philosopher Everyone Is A Philosopher! It doesn’t matter your education or lack there of. It doesn’t matter if you are from the West or the East or from Mars. You can not know any Latin or you know how to get angry at the drive-through order taker in a dead language. You cannot help it. In this chapter, Bahnsen works at getting to understand what is philosophy and why everyone has a philosophy. What does a philosophy do as it seems to important for everyone to do it without knowing they are? It is a crucial formative and evolving process but like with anything the approach of one’s own and especially of others is informed by one’s presuppositions. Presuppositions combined with philosophy go on to form one of the most important aspects of a person’s life – one’s worldview. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:11 – The Lead-Up To Philosophy 09:29 – Not All Philosophy Is Good Philosophy 12:51 – Why Develop A Process Of Philosophy 13:38 – It Helps To Reduce 16:30 – It Helps To Avoid Conflict 17:56 – Combining It All The Wrong Way 20:22 – Learning Causal Relationships 21:40 – Important Decisions You Make On Your Philosophy 23:03 – What Does It Mean To Philosophy? 26:54 – The Purpose & Development Of Your Worldview 39:40 – A Challenge To One Point Of Worldview Is A Challenge To All Points 40:31 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep196/ Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                   Bahnsen Lecture Library  

Borrowing From The Christian Worldview Not only should we reject the charge to be neutral when approaching any area that pertains to God, but we should also realize that since this world is God’s world and we are all made in His image that even unbelievers are found borrowing from the Christian worldview – and they might not even know it! One of the benefits of addressing presuppositions and worldviews is that we are able to address this concern with the unbeliever and make them give a reason for why they believe in things like induction or universal laws of logic or why one shouldn’t lie. And we need to address their inconsistency within their own worldview and show how the God of Scripture actually points to the reason they want to hold to different aspects that are found in the Christian Worldview. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:15 – Borrowing From The Christian Worldview 04:26 – Truth Isn’t Won By Applause 07:50 – Showing Where The Unbeliever Worldview Ends 09:37 – No Excuse Of Not Enough Evidence 15:07 – Irrationality Of Rationalizing Unbelief 20:13 – Suppression Of Truth Still Involves Being In Contact With The Truth 26:42 – Why Is This Important? 28:13 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep195/ LINK 04:33 – David Wood Vs. Michael Shermer Debate Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library  

No One Is Neutral, No Not One We’re back! Well – Tony is back! You’ve caught up on your book, right? You haven’t been letting it collect dust again, have you? We pick back up with Bahnsen’s book talking about if we should approach the subject of God (or anything) with a neutral standpoint. Both sides should lay down all their preconceptions, presuppositions, worldviews, and biases and start on the same base grounding. Well, guess what, that grounding of neutrality is also grounded on non-neutral standards! In fact, neutrality is impossible! No one is neutral. No one can be neutral. And most of all, no one would want to be neutral, especially the Christian. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:12 – A Review 07:16 – Must You Be Neutral? Can You Be? 08:33 – Can Christians Be Neutral? 15:44 – Christians Can’t & Shouldn’t Be Neutral 18:09 – Neutrality Isn’t The Christian Standard 21:13 – Christians Would Be Immoral To Seak Neutrality 22:35 – Smuggling In Under The Claim Of Neutrality The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep194/ Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library  

Apologetics Effects Affect Starting next week, Tony and I should be reunited in digital form to continue going through our Greg Bahnsen’s Against All Opposition. I was kindly invited by some new friends at the Michigan Apologetics Network to give a talk on anything that I wished. I talked about how apologetics isn’t an end to itself but is a tool for proclaiming God’s Truth to both believers and non-believers alike. Apologetics effects affect those we proclaim the Gospel to and those who we help shepherd and encourage. The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep193/  

Fund Students Not Systems Homeschool, private, public, or any other school parent in between should check out and support those groups with the mantra of “Fund Students Not Systems”. Policy expert, Jeff Park (Alberta Parents’ Union & Co-Host of The Anarchist Bible Study) joins me in the second half of the interview. In this section, we talk about combatting woke education especially if you’re a Christian parent. What is the best and most Christian way of addressing issues you find in your child’s education? Then we talk about the public policy push popularized by Corey DeAngelis to fund students not systems. It helps parents from every educational choice and every economic status. We then talk about what a decentralized school funding operation would look like. Ultimately, everything comes down to your responsibility as parents to educate your children as directed to and gifted to by God. Timeline: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:00:15 – Are Schools Mission Fields For Our Kids? 00:12:22 – Schools Boards & Unions Vs. The Parents 00:13:01 – How Parents Should Respond To Woke Education 00:21:17 – Govt. Schools Spend More On Admin Than Teachers 00:30:05 – Funding Students Not Systems 00:40:19 – The Power Grab During Govt. Declared Emergencies 00:46:56 – What Decentralized School Funding Would Look Like 01:01:19 – Christians Are Active In All Their Childrens’Education 01:07:45 – Alberta Parents’ Union Support Parents Worldwide 01:14:33 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep192/ LINKS The Anarchist Bible Study Support The Anarchist Bible Study Alberta Parents Union Jeff Park on Twitter  

The Christian Responsibility To Educate Children Is it the Christian responsibility to educate children or is it fine leaving that to the so-called experts? While the answer may seem simple enough, we invited an expert on public policy in education and Christian podcaster Jeff Park. He talks about the Christian’s responsibility in educating one’s children and where the responsibility lies. He goes over the current educational landscape (in both the United States and Canada). Finally, we discuss the rise of homeschooling and the benefits for both parents and adults – and why not always having a teaching degree isn’t a bad thing. This is part one of our discussion. Timeline: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:02:42 – What Does Apologetics Have To Do With Education? 00:07:51 – What Does Quality When Talking About Education? 00:17:23 – Who’s Responsibility Is It To Educate Children? 00:20:28 – Alberta’s Christian Schools Must Teach Christian Worldview 00:28:52 – Can Christians Delegate Their Education Authority To Others? 00:35:54 – The Credentials Of Educators Usually Don’t Signal Good Teachers 00:47:23 – The Meteoric Rise Of Homeschooling & The Failure Of Government Schools 00:52:32 – Homeschool Doesn’t Have To (Or Should) Look Like Government School 01:02:59 – Homeschool Gives Kids A Safe Environment To Fail (And For You Too) 01:13:04 – Homeschooling Allows To Mix & Match & Cross Promote Subjects 01:19:25 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep191/ LINKS The Anarchist Bible Study Support The Anarchist Bible Study Alberta Parents Union Jeff Park on Twitter 01:12 – Hermeneutics & Apologetics 01:22 – Hermeneutics & Practical Bible Study 09:21 – Bob Murphy Interview Pt. 1 09:31 – Bob Murphy Interview Pt. 2 Books mentioned in this episode: 36:27 – The Case against Education: Why the Education System Is a Waste of Time and Money by Bryan Caplan Kindle Paperback Audible  

Looking Through Church History When we look through Church History we see men, women, build-ups, big events, small events, death, sorrow, and Gospel worship. When we are looking through Church History we see those people and events give us things we enjoy and take for granted today. Troy Fraiser from Revived Thoughts podcast once again joins me in continuing this valuable discussion on why Church history matters and what we are missing out when we fail to look through it all. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:15 – Looking Into The Past Of Church History To Live It Today 05:36 – Making Church History That Lasts Throughout History 08:42 – Don’t Look To Pop Culture When Church History Has The Hereos To Look At 13:01 – Scary Church History May Not Look Like Me! 17:55 – Should We Include Catholics In Church History? Mormons? JWs? 21:53 – Need A Biblical View Of History To Be Fair To People Of History 27:15 – The Hard Work Resulting From Church History Is Evident 30:13 – The Great Good For The World Christians Have Done In History 34:41 – The Judgement Of God When The Church Is Removed From Society 38:06 – Where To Find Good Resources On Church History 43:29 – Conclusion – Church History Matters! The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep190/ LINKS Revived Thoughts Martyrs & Missionaries Revived Devos Revived Radio Revived Thoughts Facebook Revived Thoughts Twitter MissionQuest – Support The Frasiers Cave To The Cross On Revived Thoughts John Gill: Christ the Savior from the Storm John Newton: He Shakes the Heavens and the Earth Gregory of Nazianzus: The Shepherd’s Heart Gregory of Nyssa: The Day Of Lights Thomas Aquinas: Praise and Dwell Within Us Joseph Parker: Secret Things Books mentioned in this episode: 39:12 – Lightkeepers Reviews & Links  

Church History Matters This week I’m joined by THE Troy Fraiser who is one part of the Revived Studio/Revived Thoughts podcast empire. He joins me to discuss why Church history matters and what we can learn from it. What does this have to do with apologetics? The past 2,000 years of the church have been nothing but an apologetic to who God is and what His People, the Church, do in history! Because Troy is so knowledgeable on the subject the interview HAD to be split up into two parts. In this first part, we talk about what is interesting enough about church history to dedicate a show to it. We talk about the sung and unsung heroes in brief. Then we talk about what church history is and who should be included. Finally, we talk about the pride we should have in a God who moves people to do what the great cloud of witnesses to the faith has done to get us to where we are today – and how we should learn from them so we can grow and go and not shrink and dink – around. Next week is part 2 with even more goodness in store. Check the links below! Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 04:43 – Why Listen To Sermons From Church History 11:55 – How To Listen To Sermons Of History For The Ears Of Today 19:04 – The Sung Heroes Of Church History Should Be Sung 22:13 – The Unsung Heroes Of Church History Should Be Sung 23:35 – God’s Word Inspires People To Make History 26:04 – The Outlook We Can Have Because Of What Others Did In History 28:56 – The Definition Of Church History & Who’s Included 32:17 – The Christian Message Moves People To Move It 33:32 – Are You Letting The Gospel Move You? 42:22 – To Be Continued! The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep189/ LINKS Revived Thoughts Martyrs & Missionaries Revived Devos Revived Radio Revived Thoughts Facebook Revived Thoughts Twitter MissionQuest – Support The Frasiers Cave To The Cross On Revived Thoughts 17:17 – John Gill: Christ the Savior from the Storm 29:46 – John Newton: He Shakes the Heavens and the Earth 16:14 – Gregory of Nazianzus: The Shepherd’s Heart Gregory of Nyssa: The Day Of Lights 29:46 – Thomas Aquinas: Praise and Dwell Within Us Joseph Parker: Secret Things Revived Thoughts Episodes Mentioned 03:32 – Martyrs & Missionaries – The Rise and Fall of Christianity in Japan Part I 03:32 – Martyrs & Missionaries – The Rise and Fall of Christianity in Japan Part II 15:06 – David Livingstone: Who will carry on the work? 15:06 – David Livingstone: The Heart Of Africa 15:11 – George Matheson: The Patience of Job 18:32 – Henry Grattan Guinness: Christian Charity (Feat. Dr. Os Guinness) 29:46 – Anselm: The Storm of the Last Days 30:00 – Deep Dive: The Story of Ethiopia Books mentioned in this episode: The Life and Diary of David Brainerd by Jonathan Edwards Kindle Paperback Audible         The Downgrade Controversy by Charles Spurgeon Kindle Paperback  

Take Every Thought Captive The Christian is commanded to take every thought to obey Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). It’s not just in the realm of morality or on Sundays. It doesn’t involve just the personal thoughts or the public actions. Every thought is to be conformed to the sovereignty of God. Even our apologetics? Even our starting points for how we view facts? Every. Thought. Of course this is easier said than done and even the Apostle Paul knew that. It’s why it’s called a sanctification process and not a moment. How we interact with the brute facts of this world and those messages that entice us away from God’s path are to be responded in the biblical way. We are to be corrected by the Word of God especially if we find ourselves to have a wrong intrepretation of God’s Word. We are called to live rightly by democracy rule. God is a monarchy and we are called to serve the King as sons and daughters. As we are demolishing arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, let us always seek to obey Christ. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 03:44 – Christians Should Respond As Christians To Facts 04:58 – How To Talk To People With Facts And Assumptions 09:06 – Be Self-Conscious About Our Own Assumptions 12:09 – Neutrality Is Impossible 16:16 – Be Corrected By The Word Of God 18:09 – Not A Call To Turn Off Your Brains 21:36 – Recognize God Is The Ultimate Authority 22:19 – Not Wrong To Change Your Wrong Interpretations 24:17 – Not The Gallup Poll Route 25:30 – Not Denying Facts But Deny Interpretations 36:07 – God’s Truth Applies To Every Area Of Life 41:46 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep188/ Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                   Bahnsen Lecture Library  

Facts Don’t Change Hearts What do you mean facts don’t change hearts? You just build up enough facts on top of someone they can’t help but change their minds. While that might be true of some low investment beliefs think about something like the abortion debate. Does talking about the science of human life at conception and the different DNA between mother and child convince the other side that the murder is wrong? Not even medical doctors change their minds with their beliefs on that subject. So while you may be able to convince someone that Jesus existed or that he was looked up to as a leader and teacher, pushing them over the edge to believing that He died to save you from your sins is something that would so oppose their underlying belief system that moving them from that spot would be difficult – one could even say it would take an act of God to accomplish. So we look at the relationship facts and faith play in a person’s worldview and show while facts are not to be fully dismissed they aren’t always the kill shot we’re looking for. Human nature doesn’t work that way. And greater still – it’s exactly what The Bible tells us to expect. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 02:24 – Christians Don’t Turn Off Their Brains 05:12 – Relationship Between Faith & Facts 10:00 – Facts In A Worldview 13:13 – Rescuing Devices For Facts That Don’t Quite Fit 18:48 – Facts Don’t Usually Solve Conflicts Or Change Worldviews 21:40 – When Facts Change Minds Vs. Change Hearts 27:53 – Miracles Don’t Change Minds 33:25 – Realizing Why People Don’t Accept The Truth Of Christianity 40:55 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep187/ Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                   Bahnsen Lecture Library Knowledge & Christian Belief by Alvin Plantinga Kindle Paperback  

The War Between Faiths Listen you illogical Christian, we can talk about if God exists but you have to not rely on your ultimate standard or any scholar who is a Christian. You can’t rely on anyone philosopher older than 20 years ago because they’ve all been proven wrong and you definitely can’t rely on anything in your Bible. Oh, also I can use science, reason, logic, trusting of my senses, and the morality I subscribe to and no I don’t have to prove it. There – now we’re on neutral ground. And go. – – – This isn’t a war between faith and science; it’s the war between faiths. Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:28 – Not Being Neutral On There Being No Neutrality 02:24 – Only Knowing Naturalism 08:52 – The War Between Faith & Faith 09:50 – All Ultimate Authorities Are Circular 13:27 – Internal Critique Of Naturalism Example 18:39 – Do We Exclude Christianity Right At The Start? 22:06 – What The Christian Should Do Then 25:22 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep186/ Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library  

Where Everyone Starts Thinking Give me just the facts and only then will I believe. No. No. Not those facts I don’t like those facts! The idea that one starts with zero assumptions and believes ideas based on just the facts is nice thinking but it’s not how people think. Where everyone starts thinking is through their presuppositions – the starting point where one filters the facts through. It’s inescapable and we delude ourselves in thinking it’s different. We want to believe we are Spock that divorces himself from emotion and only accepts the logic of the situation. But wait – logic? In a purely natural world that has no transcendental Mind, how is logic to be trusted or even thought of as real? Plus, just logic is not how humans think. Everyone has a place for faith and it starts with those ideas that they first bring to the table and are really hard to change. Because they inform how one thinks about the complete scope of all reality. Jim, we’re human not a Vulcan philosopher! Timeline: 00:00 – Introduction 00:40 – A Brief Overview Of Presuppositional Apologetics 04:57 – I Won’t Believe Unless There’s Proof! 08:50 – Descartes & The Modern Worldview 14:37 – Bahnsen’s Critique Of Descartes 15:08 – Fundamental Beliefs Are Necessary 16:00 – A Place For Faith For Everyone 21:46 – Everyone Starts With Assumptions Before They Reason 25:26 – Internal Critique Calling To Live In One’s Presuppositions 27:59 – Conclusion The episode link is cavetothecross.com/ep185/ LINKS: 08:08 – James Anderson Interview Ep.138 Books mentioned in this episode: Against All Opposition: Defending the Christian Worldview by Greg Bahnsen – Get The Book(s) – Order At American Vision                     Bahnsen Lecture Library