Apologetics Profile is a weekly podcast discussing world religions, atheism, cults, the occult, alternative religions, controversial doctrines and spiritual practices. We are an evangelical Christian organization dedicated to respectful conversations from a biblical perspective. Apologetics Profile is a production of Watchman Fellowship, a non-profit Christian apologetics ministry focused on interfaith evangelism and discernment. For more information, visit: www.watchman.org.
How could a young, relatively uneducated farm boy from upstate New York in the late 1820s have written something like The Book of Mormon? Was it inspired by God or is it merely the product of Joseph Smith's vivid imagination and storytelling? This week and next on the Profile we will be featuring our conversation with Sandra Tanner from this past April, recorded on General Conference Weekend in Utah. Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray had the privilege of talking to Sandra about Smith, The Book of Mormon, and several other challenges facing the LDS Church today. Sandra Tanner and her late husband Jerald were raised in the LDS faith, both with a strong Mormon family history. Jerald was the great-great-grandson of John Tanner, well known for his sizeable financial contributions to Joseph Smith and the LDS church in 1835 when the church was deeply in debt. Sandra Tanner is a great-great-granddaughter of Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church.As teenagers, before they met, Jerald and Sandra were challenged by different people and events to examine the origins of Mormonism. Soon after their introduction, they jointly began researching Mormonism and became engaged. Both accepted Christ during these early years of study and have left the Mormon church. Sandra remains today a Christian. The Tanners are authors of over forty books on the subject of Mormonism. They are well known for their extensive research into Mormon history and doctrine. Utah Lighthouse™ Ministry provides these books and research, as well as photocopies and reprints of original Mormon documents to the public. https://www.utlm.org/navaboutus.htmFree PDF Copy of Mormonism - Shadow or Reality? Audio Links used in this broadcast:Brad Wilcox - https://youtu.be/wKfhkj0fHNk?si=vpbozHEmZbd4U3yyEzra Benson - https://youtu.be/TN1Ez7MjvBU?si=2ku-Wi2DAprnYX73Russel Nelson - https://youtu.be/DG181zFA5YM?si=EmrSaXvm9nwrjqTARelated Links: Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Apologetics Profile podcast What Is the Gospel? with Mormon apologist Scott Gordon and Christian apologist James Walker (YouTube): www.watchman.org/GordonWalker Apologetics Profile podcast list of all episodes about Latter-day Saints https://www.watchman.org/files/ldspod.htm Additional Resources:FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
There exists a popular myth among skeptics and non-believers that Jesus did not really rise from the dead. What may have happened, they suggest, is that Peter and/or Paul experienced some kind of hallucination or vision of Jesus after His death. Our guest again this week on the Profile, resurrection scholar Dr. Gary Habermas, argues however, that in order for this hypothesis even to get off the ground, the skeptic must first establish the truth of a purely naturalistic worldview, which, Gary believes, cannot be done. Naturalistic refutations of Jesus' resurrection fail to provide any significant challenge to the narratives found in the four Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Dr. Gary Habermas has dedicated his professional life to the examination of the relevant historical, philosophical, and theological issues surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. His extensive list of publications and debates provides a thorough account of the current state of the issue. He has also contributed more than 60 chapters or articles to additional books, and over 100 articles and reviews in journals and other publications. In recent years, he has been a visiting or adjunct professor at about 15 different graduate schools and seminaries in the United States and abroad. Dr. Habermas is a Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy. He is married to Eileen and they have seven children and 11 grandchildren. https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/seminary/faculty/gary-habermas/Gary's Books (2024), On the Resurrection: Refutations, Vol 2 of 4, Broadman & Holman, Academic, ISBN: 978-1-0877-7862-4, https://www.amazon.com/on-the-resurrection-volume-2/dp/108777862X Free Profiles from Watchman Fellowship! Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: watchman.org/Ehrman Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Mythicism by Dr. Robert Stewart and Marilyn Stewart: watchman.org/Mythicism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (660 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
If Jesus did not rise from the dead, as skeptics claim, then our faith in Christ is worthless and we are still in our sins (1 Corinthians 15:17). So do arguments rooted in naturalism, aimed at criticizing and casting doubt upon the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, pose any significant challenge to the Christian faith? According to our guest this week, the world's leading scholar on the resurrection of Jesus, Dr. Gary Habermas, the answer is "Absolutely not!" Dr. Gary Habermas has dedicated his professional life to the examination of the relevant historical, philosophical, and theological issues surrounding the death and resurrection of Jesus. His extensive list of publications and debates provides a thorough account of the current state of the issue. He has also contributed more than 60 chapters or articles to additional books, and over 100 articles and reviews in journals and other publications. In recent years, he has been a visiting or adjunct professor at about 15 different graduate schools and seminaries in the United States and abroad. Dr. Habermas is a Distinguished Research Professor of Apologetics and Philosophy. He is married to Eileen and they have seven children and 11 grandchildren. https://www.liberty.edu/divinity/seminary/faculty/gary-habermas/Gary's Books (2024), On the Resurrection: Refutations, Vol 2 of 4, Broadman & Holman, Academic, ISBN: 978-1-0877-7862-4, https://www.amazon.com/on-the-resurrection-volume-2/dp/108777862X Free Profiles from Watchman Fellowship! Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: watchman.org/Ehrman Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Mythicism by Dr. Robert Stewart and Marilyn Stewart: watchman.org/Mythicism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (660 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
How many invisible entities does it take to explain the origin of the universe? Is the origin and existence of the cosmos ultimately best explained by a host of invisible theoretical entities or is it all best explained by a single, intelligent Agent? We continue our conversation from last week on the topic of Intelligent Design with Discovery Institute associates Dr. Casey Luskin and his wife Kristin Marais. Casey Luskin is a scientist and an attorney with graduate degrees in science and law, giving him expertise in both the scientific and legal dimensions of the debate over evolution. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Johannesburg He earned a law degree from the University of San Diego. His B.S. and M.S. degrees in Earth Sciences are from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Luskin has been a California-licensed attorney since 2005, practicing primarily in the area of evolution-education in public schools and defending academic freedom for scientists who face discrimination because of their support for intelligent design (ID). https://www.discovery.org/p/luskin/Kristin Marais has roughly 15 years of educational experience spanning the traditional building classroom, online classroom, curriculum development, and tutoring. She graduated from the University of California Riverside with a BS in biochemistry and then completed a MS in Teaching through Western Washington University. Kristin is a Washington state certified teacher with endorsements in chemistry, biology, and general science. https://discoveryinstitute.academy/chemistry/Featured Audio Clips Sources:Joe Rogan and Steven C. Meyer: https://youtu.be/jYYnULUru-w?si=7CgKmkolObKXZIBw andhttps://youtu.be/tb1Ubw1Iu5w?si=MPojWnmHhFQLSpQBEric Hedin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TA4QutvxX88&t=92sFree Resources from Watchman Fellowship Naturalism: https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdfScientism: https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdfPanpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdfPostmodernism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePostmodernism.pdfAtheism: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdfAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Critics call it creationism in a cheap tuxedo. Some think is merely religion masquerading as a pseudo-scientific theory, but many others believe it to be a viable scientific theory that should be taken seriously. So what exactly is the theory of Intelligent Design (ID)? This week and next on the Profile, we'll explore the answer to that question with two very knowledgeable proponents of ID, Dr. Casey Luskin and his wife Kristin Marais from Discovery Institute in Seattle, Washington. Casey Luskin is a scientist and an attorney with graduate degrees in science and law, giving him expertise in both the scientific and legal dimensions of the debate over evolution. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Johannesburg He earned a law degree from the University of San Diego. His B.S. and M.S. degrees in Earth Sciences are from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Luskin has been a California-licensed attorney since 2005, practicing primarily in the area of evolution-education in public schools and defending academic freedom for scientists who face discrimination because of their support for intelligent design (ID). https://www.discovery.org/p/luskin/Kristin Marais has roughly 15 years of educational experience spanning the traditional building classroom, online classroom, curriculum development, and tutoring. She graduated from the University of California Riverside with a BS in biochemistry and then completed a MS in Teaching through Western Washington University. Kristin is a Washington state certified teacher with endorsements in chemistry, biology, and general science. https://discoveryinstitute.academy/chemistry/Featured Audio Clips Sources: Dr. Marco Fasoli: https://youtu.be/jYYnULUru-w?si=7CgKmkolObKXZIBwRichard Dawkins: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_5gVn6G_1YJoe Rogan and Steven C. Meyer: https://youtu.be/jYYnULUru-w?si=7CgKmkolObKXZIBw andhttps://youtu.be/tb1Ubw1Iu5w?si=MPojWnmHhFQLSpQBFree Resources from Watchman Fellowship Naturalism: https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdfScientism: https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdfPanpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdfPostmodernism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePostmodernism.pdfAtheism: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdfAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Evolutionary biologists have attempted in a multitude of different ways to genetically alter a species of fruit fly in an attempt to create some kind of new species. But their efforts have not yielded the desired results. In addition, contemporary discoveries pertaining to our own human genetic make up have brought a significant challenge to the reigning orthodoxy of Neo-Darwinian evolution. Naturalists are bereft of any kind of explanation regarding from where the information in the genome has come or how nature on its own could create such specified and complex information. This week on the Profile we wrap up Daniel Ray's informal conversation with Discovery Institute fellow Dr. Paul Nelson. Paul discusses these and other philosophical and theological implications of Darwin's groundbreaking theory for us today. Paul Nelson, PhD, Senior Fellow, Center for Science and Culture, is an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Arts Program in Science & Religion at Biola University. He received his PhD in the philosophy of biology and evolutionary theory from the University of Chicago, and he lectures frequently at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Europe. His scholarly articles have appeared in journals such as Biology & Philosophy, BIO-Complexity, Zygon, Rhetoric and Public Affairs, and Touchstone, and his book chapters have appeared in the anthologies Mere Creation (Intervarsity Press), Signs of Intelligence (Brazos), Intelligent Design Creationism and Its Critics (MIT Press), Darwin, Design, Public Education (Michigan State University Press), and Next Generation Systematics (Cambridge University Press). Heis co-author of thebiology textbook Explore Evolution, and he has appeared in several films on intelligent design for Illustra Media. Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship Naturalism: https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdfScientism: https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdfPanpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdfPostmodernism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePostmodernism.pdfAtheism: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdfAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Since Charles Darwin's 1859 publication of On the Origin of Species there has been much debate and discussion about the relationship of Darwin's naturalistic hypothesis as it relates to and/or contravenes the creation account found in the Book of Genesis. Darwin's ideas have gone far beyond mere empirical science as they touch on the very philosophical, theological, and moral aspects of the origin and development of human beings.On this episode of the Profile we speak with Discovery Institute fellow Dr. Paul Nelson about these implications of Neo-Darwinian evolution and the challenges facing the theory of natural selection today. Daniel Ray caught up with Paul at the 2025 Science and Faith Conference in Denton, Texas this past February. It's a conversation you don't want to miss!Paul Nelson, PhD, Senior Fellow, Center for Science and Culture, is an Adjunct Professor in the Master of Arts Program in Science & Religion at Biola University. He received his PhD in the philosophy of biology and evolutionary theory from the University of Chicago, and he lectures frequently at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Europe. His scholarly articles have appeared in journals such as Biology & Philosophy, BIO-Complexity, Zygon, Rhetoric and Public Affairs, and Touchstone, and his book chapters have appeared in the anthologies Mere Creation (Intervarsity Press), Signs of Intelligence (Brazos), Intelligent Design Creationism and Its Critics (MIT Press), Darwin, Design, Public Education (Michigan State University Press), and Next Generation Systematics (Cambridge University Press). Heis co-author of thebiology textbook Explore Evolution, and he has appeared in several films on intelligent design for Illustra Media. Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship Naturalism: https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdfScientism: https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdfPanpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdfPostmodernism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePostmodernism.pdfAtheism: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdfAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Many of us have plenty of experiences with math, especially when we were younger. Perhaps some of your memories of what math was like for you in school are unpleasant, to say the least. Yet there are many people who are passionate about mathematics, especially Christians who see mathematics as the God-given language by which we can better understand not only the physical world around us, but God Himself. Naturalism has no real answers for why mathematics is so useful and even beautiful and practical not only for doing science, but in our everyday lives. And how are beauty and mathematics linked? What do beauty and math tell us about God Himself? This week we wrap up our conversation with youth leader, math professor, friend of Watchman Fellowship and Christian apologist Paige Lehrmann. Paige will share with us her passion about mathematics, beauty, and how we can incorporate them in our defense for the hope that is in us (1 Peter 3:15). Paige Lehrmann is the Director of Student Ministries at St. Andrew's Community Church in Oklahoma City and a student at Dallas Theological Seminary. She earned her B.A. in Philosophy and Mathematics from Oklahoma Baptist University, where she completed an interdisciplinary thesis on the Trinity. Paige went on to pursue graduate studies in mathematics at the University of Oklahoma and has taught as an adjunct professor at Mid-America Christian University. She has presented at apologetics conferences on topics such as the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and theistic arguments from beauty. Through her work, she hopes to help others think deeply about faith, truth, and the beauty of the Gospel.You may contact Paige via email at Paige.lehrmann@gmail.com. Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship Atheist New Testament scholar Dr. Bart D. Ehrman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman Atheism: www.watchman.org/Atheism Latter-day Saints: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Panpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdf The New Age Movement: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/newageprofile.pdf Hinduism: https://www.watchman.org/staff/jwalker/ProfileHinduism.pdf Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
We have all had meaningful and profound encounters with beauty in our lives. Even though we often know what we mean when we say "That is absolutely beautiful," beauty, as it turns out, is not easy to articulate in words. It goes far beyond outward or aesthetically pleasing appearances. There is much more theological depth and complexity to the topic of beauty than what may be "in the eye of the beholder." Our guest this week and next on the Profile is Miss Paige Lehrmann, friend of Watchman Fellowship, Christian apologist, youth leader, and math professor. We'll be discussing Paige's insights about the nature of beauty and how it points us to Christ. Paige Lehrmann is the Director of Student Ministries at St. Andrew's Community Church in Oklahoma City and a student at Dallas Theological Seminary. She earned her B.A. in Philosophy and Mathematics from Oklahoma Baptist University, where she completed an interdisciplinary thesis on the Trinity. Paige went on to pursue graduate studies in mathematics at the University of Oklahoma and has taught as an adjunct professor at Mid-America Christian University. She has presented at apologetics conferences on topics such as the Trinity, the divinity of Christ, and theistic arguments from beauty. Through her work, she hopes to help others think deeply about faith, truth, and the beauty of the Gospel.You may contact Paige via email at Paige.lehrmann@gmail.com. Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship Atheist New Testament scholar Dr. Bart D. Ehrman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman Atheism: www.watchman.org/Atheism Latter-day Saints: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Panpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdf The New Age Movement: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/newageprofile.pdf Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Colossians tells us that all things were made through Christ and for Christ. John tells us that all things came into being through the Word who was and is God incarnate, the second Person of the Trinity, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through what God has made, Romans 1 tells us, the whole world knows something of God's invisible attributes - His "eternal power and divine nature," for example. But critics of Christianity deny that Jesus is God in the flesh. How can we as Christians be better equipped to respond to the critics of the incarnate Christ? This week we continue our discussion with Dr. Rob Bowman, Jr.,, president of the Institute for Religious Research about his new book The Incarnate Christ and His Critics. Rob will give us more insights from his "HANDS" acronym about how we can known Jesus is both Lord and God and how we can give an intelligent defense of what the Bible says of Jesus to non-Christians. Dr. Rob Bowman Jr., is an evangelical Christian apologist, biblical scholar, author, editor, and lecturer. He has lectured on biblical studies, religion, and apologetics at Biola University, Cornerstone University, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Rob is the author of over sixty articles and the author or co-author of fifteen books including Jesus' Resurrection and Joseph's Visions: Examining the Foundations of Christianity and Mormonism, Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ, co-authored with J. Ed Komoszewski, and Faith Has Its Reasons: Integrative Approaches to Defending the Christian Faith, co-authored with Kenneth D. Boa. Dr. Bowman holds the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in biblical studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and South African Theological Seminary. He is widely regarded as the leading evangelical scholar addressing the uses and interpretations of the Bible by such religious groups as Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons.Related Links: FREE Four-Page Profile Articles from Watchman Fellowship! Atheist New Testament scholar Dr. Bart D. Ehrman. https://www.watchman.org/ProfileBartEhrman.pdf Atheism https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdf Latter-day Saints https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/ldsprofile.pdf Watchtower Bible and Tract Society https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/watchtowerprofile.pdf Islam https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/islamprofile.pdf Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
"The whole world has gone after Him" the Pharisees said to one another about Jesus of Nazareth (John 12:19). He healed the sick, cured the lepers, brought sight to the blind, commanded the winds and the waves, fed the hungry, and even raised His friend Lazarus from the dead. Who is this Jesus? Some say He was just a prophet. Some say He was merely a teacher, but others believed Him to be, the Christ, the Son of the living God, Lord, and Savior. This week and next on the Profile we'll be talking to Dr. Rob Bowman, Jr.,, president of the Institute for Religious Research about his new book The Incarnate Christ and His Critics. What do the critics of Christianity say about Jesus? What does the Bible say of Jesus? Using the pneumonic acronym "HANDS" Rob provides us with invaluable wisdom about answering non-believers' critiques of Jesus. Dr. Rob Bowman Jr., a former staff member at Watchman Fellowship, is an evangelical Christian apologist, biblical scholar, author, editor, and lecturer. He has lectured on biblical studies, religion, and apologetics at Biola University, Cornerstone University, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Rob is the author of over sixty articles and the author or co-author of fifteen books including Jesus' Resurrection and Joseph's Visions: Examining the Foundations of Christianity and Mormonism, Putting Jesus in His Place: The Case for the Deity of Christ, co-authored with J. Ed Komoszewski, and Faith Has Its Reasons: Integrative Approaches to Defending the Christian Faith, co-authored with Kenneth D. Boa. Dr. Bowman holds the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in biblical studies from Fuller Theological Seminary and South African Theological Seminary. He is widely regarded as the leading evangelical scholar addressing the uses and interpretations of the Bible by such religious groups as Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons.Related Links: FREE Four-Page Profile Articles from Watchman Fellowship! Atheist New Testament scholar Dr. Bart D. Ehrman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman Atheism: www.watchman.org/Atheism Latter-day Saints: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchtower Bible and Tract Society: www.watchman.org/Watchtower Islam www.watchman.org/Muslim Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2025 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Word-faith teachers claim that faith is a kind of power or force that we can utilize to our advantage to help us prosper physically, financially, and spiritually. This week philosopher and apologist Dr. Richard G. Howe will continue to unpack the problematic doctrines and practices of the word-faith prosperity heresy and give us sound, biblical insights as to how we can prevent and counter-act these false teachings. Dr. Richard G. Howe is a writer as well as a public speaker and debater in churches, conferences, and university campuses on issues concerning Christian apologetics and philosophy. He is Norman L. Geisler Chair of Christian Apologetics at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina where he also serves as Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics and as the Provost. Dr. Howe is Past President of the International Society of Christian Apologetics.Related Links: Here are some of our related 4-page Profiles on the Word Faith Movement, popular Prosperity Gospel preachers, the occult and New Age / Mind Science religions: Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Word Faith Movement by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: www.watchman.org/WordFaith Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Benny Hinn by Justin Peters: www.watchman.org/Hinn Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Joel Osteen by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: www.watchman.org/Osteen Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Joyce Meyer by Tim Martin: www.watchman.org/Meyer Watchman Fellowship Profile on The Occult by James Walker: www.watchman.org/TheOccult Watchman Fellowship Profile on The Secret by James Walker: www.watchman.org/TheSecret Watchman Fellowship Profile on Christian Science by Craig Branch: www.watchman.org/ChristianScience Watchman Fellowship Profile on Unity School of Christianity by Rick Branch: www.watchman.org/Unity Watchman Fellowship Profile on Witchcraft / Wicca by Dr. Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/Wicca Watchman Fellowship's Profile on Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: www.watchman.org/SA Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
The word-faith prosperity gospel is not really the Gospel at all. Much of the heretical theology and practice within the word-faith movement comes from much older and long-standing occult beliefs and practice. This week and next on Apologetics Profile, we'll be featuring president of Watchman Fellowship James K. Walker's conversation with Dr. Richard Howe about the occult influences in the doctrines of highly popular word-faith teachers such as Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn and Joyce Meyer.Dr. Richard G. Howe is a writer as well as a public speaker and debater in churches, conferences, and university campuses on issues concerning Christian apologetics and philosophy. He is Norman L. Geisler Chair of Christian Apologetics at Southern Evangelical Seminary in Charlotte, North Carolina where he also serves as Professor of Philosophy and Apologetics and as the Provost. Dr. Howe is Past President of the International Society of Christian Apologetics.Related Links: Here are some of our related 4-page Profiles on the Word Faith Movement, popular Prosperity Gospel preachers, the occult and New Age / Mind Science religions: Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Word Faith Movement by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: www.watchman.org/WordFaith Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Benny Hinn by Justin Peters: www.watchman.org/Hinn Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Joel Osteen by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: www.watchman.org/Osteen Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Joyce Meyer by Tim Martin: www.watchman.org/Meyer Watchman Fellowship Profile on The Occult by James Walker: www.watchman.org/TheOccult Watchman Fellowship Profile on The Secret by James Walker: www.watchman.org/TheSecret Watchman Fellowship Profile on Christian Science by Craig Branch: www.watchman.org/ChristianScience Watchman Fellowship Profile on Unity School of Christianity by Rick Branch: www.watchman.org/Unity Watchman Fellowship Profile on Witchcraft / Wicca by Dr. Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/Wicca Watchman Fellowship's Profile on Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: www.watchman.org/SA Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
In early 1820 a young farm boy by the name of Joseph Smith believed he had a vision of God the Father and Jesus Christ appearing to him, exhorting him not to join any of the existing churches of his day, for they were all corrupt. Just over 200 years later in 2023 in Wilmore, Kentuck in the main chapel on the campus of Asbury Theological Seminary, something of a revival began. For two weeks, thousands of people from all over the world came to Ashbury to see for themselves what was happening. During these two weeks, people prayed and sang worship songs. Many Christians, however, debated as to whether or not this was a genuine revival or just an emotive outpouring of mostly Gen-Z'ers. And most Evangelical Christians criticize Joseph's Smith's first vision as either legendary, completely fabricated, or theologically aberrant. How can we rightly discern whether or not people's personal experiences are truly from God? This week on the Profile we wrap up our conversation with theologian and literary scholar Dr. Jeffery Barbeau about his new book The Last Romantic - C.S. Lewis, English Literature, and Modern Theology and consider more of Lewis's insights and how they can equip us to think biblically about personal religious experiences.Jeffery Barbeau (Ph.D., Marquette University) is professor of theology at Wheaton College, Editor of The Coleridge Bulletin, and a writer on British Romanticism, religion and literature, and the history of Christian thought. His other works include The Cambridge Companion to British Romanticism and Religion (2021), The Spirit of Methodism: From the Wesleys to a Global Communion (2019), and Religion in Romantic England (2018).Related Links: Go deeper with these related apologetics tools: Watchman Fellowship's Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: www.watchman.org/SA Watchman Fellowship Profile on the International Christian Church: by Steve Matthews and Dr. Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ICC Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Tim Martin: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
If you have ever had a deeply moving personal experience with God, you know it can be something that words cannot adequately convey. Perhaps it is deeply emotional, powerful, and moving. The experience solidifies your conviction that what you believe about God is true. You might also believe God "spoke" to you in that moment. But given that there are a multitude of other religions today with devotees who claim to have similar experiences, how can we know that what we have experienced is an authentic movement of the God who is there? This week and next on the Profile, we talk with theologian and literary scholar Dr. Jeffrey Barbeau about his new book The Last Romantic - C.S. Lewis, English Literature, and Modern Theology and how Lewis's thoughts about Romantic poetry might give us some insight about the nature of personal religious experiences and how properly to think about them.Jeffery Barbeau (Ph.D., Marquette University) is professor of theology at Wheaton College, Editor of The Coleridge Bulletin, and a writer on British Romanticism, religion and literature, and the history of Christian thought. His books include monographs, anthologies, and edited books, including The Last Romantic: C. S. Lewis, English Literature, and Modern Theology (2025), The Cambridge Companion to British Romanticism and Religion (2021), The Spirit of Methodism: From the Wesleys to a Global Communion (2019), Religion in Romantic England (2018), and Sara Coleridge: Her Life and Thought (2014).Related Links: Go deeper with these related apologetics tools: Watchman Fellowship's Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: www.watchman.org/SA Watchman Fellowship Profile on the International Christian Church: by Steve Matthews and Dr. Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ICC Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Tim Martin: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Former Latter-day Saint, Isaac Hess, describes Mormonism's "Burning in the Bosom" https://youtu.be/ChULWVM6AF8 Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
There are nearly seven million Latter-day Saints in the United States today. And yet despite the growth of Latter-day Saints in foreign countries, the LDS church in the US continues to see a significant decline in its membership. Since 2021, the LDS church in the US has experienced a decline in membership in 21 states. Through the growth of available information on line, many LDS are discovering for the first time many of the problems with the church's history and theology that have until quite recently been kept secret from members. This week on the Profile President of Watchman Fellowship James K. Walker continues his conversation with Founder of Mormon Research Ministries and the Utah Christian Research Center, Bill McKeever.Bill McKeever founded Mormonism Research Ministry in 1979 with the hope of informing the Body of Christ about the differences between Mormonism and Christianity. He has also made an effort to reach out the many individuals who are members of the LDS Church, desiring to show them in gentleness and respect the truth about God's Word. His writings include In Their own Words: A Collection of Mormon Quotations, Answering Mormons' Questions: Ready Responses for Inquiring Latter-day Saints, and Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints. Related Links: Get the rest of the story including some of our most popular podcasts on Mormonism, access to some of our key LDS articles and our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism): Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: www.watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Apologetics Profile podcast What Is the Gospel? with Mormon apologist Scott Gordon and Christian apologist James Walker (YouTube): www.watchman.org/GordonWalker Apologetics Profile podcast "Jesus' Resurrection and Joseph's Visions," with Rob Bowman: www.watchman.org/1stVision Apologetics Profile podcast list of all episodes about Latter-day Saints https://www.watchman.org/files/ldspod.htm Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
279 Reaching Mormons with the Gospel [Part 1] with Bill McKeever and James WalkerThis week and next on the profile President of Watchman Fellowship, James Walker sits down with Bill McKeever, founder of Mormon Research Ministry (MRM) and the Utah Christian Research Center, about many of the challenges facing Latter-day Saints today regarding the church's history and theology. We hope these episodes will better equip you to engage and understand your LDS friends, neighbors, and missionaries that come to your door. Bill McKeever founded Mormonism Research Ministry in 1979 with the hope of informing the Body of Christ about the differences between Mormonism and Christianity. He has also made an effort to reach out the many individuals who are members of the LDS Church, desiring to show them in gentleness and respect the truth about God's Word. His writings include In Their own Words: A Collection of Mormon Quotations (Morris Publishing, 2010), Answering Mormons' Questions: Ready Responses for Inquiring Latter-day Saints (co-authored with Eric Johnson, Kregel, 2013), and Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints (Baker, 2015). In addition, Bill serves as the editor of Mormonism Researched, a bi-monthly publication distributed free through Mormonism Research Ministry. He is the host of the daily radio program Viewpoint on Mormonism and has been a featured guest on many Christian and secular talk shows throughout the country.Related Links: Get the rest of the story including some of our most popular podcasts on Mormonism, access to some of our key LDS articles and our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism): Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: www.watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Apologetics Profile podcast What Is the Gospel? with Mormon apologist Scott Gordon and Christian apologist James Walker (YouTube): www.watchman.org/GordonWalker Apologetics Profile podcast "Jesus' Resurrection and Joseph's Visions," with Rob Bowman: www.watchman.org/1stVision Apologetics Profile podcast list of all episodes about Latter-day Saints https://www.watchman.org/files/ldspod.htm Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
277 When Cults Split [Part2] The ICC Disfellowships Kip McKean who joins new RCW splinter groupThis week on Apologetics Profile, Watchman senior apologist Dr. Brady Blevins continues his conversation with counter-cult apologist Steve Matthews about the recent split of the International Christian Church (ICC) and its disfellowshipping of its charismatic and controversial founder, Kip McKean. The breakaway sect of the ICC now calls itself the Restored Church Worldwide and in January, made a surprising move to accept and "restore" McKean as a member in good standing. Here on part two Steve will share with us the details of the split and give us helpful insights as to how we can recognize and prevent heretical doctrines and practices from deceiving and dividing the body of Christ. To hear more about Kip McKean and the ICC, you can listen to our previous episodes with Steve here. Podcast: Kip McKean and the International Christian Churches (Part 1): www.watchman.org/KipMcKean1Podcast: Kip McKean and the International Christian Churches (Part 2): www.watchman.org/KipMcKean2Steve Matthews is a Christian countercult apologist who is not only passionate about researching the more established cults, but also in responding to the newer emerging groups as well. He has his M.A. in Christian Apologetics from Trinity International University and is host of the YouTube channel Exposing the Cults which is soon to be an in-depth website. More of Steve's content can be found at Exposing the Cults YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@ExposingTheCults.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship's Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: www.watchman.org/SA Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on International Christian Church by Steve Matthews and Dr. Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ICC Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on the Boston Church of Christ / International Churches of Christ by Rick Branch: www.watchman.org/Boston Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Burning Man by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/BurningMan Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on World Mission Society Church of God by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/WMSCG Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
This week and next on the Profile, Watchman senior apologist Dr. Brady Blevins talks with counter-cult apologist Steve Matthews about the recent split of the International Christian Church (ICC), founded by the controversial and charismatic leader Kip McKean. Not only did the ICC recently split, it also disfellowshipped McKean himself for inappropriate behavior, some of which McKean has publicly acknowledged. The new breakaway from the ICC now calls itself the Restored Church Worldwide (RCW). In addition, this past January, the RCW "restored" McKean, not in a position of leadership, but as a member. Steve shares with us some of the details and background of the split and the history of McKean's association with the ICOC, the ICC, and now the RCW. For more background about the ICC and ICOC, you can listen to our previous episodes with Steve here. Podcast: Kip McKean and the International Christian Churches (Part 1): www.watchman.org/KipMcKean1Podcast: Kip McKean and the International Christian Churches (Part 2): www.watchman.org/KipMcKean2Steve Matthews is a Christian countercult apologist who is not only passionate about researching the more established cults, but also in responding to the newer emerging groups as well. He has his M.A. in Christian Apologetics from Trinity International University and is host of the YouTube channel Exposing the Cults which is soon to be an in-depth website. More of Steve's content can be found at Exposing the Cults YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/@ExposingTheCultsRelated Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship's Spiritual Abuse Recovery Workbook by David Henke: www.watchman.org/SA Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on International Christian Church by Steve Matthews and Dr. Brady Blevins: www.watchman.org/ICC Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on the Boston Church of Christ / International Churches of Christ by Rick Branch: www.watchman.org/Boston Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Burning Man by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/BurningMan Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on World Mission Society Church of God by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/WMSCG Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/GiveApologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Just how radically different is the portrait of Isa in the Qur'an with Jesus of the Bible? This week we'll hear once more from president of Watchman Fellowship James Walker's interview with Sara, a former Muslim, who was moved and convicted by Jesus' Sermon on the Mount in Matthew. If Allah is truly merciful and loving, why did the Sermon on the Mount seem so radically different than the Allah of the Qur'an? This interview took place live at the Defend Apologetics Conference at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary this past January.Sara is is a former Muslim who became a Christian after questioning the teachings of the Qur'an and the Hadiths. She is currently a student at Leavell College at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. You may visit her YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/@ApostateofAllahRelated Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman book: What the Qur'an Really Teaches about Jesus, by James Walker Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shi'a Islam by Dr. Mike Edens: www.watchman.org/Shia Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Ahmadiyya Islam by Eric Pement: www.watchman.org/Ahmadiyya Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on The Bahai Faith by Robert Pardon: www.watchman.org/Bahai Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
This week we conclude our series on Islam with the testimony of a former Muslim who became a Christian after questioning some of the basic teachings of the Qur'an and the Hadiths. On this episode president of Watchman Fellowship James Walker had a chance to talk with Sara at the Defend Apologetics Conference in January about her transition from Islam to Christianity. This week we'll hear about Sara's background with Islam and how she started to question what the Qur'an and the Hadiths really say about Jesus.Sara is is a former Muslim who became a Christian after questioning the teachings of the Qur'an and the Hadiths. She is currently a student at Leavell College at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. You may visit her YouTube channel here: www.youtube.com/@ApostateofAllahRelated Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman book: What the Qur'an Really Teaches about Jesus, by James Walker Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shi'a Islam by Dr. Mike Edens: www.watchman.org/Shia Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Ahmadiyya Islam by Eric Pement: www.watchman.org/Ahmadiyya Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on The Bahai Faith by Robert Pardon: www.watchman.org/Bahai Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
When engaging Muslims with the truth of Christianity, it is crucial we understand clearly not only our own doctrines but those of our Muslim friends and neighbors as well. While we use many familiar-sounding concepts, our definitions are often radically different. This week on the Profile we continue our discussion with founder and president of Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary in Aman, Jordan Dr. Imad Shehadeh. We talk more about his 2020 two-volume publication God With Us and Without Us - The Beauty and Power of Oneness in Trinity versus Absolute Oneness. Imad will share more valuable insights from his decades of engagement with Muslims about the nature of our Triune God and the absolute oneness of Allah.Dr. Imad Shehadeh is President and Senior Professor of Theology at Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary, Amman, Jordan, which he founded in 1991. Dr Shehadeh earned his PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary, Texas, and has carried out post-doctoral studies at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven, Belgium, and the University of Edinburgh, UK. He has a wide-ranging preaching and teaching ministry including online and television series, and speaking at churches, seminaries and conferences. Dr Shehadeh has written a number of articles and books published in both English and Arabic.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman book: What the Qur'an Really Teaches about Jesus, by James Walker Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shi'a Islam by Dr. Mike Edens: www.watchman.org/Shia Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Ahmadiyya Islam by Eric Pement: www.watchman.org/Ahmadiyya Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on The Bahai Faith by Robert Pardon: www.watchman.org/Bahai Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
God is doing a work in the Middle East. This week and next on the Profile we talk with the founder and president of Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary in Aman, Jordan Dr. Imad Shehadeh. The seminary, established in the early 1990s, presently trains and equips Christians, many who are former Muslims, to pastor churches and serve in Christian ministry throughout the Middle East and the world. Dr. Shehadeh shares with us his insights and experience in engaging Muslims with the truth of the Christian faith. We discuss his 2020 two-volume publication God With Us and Without Us - The Beauty and Power of Oneness in Trinity versus Absolute Oneness. It is a comprehensive survey about the differences between the Christian doctrine of the Trinity and the Islamic doctrine of Tawhid, or absolute oneness.Dr. Imad Shehadeh is President and Senior Professor of Theology at Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary, Amman, Jordan, which he founded in 1991. Dr Shehadeh earned his PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary, Texas, and has carried out post-doctoral studies at the Evangelische Theologische Faculteit, Leuven, Belgium, and the University of Edinburgh, UK. He has a wide-ranging preaching and teaching ministry including online and television series, and speaking at churches, seminaries and conferences. Dr Shehadeh has written a number of articles and books published in both English and Arabic.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman book: What the Qur'an Really Teaches about Jesus, by James Walker Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shi'a Islam by Dr. Mike Edens: www.watchman.org/Shia Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Ahmadiyya Islam by Eric Pement: www.watchman.org/Ahmadiyya Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on The Bahai Faith by Robert Pardon: www.watchman.org/Bahai Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
When sharing our own testimonies and stories about our faith in Christ with Muslims, it is essential to know some basic differences between Christianity and Islam. What do Muslims believe about the Trinity? What is the true nature of God? What are the fundamental differences between the God of the Bible and Allah of the Qur'an? This week we continue our discussion with Dr. Sherene Khouri, author and assistant professor of Arabic at Liberty University of Virginia, about her new book, Triune Rationality - A Trinitarian Response to Islamic Monotheism. Dr. Khouri provides us with helpful historical insights and key theological concepts that will both enrich and better inform our apologetic conversations with our Muslim friends and neighbors.Sherene Nicholas Khouri (PhD, Liberty University) is assistant professor of Arabic at Liberty University and also teaches courses on theology, apologetics, Arabic Christianity, and Islam in the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity. Born in Damascus, Syria, she served the Arabic church in the Middle East for thirteen years.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman book: What the Qur'an Really Teaches about Jesus, by James Walker Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shi'a Islam by Dr. Mike Edens: www.watchman.org/Shia Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Ahmadiyya Islam by Eric Pement: www.watchman.org/Ahmadiyya Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on The Bahai Faith by Robert Pardon: www.watchman.org/Bahai Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
The Trinity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is perhaps one of the most difficult and challenging doctrines of the Christian faith. Perhaps it is nowhere more challenging to explain than in dialogue with Muslims, who believe that Christianity is blasphemously polytheistic, teaching that there are literally three distinct Gods. Our guest this week and next on the Profile, Dr. Sherene Khouri assistant professor of Arabic at Liberty University of Virginia joins to discuss her new book, Triune Rationality - A Trinitarian Response to Islamic Monotheism. Dr. Khouri provides a comprehensive historical look back to three lesser-known Christian apologists who lived during the time of the Golden Age of Islam and wrote apologetic defenses of the Trinity in Arabic to their Islamic contemporaries. Dr. Khouri's insights and research are immensely helpful for anyone in dialogue with Muslims today.Sherene Nicholas Khouri (PhD, Liberty University) is assistant professor of Arabic at Liberty University and also teaches courses on theology, apologetics, Arabic Christianity, and Islam in the John W. Rawlings School of Divinity. Born in Damascus, Syria, she served the Arabic church in the Middle East for thirteen years.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman book: What the Qur'an Really Teaches about Jesus, by James Walker Watchman Fellowship's 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shi'a Islam by Dr. Mike Edens: www.watchman.org/Shia Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Ahmadiyya Islam by Eric Pement: www.watchman.org/Ahmadiyya Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on The Bahai Faith by Robert Pardon: www.watchman.org/Bahai Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
You have probably seen the picture of Earth taken by the Voyager I satellite on Valentine's Day in 1990. It looks like nothing more than a little pixel, just a tiny point of light hanging in a beam of sunlight, like a mote of dust. Long before NASA presented this iconic image to the public, however, the late Medieval poet Dante had imagined the Earth would appear as a mere point of light in comparison to the rest of the cosmos. Many Medieval thinkers had gifted and extraordinary insights into the nature of reality, many of which laid the foundation for modern science in the West. Contrary to popular belief, the Medieval Era was a fruitful time of innovation and invention. This week, we continue to dispel some modern misconception about Medievals with author and historian James Hannam. James Hannam is a historian of the relationship between religion and science in the United Kingdom. He is the author of God's Philosophers - How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations of Modern Science (published in the US as The Genesis of Science: How the Christian Middle Ages Launched the Scientific Revolution) and The Globe: How the Earth Became Round. James is also a full-time tax consultant. You can find out more about James and his work on his website: www.JamesHannam.com.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Scientism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray.: www.watchman.org/Naturalism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Astrology by Marcia Montenegro: www.watchman.org/Astrology Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Richard Dawkins by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Dawkins Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
You have likely heard the term "the Dark Ages" to describe the period of history from about 450 A.D. to 1450 A.D. And you have likely heard a historian or science popularizer or two suggest that it was primarily the Christian Church of the time which was the root cause of suppressing true scientific knowledge of the physical cosmos. Medievals were ignorant, superstitious, and didn't do much of anything scientifically significant for nearly a thousand years. Our guest this week, author and historian James Hannam, says that this disparaging caricature of the Medieval Era is entirely wrong. This week's episode tackles the influence of Aristotle, the development of the university, and the idea of purpose in Medieval natural philosophy. James Hannam is a historian of the relationship between religion and science in the United Kingdom. He is the author of God's Philosophers - How the Medieval World Laid the Foundations of Modern Science (published in the US as The Genesis of Science: How the Christian Middle Ages Launched the Scientific Revolution) and The Globe: How the Earth Became Round. James is also a full-time tax consultant. You can find out more about James and his work on his website: www.JamesHannam.com.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Scientism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray.: www.watchman.org/Naturalism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Astrology by Marcia Montenegro: www.watchman.org/Astrology Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Richard Dawkins by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Dawkins Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Our 2024 year-in-review theme for this special broadcast is From Unbelief to Belief. We feature clips from selected episodes in 2024 discussing the problem of unbelief and the hope we have in Christ of overcoming unbelief, in our own lives and the lives of those we know and love. Some of the guests featured on this special edition of the Profile include Dr. Darrell Bock, Dr. Doug Groothuis, Alisa Childers, Dr. Jamie Dew, Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez, Dr. William Dembski, Dr. Jana Harmon, Dr. Gary Habermas, and J. Warner Wallace. As we come to the closing days of 2024, we ask you to consider a tax-deductible donation to Watchman Fellowship to help make our weekly podcasts possible. You may donate at www.watchman.org/give or become a regular monthly supporter at www.patreon.com/WatchmanFellowship. If you prefer to send a check, please make it payable to Watchman Fellowship and indicate your support for Apologetics Profile Podcast. Our address is: Watchman Fellowship, Inc. PO BOX 310 Arlington, Texas 76004Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to today's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Hiddenness Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
In today's age of rampant individualistic interpretations of Scripture how can we properly cultivate a right understand the Bible? Our guest again this week on the Profile is theologian and president of Indianapolis Theological Seminary Dr. Nicholas Piotrowski, author of the 2021 book In All the Scriptures - Three Contexts of Biblical Hermeneutics. Nicholas offers us some insights from his book, most importantly about understanding the layered nature of contexts related to the times and places in which both the Old and New Testaments were written. Good hermeneutics, he argues, should always point us to Christ.Nicholas Piotrowski (PhD, Wheaton College) is the president and academic dean at Indianapolis Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he also teaches hermeneutics and New Testament studies. Faculty Bio: www.indysem.org/dr-piotrowski-bio-page.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Hiddenness Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
In today's age of rampant individualistic interpretations of Scripture how can we properly cultivate a right understand the Bible? Our guest this week and next on the Profile is theologian and president of Indianapolis Theological Seminary Dr. Nicholas Piotrowski, author of the 2021 book In All the Scriptures - Three Contexts of Biblical Hermeneutics. Nicholas offers us some insights from his book, most importantly about understanding the layered nature of contexts related to the times and places in which both the Old and New Testaments were written. Good hermeneutics, he argues, should always point us to Christ.Nicholas Piotrowski (PhD, Wheaton College) is the president and academic dean at Indianapolis Theological Seminary in Indianapolis, Indiana, where he also teaches hermeneutics and New Testament studies. Faculty Bio: www.indysem.org/dr-piotrowski-bio-page.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Hiddenness Watchman Fellowship's complete Profile Notebook demo video: www.watchman.org/Demo Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Perhaps two of the biggest objections you hear against God's existence are slavery and hell. Why would God, a loving God, allow such things? This week we continue our conversation with apologist with Josh McDowell Ministries, Matthew Tingblad, co-author with Josh McDowell of Why Did God Do That? Discovering God's Goodness in the Hard Passages of Scripture. Matthew will share with us his insights about these difficult objections and encourage us to focus on God's holiness and goodness toward us in Christ Jesus. Matthew Tingblad is a writer and speaker holding a Master of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology. Matthew has a passion to grow and strengthen the church with a firm grounding for the Christian faith. With wisdom and sensitivity, he offers a unique approach to tough biblical questions and the deeply felt needs of teenagers, college students, and young professionals today by integrating theology and philosophy into apologetics. Matthew has led thousands of individuals to grow in a rock-solid conviction that God is real, God is good, and God is worth it.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Annihilationism by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Annihilationism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Hiddenness Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Why? We often have many "Why?" questions when it comes to God and our relationship with Him. Why would God allow evil or why would God flood the earth? God does not tell us everything we would like to know, but He has revealed to us everything we need to know, including the fact that we can trust Him with our lives and that He is ultimately good. That is the premise for the book, Why Would God Do That? Discovering God's Goodness in the Hard Passages of Scripture, written by our guest this week and next on the profile, apologist with Josh McDowell Ministries, Matthew Tingblad. Matthew Tingblad is a writer and speaker holding a Master of Divinity from Talbot School of Theology. Matthew has a passion to grow and strengthen the church with a firm grounding for the Christian faith. With wisdom and sensitivity, he offers a unique approach to tough biblical questions and the deeply felt needs of teenagers, college students, and young professionals today by integrating theology and philosophy into apologetics. Matthew has led thousands of individuals to grow in a rock-solid conviction that God is real, God is good, and God is worth it.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Annihilationism by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Annihilationism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Hiddenness Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
262 Who's Afraid of the Multiverse? [Part 2] with Dr. Jeff Zweerinkapologetics, apologetics profile, Jeff Zweerink, Daniel Ray, Watchman Fellowship, multiverse, Reasons to Believe, fine-tuning, big bangOur guest again this week, astrophysicist and author at Reasons to Believe (www.reasons.org) Dr. Jeff Zweerink, tells us that we have nothing to fear, not even the multiverse! Many atheists and skeptics have tried to employ the multiverse as a means of explaining away God as the cause of the existence of our universe. Come and hear what Jeff has to say this week about how creation not only is not threatened by modern science, but how it ultimately can encourage and strengthen our faith when we learn more about it. By faith we know that the physical universe and everything it contains, both seen and unseen, are all ultimately declaring the glory of God. This week we conclude our discussion about Jeff's 2008 book, Who's Afraid of the Multiverse?Jeff Zweerink is an astrophysicist and a senior research scholar for Reasons to Believe (www.reasons.org), an organization dedicated to demonstrating the compatibility of science and the Christian faith. Jeff's work focuses on helping people of all backgrounds bridge the perceived gap between science and the Christian faith. Jeff has also made many media appearances, on television, radio, and in print. He earned a BS in physics and a PhD in astrophysics with a focus on gamma rays from Iowa State University. He taught and ran the planetarium at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, until postdoctoral research in gamma rays led him to the University of California, Riverside. Jeff is also a coauthor on more than 30 academic papers published in peer-reviewed journals, such as Astrophysical Journal, Astroparticle Physics, and Astrobiology.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Scientism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Carl Sagan's Cosmos by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Naturalism Book: The Story of the Cosmos by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/CosmosBook Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
The universe is a fantastically wondrous place. There are more things in heaven and earth than are often dreamt of in our philosophies, to paraphrase Hamlet a little bit. And for the many things we can observe in the physical universe, science sometimes struggles to come up with an explanation as to what is really going on. How much more mysterious are those things which we cannot see? How should Christians think about things that the science of the heavens tells us cannot be seen, such as the idea of the existence of many different universes? That's the question we tackle this week and next on the broadcast with astrophysicist from Reasons to Believe, Dr. Jeff Zweerink. We talk about his 2008 book, Who's Afraid of the Multiverse? So, who is afraid of the multiverse? Come and see! Jeff Zweerink is an astrophysicist and a senior research scholar for Reasons to Believe (www.reasons.org), an organization dedicated to demonstrating the compatibility of science and the Christian faith. Jeff's work focuses on helping people of all backgrounds bridge the perceived gap between science and the Christian faith. Jeff has also made many media appearances, on television, radio, and in print. He earned a BS in physics and a PhD in astrophysics with a focus on gamma rays from Iowa State University. He taught and ran the planetarium at Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, until postdoctoral research in gamma rays led him to the University of California, Riverside. Jeff is also a coauthor on more than 30 academic papers published in peer-reviewed journals, such as Astrophysical Journal, Astroparticle Physics, and Astrobiology.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Scientism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Carl Sagan's Cosmos by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/CosmosTV Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Naturalism Book: The Story of the Cosmos by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/CosmosBook Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Our guest again this week is author and apologist Lindsey Medenwaldt, who continues to share with us insights and her personal experiences with apologetics and evangelism. The Apostle Paul tells his fellow Christians in Corinth to do all to the glory of God. What does that mean? Do we have to be a popular evangelist or a pastor or have a successful social media following to glorify God? Must we be gregarious, outgoing evangelists who have no fear of man in order to win the world to Jesus? No. In whatever situation in which God has placed us, we can do all for the glory of God. Our witness to the world is most effectively accomplished through how we live our lives, in whatever vocation that might be. Our witness should be authentic, sincere, and candid, so that a world in need of hope can see how we have a hope in Christ that does not disappoint. Lindsey Medenwaldt is the Director of Ministry Operations at Mama Bear Apologetics, and is the resident worldview and world religion specialist. She has a master's degree in apologetics and ethics from Denver Seminary, as well as a master's in public administration and a law degree. She's the author of Bridge-Building Apologetics (Harvest House, 2024). She's an editor and author for the Christian Research Journal, an editor for Women in Apologetics, and a member of the Pelican Project.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: www.watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Naturalism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
In the 12th chapter of Paul's first letter to Corinth, he reminds the church that "the body is not one member but many... the eye cannot say to the hand 'I have no need of you.'" The Spirit of God has distributed diverse gifts to the body of Christ. We each have unique gifts and abilities which we can use to help encourage and edify one another as fellow Christians. Though not all of us have the gift of evangelism, we are all called to be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in us, with gentleness and reverence. We are all included in the Great Commission. But we will each go about sharing our faith diverse and unique ways with others. Our guest this week and next is author and apologist Lindsey Medenwaldt. She shares some of her insights about apologetics and evangelism in her new book Bridge-Building Apologetics. Lindsey Medenwaldt is the Director of Ministry Operations at Mama Bear Apologetics, and is the resident worldview and world religion specialist. She has a master's degree in apologetics and ethics from Denver Seminary, as well as a master's in public administration and a law degree. She's the author of Bridge-Building Apologetics (Harvest House, 2024). She's an editor and author for the Christian Research Journal, an editor for Women in Apologetics, and a member of the Pelican Project.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: www.watchman.org/Agnostic Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Naturalism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
What does materialism, Big-Bang cosmology, and Mormonism all have in common? Can we really work toward becoming a god of our own world? What does a mid-twentieth century interpretation of quantum mechanics have to do with Latter-Day Saint theology? And just exactly how can the Gospel help us better understand how to respond to these complex issues? This is part two of our rather unique dialogue with president of Watchman Fellowship and former 4th-generation Latter-Day Saint James K. Walker and astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr. Luke Barnes, plus some bonus material from some of our previous podcasts you won't want to miss!Luke A. Barnes is a Senior Lecturer in astronomy and cosmology. With PhD at the University of Cambridge, he has published papers in the field of galaxy formation and on the fine-tuning of the Universe for life. He is the author, with Geraint Lewis, of A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely Tuned Cosmos and The Cosmic Revolutionary's Handbook: (Or: How to Beat the Big Bang). Luke, along with Allen Hainline, has also written a contributing chapter to The Story of the Cosmos - How The Heavens Declare the Glory of God.James Walker, the president of Watchman Fellowship, is a former fourth-generation Mormon with over twenty-five years of ministry experience in the field of Christian counter-cult evangelism, apologetics, and discernment. He has been interviewed as an expert on new religious movements and cults on a variety of network television programs including Nightline, ABC World News Tonight, and The News Hour News with Jim Lehrer. He is author of The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: www.watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Tim Martin: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Naturalism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Is it possible for us to become a god? Do mathematics tell us that there are many universes? Is there any evidence of other universes? This week and next on the Profile, we guarantee that in all of the some five million podcasts out there today, you won't likely find the the topics of Many Worlds, Mormonism, and Multiverses covered in the same episode. The next two episodes will be somewhat unique, but we think they cover a lot of lesser-known ideas that have some overlap. Many who leave the Latter-Day-Saint faith turn to atheism. But neither Mormonism nor an atheistic materialism are in accordance with the true story of the cosmos.Luke A. Barnes is a Senior Lecturer in astronomy and cosmology. With PhD at the University of Cambridge, he has published papers in the field of galaxy formation and on the fine-tuning of the Universe for life. He is the author, with Geraint Lewis, of A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely Tuned Cosmos and The Cosmic Revolutionary's Handbook: (Or: How to Beat the Big Bang). Luke, along with Allen Hainline, has also written a contributing chapter to The Story of the Cosmos - How The Heavens Declare the Glory of God.James Walker, the president of Watchman Fellowship, is a former fourth-generation Mormon with over twenty-five years of ministry experience in the field of Christian counter-cult evangelism, apologetics, and discernment. He has been interviewed as an expert on new religious movements and cults on a variety of network television programs including Nightline, ABC World News Tonight, and The News Hour News with Jim Lehrer. He is author of The Concise Guide to Today's Religions and Spirituality.Related Links: Access additional Watchman Fellowship resources related to this week's podcast: Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: www.watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Tim Martin: www.watchman.org/Mormonism Watchman Fellowship Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Naturalism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
South Korea may seem quite remote to us, both geographically and culturally. Yet right here in the US, in your local malls, colleges, and even churches, could very well be members of the high-control cult from South Korea known as Shincheonji aggressively attempting to recruit people. They also pose on social media sites, even dating apps, they will even lie and deceive people in their recruitment efforts. This week we continue our conversation with Chris, a former SCJ member, who will share more of his story about how he left the group and share valuable insights about SCJ's doctrines and tactics.Related Links: Free access to additional resources including some related Watchman Fellowship Profiles: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shincheonji by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/ProfileSCJ Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shincheonji (in Korean) by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/SCJ_Korean Apologetics Profile podcast on Shincheonji with Steve Matthews [Part 1]: www.watchman.org/SCJ1 Apologetics Profile podcast on Shincheonji with Steve Matthews [Part 2]: www.watchman.org/PodcastSCJ2 Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on World Missionary Society Church of God by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/WMSCOG Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Patterns in the Cults by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Patterns Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Spiritual Abuse by David Henke: www.watchman.org/Abuse Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/Notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
South Korea is increasingly becoming a hotbed for cults. A few of them have successfully made their way into the United States through aggressive but sometimes secretive and covert means. On this episode of the Profile, we talk with Chris, a former member of the cult of Shincheonji (pronounced shin-shon-JEE), a group that began in South Korean in 1984. Chris will share with us what Shincheonji teaches, how he became involved, their tactics, and finally how he escaped.Related Links: Free access to additional resources including some related Watchman Fellowship Profiles: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shincheonji by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/ProfileSCJ Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shincheonji (in Korean) by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/SCJ_Korean Apologetics Profile podcast on Shincheonji with Steve Matthews [Part 1]: www.watchman.org/SCJ1 Apologetics Profile podcast on Shincheonji with Steve Matthews [Part 2]: www.watchman.org/PodcastSCJ2 Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on World Missionary Society Church of God by Steve Matthews: www.watchman.org/WMSCOG Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Patterns in the Cults by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Patterns Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Spiritual Abuse by David Henke: www.watchman.org/Abuse Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/Notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
The Book of Abraham is considered to be sacred scripture by mainstream Latter-day Saints today. Joseph Smith claimed that the Egyptian papyri from which the Book of Abraham had come was the authentic, autograph original of Abraham himself, detailing his sojourn in Egypt. But through a series of events, those original papyri which were thought to have been lost, resurfaced in 1966 in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. It is now widely acknowledged, even by some in the mainstream LDS Church, that Smith's translation was not in accordance with what the papyri actually described. We continue with our July 2024 presentation from Eric Johnson of Mormonism Research Ministry (www.MRM.org) about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. Here on part two, Eric provides more details about the origins and translations of the Book of Abraham. We also feature a question-and-answer session with Eric and our Watchman Fellowship Utah Mission Team. This training took place at MRM's new Utah Christian Research Center in Draper, Utah (www.utahchristianresearchcenter.com).Eric Johnson has been a student of Mormonism since 1987 when he first served as a summer missionary to Utah. Eric graduated from San Diego State University as well as at Bethel Seminary San Diego. Eric cohosts the daily radio program Viewpoint on Mormonism and writes for MRM's Mormonism Researched newsletter. He is the co-author of Answering Mormons' Questions: Ready Responses for Inquiring Latter-day Saints (Kregel, 2013), Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints (Baker Book, 2015) and Introducing Christianity to Mormons (Harvest House, 2022).Related Links: Get the rest of the story including some of our most popular podcasts on Mormonism, access to some of our key LDS articles and our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism): Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: watchman.org/Mormonism Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
Who was Joseph Smith? Even after nearly 200 years since the first Book of Mormon was published in 1830, Smith remains something of an enigma. He is viewed as a charismatic farm-boy prophet and martyr by Latter-day Saints and a public enemy, adulterer, and charlatan by many others. How did Smith write the Book of Mormon and convince his followers he had received another testament of Jesus Christ? This week and next on the Profile, we feature Mormonism Research Ministry (www.MRM.org) staff member Eric Johnson. Our two-part broadcast is an exclusive training presentation Eric gave our Watchman Fellowship's Utah Mission Team this past July about Joseph Smith and how the Book of Mormon came to be. This training took place at MRM's new Utah Christian Research Center in Draper, Utah (www.utahchristianresearchcenter.com).Eric Johnson has been a student of Mormonism since 1987 when he first served as a summer missionary to Utah. Eric graduated from San Diego State University as well as at Bethel Seminary San Diego. Eric cohosts the daily radio program Viewpoint on Mormonism and writes for MRM's Mormonism Researched newsletter. He is the co-author of Answering Mormons' Questions: Ready Responses for Inquiring Latter-day Saints (Kregel, 2013), Mormonism 101: Examining the Religion of the Latter-day Saints (Baker Book, 2015) and Introducing Christianity to Mormons (Harvest House, 2022).Related Links: Get the rest of the story including some of our most popular podcasts on Mormonism, access to some of our key LDS articles and our free, 4-page Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism): Watchman Fellowship articles on Mormonism: watchman.org/LDS Watchman Fellowship Profile on the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: watchman.org/Mormonism Apologetics Profile podcast What Is the Gospel? with Mormon apologist Scott Gordon and Christian apologist James Walker (YouTube): watchman.org/GordonWalker Apologetics Profile podcast "Jesus' Resurrection and Joseph's Visions," with Rob Bowman: watchman.org/1stVision Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook. SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.
251 From Islam to Jesus [Part 2] Hedieh Mirahmadi's Faith Journeyapologetics, Apologetics Profile, Watchman Fellowship, Hedieh Mirahmadi, Daniel Ray, Christianity, gospel, Islam, Sunni, Shia, Sufi, Ahmadiyya, Muslim, ExMuslim, former muslim, Muhammed, Quran, Qur'an, Koran, Isa, terrorism, counter terrorism, radical islam, islamic terrorism, evangelism, gospel, islamophobiaCan you remember where you were on September 11, 2001? This week on the Profile, we continue our conversation with former Muslim Hedieh Mirahmadi as she recounts what it was like for her as a Muslim serving under President George W. Bush during the tragic events of 9-11. Hedieh shares how she began question Isalm and how she left everything behind to be with her father in California. You'll hear her remarkable testimony of how God used that break to bring her to Jesus.Hedieh Mirahmadi was a devout practicing Sufi Muslim for over 20 years and served under five U.S. presidents as an advisor on Islamic relations. Her professional career both inside the U.S. government and the private sector was built around her Islamic faith and how to defeat Islamic terrorism. No matter what she did as a Muslim, however, she never felt as though her sins were truly forgiven or that she would obtain paradise. Hedieh became a follower of Christ after hearing His voice call her name, "Hedieh, it's Me." She and her husband Andy live in Southern California and host the Living Fearlessly Devotional podcast. To learn more about Hedieh visit her ministry website at www.resurrectministry.com.Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles: Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Islam by James Walker: www.watchman.org/Muslim Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Shi'a Islam by Dr. Mike Edens: www.watchman.org/Shia Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam by Eric Pement: www.watchman.org/Ahmadiyya Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on the Bahai Faith by Robert Pardon: www.watchman.org/Bahai Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.Profile Notebook: Order the complete collection of every Profile we have published (over 650 pages covering 30+ years) in either printed and digital PDF formats: www.watchman.org/Notebook.SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.