Take The Stand

In this episode, we begin our examination of Jehovah's Witnesses with a lecture by Walter Martin on the Witnesses' view of Christ and the Trinity. Listen Now ------------------------- Additional Resources: The Kingdom of the Cults, by Walter Martin

For the final installment of our series-within-a-series on Mormonism, we interviewed an ex-Mormon about his experience in Mormonism, what caused him to leave, and how we should talk to the missionaries on the doorstep. Listen Now ------------------------- Additional Resources: Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons, by Mark Cares The Kingdom of the Cults, by Walter Martin

In part four of our series-within-a-series on Mormonism, we're looking at two key Mormon doctrines: the plurality of Gods (and man's progression to godhood), and salvation by works. Listen in as we ask the question, "Is Mormonism Christian?", and let LDS prophets and scholars speak for themselves. Listen Now MP3 VERSION ------------------------- Additional Resources: Speaking the Truth in Love to Mormons, by Mark Cares The...

Because we had so much material to cover, we weren't able to fit it all into the usual one-hour broadcast for Pirate Christian Radio. But we weren't about to deprive our listeners of further discussion! So here's the un-aired bonus material on problems in the Book of Mormon. Enjoy! Listen Now Download the MP3 version

In part three of our series-within-a-series on Mormonism, we're examing the Book of Mormon and its claim to be "a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible." The Book of Mormon purports to be "a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas," and thus, a book of actual history. But is this true? What evidence do we find for the...

In part two of our series-within-a-series on Mormonism, we're looking at Joseph Smith and the religion he founded. Revered -- even worshipped? -- by Mormons as a prophet, revelator, and martyr, Smith's history is a fascinating, but often conflicting, story. From his early days digging for treasure in upstate New York, to his first and subsequent "visions", to his creation of the Book of Mormon,...

This week we're looking at Christian Science, a healing cult created by Mary Baker Eddy whose main emphasis is healing. But under all of the common Christian terminology lies a perlexing and distinctly un-Christian philosophy, based on the idea that God (the Divine Mind) is the only thing that exists and that all matter -- including evil, pain, and even death -- is an illusion....

In the third part of our series on cults and world religions, we're talking about the Unification Church. Founded in Seoul, South Korea by the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, this religion is perhaps best known for their mass weddings, or "Blessing Ceremonies." But underlying the Christian-esque terminology are an Eastern philosophy and a leader whose self-appointed messiahship is in stark contrast to biblical Christianity. Listen...

We're discussing cults and world religions, and this time we take a look at the Baha'i World Faith. What started as an Islamic sect is now a worldwide, ecumenical religion that preaches the unity of God, the unity of religion, and the unity of humankind. Baha'is around the world pay reverence to Abraham, Buddha, Jesus, Mohammed, and several other "manifestations" (or phrophets) of God, whose...

In our new series, we are discussing the numerous cults and religions on offer around the world. This time: Scientology. Everyone knows something about it -- whether it's L. Ron Hubbard's science fiction books, the Hollywood Celebrity Center, or Tom Cruise's rambling and bewildering video interview. But what is the religion really about? Is it even a religion at all? Listen in as we explain...

In the final installment of our series answering questions commonly asked by non-Christians, we wrap up our discussion of the New Testament documents. This time: the importance of hostile witnesses, the formation of the canon, and more! Listen Now

In the sixth installment of our series answering questions commonly asked by non-Christians, we continue with the New Testament. Are the New Testament documents trustworthy? What about all of the errors in the manuscripts? Listen in as we discuss the reliability of the New Testament documents. Listen Now

We're taking a short break from our series, "Questions Non-Christians Ask." In this episode, Dr. Gary Habermas lectures on the reliability of the New Testament documents and two different methods of demonstrating the case. Listen Now.

In the fifth part of our series answering questions commonly asked by non-Christians, we tackle the New Testament: who wrote it, when it was written, and how we can be sure. The answers to these issues provide the groundwork to the next set of questions, namely, Are the New Testament documents trustworthy? What about all of the errors in the manuscripts? Listen in as we...

In this episode, we continue answering the questions commonly asked by non-Christians. This time we address another potent objection to Christianity: the possibility of Miracles. The objection to the supernatural isn't new, but it gained new momentum with Enlightenment philosopher David Hume's famous attack based on "uniform experience against every miraculous event". But is Hume's argument as solid as skeptics believe? How do we define...

In this episode, we continue our series focused on answering the questions commonly asked by non-Christians. This time we tackle one of the most common -- and most significant -- objections to Christianity: the problem of evil, suffering, and pain. The Greek philosopher Epicurus put it this way: "Either God wants to abolish evil, and cannot; or he can, but does not want to. If...

In this episode, we continue our series focused on answering the questions commonly asked by non-Christians. This time: "What about the sincere Buddhist? The devout Muslim? Is Jesus really the only way to God, heaven, and eternal life?" Underlying this question, as with the previous question, is the idea of fairness and the issue of exclusivity. Aren't all religions really saying the same thing? Why...

In this episode, we begin a new series focused on answering the questions commonly asked by non-Christians. This time: "What about the people who never hear about God or the Gospel? Will God condemn them to hell?" Does God condemn someone for what they haven't heard, or for refusing what they have heard, or for failing to live up their own moral code? Does nature...

We were very excited and fortunate to have our good friend, Seth Long, as a guest on this episode to talk about his upbringing in nominal Christian beliefs, his exodus to skeptical irreligion, and his move to confessional Lutheranism. Listen Now ---------------------------------- Resources from this Episode Surprised by Joy, by C. S. Lewis Conspiracies of the Cross, by Timothy Paul Jones

In this episode, we tie up loose ends and conclude our extended response to "The God Who Wasn't There", a 2005 documentary produced by an ex-Christian fundamentalist-turned-atheist. Listen Now -------------------------------- Resources from this Episode Believe It Or Not by David B. Hart, at First Things The Everlasting Man, by G. K. Chesteron Scaling the Secular City, By J. P. Moreland

In the third part of our extended response to "The God Who Wasn't There", a 2005 documentary produced by an ex-Christian fundamentalist-turned-atheist, we respond further to the "Christ-myth" theory and its close cousin, the urban legend (according to the founders of Snopes.com!). Also: the claim that Christians are obsessed with blood (ala "The Passion of the Christ"); the "Religious Right" and their rabid fundamentalism (which,...

This week we continue our extended response to "The God Who Wasn't There", a 2005 documentary produced by an ex-Christian fundamentalist-turned-atheist. In this episode, we respond to the claim that the Apostle Paul never mentions Jesus existing as a man on earth (and hence, only spiritually). We then begin our response to the infamous "Christ-myth" theory, which supposes that Jesus was one in a long...

This week we begin our extended response to "The God Who Wasn't There", a 2005 documentary produced by an ex-Christian fundamentalist-turned-atheist. In this episode, we respond to the claim that Christianity was wrong about the solar system (and thus wrong about other things), and that it produces evil men like Charles Manson and David Koresh. We then begin our response to several "on the street"...

A recent article in Christianity Today suggests that mushrooms and other hallucinogenic drugs "can give people an experience seemingly identical to powerful religious experiences." If true, this would drastically change the way many Christians think about their faith. Is religious experience valid? How can we know which experiences are valid and which are not? In this episode, the hosts examine the idea of religious experiences...

Famous and formidable atheist, Antony Flew, died on April 8th. Several years before his death, however, Flew "converted" to belief in some kind of creator god. Was this conversion legitimate, or was he being exploited by zealous Christians who sensed the decline in his memory and intellect? And does his conversion to belief in a god mean, as one journalist suggested, that he should go...

The new co-host has arrived! Pastor Joel Shaltanis of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Pomona, CA, joins Andrew, Esq. to discuss and answer some of the frequent objections to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. (Our apologies for the inferior audio quality on this episode -- we had a microphone problem, which is now fixed.)Listen Now ------------------------ Explaining Away Jesus' Resurrection: The Recent Revival of Hallucination...

In the second of two episodes focused on Holy Week, we discuss the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Listen in as we talk about the Pre-New Testament creedal confessions of the resurrection which were used by Paul, the significance of the empty tomb, and Jesus's appearances, first to women, then to his disciples, and later to hundreds. Listen Now ------------------------ Jesus: Lord and Savior, by F....

In the first of two episodes for Holy Week, we discuss the arrest, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Listen Now ------------------------ Jesus: Lord and Savior, by F. F. Bruce

Dr. Walter Martin gives a fascinating lecture on the true origins of the Book of Mormon. Listen Now

A comparison of the views of Christianity and Islam on the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Listen Now

"What about people who never hear about Jesus Christ?" In our first segment, we answer the common question about what happens to those who never hear the gospel. In the second segment, we give a simple and Scriptural description of what the gospel IS, and what it is NOT. Is it "Love god and love people"? Is it the message of a "changed life" or...

When the gospels were written remains a popular subject for scholars and critics alike. And this question is indeed important. If it can be established that the gospels were written early by disciples of Jesus himself, then there is a strong case for their reliability, authenticity, and accuracy. So when were they written, and how do we know? Listen Now ------------------------------ Resources for further study:...

The four evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John - are the star witnesses to the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we put these four on the witness stand, do we find that their testimony is similar and complementary? Or do they tell four different and contradictory stories? Listen Now ------------------------------------------ An analogy to eyewitness testimony: Actual Photograph: Painting 1: Painting...

"Sanctification...is perhaps best defined as the art of getting used to the unconditional justification wrought by the grace of God for Jesus' sake. It is what happens when we are grasped by the fact that God alone justifies. It is being made holy, and as such, it is not our work." In this episode, we hear Gerhard Forde's fantastic explanation of sanctification. Listen Now

In this episode, we read Clark Pinnock's article, "The Inspiration of Scripture and the Authority of Jesus Christ", contained in the fantastic work, God's Inerrant Word: An International Symposium on the Trustworthiness of Scripture. Listen Now -------------------------------- God's Inerrant Word, edited by John Warwick Montgomery

In this episode, we read an excerpt from John Warwick Montgomery's book, Where is History Going? A Christian Response to Secular Philosophies of History, entitled "Jesus Christ and History: The Divinity of Jesus Christ". Listen Now ------------------------------ Where is History Going? by John Warwick Montgomery

In this episode, Dr. Rod Rosenbladt gives an outstanding introduction to apologetics. This lecture comes as a gift from the guys at New Reformation Press. Make sure you stop by their page dedicated to the entire lecture series on Apologetics conducted by Dr. Rosenbladt and Craig Parton – over six hours in all, including Questions and Answers! Listen Now

"If you had to join a religion, which one would you choose, and why?" This was the topic of a recent discussion among a group of atheists. But it isn't exclusive to this hypothetical game. Many people - even within Christianity - are considering the same question. How do you choose a religion? Is it based on what works, or makes you feel good, or...

Are pastors and churches immune from criticism? Or is there a Biblical basis for criticizing those pastors who teach confusing, misleading, or outright false doctrines? In this episode, we look at the companion to apologetics, polemics, and learn how to do both like a lawyer. Listen Now. Matthew 22:29: Jesus told the Sadducees, “You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures, or the power of God.”...

Craig Parton, lawyer and apologist, lectures on the importance of Apologetics. Listen Now.