Podcasts about religious research

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.

Welcome to another episode of "Restoring the Soul with Michael John Cusick." Today, Michael is joined by Brian Lee, founder and director of Broken to Beloved, a ministry dedicated to providing practical resources for recovery from and safeguarding against spiritual abuse. In this heartfelt conversation, Brian shares his personal journey through repeated experiences of spiritual abuse and how these challenges birthed a passion for helping others reclaim their belovedness. Michael and Brian delve into the intricacies of spiritual abuse, the importance of cultivating humility and self-awareness in spiritual leadership, and the transformative power of naming and owning one's story. They also discuss the innovative programs offered by Broken to Beloved, which include a book club, podcast, and an impactful eight-week cohort called "Through," designed to guide individuals in their healing journey. Join us for a thought-provoking discussion on finding hope, healing, and wholeness in the aftermath of spiritual trauma. About Brian LeeBrian Lee is a pastor, coach, and speaker. In his 20+ years of experience in vocational ministry, he experienced three instances of spiritual abuse and toxic leadership. After living with an identity of brokenness for too many years, he learned to recognize and embrace his belovedness.In 2023, he founded Broken to Beloved, a nonprofit organization that exists to provide practical resources for recovery from and safeguarding against spiritual abuse and religious trauma.He is a certified Trauma-Informed Coach (Centre for Healing) and holds a certification in Religious Trauma Studies from the Global Center for Religious Research.Based in Richmond, VA, Brian loves to go on mini-adventures with his family, exploring their neighborhood, community, and city with his family. As a coffee snob and addict, he could always use another cup.ENGAGE THE RESTORING THE SOUL PODCAST:- Follow us on YouTube - Tweet us at @michaeljcusick and @PodcastRTS- Like us on Facebook- Follow us on Instagram & Twitter- Follow Michael on Twitter- Email us at info@restoringthesoul.com Thanks for listening!

"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.

Jesus asked His disciples an important question in Matthew 16:15: “Who do you say I am?” Ligonier Ministries surveyed Americans in 2022 about how they perceived Jesus. Responses to three statements in particular are worth highlighting. First, 54% of Americans and 80% of American evangelicals strongly agreed with the statement, “There is one true God in three persons: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.” This statement summarizes the doctrine of the Trinity. But 40% of all Americans and 48% of evangelicals strongly agreed with the statement, “Jesus is the first and greatest being created by God.” This statement is a Christological heresy known as Arianism, not to mention an implicit rejection of the Trinity. Finally, 31% of all Americans and 29% of evangelicals strongly agreed with the statement, “Jesus was a great teacher, but he was not God.” How 80% of evangelicals can affirm the Trinity but 29% deny Jesus' deity is an unsolvable math problem. But it's a solvable problem for Christian discipleship. Churches need to do a better job of inculcating what the Bible teaches about who Jesus Christ is. Toward that end, I talk with Robert M. Bowman Jr. about a biblical case for Jesus' deity in this episode of the Influence Podcast. I'm George P. Wood, executive editor of Influence magazine and your host. Robert M. Bowman Jr. is president of the Institute for Religious Research, which provides “evidence-oriented answers to criticisms of the Bible and alternative views of Jesus Christ advocated by skeptics and members of other religions.” He is author, with J. Ed Komoszewski, of The Incarnate Christ and His Critics, published by Kregel Academic.

Dr. Bowman returns to the Bible and Theology Matters podcast to continue our discussion about the Deity of Christ. He provides a helpful acronym - HANDS - to be reminded of areas to highlight in conversations with skeptics or seekers.H - HonorA - AttributesN - NamesD - DeedsS - Seated Dr. Bowman is the president of the Institute for Religious Research. He is also the author or co-author of fifteen books and numerous other published works on apologetics, Christology, the Trinity, and various religious movements. Dr. Bowman earned an M.A. from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Ph.D., from South Africa Theological Seminary. He has lectured at Biola University, Cornerstone University, Luther Rice University, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.ou can listen to this podcast on your favorite podcast platform, including at: iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5EHJeMG... iHeart Radio: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/53-bib... Spreaker: https://www.spreaker.com/show/bible-a...

Did Jesus ever claim to be God? Isn't the Deity of Christ a later theological development? My guest, Dr. Robert Bowman will answer these questions and more on this edition of the Bible and Theology Matter podcast.Dr. Bowman is the president of the Institute for Religious Research. He is also the author or co-author of fifteen books and numerous other published works on apologetics, Christology, the Trinity, and various religious movements. Dr. Bowman earned an M.A. from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Ph.D., from South Africa Theological Seminary. He has lectured at Biola University, Cornerstone University, Luther Rice University, and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary.

Have you ever practiced religion and received harsh judgement by others? It sounds purely outrageous to think and hear about! Let us get persuasive and decipher the reasons why religious practice matters and should not be judged. Sources —-> Al-Zaman, Md. Sayeed, and Mridha Md. Shiblee Noman. “A Dataset on Social Media Users' Engagement with Religious Misinformation.” Data in Brief, vol. 49, 2023, pp. 109439-  109439, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dib.2023.109439. Dobel, J. Patrick. “Judging the Private Lives of Public Officials.” Administration & Society, vol. 30, no. 2, 1998, pp. 115-42, https://doi.org/10.1177/0095399798302001. Upenieks, Laura. “Religious/Spiritual Struggles and Well-Being during the Covid-19 Pandemic: Does ‘Talking Religion' Help or Hurt?” Review of Religious Research, vol. 64, no. 2, 2022,  Pp. 249-78, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13644-022-00487-0.— narrated by Drewy

Dr. Darren Slade is a professor of history and comparative religion in Denver, Colorado. He specializes in the socio-political development of religious belief systems and is also the Director of the North American Committee on Religious Trauma Research. Darren currently serves as the President of the Global Center for Religious Research and Founding Editor of…Read more →

“Jesus wasn't about religion, in fact he reserved his anger for organised religion and challenged, ignored or subverted religious practices. He didn't teach the non-religious about religion, or expect them to become 'religious'. If anyone has to become religious to follow Jesus they've missed the point, so talk of the relationship between church and state is missing the point too. It really is debateable whether Jesus wanted a Church. In fact, Jesus was a humanist. We should be humanists too. If we can allow that Jesus was not religious and urged us not to get stuck in religion, then we should be open to the secular, everything that is not explicitly religious, and be comfortable with it.” "WHY PASTORS LEAVE THE MINISTRY by Fuller Institute, George Barna and Pastoral Care Inc. * 1,500 clergy leaving pastoral ministry each month. - The Barna Research Group* 61% of congregations have forced a pastor to leave. - Christianity Today* 83% of clergy spouses want their spouse to leave pastoral ministry. - Hartford Institute for Religious Research* 90% of clergy in all denominations will not stay in ministry long enough to reach the age of retirement. - U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics* 50% of pastors indicated  that they would leave the ministry if they had another way of making a living. - Hartford Institute for Religious Research* 90% of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week.* 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families. Many pastor's children do not attend church now because of what the church has done to their parents.* 33% state that being in the ministry is an outright hazard to their family.* 75% report significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry.* 90% feel they are inadequately trained to cope with the ministry demands.* 50% feel unable to meet the demands of the job.* 70% say they have a lower self-image now than when they first started.* 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend.* 40% report serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month.* 33% confess having involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church .* 50% have considered leaving the ministry in the last month.* 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years.* 1 out of every 10 ministers will actually retire as a minister in some form.* 94% of clergy families feel the pressures of the pastor's ministry.* 66% of church members expect a minister and family to live at a higher moral standard than themselves.* Moral values of a Christian is no different than those who consider themselves as non-Christians.* The average American will tell 23 lies a day.* The profession of "Pastor" is near the bottom of a survey of the most-respected professions, just above "car salesman".* Over 4,000 churches closed in America last year.* Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year.* Over 1,300 pastors were terminated by the local church each month , many without  cause.* Over 3,500 people a day left the church last year.* Many denominations report an "empty pulpit crisis". They cannot find ministers willing to fill positions. #1 reason pastors leave the ministry - Church people are not willing to go the same direction and goal of the pastor. Pastor's believe God wants them to go in one direction but the people are not willing to follow or change. Statistics provided by:  The Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc." --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/message Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/antonio-myers4/support

So often we hear Christians say of deconstructionists "oh they are hurt." Well, turns out scientific research says this is likely true, but ought to be treated as a negative attribute of the American Christian Church, not as an excuse to victim-blame but it. Guest Darren Slade's organization, the Global Center for Religious Research, defines religious trauma as resulting "from an event, series of events, relationships, or circumstances within or connected to religious beliefs, practices, or structures that is experienced by an individual as overwhelming or disruptive and has lasting adverse effects on a person's physical, mental, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being." For more information or to access resources about religious trauma, check out the Global Center for Religious Research website at https://www.gcrr.org/ Darren Slade is a theological historian, systematician, and critical rationalist philosopher from Denver, Colorado. Specializing in historic-speculative theology, theoretical metaphysics, and the socio-political development of religious belief systems, Darren's academic publications include topics ranging from the philosophy of religion, ancient Near Eastern and Second-Temple hermeneutical practices, church and Islamic history, and the psychology of religion.

In this final episode with UGP co-host of 4 years, Joel Groat leaves us with his almost 40 years of experience witnessing to individuals who are in performance-based religion, particularly the LDS faith. He encourages Christians not to let knowledge get in the way of developing relationships and continuing conversations with LDS that are motivated by love. For LDS, coming to Jesus can be a long process. Joel explains the two major changes in the LDS Church over his years of witnessing are 1) unlike the past, LDS now boldly declare they are Christians, too, and 2) LDS history and doctrine are more easily accessible to church members than in the past. We are challenged to witness with compassion and concern with what Joel calls a heart of peace and not a heart of war. The Institute for Religious Research website, the organization he directed for many years, continues with decades of good witnessing information.

In this final episode with UGP co-host of 4 years, Joel Groat leaves us with his almost 40 years of experience witnessing to individuals who are in performance-based religion, particularly the LDS faith. He encourages Christians not to let knowledge get in the way of developing relationships and continuing conversations with LDS that are motivated by love. For LDS, coming to Jesus can be a long process. Joel explains the two major changes in the LDS Church over his years of witnessing are 1) unlike the past, LDS now boldly declare they are Christians, too, and 2) LDS history and doctrine are more easily accessible to church members than in the past. We are challenged to witness with compassion and concern with what Joel calls a heart of peace and not a heart of war. The Institute for Religious Research website, the organization he directed for many years, continues with decades of good witnessing information. IRR.org

“* 1,500 clergy leaving pastoral ministry each month. - The Barna Research Group * 61% of congregations have forced a pastor to leave. - Christianity Today * 83% of clergy spouses want their spouse to leave pastoral ministry. - Hartford Institute for Religious Research * 90% of clergy in all denominations will not stay in ministry long enough to reach the age of retirement. - U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics * 50% of pastors indicated that they would leave the ministry if they had another way of making a living. - Hartford Institute for Religious Research * 90% of the pastors report working between 55 to 75 hours per week. * 80% believe pastoral ministry has negatively affected their families. Many pastor's children do not attend church now because of what the church has done to their parents. * 33% state that being in the ministry is an outright hazard to their family. * 75% report significant stress-related crisis at least once in their ministry. * 90% feel they are inadequately trained to cope with the ministry demands. * 50% feel unable to meet the demands of the job. * 70% say they have a lower self-image now than when they first started. * 70% do not have someone they consider a close friend. * 40% report serious conflict with a parishioner at least once a month. * 33% confess having involved in inappropriate sexual behavior with someone in the church . * 50% have considered leaving the ministry in the last month. * 50% of the ministers starting out will not last 5 years. * 1 out of every 10 ministers will actually retire as a minister in some form. * 94% of clergy families feel the pressures of the pastor's ministry. 66% of church members expect a minister and family to live at a higher moral standard than themselves. * Moral values of a Christian is no different than those who consider themselves as non-Christians. * The average American will tell 23 lies a day. * The profession of "Pastor" is near the bottom of a survey of the most-respected professions, just above "car salesman". * Over 4,000 churches closed in America last year. * Over 1,700 pastors left the ministry every month last year. * Over 1,300 pastors were terminated by the local church each month , many without cause. * Over 3,500 people a day left the church last year. * Many denominations report an "empty pulpit crisis". They cannot find ministers willing to fill positions. #1 reason pastors leave the ministry - Church people are not willing to go the same direction and goal of the pastor. Pastor's believe God wants them to go in one direction but the people are not willing to follow or change. Statistics provided by: The Fuller Institute, George Barna, and Pastoral Care Inc.” --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/antonio-myers4/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/antonio-myers4/support

About Brian Hall: After decades of personal experience with religious trauma and abuse, Brian decided to take all that he experienced and overcame to help others see their abuse as a gift, and learn how to reconnect with their true Self. Brian uses his educational background gained, along with his MDiv and several years of counseling training in his career as a military chaplain and a hospice chaplain, to help guide clients on their individual journey to quickly explore their true beliefs and learn to create a life where they are abundant and full of joy. At Pneuma Counseling, Brian focuses on complex PTSD-based religious trauma recovery and integration of true personal beliefs into everyday life.   In this episode, Kim Andryc, Lora Solomon, and Brian Hall discuss: Taking back control after life in a cult.  Brian's experience with QHHT and his journey to find his true Self.  What religious trauma is and how it impacts individuals.  The transformative discipline of gratitude.  Holding space to share and connect, regardless of beliefs.    Key Takeaways: A cult, essentially, hypnotizes people to believe a narrative and they use a lot of different things to enforce that hypnosis. Religious trauma can affect individuals in different ways. It does not look the same for everyone.  Meditation and gratitude can help you to connect with your highest and best self. In our developmental years, we are easily influenced by everyone and everything around us. But we can erase and rewrite over those habits and patterns that we were taught.  "This religion that I was a part of is supposed to give you hope, I felt very hopeless throughout that entire process. The only time that hope came into me is when I knew that I could control my own destiny and I knew that I have freedom. Then a plethora of hope came into me." — Brian Hall  Resources Mentioned:  7 Ways Religion Traumatizes People: https://youtu.be/7HwSGXPKzw8 I grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church. Here's why I left. | Megan Phelps-Roper: https://youtu.be/bVV2Zk88beY Global Center for Religious Research: https://www.gcrr.org/ The Inside Out Experience: https://theinsideoutexperience.com/ Freedom From Religion Foundation: https://secure.ffrf.org/  Mark Karris: https://markgregorykarris.com/    Connect with Brian Hall:  Website: www.PneumaCounseling.org  Email: brian@pneumacounseling.org  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pneuma-counseling-spiritual-services/  Connect with Sacred Rebellion:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraAndKim  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredrebellionpodcast/ Email Lora:  connect@lorasolomon.com Email Kim: kim@kimandryc.com Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

 Dr. Baker received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Master of Divinity in Theology from Fuller Seminary, and has received a Certificate in Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy from the Southern California Psychoanalytic Institute.  He is licensed as a Psychologist and Marriage and Family Therapist in California, and has served as an ordained minister.  Dr. Baker is the Executive Director of the La Vie Christian Counseling Centers with offices in Pasadena and Santa Monica, which have been serving the Los Angeles area since 1980.  Dr. Baker is heard frequently on KKLA radio addressing topics of emotional and spiritual health, and his best selling book Jesus- The Greatest Therapist Who Ever Lived has sold 2 million copies worldwide. About Dr. Baker:            Dr. Mark W. Baker has received a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology, a Master's of Divinity degree in Theology, and a certificate in Advanced Psychodynamic Psychotherapy.  He licensed as a Clinical Psychologist as well as a Marriage and Family Counselor.  Dr. Baker is the Executive Director of the La Vie Christian Counseling Centers in Los Angeles.              Dr. Baker has appeared on numerous radio and television programs throughout the United States, Canada and Brazil.  He has been quoted in such national magazines as Glamour, Woman's Day, Men's Health and Mademoiselle; and has published articles in professional psychological journals such as Psychoanalytic Psychology, Southern Psychologist, Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, Journal of Psychology and Theology and Review of Religious Research.  Dr. Baker has presented professional papers to the Pasadena Area Psychological Association, the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, the Los Angeles Society of Clinical Psychologists, The California Psychological Association and the American Psychological Association's international convention.              Dr. Baker's books include: You Can Change: Stories from Angola Prison and the Psychology of Personal Transformation; Managing Your Emotions for a Healthier Life; Spiritual Wisdom for a Happier Life: How Your 8 Key Emotions Can Work for You; Overcoming Shame; How God Heals Hurt; The Personal Power of Jesus; and his international best seller, Jesus The Greatest Therapist Who Ever Lived has sold 2 million copies worldwide.  Dr. Baker also co-authored with the N.Y. Times best-selling author Carmen Renee Berry the book Who's to Blame?: Escape the Victim Trap & Gain Personal Power in Your Relationships. Dr. Baker's videos on spiritual and emotional health can be found on YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter and Linkedin. Support the show

"How does religion matter here? The reason that kids who are religious ‘abiders' end up having an academic advantage, especially in the working class and the middle class, is because their grades are so much better in the middle and high school years that their chances of getting into college are much higher. They also are constantly being told: “Oh you have good grades, you are college material,” so their chances of applying are higher. Grades in high school are a very strong predictor of college success, so their chances of graduating are higher. The reason it matters for them is because essentially all the things that would have derailed their academic success - the despair and getting into trouble - this is especially the case for boys who end up falling off the paths of college in much higher rates than girls. It essentially buffers them from all of that and helps them be twice as likely to get a college degree than non-abiders from the working and middle class."     Episode Description: We begin by distinguishing Americans who are simply religious from those who "have an active and reciprocal relationship with God in which they talk to God and God talks back" - a group that Ilana calls ‘abiders'. This group by virtue of wishing to please God and increase their chances of getting to Heaven develop a conscientiousness that improves their academic performance. By both 'believing and belonging' they remain closer to their families and church networks which provides them 'social capital' that contributes to their sense of well-being. These abider advantages do not apply to those born into professional families as they gain these advantages through other means. It also does not provide an advantage to those born into poor families. We further discuss the phenomena of 'undermatching' which is when adolescents choose less selective colleges in service of privileging family over career advancement.    Our Guest: Ilana M. Horwitz, Ph.D., (Stanford University) is an Assistant Professor of Jewish Studies and Sociology, and the Fields-Rayant Chair of Contemporary Jewish Life at the Stuart and Suzanne Grant Center for the American Jewish Experience at Tulane University.  Born in Russia, Dr. Horwitz immigrated to Philadelphia when she was seven years old as part of the Soviet Jewry Movement. Having grown up in a country where Jews were persecuted, Dr. Horwitz had almost no exposure to Jewish traditions growing up. In Philadelphia, her family received significant help from different Jewish agencies and Jewish philanthropists, which allowed Dr. Horwitz to participate in Jewish schools, camps, and youth groups. In addition to learning about Judaism, Dr. Horwitz's immersion in Jewish institutions required her to learn how to navigate a middle-upper class social world as a working-class immigrant. These early educational and social experiences had a profound impact on Dr. Horwitz and led to her eventual interest in sociology and education.    In addition to her recent book God, Grades, and Graduation: Religion's Surprising Impact on Academic Success, her scholarship has also appeared in American Sociological Review, Social Science Research, Contemporary Jewry, Review of Religious Research, Contexts, and Jewish Social Studies. Her public opinion pieces have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Conversation, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Inside Higher Education, and Religion News Service.    Dr. Horwitz can be reached at ihorwitz@tulane.edu. 

Darren Slade has a fascinating story. Although not raised in a religious household as a young person he loved religious studies and his ambition was to become a pastor and Christian apologist. An ambition he achieved until he started to doubt his beliefs. Today he is the President of The Center for Religious Research and an atheist. He talks about his life and his research into religious trauma as well as some of his other interests such as miracles and the ethics of a God who allows suffering. Would you like to support our podcast for just $1:50 per month? Get early access on many episodes and exclusive video content. https://www.patreon.com/whatshouldithinkabout   Global Center for Religious Studies https://www.gcrr.org/ Darren M Slade Website https://darrenmslade.academia.edu/    

Support Tyrannus Hall Podcast here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/tyrannus-hall-podcast-annual-fundraisingWelcome to Season 2 of Tyrannus Hall Podcast. We're starting the season by asking the question: “Is being a conservative church harming the spread of the gospel in your city?  Can a biblically conservative church really reach the broader community with the good news of Jesus Christ?The hosts of this podcast are pastors of confessional churches. They pastor churches that stand foursquare on the legacy of the Reformation: salvation by faith alone; in Christ alone; holding to the Scriptures alone as the divinely inspired infallible Word of God. Our guest today is Kevin Flatt. Kevin is a professor of history at Redeemer University, a self-consciously Reformed university in Hamilton. He teaches  (among others)  upper-level history courses like: Christianity in the Modern World  and History and the City of GodFive years ago, along with David Haskell, a sociologist at Wilfrid Laurier University, he published an important research paper on why some churches are growing and others have declining memberships. Their conclusions may surprise you,Their paper, “Theology Matters,” was published in a peer-reviewed journal  Review of Religious Research, in December 2016. This paper had the attention of Macleans Magazine, The Globe and Mail, and The Guardian. The Christian Press also reported on this paper and analyzed in Outlook and World. As well, Al Mohler discussed it on his podcast The Briefing. www.tyrannushallpodcast.cawww.facebook.com/tyrannushallpodcast

I checked out the GCRR conference on Jesus historicity and reached out to the founder. Dr. Darren Slade was a believer, a minister, and a police officer before becoming an atheist. He's the President and CEO of the Global Center for Religious Research. This group does conferences (virtual even before Covid), publishes papers and books. He's the founding editor of the socio-historical examination of religion and ministry (SHERM). He's the research director for The FaithX Project which consults for churches and tries to help foster community. And of course he is an adjunct professor of humanities at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. So we talked about all that, coming out, not getting rich in a prosperity gospel church and how to talk churches into shutting down. This is a very 101 interview as this guy has so much going on that we barely scratched the surface.    Links   Religious Trauma Study: https://www.gcrr.org/religioustrauma   Religious Trauma GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/1f55fcf9   https://www.gcrr.org/ https://www.shermjournal.org/ https://twitter.com/CriticalRation1 https://faithx.net/   Where Eiynah teases with part of a new Woking Up episode:    https://soundcloud.com/politeconversations/woking-up-7-preview-guilt-by-association  

Over the last few years, a growing number of mainstream Christian denominations have begun to depart from the historic Christian understanding of sex and marriage. While this may have been done in an effort to make gospel more appealing to the wider culture, could it actually have the opposite effect? If denominations are destroying themselves then who is to blame? Is it the liberal progressives pushing for a redefinition of the Bible's teaching or the evangelicals who are not willing to let this go as a secondary issue? And what are we to make of the vast number of Christians in the majority world who don't support these changes? Do they need to get with the program or are we in danger of ignoring the voices of Christians outside of the West? As ever, Andy, Aaron and Michael discuss all these meaty questions and more in this provocative and thought provoking episode. Please remember that Pod of the Gaps is a listener-supported-podcast. We really, really need your help to keep these episodes coming: please consider supporting us with a small donation at https://www.patreon.com/wkop In the show, we mentioned a couple of resources: Douglas Murray's conversation with Tom Wright: https://www.thebigconversation.show/mythmiraclesandidentity Research on which churches are growing: Haskell, D.M., Flatt, K., Burgoyne, S. (2016). "Theology Matters: Comparing the Traits of Growing and Declining Mainline Protestant Church Attendees and Clergy". Review of Religious Research, 58(4) pp. 515-541 — online @ http://rdcu.be/nyf5

Mollie and Bridget round out their discussion on cults with info on all of the classics. Plus bonus content on a new one to consider. Rate & Review us on Apple Want more? Support us on Patreon! Tell us what you think... References Cancian, Dan. “Rose McGowan's Childhood in ‘Cult' Children of God Commune Explained.” Newsweek, Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2021, www.newsweek.com/rose-mcgown-cult-childhood-children-god-1586644. Arcgis.com, www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=7b33d5df643842a8875ff9f675ce6ae2. Richardson, James T. “Definitions of Cult: From Sociological-Technical to Popular-Negative.” Review of Religious Research, vol. 34, no. 4, 1993, pp. 348–356. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3511972. Accessed 7 May 2021. “Clinical Update on Cults.” Psychiatric Times, https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/clinical-update-cults. Accessed 7 May 2021. “Cult Members Who Are They?” California State University, East Bay, https://www.csueastbay.edu/philosophy/reflections/2010/contents/kayl-teix.html. Accessed 7 May 2021. “Cult TikTok: Is Viral Commune ‘The Garden' Actually a Cult?” In The Know, https://www.facebook.com/InTheKnowByAOL/, 28 Apr. 2021, https://www.intheknow.com/post/commune-cult-tikok/. Cults, Explained. Netflix, 2019. Schmalz, Mathew. “Why the Label ‘cult' Gets in the Way of Understanding New Religions.” The Conversation, https://facebook.com/theConversationUS, 10 Apr. 2018, https://theconversation.com/why-the-label-cult-gets-in-the-way-of-understanding-new-religions-94386.

Lots of references today. @bridget_suckit and @molliemm9 do an overview of cults... part 1! A lot of information and a little bit of silliness. Enjoy! Rate & Review us on Apple Want more? Support us on Patreon! Tell us what you think... References Cancian, Dan. “Rose McGowan's Childhood in ‘Cult' Children of God Commune Explained.” Newsweek, Newsweek, 27 Apr. 2021, www.newsweek.com/rose-mcgown-cult-childhood-children-god-1586644. Arcgis.com, www.arcgis.com/apps/Cascade/index.html?appid=7b33d5df643842a8875ff9f675ce6ae2. Richardson, James T. “Definitions of Cult: From Sociological-Technical to Popular-Negative.” Review of Religious Research, vol. 34, no. 4, 1993, pp. 348–356. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3511972. Accessed 7 May 2021. “Clinical Update on Cults.” Psychiatric Times, https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/clinical-update-cults. Accessed 7 May 2021. “Cult Members Who Are They?” California State University, East Bay, https://www.csueastbay.edu/philosophy/reflections/2010/contents/kayl-teix.html. Accessed 7 May 2021. “Cult TikTok: Is Viral Commune ‘The Garden' Actually a Cult?” In The Know, https://www.facebook.com/InTheKnowByAOL/, 28 Apr. 2021, https://www.intheknow.com/post/commune-cult-tikok/. Cults, Explained. Netflix, 2019. Schmalz, Mathew. “Why the Label ‘cult' Gets in the Way of Understanding New Religions.” The Conversation, https://facebook.com/theConversationUS, 10 Apr. 2018, https://theconversation.com/why-the-label-cult-gets-in-the-way-of-understanding-new-religions-94386.

In this episode we discuss the book Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel. Then we dive into survivalist culture and cults. Do you prep?Sources: Station 11 by Emily St. John Mendelhttps://penntoday.upenn.edu/news/it-cult-or-new-religious-movementZablocki, Benjamin David; Robbins, Thomas (2001). Misunderstanding Cults: Searching for Objectivity in a Controversial Field.  Richardson, James T. 1993. "Definitions of Cult: From Sociological-Technical to Popular-Negative." Review of Religious Research https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survivalism 

Show Notes This week, we review and analyze Mobile Suit Gundam ZZ (機動戦士ガンダムΖΖ) episode 31 - "Blue Corps, Part 2” (青の部隊 (後)) discuss our first impressions, and provide commentary and research on religion in postwar Japan and the history of Islam in Japan. - Books and articles: Basabe, Fernando M., et al. Japanese Youth Confronts Religion: A Sociological Survey. Sophia University. Tokyo, Rutland, Vt: Charles E. Tuttle, 1968.  Roemer, Michael. “Religious Affiliation in Contemporary Japan: Untangling the Enigma.” Review of Religious Research, vol. 50, no. 3, 2009, pp. 298–320. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/25593743. Accessed 9 Feb. 2021. Asia in the Making of Europe: Volume I, the Century of Discovery, by Donald F. Lach, University of Chicago Press, 1994, pp. 505–518. Accessed here. Bodde, Derk. “Japan and the Muslims of China.” Far Eastern Survey, vol. 15, no. 20, 1946, pp. 311–313. JSTOR, www.jstor.org/stable/3021860. Accessed 23 Mar. 2021. Symonds, Shannon Reed. “A History of Japanese Religion: from Ancient Times to Present.” The College at Brockport: State University of New York, History at Digital Commons @Brockport, 2005. Accessed here. - General pages on religion in Japan from Britannica and Nippon.com. - Wikipedia pages for Japan Sinks (日本沈没) and Prophecies of Nostradamus (ノストラダムスの大予言) (popular apocalyptic fiction from 1970s). - General page on Islam in Japan. - About Ibn Khordadbeh, 9th century Persian geographer. - Wikipedia page for the Black Dragon Society (黒竜会/kokuryūkai). - Pages about Umar Mita, the Japanese Muslim whose 1972 translation of the Qur'an I mention in the podcast. Both pages include background information on Islam in Japan. - Article from the Asia-Pacific Journal - Japan Focus about local mosques and the day-to-day lives of Muslims in Japan. - Wikipedia pages for Kawauchi Kōhan (川内 康範) (and for his 1960 series, Messenger of Allah / アラーの使者), Dewi Sukarno, and Muhammad Hussain Inoki (aka Antonio Inoki / アントニオ猪木). Mobile Suit Breakdown is written, recorded, and produced within Lenapehoking, the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Lenape, or Delaware, people. Before European settlers forced them to move west, the Lenape lived in New York City, New Jersey, and portions of New York State, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Connecticut. Lenapehoking is still the homeland of the Lenape diaspora, which includes communities living in Oklahoma, Wisconsin, and Ontario. You can learn more about Lenapehoking, the Lenape people, and ongoing efforts to honor the relationship between the land and indigenous peoples by visiting the websites of the Delaware Tribe and the Manhattan-based Lenape Center. Listeners in the Americas and Oceania can learn more about the indigenous people of your area at https://native-land.ca/. We would like to thank The Lenape Center for guiding us in creating this living land acknowledgment. You can subscribe to Mobile Suit Breakdown for free! on fine Podcast services everywhere and on YouTube, visit our website GundamPodcast.com, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, or email your questions, comments, and complaints to gundampodcast@gmail.com. Mobile Suit Breakdown wouldn't exist without the support of our fans and Patrons! You can join our Patreon to support the podcast and enjoy bonus episodes, extra out-takes, behind-the-scenes photos and video, MSB gear, and much more! The intro music is WASP by Misha Dioxin, and the outro is Long Way Home by Spinning Ratio, both licensed under Creative Commons CC BY 4.0 licenses. The recap music for Season 3 is New York City (instrumental) by spinningmerkaba, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license.. All music used in the podcast has been edited to fit the text. Mobile Suit Breakdown provides critical commentary and is protected by the Fair Use clause of the United States Copyright law. Gundam content is copyright and/or trademark of Sunrise Inc., Bandai, Sotsu Agency, or its original creator. Mobile Suit Breakdown is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Sunrise, Bandai, Sotsu, or any of their subsidiaries, employees, or associates and makes no claim to own Gundam or any of the copyrights or trademarks related to it. Copyrighted content used in Mobile Suit Breakdown is used in accordance with the Fair Use clause of the United States Copyright law. Any queries should be directed to gundampodcast@gmail.com Find out more at http://gundampodcast.com

A study from the Public Religion Research Institute shows how evangelical viewers of Fox News align politically. Carrie Dann reports.

In this episode of Sacred Tension I'm joined once again by my favorite Evangelical John Morehead to discuss the psychology of evangelicals and why they do what they do. John details his research into the emotions that drive toxic evangelical behavior.   Pew Research Center - "How Americans Feel About Religious Groups," July 16, 201 https://www.pewforum.org/2014/07/16/how-americans-feel-about-religious-groups/   Pew Research Center - "Americans Express Increasingly Warm Feelings Toward Religious Groups," February 15, 2017 https://www.pewforum.org/2017/02/15/americans-express-increasingly-warm-feelings-toward-religious-groups/   Pew Research Center - "US Evangelical Christians are Chilly Toward Atheists, and the Feeling is Mutual," July 16, 2014 https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2014/07/16/u-s-evangelical-christians-are-chilly-toward-atheists-and-the-feeling-is-mutual/   Ryan S. Ritter and Jesse Lee Preston, "Gross gods and icky atheism: Disgust responses to rejected religious beliefs." Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 47 (2011): 1225-1230 http://labs.psychology.illinois.edu/pramlab/Papers/Ritter_Preston%282011%29.pdf   Ryan S. Ritter, Jesse Lee Preston, Erika Salomon, and Daniel Relihan-Johnson, "Imagine no religion: Heretical disgust, anger and the symbolic purity of mind." Cognition and Emotion 30, no. 4 (October 2016): 778-796 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/275362856_Imagine_no_religion_Heretical_disgust_anger_and_the_symbolic_purity_of_mind   Pew Research Center, "Faith: Few strong links to national identity," February 1, 2017, ("Most white evangelical Protestants say it is very important to be Christian to be truly American") https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2017/02/01/faith-few-strong-links-to-national-identity/   Andrew L. Whitehead, Samuel L. Perry, and Joseph O. Baker, "Make America Christian Again: Christian Nationalism and Voting for Donald Trump in the 2016 Presidential Election." Sociology of Religion 70, Iss. 2 (Summer 2018): 147-171 https://academic.oup.com/socrel/article/79/2/147/4825283   Allyson F. Shortle and Ronald Keith Gaddie, "Religious Nationalism and Perceptions of Muslims and Islam." Politics and Religion 8, Iss. 3 (September 2015): 435-457 https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/politics-and-religion/article/religious-nationalism-and-perceptions-of-muslims-and-islam/8FD27C85AEDE0B861040FC06E3DA2248 Eric Leon McDaniel, Irfan Nooruddin, and Allyson Faith Shortle, "Divine Boundaries: How Religion Shapes Citizens' Attitudes Toward Immigrants." American Politics Research 39. mp/ 1 (2011): 205-233  http://www.allysonshortle.com/uploads/4/0/5/6/40561995/mcdanielnooruddinshortle.apr2011.pdf   Richard Cimino, "'No God in Common:" American Evangelical Discourse After 9/11." Review of Religious Research 47. no. 2 (November 2005): 162-174 Abstract: https://www.jstor.org/stable/3512048?seq=1 Full Text: https://www.ezus.org/wp-content/blogs.dir/2/files/2015/10/Cimino_Evangelicals-Islam-after-9-11_05.pdf   Holly A. McGregor, et al., "Terror Management and Aggression: Evidence that Mortality Salience Motivates Aggression Against Worldview-Threatening Others." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 74, no. 3 (590-605) https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232558848_Terror_Management_and_Aggression_Evidence_That_Mortality_Salience_Motivates_Aggression_Against_Worldview-Threatening_OthersEnny Das, et. al., "How Terrorism News Reports Increase Prejudice against Outgroups: A Terror Management Account." Journal of Experimental Social Psychology 45, no. 3 (April 2009): 453-459 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222826181_How_Terrorism_News_Reports_Increase_Prejudice_against_Outgroups_A_Terror_Management_AccountJoanna Goplena nd E. Ashby Plant, "A Religious Worldview: Protecting One's Meaning System Through Prejudice." Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin (2015), 1-14 https://www.researchgate.net/publication/281261002_A_Religious_Worldview   Why We Hate documentary, Discovery Channel, 2019 (Produced by Alex Gibney and Steven Spielberg) About: https://www.discovery.com/shows/why-we-hate   Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment or writing an email: https://stephenbradfordlong.com/contact/ Become a patron so I can continue my crippling content creation addiction: https://www.patreon.com/StephenBradfordLong Read my dozens of articles on Satanism, skepticism, and more: https://stephenbradfordlong.com/ Join my Discord server: https://discord.gg/PrDU4zx Find other Rock Candy podcasts: https://www.rockcandyrecordings.com/ Join my mailing list: https://mailchi.mp/26d6f66bc739/stephenbradfordlong Follow me on twitter: https://twitter.com/stephenblong  

Rob Bowman, is the executive director of the Institute for Religious Research, speaks nationally on Christian apologetics, and has authored and co-authored numerous books including Faith Has Its Reasons, Putting Jesus in His Place, and 20 Compelling Evidences That God Exists. Today Marilyn talks to him about how Joseph Smith plagiarized the Sermon on the Mount, and other ideas.

Dr. Mitchell J. Neubert is the Chavanne Chair of Christian Ethics in Business and professor of Management at Baylor. Dr. Neubert’s research interests are focused on understanding how leadership, teams, and change processes affect the performance of people and organizations. He also is interested in how faith intersects with these research interests.  He is the primary investigator on a National Science Foundation grant exploring the relationship of religion and entrepreneurship.  He has published in several journals including Personnel Psychology, Journal of Applied Psychology, Leadership Quarterly, Christian Scholars Review, Human Relations, and Review of Religious Research.  He also is the author of two textbooks and teaches in Baylor’s undergraduate, MBA, and Executive MBA programs.  https://business.baylor.edu/directory/?id=Mitchell_Neubert  Faith and Work: An Exploratory Study of Religious Entrepreneurs  Christianity in Business is the show that helps Christian business leaders to integrate biblical values into business. | Entrepreneurship | Marketing | Nonprofit | Church | Author | Startups | Marketplace | Ministry | Business as Mission | Faith and Work | Faith | Success | Leadership | www.ChristianityInBusiness.com

A recent study released by the Review of Religious Research titled "Theology Matters: Comparing the Traits of Growing and Declining Mainline Protestant Church Attendees and Clergy", argues that across Canada theologically conservative churches are growing while their liberal counterparts are experiencing decline. This study was brought to our attention by way of a Washington Post article.In the latest episode of Crackers & Grape Juice we tackle this topic from the context of local UMC congregations and campus ministry. At one point we are even able to correlate the decline of liberal churches with the decline of Duke basketball.

A recent study released by the Review of Religious Research titled "Theology Matters: Comparing the Traits of Growing and Declining Mainline Protestant Church Attendees and Clergy", argues that across Canada theologically conservative churches are growing while their liberal counterparts are experiencing decline. This study was brought to our attention by way of a Washington Post article.In the latest episode of Crackers & Grape Juice we tackle this topic from the context of local UMC congregations and campus ministry. At one point we are even able to correlate the decline of liberal churches with the decline of Duke basketball.

Dr. Carlos discusses extremism with Professor Sherkat. Darren Sherkat is a Professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology at SIU Carbondale. He has published 54 articles in peer-reviewed journal and 11 chapters in edited books. His work has appeared in top general interest sociology journals like Social Forces, American Sociological Review, and Social Science Research. He has also performed considerable editorial work, and has served on the editorial boards of American Sociological Review, Social Forces and American Journal of Sociology, and is currently on the editorial boards of Social Science Research, Social Psychology Quarterly, Social Science Journal, Sociological Focus, and Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion. Dr. Sherkat was editor and book review editor of Review of Religious Research from 199

Join Devin & Melissa Pellew as they discuss topics related to biblical theology, Christian apologetics and worldview issues. This week we will be tackling the topic of the Deity of Christ and how to defend this essential doctrine. On the air with us to discuss this topic will be Christian apologist and author, Rob Bowman, Director of Research with the Institute for Religious Research. Rob holds an M.A in Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary, completed his doctoral studies at Westminster Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing the completion of his doctoral dissertation at the South African Theological Seminary. For ten years, he also taught graduate courses in apologetics at Luther Rice University and Biola and is the author of many articles and books pertaining to apologetics, religion and biblical theology. Rob will be offering a critique of Dr. Bart Ehrman's newest book,  How Jesus Became God: The Exaltation of a Jewish Preacher from Galilee. Was Jesus not viewed as God by Himself or His disciples? Was the Deity of Christ some man-made view that popularized after Jesus' death. Rob will be with us to answer these and other related questions, so you don't want to miss this informative show.

Join Devin & Melissa Pellew as they discuss topics related to biblical theology, Christian apologetics and worldview issues. Today, we are re-airing a previous broadcast on a discussion on The Doctrine of the Trinity. What is The Trinity? How do we defend this essential doctrine against groups such as the Jehovah's Witnesses? Did Jesus really claim to be God? On the air with us to discuss this topic will be Christian apologist and author, Rob Bowman, Director of Research with the Institute for Religious Research. Rob holds an M.A in Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary, completed his doctoral studies at Westminister Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing the completion of his doctoral dissertation at the South African Theological Seminary. For ten years, he also taught graduate courses in apologetics at Luther Rice University and Biola and is the author of many articles and books pertaining to apologetics, religion and biblical theology. We were very excited to have Rob on the air with us to share a wealth of knowledge with us and our listeners.

Join Devin & Melissa Pellew as they discuss topics related to biblical theology, Christian apologetics and worldview issues. With the Christmas holiday approaching, there appears to be more and more attacks on the Deity of Christ so this week we will have a discussion The Doctrine of the Trinity. What is The Trinity? How do we defend this essential doctrine against groups such as the Jehovah's Witnesses? Did Jesus really claim to be God? On the air with us to discuss this topic will be Christian apologist and author, Rob Bowman, Director of Research with the Institute for Religious Research. Rob holds an M.A in Biblical Studies from Fuller Theological Seminary, completed his doctoral studies at Westminister Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing the completion of his doctoral dissertation at the South African Theological Seminary. For ten years, he also taught graduate courses in apologetics at Luther Rice University and Biola and is the author of many articles and books pertaining to apologetics, religion and biblical theology. We are very excited to have Rob on the air with us to share a wealth of knowledge with us and our listeners.

Debate topic: “Affirming Sola Scriptura: Scripture is the only infallible rule of doctrine and practice for Christians today.” Rob Bowman, Director of Research at The Institute for Religious Research, affirms. Eastern Orthodox Rev. Pr. Laurent Cleenewerck, editor of The Eastern … Continue reading →

Debate topic: “Affirming Sola Scriptura: Scripture is the only infallible rule of doctrine and practice for Christians today.” Rob Bowman, Director of Research at The Institute for Religious Research, affirms. Eastern Orthodox Rev. Pr. Laurent Cleenewerck, editor of The Eastern … Continue reading →

Today's interview is with Robert M. Bowman, Jr. - the Director of Research at the Institute for Religious Research. He talks about his background, his work with IRR, the reasons for examining apologetic methodology, four basic categories or approaches to apologetics (classical, evidential, reformed, fideistic), apologetic questions and meta-apologetic questions, the sorts of methodological questions one should consider, understanding presuppositionalism, finding an integrated approach to defending the faith, historical examples of apologists with a well-rounded approach to apologetics, advice to apologists, and more. Enjoy.

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Joel Groat, Director of Ministries for the Institute for Religious Research, and discuss the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, otherwise known as Mormonism. This episode contains the first half … Continue reading →

In this episode of the Theopologetics Podcast I interview Joel Groat, Director of Ministries for the Institute for Religious Research, and discuss the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, otherwise known as Mormonism. This episode contains the second half … Continue reading →