I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

What is this thing called “deconstruction” that has disrupted, dismantled, and destroyed the faith of so many people? Is it really a quest for truth, or is this radical spiritual makeover motivated by something else? As the deconstruction movement continues to grow in popularity, families and faith communities are often blindsided by individuals who leave Christianity and place the blame on “toxic Christians” or the allegedly “immoral” God of the Bible. How do you keep the line of communication open with “exvangelicals” and what types of questions can help foster meaningful faith conversations? This week, our friends Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett join Frank to get to the heart of deconstruction and provide answers for Christians looking to tactfully engage people who have been swept up in the movement. During this podcast episode, they’ll discuss the inspiration behind their brand-new book, ‘The Deconstruction of Christianity: What It Is, Why It’s Destructive, and How to Respond‘ and also identify some of the pitfalls that have led many to abandon Christianity altogether. Listen as Frank, Alisa, and Tim answer questions like: What is the motivation behind deconstruction? Why doesn’t Alisa classify her faith crisis as true deconstruction? What’s an exvangelical and where did the term originate? What are Tim and Alisa’s personal experiences with exvangelicals? What are some of the glaring inconsistencies within the deconstruction movement? Should Christians interpret the Bible “literally”?   If the deconstruction movement has come knocking on your door, this is the episode for you! As you’ll hear during the conversation, having a strong grasp on the true Gospel and a working knowledge of apologetics can help Christians to escape the draw to deconstruction. Frank, Alisa, and Tim will only scratch the surface in this podcast, so be sure to check out the upcoming midweek podcast where they’ll dive deeper into the consequences of deconstruction, its connection to critical theory, and the best way to communicate with people who call you “toxic”. To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST be sure to join our CrossExamined private community. It’s the perfect place to jump into some great discussions with like-minded Christians while simultaneously providing financial support for our ministry. You can also SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE. Resources mentioned in this episode: Tim and Alisa’s book: https://a.co/d/1MnXiDr Alisa’s website: https://alisachilders.com/ Tim’s website: https://www.timbarnett.org/ Red Pen Logic on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RedPenLogic Reality Apologetics Conference (Texas): https://www.realityapologetics.com/tx/ Download Transcript

Why do we study apologetics? To win arguments? No! The ultimate goal is to know God personally (not just with head knowledge) and to make Him known. After all, if we just believe that God exists, we’re no better than the demons in James 2:19! On a lawyerly quest for truth, #1 nationally best-selling author David Limbaugh returns with his co-author and daughter Christen to discuss their new book, The Resurrected Jesus: The Church in the New Testament. In this fifth and final installment of the bestselling Jesus series, this book is part commentary and part devotional and digs into the New Testament epistles with passion and demonstrates to readers that even though Paul penned these writings thousands of years ago, they are still applicable to the Church today. We might ask ourselves: What’s always worth fighting for? The truth of the Gospel! Frank, David, and Christen discuss our identity in Christ, spiritual warfare, how we are saved by grace, not works, and the greatest threats facing the American church today. They also discuss the late great Rush Limbaugh and how his faith gave him strength during his last days while fighting cancer. To view the entire VIDEO PODCAST along with other exclusive content, be sure to join our CrossExamined private community and jump into some great discussions about this podcast and many other topics without fear of being canceled by your friends, family, co-workers, or boss! David and Christen’s book: https://amzn.to/3DrTJaV Christen’s website: https://www.haplousofficial.com/ If you would like to submit a question to be answered on the show, please email your question to Hello@Crossexamined.org. Subscribe on Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!! Subscribe on Google Play: https://cutt.ly/0E2eua9 Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher   Download Transcript

If you want to deceive someone to believe a falsehood, dress up the falsehood to look beautiful or at least more attractive. This deception occurs every day in our culture, and sometimes the church when people use language as a beautiful cover for sin. In this show, Frank looks at how people do this by using attractive words— such as Love, tolerance, justice, equality, progressive, and the like— to make you feel better about doing something wrong. Listening might help you discern truth from deception and avoid sin and pain. If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast rate and review! Thanks!!!Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_GoogleSubscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_PodcastSubscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

Unhappy?  It’s impossible to be happy unless you are thankful.  Frank uses the book of Romans and common sense to show why. Along the way, Frank addresses the politically incorrect passages in Romans 1 and asks questions to people who disagree with Paul and Jesus. Frank also addresses the following questions listeners have:  Why isn’t Jeremiah 29:11 a promise to us?  Does God condone concubines and polygamy?  Does God speak to Christians directly?  Why doesn’t He speak to me? If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_GoogleSubscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_PodcastSubscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

Are you afraid to have conversations about controversial issues?   Some are even controversial in the church!  Then join Frank as he welcomes Jason Jimenez, author of the new book Challenging Conversations.  The book gives practical advice on how to have productive conversations on 9 issues:  Depression and mental illness, addiction, pornography, pre-marital sex, divorce and remarriage, LGBT issues, abortion, politics, and racism.  On the show, Frank and Jason cover three of these issues.  After the show, check out Jason’s ministry www.StandStrongMinistries.org If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast rate and review! Thanks!!!Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_GoogleSubscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_PodcastSubscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

The creator of VeggieTales, Phil Vischer, just put out a video causing some Christians to doubt the importance of voting for pro-life candidates. Frank wrote a response to the video that you can access at Crossexamined.org. On this show, pro-life author and trainer, Scott Klusendorf, joins Frank to discuss the flaws in Mr. Vischer’s video and to make the case for life in a concise way. They also respond to some of the most prominent pro-abortion objections and show that Christians do not qualify a candidate on one issue, but we rightfully disqualify a candidate on one issue. Just watch the one minute video at caseforlife.com to see why (this is a video that YouTube tried to censor). If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast rate and review! Thanks!!!Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_GoogleSubscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_PodcastSubscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher    

There is a far deeper problem than atheism infecting the church. Alisa Childers, a Christian singer with ZOEgirl, almost got infected herself. She was challenged to renounce the true gospel and adopt another gospel—that of progressive Christianity. She joins Frank to tell her story and discuss her fabulous new book “Another Gospel,” which is part autobiographical and part apologetics. Among the issues they cover: How did your pastor try to convert away from the true Gospel? What is progressive and Christian about progressive Christianity? What are the basic beliefs of progressive Christianity? What the signs of a person or church-going in that direction? Why do people become progressive Christians? How is progressive Christianity more intolerant than true Christianity? What are its racist and Marxist roots?   What evidence do we have that the early Christians were conservative, not progressive? How do you reach out to those who consider themselves progressive Christians? Get the book! Here’s Frank’s endorsement: “I love this book! Alisa Childers takes you on a captivating journey from her unreflective conservative Christian faith to the cliff of another gospel and then back home to the true Jesus. Along the way, she deconstructs progressive Christianity with wit, insight, and easy-to-remember evidence. Another Gospel? will inoculate you from a temptation far more seductive than atheism. And it’s an enjoyable read too!” If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast Rate and review! Thanks!!!Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_GoogleSubscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_PodcastSubscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

Why can’t two men running for President debate respectfully?  Maybe it’s because our entire culture—which includes you and me—can’t debate respectfully.  Why can’t we?  Way back in 1978, Alexandr Solzhenitsyn, the Russian dissident, and author who spent eight years in a Russian Gulag, gave a prophetic speech at Harvard’s graduation.  It could have been written today because Solzhenitsyn nails the problems in our culture that have led to the divide.  Frank recites highlights of the speech, the problems Solzhenitsyn identifies and offers what we can do to solve them.   If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast rate and review! Thanks!!!Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_GoogleSubscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_PodcastSubscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

Evangelicals today are deeply divided over Donald Trump. Some see him as a savior figure, anointed by God to protect the church and make America great again. Others see him more like the antichrist, doing great harm to the nation and bringing embarrassment to the church.  Who’s right?  Might they both have good points?  What should we do to move forward? Dr. Michael Brown, author of Evangelicals at the Crossroads: Will We Pass the Trump Test?  joins Frank as the 2020 election approaches.  Among the questions they address are: Evangelicals have been known as the “values voters” who are always proclaiming, “Character counts! Morality matters!” Have we been hypocritical in our support of Trump? Are Christians losing their ability to witness if they support Trump for president? During the 2016 primaries, you strongly opposed Trump before voting for him vs. Hillary. What changed your mind, and why do you plan to vote for Trump in 2020? Should we be voting more for personality or policy? Jesus scolded the politicians of his day for “neglecting the more important matters of the law” (Mt. 23:23). What are the most important matters of the law upon which we should base our vote in this election? How do the two parties differ on the most important policies? What do you say to pro-lifers who say that health care and poverty and climate change are pro-life issues and they outweigh abortion? You state that “Jesus is my Savior, Trump is my president.” Why is that distinction so important? What should Christians be doing in this election season regardless of who ultimately wins the presidency? If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast rate and review! Thanks!!! Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Google Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

In this very personal podcast, Frank reveals the lessons he’s learned from his Father’s recent death. He also reflects on C.S. Lewis’s argument from desire, and how Christianity makes the best sense of our intuitions. If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast rate and review! Thanks!!! Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Google Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher  

What does sex mean according to the Supreme Court? Frank identifies and expounds upon 5 Casualties in the Court’s LGBTQ Sex Ruling: We the People Women LGBTQ People 96% of the Population Religious Freedom Frank reveals the sixth casualty as well, one for which the original civil rights law was made. He then offers some solutions and traces the absurd ruling—which rationally nullifies the basis for any human rights—back to a rejection of Aristotle. Listen to find out how. If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast rate and review! Thanks!!! Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Google Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher

Frank and J. Warner Wallace address the racism issue head-on by answering: How can two white guys talk about this, especially when one is a cop? How has the debate about racism changed in the social media age? How has the use of data increased our polarization? Regardless of quarrels over data, what is true about the vast majority on both sides? What is the real root of racism? What can the government do about this? What is the real cure for racism? If you want to send us a question for the show, please email us at Hello@CrossExamined.org. Subscribe on iTunes: http://bit.ly/CrossExamined_Podcast rate and review! Thanks!!! Subscribe on Google Play: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Google Subscribe on Spotify: http://bit.ly/CrossExaminedOfficial_Podcast Subscribe on Stitcher: http://bit.ly/CE_Podcast_Stitcher