Top Podcasts of 2023 - Part 1

Top Podcasts of 2023 - Part 1

As we look back on our first year of our newly reformatted Come Let Us Reason Together podcasts, there are several standout moments. Here, Lenny shares some clips from five of the top ten podcasts of the year, discussing issues from the resurrection of Jesus, questions on Hell, engaging Jehovah's Witnesses, why God doesn't make himself more visible, and the logic of holding Christianity instead of other faiths.

College and Faith: Can Christianity Make a Difference on the University Campus?

College and Faith: Can Christianity Make a Difference on the University Campus?

It’s no secret that the modern university is bastion of leftism and secularism., yet these institutions of higher learning play an outsized role in shaping our culture. Is it possible for Christianity to make a difference on the university campus? How should young Christians approach college life? In today’s podcast, I’m joined in the discussion by Corey Miller, the President of Ratio Christi, and my colleague at the Kirkwood Center, Anthony Costello, as we explore the state of higher education today and what is being done to fight the moral decay on campus.

Faith And Politics: Where Should Christianity Fit in the Democratic Process?

Faith And Politics: Where Should Christianity Fit in the Democratic Process?

As we get ready to enter another election year in the United States, the question arises of how faith should inform one’s politics. Faith is the basis of morality, and even the founding of the United States points to God who endows us with inalienable rights. How do we make sense of this in a pluralistic culture? Here, our panel explores questions of faith in politics and how Christianity should fit into the democratic process. Is there any virtue in voting for the lesser of two evils? Is politics an appropriate point of discussion for Christian apologetics? These questions and more are tackled in our latest episode.

Top Scientist Changes From Militant Atheist to Christian Believer - Because of Science!

Top Scientist Changes From Militant Atheist to Christian Believer - Because of Science!

It's common today to hear atheists proclaim that believing in God is anti-science and as our science progresses, faith will be abandoned. But what if doing good science actually makes a compelling case for God? In this pocast, Lenny talks wth Dr. Sy Garte, a self-described "militant atheist" whose journey as an origin of life scholar prompted hm to abandon his atheism and affirm the Christian faith.

Sy talks about his new book, Science and Faith in Harmony: Contemplations on a Distilled Doxology and the current state of origin of life research as well as how the more we learn, the more God is evident in design.

How to Talk About Jesus Without Fear: The Andy Bannister Interview

How to Talk About Jesus Without Fear: The Andy Bannister Interview

As Christians, we all want to share the life-changing belief of Jesus with others, but it can seem to tough! Will I say the right thing? Will I be ridiculed? Will I offend someone else? In this engaging interview, Lenny talks with Andy Bannister about his new book How to Talk About Jesus Without Sounding Like an Idiot about no-pressure ways you can engage others in conversations that easily open the door for the Gospel.

Resurrecting a Bold Faith

Resurrecting a Bold Faith

Have you ever wished that you could have the faith as those heroes we read about in the Bible? Bold faith isn’t something you stumble upon, it can be cultivated and strengthened. In the second part of our study of Hebrews 11, Lenny examines how faith begins with what we know and how you can make yours grow by deepening your experiences with God.

What is Faith?

What Is Faith?

In today's secular world, faith is dismissed as something akin to wishful thinking. Atheists proclaim faith is nothing more than belief without evidence. However, nothing could be further from the truth. in this, the first of a two-part series, Lenny looks at the Biblical definition of faith in Hebrews 11 and how that faith is demonstrated through the lives of key biblical figures. Learn why faith actually requires evidence in this fascinating study.

Christianity and Culture: Is Therapy Doing More Harm Than Good?

Christianity and Culture: Is Therapy Doing More Harm Than Good?

Therapy seems to be all the rage. JAMA Health Forum recently reported use of mental health services has jumped by almost 40% and for most young people today believe therapy is normal and everyone should be in it. Why then are we seeing a mental health crisis exploding across our nation and in the western world, especially among young people? And what's the difference between secular therapy and Christian therapy?

In this discussion, Lenny talks with Dr. Jacob Daniel and Tom Thomazin, a Christian counselor with over thirty years of experience to flesh out both the benefits and the limitations of our modern therapeutic mindset.

The Consummate Covenant

The Consummate Covenant<

Have you ever wanted to make a deal with God? We live in an age of contracts, of covenants. God is a God of the Covenant, but what does this mean? In this podcast, Lenny unpacks the different covenants God has offered in His dealings with humanity, culminating in the covenant that Jesus executes by dying on the cross. It's a fascinating study and one that shows just why Jeus provides the Consummate Covenant.

Abandoning Virtual Faith

Abandoning Virtual Faith

What is driving the growing number of "Exvangelicals"—younger people deconstructing their faith and leaving Christianity? One significant problem is they have never been grounded in the real Jesus. Much like the early believers in the book of Hebrews, they are more familiar with the culture of evangelicalism than with Christ, our Great High Priest who appeals to God in Heaven and makes atonement for our sins. In this podcast, Lenny explores how people have substituted culture for Christ and how Christians should be cautious not to believe in a shadow of Jesus instead of the true center of our faith.

How Can I Know Gods Will For My Life? The Drew Dyck Interview

How Can I Know Gods Will For My Life? The Drew Dyck Interview

Many Christians want to be used by God, but they don't know where to start. Life is busy and hard. How should a Christian view his walk with God in our go-go culture? In this interview with author Drew Dyck, we discuss Drew's new book, Just Show Up: How Small Acts of Faithfulness Change Everything (A Guide for Exhausted Christians). In our discussion we point out easy ways that you can begin to make a big difference with little acts.

Why Questions Will Help You Love God and Build Your Faith

Why Questions Will Help You Love God and Build Your Faith

Is being a questioner a good thing or a bad thing? Christians are familiar with doubting Thomas, but Thomas's request allowed Jesus to more clearly state he was the way, the truth and the life. Lenny talks with author Matthew Lee Anderson on his new book Called Into Questions and why getting into a habit of asking good questions is foundational for growing in faith and finding deeper understanding.

Stephen C Meyer Interview: The Return of the God Hypothesis - Part 2

Stephen C Meyer Interview: The Return of the God Hypothesis - Part 2

In this, the second of a two part interview, Lenny and Kirkwood Center colleague Anthony Costello continue their discussion with Dr. Stephen C. Meyer on his new book “The Return of the God Hypothesis”. In this section, we shift to issues concerning the philosophy of science and the naturalistic assumptions that keep so many begrudgingly tied to a Neo-Darwian explanation for life on earth instead of design from an intelligent creator. We also explore how Darwin's tree of life model has broken down and what the current discussions are regarding theories of life coming into existence.

Stephen C Meyer Interview: The Return of the God Hypothesis Part 1

Stephen C Meyer Interview: The Return of the God Hypothesis Part 1

The concept of intelligent design has caused many waves since its introduction in the 1990s. In this podcast, Lenny and his fellow Kirkwood Center colleague Anthony Costello interview Dr. Stephen C. Meyer of the Discovery Institute. Stephen Meyer is the author of three seminal works in the philosophy of science: “Signature in the Cell” (2009), “Darwin’s Doubt” (2013) and the new “Return of the God Hypothesis” (2021). In this the first of a two part series, we dig deep into the scientific evidences that favor theistic design as the best hypothesis to explain fine-tuning in physics, chemistry and biology.

The God of Middle Earth: How Tolkien's Faith Fueled The Lord of the Rings

The God of Middle Earth: How Tolkien's Faith Fueled The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien's world of Middle Earth and its inhabitants have continued to explode in popularity since the last century. Many know Tolkien was a follower of Jesus, but fewer understand just how central God was in the way he crafted his world. In this podcast, Lenny speaks with Dr. Austin Freeman, an expert in Tolkien and his theology, on the ways the Gospel is reflected in Tolkien's works.

Differences Over a Decade: Cold Cases, Christianity, and What's Changed with J. Warner Wallace

Differences Over a Decade: Cold Cases, Christianity, and What's Changed with J. Warner Wallace

Can we really know that Jesus was raised from the dead? Ten years ago, Detective J.Warner Wallace was an atheist who examined the Gospel accounts using the same approach as his cold-case investigations, resulting in him writing Cold-Case Christianity. Now, a decade later, he sits down with Lenny to talk about his approach, what has changed in the years since his breakout best seller was published, and what is important in the future for those looking to share their faith. Join us for this riveting discussion.

Should Christians Fear Artificial Intelligence?

Should Christians Fear Artificial Intelligence?

We’re all familiar with films like the Terminator or the Matrix where machines advance to such a degree they become sentient, and rise up to either subjugate humans or seek to wipe them out. Is the rapid advances in artificial intelligence we hear about today the first step to that scenario? Lenny, Dr. Harry Edwards, and Finney Premkupar discuss just what A.I. is, and how we as Christians should understand this brave new technology.

The Beauty of Eternity: What Is Heaven and Why Did God Creaate Hell?

The Beauty of Eternity: What Is Heaven and Why Did God Creaate Hell?

Most people who believe in an afterlife hope to be in a paradise. Many will speak of a loving God who wants to give good things to those he loves. But if God is all-loving, how can He stand to send people to Hell? Why would He even create Hell in the first place?

In this podcast, Lenny explains how God's nature of love actually demands that Hell exists and that the punishment of sin is actually a result of a loving and just God. Join us as we explore must how beautiful eternity is.

Reaching Gen Z with the Gospel

Reaching Gen Z with the Gospel

A lot of attention has been given to the alarming trend of young people leaving the faith. Both parents and pastors are concerned as they see kids raised in Bible-believing churches who attended youth group each week "deconvert" or identify as one of the "nones". How do we communicate the importance and validity of the gospel to young people whose lives and values have been significantly influenced by our modern anti-Christian culture? In this podcast, Lenny joins with Harry Edwards and Jonathan Noyes to talk about ways we can reach out to Gen Z and better communicate the importance of Christianity in living a good life.

Do I Have to Try All Religions to Know Which One Is True?

Do I Have to Try All Religions to Know Which One Is True?

"Just how many belief systems did you try before settling on your particular one?" It is a question that seems to challenge the idea of Christianity as the best understanding of how the world works. Yet, claiming that one must try all different religions before determining the truth lacks practicality and logical coherence.In this study, springing from a passage in Hebrews chapter 5, Lenny examines how one can rationally eliminate many of the different faiths because they hold incoherent views about God internally. He then turns towards a fuller examination of Judaism and Christianity, demonstrating how Jesus as messiah is the logical completion of the Old Testament faith.

The Crucifixion as Tangible History

The Crucifixion as Tangible History

We live in an age where the questionable is declared certain and what had been understood as certain is now questioned. Certainly, the Gospel accounts of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection have been questioned since the first century. But today, there are some who even doubt whether Jesus existed at all! In this study, Lenny examines the historical evidence of Jesus’s passion that forms the foundation of our faith.

Answers to Living A Christian Life in a Non-Christian Society

Answers to Living A Christian Life in a Non-Christian Society

T.S. Eliot once wrote "The problem of leading a Christian life in a non-Christian society is now very present to us… And as for the Christian who is not conscious of his dilemma—and he is in the majority—he is becoming more and more de-Christianized by all sorts of unconscious pressure: paganism holds all the most valuable advertising space." That's the theme of this recent Q&A session that took place at Rock Hill Church. Lenny fielded questions from the audience dealing with issues of doubt, confronting the anti-Christian culture, and how science can inform faith.

Talking Faith Without Fighting: How to Be a Winsome Witness

Talking Faith Without Fighting: How to Be a Winsome Witness

Sharing one’s faith is becoming more and more difficult as our culture moves away from its traditionally religious roots. Passionate discussions can sometimes lead to angry words or hurt feelings. But this isn’t the way we should spread the Gospel; it’s unloving and ineffective, too. In this talk, Lenny offers some specific tactics in sharing the Christian faith so you may present the truth in a loving, attractive, and effective manner.

Overcoming Barriers to Belief

Overcoming Barriers to Belief

It's no secret we live in a post-Christian society. Yet, many believers make a fundamental mistake when they try to share their faith with others. They fail to realize just how foreign certain Christian beliefs and assumptions are to people today. Even though we share many cultural touchstones, there are still significant barriers that must be over come to better communicate the great need for Jesus today.

In this podcast, Lenny joins the Apologetics.com team to identify some of the barriers to belief and how to overcome them in our witnessing efforts.

The Need for a Creed: Confirming Christian Belief

The Need for a Creed: Confirming Christian Belief

What do we mean when we say we’re Christians? Is it enough to claim to follow Christ? Mormons and others who have radically different views of the nature of God, the nature of Jesus, and key matters of faith have also claimed to be Christian, but that doesn’t mean they are. In this key study, Lenny examines how creeds became central to defining the essential elements of the Christian faith and how important they are in establishing true from false beliefs.

Critical Theory, Politics, and Reducing Humanity to Sexual Beasts

Critical Theory, Politics, and Reducing Humanity to Sexual Beasts

What's happened to our society? Prior generations have always understood themselves in ways that reference the external world. Today, we're not only feelings focus, we seem to use our sexual proclivities as the primary filter for self-identity. In this episode, Lenny and Dr. Harry Edwards explore how the ideas of Freud and Marx come together in critical theory to exploit sexual ideas and corrupt ideals to a public more than willing to be debased by them.

Abandoning Atheism: What Did It Take for Skeptics to Believe?

Abandoning Atheism: What Did It Take for Skeptics to Believe?

Just how does someone who vehemently dismisses the concept of God actually come to faith? In this fascinating interview, Lenny speaks with Dr. Jana Harmon on her research studying the conversion of over 100 atheists--people who had described themselves as staunchly against the idea of God--but who have since become believers. Their stories, their reasons for not believing, and their reasons for believing provide tremendous insight for you who are witnessing to skeptical friends and family.

The End of Humanity

The End of Humanity

The crucifixion of Jesus sits at the center of the Christian faith. It also marks the end of humanity. What does that mean, exactly? In this lesson, Lenny explains how the word "end" can convey a thing’s ultimate purpose as well as its final outcome. Join us as we explore how the crucifixion not only displays the ultimate example of evil in sinful creatures putting their holy Creator to death, but also sets a glorious destiny of forgiveness for Adam’s offspring.

Four Hot-Button Topics the Church Cannot Ignore

Four Hot-Button Topics the Church Cannot Ignore

A.I., Critical Race Theory, Neo-Paganism, Christian Nationalism. These are big issues that are causing quite a stir on our society today. In this week's podcast, Lenny and Kirkwood Center fellow Anthony Costello examine each of these hot-button issues and offer suggestions on how the Christian church should engage and respond.

Why Does God Remain Hidden?

Why Does God Remain Hidden?

Why is God so hidden? The existence of God is questioned more than ever, but if God wants us to believe and trust him, then how come he doesn't perform grand miracles to make himself obvious?

But is it the case that providing miracles will convince skeptics of God’s existence? In this podcast, Lenny investigates the idea of God's hiddenness and why it's beneficial for humanity. Let’s look at five reasons why God's hiddenness is a good thing.

Freud's Poison: Corrupting Civilization Through Sex

Freud's Poison: Corrupting Civilization Through Sex

It's no secret that we live in a sex-saturated culture. Everywhere you turn it seems that we are not only inundated with sexual images, but more and more people see their sexual behavior as a defining aspect of who they are. This is the complete opposite of what civilization used to mean. What happened and how did we get here? In this podcast, Lenny joins the Apologetics.com panel to discuss the outsized impact Sigmund Freud had on modern society, teaching us to filter our understanding if the world through a sexual lens and just how dangerous that can be.

Hidden Ways the Gospels Prove Reliable

Hidden Ways the Gospels Prove Reliable

Can we trust the Gospels? Why should people place their trust in documents written so long ago that don't even agree with each other? In this podcast, Lenny investigates some interesting facts which cannot be written off as coincidences and demonstrate why the Gospels are reliable history.

The One Factor of Mass Killings No One Is Talking About

The One Factor of Mass Killings No One Is Talking About

The tragedy of mass shootings is on the increase. Lots of theories are bantered about as to why more and more people are turning violent and what to do about it. But one important point is woefully neglected--our post-Christian culture is reaping the consequences of its purging of God from the common understanding of morality. In this episode, Lenny is joined by Raymond Gregory to talk about the uptick in homicides, shootings, and why these are early warning signs of a civilization that is beginning to crumble.

The Six Trials of Jesus

The Six Trials of Jesus

Luke chapter 20 records for us a point of history upon which the entire world turns. The trial, suffering and death of Jesus is simply the most important event in all of humankind. In this first message of a semi-regular series, Lenny explores the six different trials of Jesus of Nazareth and how it is the evil in the hearts of man that allowed them to condemn the only one who walked the earth without sin.

Conscience: Our Moral Compass

Conscience: Our Moral Compass

Right and wrong. Good and evil. Christianity teaches that these can be objectively known. In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul tells us that even people who don't have God's revealed word can still stand guilty before Him because their consciences bear witness against them. What is the conscience and how does it help us to understand the concepts of good and evil? That's the discussion on this week's podcast.

Facing the Facts of the Resurrection

Facing the Facts of the Resurrection

Have you ever wondered how the news of the resurrection would play out if they had social media in the first century? In this engaging Easter message, Lenny walks through a Facebook exchange between the Apostle Paul, himself, and various characters you typically run across on social platforms to show why the resurrection really does stand up as historical fact and how the skeptics' own arguments point to the validity of the resurrection accounts.

Balancing Predestination and Free Will (Part 2)

Balancing Predestination and Free Will (Part 2)

The Bible holds that God predestines all things to work towards his ultimate goal but we're also told that we control our choices and those choices are real. Is this a contradiction? In this podcast, Lenny explores the apparent tensions between our free will and God's foreordination and shows how both can not only be true, but how a proper understanding helps us see theological questions in a different light.

(Part 2 of 2)

Balancing Predestination and Free Will (Part 1)

Balancing PRedestination and Free Will (Part 1)

The Bible holds that God predestines all things to work towards his ultimate goal but we're also told that we control our choices and those choices are real. Is this a contradiction? In this podcast, Lenny explores the apparent tensions between our free will and God's foreordination and shows how both can not only be true, but how a proper understanding helps us see theological questions in a different light.

(Part 1 of 2)

How to Talk with Mormons

How to Talk with Mormons

Mormonism boasts over 12 million adherents, and it's still growing. What should we say when Mormon missionaries come to our door? How are Christian beliefs different than Mormon beliefs? In this podcast, Lenny teaches you how to engage Mormons in fruitful discussion.

A Culture Filled with Plastic People

A Culture Filled with Plastic People

Lenny once again joins Dr. Harry Edwards and Dr. Jacob Daniel to discuss Carl Trueman's landmark book The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self. This discussion centers on how for the first time in history people define themselves primarily by their feelings instead of more objective standard and the dangers such subjective and ethereal measurements create.

Resurrection, Near Death Experiences, and the Shroud of Turin: Interview with Gary Habermas

Resurrection, Near Death Experiences, and the Shroud of Turin: Interview with Gary Habermas

Christians have centered their faith around the resurrection of Jesus, not simply as a tenet of belief, but as an historical fact. In this podcast, Lenny talks with Dr. Gary Habermas, one of the world's leading experts on the historical nature of the these accounts and why the evidence points to the resurrection as a real event of history. We also discuss Gary's research into the Shroud of Turin and his examination of Near Death Experience reports. Join us for this fascinating discussion.

Talking with Jehovah's Witnesses

Talking with Jehovah's Witnesses

Jehovah's Witnesses have made a name for themselves by traveling door to door and converting people. But how can we defend our beliefs against their objections? In this podcast, Lenny teaches you how to dialogue with the Jehovah's Witnesses.

Five Questions to Ask Skeptics

Five Questions to Ask Skeptics

Usually, Christians feel that they are on the hot seat--having to defend their faith and prove that Jesus is true. But skeptics shouldn't get a free pass; they must also account for their view of the world and how it works. In this week's podcast, Lenny gives you five questions to ask non-believers that show why Christianity offers the best answers in understanding reality.

Of Locusts and Love: Why A Loving God Would Bring Calamity

Of Locusts and Love: Why A Loving God Would Bring Calamity

The Bible is frequently caricatured as displaying contradictory concepts of God. Critics claim that while the God of the New Testament is a filled with love and forgiveness while the Old Testament God is a God of vengeful wrath. Of course, nothing is further from the truth. In this podcast, Lenny looks at the book of Joel, when God calls judgment upon wayward Israel, and shows how God's actions truly reflect his love and concern for his people. We then turn to our plight today and understand that God can only be considered a loving God if he also upholds justice.

The War Against the Family

The War Against the Family

Our culture is obviously fragmenting today. We've seen many concerns from parents and others, especially Christian parents who see the society that they grew up in slipping away. Nowhere is this more transparent than in the tensions that are showing up in households. What does it mean that the new sexual politics, these new identity concepts which are being introduced to our children and to our nation are starting to pull apart the very building block of society that is the family? How can Christian parents guard against the state's intrusion into the home? These questions and more are answered by Lenny and his special guest, Dr. Jacob Daniel.

Divine Love as the Basis for Morality - Interview with Adam Johnson

Divine Love as the Basis for Morality - Interview with Adam Johnson

C.S. Lewis famously wrote how it was the argument from morality that set him on a path of abandoning atheism and believing in God. The fact that moral values and duties really exist is difficult to square with an atheistic understanding of the world. If there are at least some moral precepts that stand above all humanity, where do they come from and how can we explain why we are beholden to them? Here, Lenny interviews Dr. Adam Johnson on his new book Divine Love Theory which argues that the best explanation for the reality of moral obligations flows not simply from God's nature, but specifically from the love relationship that the three members of the Trinity share.

Starting Your New Year Strong

Starting Your New Year Strong

A new year has begun and everyone is busy hoping to better themselves by making various resolutions. But so many times, we begins with good intentions but abandon our goals before the snow thaws. How can we draw closer to God? In this episode, Lenny explains that instead of resolving to do (or not do) things, we can better focus our efforts on character formation, making changes that will stick.