I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

Do you ever have one of those moments when ordinary life suddenly feels like it’s pointing to something more? You can’t quite explain it, but for a split second, this world doesn’t seem like all there is. Could this be a glimpse of something beyond this world, or even a glimpse of God?

Pastor, author, and theologian, Dr. Gavin Ortlund, joins Frank to explore that possibility and the ideas behind his brand-new book, 'Why Christianity Makes Sense: A Book About Jesus, the Mysteries of the World, and the Longings in Your Heart'. From what Gavin calls the “ache”, to meaning, divine hiddenness, and the historical case for Jesus, this conversation makes the case for engaging both the mind and the heart. Tune in as Frank and Gavin tackle questions like:

What is the "ache” that Gavin describes in his book and what can it tell us about God?
Why do we often seem to distract ourselves from life’s deeper questions?
What do some atheists say is the meaning of life and why do their explanations fall short?
Why should Christian apologists appeal to both the heart and the mind?
What makes the Resurrection such a powerful source of hope?
Did Jesus REALLY claim to be God?
What are Gavin's 3 best arguments for the historicity of Jesus?
If God wants us to know Him, why does He sometimes seem hidden?
Would more miracles actually lead more people to believe in Christianity?
Why might God allow us to live without absolute certainty of His existence?

If you've ever felt a longing deep in your heart for something you cannot name, this is your chance to explore it. Pre-order your copy of 'Why Christianity Makes Sense', and be sure to check out Gavin’s YouTube channel for more of his work on Christianity, theology, and apologetics.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!
Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
Why Christianity Makes Sense by Gavin Ortlund - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0310182204
Gavin's website - https://truthunites.org/
Gavin's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@TruthUnites

BLM burned American cities to the ground. One-third of GenZ girls identify as LGBTQ. Four-hundred women in pink rally for a mother who strangled her three children. Charlie Kirk stood in the public square doing the watchman's work in a country with a church on every corner--and was killed doing it. What were the pastors doing?

Producer and cultural commentator, Jeremy Boering, returns to unpack the speech that sparked these questions and goes deeper into where Christians, pastors, and the culture go from here. Tune in as Frank and Jeremy wrestle with questions like:

What inspired Jeremy to challenge 600+ pastors during a recent TPUSA Faith event?
What is a fundamental mistake of the seeker-sensitive movement in the American Church?
Why has the American Church become increasingly apolitical over the past 50+ years?
How should Christians weigh a political leader’s character against the policies they support?
What does Jeremy think about President Donald Trump?
Why are we seeing a rise of interest (and even advocacy) for socialism?
What 3 major areas should pastors focus on to become more engaged in cultural issues?
What are the feminine sins that few pastors will call out?
Why is it sometimes easier to help a stranger than someone you know personally?
What happens when toxic empathy for the accused begins to overshadow justice for the victim?

Later in the show, the conversation takes a few unexpected turns as Jeremy weighs in on the Lindsay Clancy case, his previous experience working with Candace Owens at the Daily Wire, and his thoughts on whether or not Pendragon fans will see a Season 2. If you want the series to continue, you'll learn how you can help make that possible!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
Jeremy's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@jeremyboreing
What Were Pastors Doing While Charlie Kirk Did Their Job? - https://youtu.be/I0dyHefqZEo
The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFH7J5N3

Christians have plenty of truth to share. But why does “Christian entertainment” sometimes struggle to tell a great story? What if the problem isn’t the message, but how we tell it?

Frank sits down with producer, cultural commentator, and Daily Wire co-founder, Jeremy Boreing, whose latest project puts those ideas to the test. As the writer and director of the highly successful, 'The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin', Jeremy has seen a 30-year dream become the #1 fantasy series on Amazon Prime Video. What did it take to get there, and what can its success teach Christians about faith, art, and the stories we tell?

Tune in as Frank and Jeremy unpack questions like:
Why was sharing and developing this story so important to Jeremy?
Why do Christians sometimes struggle to make great entertainment?
What did C.S. Lewis understand about Christian art that we sometimes miss?
Why does Jeremy believe the Arthurian myth is fundamentally a Christian story?
What's the difference between cultural Christians of the 90's and cultural Christianity today?
What makes The Pendragon Cycle different from Game of Thrones, Narnia, and The Lord of the Rings?
How can you effectively communicate a Christian worldview without turning your story into a sermon?
Why is storytelling such a powerful way to communicate truth?
Where do materialism and naturalism fall short in answering life’s biggest questions?

And just when you think this conversation is all about entertainment, it takes a much more serious turn. What really went wrong with security on the day Charlie Kirk was assassinated, and what happened behind the scenes during Frank's return visit? Find out in this week’s episode, and be sure to tune-in next week as Jeremy returns with a very important message (and challenge) for American pastors.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:

Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
The Pendragon Cycle: Rise of the Merlin - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFH7J5N3
Jeremy's YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@jeremyboreing Charlie Kirk: "The Greatest Man I Ever Knew" - https://youtu.be/CPejdWTeLOw Frank Turek Returns to Utah Valley Univ. to Share the Gospel - https://youtu.be/lbZk_ccgAbA What Were Pastors Doing When Charlie Kirk Was Doing Their Job? - https://youtu.be/I0dyHefqZEo

What makes John Lennox one of the most winsome and influential Christian apologists of our lifetime? Don’t miss this special EXTENDED CUT, which includes even more fascinating stories and insights from his lifetime of boldly defending the Christian faith in lecture halls, debates and the public square. Together, Frank and John go beyond the previous episode to discuss:

How is Christianity the answer to the problem of evil?
What are the inconsistencies in Richard Dawkins' atheistic views?
Why does John think everyone should read Tom Holland's book, 'Dominion'?
How should we evangelize Muslims and other monotheists?
Has science disproven God?

If you haven’t already, be sure to get a copy of John’s book, ‘My Story: A Spiritual and Intellectual Autobiography’. It’s a must-read for anyone curious how a brilliant mathematical mind can hold fast to the Gospel–and how one man’s faith has helped millions find a reason to believe in an age of doubt.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
My Story: A Spiritual and Intellectual Autobiography - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0281091978
Diary of a CEO featuring John Lennox - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dLrvJeSugkM
Veritas Forum Speaker Highlights: John Lennox - https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLpVxnnpiCUnONO4L1edQIhO1etMK1cq4j&v=Em5l1jeJQVM
Why Are We Here? God, Life, and the Pursuit of Happiness - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdEuuQY8JEQ
Science and God: Do You Have to Choose? by John Lennox - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1802543724
Dominion by Tom Holland - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0349141207
Western Philosophy Course with Dr. Norman Geisler - https://www.onlinechristiancourses.com/western-philosophy

From his humble beginnings in Northern Ireland to debating the world's most prominent atheists on the global stage, Dr John C. Lennox has spent a lifetime (more than sixty years!) showing how faith, science, and reason can stand together. In this exclusive interview recorded at St. Ebbe’s Church in Oxford, England, Frank and John discuss his new autobiography, 'My Story: A Spiritual and Intellectual Autobiography', and reflect on the ideas, people and pivotal moments that shaped his remarkable life.
You'll learn:
Why are we here and what is the purpose of life?
What makes Jesus and Christianity so unique compared to other religions?
How does Dr. Lennox disarm hostility when talking with skeptics and non-Christians?
What happened during his debate with Richard Dawkins that moved many people closer to Chrisitanity?
Who told John that he needed to give up on God if he wanted a career in science and what was his response?
Why did John's dad tell him to read Karl Marx's, 'Das Kapital'?
Why is human empathy so important when other people experience pain and suffering?
Why does John describe our fallen world as a combination of "bombs and beauty"?
Why might someone reject Christ even if they believe Christianity is true?
What analogy does John often use to demonstrate that God’s grace is given and not earned?
What is John's advice to young Christians?

Be sure to tune-in next week to hear the extended cut of this conversation which includes even more fascinating stories and insights with no commercial breaks!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
My Story: A Spiritual and Intellectual Autobiography - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0281091978
Diary of a CEO featuring John Lennox - https://youtu.be/dLrvJeSugkM
Veritas Forum Speaker Highlights: John Lennox - https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLpVxnnpiCUnONO4L1edQIhO1etMK1cq4j&v=Em5l1jeJQVM
Why Are We Here? God, Life, and the Pursuit of Happiness - https://youtu.be/FdEuuQY8JEQ
Western Philosophy Course with Dr. Norman Geisler - https://www.onlinechristiancourses.com/western-philosophy/