RSS Feed Creator (Unlicensed) 25 May 2017 04:00:00 GMT Hank Unplugged: A podcast from the Christian Research Institute. For decades, millions have enjoyed answers and insights from Hank Hanegraaff on the Bible Answer Man broadcast. Now, Hank invites some of his closest friends and brightest minds onto the Hank Unplugged podcast for free-flowing, truly engaging discussions. Listen, as you follow him out of the studio and into his study to range farther and dive deeper into both perennial and contemporary issues of interest to thinking Christians. http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged Christian Research Institute 2017 en http://archive.integrationworks.com/hup-itunes-logo-1400.png http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged Hank Hanegraaff and his son David continue their discussion with focus on Hanks magnum opus Truth Matters, Life Matters More: The Unexpected Beauty of an Authentic Christian Life.https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource1909hup/ See Episode 79 Journey through Cancer and Eastern Orthodoxy Hanks Conversation with David Hanegraaff, Part One also. Topics discussed include: Salvation transcends transaction, pointing to transformation and union with God (0:35); Truth Matters, Life Matters More is Hanks most profoundly personal and surprising book (1:55); saved by a miracle (see HUP 079 Journey through Cancer and Eastern Orthodoxy Hanks Conversation with David Hanegraaff, Part One at 1:45) (6:10); following truth wherever it leads (7:30); writing and rewriting (8:00); physical facts do not fix all the facts (9:15); must learn to read literature properly (9:40); outlandish biblical interpretations within evangelicalism motivated search that led to Orthodoxy (10:00); should Christians ask and pray for forgiveness for sin? (10:40); ancient sacrament of confession (11:00); life matters more, but truth is necessary (11:45); why not just skip to part two of book? (12:45); facts are necessary but vulnerability attracts (14:00); issue of Sacred Tradition (15:30); Tradition vs traditionalism (16:45); Tradition is the Bible rightly interpreted (17:55); Bible passed down through people closely associated with the original writings therefore better able to translate and interpret Scripture (18:00); Irenaeus and Ignatius (20:00); solace in consulting early Church Fathers’ interpretation (21:00); no lone ranger Christians need the church, ground and pillar of truth, which dispensed the necessary graces of God (23:00); Fusion and the imperative for Christian unity, and the Lords High Priestly prayer (John 17) (23:50); fusion is difficult, fission is easy (24:30); in essentials unity (26:50); in nonessentials liberty thus God has His people everywhere (28:40); unity not uniformity (32:30); Hank learned much from David (33:10); David awaiting birth of firstborn baby (33:40) UPDATE: Smush is a boy!; grand parents are heroes (34:35); Kathy and oneness in marriage (38:05); reading and meeting Jean Claude Larchet, The Theology of Illness https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-the-theology-of-illness/ (39:25); Father Alex Karloutsos asks, What engendered the most fear, being ostracized for becoming Orthodox, or cancer diagnosis? (41:25); first thought at cancer diagnosis (42:50); ultimately not about living or dying but about living well to the glory of God (47:50); Hanks hope for Truth Matters, Life Matters Hope (48:25); paradigm shift from transaction to transformation (49:00); focus on larger arch from creation to redemption and experience now life that is life to the full union with God https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri1909wa/(see HUP 079 at 43:20) (49:15); catching on within body of Christ Wilbourne’s Union with Christ (51:15); that the church can become the church again (51:50); John Dickerson’s Great Evangelical Recession https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-cri1808wa/(52:15); church life is necessary receive the graces of God through the church (52:30); Romans 12 (53:20); paramount grace is the Eucharist, and there are other graces (53:50); sacrament of confession (54:10); that the church would worship God in spirit and in truth (54:50); the body of Christ may be one; fusion (55:35); closing thoughts (56:00). Listen to Hanks podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent. You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from all the channels we are listed on/ 26 Sep 2019 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_080.mp3 Hank sits down with his eldest son David to reflect on his journey through Mantle Cell Lymphoma, his recent allogeneic stem cell transplant, and spiritual surgery. God is not interested in healing us physically; He is interested in healing the whole of us body, soul, and spirit. Gods providence and glory are clearly manifest in Hanks journey. Topics discussed include: Hanks son David wrote a remarkable personal reflection https://www.equip.org/article/does-the-bible-answer-mans-son-believe-that-he-has-left-the-christian-faith/ (0:30); David was used by the Lord to save his fathers life, and Hank recounts his recent experience with his allogeneic stem cell transplant (1:45); Hanks dear friend Donny: God’s got you (2:45); in the intensive care unit (4:10); a further miraculous word from the Lord through friend Ramsey: God’s got you (5:00); after the ICU, Hank could no longer take care of himself a transformational coming to the end of himself (7:15); Gods providential work (8:40); the Lords timing is perfect as Hank approaches 100 days post transplant (9:45); David asks Hank to speak to the coincidence of his cancer diagnosis and his formal entrance into Orthodoxy in April 2017 (10:15); doctrine of deification (10:50); Luther and deification (12:55); Hank increasingly troubled with his own spiritual condition (14:20); beginning to explore Eastern Orthodoxy (16:45); Orthodox liturgy is God centered (18:55); finding home at St. Nektarios Greek Orthodox Church (19:15); Hank says no to familys request to attend Orthodox church (20:15); Kathy loves it (22:20); the Eucharist is the medicine of immortality (Ignatius) (23:05); truth matters, life matters more motivates study of Orthodoxy (24:00); Chrismated April 9, 2017 Palm Sunday (24:20); finally able to partake of the Eucharist (25:00); next day headlines read, Hanegraaff leaves the Christian Faith (25:30); six days later, diagnosed with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (26:00); allogeneic stem cell transplant and E. coli infection (27:10); transformational book The Theology of Illness by Jean Claude Larchet (28:10); honestly thankful for cancer and spiritual surgery (29:10); God is not knowable in His essence, we know God by His energies (32:40); deification is a scary word with an even scarier definition (33:30); Hank selfreliant (34:10); I’ve never seen my father closer to Christ (35:55); Hank comes to an end of himself (36:10); dear friend Elijah and truth matters, life matters more (38:30); the menu is not the meal (41:15); meaning of the Eucharist (42:40); the larger arch from creation to deification, and the smaller arch from the fall to salvation (43:20); wrong sense of deification (44:40); the Tree of Life Christ (45:30); salvation transcends transaction, pointing to transformation and union with God (48:30). To find our more information on Truth Matters, Life Matters More click here https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource1909hup/. For more information on Theology of Illness by Dr. Jean-Claude Larchet click here. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-the-theology-of-illness/ 19 Sep 2019 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_079.mp3 Climate change is one of the most contentious issues of our time, leaving many Christians unsure of how they should view climate change. A key issue of concern at the Christian Research Institute is discernment, which is precisely why Hank wanted to have a conversation with Dr. Patrick Michaels to encourage Christians to critically consider how they view climate change. Dr. Michaels is a leading climatologist, who was a contributing author and reviewer of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. We hope that this conversation helps you to better understand this highly controversial and politicized issue.. Click here to see Hank's writings on this topic. https://www.equip.org/article/how-should-christians-think-about-global-warming/ Topics discussed include: why is the government involved in scientific issues, and what happens when science gets politicized? (6:00); are CO2 emissions always bad? (8:15); the social cost of carbon, and asking if there is a social benefit to carbon emission? (10:10); isn’t the climate always changing? (12:10); how should we process alarmist narratives pushed by politicians regarding climate change? (14:45); the economic impact of climate change initiatives (16:55); how reliable are the computer models that predict climate patterns? (18:55); the political abuse of the global-warming narrative (21:40); the virtue signaling of global warming and the role it plays in a modern secular religion (24:45); do global warming initiatives harm the poor? (26:00); the problem with consensus science (27:00); which of the many climate models is best at predicting climate patterns? (29:20); Patrick Michaels taking a stand against climate change consensus because science has always progressed by people going against the consensus (32:10); is it really time to panic about climate change? (34:20); how can people read the news stories about climate change with a critical mind? (38:20); is the Earth warming, and if it is, what should we do about it? (39:15); why Patrick Michaels believes that the Paris Climate Accord is a joke (43:35); is global warming actually bad? (46:40); should nuclear fission be viewed as an alternative energy source? (48:00); Patrick Michaels on his upcoming book Scientocracy: The Tangled Web of Public Science and Public Policy (50:05); and are people developing apocalypse fatigue? (53:40). Thank you for listening to the Hank Unplugged podcast! We prayerfully ask you to consider making a financial pledge of support to stand shoulder to shoulder with us in the battle for life and truth. The outreaches of the Christian Research Institute are fully funded by listeners like you. To learn more about how you can support this podcast or any of the many outreaches of the Christian Research Institute simply visit https://www.equip.org/product/2019fyewa/ or call 888-7000-CRI. Thanks again for tuning into another edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast 26 Jun 2019 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_078.mp3 Welcome to a special edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast. Hank has been in the hospital undergoing an allogenic stem cell transplant and has been documenting his journey through a series of Facebook Live recordings that you can find on equip.org,https://www.equip.org/category/video/ the Bible Answer Man YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCE45f5DdMA9AA-kXU-TVqwA and of course, the Bible Answer Man Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/BibleAnswerManBroadcast/. Make sure to subscribe to our YouTube channel and Facebook page to ensure that you never miss any content updates from the Christian Research Institute. The following is the audio from Hanks Facebook Live recording on June 11,2019. Just prior to receiving his son Pauls stem cells, Hank was joined in his hospital room by his sons Xander, Paul, and Dave in a meditation on faith and prayer, confronting doubt, and our call to be imitators of our great God and Savior our precious Lord Jesus Christ. Hank has since received the transplant and is doing remarkably well! He, along with his family and the rest of the team at the Christian Research Institute appreciate your prayers and continued support as you stand shoulder to shoulder with us in the battle for life and truth. 12 Jun 2019 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_077.mp3 This edition of Hank Unplugged features exceptional excerpts from conversations with two Christian thinkers that offer refreshing perspectives on the role that illness and anxiety play in our struggle toward holiness. The first conversation you will hear is with Dr. Jean-Claude Larchet, the author of The Theology of Illness. The insights of Dr. Larchet will undoubtedly challenge the way you view suffering, illness, and what it truly means to be spiritually healthy. The second conversation features Dr. Nicole Roccas and focuses on a spiritual sickness rooted in apathy known as despondency, a condition as old as time that is thriving in today's culture of leisure, anxiety, and digital distraction. Dr. Nicole Roccas examines wisdom from Christian thinkers throughout history to offer a way out of despondency and back to the present moment. In an age of increasing levels of depression, suicide, and despondency, the insights of these two inspirational Christians will help draw you out of the depths of spiritual illness and deeper into spiritual communion with our Creator. Topics discussed include: do people today have fewer resources than their ancestors did to deal with the problem of illness? (4:40); spiritual illness is more serious than physical illness, yet our modern age has made the medical doctor the new high priest of civilization (6:05); how detached we have become from the wisdom of the early church fathers (8:00); the difference in the human body before and after the Fall and the implications for our resurrected state in the world to come (11:30); was man created perfect? (15:20); deification (theosis) and what it means to become God’s by grace (16:20); is there a link between illness and sin? (23:15); why perfect health does not exist in this world (27:00); good health is evil if it contributes to making a person indifferent to his salvation and keeps him away from God by giving him the false impression that he is self-sufficient (32:15); the role suffering plays in raising our awareness and why illness can be better than health if it aids our spiritual progress (37:30); the essential role of prayer in growing closer to God (41:10); introduction to conversation with Dr. Nicole Roccas on Time and Despondency: Regaining the Present in Faith and Life (51:50); how Dr. Nicole Roccas writes about death, sadness, and despondency with a spirit of hope (55:50); while our anxieties draw our focus to the future and our regrets focus on the past, the present is where we are truly able to commune with Christ, and that is precisely why it is important to be present (59:15); time isn’t an illusion or an abstraction but central to how we experience life. Likewise, our faith is not an abstraction but experienced in the present moment in time (1:02:05); Dr. Nicole Roccas wrote Time and Despondency — what is meant by despondency? (1:06:15); what are some of the symptoms of despondency, and how does technology contribute to distraction and despondency? (1:09:50); is despondency a crime needing to be punished or a sickness needing to be healed? (1:13:50); can despondency be both a sickness and a crime? (1:17:10); anger as a source of despondency (1:18:15); using busyness to mask purposelessness and despair (1:20:15); and time as the giver of second chances (1:22:45) 13 Feb 2019 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_076.mp3 On this special edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast, Hank is joined by Cindee Martin Morgan, the daughter of Dr. Walter Martin (founder of the Christian Research Institute), who interviewed Hank last year for a personal project. One of the objectives of the Hank Unplugged podcast is to offer a more leaned back, less didactic version of Hank Hanegraaff, and the staff at the Christian Research Institute enjoyed this interview so much that we are offering it as a special edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast. The conversation displays a deeply personal perspective on Hank’s early life, transition into ministry, and reflections on what has now been thirty years leading the Christian Research Institute. This is truly a unique episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast that you won’t want to miss.[Editor's Note: This conversation took place before Hank’s cancer went into remission.] Topics discussed include: despite Hank’s background as a Dutch immigrant in the Christian Reformed Church, he considered himself to be a practical atheist until the age of twenty-nine, when he accepted Christ and began to truly live as a Christian (3:00); Hank recalls what it was like growing up as the son of a Christian Reformed pastor (7:35); the story of how Hank met his wife, Kathy, who taught him to evangelize as his trainer in Evangelism Explosion (11:55); Hank recalls some of his greatest mentors in the faith, such as Dr. Walter Martin, Chuck Colson, and R. C. Sproul (14:45); how Hank first met Dr. Walter Martin (18:30); the greatest lesson that Hank learned from Dr. Walter Martin (19:35); what motivated Hank to join the Christian Research Institute (20:45); where Hank was when he heard that Dr. Walter Martin had died (24:30); Hank recalls some amusing anecdotes about his relationship with Dr. Walter Martin (26:55); what inspired Hank to write his first book, Christianity in Crisis (32:00); Hank discusses why he is so passionate about his book Has God Spoken? Memorable Proof of the Bible's Divine Inspiration (37:45); why Hank has always been firmly and unapologetically pro-life (40:05); Hank’s initial reaction to being diagnosed with cancer, and why Hank considers his battle with cancer to have been one of the best experiences of his life (44:35); learning to trust God “in the midst of our whys,” through the midst of uncertainty (52:50); how Hank’s tight-knit family rallied around him during his battle with cancer (55:55); what led Hank to become a member of the Eastern Orthodox Church (57:05); the problem with a transactional view of Christianity as opposed to the transformational purpose of Christianity leading to union with God, also known as theosis (1:07:30); discussing Martin Luther and his belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist (1:13:35); Hank’s response to those who claim that he left the Christian faith by joining the Eastern Orthodox Church (1:15:55); remembering Elliot Miller, longtime friend, colleague, and editor of the Christian Research Journal (1:25:40); discussing threats to the church and why the greatest modern-day threat to the church is not external but internal (1:33:30); the criticality of the church recognizing the importance of the doctrine of unity, uniting in the essentials of the historic Christian faith, or, as C. S. Lewis put it, Mere Christianity (1:39:00); reflecting on the individuals that Hank looks forward to reuniting with in heaven, while taking into account that our perspectives will vary greatly upon arriving in heaven (1:41:30); words of wisdom that Hank lives by and would like to pass on to the next generation (1:44:15); and addressing one of Hank’s favorite Bible verses, 1 Timothy 4:16 (1:47:45)./ 29 Jan 2019 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_075.mp3 Jack Graham is the pastor of Prestonwood Baptist and among the most influential Christians in America. Graham joins Hank to discuss his book Angels: Who They Are, What They Do, and Why It Matters and the underestimation of the influence of angels in our lives. Their conversation touches on common misconceptions about angels, the presence of angels throughout the Bible, and the existence of both holy angels and dark angels. Topics discussed include: how Jack Graham went from wanting to be a professional baseball player to becoming a pastor of one of the largest, most influential churches in the world (3:15); the influence of Prestonwood Baptist in the United States, and why Graham is uncomfortable with the label of megachurch (6:15); the mass exodus of millennials from the church today and the rise of the nones (no religious affiliation) (9:00); providing an alternative to Planned Parenthood though the ministry of the Prestonwood Pregnancy Center (12:35); the influence and significance of angels in our lives, and why Graham is so passionate about angels (14:40); the presence and significance of angels throughout the Bible and the presence of guardian angels in our lives (19:55); remembering that there are angels in the angelic state and also angels in the fallen state — addressing holy angels and dark angels (23:15); common misconceptions people have about angels (29:05); looking to the Book of Isaiah as an example of why our focus should be on the holiness of God rather than our own happiness (32:55); the need for more Christians to not only read the Bible but to memorize and meditate on the Bible (37:25); the responsibility of Christians to be involved in mentorship in the Christian community (41:55); Hanegraaff and Graham share their views on retirement and how it relates to Christian ministry (43:45); the state of evangelism in China (45:05); Hanegraaff personally thanks Graham for his consistent support and encouragement during Hanegraaff’s battle with cancer (48:00); and Graham gives his perspective on the current state of the United States of America (51:10)./ 15 Jan 2019 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_074.mp3 Dr. Jay Richards humbly calls himself a shameless generalist due to the diversity of his intellectual endeavors, making him the perfect guest for educationally engaging conversations on a variety of topics. Richards has no problem going against the status quo, which is why he is consistently confronting consensus decision making and deploring the dangers of groupthink, especially when it comes to global warming and evolution. The conversation also touches on Richards’s new book, The Human Advantage, which addresses the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), how smart machines are reshaping our world, and why they will never be a substitute for what he calls “the human advantage.” Topics discussed include: politics disguised as science — a 12-step program on when to doubt a scientific consensus (2:45); how and why stakeholder interests and incentives influence the research and findings of academics (9:25); how motivated blindness inhibits an individual’s ability to perceive inconvenient data (11:55); how worldviews can impact your view on climate change and environmentalism (15:10); on comparing global warming denial to holocaust denial and other ad hominem arguments (18:20); how to get people to think critically (20:30); how tenure and groupthink impact intellectual discourse (22:00); the problems of cliques and conspiracies in publishing and peer reviews (25:05); the problem when politicians don’t understand the issues but merely follow the popular narrative (27:15); are the fires in California a product of climate change? (28:45); are natural disasters such as hurricanes and fires naturally bad for the Earth? (30:30); the problem with connecting any extreme weather event as evidence for global warming (33:10); invalidating the process of peer review by excluding dissenters (34:10); the issue of consensus being declared before consensus actually exists (37:05); the difference between scientific observation and scientific data — and why it matters (39:15); the problem when consensus science is used to justify economic and public policies (45:20); addressing misconceptions concerning the term nationalism (47:35); why so many young people are buying into socialism (50:45); why do so many journalists go along with the consensus? (54:15); why you should always be skeptical when someone cites consensus as justification for their beliefs (56:40); addressing the issue of theistic evolution (59:15); addressing the power of headlines in shaping public opinion and how it is similar to the infamous icons of evolution (1:03:00); why Richards believes that following your passion is a fallacy when it comes to finding a successful career (1:06:20); how Richards and Hanegraaff deal with the “task of translation” when communicating complex ideas (1:12:30); how solar eclipses show that we are part of a universe designed for discovery and provide us with evidence of a creator (1:14:20); the myth that machines eventually will replace humans, as addressed in Richards’s new book The Human Advantage: The Future of American Work in an Age of Smart Machines (1:18:10); the human advantage of virtue and the future of work in an age of smart machines (1:23:25); and why Christians should care about the issue of artificial intelligence in the face of a growing movement of transhumanism (1:26:25). 08 Jan 2019 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_073.mp3 As we celebrate the first advent of Christ coming in flesh, Hank Hanegraaff shares a message of hope for the future with thanksgiving, remembering what a remarkable year 2018 has been. If you’ve already made a gift to the Christian Research Institute this month, thank you!! If you haven’t, please consider offering one today in support of CRI’s mind-changing, life-transforming work at our Website. 21 Dec 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/Hank Unplugged Year-End 2018.MP3 America is running out of time. Our republic is suffering the biggest crisis since the Civil War, with competing visions of freedom pushing us to the precipice of cultural self-destruction. In his new book, Last Call for Liberty, Os Guinness explains that America has become a house divided, and Americans must make up their minds as to which freedom to follow. Will the torch of freedom be handed to someone else or be extinguished altogether? If you care about American liberties and the future of our nation, Last Call for Liberty is an absolute must read. What will become of America the beautiful? Find out what Os Guinness has to say on this essential edition of Hank Unplugged. Topics discussed include: the persecution of Christians in China (5:00); how Christians have become the most widely persecuted people of faith in the world (6:30); the Williamsburg Charter and what will become of religious freedom in America (7:55); America is increasingly divided and facing the gravest internal crisis since the Civil War (10:15); why Utopian revolutions often lead to evil outcomes (13:10); how America’s genius for freedom has become its biggest threat, and the totalitarian implications of technology (17:25); the roots of the current riots in France (19:25); the rarity of free societies, and why the future of America is actually the future of the world (22:15); what is freedom? The contrast between negative and positive freedom (29:45); the scandal of the American church not having more cultural influence given the amount of Christians in America (32:25); the deadliest philosophical atheist, Friedrich Nietzsche, and the idea of slave morality (36:00); the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem, and the NFL (42:00); Exodus and the origin of American freedom (45:25); is America becoming a “cut flower” civilization? (46:50); social justice warriors and biblical views of justice (52:45); the paradox of freedom — the greatest enemy of freedom is freedom itself (58:35); the need for historical literacy and linguistic competence (1:01:10); freedom of religion and conscience has never been more important than it is today, as our world has never been as diverse and pluralistic at any point in history (1:05:10); why the philosophical foundations of self-worth, human dignity, and freedom are found in the biblical values of Christianity (1:09:20); how direct democracy can be just as dangerous as dictatorship (1:13:20); the bitter joke of Arthur Koestler as told in Last Call for Liberty (1:17:20). 19 Dec 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_072.mp3 With so many Christians capitulating to the culture, it has never been more important to understand issues of sexuality from a biblical perspective. Joe Dallas has been our lead expert on the subject at the Christian Research Institute for decades, and once again he joins Hank to discuss articles he has written for the Christian Research Journal about the Revoice Conference, the new film Boy Erased, and whether or not the United States is closer to a state-controlled church. The Bible isn’t shy about sex, leaving Christians without an excuse not to understand issues of sexuality and communicate a Christian perspective with conscience and conviction. Topics discussed include: how important is the issue of human sexuality to our culture? (3:00); is it intolerant and violent to hold traditional views of marriage and heterosexuality? (4:55); are issues of human sexuality leading to greater levels of “big brother” and government control? (7:40); why are so many Christians capitulating to the culture when it comes to issues of homosexuality and sexuality in general? (10:05); discussing the article by Joe Dallas, “Homosexuality and Modern Ministry,” as well as the ministry that Joe was once president of: Exodus International (12:00); is the church supposed to be offensive in the name of truth? (17:15); what is the Revoice Conference, and what is their mission? (18:35); discussing the question presented at the Revoice Conference: “What does queer culture (and specifically queer literature and theory) have to offer us who follow Christ? What queer treasure, honor, and glory will be brought into the New Jerusalem at the end of time? (Revelation 21:24-26)” (23:10); using language as a tool for progress, such as the moniker of “gay Christian,” making homosexuality and Christianity seem compatible (25:50); discussing the term spiritual friendship, as promoted at the Revoice Conference and in the book Spiritual Friendship: Finding Love in the Church as a Celibate Gay Christian (28:15); discussing sin and issues of human sexuality that affect all of us and the problem with putting a positive spin on sinful tendencies (31:25); the problem with people proclaiming that homosexuality is a gift from God (35:45); what is conversion therapy, and what is the problem with conversion therapy? (38:00); discussing the new film Boy Erased and whether Christians in general are being unfairly portrayed in Boy Erased (41:30); the new article in the Christian Research Journal titled “Solo Sex and the Christian,” discussing the sinful mindset of masturbation (46:10); why all transformation begins with repentance and obedience (52:35); the Bible isn’t shy about sex, so how can we as Christians be better at addressing issues of sexuality in the church and with our families? (56:40); an update on California House Bill AB-2943 and whether a state-controlled church is imminent in the United States (59:45); the great evil of pedophilia, and what it means when those who take the sacred name of Christ are involved in it (1:02:50); the sadness of how the controversies within the Catholic church are tarnishing the name of good Catholics and Christianity as a whole, as well as diminishing the good work being done by Catholics worldwide (1:04:55); Speaking of Homosexuality: Discussing the Issues with Kindness and Clarity by Joe Dallas (1:07:10); seeking the peace that passes all understanding through Christ (1:10:50); why Joe Dallas wrote The Game Plan: The Men's 30-Day Strategy for Attaining Sexual Integrity (1:16:20); the Sacrament of Confession and how it relates to issues of accountability in the church (1:18:30); and how pro-gay advocates misinterpret the Bible and revise the truth to fit their agenda (1:21:35). 11 Dec 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_071.mp3 Justin Brierley is the host of the popular podcast Unbelievable? and the similarly titled book Unbelievable? Why after Ten Years of Talking with Atheists, I'm Still a Christian. Brierley has dedicated his career to holding engaging conversations between believers and atheists, and joins Hank to discuss the keys to having good conversations with those with whom we disagree. There is no doubt that the state of dialogue is in disarray, as Dictionary.com's word of the year for 2018 is "misinformation," highlighting the need for authentic conversations in a world filled with "fake news."Topics discussed include: the popularity of Brierley’s podcast, Unbelievable?, featuring discussions between Christians and nonbelievers (5:30); Premier Christian Radio being one of the only religious radio stations in the UK (8:05); how Brierley and his wife ministering with the Odibo mission in Namibia set the tone for the rest of their lives (11:00); the importance of breaking out of “echo chambers” (13:05); why Brierley began Unbelievable? at Premier Christian Radio as an opportunity to model Christian conversations with skeptics (16:20); the keys to having good conversations (18:05); how editing other writers helped Brierley learn how to write (22:05); how Brierley stays neutral while moderating debates between believers and skeptics (25:05); the glaring contradiction when atheists apply objective moral standards (27:20); how atheist Peter Singer attempts to apply objective moral standards to his materialistic atheist worldview (29:35); what it was like to interview the most well-known atheist on the planet, Richard Dawkins, author of The God Delusion (32:40); the key to connecting with people in conversation (35:30); the importance of authentic conversations in our world today (38:50); ways of winning the person rather than winning the argument (42:00); how apologetics helped Brierley through a season of doubt (44:00); the inspiration for Hank’s upcoming book, Truth Matters, Life Matters More (48:00); the relationship between doubt and faith (49:45); how Brierley’s beliefs have evolved as a result of hosting Unbelievable?, such as his annihilationist view on eternal torment and creationism vs. evolutionism (52:30); Mere Christianity and how Christians can come together over common causes and drop the secondary issues that separate them (1:03:45); the strongest arguments that skeptics have made against Christianity (1:09:10); and why, after ten years of talking with atheists, Justin Brierley is still a Christian (1:16:55). 27 Nov 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_070.mp3 Dr. Paul Nelson is a philosopher and a prominent leader in the Intelligent Design movement as well as a key figure in the films of Illustra Media. Dr. Nelson joins Hank to discuss how the power of cinema can convey the complexity of the universe and how the films by Illustra Media, such as the most recent film The Call of the Cosmos, use the evidence of creation as an evangelistic tool to expand the kingdom of Christ without saying a word. Topics discussed include: the significance of the new film from Illustra Media, The Call of the Cosmos (9:00); does nature reveal the existence of God? (11:05); how NASA scientist Robert Jastrow began to hold the belief that if there was a beginning to the universe, there is also a Creator (14:30); the difference the films by Illustra Media are making around the globe and how Christians can use these films as an evangelistic tool to transform lives (18:10); does God speak to us through the book of nature, His creation? (23:00); is the size and complexity of the universe a sign of a creator? (28:25); lunar eclipses as an example that we are living on a privileged planet (32:20); was Carl Sagan right when he called our planet insignificant? (36:20); looking to Christ as our example for how to practice proper evangelism (40:15); what is Intelligent Design? What is the state of the Intelligent Design movement? (45:20); the importance of following the truth, wherever it leads (48:20); arguments against popular Darwinian positions such as his view of common descent and Darwin’s Tree of Life (51:00); what the theory of evolution fails to explain [click for further review as referenced in conversation https://bit.ly/2z6NDdZ ] (56:20); remembering the presence, power, and control of the Holy Spirit (59:20); how Illustra Media harnesses the power of a camera lens to reveal the complexity of design in the universe (1:02:00); the metamorphosis of a butterfly as a metaphor for resurrection (1:06:30); thinking critically about the popular icons of evolution (1:13:00); how Paul Nelson once wanted to be an artist before he fell in love with the beauty of science forty years ago and never looked back (1:15:35). 20 Nov 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_069.mp3 Dr. Nicole Roccas writes about death, sadness and despondency with a spirit of hope. Her book, Time and Despondency: Regaining the Present in Faith and Life, explores the relationship between human perceptions of time and the spiritual sickness of acedia. Her conversation with Hank explores the depths of time and despondency, both today and throughout history, as well as how they ultimately relate to the purpose of our lives, becoming fully human through our relationship with Christ. Topics discussed include: How Dr. Nicole Roccas writes about death, sadness and despondency with a spirit of hope (6:00); while our anxieties draw our focus to the future and our regrets focus on the past, the present is where we are truly able to commune with Christ and that is precisely why it is important to be present (9:20); time isn’t an illusion or an abstraction, but central to how we experience life, likewise our faith is not an abstraction, but experienced in the present moment in time (12:05); Dr. Roccas’ book is titled Time and Despondency—what is meant by despondency? (16:15); what are some of the symptoms of despondency and how does technology? (19:55); is despondency a crime needing to be punished or a sickness needing to be healed? (23:55); can despondency be both a sickness and a crime? (27:25); anger as a source of despondency (28:20); using busyness to mask purposelessness and despair (30:20); the church is not a courtroom, but a hospital whereby the sacraments offer healing and restoration through the process of theosis (32:45); what is time? three different ways to view time (35:45) liturgical tradition as a transfiguration of time (39:00) the Resurrection isn’t merely a historical event, but something we can experience in the present (39:40); discussing different terminologies of time-Chronos, Kairos and Aion (43:10); the relation between time and prayer and how that relates to why we pray for the dead (47:05); in many Eastern religions the key to enlightenment is to empty oneself, whereas the key to Christianity is to be filled with Christ (51:20); practical steps to dealing with despondency, such as practicing a spirit of humility (56:20); the biblical roots of the The Jesus Prayer and how it can be practiced to develop a spirit of humility (59:10); the importance of praying for our enemies (1:03:45); the importance of patience and perseverance in an age of instant gratification and decreased attention spans (1:08:35); the importance of expressing thanks, as thanksgiving is at the heart of the Christian life (1:12:00); community and the sacrament of confession as a medicine for the soul (1:15:00); the dangers of medicalizing spiritual conditions and spiritualizing medical conditions, especially concerning depression (1:17:40); how time makes relationships, love and free-will possible (1:20:55); time as the giver of second chances (1:23:15). 13 Nov 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_068.mp3 In an era when truth is eroding in favor of whatever feels best, the work of good philosophers such as Dr. James Anderson is invaluable. His book What's Your Worldview? An Interactive Approach to Life's Big Questions employs a similar formula to the “choose your own adventure” book genre in order to systematically discover your worldview. This is a fun way to address a critical issue as we exist in a syncretistic society where individuals are often unaware of the inconsistencies of their worldview or that they hold to a worldview at all. Topics discussed include: hat are worldviews, and why do they matter? (7:30); why Anderson wrote a “choose your own adventure” style book to help people become more aware of their worldview and to think critically about them (9:45); how do people develop their worldview? (13:20); how do Christians handle the transgender revolution without being bullied into submission (15:25); are Christians failing to believe that we can change the culture? (19:10); atheist philosophers such as Alex Rosenburg and the self-defeating worldview of a consistent atheist (21:50); the difference between scientific and scientistic (24:15); the recent phenomenon of using consensus science to bully people to buy into believing particular paradigms (26:05); discussing global warming and whether or not we know for certain that CO2 emissions are bad for the planet (31:30); the irony of atheists that make truth claims to claim that there is no truth (33:40); discussing Anderson’s article from the Christian Research Journal titled "The Internal Testimony of the Holy Spirit: How Do You Know That the Bible Is God’s Word?" (39:00); is there a universal mandate for Christians to be able to give an apologetic defense of their faith? (45:25); the argument from contingency and why anything exists at all? (49:15); do objective values presuppose a transcendent good? (51:25); Joel Marx renouncing his morality and becoming an amoralist after years of writing The New Yorker column titled Moral Moments (56:00); the argument from reason that our ability to reason presupposes the existence of God (58:00); the idea of apathy, or apatheism, in our world today and how we can awaken indifferent individuals by appealing to their passions and interests (1:03:00); the Kavanaugh hearing as evidence of the erosion of the presumption of innocence in favor of the dangerous precedent of allowing our tribal affiliations to trump truth (1:05:45); Anderson’s passion for intense study that subsequently allows him to equip students with truth (1:08:20); why should we study philosophy; and what are the benefits of being philosophically trained? (1:11:15); how theology points us to an experience with God (1:12:50); remembering R. C. Sproul (1:14:10). 06 Nov 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_067.mp3 Fr. Barnabas Powell joins Hank to discuss his journey from pastoring a Pentecostal church and holding a prominent role in evangelical media ministry to becoming a priest in the Orthodox Church. After years of pursuit, Fr. Barnabas found the timeless truth he was searching for in the ancient faith of the Eastern Orthodox Church and decided to live out his faith daily by being “Orthodox on purpose.” Fr. Barnabas and Hank are both uniquely positioned to discuss the divisions between Eastern and Western Christianity and why it is critical for Christians everywhere to embrace the doctrine of unity taught in the Lord’s high priestly prayer in the face of deeply entrenched tribalism inside and outside of the church today. Topics discussed include: Fr. Barnabas Powell’s background as a pastor in a Pentecostal church and how his Pentecostal background prepared him for the transition to becoming a priest in Orthodoxy (2:45); the popular narrative that we should never call anyone (such as a priest) "Father," and why that is a mistake (4:45); what does it mean to be “Orthodox on purpose?” (7:30); are there Christians outside of Orthodoxy? (14:00); incarnate theology and the significance of a priest, like Fr. Barnabas himself, wearing robes (17:00); the significance of the quote by St. Cyprian: “He can no longer have God for his Father, who has not the church for his mother,” and what it says on the unity of the church (20:15); comparing liturgical practice in the church to a spiritual gymnasium where the disciplines of life in the church strengthen our spirit (25:00); the paradox of disciplining our desires and the misconception of viewing spiritual disciplines, such as fasting, as works done to earn our salvation (29:25); Rejecting RAPTUREMANIA (48:45); the purifying power of pain and the false perception that pain is the ultimate evil in an era of prosperity preaching (52:00); the pursuit of timeless truth and following St. Vincent of Lerins's three rules of antiquity, universality, and consensus (55:50); combating our chronological snobbery to understand the enlightenment of the early church fathers (59:05); addressing problems within Orthodoxy (1:02:05); the difference between a transactional and transformational Christian faith (1:07:20); the significance of developing a dispassionate disposition toward our desires, and how spiritual discipline can help (1:08:35); understanding what the discipline of confession is really about, and the difference between how confession is conducted in the East and the West (1:12:35); why Christianity is Eucharistic at its core and why being grateful is at the heart of what it means to be a Christian (1:16:30); the importance for Christians everywhere to embrace the doctrine of unity taught in the Lord’s high priestly prayer in the face of tribalism inside and outside of the church (1:20:00); and weighing in on the current schism in the Orthodox church today (1:26:20). 30 Oct 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_066.mp3 While writing MUSLIM: What You Need to Know About the World’s Fastest-Growing Religion, one of the most impressive scholars Hank discovered was Dr. Dario Fernandez-Morera, author of The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise: Muslims, Christians, and Jews under Islamic Rule in Medieval Spain. His book, a finalist for World Magazine’s Book of the Year, reveals the myth of the Andalusian Paradise, a supposed time of religious tolerance in Islamic Spain that in reality was a repressive era reflective of the true tenets of Islamic belief and practice. Today, academics and politicians alike are pushing a politically correct cultural narrative when it comes to Islam and courageous scholars such as Dr. Fernandez-Morera stand as beacons of truth and light in the face of propagandists intent on pulling the wool over our eyes. Topics discussed include: why studying Miguel de Cervantes led Fernández-Morera to realize that the narrative of a peaceful Islamic rule in Spain was wrong (4:00); the resistance he faced regarding his book The Myth of the Andalusian Paradise: Muslims, Christians, and Jews under Islamic Rule in Medieval Spain (7:20); reasons behind the resistance to his research and the positive, politically correct narrative of Islam (10:15); examining the possible reasons behind academic bias and Islam as follows: linguistic ignorance, stakeholder interests and incentives, motivated blindness, intellectual innocence, shoddy research, and cultural agendas (16:40); several motivations for a cultural agenda promoting Islamic principles (30:30); the importance of rhetoric in creating cultural narratives and why our culture seems more concerned with Islamophobia when in reality it is increasingly Christophobic (33:10); examining several rhetorical tricks devised to develop desired narratives (36:30); misapprehension of the real, main meaning and practice of Jihad in Islam (40:25); Islam has always progressed by shahada, subjugation, or the sword (most often the sword, as Muhammad invoked his followers to do) (47:10); the differences between Islamic Jihad and Christian Crusades (1:03:45); did Osama bin Laden choose September 11 for a reason? (1:11:25); Fernandez-Morera notes that many historians are not religious and why this lack of religiosity might impact the mindset of academic assessment of the historical motivations of religious individuals (1:16:15); is Islam really a religion? (1:18:45); the different approaches that academics take when examining Christianity and Islam (1:24:20); the myth of the Dark Ages (1:29:00); and the Armenian genocide as an example of the collective amnesia of the modern world and the fundamental importance of historical literacy (1:33:00). 23 Oct 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_065.mp3 The health of our soul is more important than the health of our body, yet in our modern age of materialism, we have made the medical doctor the new high priest of a civilization seeking purely physical solutions to problems previously presumed to involve the soul. Hank is joined by French professor Jean-Claude Larchet, a prolific scholar holding doctoral degrees in both theology and philosophy, and one of the foremost Patristic scholars in the world today to discuss sickness, suffering, and the soul from a theological perspective. His profound book The Theology of Illness examines the role that suffering and illness play in our lives and how they can actually aid our spiritual development. From provocative statements such as “there is no question that people today have far fewer resources than their ancestors did to deal with illness” to “good health is evil if it contributes to making a person indifferent to his salvation and keeps him away from God by giving him the false impression that he is self-sufficient,” professor Larchet will challenge the way you think about suffering, illness, and what true health really is. Topics discussed include: Do people today have fewer resources than their ancestors did to deal with the problem of illness? (4:00); spiritual illness is more serious than physical illness, yet our modern age has made the medical doctor the new high priest of civilization (5:20); how detached we have become from the wisdom of the early church fathers (7:10); the connection between the communion of all saints and asking for prayers from those who have passed before us (10:45); the difference in the human body before and after the Fall and the implications for our resurrected state in the world to come (12:20); was man created perfect? (16:05); deification (theosis) and what it means to become God’s by grace (17:05); is there a link between illness and sin? (28:05); why perfect health does not exist in this world (28:05); discussing zoetic energy (33:00); Hank asks a personal question regarding his battle with cancer (37:10); good health is evil if it contributes to making a person indifferent to his salvation and keeps him away from God by giving him the false impression that he is self-sufficient (42:30); the role suffering plays in raising our awareness, and why illness can be better than health if it aids our spiritual progress (47:45); the essential role of prayer in growing closer to God (51:25); the significance of asking Mary, or saints in general, to intercede for us in prayer and why it is biblical (59:25); the relationship between demon possession and illness (1:01:05); contrary to modern beliefs, the health of the soul is more important than the health of the body (1:04:15); and is there a connection between an improper theology of illness and the rise of suicide (1:07:38)? 17 Oct 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_064.mp3 Dr. Nathan Jacobs holds advanced degrees in philosophy, historical and systematic theology, church history, and fine art. He joined Hank in Charlotte for an intimate conversation in his study, and given the breadth of Dr. Jacobs’s academic achievements, it came as no surprise that it was wide ranging. The early church fathers went to great lengths to ensure that the followers of Christ did not innovate but rather perpetuate “the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” (Jude 1:3), and this conversation seeks to understand what they meant, where we may have gotten off track, and what it means to become truly human through Christ. Topics discussed include: balancing academic research and writing with artistic innovation and creation (5:00); a search for authenticity and authority led Jacobs to study the early church fathers, such as Athanasius of Alexandria, where he came to realize the difference of thought between Eastern and Western Christianity (6:45); Ephesians, examining the use of the term “energeia” by Paul, and understanding that faith and works are not in opposition (18:25); ecumenical councils where early church fathers defended the faith by answering the question “What is the faith that we received handed down by the apostles?” (30:20); biblical illiteracy, historical ignorance, and troubling Trinitarian analogies (37:35); the importance of a Trinitarian God as opposed to Unitarian (46:10); the sophistication of the early church fathers and our anachronistic belief that we are more intelligent than our ancestors, theologically speaking or otherwise (53:00); distinguishing between creation and types of causation (55:00); biblical terminology getting lost in translation and the linguistic advantage the early church fathers had over the scholars that proceeded them (1:00:35); understanding the balance between rationality and mystery (1:06:45); addressing the Holy Mystery of the Eucharist (1:15:15); objectivity in academics, distinctions between different systems of thought, and the systems of thought creating the biggest divide between Eastern and Western Christianity (1:21:30); the difficulty of communicating complex issues in a soundbite culture (1:32:30); the importance of Christians being part of a church community (1:20:20); and should Christians confess their sins? (1:42:45). 09 Oct 2018 01:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_063.mp3 Hank is joined by special guest J. Warner Wallace. Before he became a popular apologist, Wallace would listen to the Bible Answer Man broadcast in the car while working stakeouts as an undercover investigator. He has since masterfully melded his unique capabilities as a cold-case detective with his passion for Christian apologetics to provide believers and skeptics alike the tools and evidence to make the case for the Christian faith. Topics discussed include: Wallace recalls listening to the Bible Answer Man broadcast while working as an undercover investigator (3:25); Warner’s response to Colin Kaepernick and the cultural divide involving race and law enforcement (5:40); “visualish”—the new visual language of digital natives (9:45); what is a cold-case detective? (15:15); investigating whether the universe can be created by an uncaused first cause (17:30); strategies for overcoming the dangerous problem of apathy towards religion (25:00); the relationship between millennials and the church (29:55); the role of relationship in evangelism (38:15); Warner discusses his father’s disbelief and the 3 reasons why anyone rejects a truth claim (43:50); the importance of taking complex concepts and making them simple and transferable (49:20); addressing the metaphysical aspect of our humanity (52:00); how important is it for Christians to have a robust understanding of free-will (57:30); the moral responsibility for all Christians to know how to make the case for Christianity (1:01:00); Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels(1:08:00); using cultural commentary to elevate the value of scripture (1:15:25); the importance of hermeneutics and learning to read and interpret properly (1:20:20); the importance of young people making the 3 trajectory decisions of choosing the right worldview, spouse and mission in life a priority (1:23:45); four cultural shifts and transformations Warner believes are contributing to school shootings (1:29:30). 01 Oct 2018 04:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_062.mp3 We are living in a divided world. Christians need to understand what is happening, why it is happening, where it will lead, and how to live for Christ today. 21 Aug 2018 04:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_061.mp3 Her father Billy Graham called her the best preacher in the family, and the New York Times labeled her as one of the five most influential evangelists of her generation. Hank is joined by Anne Graham Lotz, author of The Daniel Key: 20 Choices That Make All the Difference, to discuss what we can learn from Daniel, and an exploration of the timeless biblical truths that we can learn from the living Word of God. Topics discussed include: the Charles Blondin story as an illustration for faith in God (3:30); the late years of Billy Graham's life and his love of prayer (6:05); the difficulty of growing up with her father away from the home preaching on the road and the influence of Anne's mother as a woman of prayer (7:45); experiences that Graham Lotz had during her youth that inspired a love of God and lifetime of service to Him (11:00); the power of transparent vulnerability and the importance of living our lives for an audience of one (14:00); centering our lives around the Lord rather than our problems (17:40); the need for Christians to transform the way we live our lives to have a greater cultural impact (20:25); the purpose of prayer as communion with God (23:10); why morning prayer is so important to Graham Lotz (26:25); discipline is required to become a disciple (29:45); allowing time in the wilderness to prepare us (31:50); understanding that the Bible is living and active (35:00); Daniel's habit of praying three times a day to give thanks and the importance of having an attitude of gratitude (37:55); the reality of spiritual warfare and the power of putting on the full armor of God (43:50); falling in love with the Lord and understanding that love isn't a feeling but a commitment (49:00); the importance of Christians being people of truth in a post-truth world (50:20); experiencing the fullness of life in Christ here on Earth as a glimpse of what's to come in heaven (53:25); Graham Lotz recalls finding her husband unresponsive in the swimming pool, and the need for all of us to live life with death in mind (55:35); the story of Dori, a woman caught up in the turmoil of the Syrian civil war (1:01:30); putting God first and the significance of an earnest examination of our priorities in life (1:04:25); the rise and fall of empires as a reminder of the temporary nature of our lives (1:08:40); the criticality of confessing our sins as a daily practice (1:11:00); the power of prayer and fasting (1:14:45); the power of forgiveness (1:07:05). 06 Aug 2018 04:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_060.mp3 Hank is joined by Dr. Corey Miller, the president of Ratio Christi, a campus apologetics alliance encouraging and strengthening the faith of Christian students at universities around the world through the use of intellectual investigation and apologetics. Miller grew up in Utah as a sixth generation Mormon, but came to Christ in 1988 and has since authored several books, written for the Christian Research Journal and worked in a variety of ministerial roles, giving him a truly unique perspective. Topics discussed include: what is Ratio Christi? (3:30); understanding the difference between science and scientism, and why it matters (6:00); the positive and negative power of testimony and differences between Christian and Mormon views on testimony (11:30); the distinction between knowing God and showing God (17:40); Miller's background growing up amidst the pervasive culture of Mormonism in Utah, and how it shaped his life and love for learning (19:40); the role that dreams played in Miller's personal faith and transformation (25:35); does God use dreams to reveal Himself? (30:35); how the goal of life is knowledge of God (34:25); Miller's forthcoming book Moses, Maimonides, and Thomas Aquinas on the Good Life: From the Fall to Human Perfectibility (34:25); why Mormonism isn't a branch of Christianity, and why Miller thinks Mormonism is closer to Hinduism than Christianity (43:15); who is the angel Moroni? (49:45); how DNA evidence contradicts claims made in the Book of Mormon (51:45); comparing the archeological evidence confirming the Bible as opposed to the Book of Mormon (56:00); the Jesus of Mormonism and the differences that make a difference (58:00); Miller models the virtue of answering questions with "I don't know" and explains that the reason most Christians don't do evangelism is because they don't do apologetics (1:03:00); the huge number of contradictory splinter groups in Mormonism (1:07:40); why apologetics is essential to evangelism (1:10:00); the overwhelming amount of young Christians that lose their faith upon arriving at university because they aren't equipped to answer tough questions (1:14:15); and that the key to gaining a culture is by training the youth (1:18:00). 31 Jul 2018 04:01:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_059.mp3 Hank is joined for the first time on Hank Unplugged by one of his favorite guests from the Bible Answer Man broadcast, Dr. Jonathan Witt. Witt is a prolific author and a Senior Fellow with the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. Witt was the lead writer of the hit documentary Poverty Inc., in addition to being the author of books such as The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got, and the West Forgot, A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature and his latest book Heretic: One Scientist's Journey from Darwin to Design written with Finnish bioengineer Matti Leisola. Witt has studied and written on a number of subjects, and this wide-ranging conversation is evidence of just that. Topics discussed include: how the study of aesthetics got Witt involved in the Intelligent Design movement (4:10); why the Intelligent Design movement is the premier movement today due to a willingness to follow the evidence wherever it leads (5:40); why Witt wrote the documentary Poverty Inc., investigating the problems with the industry of foreign aid (7:10); TOMS shoes as a hipster poverty machine (10:45); the problem of donor dependency (13:05); the present war on poverty as another permutation of colonialism (15:30); how has Poverty Inc. made a difference on how people view humanitarian aid? (18:00); the deficits of the Marshall Plan (21:30); skepticism about how evolution explains everything without explaining anything (24:00); the difference between science and scientism (27:50); conflating microevolution and evolution (29:30); constrained optimization and why so many engineers are proponents of Intelligent Design (35:00); a recent article Witt wrote on conflating understanding and acceptance of evolution (39:55); "all of humanity's problems stem from man's inability to sit quietly in a room alone" (43:10); A Meaningful World: How the Arts and Sciences Reveal the Genius of Nature (44:10); Darwin vs. Beauty: Explaining Away the Butterfly (47:35); Witt's new book, The Hobbit Party: The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got, and the West Forgo, and what Christians can learn from Tolkien (53:00); exploring the many reasons why it is critical to learn to read the Bible in the sense in which it is intended to be read (1:00:05); the problem with trying to read scientific paradigms into scriptural passages (1:18:40); becoming so familiar with the truth that when a counterfeit looms on the horizon, you know it immediately (1:00:50); the functional value of secular feminism, abortion on demand, and sexual freedom (1:02:30); Christian involvement in the culture wars and examples of hope (1:04:15); and raising Christian children (1:08:05). 23 Jul 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_058.mp3 Hank has long maintained that how you view your origins will ultimately determine how you live your life. Likewise, the prevailing cultural acceptance of the Darwinian paradigm has led to a culture in decline. But for those skeptical of the worldviews and arguments of scientific materialists, there is good news. The Darwinian paradigm finds itself in a desperate condition thanks in large part to the Intelligent Design movement leaders such as Dr. Stephen C. Meyer. Dr. Meyer is currently the director of the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, in addition to authoring the New York Times best seller Darwin's Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design as well as Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design, which was named a Book of the Year by The Times (of London) Literary Supplement in 2009. Topics discussed include: why the Intelligent Design (ID) movement isn't a "science stopper" but a science generator (6:00); the exciting state of the Intelligent Design movement today as many scientists, such as distinguished paleontologist Gunter Bechly who is now a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute, are growing increasingly skeptical of Darwinism (8:35); the overwhelming impact that Darwin's On the Origin of Species and evolution have had in shaping worldviews such as scientific materialism and how new discoveries are pointing back to a theistic explanation of origins in what Meyer calls "the return of the God hypothesis" (12:10); how secular assumptions limit academic freedom in the sciences and the effect that limits on discourse has on scientists and scientific discovery (15:35); the deep prejudice of Wikipedia toward Intelligent Design with stigmatizing labels such as "pseudoscience" in reference to the ID movement (22:25); how the broad persecution of Christians in secular academics leads Christians of different denominations to unite around the essentials of the Christian faith and their common cause (24:25); Darwin's Doubt, the Cambrian explosion, and the importance of information to life (27:45); exploring how Young Earth Creationists practice science (31:15); arguably the most exciting discovery in the history of science is that the foundation of life is digital information stored in DNA, and the implications this discovery has on the evidence for Intelligent Design (36:15); the importance of reducing intellectual insecurity in the Christian world (39:20); critiquing theistic evolution, and why Christians shouldn't feel the need to synthesize their beliefs with a Neo-Darwinian paradigm increasingly in doubt (43:45); the cultural consequences of our worldviews (47:15); discussing the book Why People Stop Believing, and the need for an intellectual defense of the Christian faith (51:50); the racist implications of the evolutionary paradigm (54:30); the elimination of unfit genes as a form of positive eugenics growing in popularity today (56:25); Meyer offers critical responses to several quotes Hank reads from popular evolutionists (59:20); the myth of Darwin's tree of life (1:05:05); "the waiting time problem" and the Darwinian math of population genetics (1:07:30); looking to computer programmers and coding to poke holes in the link between humans and chimps (1:10:40); why noted atheist philosopher Thomas Nagel believes that defenders of Intelligent Design, such as Stephen C. Meyer, deserve our gratitude (1:14:15); and educating the culture about advances in the Intelligent Design movement (1:18:30). 16 Jul 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_057.mp3 Story tellers drive the culture and Christians must remember that we have the best story to tell. Megan Almon is a speaker with Life Training Institute and a Christian Research Journal contributor who authored the recent cover article Seeing Red: The Handmaid's Tale, Human Dignity and Hope, addressing the popular, yet controversial, Hulu television series The Handmaid's Tale, an adaptation of Margaret Atwood's 1985 dystopian novel by the same name. Almon joins Hank to discuss the importance of cultural apologetics, pro-life apologetics and the consequences of secular feminism, abortion and sexual freedom in both The Handmaid's Tale and our world today. Topics discussed include: Michelle Wolf's salute to abortion- "God bless abortion, God bless America" (4:25); Almon's passion for pro-life apologetics (7:05); is the term "pro-life" propaganda? (8:40); what would make abortion ok? (9:50); how abortion has shifted from being a scientific debate to a philosophical debate (11:10); the importance of Christians being able to communicate the pro-life position articulately and convincingly because story tellers drive the culture (14:05); examining worldviews and the importance of cultural apologetics (16:25); the narrative presented in The Handmaid's Tale that women will lose all of the progress gained through the suffrage movement if they lose access to abortion and "reproductive freedom" (20:55); a women's worth being equated to her ability to earn wages (23:45); the rise of infertility and changing views of motherhood (26:05); surrogacy and the commodification of children (29:30); the destructive consequences of the sexual revolution and idolization of sexual freedom (35:50); defining men and women out of existence and the effect on women's rights (38:30); the criticality of becoming biblically literate to counter the twisting of scripture, or "scriptorture" (40:30); embracing the doctrine of unity through unification around the essentials of the Christian faith in the face of the unnecessary fragmentation within Christianity (42:50); endowed with dignity by virtue of being created in the Imago Dei (46:30); the false narrative that the Bible supports an oppressive patriarchal society versus the reality that the Bible actually elevated the status of women (47:45); contrasting the way that Jesus and Muhammed treated women (53:00); Planned Parenthood's desire to abolish the terms pro-choice and pro-life (54:30); The Handmaid's Tale explained (55:45); the need for Christians to practice cultural apologetics and discernment (58:05); becoming so familiar with the truth that when a counterfeit looms on the horizon you know it immediately (1:00:50); the functional value of secular feminism, abortion on demand and sexual freedom (1:02:30); Christian involvement in the culture wars and examples of hope (1:04:15); raising Christian children (1:08:05). 11 Jul 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_056.mp3 Why Did God Let That Child Die? by Clay Jones is one of the most popular articles ever published in the Christian Research Journal. We have no doubt that it was popular because the topic of theodicy is difficult for many to comprehend. For that precise reason we are bringing you an encore edition of this critical conversation between Hank and Clay Jones, associate professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University and one of the pre-eminent scholars on the issue of theodicy. If you've ever wondered why God allows sin and suffering, this is a can't miss conversation. Topics discussed include: why does God allow evil? (3:30); why did God let that child die? (5:30); why it's hard to reconcile determinism and theodicy (9:00); why do people want determinism to be true? (14:30); how God uses suffering (19:30); why do bad things happen to good people? (27:00); transgenderism as child abuse (36:00); the Christian Research Journal article "Killing the Canaanites" (42:00); what difference does belief in original sin make? (48:30); why people who think heaven will be boring are wrong (51:00); the importance of making our lives on Earth count (57:30); what does God want our legacy on Earth to be? (1:01:30); finding ways to be useful to God (1:04:30). 2 Jul 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_055.mp3 Atheists are launching a new wave of attacks against Christianity and faith in God, claiming that they have a more enlightened, scientific, and sophisticated worldview. Despite what these New Atheists might think, this is nothing new, and Dr. Louis Markos confronts these recycled claims in his book Atheism on Trial, showing that they have already been disproven by Christian thinkers of the past and how you can use the same solid logic to silence these claims today. On this edition of Hank Unplugged, Markos joins Dr. Larry Johnston (pinch-hitting for Hank while he is overseas speaking at a conference) to discuss why it is time for Christians to stand up and challenge the atheistic assertions of popular narratives of our day. Are you ready to put atheism on trial? Topics discussed include: the modernist narrative and the problem with "chronological snobbery" (2:30); the distinction between narrative and metanarrative and the significance of metanarratives (5:55); the importance of obtaining objective distance to better understand our behaviors and reactions (10:50); do we live in a clockwork universe? (15:00); looking to the pre-Socratics to show that the so-called "New Atheists" are merely pedaling old ideas (19:50); the theistic implications of the Big Bang and how dedicated materialists such as Carl Sagan and Stephen Hawking avoided them (25:30); "Houdini hermeneutics and the sense in which Darwinism is a myth" (32:00); who was Spinoza, and what did he mean when he said that God and nature are one? (38:00); examining intelligent design and some of the absurd theories people have come up with to avoid it, such as panspermia (41:35); why David Hume was wrong when he said that miracles are impossible (49:25); how God reveals Himself through both creation and the Bible and why it is important for Christians to be conversant in both (1:00:20); examining the problem of pain (1:05:45); comparing the God of Abraham from the god of Aristotle (1:10:05); how Karl Marx changed the metanarrative in an extremely destructive way (1:13:30); how the secular enlightenment stole the idea of human dignity from the Judeo-Christian ethic (1:19:00); and Christianity and Stoicism (1:20:20). 25 Jun 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_054.mp3 On this special edition of Hank Unplugged, Hank brings you a message that he delivered for the "Lausanne-Orthodox Initiative," a conference uniting Orthodox and evangelical Christians to support one another with mutual respect and cooperation in the spirit of our Lord's High Priestly prayer for His church, found in John 17. Hank discusses discipleship, deification, and the doctrine of unity. The doctrine of unity addresses the scandalous tribalism and division amongst Christians and the importance of honoring the earnestness of the Lord's High Priestly prayer and the criticality of Christians being united around the essentials of the historic Christian faith. Topics discussed include: Hank introduces his message and the importance of the doctrine of unity (1:30); the Great Commission (4:40); discipleship and the power of spiritual multiplication (10:20); understanding deification and union with God (14:20); experiencing uncreated energy (17:00); embracing the doctrine of unity around the essentials of the historic Christian faith (20:20); discussing the effects of schism and division from a personal perspective (23:25); are we willing to give up our tribalism in order to answer the Lord's High Priestly prayer? (24:45); the consequence of disunity within the church (28:30); the unlimited power of fusion (30:55); and a call to action (34:25). 18 Jun 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_053.mp3 Females are breaking barriers in the field of apologetics today like never before, which is why Hank has dubbed today's guest Melissa Cain Travis and her female colleagues at Houston Baptist University as the five female superheroes of the neo-apologetics movement, a movement more concerned with winning the person rather than winning the argument. In her new book, Science and the Mind of the Maker, Melissa Cain Travis examines what the conversation between faith and science reveals about God, including what she calls "The Maker Thesis," which explains the origin, rationality, and intricacy of nature and the human mind's capacity to comprehend it. Are we in the golden age of apologetics? Listen to find out! Topics discussed include: Hank lauds Melissa Cain Travis and her female colleagues (Nancy Pearcey, Holly Ordway, Mary Jo Sharp, and Kristen Davis) as the five female superheroes of the neo-apologetics movement and some of the most influential ambassadors in the church today (3:00); why mothers should teach their children in apologetics (5:00); is value or significance determined by size? (7:40); addressing the Einstein quote "The most incomprehensible thing about the universe is that it is comprehensible" (10:50); the importance of critically and earnestly examining our paradigms rather than limiting the size of our intellectual toolbox (13:30); the majestic three-part harmony between mathematics, the human mind, and the material world (18:15); the implicit racism of the Darwinian paradigm and the importance of having universal standards to determine intrinsic value and equality (19:45); the idea behind the "Maker Thesis" (27:00); Athanasius Contra Mundum, the great church fathers, and finding God's fingerprints in the Bible as well as the book of nature (30:50); the relation between Cicero, Scrabble, and ideas of order (35:20); dispelling the myth that a greater understanding of nature diminishes theistic explanations for existence (37:45); reclaiming critical thinking, the virtue of inquisitiveness, and how to process information in an age of information overload (38:45); the irony behind the Stephen Hawking claim that philosophy is dead (44:00); why mothers need to have a basic understanding of apologetics in order to inoculate their children with an understanding of their faith (47:25); how to prioritize and find time to build your knowledge base and learn apologetics (51:10); the barriers that female apologists are breaking today (55:20); the false dichotomy of having to decide between having a career or having children (1:00:00); Are we in the golden age of apologetics? (1:02:05); neo-apologetics is a brand of apologetics that is more concerned with winning the person rather than winning the argument (1:04:45); how Melissa made Science and the Mind of the Maker different from other books on the topic of science and faith (1:08:00); the value of popular apologetics (1:13:20); the issue of the age of the Earth and why it's important, yet not important enough for Christians to divide over (1:14:45); the importance of Melissa's Young Defender Series, teaching children arguments for the existence of God (1:20:05). 11 Jun 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_052.mp3 Why have so many Christians become tippers instead of tithers? In many Christian circles today, stewardship seems to be a dirty word. This is scandalous. Christians desperately need to shift their perspectives on stewardship and begin to unabashedly and joyously give of their time, talents, and treasure as a form of discipleship. On this edition of Hank Unplugged, Larry Johnston joins Hank to discuss the impact listeners like you can make by supporting the many outreaches of the Christian Research Institute impacting the body of Christ 24/7 around the world. Topics discussed include: how the Christian Research Institute is making a difference in our post-truth culture (3:00); examining one of the core values of CRI, "In Essentials Unity, In Non-Essentials Liberty, In All Things Charity," and the dangers of tribalism within Christianity that divides us and dilutes the gospel (5:00); Gandhi as an example of how one person can make a huge difference (14:00); Hank asks listeners to financially support the many outreaches of CRI that are making a difference in the battle for life and truth (17:15); the rising assaults on the Christian faith and freedom (21:15); what a CRI legacy partner is and how to become one (23:20); the need for Christians to shift our paradigms on the stewardship of our time, talent, and treasure as a form of discipleship (26:40); recounting testimonies of the importance of the outreaches of CRI from significant apologists such as Abdu Murray and Lee Strobel (32:35); showing the symbiotic relationship between CRI and our audience through the proverb "You can always count the seeds in an apple, but you can never count the apples in a seed" (34:50); the benefits of becoming a CRI support team member and why they are the backbone of the ministry (36:40); understanding the importance of giving and the need for Christians to shift their paradigms when it comes to the stewardship of their resources (44:15); the prayer of David and joyous giving (48:40); the impact of CRI outreaches around the world (50:50); will Christianity disappear in the West? (54:35); one of the critical roles of CRI is providing a lighthouse of truth for people facing a rapidly changing reality (57:05); the need for properly modeled Christianity in action (1:01:25); the mentorship role of CRI (1:04:30); the Judeo-Christian ethic of philanthropy throughout history (1:08:10); the need for "apologetics arms dealers" such as CRI in the battle for life and truth today (1:12:00); the major impact that encouraging testimonies have on Hank and the rest of the CRI staff (1:14:10); fatal consequences of tribalism in Christianity and the need for Christians to unite around the essentials of the historic Christian faith (1:16:10); the need for epistemic humility and the importance of being a lifelong learner in our post-truth culture (1:19:05); the Wesleyan Quadrilateral and the autobiographical book Hank is writing entitled Truth Matters, Life Matters More (1:23:05). 5 Jun 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_051.mp3 To celebrate the fiftieth episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast, Hank is re-joined by his first guest, close friend and best-selling author Frederica Mathewes-Green. This wide-ranging conversation explores many of the most common misconceptions of Eastern Orthodox theology, how Orthodox theology actually works, and the true purpose of theology itself - experiencing God. Topics discussed include: why Frederica calls abortion the most important justice issue of our time (2:40); comparing the shifting arguments of pro-choice advocates surrounding the concept of personhood to the perception of personhood found in the Three-Fifths Compromise and slavery (5:05); sex-selective abortion (7:45); how Orthodox theology works - how the concept of theology in the Christian East differs from that of the Christian West (11:00); the Atonement - Christus Victor (16:50); how the fall of Rome affected the separation between the Christian East and the Christian West (18:00); the role of tradition in biblical interpretation (22:35); finding comfort in submitting oneself to the continuation of the teachings and traditions of the historic Christian faith (26:15); truth is necessary, but it's hardly sufficient when it comes to the authentic Christian life, because truly knowing God is more important than knowing about God (35:30); are we allowed to call anyone father? Apophatic theology and the fragile, futility of words (38:45); addressing the fragmentation and tribalism of the church and embracing the concept of mere Christianity while not compromising on the essentials of the historic Christian faith (41:15); addressing the theological unity amidst the ethnic distinctions within Orthodoxy (46:55); separation of church and state (49:40); the transformative power of The Jesus Prayer (53:00); discussing negative attitudes toward Mary and how Jesus would want us to feel about His mother (1:00:40); explaining the practice of venerating icons (1:07:00); exploring the biblical roots of liturgical practices of worship (1:10:50); why viewing the congregation as customers and marketing the consumeristic corruption of church is a tragedy (1:14:00); Nous and the false dichotomy between reason and emotion in theology (1:16:30); the danger in reducing theology to intellectual combat as opposed to a way to encounter and experience God (1:20:00); Romans 6:23 and contesting the common protestation that Orthodoxy is a crass system of works righteousness (1:23:00); and closing remarks (1:30:00). 29 May 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_050.mp3 Bestselling author O. S. Hawkins joins Hank to discuss their shared passion for memorizing scripture and why they believe it is critical for Christians to commit the Bible to memory, knowing that God speaks to us through His word and by His spirit. Topics discussed include: Hank recalls the impact that O. S. Hawkins had on his faith as a young Christian convert (3:00); the background of GuideStone: Financial Services guided by Christian Values (5:15); why Mission Dignity receives Hawkins's book royalties (7:00); what Hawkins has learned from writing his Code series of devotionals (8:50); the importance of memorizing the Bible (12:10); lessons about faith and obedience learned from The Book of Joshua (15:40); the three levels of prayer (18:50); being an ambassador for Christ in a corrosive culture (24:00); the four worlds we all live in (private, personal, professional, and public) and where integrity is rooted (26:10); why Hawkins wants to change the meaning of VIP from very important person to very influential person grounded in vision, integrity, and purpose-VIP (30:15); the three keys to finding God's plan and purpose for your life (36:10); the importance of serving God's purpose in our generation and finishing strong (43:20); the sin of worrying (46:45); ministering to the poor (52:30); the culture war we are facing in the world today (55:15); and Hawkins ends the podcast with a prayer (57:05). 22 May 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_049.mp3 Matt Fradd is the host of the popular podcasts Love People Use Things and Pints With Aquinas, as well as the author of The Porn Myth, a nonreligious response to the commonly held belief that pornography is a harmless pastime. During our conversation, Fradd said that if we give our children devices without proper filters, we are basically giving our children portable X-rated theaters. This should alarm everyone, as should the growing acceptance of pornography and the influence it is having on our culture. Pornography is a pervasive problem that affects all of us, making this conversation with Matt Fradd essential listening. Topics discussed include: Why should people reject pornography? (5:20); The real problem with porn isn't nudity (6:55); The role of imagination in apologetics (6:55); His personal experience with pornography and why Fradd is so passionate about the topic (11:00); How pornography rewires our neurological pathways and contributes to issues such as anxiety and erectile dysfunction (14:30); The need for Christians to return to natural law in order to adequately combat the secularism of our day (17:30); The importance of historical literacy in the church and the need for Christians to unite around the essentials (21:15); Understanding the etymology of pornography and the difference between pornography and art (24:30); At what age should we begin talking to our children about pornography? (27:30); Addiction to pornography and the increasing number of women becoming addicted to pornography (29:45); The problem with the idea of couples using pornography to "increase intimacy" (32:00); Dopamine, addiction and pornography (33:50); The idea of Christians fighting porn with science before morality as a "Gulliver Strategy" (37:30); The myth that pornography is empowering to women (40:55); Is masturbation a disordered act and intrinsically unhealthy? (44:50); How culture has influenced long held Christian views on marriage, contraception and an "openness to life" (46:45); Does consuming pornography lead to sexual aggression or violence? (51:55); The desensitization pornography causes often leading to a slippery slope and more deviant types of porn (54:10); Strategies to protect our children from porn and educate them about the dangers of pornography (56:10); Why Fradd wrote The Porn Myth from a non-religious perspective (1:03:00); Learning how to deal with a desire to watch pornography (1:06:15); The impact pornography use has on our marital relationships (1:08:00); Advice for anyone struggling with pornography (1:11:10); The critical importance of talking to our children about pornography (1:14:20); Closing words on the growing acceptance and dangers of pornography (1:17:25). 15 May 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_048.mp3 Dr. Holly Ordway went from being a militant atheist professor to a cultural Christian apologist and joins Hank to tell the tale of her journey as well as share her powerful perspective on the role of imagination in apologetics. Ordway is an accomplished author and professor in the Department of Apologetics at Houston Baptist University. If you love language, you are going to love this edition of Hank Unplugged. Topics discussed include: the compelling argument of Mere Christianity (2:00); Ordway's transition from militant atheist professor to Christian apologist (3:00); the role of imagination in apologetics (6:55); the importance of hermeneutics, especially when examining the Bible (9:55); the necessity for Christians to be part of a church community in an age of individualism (13:30); verbicide and the significance of correct definitions in the church, taking marriage for example (18:55); the value of church history (22:15); metanoia and understanding that Christian conversion is not merely intellectual assent but a truly transformative process (24:05); conversion testimonies, the process of salvation, and the idea that "I have been saved; I am being saved; and I will be saved." (30:20); the importance of avoiding militaristic mentalities when practicing apologetics (35:20); the human need for beauty and how architecture historically has been designed with the intention of pointing us toward God and bringing us closer to Him (38:25); the problem with atheism is that it doesn't provide a compelling reason for morality (44:15); the grievous scandal of divisions in Christianity and a context for a healthy ecumenism (48:20); a call for Christians to practice charitable discourse (52:55); church history and the historical view of the Eucharist (55:35); exploring the power of metaphor and the profound importance of understanding metaphors (58:15); the difference between allegory and allegorization and why it matters (1:07:20); understanding the power of cultural apologetics (1:11:55); what a world without objective moral standards would mean for the future of human civilization (1:15:00); the importance of examining and challenging our own paradigms and presuppositions (1:19:00); and the three words every apologist should learn to say: I don't know (1:21:30). 8 May 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_047.mp3 Increasingly, Western culture defines personal freedom as "whatever works." The compilers of the Oxford English Dictionary even went so far as to name "post-truth" their word of the year in 2016. This begs the question, can truth be saved? Abdu Murray, author of Saving Truth: Finding Meaning and Clarity in a Post-Truth World believes that it can and joins Hank to discuss how we can rediscover truth and change the direction of our culture. How can Christians offer truth and clarity to a world that shuns both? Listen to this edition of Hank Unplugged to find out. Topics discussed include: Islam, eschatology, and why the gospel of peace must trump the politics of prophecy in the Middle East (2:00); Abdu Murray's conversion to Christianity to Islam and why Christians must be equipped with answers (7:00); the emotional cost of conversion for Muslims who come to Christ (12:30); Saving Truth: Finding Meaning and Clarity in a Post-Truth World (16:25); the problem with practicing apologetics in the post-truth world (18:50); "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (20:10); remembering Nabeel Qureshi and learning from his example (23:20); how Murray went from using an alias asking questions on the Bible Answer Man Broadcast to reviewing Hank's book MUSLIM: What You Need to Know About the World's Fasting-Growing Religion (25:30); fake news and explaining the soft and hard modes of post-truth (26:45); confusion in the church and why Christians are succumbing to a post-truth culture (32:25); The definition of apologetics and recognizing that all Christians are called to be apologists (35:40); Valuing autonomy over authority when it comes to truth and the consequences (42:45); can there be freedom without truth? (49:25); what we can learn from Christians persecuted globally? (52:00); two ways that Christians are contributing to a post-truth culture of confusion (57:00); trusting in God's sovereignty and remembering that it is never too late in life to make a difference (1:00:40); a lesson Abdu Murray learned from asking Ravi Zacharias a question (1:04:30); a culture of confusion and the distortion of human dignity (1:07:35); the importance of attaching our identity to Christ (1:11:20); and the tyranny of tolerance today (1:18:10). 1 May 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_046.mp3 On this episode of Hank Unplugged Hank is bringing to you a legend of the Intelligent Design community, Dr. Bill Dembski. You will be hard-pressed to find a more academically accomplished individual than Dembski, as he is the author/editor of over 20 books and has a PHD in Mathematics, a PHD in Philosophy and a Masters in divinity. Dembski has faced career-threatening criticism from fundamentalists on both sides and joins Hank to discuss the dangers of fundamentalism and more. Topics discussed include: How the dangers of fundamentalism led Dembski to change careers (3:00); The Design Inference and Intelligent Design (7:45); Fundamentalism, majoring on the minors and what many consider to be Acid Tests for orthodox Christianity (14:00) The importance of reading the Bible as it is intended to be read (25:20); Problems that arise from reading modern cosmology into Biblical text (30:00); Stakeholder interest and incentives influencing the academic community and cultural narratives (36:30); The problem of motivated blindness (42:00) The File Drawer Effect (44:00); Key institutions and universities rejecting Intelligent Design and embracing Theistic Evolution (46:25) The marketing dimension to science and culture (51:45); The difficult situation of deciding where to send our kids to school (56:55); Developing educational curriculum and technologies (1:02:00); Persecution Dembski has faced for taking stands for truth (1:05:00); The controversy surrounding vaccines and how Dembski raising a child with severe autism has shaped his perspective (1:07:40) How our Christian heritage helps us to handle suffering (1:16:40); The danger of hypocrisy in the Christian community (1:18:40) The possibility that Dembski will come out of retirement and work in the Intelligent Design community again someday (1:20:40). 25 Apr 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_045.mp3 Joe Dallas joins Hank for an emergency Hank Unplugged podcast to discuss California bill AB-2943, a bill making it illegal for Christians to provide biblically based counseling for those wanting to get help for unwanted same-sex attractions. Dallas is an ordained pastoral counselor and program director of Genesis Biblical Counseling in Tustin, California, which is a counseling ministry for men dealing with sexual addiction and other sexual/relational problems. The two discuss the dire implications this bill has on our society, whether the Sexual Revolution has led to the Censorship Revolution, and how this could lead to a state church and an underground church in America. This podcast is a must-listen dealing with a critical issue that all Christians should be concerned about. Topics discussed include: how should Christians be prepared to talk about controversial sexual issues? (3:00); California Bill AB-2943 criminalizing Christians providing biblically based counseling for those wanting help with unwanted same-sex attractions (7:45); is Bill AB-2943 unconstitutional, and does that even matter anymore? (12:25); rising levels of censorship by the state (15:45); how to respond to censorship of Christian beliefs (17:45); the need for healthy discipleship within the church to influence positive changes in society (20:30); as the state continues to censor organizations, will the church to rise to the occasion and help those wrestling with sexual problems? (25:15); the Sexual Revolution - then and now (27:00); did redefining marriage lead to redefining gender? What is next? (32:50); what will happen to society if we continue to make sexual distinctions arbitrary? (35:40); redefinition of marriage and the impact on children (41:00); a societal trend to appeal to emotion over reason (43:00); could this lead to a state church and an underground church in America? (45:50); Christians, Trump, and separating personality and policy in politics (50:30); "Impuritans" imposing totalitarian sexual views (53:15); has the Sexual Revolution led to the Censorship Revolution? (55:00); living with eternity in mind in the midst of persecution (59:00); remembering Elliot Miller (1:05:45); the three most important things for Christians to do today (1:07:25); California banning the books written by Joe Dallas (1:11:15); the powerful problem of pornography (1:14:00); a call to prayer and a call for wisdom (1:20:00). 18 Apr 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_044.mp3 Have you ever wondered what it would be like to actually meet C. S. Lewis? Well, watching Max McLean perform as C. S. Lewis might be the closest you come this side of heaven! McLean joins Hank on this episode of Hank Unplugged to discuss what it is like to perform as one of the most influential Christians of the twenty-first century. Topics discussed include: Max McLean's desire to adapt the works of C. S. Lewis as an apologetic tool through performance arts (2:00); how McLean is able to bring Lewis to life on stage (6:00); "Reason is the natural order of truth; but imagination is the origin of meaning" (9:00); the power of oral tradition (10:45); memorization as a transformational discipline (14:50); challenges McLean has faced performing biblical adaptations (16:25); performing the Gospel of Mark (18:05); remembering that everyone is made in the Imago Dei as described in The Weight of Glory (19:55); C. S. Lewis Onstage: The Most Reluctant Convert on DVD (24:20); being a Christian actor and the role of Christian performing arts in NYC (25:20); the importance of properly processing our experiences (30:05); the apologetic value of performing the conversion story of C. S. Lewis in The Most Reluctant Convert (33:20); "the hardness of God is kinder than the softness of men" (37:30); theism as a significant entry point to belief in Christianity (39:10); performing as Martin Luther (44:40); is it more difficult to write or act? (48:30); spiritual warfare and performing The Screwtape Letters (49:40); literary evil, real evil, and the safest road to hell (52:20); free will and the key to understanding C. S. Lewis found in The Great Divorce (54:00); Shadowlands: the love story of C. S. Lewis and an example of how God works through pain (55:50); McLeans testimony as an adult convert to Christianity (1:02:00); McLean's award-winning recordings of the Bible in The Listener's Bible (1:07:00); the benefits of memorizing the Bible (1:09:25); the similarities between memorization and meditation (1:11:30); Max's passion for live theater and where you can see him perform (1:17:30). 11 Apr 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_043.mp3 God reveals Himself to us through the things He has made. Lad Allen, founder of Illustra Media, believes in the power of preaching without words, and that the observation of the universe is one of the most powerful ways God reveals Himself to us. Illustra Media has made internationally acclaimed documentary films exploring the case for intelligent design in the universe for more than 20 years. On this edition of Hank Unplugged, Hank and Lad discuss past productions of Illustra Media in addition to their shared excitement about the power of digital media to share the gospel through ventures such as Allen's new John 10:10 Project. Topics discussed include: how Illustra Media has been able to produce internationally acclaimed documentary films making a scientific case for intelligent design in the universe (3:00); the power of a supportive spouse (5:20); the unique way that travelling can teach us (7:00); evoking a sense of wonder and general revelation through creation (8:30); metamorphosis as an example of intelligent design (10:55); having healthy relationships with people we disagree with (13:35); how advances in animation allow us to unveil and magnify complex scientific ideas in ways otherwise impossible (16:30); the metamorphosis of a caterpillar to a butterfly as an analogy for our resurrection in Christ (20:30); Bill Nye propagating Carl Sagan's materialist worldview that we are insignificant and alone in the universe (24:45); the vision of The John 10:10 Project (29:30); the power of digital media to share the gospel (33:20); working with Joni Eareckson Tada (43:30); a preview of upcoming short films by The John 10:10 Project (46:15); demonstrating the evidence of a designer by investigating God's creation (51:00); Hank shares a personal testimony of God's providence (53:25); investigating Messianic prophecy as a powerful apologetic tool (1:05:30); King of Creation: Meditation on God's Wisdom and Works (1:09:40); the importance of reflecting the glory of God in all that we do and working for an audience of one (1:12:15); the best year of Hank's life is the year he was diagnosed with cancer (1:58:30); how Illustra Media is able to produce monumental projects out of a spare bedroom (1:16:00). 4 Apr 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_042.mp3 The Resurrection is the quintessence of Christianity, and Dr. Gary Habermas has dedicated his life to the study and defense of the reality of the Resurrection. After all, "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." Listen in as Hank and Dr. Habermas discuss the seminal event in human history as well as Dr. Habermas turning the tables and investigating Hank's testimony and battle with cancer. This is an episode of Hank Unplugged unlike any other! (This conversation was so good and went so long that we had to break it up into two episodes. This is Part 2.) Topics discussed include: a miracle in Hank's life and the place of miracles in Christianity (58:45); addressing rewards in heaven (1:03:50); world religions, the reliability of Scripture, and the radical uniqueness of Jesus (1:06:05); tolerance, evidence, and the view that all religions lead to God (1:09:50); Christianity is rooted in history and evidence (1:13:55); the Resurrection as the basis for believing that miracles really do happen (1:22:00); the beauty of how Christian evidence corresponds to reality (1:24:50); why aren't Christians doing a better job of evangelism? (1:28:00); learning from suffering, Hank discovering the reality of the Christian life and how truth matters, but life matters more (1:36:20); how Hank's cancer has brought the Hanegraaff family closer together and closer to Christ (1:42:25); how suffering through cancer has taught Hank to feel greater empathy for others (1:46:45); Hank sharing his testimony in his first autobiographical book about discovering the authentic Christian life, called Truth Matters, Life Matters More (1:51:25); as Habermas watched his wife die of cancer, he thought, "Where would you be right now if it weren't for the resurrection of Jesus?" (1:53:50); the best year of Hanks life is the year he was diagnosed with cancer (1:58:30); and Habermas on writing a magnum opus on the Resurrection (1:59:35). 26 Mar 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_041.mp3 The Resurrection is the quintessence of Christianity, and Dr. Gary Habermas has dedicated his life to the study and defense of the reality of the Resurrection. After all, "If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith." Human history - and your future - is forever changed by what happened on the third day, so listen in as Hank and Dr. Habermas discuss the seminal event in human history. (This conversation was so good and went so long that we had to break it up into two episodes. This is part one.) Topics discussed include: how studying the Resurrection led Dr. Habermas into apologetics (3:40); with the Resurrection of Jesus we have everything, without the Resurrection of Jesus, we have nothing (7:25); comparing Christianity to other world religions (8:40); perspectives on the supernatural in academic circles (11:35); the Resurrection, Jesus Seminar, and the Pre-Pauline Creed (15:15); the overwhelming factual evidence for the crucifixion of Jesus Christ (19:20); Islamic denial of the crucifixion of Christ (21:45); addressing the evidence for an empty tomb after the resurrection of Christ (27:50); witnesses to the resurrected Christ and the martyrdom that ensued (30:35); the faith and martyrdom of early church fathers such as Polycarp and Irenaeus (36:40); the power of the gospel to change the culture unlike any other religion (39:30); the sorrow Habermas felt when he lost his wife to cancer and the hope he felt knowing that she was in heaven (41:55); the peace that the resurrection of Christ provides Hank in the midst of his battle with cancer (47:30); the hope we can find in the Bible (51:00); and materialism, mystery, and the argument from joy by C. S. Lewis (55:15). 21 Mar 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_040.mp3 Black Hebrew Israelites is one of the most searched terms on equip.org and something that you've probably been exposed to, whether you realize it or not. Vocab Malone joins Hank on this episode of the Hank Unplugged podcast to discuss Black Hebrew Israelites, urban apologetics, and being equipped with essential Christian doctrine. We hope you enjoy the energy, information, and insights from Vocab Malone as much as we did! Topics discussed include: background on urban apologetics (2:00); Israel United in Christ-IUIC (3:20); Kendrick Lamar, DAMN, and the Black Hebrew Israelite movement (4:25); Vocab Malone's background in Christian hip hop and urban apologetics (5:30); the interest in Black Hebrew Israelism and some variations (10:00); background on the Black Hebrew Israelite movement (14:30); false eschatological interpretations and arguments and the need to be equipped for apologetics (19:25); why Black Hebrew Israelite beliefs might be appealing to some (22:15); how Black Hebrew Israelite beliefs are disseminated through YouTube (26:30); the belief that God is a racist (30:45); Black Hebrew Israelites borrowing from "Satan's greatest hits" (33:45); Black Hebrew Israelite One West Camp and the belief in polygyny, one man with many women (37:30); Fake Hebrew (39:30); the impact of bad theology on music and culture (41:10); changing attitudes about Black Hebrew Israelites (45:20); Black Hebrew Israelism as a theodicy (46:10); Vocab Malone's desire to reflect the glory of God through his work and practice (48:05); the importance of knowing your audience when practicing apologetics (49:45); Vocab's conviction to minister to Muslims (56:00); Barack Obama vs. Black Hebrew Israelites (59:00); violence in urban apologetics (1:04:00); First Arabic Baptist Church (1:07:00); the need to become equipped with essential Christian doctrine (1:09:00); and how seeing Hank speak in Phoenix led to Vocab going to seminary (1:17:45). 14 Mar 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_039.mp3 Rankin Wilbourne believes that "union with Christ may be the most important doctrine you've never heard of." In fact, he says that "nothing is more basic or more central to the Christian life than union with Christ." If the latter is true, then the former needs to be addressed. This edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast features a stimulating conversation between Hank and Rankin Wilbourne, author of the Gold Medallion-winning book Union with Christ. We truly believe that this conversation could change your life, and we pray that it leads you closer to union with Christ. Topics discussed include: Wilbourne's transition from banking to ministry (2:30); Christians uniting around the essentials with the ecumenical spirit called for in John 17 (6:30); the Early Church Fathers and union with Christ (10:15); why isn't union with Christ a more central part of our lives? (13:30); importance of biblical metaphors (16:00); the fully human life found through life in union with Christ (18:55); reducing the gospel to the mechanics of salvation (23:45); what is the message our culture needs to hear? Both the songs of Extravagant Grace and Radical Discipleship (28:00); the gospel is union with Christ, a double Grace of Justification and Sanctification (32:30); why have so many in the West lost the ability to delight in divine mystery? (36:15); how is union with Christ the doorway to communion with God? (39:25); is communion with God your highest ambition? (44:30); how suffering is integral to knowing Christ (51:20); reclaiming words from our biblical tradition such as deification or theosis and even the word tradition itself (53:50); why do so many Protestants have a view of church ecclesiology and the sacraments so at odds with our Christian tradition? (58:25); sailing as a metaphor for our life with God (1:01:00); the importance of developing spiritual disciplines to truly experience full union with Christ (1:03:25); reading the New Testament with integrity and the "gap" addressed in Union with Christ (1:07:00); false choices we are faced with and the clarity that union with Christ brings (1:10:00); embracing the Lord's high priestly prayer (1:12:35); 1 Corinthians 3 and the importance of setting the alignment of our ambitions in accordance with Christ (1:15:45); the critical need to know the biblical truth of union with Christ (1:22:30). 3 Mar 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_038.mp3 Christian philosopher Paul Gould joins Hank on this edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast to discuss the role of philosophy for Christians in the world today. This conversation is wide ranging and offers clear answers to complex philosophical questions concerning how Christians should live their lives. Topics discussed include: why should Christians care about philosophy? (5:00); the role philosophy should play in our spiritual formation (9:15); the intellectual brilliance of Jesus that so many often overlook (11:00); the importance of being intentionally countercultural with our kids in the information age (15:40); how can we break down barriers to independent thought? (23:00); the need for intellectual virtue and the potential danger of arrogance in the apologetics community (26:00); anti-intellectualism and The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind (30:00); the need for Christians to recapture a sacramental view of the world in order to argue effectively Christianity as a public truth claim (32:15); a simple way to explain complex words in philosophy (35:45); Gould's definition of philosophy and how he arrived at his conclusion (38:25); understanding Jesus as He truly is (44:45); dealing with historical and biblical illiteracy today (47:00); making an argument for the existence of God (49:45); intentionally asking ourselves the question, "Where is God's fingerprint in your life today?" (53:15); the moral argument for the existence of God (57:00); learning from crisis moments in our lives (58:05); the perfect blend of reason and romance in Christianity (1:03:25); practical steps we all can take to grow philosophically (1:07:05); breaking the bonds technology can have on us (1:09:05); re-establishing the Christian voice (1:12:00); how philosophy trains us for death (1:15:25). 28 Feb 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_037.mp3 From being a classically trained concert pianist, Miss America contestant, and now the Chief Religion Correspondent for the Fox News Channel, Lauren Green seems to have done it all. Yet what she cares about most of all is communicating the gospel through what she's discovered and encouraging others to foster a deeper relationship with God. Lauren Green joins Hank on the Hank Unplugged podcast to discuss what she's discovered, her new book Lighthouse Faith, and what's up next. Topics discussed include: the role music plays in our world (1:30); the power of hymns to glorify God (8:00); links between mathematics and music (11:30); the significance of overtones (17:30); why did Green make music a key aspect of Lighthouse Faith? (23:45); Green's role as chief religion correspondent for Fox News (29:25); why does the media tend to be hostile toward Christianity? (33:00); the absurdity of atheist clergy Sweden and other European issues (38:00); spiritual brokenness bringing us closer to God (43:00); The Great Commission to spread the gospel (52:30); a moment of renewal in Ethiopia (58:30); how sickness and suffering can bring us closer to God (1:02:30); aesthetic practices such as Lent and the importance of developing disciplines (1:12:00); lessons learned from the vineyard (1:20:00); and finding union with God through worship (1:24:00). 21 Feb 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_036.mp3 Lee Strobel has been a longtime guest on the Bible Answer Man broadcast, and he now joins Hank for the first time on the Hank Unplugged podcast. Strobel is a former investigative journalist for The Chicago Tribune, and his best-selling books such as The Case for Christ (now a major motion picture) have reached millions of people and had an enormous impact on the body of Christ. Topics discussed include: the lasting impact of Lee Strobel's book The Case for Christ (2:30); The Case for Christ movie (6:00); Strobel's transformation from an angry, drunk atheist to a mild-mannered, God-fearing Christian (8:30); how Strobel uses his award-winning journalistic research and writing skills to provide cogent answers for Christianity (11:00); an honest admission from Strobel on facing dark trials in his life and how prayer helped him to empty his ego and bring him closer to God (15:45); remembering that God's grace is sufficient in all circumstances (20:30); Nabeel Quereshi as an example of how God can use miracles to reach us (21:45); how should we respond when God doesn't answer our prayers in the midst of suffering? (23:30); making The Case for a Creator (28:30); learning to trust God for provision and purpose in our lives (31:00); Strobel's existential awakening in the morgue (record room) of The Chicago Tribune (40:00); the state of journalism today (44:30); are universities today censoring the free exchange of ideas? (49:00); the need for discernment in the age of the internet (50:30); the problems with consensus science (53:15); the importance of equipping young people with a solid apologetic for their faith in Christ (55:30); misinformation in the internet age (1:01:15); the importance of apologetics resources like the Christian Research Journal (1:05:20); dealing with unfair criticisms and attacks online (1:06:30); Strobel's favorite book that he has written (1:13:00); writing The Case for Miracles and a renewed belief in the supernatural (1:15:10); and advice on how to survive a spiritual mismatch in marriage (1:21:15). 7 Feb 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_035.mp3 It's becoming increasingly popular to look at the world we live in and relate it to the dystopian society described in Aldous Huxley's Brave New World. Nancy Pearcey's new book, Love Thy Body, tackles issues ranging from transgenderism, homosexuality, abortion, sex, the hookup culture, pornography and more. Every issue discussed by Hank and Nancy on this edition of Hank Unplugged has an effect on your life and together they discuss how Christians can turn this Brave New World upside down. Topics discussed include: What are the issues that Pearcey felt compelled to address in her book Love Thy Body (0:30); How does Christianity teach us to feel about our body? (3:30); Recognizing Christian heritage (6:30); The dangerous implications of the transgender narrative (9:30); The bioethics of abortion and the scary implications for the identity of personhood (11:30); How did Pearcey transition from being an agnostic to a Christian evangelist? (16:30); The issue of origins being the main difference between Christianity and Secularism (21:00); The cognitive dissonance of conflicting social movements such as transgender activists and feminists (28:00); Modernism, Post-Modernism and Morals (33:00); The dire implications of abortion on social perceptions of personhood (38:00); The growing coercive power of the state through Post-Modern perspectives (41:00); Why Western Civilization should look to the early church for answers to problems we are facing today (46:00); Recovering an appreciation for the radical uniqueness of the Christian worldview (53:00); How Christians can turn the Brave New World we are living in upside down (55:00); The dehumanizing effects and implications of the "loyalty oath of modernity" (1:02:00); How the hookup culture devalues sex, whereas the Christian worldview appreciates the beautiful value of sex (1:04:30); Pornography and robot sex (1:08:30); Pornography as a public health crisis (1:12:00); The need for Christians to understand worldviews to truly be able to love thy neighbor (1:15:30); The value of women in apologetics (1:20:00). 31 Jan 2018 04:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_034.mp3 Graham Veale is passionate about providing Christians with a defense against the "sneer pressure" of popular New Atheists such as scientist Richard Dawkins and comedian Ricky Gervais. On this episode of Hank Unplugged, Hank and Graham discuss confronting New Atheism by being equipped with answers to defend the truth of Christianity. Topics discussed include: the three great apologetic issues (0:30); the hostile environment created by New Atheism, "sneer pressure" and the impact atheists such as Ricky Gervais have on the culture (4:30); teaching people to think critically by demonstrating it consistently in the way we live (8:30); New Atheism compared to Old Atheism (11:30); the positive relationship between Christianity and science (15:00); are many churches more concerned with entertaining rather than educating? (24:30); the need for Christians to live an authentic Christian life (30:30); Veale's testimony and his passion for defending the truth of Christianity (35:30); the danger of thinking of Christianity as transactional rather than transformational (39:30); the Moral Argument for the existence of God (and how Richard Dawkins gets it wrong) (52:00); do most atheists embrace the logical implications of their worldview? (59:00); falsifying Dawkins (1:03:30); the Intelligent Design movement (1:09:30); drawing a correlation between New Atheism and the rise of social media platforms such as Twitter (1:14:00); and the importance of apologetics (1:24:00). 24 Jan 2018 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_033.mp3 Christianity is growing rapidly in communist China, and this week Hank invites Victor Hou onto the Hank Unplugged podcast to discuss China's potential to be the largest Christian country in the world and the subsequent global implications. Hou is a management consultant and leadership coach who has worked with large multinational corporations, entrepreneurs, and business owners in the US and Asia for more than twenty-five years. His experiences, coupled with his faith as a Christian, inform his perspectives on trends and events between Asia and the US, providing him with a unique insight into global affairs. Topics discussed include: increasing nationalism in the West, and China's embrace of globalization (3:00); could China's One Belt One Road initiative open evangelistic opportunities for Christians globally? (8:30); how important is it for Christians to be aware of global affairs? (11:15); underreported Christian persecution worldwide (14:00); how Christianity often grows through persecution - the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church (17:30); the correlation between discipleship and mentorship by living out the gospel in our lives (20:30); passing the baton of evangelization to Chinese nationals to raise up the church (27:00); the five religions allowed and regulated by the Chinese government and the difference between the Three-Self Church and the house church movement (32:30); the history of China's Three-Self Church (39:30); Hou's testimony and conviction to truly live out the gospel (45:30); the openness to the gospel in the Global South and the importance of being equipped to evangelize (53:30); and grasping the power of prayer (59:20). 17 Jan 2018 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_032.mp3 We are all familiar with the term fake news. It's time to become familiar with the term "fake science," or Zombie Science, as Dr. Jonathan Wells calls it. Zombie Science is an extremely popular postempirical science - motivated by materialism. While zombies are make-believe, Zombie Science is real - and it threatens not just science but our whole culture. This Hank Unplugged podcast features a conversation between Hank Hanegraaff and Dr. Jonathan Wells on how to defeat this Zombie Science. Topics discussed include: what is Zombie Science? (3:30); the price to pay for taking stands against the status quo of materialism and Darwinian evolution in the scientific arena (10:30); examining various icons of evolution like Darwin's tree of life (17:30); why has the war on Intelligent Design become so ferocious? (31:30); the miracle of metamorphosis (36:20); the strong scientific commitment to materialism (41:00); what is the myth of junk DNA? (45:30); the unnecessary idolization of Charles Darwin (49:30); the problem with making DNA the answer to everything (51:30); examples of zombie science (54:00); the threat to religion presented when materialism is masquerading as empirical science (1:04:00). 10 Jan 2018 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_031.mp3 This Hank Unplugged podcast features a wide-ranging conversation with Fr. Themi Adamopoulo. Fr. Themi is a former atheist, rock star turned missionary priest serving in one of the poorest countries in the world, Sierra Leon. As Fr. Themi puts it in his conversation with Hank, "Fame is empty, but Christianity has no expiration date." Listen to find out why these two former atheists now share a passion to serve Christ that is unshakeable in this energetic and inspiring conversation. Topics discussed include: the contemporary Saint Nektarios and the pain of Christians being persecuted by fellow Christians (2:30); why Hank has experienced persecution by becoming Orthodox, and do Orthodox Christians need to do a better job of evangelism? (7:00); the false dichotomy between faith and works that the West finds itself stuck with (10:00); Themi's work against the biggest scandal the world faces today: poverty (15:50); the history of belief regarding the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist/Communion (22:30); the importance of perpetuating Christian traditions, while also adapting for cultural differences (29:10); Themi's past as a Marxist, atheist rock star in the Australian rock band The Flies and how he eventually converted to Christianity (34:50); the dangers of ego in academia (44:00); the Western tendency to embrace reason at the cost of mystery (46:45); mystical experiences of Christ (50:30); Themi explains from his own experience how fame is empty, but Christianity has no expiration date (54:10); every day thousands of children die in Africa. How do we shift our global priorities to stop this and show that we value human life? (1:04:30); Themi explains the popularity of the prosperity gospel preached in many Pentecostal churches in Africa (1:09:00); why Christians helping the poor is a nonnegotiable (1:12:20); their shared belief that true Christian faith is a transformational journey rather than a mere transactional moment (1:16:30). 3 Jan 2018 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_030.mp3 This week we are bringing you a special edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast featuring some of our favorite conversations that took place on the podcast in 2017. Whether you've heard them all or are just getting started, we assure you that this special edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast will be edifying for everyone. Topics discussed include: Mary Eberstadt discussing a new secularist religion of our time and issues we're facing due to the sexual revolution (1:00); Joe Dallas discussing the rising acceptance of gender fluidity today (14:50); Frank Beckwith discussing the watershed issue of our time: abortion (29:00); Clay Jones discussing the question of "Why does God allow evil?" (40:25); a conversation with Nathan Jacobs, director of the film Becoming Truly Human (56:10); Chris Wilde discussing the crucial conversation between Hank and their mutual friend Elijah that eventually led to CRI adapting the moniker of the ministry from Because Truth Matters to Because Life and Truth Matter (1:14:00); Donald Fairbairn discussing his book Life in the Trinity and how we as Christians can find true union with God (1:21:00). 27 Dec 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_029.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on the Hank Unplugged podcast by one of his absolute best friends, Jack Countryman, and his wife, Marsha Countryman. Jack is a bestselling author that has had an enormous impact in the world of publishing. The two joined Hank on the podcast to discuss the importance of practicing disciplines and the lost art of marriage. If you've ever wondered what the key is to living a successful marriage in Christ, you won't want to miss this conversation. Topics discussed include: the concept of retirement from Jack's perspective and how it drives his desire to bring God's Word to the world (4:30); both men discuss their work in the publishing industry (10:00); the importance of routines and disciplines in life (13:00); the lost art of marriage and building intimacy through investment (16:30); the importance of looking forward as the key to longevity in life (24:30); seeing differences as strengths to build on in a relationship (27:30); Jack's famous bear story (31:00); discussing Jack's ministry "In His Grip" and some parallels between principles of golf and Christianity (35:00); prayer as an essential part in finding God's purpose in our lives (38:30); how Jack's relationship with his wife has impacted his life and helped him to influence others (45:00); Marsha explains how the Lord brought the two of them together (48:00); the value of handwritten notes in a technological age (54:30); and sharing some of their secrets to a successful marriage (56:30). 13 Dec 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_028.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Dr. Bradley Nassif. Dr. Nassif is one of the preeminent academic experts on Orthodox-Evangelical dialogue and a strong advocate of a "unity in diversity" approach to the Christian faith. This conversation aims to clarify many misconceptions between branches of Christianity and how we might better apply our call from Christ to the Father in His high priestly prayer that we may all be as one. Topics discussed include: is there any hope for better engagement between evangelicals and Orthodox Christians? (5:30); the orthodox beliefs shared between Eastern Orthodox Christians and evangelical Christians (8:00); the increasing dialogue between evangelicals and Eastern Orthodox Christians (14:30); exploring different perspectives on the Atonement and Incarnation (20:30); underdeveloped theology regarding icons and the connection between Christ's incarnation and the basis for icons (24:30); the challenges for people who are unfamiliar with aspects of the Eastern Orthodox worship experience (29:00); the symbolic architectural significance of various church buildings and their arrangements (33:00); what do candles and incense in Orthodox churches represent? (40:00); why do so many insist on pitting Holy Tradition against Sola Scriptura? (45:00); the baptismal process and the importance of keeping the gospel clear and compelling for every generation (53:00); the opportunity for internal renewal within Orthodoxy as well as to explain to the world what Orthodox beliefs truly are (58:00); the transcendent importance of the seven Ecumenical Councils (1:09:00); remembering John 17 as we strive for unity in diversity amongst Christians (1:13:00); Sola Fide and the false dichotomy of faith and works (1:15:00). 6 Dec 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_027.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Dr. Richard Poupard. Poupard is a board certified surgeon with an MA in apologetics, which gives him a unique perspective in examining the ethics of scientifically related issues. Whether he is questioning the compatibility of marijuana, birth control, or cloning with a Christian worldview, the driving force of Poupard's work is examining whether or not we value one another as human beings made in the image of God. Per usual, this is a wide-ranging and insightful conversation that you won't want to miss. Topics discussed include: The ethics of modern board games (2:30); The importance of being an open-minded, life-long learner (5:00); How Rich, a medical doctor, developed a passion for apologetics and discovered the need for mystery to accompany logic (7:00); Avoiding the pitfall of pride and merely winning arguments while practicing good apologetics (12:00); How Christians should view the rising acceptance of marijuana (14:00); The difference between having a glass of wine and smoking weed (19:30); The changing views about fertility and is birth control Biblical? (21:30); The ghastly consequences of experimentation on embryos and the time that Hank held a frozen embryo named Elise (31:00); Christians using In Vitro fertilization (35:00); Is human cloning compatible with Christianity? (36:30); The problem with using the term sexual purity (38:00); Challenging our notions of lust, modesty and objectification of women (44:30); Harvey Weinstein as an opportunity to reexamine the accepted ways that we often view women (47:30); End of life issues and the slippery slope of euthanasia (54:00); The ethics of plastic surgery (58:00); How suffering can bring us closer to Christ (1:01:30); The importance of being equipped to use apologetics as an ambassador of Christ (1:05:00); The question that drives all of Poupard's work: "Do we value human beings as made in the image of God?" (1:08:00). 29 Nov 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_026.mp3 This week Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Benjamin Wiker, a distinguished professor and author. The last time Hank had Dr. Wiker on the Hank Unplugged podcast he re-discovered an appreciation for the book 10 Books that Screwed Up the World. Today Dr. Wiker came back onto the podcast to discuss some of the dangerous ideas disseminated through these books, how they are influencing our world and what we as Christians can do about it! Topics discussed include: An opening discussion on some of the books that have screwed up the world (1:30); The realities of a reductionist, materialist culture (5:30); Why Wiker wrote 10 Books that Screwed Up the World (10:00); Rousseau as an example of how ideas have consequences (14:00); Do we need a fuller understanding of the Reformation as a whole? (19:00); The need for unity between the branches of Christianity, rather than continued division (24:30); Eugenics advocate and founder of Planned Parenthood, Margaret Sanger, and the impact of her book The Pivot of Civilization (29:00); The racism in Darwin's ideas that often gets overlooked (39:00); The impact of the materialistic works of Descartes, Hobbes and Nietzsche (46:30); The need for historical literacy and better Christian education (52:00); How the culture wars might lead the branches of Christianity to exercise God's grace to cooperate despite differences on secondary theological issues (57:00); Addressing the idea of faith and works through the words of the Apostles James and Paul (1:01:00); The need to dissect the awful ideas of atheists like Richard Dawkins and answer them with well-reasoned responses (1:10:30). 17 Nov 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_025.mp3 This week Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by his daughter Christina to talk about Christmas traditions and the inspiration for writing The Heart of Christmas. The Hank Unplugged podcast takes you out of the studio and into the study; however, this edition takes you into the Hanegraaff home for an even more personal discussion on the importance of the Incarnation and preparing our hearts for the Christmas season. Topics discussed include: the importance of Christians preparing their hearts to celebrate Christmas (1:00); the unique significance of the Incarnation (3:00); clarifying issues surrounding the Atonement (8:00); how the Incarnation reveals our hope of Resurrection (10:30); how Hank's parents' practice of daily devotionals inspired him with an appreciation for studying Scripture (19:00); the importance of preparing ourselves to celebrate Christ and how traditions can impact that preparation (23:00); remembering Christmas as a time not to receive but to give with a grateful heart to meet the needs of others (26:30); a shared memory of ministering to the poor and the downtrodden with humility and respect for what they can teach us (32:00); exploring what it really means that we are made in the image of God (38:30); Hank discusses the significance of his favorite hymn, When Peace, Like a River (48:00). 8 Nov 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_024.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Dr. Nathan Jacobs, writer and director of Becoming Truly Human, a documentary that looks at the rise of the "nones" (those with no religious affiliation). The film offers seven cinematic portraits of "nones" alongside the story of today's guest Dr. Jacobs, whose path goes from unbelief to belief in Christianity, in order to reframe the nones as people defined not by unaffiliation but by a search for something deeper than the religion of their youth. As usual on Hank Unplugged, their conversation is wide ranging, full of depth, and one that you will not want to miss. Topics discussed include: examining the rise of "nones," a term in the documentary Becoming Truly Human used for people with no religious affiliation (1:00); the history behind the title of the documentary Becoming Truly Human (3:00); the importance of learning from the early church fathers (6:00); is it necessary to pit scripture and tradition against one another? (10:00); clearing up the confusion surrounding the false dichotomy between faith and works (16:30); the judicial tendencies and terminologies often present in Western theology (33:30); what the Incarnation truly offers to us (42:00); exploring the concept of deification (44:00); what Dr. Jacobs found in studying the concept of resurrection in several religions and how it's unique in Christianity (51:00); using the texts of the early church fathers and the longstanding church tradition to better understand Scripture and enhance our Christian faith (55:00); what it means to become truly human (1:01:00); what it was that Dr. Jacobs discovered many of the Millennial "nones" were searching for (1:10:00); the story of Dr. Jacobs's adopted son and the parable of the sheep and the goats (1:16:30); how both Hank's and Nathan's personal battles with cancer have provided them perspective and brought them closer to God (1:23:00); where people can see the documentary Becoming Truly Human (1:32:00). 1 Nov 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_023.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Dr. Donald Fairbairn, professor of Early Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, the academic dean of the Charlotte campus and author or translator of seven books. His book Life in the Trinity has had a great impact on Hank, and Hank has no doubt that everyone will take something valuable away from their conversation this week. Topics discussed include: the relationship between the Father and the Son as explained in Fairbairn's book Life in the Trinity (2:00); how the evangelical Fairbairn's travels around the world correlate to his interest and study of Eastern Orthodoxy (3:30); deification and Theosis as foreign concepts for many in the West (9:00); the ways Dr. Fairbairn believes his work in ministry has grown directly from his deafness (11:00); the fundamental relationship involved in salvation and how the focus can all too often be on the means to salvation as opposed to the meaning of it (15:00); the role that doctrines play in the Christian faith (18:00); the danger of making the Christian faith transactional in nature as opposed to transformational (24:00); the importance of the early church fathers (26:30); the Trinity, Incarnation, and Eucharist as concepts that we can apprehend, not comprehend (30:30); the problem when academic arrogance creeps into theology (34:00); what happens to society when we place humanity, rather than God, at the top of the order (36:30); the Lord's high priestly prayer exemplifying the relationship between Father and Son in the Trinity (43:00); how Fairbairn used Star Wars to explain the premise of his book Life in the Trinity for the Christian Research Journal (47:30); is it possible to achieve unity throughout the branches of the "family tree" of the Christian faith? (51:30); ecclesia and the importance of being part of a church body (54:00); unpacking the idea of deification (57:30); and what drives Dr. Fairbairn to make a difference every day (1:02:30). 25 Oct 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_022.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by veteran journalist Mindy Belz, senior editor of WORLD magazine and the author of the book They Say We Are Infidels. Belz is a journalist who has risked her life to go behind enemy lines, and her unique perspective on global issues from an informed, Christian perspective is invaluable to us all. Topics discussed include: Belz's unique role as a female journalist going behind enemy lines in dangerous Islamic countries (2:30); Belz's perspective on how the Trump administration is handling the inevitable crisis with North Korea (6:00); the courage that the gospel provides us to feel peace in the face of danger (14:00); bias concerning perception of Christian persecution as opposed to Islamic protectionism (18:00); wearing the "noon" symbol used to represent Nazarene as a statement of solidarity with Christians persecuted in the Middle East (25:00); what Belz learned from worshiping with Eastern Christians in Iraq (29:30); when the United States should help police the world and how it would be most effective (34:30); can Sharia law and democracy coexist? (40:00); the vacuum secularism is leaving in the West and how Islam is prepared to fill it (48:00); how increased diversity can revitalize the Christian church (51:30); the gospel as the source of Mindy's optimism (56:00); the three-pronged fork in the road of apostasy, apathy, and radicalization that Nabeel Qureshi faced as a Muslim and the example he became as he found the power of Christ (59:30). 18 Oct 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_021.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged for the second time by Middle East expert Raymond Ibrahim to continue their discussion on the importance of being educated about the truth of Islam. There is no doubt that we are in a clash of civilizations and it's vital for Christians to know the truth about the world's fastest-growing religion. Topics discussed include: is ISIS merely a sign of Islamic history repeating itself? (1:30); a priori conclusions about Islam based on wishful thinking (11:00); the current condition of the Islamic State (17:00); how the Protestant Reformation helped Islam grow in size and perception (24:00); how the academic issue of publish-or-perish propagates false history of Islam (31:00); the reason that liberals tend to embrace Islam and oppose Christianity (36:00); the unwavering continuity of Islam (40:30); the West self-destructing from within (51:00); the issue of U.S. ally Saudi Arabia practicing the ISIS version of literal Islam (53:30); the irony of calls for Islamic reformation (57:00); why focusing on ISIS alone is missing the real problem (1:02:30); will terrorist attacks continue to escalate? (1:05:00); the hypocrisy of politicians like Hillary Clinton consistently supporting Saudi Arabia (1:08:30); the robust Christian message necessary for migrant Muslims to find Christ (1:16:30); the tribal nature of Islamic culture (1:21:00); the mass genocide of Christians in the East depicted in Ibrahim's book Crucified Again (1:25:00). 11 Oct 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_020.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Andreas Knapp, author of The Last Christians: Stories of Persecution, Flight and Resilience in the Middle East. Andreas Knapp left a position as head of Freiburg Seminary to live and work among the poor as a member of the Little Brothers of the Gospel and ministers to prisoners and refugees. His latest book, The Last Christians, recounts the stories of refugees in his neighborhood and of displaced people in camps in Kurdistan, northern Iraq. This is a powerful conversation that you won't want to miss. Topics discussed include: Knapp explains what the Little Brothers of the Gospel society is (3:00); why Knapp left his post as the head of a seminary to live on the margins of society amongst the poor (5:30); Germany's transition away from Christianity and the need for Christians to stop fighting one another and to unite around the essentials (11:00); how Western Christianity often neglects to understand Eastern Christianity (16:30); the strength of witness when we live our lives like Christ (20:00); the Christian refugees in Germany that inspired Knapp and brought him to the Middle East (26:30); why Knapp titled his book The Last Christians (30:30); the political roots of Islam preclude true democratic development in Islamic countries (35:00); the danger of placing ideology above common humanity (45:30); the use of the fourteenth letter of the Arabic alphabet as a sign of solidarity with Christians suffering persecution (49:00); the problem of Islamic migration without assimilation in the West (51:00); the two competing movements in Turkey today (57:30); the difference between martyrdom in Christianity and Islam (1:01:00); why Knapp wrote The Last Christians (1:05:00). 4 Oct 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_019.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Mary Eberstadt, author of It's Dangerous to Believe: Religious Freedom and Its Enemies. Her writing has appeared in TIME, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, National Review, First Things, and The Weekly Standard, and in March 2017, she was named Senior Research Fellow at the Faith and Reason Institute. They discuss the secularist religion birthed by the Sexual Revolution and how it helped yesterday's sinners become today's secular saints. Topics discussed include: the secularist religion birthed by the Sexual Revolution (3:00); Christians being labeled as bigots and a damaging decrease of dialogue in society (9:30); the social experiments of the Sexual Revolution (13:00); what inspired Mary to do the work she is doing? (16:00); the new hypereugenics movement and Margaret Sanger as a secular saint (20:30); the growing ideological incoherence of many who claim to be Christians (30:00); the anti-Islamophobia motion in Canada and their censorship of Hank with the release of MUSLIM: What You Need to Know About the World's Fastest-Growing Religion (34:00); the demographic crisis in Europe (40:00); the need for Christians to pursue excellence in word and thought in the public arena (46:30); dhimmitude and the death of religious liberty in America (48:30); the Nazarene pin and the Scarlet letter that being a Christian has become in society (52:00); how the Sexual Revolution helped yesterday's sinners become today's secular saints (55:00); Mary's wake-up call to the West (1:01:30). 27 Sep 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_018.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by the executive director of Levant Ministries, Fares Abraham, to discuss the great opportunity for ministry in the fertile soil of the Levant. Hank has traveled to Bethlehem and spent time with Fares and his family in their homeland of Palestine, and this conversation conveys how the love of Christ can provide strength in the face of intense persecution. Topics discussed include: being a Christian in Palestine today (2:00); The Apocalypse Code and its impact on the Middle East (9:30); the vision of NEXTGEN conferences to use Millennials to impact the Middle East (14:00); the power of the gospel to impact the Levant and Western Civilization (23:00); are all Muslims terrorists? (27:00); distinguishing between Muslims as people and Islam as a religion (30:00); the serious responsibility of Christians to act like Christ (33:00); the gospel in the Levant (38:00); the prejudice of many church pastors against Palestinians (42:00); the importance of sound theology in understanding issues in the Middle East (48:00); Fares says a prayer for the Levant and the body of Christ (59:30). 20 Sep 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_017.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Robert Spencer, director of Jihad Watch and the author of New York Times bestsellers The Politically Incorrect Guide to Islam (and the Crusades) and The Truth About Muhammad. He also wrote the foreword to Hank's new book MUSLIM: What You Need to Know About the World's Fastest-Growing Religion. Author of seventeen books and counting, Spencer is one of the foremost experts on Islam, and this conversation covers the many ways that Islam is putting our world in peril. Topics discussed include: the work of Jihad Watch (1:00); the danger of Islamic immigration without assimilation (2:00); the double standard of Islamic blasphemy laws (6:00); the largely defensive nature of the Crusades to counter Islamic aggression (7:30); why Robert has dedicated his life to revealing dangerous truth about Islam (11:30); the denial of free speech when it comes to Islam (17:30); the unlikely alliance between the liberal left and Islam in the West (20:30); Confessions of an Islamophobe (23:00); Robert Spencer's ban from entering the UK for talking about Islam (30:00); what PayPal's ban of Jihad Watch says about free society (36:00); Robert Spencer being poisoned in Iceland (43:00); the truth about the group CAIR (53:00); the distinction between Jesus Christ and Muhammad (56:00); what faith will replace Marxism in China? (55:00); the distinction between Jesus Christ and Muhammad (56:00); Saudi Arabia and the spread of Wahhabism (1:08:00). 13 Sep 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_016.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by author, social critic, and longtime friend Os Guinness. Hank has a deep respect for the intellect of Os, and this conversation does little to dissuade the listener of his enormous impact on Christian thinkers. Together they weave through many issues facing the West today while talking about how we should live in a dangerous post-truth world. Topics discussed include: Os explains how a Western culture that continues to cut our Christian roots leaves us with a "cut flower society" (5:30); fear is the predominant global emotion, but Os is optimistic because the gospel says to "have no fear" (9:00); the problem of Christians not thinking and living Christianly (11:30); the danger of a post-truth America spelling the end of freedom (19:30); issues of Christophobia and the importance of not having a victim mentality (23:30); the importance of standing for truth for an audience of One before the Lord (29:00); the unlikely alliance between the liberal left and Islam in the West (39:30); how to respond to the ABC moment we are living in [Anything But Christianity] (48:30); the need for Christians to start thinking and develop a Christian mind (53:00); what faith will replace Marxism in China? (55:00). 6 Sep 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_015.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Clay Jones, associate professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University and one of the pre-eminent scholars on the issue of theodicy, answering why God permits evil. This conversation is an exploration into why God allows sin and suffering. Topics discussed include: why does God allow evil? (3:30); why did God let that child die? (5:30); why it's hard to reconcile determinism and theodicy (9:00); why do people want determinism to be true? (14:30); how God uses suffering (19:30); why do bad things happen to good people? (27:00); transgenderism as child abuse (36:00); the Christian Research Journal article "Killing the Canaanites" (42:00); what difference does belief in original sin make? (48:30); why people who think heaven will be boring are wrong (51:00); the importance of making our lives on Earth count (57:30); what does God want our legacy on Earth to be? (1:01:30); finding ways to be useful to God (1:04:30). 30 Aug 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_014.mp3 This week Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Dr. Benjamin Wiker, a distinguished professor and author of many books. This conversation runs the intellectual gamut as they discuss issues facing our world today such as Islamic persecution of Christians, building our economies around vices, and the need for a deeper discussion on global warming. Topics discussed include: Muslim Persecution of Christians in the Middle East (4:00); Islam, The Reformation and a call for Mere Christianity (8:00); In Defense of Nature--Environmental and Ethical Ecological Systems (15:30); Recycling as a distraction from our consumerist behavior (27:00); The danger of building economies around our vices (35:00); Correlating the empire of waste with the 7 deadly sins (41:00); The addiction driven by hyperpalatability in food, pornography and technology (44:00); Misleading food labels revealing the importance of a local economy (56:00); The need for wider, deeper talk about global warming (1:06:00); Wiker's Book 10 Books that Screwed Up The World revealing how ideas have consequences (1:14:30); Do we live in a meaningful world?(1:18:30). 23 Aug 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_013.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Carl Amari, producer of the award-winning "Word of Promise" audio Bible. Find out how Carl has produced audio versions of the Bible that enable us to hear and understand the Bible like never before in human history. Topics discussed include: the origins of Carl's interest in classic dramatic radio (5:00); the future of terrestrial radio (11:00); presenting the Bible with A-list actors performing the audio to create a theater for the mind (13:00); the "street cred" Hollywood actors feel when working on a project related to the Bible (18:00); using the Apocrypha to better understand the Bible (24:00); the importance of having different biblical translations (26:00); the usefulness of having a theologian to provide actors with biblical context when recording the Bible (31:00); the evolution of production and consumption in media today (38:30); the free page Carl made for followers of CRI to stream the Word of Promise version of the Gospel of Mark [http://www.wordofgodcri.com] (42:00); will movie theaters soon disappear? (48:00); could audio Bibles help solve problems of biblical illiteracy in the world today? (51:00). 17 Aug 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_012.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by New York Times best-selling author Jay Richards. Jay is a true Renaissance man academically, and their conversation exemplifies that as they touch on a wide range of topics such as global warming, gender identity, consensus science, economics, the Eucharist, and much more. Topics discussed include: the right questions to ask about global warming (2:30); does Al Gore really believe his own rhetoric? (9:30); illiberal liberalism on college campuses and the culture at large (12:00); the gender identity movement's war on natural law's of science (17:30); the consequences of going against the cultural narrative as shown by astrophysicist and Intelligent Design advocate Guillermo Gonzalez (23:30); our Earth as "The Privileged Planet" (27:00); taking materialist claims to their logical conclusion (31:00); how to think about celebrity scientists like Bill Nye and Neil Degrasse Tyson (38:00); consensus science or group think? (40:00); Millennial views on capitalism and socialism (44:00); Jay's book on "The Vision of Freedom That Tolkien Got and the West Forgot" called The Hobbit Party (52:30); the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist; and the importance of having an eternal perspective (57:00). 15 Aug 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_011.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by John Stonestreet, president of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview and cohost of the radio show BreakPoint. This is a truly wide-ranging conversation on the major cultural issues of today and how Christians should handle these uniquely modern issues outlined in Stonestreet's new book A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today's World. Topics discussed include: Chuck Colson as a mentor to both (1:30); the false dichotomy of sacred and secular and the pandemic of churches conforming to the culture (9:00); the importance of authority in the church in accordance with Scripture and the ties to church history (17:00); the distinction between cultural waves and undercurrents outlined in Stonestreet's book A Practical Guide to Culture (23:30); the problem of perpetual adolescence and a culture that craves staying young forever (30:00); how information has replaced knowledge in our age, the shifting importance of right from wrong to whether we're nice or mean, and discernment as an antidote (37:00); the transactional nature some churches have taken on as opposed to being transformational (43:30); the influence of materialists like Richard Dawkins on culture and the loss of what it means to be humans made in the Imago Dei (51:30); gender fluidity in contrast to biological reality (56:30); influencing the culture rather than the culture changing us (1:01:00). 9 Aug 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_010.mp3 This week Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by one of his closest friends and brothers in Christ, Chris Wilde. Hank and Chris became friends as a result of the providential meeting between the local church and the Christian Research Institute that resulted in an extensive primary research project that resulted in the CRI Journal titled "We Were Wrong." Years of research led CRI to amend their position on the local church from one of condemnation to one of commendation, as the group has played a significant role in the transformation of Hank's personal life in addition to the moniker of the ministry. This is an emotional episode of Hank Unplugged that you cannot miss. Topics discussed include: The unlikely origins of their friendship as a result of investigating the Lord's recovery (4:30); The providential meeting between the local churches and the Christian Research Institute and the primary research project that ensued (8:30); The revolutionary impact the Lord's recovery has had on Hank personally as well as the ministry of CRI (18:30); Brief history of Watchman Nee, Witness Lee and their ministries in China and beyond (21:00); A seminal moment in Hank's life that caused the moniker of CRI to change to "Because life and truth matter" (26:30); A moving story of the meeting between Gretchen Passantino and a Christian Chinese man who suffered immense persecution as a result of her writings for CRI in the 70's (33:00); The significance of the local church edition of the CRI Journal entitled We Were Wrong (42:00); The continued damage that misinformation does to the Local Church (53:00); Chris's transformational testimony (59:30); The immense value of the Local Church to the body of Christ (1:07:00). 1 Aug 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_009.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Paul Nelson, a PHD in philosophy and a leader in the Intelligent Design movement. At one point in history, it would have been difficult to believe that the mighty Soviet Union would fall, but it did, and Dr. Paul Nelson believes that there are major cracks in the edifice of evolution and that Darwinism is ready for a fall of its own. Topics discussed include: whether or not Darwin would have been able to propose his theory as it were today (5:00); the persuasive effect of presenting arguments with a spirit of love and respect (12:00); the unscientific baggage that advocates of evolution bring to the table as a "theory about us" (17:00); the unhappy consequence of celebrity culture seeping into the sciences with "celebrity scientists" like Bill Nye and Neil Degrasse Tyson creating cultural consensus (26:00); the expectation of radical shifts on critical Darwinian concepts such as common descent in the next decade (31:00); the courage of Michael Behe and others who challenge the scientific status quo (39:00); comparing the collapse of the Soviet Union with the eventual collapse of the evolutionary edifice (47:00); the key to earning the right to dissent is becoming the best student of the prevailing view (57:00). 25 Jul 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_008.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Michael Behe, a distinguished biochemist and the subject of a new documentary called Revolutionary: Michael Behe and the Mystery of Molecular Machines. Listen in as they discuss Behe's trailblazing insights into irreducible complexity, the compatibility of faith and science, pitfalls of scientific consensus, the status of the Intelligent Design movement, and much more. Topics discussed include: how Behe's doubts of Darwin's theories caused him to write the book Darwin's Black Box as an alternative explanation and the uproar that ensued (7:00); the use of a mousetrap to explain the idea of irreducible complexity as an indicator of Intelligent Design (13:00); how scientific discoveries and progress will eventually explain away Darwin's grandest claims (20:00); the difficult road for those in the scientific community who advocate for Intelligent Design (28:00); explaining the molecular machine that is the bacterial flagellum as an indicator of complexity calling for Intelligent Design (33:00); the true compatibility of faith and science (37:30); the unscientific hypocrisy of untouchable topics, biases, and stakeholder interests in the sciences (42:00); signs of prejudicial judiciary in the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial (50:00); the anti-intellectual nature of ignoring alternative explanations and the pitfalls of scientific consensus as a stand-in for truth (56:00); the power of one person to make a change by challenging the status quo and taking a stand (1:03:00). 19 Jul 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_007.mp3 Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by the eminently quotable Larry Johnston, a friend and colleague of nearly 40 years, for a wide-ranging conversation certain to send you searching for a dictionary. You can't miss this cranial candy dealing with Christ, conversion experiences and conversation. Topics discussed include: An understanding of their ages and their desire to make the biggest impact for ministry while yet on the planet (6:00); Their interwoven journey's in ministry over the past 40 years (12:00); The battle for the mind in an age when evidence is seemingly trumped by authority (19:30); Apologetics as antidote to the atheistic ambush in educational institutions today (28:00); The false conflictions concerning science and religion (34:00); Larry's testimony as a "Road to Damascus" soteriological experience (39:00); Observations of the obvious effects of uncreated energy on the rewiring of cerebral circuits and the soul (47:00); Apprehensive allowance for faithful mysteries to remain mysterious (59:00); Why the Christian Research Institute changed their moniker to "because life and truth matter" to embrace the necessity of balance (1:03:00); Their passion for podcasts as a vehicle to think deeper and reignite the art of dialogue (1:08:00). 12 Jul 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_006.mp3 This week, Hank is joined on Hank Unplugged by Middle East expert Raymond Ibrahim to discuss the stark reality of Islamic issues faced by the world today in context with historical analysis, not the least of them being the Muslim genocide and persecution of Christians. Topics discussed include: the West actively undermining itself and the reality of Islam (6:00); the aberration of labeling Islam as one of the Abrahamic faiths (10:00); the difference between Mohammed and Christ (13:30); is the Allah of Islam the God of the Bible? (19:30); Muslim mob mentality and the convenience of conversion in many Islamic theocracies (27:00); setting the historical record straight on the difference between jihad and the crusades (30:30); exposing the myth of the Andalusian Paradise (37:00); the reality that radical Islam is run-of-the-mill Islam (42:00); hypocrisy in the United States in dealing with Saudi Arabia and ISIS (53:00); the danger of lumping all Muslims together with the ideology of Islam (59:00); the mass genocide and persecution of Christians in the world today done in the name of Islam (1:07:00); Islamic tyranny toward women (1:17:00); the oxymoronic nature of the term "secular Muslim" (1:20:00); the decline of a Western civilization devoid of Christ (1:26:00); and the danger of taking a controversial stand for truth (1:28:00). 6 Jul 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_005.mp3 This week, Joe Dallas, a hall-of-fame guest on the Bible Answer Man broadcast, joins Hank Hanegraaff on Hank Unplugged to discuss Christian perspectives on human sexuality and how to convey the heart of God while speaking the truth in love. Topics discussed include: Joe's transition into and out of a gay lifestyle (8:00); the issue of gender fluidity and the fallacy of feelings as a legitimate basis for individuals to "speak things into existence" (21:00); cultural capitulation in the church (35:00); the impending sexual Tower of Babel that gender fluidity represents and the social confusion it causes (44:00); how to handle difficult questions about homosexuality and God's will (49:00); the importance of Christians standing up for their convictions in the face of persecution (52:00); and ways Christians can reach, as opposed to repel, when it comes to issues of human sexuality (59:00). 28 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_004.mp3 Dr. Frank Beckwith joins Hank on Hank Unplugged to discuss their shared history as prominent evangelical Protestants who've converted to different historical traditions within the Christian faith and their desire for greater church unity, while also demonstrating the importance of apologetics and discourse. Topics discussed include: how advances in technology further cement their belief that the watershed issue of our age is still abortion (5:00); nostalgic memories of late-night theological discussions with Bob and Gretchen Passantino and the importance of open-minded discourse in apologetics (14:30); the value of being a lifelong learner, its impact on Hank's conversion to Orthodoxy and Frank's return to Roman Catholicism, and both men's belief in the importance of embracing Mere Christianity (20:00); misconceptions of Catholicism, the importance of unity between the branches of Christianity (31:00); misunderstandings regarding works-righteousness sanctification, grace, and the transformational truth of the gospel (40:30); their controversial conversions and the impact of encouraging notes between Hank and Frank themselves (50:30); The Benedict Option and the need for Christians to be an example to the culture, not of the culture (1:04:00); the importance of having an eternal perspective and developing spiritual disciplines (1:09:00); John Paul II said the church has two lungs, and it needs to breathe with both, referring to the church in the East and the West, and both men end the podcast by making a call for church unity (1:15:00). 21 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_003.mp3 In this second episode of Hank Unplugged, Hank invites "the most interesting man in the world," Rod Dreher, onto the podcast to discuss his book The Benedict Option. Topics discussed include: who Benedict was and how he laid the groundwork for the rebirth of Western Civilization after the fall of Rome (3:40); Christians that are indistinguishable from the culture (6:40); their conversions to Orthodoxy, difficulties that they faced as a result, and how it helped shape them spiritually (8:30); the importance of a community of believers as opposed to consumeristic Christianity (17:30); historical illiteracy regarding the first 1,500 years of church history and why that is dangerous (21:20); the changing nature of anthropology and the Abolition of Man (26:30); the delusional idea that politics will change the culture and how losing political power might be the very thing that saves the church (30:15); millennials leaving the church and a possible trend toward liturgical worship (40:45); and The Benedict Option as a primer on how to find God in the ruins of Rome (50:30). 14 Jun 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_002.mp3 Hank Hanegraaff, host of the Bible Answer Man broadcast and president of the Christian Research Institute, makes his debut into podcasting with the first episode of Hank Unplugged by inviting his close friend and best-selling author Frederica Mathewes-Green onto the podcast to discuss Hank's transition into Eastern Orthodoxy, being diagnosed with cancer, and the way that those two situations have impacted one another. Topics discussed include the difference Orthodoxy has made for Hank after being diagnosed with cancer and reordering his life around the divine (11:00); the history of the church, schisms, and the high priestly prayer that we all must be as one (14:00); community memory as a source of Church authority and the perpetuation of Holy tradition in addition to "being biblical" (22:30); the "spiritual gymnasium" found in the Orthodox Church (37:30); the tension Hank feels between wanting the Lord to heal him and wanting the Lord to prune him for His glory as a witness (40:30); the idea of intercession of the community of the saints through prayer and the idea that there are no dead Christians (46:30); and how Hank has staked his whole career and ministry on his belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist (52:30). 8 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_001.mp3 Introducing Hank Unlugged 31 May 2017 12:00:00 GMT http://www.equip.org/hank-unplugged http://streaming.integrationworks.com:3000/archive/HUP_EPISODE_TEASER.mp3