The PleaseConvinceMe.com Podcast

Audio Podcasts Examining the Issues Important to Responsive Christians

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Podcast Number One Hundred Six
What Do Christians Believe About the Nature of Man?

June 29th, 2009 

In this podcast, Jim continues his examination of Christian essentials as we journey through the Apostle’s Creed. What does Christianity teach about the nature of humans? Are we all innately good or are we innately evil? Why does it really matter in the first place, and why must we all agree on this issue? Is there any external evidence to support the Christian position? We also read listener email from Saudi Arabia, talk about the difficulty of witnessing to family members and respond to an atheist objection about “knowing what you believe”.

Podcast Number One Hundred Five
Is Mark’s Gospel an Early Memoir of Peter?

June 22nd, 2009 

Church History tells us that Mark penned his Gospel from the preaching and teaching of Peter, but is this true? If so, Mark would be a VERY early account that records the observations of an eyewitness! In this podcast, Jim examines the Gospel of Mark from the perspective of external and internal evidence to determine if Mark did, in fact, act as a scribe for Peter. The evidence should give every Christian confidence that the Gospels were written early and that they accurately capture the eyewitness observations of those who knew Jesus best.

Podcast Number One Hundred Four
It’s Our Two Year Anniversary Podcast!

June 15th, 2009 

In this podcast, (our 104th episode) Jim is joined by his sons, Jimmy and David, as they answer listener email. What happens to someone when they are hypnotized? Are Christians who are hypnotized more like to be subject to demonic forces? How should the Christian community prepare its young people for the challenge of the University environment? How are we to respond to the challenge of secular humanism and philosophical naturalism? How can we reach those around us with the Gospel in a conversational way? Are there any tools or principles that we can apply to our discussions with non-believers?

Podcast Number One Hundred Three
How Are We To Respond to Heresy?

June 8th, 2009 

In this podcast, we examine Biblical principles that can guide our response to heresy. What should we do when we encounter someone who holds a belief about God that is simply un-Biblical? Are we being divisive when we try to correct a fellow Christian? Shouldn't love and tolerance be our highest value and goal? Isn't it arrogant to think that we are right and others are wrong on matters related to faith? We'll answer these questions and address some listener email related to the Gospel of Mark and apparent Bible contradictions.

Podcast Number One Hundred Two
Historic Heresies

June 1st, 2009 

In this podcast, we take a look at some historic misconceptions related to the nature of God the Father, Jesus and Salvation. You might be surprised to discover just how many historic errors are repeated today! We’ll examine how past believers have sometimes been confused about the triune nature of God, the divinity of Jesus or the manner in which Christians are saved for Eternal Life. Does it really matter what we believe about these things? Why is it so important? Join us as we look at some classic heresies before we start our in-depth discussion of Christian Orthodoxy!

Podcast Number One Hundred One
What is Heresy (and What is Orthodoxy)?

May 25th, 2009 

In this podcast, we take a look at the issue of 'heresy'. Are there any essential objective truths that Christians simply MUST accept if they want to call themselves 'Christians'? Are some Christian truths non-negotiable? Is anything 'out of bounds'? Are creeds necessary to protect objective truths within the faith? We address these important questions and answer listener email related to 'street evangelism' and 'environmentalism'.

Podcast Number One Hundred
Have Christians Always Used Creeds?

May 18th, 2009 

In this podcast, we take a look at the early use of creeds by those who called themselves "Christians". Have Christians always proclaimed creeds as part of our worship and faith? Is Christianity innately "creedal"? Is it possible to be a Christian without accepting some sort of "creed"? Jim makes a case for "creedal" Christianity as we examine the early and frequent use of creeds within the Christian community.

Podcast Number Ninety Nine
Answering Listener Email

May 11th, 2009 

In this podcast, we take a short break to answer listener email related to the reliability and transmission of the New Testament, the evidence from the martyrdom of the apostles, and the nature of apparent discrepancies in eyewitness testimony. We also replay last week’s radio interview with WORDFM in Pittsburgh as Jim talks about the “Need for Creeds”.

Podcast Number Ninety Eight
The Need for Creeds

May 3rd, 2009 

Why do we need creeds when we've already got the Bible? Why would we develop creeds in the first place? Aren't creeds simply divisive and destructive? Don't they cause more heat than light? In this podcast, Jim talks about the continuing need for creeds in a culture that denies the existence of objective truth in the first place. We also answer listener email related to the martyrdom of the apostles.

Podcast Number Ninety Seven
Was Jesus Just a Man (And Did He Live At All)?

April 26th, 2009 

In this podcast we look at the man we know as Jesus. Did He really live and exist as the Bible records? Is He a myth? How are we to respond to the objections of atheists, and are there good reasons to believe that the Resurrection really occurred? We’ll look at these issues and answer listener email related to sin and genetic predisposition, and evidence for God from the presence of information in the DNA code.

Podcast Number Ninety Six
Is the Bible Reliable?
April 20th, 2009
In this podcast, we examine the reliability of the Bible. Can the New Testament hold up to the scrutiny of skeptics? Is it simply Mythology? Has it been corrupted over time? Is it full of contradictions? Jim examines the reliability of the most attested ancient document known to mankind. We also answer listener email related to moral grounding and the death of dinosaurs!

Podcast Number Ninety Five
Does the Existence of Dinosaurs Contradict the Teaching of the Bible?
April 13th, 2009
In this podcast, we take a look at the ancient fossil record of life and death before the appearance of mankind. Does this archeological record contradict the Biblical claims related to Adam and Eve, the fall of mankind, and the Biblical description of the Garden? Jim also answers email related to the existence of moral absolutes.

Podcast Number Ninety Four
Are There Contradictions in the Easter Account?

April 6th, 2009
In this podcast, Jim interviews pastor and apologist Steven Kingsley, author of "The Easter Answer". Kingsley provides a thoughtful response to atheist Dan Barker's "Easter Challenge". Are there inherent internal contradictions in the Easter accounts found in the Gospels? Are these contradictions a proof that the Christian claims related to the Resurrection are false? We'll examine the "Easter Challenge" and Steven Kinsley's "Easter Answer" in this edition of the show.

Podcast Number Ninety Three
The Age of the Universe

March 30th, 2009
In this podcast, Jim explores the age of the universe. Does an ancient universe prove that Christianity is false? Does the Bible actually say anything about the age of the Universe? Why are so many Christians committed to the "young earth" position? Jim examines these questions and also answers email about prayer and looks at an article examining the "evolving" theory of evolution.

Podcast Number Ninety Two
Why Doesn't God Answer My Prayers?

March 23rd, 2009
In this podcast, we take a look at the nature of prayer. Why does it sometimes feel as though God is ignoring our prayers? What was Jesus trying to teach us in the Lord's Prayer? Does God consider the prayers of all of us equally, or are there some people he ignores altogether? We'll mine the scriptures to reason through what the Bible has to say.

Podcast Number Ninety One
Issues Related to Evolution, ID and Resistance to the Christian Worldview

March 16th, 2009
In this podcast, Jim answers listener email related to the evidence that supports evolution, the insertion of Intelligent Design Theory in public science curriculum, the role of volitional rebellion when considering the Christian worldview, and secular university efforts to criticize the Biblical perspective. Are there legitimate concerns and doubts related to the theory of evolution? Should Intelligent Design Theory be taught in public schools? Is there an effort being made in secular universities to discredit the Christian worldview?

Podcast Number Ninety
Can Evolution Explain All of Life's Diversity?

March 8th, 2009
In this podcast, Jim takes a brief look at the theory of evolution and examines some of the evidence that has classically been presented in order to argue for the truth of the theory. Can evolution account for all the diversity that we see in biology today? What is the definition of evolution and has adequate evidence been provided to establish the viability of 'macro-evolution'? What is the nature of the evidences that have historically been offered to make the case?

Podcast Number Eighty Nine

Has Science Eliminated the Need for a Creator God?

March 1st, 2009
In this podcast, Jim examines scientific projects that attempt to create life in the laboratory, including so called 'Wet Artificial Life' experiments. Have scientists discovered how to create life from non-living matter, and if so, does this endeavor answer questions related to the origin of life in our universe? Is it possible that 'life creation' projects actually make a better case for theism than they do for philosophical naturalism?

Podcast Number Eighty Eight

The Problem with Darwinism

February 22nd, 2009
In this podcast, Jim interviews Michael, a biochemist, and examines the limited explanatory power of Darwinism. Is there any evidence within 'systems biology' to indicate that Darwinism is an insufficient explanation for the complexity that exists within molecular organisms? If so, what might better account for the complex and detailed information we find there? Is it possible to be a serious Christian and an impartial judge of the scientific evidence? Are there 'smart' Christians working diligently in the sciences? Join Jim as he investigates the limits of naturalism and the journey of one Christian biochemist.

Podcast Number Eighty Seven

Answering Objections to the Existence of a Supernatural Creator and Designer

February 16th, 2009
In this podcast, Jim answers challenges related to intelligent design and the origin of life. Isn't it possible that an alien race may have planted the seeds of life here on earth? Isn't there evidence from the oldest rocks on earth that establishes a reasonable timeline for the evolution of life? Doesn't scientific consensus invalidate objections on the part of theists? Doesn't evolution provide the most reasonable explanation for the bacterial flagellum? Jim tackles these tough questions in an effort to establish the reasonable nature of the Christian Worldview.

Podcast Number Eighty Six

Can Science Explain the Origin of Life?
February 8th, 2009
In this podcast we take a detailed look at the atheistic explanation for the origin of life in our universe. Philosophical naturalists have been theorizing about "abiogenesis" for some time now. Do they have a natural explanation for the origin of life? Does their own evidence support their theories? What is the connection between "abiogenesis" and Darwinism? How can we, as Christians, being to dialogue with non-believers about the importance of asking the all-important question, "How did life begin?"

Podcast Number Eighty Five

Answering Questions About Morality, Salvation, and Intelligent Design
February 2nd, 2009 
In this podcast, we answer some listener email and try our best to answer the following questions: “Are we falling into moral relativism if we choose to commit a lesser sin to avoid a greater sin?” “Can moral truths originate in the heart of man or does moral truth require a transcendent God?” “Is it fair for God to save a murderer in the last moments of his life, yet let a child who has never heard of Jesus go to hell?” “Isn’t it true that Christians are just a bunch of hypocrites?” Join us as we tackle important questions related to faith, ethics and culture…

Podcast Number Eighty Four

Is Intelligent Design Theory 'Unscientific'?
January 26th, 2009 

In this podcast, Jim discusses the controversial issue of Intelligent Design Theory. Is "ID" Theory "unscientific"? What do we mean when we use the word "science" in the first place? Is Intelligent Design a reasonable inference from the scientific evidence found within biological organisms? Can the rules of evidence that are used in other kinds of investigations be applied to the study of our origin? What does good detective work tell us about the possible existence of a supernatural creator?

Podcast Number Eighty Three

Are There Moral Absolutes?
January 18th, 2009 

In this podcast, we examine the existence of moral truth. Are moral truths relative to culture and individuals, or are they absolute and transcendent? Do we, as humans, have the last word related to moral truth, or is there a higher transcendent source of moral authority? How can we, as Christians, begin to make a case for absolute moral truth in a world where relativism reigns?

Podcast Number Eighty Two

Does Truth Exist (and Can It Be Known)?
January 11th, 2009 

In this podcast, we examine the truth about truth! Does absolute, objective truth exist, or is all truth merely a matter of perspective and opinion? If objective truth does exist, can we ever really know it with any certainty? How are we supposed to determine the truth in the first place? We try to answer these questions and more as we examine the nature of knowledge, belief and truth.

Podcast Number Eighty One

Why Are Christians So Intolerant?
January 5th, 2009 

In this podcast, we talk about the definition of tolerance as we try to understand why our culture often labels Christianity as an intolerant faith system. We also read listener email related to the eyewitness accounts of the Gospels.