The 2011 PCM Podcast Archive

The 2011 PleaseConvinceMe.com Audio Podcasts

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Podcast Number Two Hundred Thirty-Six

In this episode, Jim discusses the importance of spiritual “falsifiability”, using the claims of Eckhart Tolle as an example. Can spiritual claims be evaluated evidentially? If so, can these claims also be falsified with evidence? Jim also evaluates the role of “selflessness” in relation to spiritual authority.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Thirty-Five

In this episode, Jim reads an articulate letter from a listener describing why so many non-believers are annoyed with Tim Tebow. Jim also discusses the death of Christopher Hitchens and responds to listener email related to the “falsifiability” of Christianity.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Thirty-Four

In this episode, Jim interviews Jonathan Morrow, the author of Think Christianly, an important new book that will help us adopt and experience a life that is shaped and directed by our Christian Worldview. How should Christians engage the culture around them? What does our worldview have to say about the most important issues of life? Jonathan’s book will help you to think “Christianly”.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Thirty-Three

Why do we celebrate the birthday of Jesus on December 25th? Was this date established by the early Church to capitalize on the popularity of pagan Roman celebrations that preceded it, or was the date assigned by early church leaders because it was nine months after the celebration of Jesus’ conception? Jim examines possible theories related to the dating of Christmas and asks if any of these dating efforts should influence whether or not we, as Christians, ought to celebrate Christmas. Jim also answers listener email related to the orthodoxy of house churches.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Thirty-Two

Can we trust the gospels if we don’t have an original copy until the 4th Century? How can we build a circumstantial case for the reliability of Christianity if we don’t have the original copies of any of the Gospels? Also, are Jehovah’s Witnesses properly quoting the Early Church Fathers when they argue that the Father’s did not believe in the Trinity?

Podcast Number Two Hundred Thirty-One

Skeptics sometimes argue that an extraordinary claim (like the existence of God) requires extraordinary evidence. Is this true? In this episode of the PCM Podcast, we present an excerpt from Jim’s guest host appearance at Stand to Reason Radio. Jim talks with Al Serrato about the need for extraordinary evidence and they respond to a challenge offered by an atheist who calls the show.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Thirty

Is the Jehovah’s Witness worldview true? What are the basic and important claims of all worldviews? Does the character of the founder matter when trying to determine if a worldview is true? What can we learn about discerning truth from an examination of the claims of Jehovah’s Witnesses? In this podcast, Jim answers listener email and examines the process through which he came to reject the claims of the Watch Tower Society.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty-Nine

Joseph Smith changed his ideas about God as he grew older, starting as a monotheist, moving through “binitarian” monotheism and eventually dying as a polytheist. What does the nature of Smith’s theological evolution tell us about the truth claims of Mormonism? Also, Jim reads from a recent issue of Salvo and discusses the atheism that is prevalent on University campuses.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty-Eight

Are the Gospels reliable enough to be considered as evidence? If they would not be admitted into court (under objections that they are “Hearsay” documents), do they really have any evidential value? In this episode, Jim examines the qualifications of the gospels, the nature of courtroom evidence, the requirements of history and the reliability of the New Testament eyewitnesses.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty-Seven

In this episode of the PCM Podcast, Jim looks at the birth narrative of Jesus and examines the historical objections that are leveled by skeptics. Jim also takes a look at some of the articles that have been written recently about Tim Tebow and examines why Christians are so interested in the quarterback of the Denver Broncos.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty-Six

Have important ancient letters been removed from the New Testament Canon? If our current Bible is “smaller” than the Bible of the Church Fathers, how can we trust that we know the truth? Also, Jim addresses email related to Mormonism and his comments last week regarding to the use of the word, “cult”.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty-Five

In this episode, Jim examines the recent comments of Pastor Robert Jeffress who recently described Mormonism as a “cult”. Has this word lost its meaning in our culture? Is there some other way to effectively share our concerns about the distinctions between Christianity and Mormonism? Also, Jim looks at the claim that Hitler was a Christian. Can this be supported by history? What implications does Hitler’s view of Jesus have on our examination of those who claim to be Christians?

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty-Four

In this episode of the PCM Podcast, Jim comments on Sean McDowell’s recent review of David Kinnaman’s book entitled, “You Lost Me”. Kinnaman identified six reasons why young people are walking away from Christianity and these six points provide a foundation for those of us who want to reach the next generation for Christ. Jim also comments on Dennis Prager’s recent article, “Why Young Americans Can’t Think Morally,” and answers listener email related to science in the Bible.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty-Three

Are we inconsistent as Christians when we argue for the sanctity of life and oppose abortion, yet support the death penalty? Jim answers this question and addresses listener email related to the presence of the miraculous in the gospels. Jim also offers a strategy for defending Christianity when non-believers equate it with Islam and accuse both religions of promoting terrible violence.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty-Two

Jim answers listener email this week and reads an article about a local city’s effort to require a small group Bible study to obtain a permit prior to being able to meet in a home. Jim also addresses several atheist objections related to the morality of God, the relationship between faith and reason, and the reliability of the Bible.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty-One

If Christianity is true and virtuous, how can someone like Adolph Hitler call himself a “Christian”? How can there be so many radical Christian militia groups? Do people like Hitler and groups like these demonstrate that Christianity is just another mistaken worldview? Jim answers these questions and listener email related to the supernatural nature of the Bible and archeological evidence for the Exodus.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twenty

If the Christian God is the one true God, why is all of Christianity divided into so many denominations? In this podcast, Jim examines the “Problem of Christian Denominationalism” and answers listener email related to the topic. In addition, Jim reads and discusses Timothy Williamson’s opinion piece in the New York Times, entitled “What is Naturalism?” Can an investigation be in the “spirit of science” without employing the scientific method?

Podcast Number Two Hundred Nineteen

In this podcast, Jim examines the challenge offered by Bill Keller in his New York Times Article, “Asking Candidates Tougher Questions About Faith”. Keller’s challenge to political candidates is also an important test for those of us who want to be good ambassadors for Jesus.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Eighteen

In this podcast, Jim further explores the issue of same sex marriage in response to recent news headlines. Is there a logical slippery slope that begins as we redefine marriage? Why can’t society define marriage any way it wants? Can culture provide us with transcendent moral laws?

Podcast Number Two Hundred Seventeen

In this podcast, Jim answers listener email and talks about the hot topic issue of same sex marriage as related to politics and conservatism. Jim also discusses the fate of children who are too young to understand the Gospel, the appropriate age for baptism, and the possibility that the Resurrection of Jesus was simply a legend.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Sixteen

In this podcast, Jim responds to a variety of listener emails, including a response to the atheist objection that a loving God would never allow the premature death of 350 billion unborn humans. In addition, Jim talks a bit about Bayesian Inferences, the best questions to ask atheists, and how you can know when a decision is “beyond a reasonable doubt”.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Fifteen

In this podcast, Jim responds to listener email questioning the existence of a single moral absolute and the claim that moral absolutes are not described in the Bible. In addition, Jim responds to the assertion that the Early Church Fathers had a larger New Testament than we have today and the problem of miraculous embellishment in the Gospels. Finally, Jim responds to the concern that he has manipulated the PCM audience with an inaccurate definition of “evidence”.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Fourteen

In this podcast, Jim responds listener email questioning the adequacy of circumstantial evidence. Can we really trust circumstantial evidence or must we also have direct evidence to determine the truth of a matter? How does this apply to defending the Christian Worldview? When do we know we have enough evidence to make a decision? Jim examines the Casey Anthony trial (one more time) in an effort to understand “evidential sufficiency”.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Thirteen

In this podcast, Jim responds to the claim that Christianity is simply a worldview that was designed to control people (a claim offered at a recent Q and A session). In addition, Jim responds to two emails from atheists and discusses the expectation of Christian transformation and the appropriateness of Christian tattoos.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Twelve

In this podcast, Jim and Al discuss the recent Casey Anthony verdict and apply some of the basic principles of evidence to the discipline of Christian case making (apologetics). What can we learn from the trial and how can these lessons be applied to our own efforts to share the truth of the Christian Worldview?

Podcast Number Two Hundred Eleven

In this podcast, Jim examines the cultural definition of tolerance and responds to the objection that Christians are intolerant and judgmental. Jim also responds to listener email related to presuppositional apologetics, Christian ‘hypocrisy’ and approaches to teaching apologetics in the Church.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Ten

In this podcast, Jim describes the power and reliability of circumstantial evidence in making a case for the Christian Worldview. Drawing on examples from his work as a Cold Case Detective, Jim explains the cumulative power of circumstantial evidence. He also answers listener email related to the archaeological evidence for the Exodus, the nature of human conception related to the issue of abortion, the problem of evil and the importance of character.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Nine

In this podcast, Jim examines Christian “hypocrisy” and the proper definition of Biblical forgiveness as he reflects on his experience in Cold Case murder trials. How are we to respond when people claim that Christians are hypocrites? Are Christians called to forgive those who have victimized them, even when the offenders are unrepentant?

Podcast Number Two Hundred Eight

In this podcast, Jim celebrates the 4 year anniversary of the PleaseConvinceMe Podcast by airing an Atheist Roleplaying session conducted this week as part of a training session for a missions group heading to the UK Creation Fest in August. Jimmy sat in and posed as an atheist to help the students realize their need for apologetics training.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Seven

In this podcast, Jim examines the Calvinist TULIP paradigm and focuses on the notion of irresistible Grace. Does this theological concept eliminate human free will? If irresistible grace is true, how can God justly allow humans to suffer in Hell when it is within his power to change their nature and, therefore, their choices?

Podcast Number Two Hundred Six

In this podcast, Jim considers an appropriate response to false teachers and prophets in light of the Harold Camping episode (from his radio interview with John and Kathy from WORD FM). He also answers listener email related to irresistible grace and our duty to examine other theistic worldviews.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Five

In this podcast, Jim addresses the false prophecy of Harold Camping and answers a number of listener emails related to numerology and hidden codes in the Bible, Ray Comfort and the Way of the Master Ministry, Calvinism and election, and the reliability of the Gospels as eyewitness accounts.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Four

A Loving God would love all of His creation, right? Wouldn’t He make sure that everyone goes to Heaven (regardless of what they might believe in this life)? A loving God would never limit Heaven to a select few and allow billions of people to suffer in Hell, would He? Jim responds to these objections and answers listener email related to Christian “essentials”, the appropriate response to fallen teachers, the nature of “debate” as it relates to Richard Dawkins and William Lane Craig.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Three

If God is all-loving, why doesn’t he “reform” people rather than simply “punish” them in Hell? Skeptics sometimes argue that a God who simply punishes his children in Hell is a sadistic and vengeful God, unworthy of our worship. Jim responds to this objection and answers listener email related to the nature of “election”, the evidence for “annihilationism”, and a political quote related to same sex marriage.

Podcast Number Two Hundred Two

Isn’t it unfair for God to penalize people who are otherwise good, just because they haven’t heard about Jesus? A good God would not send good people to Hell. Jim responds to this objection and answers listener email related to the Craig/Harris debate, pre-existing mythologies that are similar to Jesus, and the difficult, exclusive nature of “election”.

Podcast Number Two Hundred One

In this podcast, Jim answers the objection that God would send people like Gandhi to Hell (simply because they are not Christians) alongside people like Hitler (who have committed unspeakable atrocities). How can a reasonable and just God be the source of such inequitable punishment? Also Jim answers listener email related to the power of prayer, the importance of evidential apologetics and the grounding for objective morality.

Podcast Number Two Hundred

A loving God would never create a place like Hell, would He? Any God that would send people to a place of punishment and torment is unloving by definition, right? In this podcast, Jim responds to these foundational objections to the existence of Hell. In addition, Jim comments on the Harris / Craig debate and answers listener email related to hearing God’s voice.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety-Nine

In the wake of Rob Bell’s new book, “Love Wins,” many people are beginning to question the nature and existence of Hell and how exactly God decides who must go there. For many, the idea that our temporal, finite sin on earth should deserve an eternal punishment of infinite torment in hell is ridiculously inequitable. Why would God torture infinitely those who have only sinned finitely? Jim addresses this objection and answers listener email.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety-Eight

Is God a liar? Is He the source of deceptive spirits? In this episode, Jim answers the skeptic’s objection that Yahweh lies or uses deceptive spirits to deceive people in the Bible. Jim also discusses Multiverse Theory and answers listener email related to Christian exclusivity and religious pluralism.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety-Seven

In this episode, Jim answers the classic question, “Can God create a stone so heavy that he cannot lift it?” What does “omnipotence” mean from the Biblical perspective of the Christian Worldview and does the Bible have anything to say about the nature of God that might make sense of the paradox? Also, Jim answers listener email about King David, war in the Old Testament, the danger of false teachers, the nature of the world prior to the Fall and whether or not Hitler was a Christian.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety-Six

In this episode, Jim discusses a common objection of non-believers and examines three reasons why someone might reject a truth claim. Jim also addresses the Rob Bell controversy briefly and describes the most important question you can ask your atheist friend.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety-Five

In this episode, Jim discusses the earthquake in Japan and considers a number of responses to the problem of natural evil presented by the event. In addition, Jim addresses the importance of ‘character’ in online discussions with atheists, and answers listener email related to the value and rights of animals.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety-Four

In this episode, Jim interviews James Boccardo, the author of an important new book, “Unsilenced – How to Voice the Gospel”. James discusses evangelism in a way that is inspiring and convicting as he describes an approach to apologetics that addresses the objections of non-believers in a direct, simple and powerful way. If you feel like you’re not doing enough to share your faith (and who doesn’t feel that way?), this book is foundational.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety-Three

In this episode of the PleaseConvinceMe Podcast, Jim reflects on his trip to UC Berkeley with Sean McDowell and Brett Kunkle. 30 Christian highschoolers considered the most pressing objections of atheists, talked with students on the campus and dialogued with atheist groups in Berkeley. Jim examines a few of the positions that were held by three speakers who addressed the group. Also, Jim reads listener email related to Adam and Eve and the difficulty one can have taking an ancient earth position.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety-Two

Unbelievers sometimes point to the story of Adam and Eve as just another example of Christian mythmaking. Without evidence for the ancient existence of Adam and Eve, the idea that all humanity emerged from a single pair of humans is primitive and preposterous. But does the emerging science of “evolutionary genetics” contradict or support the Biblical claim? Also, Jim discusses Harold Camping’s “end of the world” predictions, the early models of church leadership, and the importance of ‘character’ in apologetics.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety-One

Skeptics often argue that the Christian claim related to the “Virgin Conception” is so patently irrational and scientifically impossible that it disqualifies Christianity from any intelligent discourse. Is this true, or is there something else at the heart of the discussion that is contaminating a fair analysis to begin with? Jim addresses this objection to Christianity and answers listener email related to the relationship between faith and “works” and related to the “inerrancy” of Scripture.

Podcast Number One Hundred Ninety

Skeptics argue that Christians believe Christianity is true simply because they were raised in a Christian culture. If believers were raised in a Muslim culture (according to the skeptics), they would believe that Islam is true with the same passion and certainty they have for Christianity. Jim responds to this common objection and answers listener email related to the “hidden” nature of God, the pre-requisites of creation and dualism, and the evidence for a young earth.

Podcast Number One Hundred Eighty-Nine

All the supposed eyewitnesses of the life of Jesus were Christians. Why should we trust them when they were clearly biased? Jim answers this atheist objection, discusses a tactic to energize the teaching of apologetics in the Church and responds once again to listener email about young earth creationism.

Podcast Number One Hundred Eighty-Eight

In this podcast, Jim responds to an atheist objection related to the "hidden" nature of God. If God exists, why would he hide in the way that he apparently does? Why wouldn't God just come right out and make it obvious to everyone that He exists? Jim also answers listener email related to John Chapter 7, and responds to a listener who has doubts about the Genesis account and the age of the earth.

Podcast Number One Hundred Eighty-Seven

In this podcast, Jim reviews two episodes of "30 Days" and talks about media efforts to influence people who hold a Christian Worldview. Jim plays a number of clips from the show and discusses the power that media has to advance pluralism and relativism in our culture.

Podcast Number One Hundred Eighty-Six

January 10th, 2011

In this podcast, Jim takes a short sick leave (he's down with the flu) as he airs a past interview with Brett McCracken. Jim did this interview a few weeks ago when he was guest hosting the Stand to Reason Radio Show. Brett talks about the impact that the desire to be "hip" (or "cool") has on the character of the Church. What happens to the nature of Christianity when we seek to make it hip? Brett also talked about the nature of worship.

Podcast Number One Hundred Eighty-Five
The Top Ten Christian Trends of 2010 (and "Who Created God"?)

January 3rd, 2011

In this podcast, Jim examines the common atheist objection: "Who Created God"? Is there a reasonable response to this question? In addition, Jim takes a look at the top 10 Christian Trends of 2010 as identified by Charisma Magazine.