Episodios

  • 159 - Lazy Approach to Evangelism with Eric Hernandez

    159 - Lazy Approach to Evangelism with Eric Hernandez
    Nov 1 2025
    Summary:
    In this episode, Brian and Chad talk with Christian apologist and evangelist **Eric Hernandez** about his book *The Lazy Approach to Evangelism: A Simple Guide for Conversing with Non-Believers*. Eric discusses how evangelism and apologetics intersect, why every believer is called to defend the faith, and how to engage with skeptics effectively and biblically.


    Key Topics Covered:
    * Eric’s philosophy of evangelism and how apologetics fits into it
    * The danger of emotion-based evangelism vs. truth-based evangelism
    * Understanding “strongholds” (2 Corinthians 10) as false ideas that block people from knowing God
    * Identifying and addressing major worldviews: postmodernism, scientism, and naturalism
    * Paul’s example of adapting to the audience (1 Corinthians 9:20–23)
    * “The Lazy Approach”: asking the right questions instead of having all the right answers
    * The importance of theological triage—keeping the main thing the main thing
    * Understanding the **burden of proof**, **rebuttals vs. refutations**, and **logical fallacies**
    * Using Colossians 4:5–6 as a biblical foundation for gospel conversations
    * How Jesus modeled effective apologetics with both compassion and precision
    * Encouragement for Christians who feel intimidated by evangelism or apologetics
    * Why apologetics isn’t optional—it’s commanded and part of loving God with all your mind

    Quotes:
    “If you’re not engaging in apologetics, you are in rebellious disobedience to the Word of God.” – Eric Hernandez
    
“You don’t need to know all the right answers; you need to learn how to ask the right questions.”
    
“Evangelism isn’t about winning arguments—it’s about tearing down strongholds.”

    Mentioned in This Episode:
    * *The Lazy Approach to Evangelism* by Eric Hernandez
    * Previous Apologetics315 episode: *Eric Hernandez on the Soul*
    * Greg Koukl – *Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions*
    * J. Gresham Machen on false ideas as the greatest obstacles to the gospel
    * 1 Peter 3:15; 2 Corinthians 10:4–5; Colossians 4:5–6

    Resources:
    * Book: *~[The Lazy Approach to Evangelism on Amazon](https://www.amazon.com/)~*
    * Eric Hernandez’s YouTube Channel: ~[Eric Hernandez Ministries]
    * Support Eric’s Ministry: Details and updates available via his upcoming newsletter and website relaunch

    Takeaway:

    Apologetics isn’t for specialists—it’s for every Christian. The “lazy” approach isn’t about being passive; it’s about being wise. Ask questions, listen well, keep the main thing the main thing, and let truth do the heavy lifting.


    ================================
    We appreciate your feedback.
    If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
    You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
    And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
    If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com
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    1 h y 1 m
  • 158 - Braxton Hunter and Online Apologetics

    158 - Braxton Hunter and Online Apologetics
    Oct 19 2025
    Guest: Braxton Hunter — President of Trinity College & Seminary, evangelist, apologist, host of Trinity Radio, debate partner with leading atheists including Matt Dillahunty and Dan Barker.
    Topics Covered

    Braxton’s background and conversion
    • Son of a megachurch pastor, early ministry exposure
    • Initial desire to be a rock musician before surrendering to ministry
    • Seminary training, pastoral and itinerant evangelistic ministry
    Shift toward apologetics
    • Need to answer skeptics in evangelism contexts
    • Classical apologetics and the “two-step” method (God → Christ)
    Family and priorities
    • Marriage, parenting teenage daughters
    • Intentional discipleship at home — prioritizing family over platform
    Origins and growth of Trinity Radio
    • Started as a simple audio response blog
    • Growth through debates (Dillahunty, Barker), collaboration with other creators
    • Unique chemistry with Jonathan Pritchett (“good cop / blunt cop” dynamic)
    The “Core Facts” initiative for churches
    • A two-day on-site training weekend using Braxton’s book Core Facts
    • Designed for ordinary church members to gain confidence and competence
    • Goal: launch sustainable apologetics groups inside local churches
    Approach to debate & online engagement
    • Winsome, pastoral tone—credible & charitable without compromise
    • “Win the person, not just the argument”
    • Strategic preparation and use of AI/thumbnails/titles for online ministry
    • Guidance for aspiring Christian content creators
    Behind the scenes of major debates
    • 8-month preparation for Matt Dillahunty debate
    • Note-taking strategy & rehearsing responses
    • Intentionally creating tone and rapport without ceding substance

    Referenced Resources
    Core Facts — Braxton Hunter (2nd edition)
    Trinity Radio (YouTube / Podcast)
    “Five Views on Apologetics” — Zondervan
    TalkAboutDoubts.org — pastoral/apologetic care for doubters

    ================================
    We appreciate your feedback.
    If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
    You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
    And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
    If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com
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    1 h y 9 m
  • 157 - Behold the Man with Peter S Williams

    157 - Behold the Man with Peter S Williams
    Jul 24 2025
    Summary
    In this episode, Brian Auten and Chad Gross welcome back philosopher and author **Peter S. Williams** to discuss his book, *Behold the Man: Essays on the Historical Jesus*. This engaging conversation explores the intersection of worldview, epistemology, and historical scholarship in the search for the real Jesus.

    Topics Covered:
    • The Structure and Purpose of Behold the Man
A collection of revised essays exploring various historical, philosophical, and theological dimensions of Jesus.

    • Worldviews and Historical Inquiry
How modernism, postmodernism, and the emerging metamodern perspective affect approaches to the historical Jesus.
    • Epistemology and Openness to Evidence
Why the worldview and theory of knowledge you bring impacts whether you can honestly assess historical claims about Jesus.

    • An Early High Christology in James
Peter argues for early Christian belief in Jesus’ divinity based on linguistic and contextual clues in the Epistle of James.

    • Dating the Gospels – Especially John
Examination of internal and external evidence supporting the traditional dating of the Fourth Gospel and its authorship by the Apostle John.

    • Miracles and the Resurrection
Responding to philosophical objections to miracles, with particular focus on David Hume and the resurrection as a historically reasonable belief.

    • Minimal Facts vs. Maximal Data Approaches
Comparison between Gary Habermas’s minimal facts method and broader evidential strategies in defending the resurrection.

    • Responding to UFO and Ancient Alien Theories
Why Christian apologists should engage with these alternative explanations, and how to challenge them both philosophically and scientifically.

    • Emotional Barriers to Belief
How personal experience and discomfort with change often block serious consideration of evidence—and how to engage that pastorally.

    • The Role of Apologetics in Spiritual Formation
Why apologetics is a signpost, not a substitute, for commitment to Christ. Knowing *about* Jesus is not the same as *following* Him.

    ================================
    We appreciate your feedback.
    If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
    You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
    And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
    If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com
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    1 h y 19 m
  • 156 - Old Testament Violence with Christopher Cloos

    156 - Old Testament Violence with Christopher Cloos
    Jun 2 2025
    Summary
    Chad Gross interviews Dr. Christopher Cloos about the challenging Old Testament violence texts and his recent debate with theologian Randal Rauser. They explore the complexities of interpreting these texts, the role of moral intuition, and the contrasting views of covenant virtue ethics and providential errancy theory.
    The conversation delves into how moral intuitions can inform biblical interpretation while also addressing the potential pitfalls of subjectivity in understanding scripture.
    They explore how moral intuition can be used to interpret scripture, the implications of difficult passages, and the importance of engaging with differing views charitably. The conversation also highlights resources for further learning in this area.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Apologetics and Old Testament Violence
    03:02 Dr. Cloos’ Background and Interest in Old Testament Texts
    06:06 Debate Overview: Rauser vs. Cloos on Biblical Violence
    08:47 Understanding Moral Intuition in Biblical Interpretation
    11:55 Covenant Virtue Ethics vs. Providential Errancy Theory
    14:54 The Role of Moral Intuition in Exegesis
    17:53 Concerns About Subjectivity in Interpretation
    20:50 Using Jesus as a Tool for Interpretation
    25:58 Epistemic Circularity and Moral Intuition
    32:28 Covenant Virtue Ethics and Difficult Texts
    40:02 The Role of Hyperbole in Ancient Texts
    48:10 Engaging with Different Views Charitably
    53:42 Resources for Further Learning
    ================================
    We appreciate your feedback.
    If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
    You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
    And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
    If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com
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    56 m
  • 155 - Virtue and Endurance with Sabrina Little

    155 - Virtue and Endurance with Sabrina Little
    May 24 2025
    Summary

    Brian Auten interviews ultra runner and philosopher Sabrina B. Little. They explore the intersection of endurance sports and ethics, discussing how running can cultivate virtue, expose vice, and serve as a training ground for character development.
    Sabrina shares her journey from philosophy to ultra running, emphasizing the importance of discipline and habit in forming virtues. The conversation delves into the complexities of virtue and vice, the role of sports in moral formation, and the life lessons learned through endurance racing.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to Endurance and Ethics
    02:07 Sabrina's Journey: From Philosophy to Ultra Running
    08:44 Virtue Development Through Endurance Sports
    15:16 The Spectrum of Virtue and Vice
    19:09 Habit, Discipline, and Character Formation
    23:00 Life Lessons from Endurance Racing
    25:03 Training for Life: The Christian Race
    28:11 Spiritual Disciplines: The Workout for Character
    30:29 Lessons from the Desert Fathers
    32:41 Understanding Intransigence in Perseverance
    36:01 The Balance of Perseverance and Prudence
    40:57 Navigating Competitiveness in Athletics
    45:15 Character Development Beyond Sports
    46:46 Influential Thinkers and Resources

    Sabrina Little’s Book:
    The Examined Run: Why Good People Make Better Runners
    https://www.amazon.com/Examined-Run-People-Better-Runners/dp/0197678696

    https://www.sabrinalittle.com
    ================================
    We appreciate your feedback.
    If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
    You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
    And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
    If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com
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    50 m
  • 154 - Young Earth with Marcus Ross

    154 - Young Earth with Marcus Ross
    May 17 2025
    Summary
    In this episode of the Apologetics 315 podcast, hosts Brian Auten and Chad Gross speak with Dr. Marcus Ross, a prominent figure in the Young Earth Creationism debate.
    They explore Dr. Ross's background, his journey in paleontology, and the challenges faced by Young Earth Creationists. The conversation delves into the historical context of Young Earth Creationism, the evidence supporting it, and the importance of open dialogue in understanding differing perspectives on creation and evolution.

    Chapters
    00:00 - Introduction to Apologetics 315 Podcast
    08:30 - Interview with Dr. Marcus Ross
    17:46 - Dr. Ross's Background and Education
    18:15 - Understanding Young Earth Creationism
    35:02 - Evidence for Young Earth Creationism
    39:17 - The Dynamics of Scientific Discourse
    41:13 - Exploring Radioactive Dating and Young Earth Hypotheses
    53:31 - Young Earth Creationism and Scientific Methodology
    58:30 - Interpreting the Fossil Record Through a Young Earth Lens
    01:11:01 - Dinosaurs and the Young Earth Perspective
    01:16:43 - Punctuated Equilibrium and Paleontology
    01:19:07 - Interpreting Data and Scriptural Context
    01:23:21 - The Starting Point of Interpretation
    01:30:46 - The Challenge of Young Earth Creationism
    01:37:51 - Exploring Views on Creation and Salvation
    01:44:10 - Collaboration Between Young and Old Earth Creationists
    01:52:15 - Resources for Young Earth Creationism
    ================================
    We appreciate your feedback.
    If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
    You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
    And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
    If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com
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    2 h
  • 153 - Case Files with Jimmy and J Warner Wallace

    153 - Case Files with Jimmy and J Warner Wallace
    Apr 14 2025
    Episode Summary:
    In this episode of the Apologetics 315 Podcast, hosts Brian Auten and Chad Gross welcome back J. Warner Wallace and his son Jimmy Wallace to discuss their new graphic novel, 'Case Files: Murder and Meaning.'

    The conversation explores their journey into comic books, the collaborative process of creating a graphic novel, and the themes of identity and value within the context of law enforcement. They also discuss the challenges of balancing Christian and secular perspectives in storytelling, aiming to create a narrative that resonates with a diverse audience.

    In this conversation, the speakers delve into the complexities of identity, particularly within the context of law enforcement and the creative process behind their graphic novel. They discuss the importance of apologetics in storytelling, the challenges of character development, and the impact of fiction on moral understanding. The dialogue also touches on the future of their series and the hope of reaching both Christian and non-Christian audiences through their work.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guests
    03:09 The Journey into Comic Books
    05:49 Creating a Graphic Novel: The Collaboration
    09:11 Exploring Themes of Identity and Value
    11:50 Balancing Christian and Secular Perspectives
    14:54 The Challenges of Writing for Diverse Audiences
    20:27 Struggles of Identity in Law Enforcement
    22:28 The Role of Apologetics in Fiction
    24:40 Creative Process in Graphic Novels
    26:48 Character Development and Artistic Vision
    30:11 Exploring Meaning in Life and Death
    34:45 The Impact of Fiction on Moral Development
    38:41 Future Directions for the Series

    ================================
    We appreciate your feedback.
    If you’re on X, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
    You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
    And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
    If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com
    Más Menos
    47 m
  • 152 - Rational Faith - part 1

    152 - Rational Faith - part 1
    Apr 2 2025
    Episode Summary:
    In this episode of the Apologetics 315 podcast, hosts Brian Auten and Chad Gross discuss the book “Rational Faith” by Stephen T. Davis. They explore the unique approach Davis takes in defending Christianity, emphasizing humility in apologetics and the rational basis for faith. The conversation covers various themes including theistic evolution, the reliability of the Gospels, and arguments for the resurrection of Jesus. The hosts appreciate Davis's ability to present complex ideas in an accessible manner, making a case for Christianity that is both thoughtful and engaging.

    Chapters
    00:00 Introduction
    00:48 Overview of “Rational Faith” by Stephen T. Davis
    02:59 Unique Approach to Apologetics
    06:10 Humility in Apologetics
    09:01 Theistic Evolution and Christianity
    11:56 Faith and Reason in Christianity
    15:05 Cosmological Arguments for God's Existence
    17:52 The Reliability of the Gospels
    21:03 The Resurrection of Jesus
    34:42 Conclusion and Future Discussions
    ================================
    We appreciate your feedback.
    If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.
    You can follow Brian @TheBrianAuten
    And of course, you can follow @Apologetics315
    If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at podcast@apologetics315.com
    Más Menos
    39 m