No free will??  This is an important topic, because how you think about free will affects how you read the Bible.  So, how do I approach this in my classes to get students to reconsider widely-held notions?  What are tests for free will?  What are some key words in the Bible to shed light on … Continue reading Podcast: Free will, part 1

We're aware the criticism from the world around us regarding the Bible.  How can we look at the arguments people have, and address them in a helpful way?  In this episode I share statements I typically make to my students to get them thinking and talking.   I mention Lee Strobel's book, The Case for Christ, … Continue reading Podcast: Why not the Bible?

In this series about questions we can ask to spur conversation, we've talked about worldviews and collaboration versus competition.  Now we consider some illustrations that can further explain worldviews, including: The coast guard A drowning person Physican/hospital Fasting at Panera Ambassadors and stewards This episode references my new book, The Parabolic Universe, which you can find here.   https://oembed.libsyn.com/embed?item_id=33458787

As we continue thinking about questions to ask students, and prompts to get them engaged in the classroom, this episode considers the ideas of collaboration versus competition.  Different avenues of converation can include: Consider various models where collaboration is used, versus those where competition is the driver. What are strategies we can use to resolve … Continue reading Podcast: Competition vs. Collaboration

This episode focuses on different prompts I introduce in my classes regarding worldview, including talking about where to start conversations and how to find common ground, as well as when to step back.   I refer to the Red Pyramid and Green Arc worldviews in this episode.  Here are the links  a visual of each model.  You can also learn … Continue reading Podcast: Worldview discussion prompts

There are certain topics/questions I introduce in all of my classes to set the tone and create an atmosphere where we are free to pursue the truth.  Something we discuss at the very beginning of the semester are the words of Jesus in Matthew 7 when He commands us to judge not.  What does that … Continue reading Podcast: Judging

In this episode, I share conversation starters I use in my university classes, especially at the beginning of a semester to set the tone for the class and what we'll be thinking about.  The intent of the questions has to do with the nature of students, what young people are like, and what captivates them.  … Continue reading Podcast: Questions I ask

In this episode, I share an exchange of ideas with a student who asked me about if Christians should be vegetarians.  We consider such things as: What are the different aspects of this question? What did Jesus say about diet? What should be our priorities, as Christians? What if, as Christians, we were less wasteful? … Continue reading Podcast: Should Christians be vegetarians?

What if all atheists are functionally believers in a god?  What if every human being according to our human nature is functionally atheist?  This episode explores what actually functions as god in people's lives, compared to the true and living God who regenerates our soul in the image of His own Son so that we … Continue reading Podcast: What about atheism?

In the final episode of this mini-series on the nature of salvation, we consider salvation as nutritional.   What does that mean?  It's something Jesus talked about all the time, but we never do.  Why?  How does it contrast with other ways to think about the nature of salvation?   Bible references made in this episode include … Continue reading Podcast: Is salvation nutritional?