I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

Did Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John really write the Gospels? Or were these books actually anonymous from the beginning? And if they were, what would that mean for Christianity?
This week, Frank sits down with New Testament scholar Dr. Mike Licona to unpack his latest debate with Bart Ehrman, one of the world's best-known New Testament skeptics. What did Mike actually agree with Bart on? And where does he think Bart leans too heavily on speculation instead of the historical evidence? Together, they unpack Bart's biggest objections and tackle questions like:

Why does Bart Ehrman think the Gospels are anonymous, and is he right?
Why does it matter who wrote the Gospels?
What if the Gospel writers weren't eyewitnesses?
Were the Gospel writers really too uneducated to write the Gospels?
Why are the Gospels considered Greco-Roman biographies instead of Jewish literature?
What role did secretaries play in the ancient world, and does that affect authorship?
What's the surprising connection between Sojourner Truth and the Gospel writers?

Whether you've followed Bart Ehrman's work for years or you're hearing these objections for the first time, this episode takes you inside one of the biggest debates surrounding the New Testament.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!
Donate to CrossExamined.org - https://donor.crossexamined.org/

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Bart Ehrman vs. Mike Licona Debate: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTCPigOQabY
Mike’s Website: https://www.risenjesus.com/
Online Course: Did Jesus Rise from the Dead? - https://www.onlinechristiancourses.com/did-jesus-rise-from-the-dead/
Online Course: The Bible You Never Knew - https://bit.ly/4vFWkpQ
Mike’s Book: https://a.co/d/08FK1q0h

When did "just asking questions" become enough to convict someone in the court of public opinion?
This week, Frank takes a closer look at several claims made by Candace Owens surrounding Charlie Kirk's murder and asks a simple question: What does the evidence actually show? Frank responds to listener emails about the alleged discrepancies in his account of the September 10th events and addresses the so-called CPR contradiction. He explains why possibilities, coincidences, and speculation should never be confused with proof. This episode will tackle questions like:

Why do minor differences between eyewitness accounts often strengthen rather than weaken credibility?
What makes evidence different from speculation, suspicion, or "gut feelings"?
How does confirmation bias keep people believing weak arguments?
How have logical fallacies fueled conspiracy theories surrounding Charlie's murder?
Has Candace Owens been consistent in the claims she's made?
Why do accusations without evidence undermine both justice and the pursuit of truth?
What does Occam's Razor suggest about the most likely explanation based on the available evidence?
What do we currently know about Tyler Robinson and the upcoming trial?
How does Satan wage war against reality by promoting lies over truth?
What manipulation tactics are being used to keep people tuning in?

This conversation isn't about silencing honest questions. It's about refusing to let speculation replace evidence, no matter who makes the claim.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode (video clips in order of appearance):
Candace’s Podcast Episode containing CPR Allegations - https://www.youtube.com/live/sKuYLNx3iRo?si=OG7MLsT-JJZkOJo6
First Compilation Video from Nathan Livingstone - https://x.com/TheMilkBarTV/status/2038471993813844008
Second Compilation Video from Nathan Livingstone - https://x.com/TheMilkBarTV/status/2070406164756808101
Jeremy Boreing Video - https://www.youtube.com/shorts/uwlV1BdONSU
Donate to CrossExamined.org
Cold Case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace -https://a.co/d/02jM6ANO
The War on Reality: Recovering Truth in a World That Celebrates Lies -https://thewaronreality.com/
PastorsBrief.com -https://pastorsbrief.com
America 250 Guide - https://crossexamined.org/america250

Earlier this week, historian Bill Federer joined Frank to explore the biblical ideas that shaped the foundation of America. In this follow-up conversation, Bill returns to bring the Declaration of Independence's most influential figures to life through their faith, their sacrifices, and the extraordinary stories of divine providence that many believed shaped America's fight for independence. Join Frank and Bill as they answer questions like:

Who was John Witherspoon and what role did he play in America's fight for independence?
What role did different denominations play in the formation of the 13 original colonies?
How can we sum up Judeo-Christian Western civilization in America using only one word?
Why do some people claim that it was a miracle (at least providential) how traitor Benedict Arnold was caught?
What happened after the Battle of Cowpens in 1781 that had even a British officer calling the rising and falling waters that aided the Americans “almost miraculous”?
What happened to Richard Stockton, Carter Braxton, and the rest of the 56 Founding Fathers?
What sacrifices did the Founding Fathers make after signing the Declaration of Independence and what ultimate price did some of them pay?
What's the shocking history of British starving ships?
What can we learn from the Founders' courage and convictions as we seek to preserve the freedoms they fought so hard to secure?

John Adams once wrote, "Posterity, you will never know how much it costs the present generation to preserve your freedom. I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in heaven that I ever took half the pains to preserve it." We need to preserve it, ladies and gentlemen, and the way you can do that is get informed and to stand up. Go to AmericanMinute.com, sign up for Bill's fabulous email, and check out his books in the list of resources below!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
American Minute - https://americanminute.com/
Miracles in American History by Susie & Bill Federer - https://americanminute.com/collections/printed-books/products/miracles
America's God and Country - Encyclopedia of Quotations by Bill Federer - https://bit.ly/4eByLIK
The Independence Day American Minute with Bill Federer - https://bit.ly/445TEpq
‘The War on Reality’ PREORDER NOW to receive your bonuses! - https://thewaronreality.com/

How did America REALLY begin? As the United States approaches its 250th anniversary, claims that the Founding Fathers were mostly deists and that Christianity had little influence on America's founding have become increasingly common. But does the historical record support those claims, or are misinformed pundits trying to rewrite our past while jeopardizing our future?

Joining Frank to set the record straight is the one-and-only, Bill Federer, author and founder of American Minute. Together, Frank and Bill unpack the biblical ideas that shaped America's founding, explore what made the American experiment so revolutionary, and examine why so many misconceptions about the Founders persist today. Tune in as they answer questions like:

Who was the first globalist in the history of the world according to the Bible?
Why did the founders want to escape the ruling of King George?
Where did America's Founders get the idea that they could rule themselves without a king?
How was this idea different from the Roman Republic?
Do our rights come from God or the government?
How do we know the founders were Bible-believing Christians and not deists?
Who pioneered the concept of different Christian denominations living together in the same geographic area?
What event led up to the first Continental Congress?
What makes America's constitutional republic so unique in world history?
What did Benjamin Franklin REALLY think about Christianity?

This conversation is only the beginning! Bill returns on Friday's episode to share astonishing stories of God's providence throughout American history--from unlikely victories to moments that seem almost impossible to explain. If you enjoy discovering the surprising ways God works through history, you don't want to miss Part 2 of this fascinating series!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
Miracles in American History by Susie & Bill Federer - https://americanminute.com/collections/printed-books/products/miracles
America's God and Country - Encyclopedia of Quotations by Bill Federer - https://bit.ly/4eByLIK
‘The War on Reality’ PREORDER NOW to receive your bonuses! - https://thewaronreality.com/

What are the consequences when a charming, seminary-trained politician misquotes Scripture and how can we discern biblical truth from error? Frank welcomes Ryan Crews, a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and CrossExamined Board Member, to examine the twisted theology of Texas State Representative James Talarico, who's currently running for the U.S. Senate.

Using Talarico's own words and video clips (not secondhand claims), Frank and Ryan compare his teachings with Scripture and explain why many of his views cross the line from theological error into outright heresy. In this episode, they'll answer questions like:

Should Christians call out false teachers?
Which seminary is James Talarico attending and what are their beliefs?
What does James Talarico get right and what does he get wrong?
Why are atheists easier to understand compared to someone who claims to be a Christian but pours different meaning into what's written in the Bible?
Did Jesus ever ask to be worshipped or claim to be God?
What is one of Jesus' biggest "mic-drop" moments in the Gospels?
Do humans have a divine nature because we're made in the image of God?
Is the Resurrection of Jesus just an allegorical story?
Is the Bible silent on abortion?

Before Christians allow any public figure to influence their understanding of Jesus, Scripture, or politics, they should first investigate whether that person's teaching aligns with the Word of God. Tune in to hear the receipts as Frank and Ryan examine Talarico's own words in light of Scripture.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
Who Do You Say That I Am, James Talarico? Part 1 by Ryan Crews - https://bit.ly/4uUpRel
The Incarnate Christ and His Critics - https://a.co/d/0bgsf35u
‘The War on Reality’ PREORDER NOW to receive your bonuses! - https://thewaronreality.com/
Pastors Brief - https://crossexamined.org/pastors-brief/