Michael Easley inContext

Can we trust the Bible? From fulfilled prophecy and archaeological discoveries to ancient manuscripts and historical records, there are compelling reasons to take Scripture seriously.

In this episode of Michael Easley inContext, Michael sits down with Todd Hampson, author of The Apologetics Guide to Trusting the Bible, to explore six lines of evidence supporting the reliability of God's Word.

Todd explains why apologetics should be about more than winning arguments.

The goal is to remove barriers to belief, strengthen Christians' confidence in Scripture, and help others consider the claims of Jesus. Together, they discuss fulfilled prophecy, the Dead Sea Scrolls, archaeological discoveries, the historical evidence for Jesus, and the Bible's remarkable unity across authors, centuries, and cultures.

Whether you're a believer seeking to strengthen your faith or someone honestly examining Christianity's claims, this conversation offers an accessible introduction to the evidence for trusting the Bible.

In this episode:

- Why biblical apologetics should serve evangelism

- Six lines of evidence for the Bible's reliability

- Fulfilled prophecy and the predictions concerning Jesus

- Daniel's prophecies and successive world empires

- The Dead Sea Scrolls and the preservation of Scripture

- Archaeological discoveries involving David, the Hittites, Jericho, and other biblical figures and places

- Internal and external evidence for the Bible

- How ancient manuscripts support confidence in the biblical text

- What it means for Scripture to be God-breathed

- Why Christians should prioritize God's Word over sensational extra-biblical texts

Chapters

- 00:00 — Apologetics, faith, and removing barriers to belief

- 00:33 — Todd Hampson's journey into prophecy and ministry

- 04:45 — What is biblical apologetics, and why does it matter?

- 06:45 — Using evidence to strengthen faith and reach skeptics

- 08:55 — Creation, intelligent design, and the evidence for God

- 10:38 — Fulfilled prophecy as evidence for Scripture

- 12:38 — The statistical significance of Jesus' fulfilled prophecies

- 14:24 — Daniel's prophecies and the succession of empires

- 16:52 — The Dead Sea Scrolls and the preservation of Scripture

- 19:40 — Israel's dispersions and regathering in biblical prophecy

- 25:50 — Archaeology and the historical reliability of the Bible

- 29:47 — Biblical discoveries involving Hezekiah, Jericho, and David

- 35:41 — Internal and external evidence for the Bible

- 37:39 — How ancient manuscripts support biblical reliability

- 41:46 — Inspiration, inerrancy, and the authority of Scripture

- 43:07 — Extra-biblical texts and the sufficiency of God's Word

- 44:00 — Using apologetics as a tool for evangelism

Links Mentioned:

Todd’s books

The Apologetics Guide to Trusting The Bible by Todd Hampson

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Can pastors use artificial intelligence for sermon preparation without sacrificing biblical integrity, theological depth, or originality?

Michael Easley welcomes Dr. Charlie Boyd for a practical conversation about using AI as a research assistant for biblical preaching. They explore the risks of outsourcing sermon preparation, the value of establishing theological boundaries, and ways AI can help pastors research Scripture more efficiently.

Charlie shares his sermon preparation framework, including four essential conversations: listening to the text, listening to listeners, listening to the Spirit, and listening to Christ. He also explains how a preparation grid can help pastors develop a clear central idea, anticipate objections, incorporate application throughout a message, and evaluate their sermons.

The conversation goes beyond technology to address the purpose of preaching itself. Faithful preaching is not simply about communicating information or giving people rules to follow. It connects Scripture to the redemptive work of Christ and points believers toward the Spirit-enabled transformation that comes from abiding in Him.

IN THIS EPISODE

-Using AI as a research assistant rather than a sermon writer

-Protecting biblical integrity and theological convictions

-Building a sermon preparation and evaluation grid

-Developing a clear, text-driven big idea

-Anticipating listener questions and resistance

-Connecting biblical exposition to Christ’s redemptive work

-Moving beyond external rules toward inward transformation

-Practicing Scripture meditation and prayer for spiritual growth

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Can Pastors Use AI for Sermon Preparation?

03:26 — The Cautions and Dangers of AI in Preaching

05:06 — Is AI Research Cheating?

07:31 — Saving Research Time to Study Scripture More Deeply

10:17 — Listening to the Text and Developing the Big Idea

14:38 — Building a Sermon Preparation Grid

17:34 — Setting Theological Boundaries for AI

20:07 — Training AI to Understand Your Preaching Approach

22:35 — Integrity, Originality, and Giving Attribution

26:18 — Using AI to Discover Biblical Connections

29:16 — How to Set Up AI for Sermon Research

32:33 — Listening to Your Congregation and Anticipating Questions

38:42 — The Gospel Pivot and Grace-Based Application

43:19 — Refining Your AI-Assisted Preparation Process

46:40 — Abiding in Christ Rather Than Just Following Rules

48:56 — Scripture, Prayer, and Transformation from the Inside Out

53:40 — Praying Scripture and Renewing Your Mind

55:45 — Growth, Discipleship, and Becoming More Like Jesus

57:09 — Using AI to Make More Time for Meditation

Links Mentioned:

Dr. Boyd’s AI PDF 1

Dr. Boyd’s AI PDF 2

Dr. Boyd’s AI PDF 3

Scripture on AI by John Dyer

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

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What if one of the most important skills for following Jesus is something we rarely study: asking good questions?

Michael Easley sits down with J.R. Briggs, author of The Art of Asking Better Questions, to explore how our questions shape our relationships, spiritual maturity, and conversations with others.

J.R. explains why thoughtful questions are an expression of hospitality, how “shift responses” can turn conversations back toward ourselves, and why curiosity, wisdom, humility, and courage are essential for asking better questions.

The conversation also moves into a deeper question: What do we ask God when life hurts? J.R. shares a framework for moving from “Why did this happen?” toward asking what God may be forming in us through difficulty.

Most importantly, Michael and J.R. examine the questions of Jesus. Jesus asked more than 300 questions, often using questions to invite people into deeper reflection rather than simply giving them answers.

If you want to become a better listener, deepen your relationships, grow in spiritual maturity, or learn to engage people with greater curiosity and humility, this conversation will give you practical ways to start.

CHAPTERS

00:00 — Why We Should Study Jesus’ Questions

01:44 — Meet J.R. Briggs

03:56 — Living With Your Arrows Pointing Out

05:18 — Stop Asking Lazy Questions

06:48 — Shift Responses vs. Support Responses

08:46 — The Quality of Your Questions

09:59 — Asking Better Questions at Church

13:52 — Questions as Hospitality

15:04 — “Tell Me Your Story”

16:08 — The Connection Between Questions and Listening

17:16 — How Questions Engage the Brain

19:16 — The Questions God Asks

21:43 — Asking Better Questions in Pain

22:51 — From “Why?” to “What Is God Forming?”

25:44 — Does Spiritual Maturity Come With Age?

27:03 — What Do You Need to Unlearn?

30:21 — Wisdom Revealed Through Questions

31:20 — Studying the Questions of Jesus

34:01 — Questions That Keep Working After the Conversation

34:41 — The Art of Asking Better Questions

KEY TOPICS

• Asking better questions

• Jesus’ questions

• Listening well

• Curiosity, wisdom, humility, and courage

• Questions and spiritual maturity

• Faith in seasons of suffering

• Discipleship and community

• Hospitality through conversation

• Learning, unlearning, and relearning

• Loving others by keeping our “arrows pointing out”

Links Mentioned:

The Art of Asking Better Questions by Dr. J.R. Briggs

Dr. Briggs’ website

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

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What does sleep have to do with trusting God?

Michael Easley sits down with Brett McCracken, author of The Wisdom of Sleep, to explore why God designed us to sleep, what rest reveals about our dependence on Him, and how our technology-driven culture has changed the way we work and rest.

Sleep reminds us that we are creatures, not the Creator. We cannot always be working, producing, watching, or striving. At some point, we have to stop—and trust that God continues to provide while we rest.

Brett and Michael discuss the biblical wisdom of Psalm 127, the connection between sleep and Sabbath, the impact of phones and screens on rest, the dangers of blurred work-life boundaries, and why receiving sleep can point us toward the gospel of grace.

In a culture marked by anxiety and exhaustion, learning to rest may become a powerful way to live differently.

Key Topics Covered:

- Why God designed us to sleep

- Sleep as a reminder of our limitations

- Psalm 127 and anxious toil

- Rest and trusting God's provision

- Technology and disrupted sleep

- Work, productivity, and boundaries

- Sleep, Sabbath, and God's abundance

- Sleep as a picture of grace

- Becoming a countercultural witness through rest

Chapters:

00:00 — Welcome & The Wisdom of Sleep

02:23 — Why Talk About Sleep?

04:13 — Why Did God Design Us to Sleep?

06:35 — Sleep as a Reminder That We Are Creatures

08:34 — Is Sleep a Spiritual Discipline?

10:18 — Psalm 127 and Trusting God's Provision

11:21 — Why We Resist Rest

13:02 — How Sleep Affects Our Relationships

16:22 — Technology, Work, and Modern Rest

17:19 — How Screens Disrupt Sleep

20:07 — When Work Follows You Home

21:21 — Sleep as the “Chief Nourisher”

23:46 — Sleep, Resurrection, and the Gospel

24:43 — The Grace We Receive in Sleep

27:11 — Learning to Live Within God's Limits

30:04 — Sleep, Sabbath, and God's Abundance

32:21 — Becoming a Rested, Countercultural Witness

34:45 — Closing Thoughts

Links Mentioned:

Brett’s Website

The Wisdom of Sleep by Brett McCracken

What happens when the role that once defined you suddenly changes?

Michael Easley sits down with Ed Hatch, author of The Caleb Challenge, to discuss 9/11, military service, retirement, suffering, leadership, legacy, and what it means to finish strong.

Ed's experience in the military—including being at the Pentagon on September 11, 2001—forced him to reconsider what mattered most. That experience eventually shaped his understanding of transition and his work helping others navigate major changes in life.

Drawing from the life of Caleb, Ed describes transition as a process of release, refine, and re-enter. The wilderness wasn't wasted time. It was preparation.

Michael and Ed also discuss why retirement should not mean retiring from God's purposes, how suffering shapes us, and why our legacy should focus on equipping others to continue the mission.

Key Topics

-The impact of 9/11

-Military service and transition

-Retirement and purpose

-Caleb's example of perseverance

-Release, refine, and re-enter

-Suffering and spiritual growth

-Leadership and legacy

-Finishing strong

-Living for the line rather than the dot

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction and the 9/11 connection

02:35 – Ed's experience at the Pentagon on 9/11

06:19 – How 9/11 recalibrated what mattered

08:59 – Why Ed wrote The Caleb Challenge

12:43 – Change versus transition

13:45 – Caleb and finding God's purpose

16:08 – Release, refine, and re-enter

18:03 – Purpose beyond retirement

23:09 – Why transitions are difficult

23:59 – Suffering and spiritual transformation

29:58 – Navigating transition with biblical principles

32:55 – Love, live, lead, and leave a legacy

37:45 – Leading worthy and finishing strong

42:16 – Retirement isn't simply another job transfer

45:18 – The wilderness wasn't wasted time

49:08 – Living for the line, not the dot

50:42 – Final thoughts on The Caleb Challenge

Links Mentioned:

The Caleb Challenge by Ed Hatch

Watch the highlights and full version of this interview on our Youtube channel.

For more inContext interviews, click here.