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#340 Apologetics Isn't a Dirty Word: What Everyone Gets Wrong, with Douglas Groothuis
Today I’m joined by philosopher and veteran apologist Dr. Douglas Groothuis to tackle the biggest misconceptions about Christian apologetics—what it is (and isn’t), why it matters for evangelism and discipleship, and how to respond when critics dismiss apologetics as mere talking points. We unpack methods (classical/evidential vs. presuppositional), the role of evidence and story, why humility and love are non-negotiable, and how everyday Christians can give reasons for the hope within them with both gentleness and respect.Along the way, I share updates: a new Unshaken Faith episode where Natasha and I review Jen Hatmaker’s Awake, the release of my Another Gospel?—Student Edition (with new discussion questions and side notes), and details on our final Unshaken Conference of the year in the Dallas area on November 8.------------------------------------------------------------------This video is sponsored by:BRAVE BOOKSEntertainment that Engages the Imagination for Good. Go to www.bravebooks.com/childers for more informationUse my code: CHILDERSSEVEN WEEKS COFFEETaste the Coffee that is Saving Lives.Go to www.sevenweekscoffee.com for more information.Use my code: ALISA--------------------------------------------------------------------To Purchase the new CD, “Beauty from the Ash”, go to www.alisachilders.com/musicThere you can get the CD, backing tracks, string charts, rhythm charts and stems.Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/alisachildersTo order “Another Gospel”: www.alisachilders.com/another-gospel/To order “Live Your Truth": www.alisachilders.com/live-your-truth-and-other-lies/To order “The Deconstruction of Christianity”: https://alisachilders.com/the-deconstruction-of-christianity/For Alisa's Merch: https://alisachilders.creator-spring.comTo see what gear Alisa uses to record her podcast, go to:https://kit.co/alisachildersPotential Sponsors: https://alisachilders.com/sponsor-request-form/Product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
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#339 The Dark Side of Deliverance: Pagan Roots and Spiritual Abuse, with Anna Kitko
In today's conversation, Alisa Childers is joined by Anna Kitko—a researcher and clinical expert on spiritual abuse—to unpack the historical, biblical, and psychological roots of deliverance ministry. Together they explore how many of today’s practices trace back not to Scripture, but to ancient pagan rituals, and how that can lead to deep spiritual and emotional harm for sincere Christians seeking help.Drawing from her research into ancient Akkadian medicine, Second Temple Judaism, and modern charismatic movements, Anna explains that Jesus’ exorcisms were unique precisely because only Yahweh Himself could command evil spirits. Alisa and Anna also discuss:The four ancient categories of “demons” and what they reveal about how we understand possessionWhy much of deliverance ministry functions like spiritualized mental-health care—without accountability or clinical ethicsThe concept of iatrogenic harm (when “healing” practices actually wound people)How Bethlehem’s “SOZO” prayer model parallels ancient pagan rituals and can lead to spiritual abuseWhat true, biblical deliverance and spiritual warfare look like—prayer, truth, and faithfulness under Christ’s authority aloneThis episode is a sober but deeply encouraging reminder: Christians are delivered when they trust in Christ and are delivered from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God. ------------------------------------------------------------------This video is sponsored by:RANGE LEATHERAmerican-Made Craftsmanship from WyomingGo to www.rangeleather.com for more informationUse my code: ALISAA'DEL NATURAL COSMETICSElevate your skincare routine with A'del's toxin-free cosmetics. Experience the difference in quality and purity. Go to www.adelnaturalcosmetics.com for more information. Use my code: ALISA FOUNDATION WORLDVIEWFoundation Worldview creates curriculum series that will empower your child to thinkBiblically in a deceptive world. Go to www.foundationworldview.com for more information! Use my code: ALISA--------------------------------------------------------------------To Purchase the new CD, “Beauty from the Ash”, go to www.alisachilders.com/musicThere you can get the CD, backing tracks, string charts, rhythm charts and stems.Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/alisachildersTo order “Another Gospel”: www.alisachilders.com/another-gospel/To order “Live Your Truth": www.alisachilders.com/live-your-truth-and-other-lies/To order “The Deconstruction of Christianity”: https://alisachilders.com/the-deconstruction-of-christianity/For Alisa's Merch: https://alisachilders.creator-spring.comTo see what gear Alisa uses to record her podcast, go to:https://kit.co/alisachildersPotential Sponsors: https://alisachilders.com/sponsor-request-form/Product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
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#338 The Discreditation Machine: 6 Manipulative Tactics to Silence Truth, with Megan Basham
When journalist and author Megan Basham released her book Shepherds for Sale, the evidence she uncovered should have sparked healthy reform and accountability within evangelical institutions. Instead, she watched the entire “Big Evangelical” infrastructure mobilize—using back-room tactics, social pressure, and selective outrage—to discredit her and convince pastors not to read her work.In this deeply revealing conversation, Alisa Childers and Megan expose the six manipulative tactics that often appear when someone dares to speak truth that challenges powerful networks within the church: 1. Prediscreditation – discrediting before you speak. 2. Moralizing dismissal ("Not our thing, Dear!") 3. Shunning and platform pressure. 4. Seizing on minor errors to discredit the whole. 5. Emotional outrage and tone policing. 6. Misusing Matthew 18 to silence public critique.Megan also shares a personal update on her battle with stage 3 colon cancer, how God sustained her through the storm, and why she continues to stand firm for truth despite enormous backlash.Whether you’ve faced rejection for speaking biblical truth in your own church or just want to understand how the “discreditation machine” operates, this episode will equip you to stand firm with courage and biblical clarity. ------------------------------------------------------------------This video is sponsored by:BRAVE BOOKSEntertainment that Engages the Imagination for Good. Go to www.bravebooks.com/childers for more informationUse my code: CHILDERSGOOD RANCHERSAmerican Meat DeliveredGo to www.goodranchers.com/alisa for more information.Back to the Table: https://pitch.com/v/back-to-the-table-for-partners-t346uj Use my code: ALISASEVEN WEEKS COFFEETaste the Coffee that is Saving Lives.Go to www.sevenweekscoffee.com for more information.Use my code: ALISA--------------------------------------------------------------------To Purchase the new CD, “Beauty from the Ash”, go to www.alisachilders.com/musicThere you can get the CD, backing tracks, string charts, rhythm charts and stems.Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/alisachildersTo order “Another Gospel”: www.alisachilders.com/another-gospel/To order “Live Your Truth": www.alisachilders.com/live-your-truth-and-other-lies/To order “The Deconstruction of Christianity”: https://alisachilders.com/the-deconstruction-of-christianity/For Alisa's Merch: https://alisachilders.creator-spring.comTo see what gear Alisa uses to record her podcast, go to:https://kit.co/alisachildersPotential Sponsors: https://alisachilders.com/sponsor-request-form/Product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
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#337 Dominionism, Third-Way, and the Christian Right: A Friendly Debate, with Jesse Westwood
Is deeper political engagement faithfulness—or a fast track to compromise? In this candid conversation, Alisa and Jesse Westwood (Faith Reframed) wrestle with Christian political involvement in the wake of recent events, the rise of Christian nationalism, and the stealthy influence of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR).From Jesse’s Anabaptist “two-kingdom” convictions to Alisa’s case for principled engagement, you’ll hear vigorous disagreement—and real agreement—on essentials: the sufficiency of Scripture, the danger of dominionism (NAR’s “Seven Mountain Mandate”), and why bad theology hurts people. They also distinguish classic postmillennialism from dominionist projects, talk early-church witness, co-belligerence, and why placing political victory over biblical doctrine is a dead end.------------------------------------------------------------------This video is sponsored by:FOUNDATION WORLDVIEWFoundation Worldview creates curriculum series that will empower your child to thinkBiblically in a deceptive world. Go to www.foundationworldview.com for more information! Use my code: ALISAGOOD RANCHERSAmerican Meat DeliveredGo to www.goodranchers.com/alisa for more information.Back to the Table: https://pitch.com/v/back-to-the-table-for-partners-t346uj Use my code: ALISA--------------------------------------------------------------------To Purchase the new CD, “Beauty from the Ash”, go to www.alisachilders.com/musicThere you can get the CD, backing tracks, string charts, rhythm charts and stems.Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/alisachildersTo order “Another Gospel”: www.alisachilders.com/another-gospel/To order “Live Your Truth": www.alisachilders.com/live-your-truth-and-other-lies/To order “The Deconstruction of Christianity”: https://alisachilders.com/the-deconstruction-of-christianity/For Alisa's Merch: https://alisachilders.creator-spring.comTo see what gear Alisa uses to record her podcast, go to:https://kit.co/alisachildersPotential Sponsors: https://alisachilders.com/sponsor-request-form/Product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
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#336 John Cooper Goes Off on Third-Waysim: Is the West Worth Saving?
After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a lot of masks slipped. In this no-fluff conversation, Alisa sits down with John Cooper (Skillet) to unpack why so many Christian leaders waffle, what “third-wayism” really is, and how subtle, academic-sounding concepts like standpoint epistemology are eroding biblical authority and Western civilization itself.They trace the ideas, test them against Scripture, and tackle hard questions: Is “neutrality” real? Why does third-wayism always drift left on abortion and justice? How should pastors lead without playing “footsy-cakes” with the culture? Plus: a practical framework for discernment (fear of God over fear of man), why many “normies” are done outsourcing their thinking to evangelical elites, and a hopeful look at what God is doing in this cultural moment.------------------------------------------------------------------This video is sponsored by:SEVEN WEEKS COFFEETaste the Coffee that is Saving Lives.Go to www.sevenweekscoffee.com for more information.Use my code: ALISAFOUNDATION WORLDVIEWFoundation Worldview creates curriculum series that will empower your child to thinkBiblically in a deceptive world. Go to www.foundationworldview.com for more information! Use my code: ALISA--------------------------------------------------------------------To Purchase the new CD, “Beauty from the Ash”, go to www.alisachilders.com/musicThere you can get the CD, backing tracks, string charts, rhythm charts and stems.Support us on Patreon: www.patreon.com/alisachildersTo order “Another Gospel”: www.alisachilders.com/another-gospel/To order “Live Your Truth": www.alisachilders.com/live-your-truth-and-other-lies/To order “The Deconstruction of Christianity”: https://alisachilders.com/the-deconstruction-of-christianity/For Alisa's Merch: https://alisachilders.creator-spring.comTo see what gear Alisa uses to record her podcast, go to:https://kit.co/alisachildersPotential Sponsors: https://alisachilders.com/sponsor-request-form/Product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something we'll receive a small commission.
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1:52:19