The Christian Optimist

We all witnessed something that had hadn't happened since the war of 1812 when citizens took over the Capitol building. How are we as Christians to respond. Pastor Raef tackles this sensitive topic in the season premier of The Christian Optimist. 

What is apologetics, and why are we called to know it? Pastor Raef is joined this week with the founder of The Think Institute - Joel Settecase; and they breakdown the importance of apologetics and the different kinds there are.  

We see them on corners and our front doors, but do we really understand Jehovah's Witnesses? Are they a denomination of the Christian Church or are they a cult? Pastor Raef goes deep into the history of the Jehovah's Witness and highlights the key differences between Christianity and their faith.  

With us entering Advent, Pastor Raef shares an encouraging devotional to prepare your for this Christmas season. Plus, Raef breaks down one of the most unique verses in the Old Testament. 

This week, Pastor Raef tackles the topic of The Moral Dilemma by interacting with a video in which Richard Dawkins attempts to answer the Moral Dilemma from an atheistic worldview. We'll discover not only why atheism has no foundation to make moral claims, but why Christianity stands above all other worldviews when it comes to this topic.  

Part 1: When Christian Leaders Have Moral Failure Another well known Christian leader is removed from the pulpit due to moral failure. How should Christians respond? And what can the Church do to protect against future failures like this? Part 2: Was Jesus a Wizard Pastor Raef breaks down a recent  article at Yahoo asking if Jesus was just a wizard? Other figures in history seem to be able to do t...

This week Pastor Raef talks about why raising a child in a Christian household takes on a different responsibility than the rest of the world, and why one Supreme Court ruling may effect the future of Christian religious liberty surrounding foster care and adoption in America. 

This week Pastor Raef discusses the process of deciding how to host church services indoors as weather gets colder, and how John MacArthur's call to action is sparking a nation wide debate with church leaders around the country. We also take a look into Chris Pratt's outspoken faith has highlighted a bigger issue in media and our current culture. 

Pastor Raef discusses one of the most controversial documentaries on Netflix - The Social Dilemma; and then shares how Bill Nye uses everything but science when it comes to the topic of abortion.   

This week Pastor Raef breaks down 3 questions from recent sermons (linked below) in the first edition of Quick Fire Q & A. Then he breaks down a Ted Talk from Atheist, Sam Harris, and how it makes Atheism look silly. Sermons: Romans 13: God's Plan for Earthly Government: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/park-south-loop/id1373252611?i=1000492668282 Romans 9: The Doctrine of Unconditio...

What is logic, why does math work, and what do both of these things have to do with the character of God? We tackle this and more on the debut episode of The Christian Optimist.