AUTHENTIC with Shawn Boonstra

One of the most stunningly prophetic passages in Scripture has been mangled by modern Christians. Time to reconstruct a tapestry: Shawn Boonstra traces the beautiful threads that tie the Temple, Israel, and Messiah her Prince all together.

Have you ever heard someone say that the stories in the Bible are just a rip-off of older pagan documents? On this week’s Authentic episode, host Shawn Boonstra explores some of those claims comparing the Jesus we find in the Bible to the heroes and gods of the pagans.

What do you imagine when you think of the devil? A lot of people think he's a red-skinned monster with horns, sharp teeth, and a pitchfork. But it turns out that image is rooted in pagan mythology—not the Bible. In this episode, AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra talks about what the devil really looks like and why you should care.

Losing someone to death can be heartbreaking, especially if that person was young. And it's far from rare: studies show young Americans are TWICE as likely to die as their counterparts in other developed nations, like Germany, France, and Japan. The mortality rate for U.S. babies is scarily high, too. How do we cope? AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra says there is something we can do to help make thes...

If you didn't see it, hear it, or feel it yourself—did it REALLY happen? Learn how your experiences and the way you rely on them can trick you when it comes to miracles. Join Shawn Boonstra as he takes a closer look at famous philosopher David Hume, who didn't believe in miracles. This week's episode of AUTHENTIC will make you think a little differently about the world around you!

Is it possible for miracles to be scientifically proven? Join Shawn Boonstra on this week's episode of AUTHENTIC as he explores one of history's most influential philosophers, David Hume, and his controversial view on miracles. There's plenty to discuss at this fascinating intersection of philosophy, religion, and science—don't miss this week's show!

Churches risk losing their way when they prioritize business and marketing strategies over their core mission. They may be filling the pews, but in the process they're unintentionally compromising the message they stand for. This episode of AUTHENTIC with Shawn Boonstra explores the dangers of putting church growth and popularity ahead of Gospel truth.

Do you really control every decision you make? There’s an increasing number of people who believe that free will is only an illusion—that the decisions you make today are solely caused by events from your past. In this episode, AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra discusses research from neuroscientist Benjamin Libet and the determinism of Dutch-Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza. It's a deep dive into th...

Your life is finite: you'll live and die, having occupied a limited space for a limited amount of time. But in the end, we all seem to sense that there’s something infinite to grab hold of. Where does it take us? This week on AUTHENTIC, Shawn Boonstra peers into the beyond.

Lots of people talk about Jesus' miracles—whether they did or didn't happen. Christians believe they were real. But what's important is that the miracles are not the reason one believes. They're not the foundation of Christian faith. AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra explains how the story of Jesus as Messiah stands strong regardless of the supernatural signs and wonders He performed.

More and more people in North America seem to believe the Bible is a book that oppresses humans and shuts down personal freedom. On this week’s program, Shawn Boonstra argues that the opposite is true—that many freedoms Americans enjoy today are largely inspired by the Bible itself.

Some critics believe the deity of Christ was a concept invented years after Jesus at the Council of Nicaea. But the gospel of John says otherwise, claiming that Jesus was God from the very beginning—even before God created Earth. And AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra says John talks about everything in a way no other gospel writer does. This is the final part in a five-episode series called "The Four...

"The gospel of Luke is, by some accounts, the human face of Jesus. It's arguably the most relatable part of the Bible telling the story of Jesus on Earth. And AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra explains why Luke had regular people like you in mind when he wrote it. This is part four of a series called "The Four Witnesses."

Mark is a great place to start reading the Bible. It’s short enough that you can read it in one sitting, and the gospel talks about how Jesus relates to real, everyday people. But it turns out that maybe Mark isn't actually the author. AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra walks you through the evidence in part 3 of a series called "The Four Witnesses".

If you want to know what it really looks like to be a Christian, the gospel of Matthew is a great place to start. It reads like a training guide—talking about what Jesus said, and then about what he did. And what better example to copy than Jesus himself? AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra walks you through some of the most interesting parts of the Bible's first gospel. This is part two of a series cal...

Ever wonder why the Bible has four versions of Jesus' life—in four gospels? AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra kicks off a multi-part study series about how the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—are different and alike. Series name: "The Four Witnesses."

Back in the earliest years of Christian history, a lot of deep thinkers struggled to wrap their minds around the concept of Jesus being not just a man, and not just God, but instead BOTH things at the very same time. 🤯 How could the eternal Almighty Himself come to this earth as a real flesh-and-blood human? Shawn Boonstra takes a little time to examine that claim in this special Christmas episod...

The thought that somebody might be out there pretending to be you is enough to keep you up at night. How much money are they borrowing in your name? What kinds of crimes are they committing? When bad things happen, people have a tendency to blame God. Is it possible that we’re actually blaming the wrong person? Shawn Boonstra looks for answers in the story of Job’s unwavering commitment to God.

Turns out music might be one of the best pieces of evidence against evolution as an origins theory. Shawn Boonstra examines the seemingly miraculous story of Dae-bum Lee, a Korean baritone turned stroke survivor who’s managed to sing in classical concert halls even though he can’t speak.

We never seem to have time for quiet reflection. Have you ever tried giving yourself a full day away from the digital world? Shawn Boonstra challenges you to try it. Take a whole day with your Bible and listen to what God has been trying to tell you.

The Thanksgiving holiday gives us an incredible opportunity to practice real gratitude AND quit living with brutal anxiety. Watch this episode to find out why Shawn Boonstra thinks Thanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year.

Some of the most vocal people in American politics also seem to be the most religious. And while that's not a bad thing inherently, it can be dangerous. Shawn Boonstra walks through the pages of atheist and Christian philosophers, such as Thomas Paine, to uncover how religious influence on government has quashed freedom and killed dissidents.

Most of us still have this collective sense that the world is not supposed to be like this—filled with evil, pain, and loss. Most of us seem to remember a time when things were a whole lot better. Shawn Boonstra says it's because God has put eternity in our hearts.

Are some ideas too dangerous to remain in circulation? There's a disturbing new trend where people think banning certain types of speech is not only OK, but the right thing to do. Shawn Boonstra talks about why that's actually a really bad idea.

Have you ever started something with the intention of doing something good and inadvertently ended up doing the exact opposite? Unintended consequences are, unfortunately, a part of life. But what can you do about it? Shawn Boonstra explores why your human judgment can often betray you.