Questions That Matter with Randy Newman

Our world has been shaped by reductionism, the view that everything can be reduced to something - matter, molecules, or motives. So nothing is sacred. Our Christian faith says the exact opposite. And the arts can fight against reductionism.

Many people grew up singing Christian hymns - but they don’t know what they’re singing about. What a great opportunity to tell them what these famous words mean. Pippa Cramer has built an entire outreach ministry around that premise. And God is blessing it immensely.

We live in a conversation-starved time when loneliness is at epidemic levels. One way we can love people in the midst of this difficult age is to develop good conversation skills. Heather Holleman’s book The Six Conversations shows us how and, perhaps more importantly, why. 

It’s important that we proclaim a clear and accurate message when we share the gospel. It’s also important that our tone matches the grace of our message. Paul tells us that our speech needs to be done with grace and salt. (See Col. 4:2-6). We need to know what he meant. Recommended Resources: Questioning Faith by Randy Newman (2024) Fool's Talk by Os Guinness A Welcome Change in Apologetics by Ra...

After writing many books on apologetics, Lee Strobel took a slightly different approach in his newest book to help people find the answer to this most important question, Is God Real? Resources: Is God Real? by Lee Strobel (2023) Lee Strobel's website The Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics Contagious Faith:  Discover Your Natural Style for Sharing Jesus with Others by Mark Mitte...

Most Christians know of Jonathan Edwards and may have heard a quote or two of his. And they’ve been encouraged to read his writings. But he’s really hard to read. So getting help from George Marsden a great historian and biographer is key. This podcast digs into Edwards and what Marsden helps us see clearly. Resources: Marsden's long biography of Edwards: Jonathan Edwards: A Life Marsden's shorter...

Digital technologies, the internet, Facebook, and many other means of connection are having their effects on us. They don’t just tell us what we should believe. (And that’s bad enough!) They also shape how we view ourselves, our world, and our God! Resources: Digital Liturgies : Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age by Samuel D. James Digital Liturgies Newsletter

We hate to admit it (and that’s part of the problem) but, sometimes, we get tired - tired of serving God, tired of reading our Bible, tired of going to church. Dai Hankey has experienced all that kind of spiritual fatigue and has good lessons for those who need hope in the midst of exhaustion. Resources: Hopeward by Dai Hankey Red Community : combatting modern slavery in Wales Other books by Dai H...

The Bible tells us a lot about weakness and how God uses the weak to display his greatness and his strength. But we don’t like this theme very much. Aaron Welty explores this important idea and how he sees it play out in movies, stories, comic books and his life. Resources: Articles by Aaron Welty The Belfast Oxford Tour Surprised by Joy  by C.S. Lewis.

The challenges of proclaiming the gospel in our doubt-filled times continue to grow. But we can incorporate numerous strategies for reaching people who are far from belief. This episode explores three. Resources: Questioning Faith by Randy Newman (2024) Strategies for Pre-Evangelism video lecture series with Randy Newman

Christians know they should read the Bible. And they’re convinced that it would be good for them. But sometimes our motivation sags. Kristen Wetherell encourages us for those times when our hunger of God’s word dips down. Resources: Kristen’s website Help for the Hungry Soul by Kristen Wetherell Kristen’s other books Bible Reading Plan How to Read the Bible Podcast

We live in hurried and distracted times. “Fear of Missing Out” actually makes us miss more and more of what’s right in front of us. Adam Ramsey has some great wisdom for how to live faithfully and embrace the limits God has placed on us. Resources: Faithfully Present: Embracing the Limits of Where and When God Has You by Adam Ramsey (Book) Liberti Church (the church where Adam pastors) Faithful Pr...

God could have made us all the same. But he didn’t! Trillia Newbell writes about this very good idea for children and adults with depth, clarity, and winsomeness. Resources: God's Very Good Idea by Trillia Newbell Creative God, Colorful Us by Trillia Newbell 52 Weeks in the Word by Trillia Newbell Keeping The Faith  

For a while, people have been told that there’s no such thing as truth. You “create your own truth” and “find your own meaning” within yourself. Many are finding that unsatisfying and are beginning to wonder if there really is truth somewhere. We Christians have a great opportunity to tell them yes, there is truth. I explore this and suggest ways to engage in fruitful evangelistic conversations. R...

Many Christians assume that discipleship begins with adults. But Jared Kennedy has a much bigger (and more Biblical) vision for discipleship that includes and even prioritizes discipling children. Resources: Jared’s bio Jared’s article about discipling children Jared’s book, "Keeping Your Children's Ministry on Mission"  

Jess Archer moved more than a dozen times before she reached the age of 15. As you might guess, that created a fair amount of anxiety in her life. She finds peace in the midst of anxiety through her relationship with the Lord. But it’s far more complex than a simplistic solution. Resources: Jess's Website: www.writerjessarcher.com Finding Home with the Beatles, Bob Dylan, and Billy Graham: A Memoi...

Questions are some of the best tools we have in evangelism. They help more than long arguments of things we want people to believe. Greg Koukl helps us use questions in helpful, kind, and gospel-promoting ways. Resources : Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Christianity's Toughest Challenges by Greg Koukl (2023) Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Con...

God’s word tells us that, as believers, we’re “seated with Christ.” And we’re “sent.” What do those things mean? And how do they weave together? Resources: Heather's Website Seated with Christ : Living Freely in a Culture of Comparison by Heather Holleman Sent: Living a Life That Invites Others to Jesus by Ashley Holleman Other books by Heather Holleman

Talking about Jesus can be intimidating. And some things in our current culture work against it. But some other trends may be helping us tremendously. John Hopper shares about ways to make the most of these opportunities.   Resources: Search Ministries ' website Questioning God?: Answers to Questions Worth Asking by John Hopper Giving Jesus Away by John Hopper Having a Conversation About the Conve...

Our culture tells us to ignore suffering or downplay it. But it’s unavoidable. Fortunately, the Scriptures don’t ignore the topic. And the gospel offers amazing strength and confident hope in the midst of our honest laments. This conversation explores both those dynamics - hope and lament.  Resources: Elise's Blog: Waiting for True Life The Widow Song ministry and blog Greg and Elise Boro's Story...

The intersection of faith and emotions can be a tricky one. How do theology and psychology, doctrine and practice, belief and behavior relate? These are the questions that matter addressed in the next podcast. Ed Welch’s insights take center stage. Resources: The Christian Counseling and Education Foundation All of Ed Welch's Books Two Books About Shame (A Review) Ed's Little Books on Anxiety | An...

For a while everyone was talking about postmodernism. Kristi Mair, a gifted apologist, says we’re past that now. Now we’re Meta-Modern. And there are some great opportunities for us in our world today because of that. Resources: More Truth: Searching for Certainty in an Uncertain World by Kristi Mair Gravity and Grace by Simone Weil https://www.solas-cpc.org/

The second century was a crucial time for the Christian church. In the midst of terrible persecution, God’s people found great hope and help in the scriptures and in corporate worship of Jesus. We have much to learn from them and that time. Resources: Michael's Website Christianity at the Crossroads: How the Second Century Shaped the Future of the Church by Michael J. Kruger. Michael's Other Books...

We keep finding out more about C. S. Lewis from his diary, letters, and reports from people who knew him. So a recent 3 volume biography shines more light on aspects of Lewis that we didn’t know before. Hal Poe discusses his recent work and how it has encouraged him. Recommended Resources: C. S. Lewis’s diary One relevant collection of C.S. Lewis's essays Becoming C. S. Lewis by Harry Lee Poe