Switching Lenses Podcast

On this episode we shake things up a bit. Josh and Shane have prepared difficult questions to ask each other without previously discussing them. These questions come from common questions and issues many people have about Christianity and the Bible. All questions are time-stamped below:   (6:43) Question 1- If I’m a good person who does more good things than bad and live a happy life, why would I...

Don't judge me! This is a common response to moral correction or disapproval but does it have any merit? Are we ever allowed to point out mistakes or flaws in other people? Many will point to the Bible and say that it says "Don't judge others lest you be judged."  This topic can be a bit tricky but we will break this idea down in this episode. We will look at the intent of this phrase and other si...

In this episode we approach the notion that the book of Genesis is incompatible with science and therefore is often viewed as myth. This view is becoming more and more popular due to a rising belief in scientism. But does the modern scientific view actually validate some of the Genesis creation narrative? Josh and Shane take a look at three claims:  - The consensus of recorded human history - The...

We welcome author, writer, and host of the "Truce Podcast" Chris Staron to the show. We spend some time getting to know Chris and talk with him about his release of season 3 of the Truce Podcast. We also dive into the topic of evangelism in light of our previous episode "Is Evangelism Offensive" and provide our experiences and strategies of sharing the Gospel message with unbelievers.    You can i...

On the latest episode of Switching Lenses we address the question “Is evangelism offensive?” According to a Barna Group survey there are many who share this sentiment that it is wrong to share your faith with someone in hopes that they will one day share the same faith. So, are personal beliefs so sacred that they are above any kind of dissenting views or objections? Have we reached a point where...

In this episode we address some quotes from democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg. He has called out those across the political aisle, namely those professing a Christian worldview, and accusing them of disregarding what the Bible says in the name of partisan politics. Does Mr. Buttigieg have a case? Is there a legitimate claim of hypocrisy or are the claims unfounded? We will dive into 3...

In this episode we address the claims of Hillsong's Marty Sampson. He states that he's "losing his faith" for a variety of reasons and we address these very reasons. Claims of biblical contradictions, problems of a loving God sending people to hell, and a few others. He claims that "nobody talks about (them)" so we will remedy that and discuss them in this episode. 3:31 Claim #1- Many preachers fa...

In this episode we try something a little bit different in something we like to call "Quick Takes." We first talk about the recent mass shootings. We discuss the common thread of loneliness and meaninglessness characterized by many mass shooters. Secondly we discuss Hillsong's Mary Sampson and his recent confession of losing his faith. We address not only the importance of asking good questions ab...

In our highly polarized society we often hear talk about rights and how they are under attack or completely hijacked. But do we ever ask ourselves if we are actually entitled to that right and if so how? In this episode we take a look at the idea of claiming a right as a human right as opposed to simply a right granted by a body of government. We tackle the assumption of self-proclaimed rights and...

In this episode we discuss the idea of individualism versus a community of people and what it means. Does our society encourage or enable a sense of individualism? What role does technology, social networking, and politics play in this idea? We get into the idea of a community of people functioning together and put it under the microscope. How does a community function and what does the Bible say...

In this concluding episode of our Answering The Atheist series, we finish our discussion on the claim of two different Gods in the Old and New Testament. We tackle a couple of related questions like "Can grace and judgement coexist?" and "Can anger and love coexist?"  Lastly we address our final claim that the Bible is an outdated book that is no longer relevant in our progressive society. We exam...

We have reached the conclusion of our Answering The Atheist series with this two part episode. In this first episode we discuss this claim that the God of the Bible is inconsistent throughout history. In the Old Testament God is always angry and vengeful with his enemies and even Israel. Meanwhile, in the New Testament, God as the person of Jesus Christ is loving and merciful to all, even to the d...

In our 4th episode of the "Answering The Atheist" series we dive into the topic of slavery in the Bible. This can be problematic for many Christians and point of contention for skeptics. We explore the Hebrew word "ebed" that gets translated at times as "slave" and provide the context of what "slavery" looked like in ancient Israel. We also address our modern conceptions of slavery and how we impo...

We resume our discussion on the Mosaic Law in this episode as a continuation from the previous episode. We answer questions like "What was the ultimate purpose of the Law?" and "What do we do with the law today?" We address these issues for the purpose of understanding the character of God in order to see His love, mercy, and justice interwoven through the tapestry of the Law. Only then can we avo...

We continue our series "Answering The Atheist" and frankly jump to a topic that we probably should have started with. Many accusations against the Bible stem from the Mosaic Law. The law is often viewed as too harsh or sometimes unjust from a modern mindset. In this Episode we will provide some context from the Biblical narrative that lead up to the Mosaic Law to help better understand it.  We wen...

This episode is the first of a series we are starting called "Answering The Atheist." In this episode we respond to two claims made against Christianity and the Bible. The first claim deals with the Mosaic law of stoning children who have demonstrated some level of disobedience or rebellion. The second claim concerns the fact that Jesus made mention of hell on quite a number of occasions within th...

In this episode we will take a look at our acts of wrongdoing. Why do we react the way we do when we mess up? How do others react? This dynamic creates a sense of shame. Why is that and what are the implications of it? We will explore this today on this episode of Switching Lenses.

In our first episode, we will discuss the questionable standard we seem to hold public figures to at times. Do we hold people to an impossible standard? If not, where is the "line" and how do we determine it? Where does forgiveness work it's way into these moral and character evaluations?    Contact us on twitter @LensesSwitching(this is the correct twitter handle contrary to what was said on the...