The Christian Skeptic

This week, we go underground in The Silver Chair, the Narnia book about how people actually lose their faith — not argued out of it, but slowly seduced out of it. We dig into Puddleglum’s answer to the witch as the best response to atheism in the series (and why it isn’t an argument at all), why Lewis treats spiritual deadness as environmental and not just moral, faith as remembered obedience, and...

This week, we sail east through The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, an often overlooked book in the series, and the one where the villain isn’t “out there”, but inside the characters themselves. We dig into Eustace’s un-dragoning as one of the clearest picture of grace in the series, why the transformation has to hurt, Reepicheep as Lewis’s “argument from desire”, and more. Let’s get to it. In this ep...

C.S. Lewis set Prince Caspian 1,300 years after the golden age of Narnia — long enough that Aslan has become a legend, the talking trees have gone silent, and the people who rule the land insist none of it was ever real. So, what do you do when the God you used to see has gone quiet, and the culture around you has decided He was never there? In part four of our series through the Chronicles of Nar...

The Horse and His Boy is the Narnia book most people skip—and the one with one of the most difficult question at its center: if God is behind every event of your life, including the painful ones, is that the most comforting idea imaginable or the most unsettling? This week we sit inside Aslan’s “I was the lion” speech and ask what it would mean if it were true. We also dig into the difference betw...

There's a moment in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, where one of the kids learns that Aslan is a lion, gets nervous and asks if he's safe. And the answer, as Lewis writes it, is of course he isn't safe, but he's good. Most Christians can quote that line. It's one of the most famous lines in the entire series. We put it on coffee mugs, we hang it on our walls. But here's the question Lewis wa...

C.S. Lewis was nine years old when his mother died of cancer. He prayed for her healing. She died anyway. Lewis became an atheist for most of his adult life — and then, decades later, wrote The Magician's Nephew, a children's book about a boy in his exact situation. This week, we kick off a seven-part deep dive into The Chronicles of Narnia, starting with the most autobiographical book in the seri...

Where did Christmas really come from—and should Christians celebrate it? This week, we explore the historical roots of Christmas, common objections about pagan origins and commercialization, and the role of Santa, imagination, and gift-giving. Along the way, we argue that the church’s call isn’t to retreat from culture but to redeem it. Ultimately, Christmas matters because the incarnation matters...

This week, we respond to a viral clip claiming most Christians don’t really believe what they preach. We unpack the difference between hypocrisy and inconsistency, talk about weak versus fake faith, explore what a transformed life actually looks like, and wrestle with the place of evangelism in our lives.  In this episode: (00:00) Intro (01:29) “I don’t think people are actually religious” (03:58)...

This week, we take on the question, “Can a Christian abuse grace?” and explore why that question often reveals more about our own hearts than other people’s behavior. We dig into Christian liberty, the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, Romans 7, and why those who truly grasp God’s love are actually the least likely to cheapen it. We look at how self-righteousness distorts our view of...

This week, we’re sharing a live Q&A where we talk Christian nationalism, predestination, identity in Christ, and what it means to trust grace without abusing it. We explore how God forms us, how to walk with those who feel spiritually numb, and why the church remains central to following Jesus. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:00) - What’s the problem with “Christian nationalism”? (06:54) - Is...

This week, we respond to a clip from Soul Boom with Rhett McLaughlin and Rainn Wilson. We unpack the allure of a “just-the-teachings” Jesus, why it falls apart under scrutiny, and why you can’t separate the words of Jesus from the person of Jesus. We explore the intellectual and theological inconsistency of cherry-picking Jesus’ words while ignoring the radical, exclusive claims he made about hims...

This week, we discuss a recent clip from John Piper, and explore the role of emotion in the Christian life. Is constant emotional intensity the measure of genuine belief? What about the seasons of doubt or dryness many believers experience? We also discuss confessional Christianity, the limits of emotionalism, and the freedom that comes not from emotion, but from the unchanging truth of the gospel...

What does it really mean to be “above reproach”? This week, we dismantle modern evangelical assumptions about pastoral perfection and argue for a more honest, grace-centered understanding rooted in Scripture. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (03:39) - David Mathis on being above reproach (06:12) - The ambiguity of “above reproach” (10:24) – Exemplary doesn’t mean perfect (12:54) – Grace vs. behavi...

This week, we dissect a clip claiming that current events in Israel and Iran are predicted in Ezekiel 38 and 39. But is that what the Bible actually says? We explore the history behind this passage, why it’s been misinterpreted, and how fear-based theology distorts Scripture. From the rise of modern dispensationalism to the ancient context of Ezekiel’s vision, we unpack what the text really means—...

This week, we explore the often misunderstood doctrine of sanctification, what it is, and isn’t. Is it something we accomplish through effort, or something God alone works in us? We unpack the difference between performative piety and genuine transformation, arguing that grace—not fear—is the engine of Christian growth.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (01:37) - Recap of Paul Washer episode (10:5...

This week, we’re sharing a special live Q&A where we explore the complexities of the Christian life. From practical advice on living out your faith to tackling deep theological questions, we cover topics such as faith versus belief, predestination versus free will, overcoming fear, LGBTQ+ issues in the church, and much more. In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (04:43) - Cremation and the resurrection...

Is it our job to warn others away from sin—or just to help them pick up the pieces after they fall? This week, we react to a provocative clip from Tullian Tchividjian and explore the tension between grace, truth, and our responsibility to each other in Christian community. In this episode: (00:00) – Intro (03:46) – When grace feels like a provocation (04:45) – Grace, public failures, and owning yo...

Does suffering prove God’s love? Does ease mean he’s abandoned you? In this reaction episode, we respond to a video from Paul Washer on hardship, holiness, and God’s love—and challenge some common theological misconceptions. We break down Washer’s claims, discuss the dangers of works-based faith, and explore why grace—not suffering or circumstances—defines our standing with God. In this episode: (...

This week, we dive into one of Jesus’ most unsettling statements from Matthew 7:21-23—”I never knew you. Depart from me.” Often misinterpreted as a call for believers to work more and try harder, we unpack how this passage actually dismantles a works-based approach to salvation, revealing that knowing Jesus—not religious performance—is what truly matters. We explore cultural and personal struggles...

This week, we kick off a new series on commonly misinterpreted passages of Scripture, starting with Romans 8:28. We unpack what it really means when Scripture says “all things work together for good,” challenging misconceptions about God’s sovereignty, suffering, and Christian growth. Topics we discuss: How we misunderstand God’s definition of “good” What Paul means by “all things” Why Romans 8:28...

This week, Adam shares his story—years of fear and chasing the impossible standard of "perfection", until the weight of legalism and religious control led him to question everything. We discuss the pressure to be "good" in church culture, deconstruction, and what happens when we stop trying to earn God's love and discover the truth of grace and the gospel.   Topics we discuss: Embracing authentici...

Get full show notes and links at https://www.thechristianskeptic.org.  Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@thechristianskeptic. Season 02 of The Christian Skeptic is here! In this raw and candid episode, Aaron shares his personal journey through faith, ministry, and discovering authentic grace. Navigating personal tragedy, the complexities of church leadership, and theological trans...

In this special Christmas episode, we talk about our favorite Christmas traditions, imaginative storytelling, and the deeper meaning behind the season. From nostalgic books and movies to the magic of childhood wonder, we reflect on why Christmas is more than just a holiday.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (00:09) - The hot toddy illustration (04:24) - Christmas traditions (15:26) - Favorite Chri...

This week, we wrap up season one of The Christian Skeptic and reflect on the topics of grace, faith, and why the Bible plays such a critical role in our lives. The root of Christian Skepticism is about the willingness to continually challenge and re-examine our own bias and convictions in light of Scripture. Our goal in season one was to lay the foundation for how we do that. As we wrap up, we inv...

In part four of our series on biblical authority we dive into the last five of 10 crucial principles for interpreting Scripture. We also discuss some common pitfalls, like interpreting the Bible through the lens of our experience, the problems with "what would Jesus do", and more.  In this episode: (00:00) - Intro (05:21) - What Would Jesus Do? (13:32) - Interpret the Bible through the lens of gos...