Come Let Us Reason Podcast

You Believe the Creeds… So Do Demons

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0700

In this episode of Come Let Us Reason, Lenny Esposito is joined by Anthony Costello to explore a growing issue in modern Christianity: the rise of “creeds-only” faith. As more people appeal to historic confessions like the Apostles’ Creed and Nicene Creed while redefining key biblical teachings, we have to ask—are the creeds sufficient? Or is true Christianity something deeper? If you’ve ever wondered whether Christianity is more than checking doctrinal boxes, this episode will challenge you to rethink what it means to truly follow Christ.

Did the U.S. Start an Unjust War? Just War Theory Explained (Iran Conflict)

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0700

Did the U.S. Start an Unjust War? Just War Theory Explained (Iran Conflict)

In this episode Lenny Esposito examines the current U.S.–Iran conflict through the lens of Just War Theory—a framework developed by thinkers like Augustine and Aquinas to answer one critical question: Can war ever be morally justified? With insights from experts including Keith Pavischek and Dr. Tim Milosch—this episode asks Does Operation Epic Fury meet these standards? Cut through politics and propaganda and find clear, biblical, and ethical analysis of one of today’s most pressing global issues.

The Gospel of Thomas Verse James Talarico Won’t Show You

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0700

The Gospel of Thomas Verse James Talarico Won’t Show You

A sermon clip from Texas legislator James Talarico recently went viral after he referenced the Gospel of Thomas to suggest that Jesus supported modern ideas about gender and equality. But there’s something missing from that presentation. In this episode, Lenny plays the viral clip and responds directly to the claim by examining what the Gospel of Thomas actually says — including the final saying that rarely gets mentioned. Then we step back and explore the bigger issue: how the Bible’s canon was formed and why writings like the Gospel of Thomas and the Gospel of Judas were never considered Scripture by the earliest Christians.

What Happens When a Civilization Ignores God? The Bible Already Told Us

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -0700

What Happens When a Civilization Ignores God? The Bible Already Told Us

In this episode of the Come Let Us Reason Podcast, Lenny Esposito explores Deuteronomy 4 and Moses’ warning that cultures survive only if they listen to God’s Word, remember the lessons of the past, and pass those truths to the next generation.Drawing from thinkers like C.S. Lewis, Chesterton, and Roger Scruton, this episode examines how the erosion of Judeo-Christian foundations threatens modern society—and why the biblical warning is more relevant today than ever.

If You Burned Every Bible, You’d Still Be Stuck with Jesus — Here’s Why

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 2 Mar 2026 08:43:00 -0800

If You Burned Every Bible, You’d Still Be Stuck with Jesus — Here’s Why

What if someone destroyed every Bible ever printed? Would the case for Jesus disappear with them? Cold-case homicide detective J. Warner Wallace — author of Person of Interest and Cold Case Christianity — argues the answer is a definitive no. In this compelling episode of Come Let Us Reason Together, Wallace applies the same investigative technique he used to solve decades-old murders to one of history's most contested questions: who was Jesus of Nazareth, and does the evidence demand a verdict? Using what he calls the "fuse and fallout" method — examining what happened before and after an event when the event itself leaves no direct evidence — Wallace traces the historical shockwave of Jesus's life through science, art, music, education, and world religion. What he found surprised even him.

Positioned for Miracles: The Faithful Steps God Uses to Do the Extraordinary

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Positioned for Miracles: The Faithful Steps God Uses to Do the Extraordinary

Do miracles still happen today? And if they do — why do some believers seem to experience God’s power while others never do? In this episode, we explore how ordinary, covenant-rooted faithfulness positioned Israel to experience extraordinary results — and what that means for believers today. It's not about chasing spectacle. It’s about understanding the biblical pattern God has revealed. If you’ve ever longed to see God move in your life, this lesson will help you understand the practical steps Scripture models for being fully used by Him.

Christian Professor Battles DEI at the Arizona Supreme Court — Why This Case Matters

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 16 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Christian Professor Battles DEI at the Arizona Supreme Court — Why This Case Matters

What happens when a Christian professor refuses mandatory DEI training at a public university? Not because he hates diversity, but because the training teaches that people are morally defined by their skin color. Now the case has reached the Arizona Supreme Court. Does a state employee has the right to challenge government mandates? Does biblical truth still have a place in higher education? We'll explore that and more in this episode.

Why Smart People Believe: The Evidence That Changed Charles Murray’s Mind

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 9 Feb 2026 02:47:00 -0800

Why Smart People Believe: The Evidence That Changed Charles Murray’s Mind

Why do intelligent people believe in Christianity? Is faith something you feel—or something you can reason toward? In this episode, we explore the surprising intellectually rich faith journey of sociologist Charles Murray. We also examine Glenn Loury’s own faith story, shaped within a church rich in emotion and community—yet ultimately challenged by unanswered intellectual questions. Together, these stories reveal a crucial truth: lasting, transformative Christian faith must engage the mind as much as the heart.

Honoring God When Life Hurts: Why He Doesn’t Waste Your Pain

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 2 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Honoring God When Life Hurts: Why He Doesn’t Waste Your Pain

If God is good… why does obedience still hurt? Why do faithful Christians suffer cancer, loss, miscarriage, and heartbreak? In this episode I’m speaking with Clay Jones and Jean E. Jones about how Christians can glorify God in the worst of times. We’re not offering easy answers or shallow promises. We’re talking honestly about suffering—what Scripture actually says, what the church often gets wrong, and how God uses pain not to destroy faith, but to refine it. Drawing from their personal struggles, we’ll explore how Christians can honor God even when it hurts—and why your suffering is never wasted in God’s hands.

Too Few Fossils, Too Many Agendas: The Hidden Politics Behind Human Origins

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Too Few Fossils, Too Many Agendas: The Hidden Politics Behind Human Origins

A recent fossil discovery has exposed deep disagreements among evolutionary scientists over human origins. The division has prompted the question: Is paleoanthropology driven purely by evidence—or are incentives shaping the story of human evolution? In this episode, Lenny Esposito is joined by Dr. Casey Luskin to examine the growing controversy surrounding Sahelanthropus tchadensis, a fossil often described as one of the earliest human ancestors. What began as a celebrated evolutionary discovery has now sparked open disagreement among evolutionary scientists themselves.

Is God Protecting Israel? Why Antisemitism Is Rising Again

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 19 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Is God Protecting Israel? Why Antisemitism Is Rising Again: History, Prophecy, and the Return of an Ancient Hatred

As antisemitism surges across the political spectrum—from college campuses to cultural influencers—many Christians are asking an urgent biblical question: Is God still protecting Israel? In this episode Lenny Esposito is joined by Dr. Brian Crawford, Director of Apologetics for Chosen People Ministries, to examine why hostility toward Jews is returning with alarming force—and what Scripture, history, and current events reveal about God’s covenant with Israel.

Should Christians Practice Yoga? What the Church Rarely Tells You

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 12 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Should Christians Practice Yoga? What the Church Rarely Tells You

Yoga is everywhere—from gyms to churches—but is it spiritually neutral? In this roundtable discussion with colleagues from the Kirkwood Center, we examine yoga’s Hindu origins, its purpose as a spiritual discipline, and whether Christians can truly separate the physical practice from its worldview. This conversation challenges popular assumptions and asks a deeper question: Does what we do with our bodies shape what we believe?

Why Romans Still Shakes the World — The Gospel That Toppled Empires (and Confronts Culture Today)

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 5 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0800

Why Romans Still Shakes the World — The Gospel That Toppled Empires (and Confronts Culture Today)

The book of Romans wasn’t written in a vacuum—it was delivered into the heart of a divided, hostile empire. Long before Rome persecuted Christians, Paul sent a letter that would redefine faith, grace, politics, and morality. In this episode, we explore Romans 1:1–7, the explosive power of the gospel, and why its message still confronts cultural chaos, identity politics, and moral confusion today. From Nero to now, Romans refuses to be tamed.

Why Everyone Loves Christmas (Even Atheists) — The Power They Can’t Escape

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 29 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Why Everyone Loves Christmas (Even Atheists) — The Power They Can’t Escape

While Christmas may have been co-opted and commercialized, since the roots of its modern incarnation, the core of the holiday and those celebratory aspects lie in the Gospel story. There’s simply no escaping the wonder of Emmauel: God with Us. As Christians we don’t have to shun the trappings of 21st century Christmas, but we must emphasize the transformative nature of the nativity and leverage it to transform ourselves, our communities, and our world.

Is James Gunn’s Superman Still a Moral Hero?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 22 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Is James Gunn’s Superman Still a Moral Hero?

Superman has always stood for more than power. He’s represented restraint, sacrifice, and a vision of the good. But in a culture that no longer agrees on moral truth, even our heroes are being redefined. In this episode, we’ll compare James Gunn’s new iteration of Superman with earlier portrayals, uncover the philosophy shaping modern storytelling, and explore what all of this means for people of faith engaging culture today.

AI Isn’t Intelligent—And That’s What Makes It Dangerous

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

AI Isn’t Intelligent—And That’s What Makes It Dangerous

Artificial intelligence is shaping our world—but few people understand what it actually is. In this compelling presentation, Lenny Esposito cuts through the hype and fear to reveal a far more sobering reality. Machines don’t think, reason, or understand—and yet we are increasingly trusting them with moral decisions, education, surveillance, and even spiritual authority. The greatest danger of AI isn’t that it becomes human—but that humans stop being human.

The Numbers Don’t Lie: The Fine-Tuning That Destroyed His Atheism

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 8 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

The Numbers Don’t Lie: The Fine-Tuning That Destroyed His Atheism

What happens when an atheist digs into the science behind the universe? For filmmaker Michael Ray Lewis, exploring cosmology, DNA information, and the staggering improbability of life led him on a three-year journey he never expected—one that ended with his new documentary Universe Designed. In this interview Lenny sits down with Michael to talk about how fine-tuning evidence shook his atheism, why cosmology, physics, and DNA point to an intelligent Creator and how 36 hours of interviews with Hugh Ross, Stephen Meyer, Frank Turek, J. Warner Wallace, Sean McDowell, Mary Jo Sharp, and Mike Licona formed the backbone of his new film.

Contradictions in the Bible? Watch These Myths Collapse in Minutes

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 1 Dec 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Contradictions in the Bible? Watch These Myths Collapse in Minutes

Are there contradictions in the Bible? Critics confidently claim “the Bible is full of errors,” and many Christians feel anxious when challenged. But tonight, we’re taking those challenges head-on — and showing why most so-called contradictions collapse the moment you understand context, language, and logic.

Pilgrim in the Algorithm: How Digital Echo Chambers Poison Your Faith

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Pilgrim in the Algorithm: How Digital Echo Chambers Poison Your Faith

What would Pilgrim’s Progress look like in the digital Age? How do we manage the unique threats Christian must overcome when walking not through the Slough of Despond, but the feed-driven maze of modern algorithms? Our attachment to social media brings with it risks. In an age of outrage, tribalism, provokers, and digital distractions, believers face new versions of Bunyan’s ancient dangers—each more subtle and seductive than the last. This talk exposes the poisonous characters hiding in your timeline, reveals how Romans 16 warns us against them, and equips you to walk wisely, innocently, and faithfully toward the Celestial City.

Is Christianity Oppressive to Women? History Says the Exact Opposite

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Is Christianity Oppressive to Women? History Says the Exact Opposite

Is Christianity oppressive to women—or is that one of the biggest myths of modern culture? In this episode, we take a hard look at the historical evidence, comparing how women were treated in bot the cultures of classical antiquity as well as 20th century non-Christian societies like India, China, and various Islamic states. The results are surprising: women consistently flourished most where Christianity took root. This is just one aspect of how modern Western society—now rapidly abandoning Christianity—has replaced the pursuit of human flourishing with entertainment, consumerism, and self-focused identity. Yet historically, Christianity created the social systems, moral frameworks, and communities that helped women and men thrive.

Christians Are Being Slaughtered in Nigeria — Why Is the World Silent?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Christians Are Being Slaughtered in Nigeria — Why Is the World Silent?

Entire Christian villages are being wiped out while the world looks away. Discover the disturbing truth about Nigeria’s escalating violence, government cover-ups, and how American Christians can step up to defend their persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ.

Did the Disciples Misremember Jesus’ Resurrection?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 3 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Did the Disciples Misremember Jesus’ Resurrection?

Were the resurrection stories just memories gone wrong—or history remembered right? In this episode of Come Let Us Reason Together, apologist Lenny Esposito interviews Dr. David Graieg, author of Resurrection Remembered (Routledge 2024), about what modern memory science reveals about the eyewitness testimony behind Jesus’ resurrection. Discover how psychology, philosophy, and ancient oral culture shaped the earliest Christian memories and why 1 Corinthians 15 still stands as powerful historical evidence.

Halloween and Christianity: Celebrate or Steer Clear?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Halloween and Christianity: Celebrate or Steer Clear?

Can Christians celebrate Halloween? Lenny Esposito joins D.r Harry Edwards and Dr. Jacob Daniel as they look at the full history of Halloween, tracing its roots from the Celtic Samhain and All Hallows' Eve to modern commercialization and pagan myths. Discover biblical redemption strategies—like gospel tracts with candy, Bible hero costumes, and Harvest Fests—while navigating parental dilemmas and occult warnings. Ideal for faith-filled families!

Christian Nationalism or Biblical Patriotism: What Does the Bible Say about Loving Our Country?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 20 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Christian Nationalism or Biblical Patriotism: What Does the Bible Say about Loving Our Country?

Christian nationalism has been blazing in the headlines, but what exactly is it? Is it wrong for Christians to express their patriotism publicly? Here, Lenny Esposito and Daniel Darling explore the complex relationship between Christian faith, patriotism, and the concern raised in the media over Christian Nationalism. They look at the biblical teaching on loving one’s country, the importance of gratitude in fostering a healthy sense of patriotism, the role of Christians in engaging with politics, and the need for discernment in political allegiances. The conversation emphasizes the significance of local engagement and the church's role in renewing society, while also tackling contentious issues like immigration and family values.

Why “Love Is Love” Is a Lie

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 13 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Why “Love Is Love” Is a Lie

Today, there are all kinds of calls for us to love. Love seemingly is the highest ideal, but what if such calls hide darker motives? "Love is Love" sounds sweet—but it's a dangerous lie masking self-seeking feelings as virtue. Discover the Bible's radical agape: self-sacrificial, God-centered love. Looking at C.S. Lewis's The Four Loves and applying Paul's teaching from Romans 12, we see how to build real love, leading to church harmony, a hatred of evil, a community that rejoices or weeps together,and even a people who will bless their enemies.

"God Is Dead!" - How Nietzsche’s Shocking Legacy Impacts Our Culture

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 6 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -0700

"God Is Dead!" - How Nietzsche’s Shocking Legacy Impacts Our Culture

In this eye-opening episode of Come Let Us Reason Together, Dr. Greg Ganssle unpacks Friedrich Nietzsche's life, from his tragic youth to his "death of God" declaration and the Übermensch vision. Through a Christian lens, explore how his ideas fuel today's relativism, mental health crises, and quest for self-made meaning—contrasting it with Jesus' abundant life. Discover why Nietzsche's warnings about nihilism echo in our chaotic world, and find why his ideas lead to hopelessness while Christ gives true hope.

Mind Shift: Create a Life-Changing Turning Point in Your Faith

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Mind Shift: Create a Life-Changing Turning Point in Your Faith

In this eye-opening talk, discover how shaping your intellect according to historic Christian beliefs shields you from worldly conformity, leading to true victory in faith. This transformative session reveals how avoiding worldly conformity through intellectual renewal leads to humility, divine wisdom, God-sensitivity, and developing your spiritual gifts—all key to pleasing God.

Epic Apologetics Q&A on God, Creation, Family, and Why Atheism Fails!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Epic Apologetics Q&A on God, Creation, Family, and Why Atheism Fails!

In this must-watch panel, experts bridge faith and reason, addressing debates with atheists on transcendent truth, old vs. young earth views, the emptiness of critical theory, the family crisis, and denominational harmony. Find inspiration to defend your faith with humility, evidence, and the transformative power of Christ's hope.

Christianity and Our Turning Point: What Charlie Kirk's Slaying Means for America

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Christianity and Our Turning Point: What Charlie Kirk's Slaying Means for America

In the wake of Charlie Kirk's tragic murder during a campus debate, this video explores the deep cultural rot exposed by this act of hatred. From the rise of political violence in a post-Christian society to the dangers of progressive ideologies that fuel division, we delve into why this pivotal moment signals the decline of Western values. Drawing on Scripture and history, discover how Christians can respond with righteousness, resist demonization, and steer our nation toward true flourishing—before it's too late.

Tim Kaine's Godless Rights Claim Destroyed: Divine Truth Exposed!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 8 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Tim Kaine's Godless Rights Claim Destroyed: Divine Truth Exposed!

In this explosive podcast, Lenny Esposito and Dr. Darren Guerra dismantle Sen. Tim Kaine's controversial dismissal of religion as the foundation of rights, contrasting it with the Declaration of Independence's divine endowment. They expose moral relativism's dangers, differentiate positive rights demanding labor from negative ones protecting freedoms like speech, and tackle abortion's personhood debate. Rooting rights in God's character and individual worth, they champion self-evident truths over government overreach, urging ordered liberty amid viral backlash to Kaine's claims.

The Christian’s Secret Weapon for Surviving Secular College

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 1 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The Christian’s Secret Weapon for Surviving Secular College

In the modern college landscape, students of faith confront DEI-driven ideologies, cultural relativism's ethical traps, and technology's critical thinking pitfalls. In this episode, Dr. Owen Anderson joins Lenny to reveal strategies to thrive: resisting shifts for diverse viewpoints, overcoming self-censorship through resilience, leveraging historical insights, and building supportive communities with mentors to transform the college experience into opportunities for growth and influence.

New Discovery Shakes Life's Origins: Proof of Intelligent Design?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

New Discovery Shakes Life's Origins: Proof of Intelligent Design?

This eye-opening conversation uncovers the complexities of life's origin, scrutinizing the RNA world hypothesis against molecular biology's harsh realities. Experts Dr. Brian Miller and Dr. Casey Luskin join Lenny to discuss DNA-protein interdependence, polymerization challenges in water, and why self-organization doesn't explain life's emergence. With probabilistic hurdles in focus, they emphasize the need for a paradigm shift in scientific research to better address these fundamental questions.

The Selfie Society: How Hyper-Individualism Is Killing Our Soul

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 18 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The Selfie Society: How Hyper-Individualism Is Killing Our Soul

In this conversation, Lenny Esposito and Pascal Emmanuel Gobry explore the erosion of timeless norms in society, the cultural shifts occurring in America and Europe, and the implications of self-centeredness in the selfie generation. They discuss the role of social norms, etiquette, and the importance of family and marriage in maintaining a healthy society. The conversation also touches on the dangers of genetic screening and the anti-natalist movement, emphasizing the need for a cultural revival rooted in transcendent values.

Becoming More Than Conquerors: Exercising Heroic Faith

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 11 Aug 2025 00:03:00 -0700

Becoming More Than Conquerors: Exercising Heroic Faith

In this inspiring talk based on Romans 8:31-39, explore the believer's God-given gifting to triumph as more than conquerors, mirroring superheroes with invincible strength. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Christians access unlimited divine resources and spiritual gifts, ensuring nothing can separate them from God's love. Through instant prayer connection to the Creator, you're equipped to combat evil in a society that cherishes wickedness. Embrace this calling to become an unstoppable force for righteousness, turning personal battles into testimonies of supernatural victory.

Working Together for the Good: Reconciling Predestination and Free Will

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 4 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Working Together for the Good: Reconciling Predestination and Free Will

Are your choices truly yours, or is everything predestined? This video dives deep into the tension between Calvinistic determinism and Armenian free will, exploring how these perspectives shape our understanding of salvation. We introduce God’s Middle Knowledge as a mind-blowing solution that bridges the gap between divine sovereignty and human freedom. With clear explanations and relatable insights, this talk will challenge your assumptions and spark meaningful reflection on how God’s plan and your choices intertwine in the journey to salvation.

God And Allah the Same? The One Fact Everyone Misses in the Debate

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

God And Allah the Same? The One Fact Everyone Misses in the Debate

The question of whether Christians and Muslims worship the same God has set the Internet on fire, with the Roman Catholic Church arguing "Yes" based on philosophical reasoning. But is this claim accurate? In this Come Let Us Reason Podcast, Lenny Esposito tackles the debate, dissecting the arguments and highlighting a critical flaw that undermines the "same God" position. Esposito argues that the differences in how each faith describes God are irreconcilable, offering a definitive case against shared worship. This episode provides a clear, engaging analysis that challenges conventional thinking and invites listeners to explore the theological divide. Tune in for a compelling discussion that reshapes the conversation.

From Prison to Freedom: The Power of Living In the Spirit

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 21 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

From Prison to Freedom: The Power of Living In the Spirit

Join us for an uplifting message on Romans 8, where Lenny explores how Christ’s victory over sin transforms our lives. As recipients of the great rescue from the flesh, from the law and from death, we must seek a new way of living. Through the gripping story and sound biblical teaching, discover how to break free from the old life and embrace the new.

Spider-Man 3 and the Struggle with Sin

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 14 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Spider-Man 3 and the Struggle with Sin

What can a superhero movie teach us about the power of sin and how Christians should live? Quite a bit, actually! Our battle with the attraction to doing what we shouldn’t is so universal, it should be no surprise that it shows up in our stories—especially in films like Spider-Man 3, where the concept of good an evil is on full display For the natural man, sin is the ultimate master of one's actions both prior to conversion and possibly afterwards, if we let it. Here we see how Tobey McGuire's Spider-Man brings us a vivid illustration of what happens when we allow that sin nature to overtake us. We’ll also look at practical ways to escape the clutches of that fate.

America’s Moral Collapse - The Shocking Truth Behind Rising Violence!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 7 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The tragic killing of a Minnesota state rep exposes a deeper crisis: America’s drift from Christian values. Join Lenny and his guests, Dr. Harry Edwards and Dr. Jacob Daniel as they unpack how relativism and political tribalism are fueling violence and division, how politics has replaced morality as America’s yardstick, and why Christians must stand firm to restore morality and civility in a chaotic world!

The Irrefutable Resurrection: Why Skeptics Can’t Crack the Case

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The Irrefutable Resurrection: Why Skeptics Can’t Crack the Case

In this gripping conversation, Gary Habermas and Lenny Esposito explore why the resurrection remains unrefuted after 2,000 years of scrutiny. Discover how scholarship silences even the toughest critics and learn how to navigate conversations with skeptics using undeniable evidence. This episode unpacks the historical evidence, including New Testament scholarship, and explains why popular counterarguments fail to offer any cohesive alternative. They discuss the importance of eyewitness testimony, the limitations of naturalistic theories, and how to engage with skeptics effectively. Become empowered with a robust defense of your faith!

Is God Making a Comeback? Why Secular Thinkers Are Turning to Christianity!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 23 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Is God Making a Comeback? Why Secular Thinkers Are Turning to Christianity!

From Jordan Peterson to Douglas Murray, prominent secular intellectuals are giving Christianity credit for shaping the West. But does this signal a revival of faith? Harry Edwards, Lenny Esposito, and Dr. Peter Harris explore Justin Brierley’s The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God, discussing why New Atheism collapsed and what’s next for belief in God. Tune in for a fascinating analysis!

Pride Month Exposed: Manipulation or Celebration of Human Nature?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Pride Month Exposed: Manipulation or Celebration of Human Nature?

Unpack the hidden motives behind Pride Month, questioning whether it uplifts or exploits humanity’s basest instincts. Lenny is joined by commentator Bethel McGrew when they trace the movement’s roots from Stonewall to today’s corporate-backed celebrations, exploring how identity politics overshadows virtue, reason, and beauty. Their discussion dives into the mental health challenges within the LGBTQ+ community and the Christian perspective on navigating these cultural shifts with moral integrity.

My LIVE Conversation with Mormons

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 9 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700

My LIVE Conversation with Mormons

In this captivating doorstep conversation, Lenny lovingly challenges Mormon missionaries on the Book of Mormon’s credibility, pointing out its internal contradictions and lack of evidence. With a winsome tone, he engages LDS theology and shares the transformative power of the true Gospel. Don’t miss this powerful moment!

Why We’re ALL Born Sinners – And How Jesus Saves Us!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 2 Jun 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Why We’re ALL Born Sinners — And How Jesus Saves Us!

Discover the Christian teaching of original sin, that every baby is born with a sinful nature, which separates us from God. This video explores how in Adam we inherit a corrupted human nature, one that pulls us towards rebellion. But through the Second Adam—Jesus—we have the gift of justification, restoring our relationship with God. Learn practical ways to avoid sin by following Christ’s model of grace. We’ll unpack the theology behind original sin, its impact on humanity, and how grace transforms lives. Perfect for Christians seeking to deepen their faith and live a holy life, inspired by Jesus’s example.

The Shocking Truth About Finding Joy When the World Hates You

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 26 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

The Shocking Truth About Finding Joy When the World Hates You

Jesus promised that the world would hate His followers, yet He also commanded us to have joy. How can we experience joy in a world that often opposes our beliefs? This podcast delves into the paradoxical nature of Christian joy, showing how it flourishes even in adversity. Through scriptural teachings, you'll learn that joy is not dependent on circumstances but on our relationship with God. Embrace the truth that suffering can be a catalyst for joy and spiritual growth, and discover practical ways to cultivate this joy in your daily life.

Faith Under Fire? Engaging Tough Questions with Confidence!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 19 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Faith Under Fire? Engaging Tough Questions with Confidence!

When your Christian faith faces tough questions, are you ready to respond? This video empowers students to stand strong. In Part 1, Lenny shares simple, effective ways to engage in spiritual discussions, teaching you how to connect with skeptics, ask thought-provoking questions, and present biblical truths with clarity and kindness. In Part 2, watch Lenny put these techniques into practice in a live Q&A, answering real student questions. This video equips you to share Jesus confidently in any setting. Watch now, share with friends, and get ready to tackle doubts with boldness and love.

Should Christian Morality Shape Our Laws? A Deep Dive

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 12 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Should Christian Morality Shape Our Laws? A Deep Dive

Can Christian morality guide modern governance without alienating a diverse society? This podcast explores the provocative question of whether biblical principles, like ordered love—prioritizing God, family, and community—should influence legislation. Dr. Darren Guerra and Dr. Jacob Daneil join Lenny to discuss whether governments share the same moral duties as individuals, such as charity and justice, or if their role is distinct. The discussion traces the rule of law’s roots to Christian ethics while questioning how far biblical mandates should extend to secular institutions. Should governments enforce virtues like forgiveness or stewardship, or is their purpose purely pragmatic? With rising cultural divides, we examine if Christian morality offers a unifying framework or risks exclusion. Join us for a nuanced debate on balancing faith, freedom, and governance in today’s world.

Can the Gospel Win Back Jewish Hearts? A Bold Vision

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 5 May 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Can the Gospel Win Back Jewish Hearts? A Bold Vision

Brian J. Crawford shares a hopeful vision for Jewish evangelism. Dive into the seismic shift in Jewish identity after the Second Temple’s fall. From priestly rituals to rabbinical wisdom, explore how the Talmud reshaped Jewish thought and why figures like Maimonides still spark debate today. With Lenny Esposito, they discuss how the gospel could spark renewed interest among Jews. Watch this inspiring talk!

Christianity Flatlining or Fighting Back? The Results Are In!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 28 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Christianity Flatlining or Fighting Back? The Results Are In!

The latest Pew survey drops a bombshell: Christianity in America isn't fading—it's holding steady. But what's next for faith in the U.S.? In this discussion, Lenny is joined by Dr. Harry Edwards and Dr. Jacob Daniel who help uncover the cultural shifts, demographic changes, and rising diversity of beliefs reshaping the spiritual landscape. We dig into how Christians can adapt, engage, and evangelize in this evolving world. What does it all mean for the church’s role in society? Is Christianity on life support or gearing up for a comeback? Watch now for a thought-provoking look at the surprising trends defining faith’s future in America!

Is God Accountable for Evil?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 21 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Is God Accountable for Evil?

The Problem of Evil has always been one of the most difficult questions for all belief systems. Christianity teaches that a perfect God created all people knowing that every one of them would be thoroughly evil. He even gave his commands to the Jews, knowing they wouldn’t be able to keep his laws. How can God then judge us, knowing we were made fallible? Doesn’t this also make God ultimately responsible for the evil we see in our world? Explore the answer to why God isn't culpable for our evil acts in this podcast.

Q&A Panel - Conquering the Challenges of Culture

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 14 Apr 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Q&A Panel - Conquering the Challenges of Culture

Lenny Esposito is joined on stage by J. Warner Wallace, Dr. Hugh Ross, Joe Dallas, Becket Cook, and Monique Duson for a fascinating Q&session recorded at a recent Dare to Defend Conference. Here, they tackle issues such as whether a Christian should attend a loved one’s gay wedding, how to approach the CRT issue, how the universe’s beginning matches the biblical account, and so much more! It’s a stimulating 90-minute conversation that will leave you wanting even more!

The Most Insidious Sin

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 7 Apr 2025 13:33:00 -0700

The Most Insidious Sin

What is the worst of all sins? Brutality? Rape? Murder? Church fathers like Augustine and Aquinas saw those as true evils, but they also understood all evil stems first from putting our inner desires first, before God. Thus, it is the sin of Pride they held as the root of every other kind of evil. is possibly the worst of all sins.

In this podcast, I’ll be unpacking a sin that is too often overlooked–especially so in the church! See how the ignored practice of Vainglory is subtlety malicious and, as C.S. Lewis noted, able to transform a good man into an absolute scoundrel. Yet, in the 21st century we are more in danger of falling prey to it than ever before. In fact, very visible Christians have been corrupted already. Join in and learn how to tackle the most insidious sin.

How a Hijacker Tested My Faith: A Passenger's Inspiring Story

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0700

How a Hijacker Tested My Faith: A Passenger's Inspiring Story

In this episode, Lenny interviews Daniel Pop, a passenger on the attempted hijacking in Melbourne, Australia. Daniel opens up about surviving the hijacking attempt as well as enduring the heartbreaking loss of a child, two events that shook his world. He discusses how the faith modeled by his family who themselves were forced to flee a communist dictatorial regime led him to a stronger, more grounded belief. Watch and see how you may find hope and meaning even in life’s toughest moments.

Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: When Faith Surrenders to Secularism

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Stockholm Syndrome Christianity: When Faith Surrenders to Secularism

Lenny Esposito and John G. West unpack “Stockholm Syndrome Christianity,” a trend where Christian leaders embrace secular ideologies over biblical truth. From cultural influences to critiques of figures like Andy Stanley and Francis Collins, this discussion reveals the corruptions creeping into modern Christian practice and offers insights on how believers can identify wolves in sheep’s clothing while standing firm in their faith.

Evangelicals, Politics, and Trump: The Future of American Christianity?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 17 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Evangelicals, Politics, and Trump: The Future of American Christianity?

Analysts have reported that evangelicals that made the difference in electing Donald Trump, but do evangelical beliefs reflect the aspirations of Trump supporters? in looking at the data, there are other, underlying issues that aren’t necessarily discussed in media reports.On this podcast I bring you a discussion with Dr. Darren Guerra and Logan Zeppieri, two political experts who look at just what motivated voters during the 2024 election, how the term evangelical is applied differently in a political context and just what it mean to be a believer in our current political climate.

Ordo Amoris: The Christian Teaching Everyone Got Wrong

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 10 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0700

Ordo Amoris: The Christian Teaching Everyone Got Wrong

Discover how ordo amoris, a fundamental Christian teaching on the order of love, has been misunderstood by political commentators. From oversimplification to ideological bias, Lenny uncovers why the concept is being distorted, sets the record straight on its theological origins, and explain why it’s still relevant today.

Comics, Murder... and the Gospel?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 3 Mar 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Comics, Murder... and the Gospel? How a Detective Turned Comic Creator Is Redefining Christian Storytelling.

J. Warner Wallace, a seasoned detective, sits down with Lenny Esposito to share the secrets behind his leap into graphic novels. This episode dives into blending crime-solving realism with a Christian worldview, engaging readers, and tackling big ideas like human worth in a fresh way.

Christianity for Thinking People: The William Lane Craig Interview

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 24 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Christianity for Thinking People: The William Lane Craig Interview

Can Christian faith stand up to rigorous thought? The answer is a resounding yes and you can see why in this interview with Dr. William Lane Craig on his latest project, Systematic Philosophical Theology. This innovative work explores why Christianity isn’t just for the heart but for the head, it isn’t afraid to ask hard questions, and shows how Christianity can be a thrilling intellectual adventure for those who crave a thinking person’s spirituality.

The Authority of Scripture

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 17 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0800

The Authority of Scripture

Why Should we trust the Bible as the sole authority of our faith and how do we know that only these books and no others are the genuine words of God? In this podcast, Lenny explores how Christians should understand why scripture holds the ultimate authority for those who want to be true disciples of Jesus and his teachings. The doctrine of the inspiration of scripture and what it means to be God-breathed is essential for every believer to understand and why only the scriptures—not traditions—hold the final say on how we live in a way that Jesus himself taught.

Battling the War Against the Family

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 10 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Battling the War Against the Family

What is the next most dangerous thing that we as a society face? What is the next big battle standing against our traditional values and our understanding to be human? Culture seems to be devaluing family and the incredibly dangerous ramifications we are facing as marriage happens later and birthrates drop precipitously. It's an issue you don’t hear talked about in church pulpits, but the threat is significant and we need to think more deeply about it.

Hidden Ways The Gospels Prove Reliable

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 3 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Hidden Ways The Gospels Prove Reliable

Can we trust the Gospels? Why should people place their trust in documents written so long ago that don't even agree with each other? In this podcast, Lenny investigates some interesting facts which cannot be written off as coincidences and demonstrate why the Gospels are reliable history.

Can We Trust the Gospels About Jesus? Featuring Wesley Huff

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Can We Trust the Gospels About Jesus? Featuring Wesley Huff

What’s the truth about the Gospels we have today? There has been no more scrutinized religious literature that the New Testament and specifically the gospel accounts of Jesus’s life. Here, we talk with Bible scholar Wesley Huff, recently seen on the Joe Rogan Experience, about the authorship of the four Gospel accounts and their reliability. Find out why you can be confident that the story of Jesus in the New Testament is history!

Unraveling Faith: Are the Resurrection Claims of Jesus Supported by FACTS?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 20 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Unraveling Faith: Are the Resurrection Claims of Jesus Supported by FACTS?

In this enlightening podcast episode, Lenny, along with Dr. Harry Edwards and Dr. Jacob Daniel, dives deep into the historical accounts of Jesus' resurrection, examining the compelling reasons to believe in this central Christian event. With an analysis of the gospel narratives alongside crucial discussions on factual evidence, we explore why competing theories often fall short. Join us on a thought-provoking journey to understand the profound explanatory power of resurrection belief in Christianity!

Why Does God Remain Hidden?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 13 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0800

Why Does God Remain Hidden?If God really wants us to believe in him, then why doesn’t He show himself more clearly? The idea that God is hidden, that if he were real he would provide obvious signs to us mere mortals proving his existence is a charge that many skeptics have leveled against believers. When asked what he would say if after he died he was face to face with God, atheist Bertrand Russel famously replied “Not enough evidence!”

Today, I bring you a talk I recently gave at the Defend Conference in New Orleans. Here I address the charge that God’s hiddenness counts against him being real, tackling issues like the so-called missing miracles today, as well as some more sophisticated objections, like those given by philosopher J.L Shellenberg. We will learn why God’s hiddenness is actually important and good for us.

What Defines a True Christian?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 6 Jan 2025 00:00:00 -0800

What Defines a True Christian?

Is there such a thing as a Deep Fake Christian? The problem of deep-fake Christians—those who act and sound like true followers of Jesus when their beliefs are actually different than what he taught—has been a real problem ever since the inception of the church. How can one tell what marks a true Christian from someone who has been corrupted by a deep fake? Is it simply a desire to follow Jesus, to follow the conviction of the Holy Spirit? As the Apostle John warned the local church in his day, we must be careful because there are wolves out there who like to dress as sheep and, as they say, The Devil's in the details.

Top Podcasts of 2024

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Top Podcasts of 2024

The Come Let Us Reason Podcast celebrated its 18th year with an amazing assortment of topics and interviews. With our exponential growth on YouTube, we are seeing more people than ever before watching or listening to these episodes. Here are key snippets from six of the most popular shows, including issues about Christian cults, science, the woke left, evolution, and more.

Is It Possible to Be Good Without God? What’s Necessary for Morality

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 23 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Is It Possible to Be Good Without God? What’s Necessary for Morality

Investigate if secular ethics can stand on their own without religious foundations. In this interview with Dr. David Horner on his new book Metaethics: A Short Companion, we explore what is objective morality, how atheists, naturalists, and those of other belief systems ground their morality and why the Christian understanding of what constitutes “the good” makes the most sense.

The Nobel Prize as Evidence of Intelligent Design

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 16 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

The Nobel Prize as Evidence of Intelligent Design

What does this year’s Nobel Prize have to do with intelligent design? A lot more than you may imagine! On this episode I’ve invited Dr. Fazale Rana from Reasons to Believe and Dr. Casey Luskin from the Discovery Institute to review and discuss the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of micro-RNAs and how it supports intelligent design and weakens the evolutionary paradigm. Join us as we dive into a fascinating discussion on the mechanisms of life.

Redesigning Humanity? Christianity and Modern Body Identity Trends

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 9 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Redesigning Humanity? Christianity and Modern Body Identity Trends

There’s been a clear cultural push towards viewing one's body as simply a canvas that may be modified for personal expression. But such a view is shortsighted and can be dangerous, powering ideas as radical as transgender surgeries. The Bible holds our bodies as sacred, a substantial part of what makes one human. Is the desire to modify our bodies costing us our dignity? How do our bodies reflect our creation in God's image? Explore a robust theology of the body and how it fits in God's design.

Deconstructing World Religions: Why the Bible Stands Apart!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 2 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Deconstructing World Religions: Why the Bible Stands Apart!

Ever pondered how different religions of the world stack up against each other in their claims to be true? What if we were to "deconstruct" the faiths of the world and boil them down to their bare essentials. Would they still make sense? This video compares the teachings, worldview, and moral aspects of Christianity and measures them against other major religious systems, revealing why only the Bible and its doctrines can be confidently asserted as coming directly from God.

Thanksgiving Decoded: The Christian Roots of America's Favorite Holiday

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 25 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Thanksgiving Decoded: The Christian Roots of America's Favorite Holiday

Why do we celebrate Thanksgiving? Discover the theological underpinnings and historical events that established Thanksgiving as a day of national gratitude and America’s last religious holiday. Understand why giving thanks isn't just a ritual but a recognition of the God of the Bible. Ideal for those seeking a deeper understanding beyond the turkey and pie.

The Battle for Our Minds: Is Technology Rewiring Our Beliefs?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 18 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800

The Battle for Our Minds: Is Technology Rewiring Our Beliefs?

Are we being unknowingly reprogrammed by the digital world? This discussion uncovers the alarming ways social media manipulates our minds, challenges Christian worldviews, and reshapes humanity's connection to truth, faith, and freedom. Here’s how to stand firm in faith amidst a growing digital onslaught.

The Cost of Grace: Persecution as Part of the Christian Faith

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 11 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800

The Cost of Grace: Persecution as Part of the Christian Faith

Although not often preached today, suffering and persecution are intrinsic to Christian discipleship. Jesus Himself foretold suffering for His followers, early Church Fathers, like Tertullian, viewed suffering as a badge of honor and a means of testifying to the truth of Christianity, and suffering through persecution provides every Christian a means to prove and strengthen his or her faith. Martyrdom is not mere endurance; it is participation in the redemptive work of Christ.

From Family Values to Family Crisis: The Hidden War Against Families

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 4 Nov 2024 00:00:00 -0800

From Family Values to Family Crisis: The Hidden War Against Families

The last two decades have seen an assault against traditional values and traditional structures of society more than ever before. Trans-activists are leveraging politicians to separate children from parents. Elementary schools push soft porn books in schools. And people are having fewer babies while tech promises to outsource pregnancy. In this talk, taken from the Come Reaon Dare to Defend Conference, Lenny presents a Christian understanding of why the family is under fire, the hidden threats that lie ahead, and what we need to do about it.

Are Atheists Losing Faith in Atheism? The Surprising Return of God

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 28 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Are Atheists Losing Faith in Atheism? The Surprising Return of God

In an age of scientific progress and secularization, many would expect belief in God to decline—but recent trends suggest otherwise. In this video, we explore Justin Brierley’s compelling insights from his new book, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God, and discover why a growing number of atheists and skeptics are beginning to question their disbelief. Join us as we dive into the philosophical, scientific, and cultural shifts sparking new conversations about God’s existence.

God’s Masterpiece: Why Little Acts of Faith Make a Big Impact

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700

God’s Masterpiece: Why Little Acts of Faith Make a Big Impact

In this talk, we explore how even the smallest acts of ministry hold incredible significance in God's grand design. Like an artist carefully adding brushstrokes to a canvas, every kind word, simple gesture, and unnoticed deed contributes to a masterpiece that reflects God's purpose for mankind. We'll uncover how God finds immense value in each act, no matter how small it seems, and how these moments are woven together to reveal His greater plan. Join us to discover the power of small, faithful actions and how you play a vital role in the divine masterpiece He’s creating.

False Teachings Exposed: A Christian's Guide to Discernment

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700

False Teachings Exposed: A Christian's Guide to Discernment

Ever since its beginnings, Christianity has battled false teachers. However, today the church is facing false teachings that take on a more nuanced approach. Some of our most popular and influential worship producers and book authors hold to dangerous doctrines. As thoughtful believers, how can we recognize heretical doctrines or misleading teachers? And how do we check our own beliefs to make sure they are true? Using a story form Jeremiah as an example, we learn why we need to be discerning Christians and just how to do so.

Apologetics and the Arts: The Doug Powell Interview

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 7 Oct 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Apologetics and the Arts: The Doug Powell Interview

Is defending the faith only an intellectual exercise? There’s another way God reveals his existence: through beauty and the arts. Doug Powell is an accomplished musician working with such top-level artists like Alan Parsons, Sixpence None the Richer, and Wilco. He’s also a novelist and an apologist. Here, we discuss art and beauty and how these virtues can also point to the truth of the Gospel.

Richard Dawkins and Why Cultural Christianity Isn't Enough

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 30 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Richard Dawkins and Why Cultural Christianity Isn't Enough

Richard Dawkins is arguably the world’s foremost atheist. Yet he like Sam Rubin, Douglas Murray, Tom Holland and others claims to be a cultural Christian. Why would the man who paid for bus advertisements dismissing God want to be identified with Christianity? Dawkins likes the benefits of living in a Christian society. But what Dawkins forgets is for any society to sustain the fruits of Christianity, there needs to be a strong root of true belief in Jesus. Enjoy this riveting discussion with myself, Dr. Harry Edwards and Dr. Jacob Daniel as we discuss the cultural Christian phenomenon.

The Indomitable Word of God

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 23 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700

The Bible is undeniably unique among the books of the world. No other book has sold more copies, been at the forefront of new technologies and been the most challenged, studies, scrutinized, and debated text the world over. Yet, it stands as the preeminent revelation of God’s message to his people. In this podcast, we look at what inspiration means and see the power of God’s word to change lives as well as how it withstands all attacks.

Virtuous Leaders and Why They Matter

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 16 Sep 2024 18:56:00 -0700

Virtuous Leaders and Why They Matter

Leadership. It's lauded as essential to managing a group, but what effect do leaders really have? The question of leadership has increased in relevance these days as it seems that no matter on what side of the political aisle one resides, good leaders are becoming more and more rare.

In this study of Jeremiah Chapters 34 and 35, Lenny explores the concept by looking at a stark contrast in leadership between the bad and the good. You can find opens all kinds of parallels to issues we face today and our text even helps us understand how faithful Christians can navigate today’s ignoble politics where perhaps no good leaders may be found.

Bethel Church and the New Apostolic Reformation: Christian or Cult?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 9 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Bethel Church and the New Apostolic Reformation: Christian or Cult?

Many people have been attracted to Bethel Church and the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) movement. However, the movement’s emphasis on modern-day apostles and prophets shows dangerous signs of being more about power and control than creating a church faithful to Jesus’s teachings. Here I engage in a roundtable discussion with Anthony Costello, Dr, Douglas Geivett, and Holly Pivec, exposing NAR as something more counterfeit than Christian.

Why the Virgin Birth Matters: The Rhyne Putman Interview

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 2 Sep 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Why the Virgin Birth Matters: The Rhyne Putman Interview

Ever since the earliest days of the church, the idea that Jesus was born of a virgin became crucial to understand certain aspects of Christianity. It was included in the church creeds and has dramatic implications to how we understand who Jesus is and all he come to accomplish as savior. In this interview, Dr. Rhyne Putman joins me to explore many of the meanings and objections he covers in his new book.

Calvinism, Arminianism, and God's Middle Knowledge

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 26 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Calvinism, Arminianism, and God's Middle Knowledge

Salvation. How do we understand it? Within the church there are two primary views that Christians hold: God has predestined us to be saved but we also have liberty—we may choose to either follow or deny him. On this podcast, we're going to explore something that is a third choice, something called middle knowledge or Molinism. Join us as we explore aspects of each of these positions with Dr. Kenneth Keathley.

Is God Evil in the Old Testament?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 19 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Is God Evil in the Old Testament?

Atheist Richard Dawkins famously wrote “The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction” and charged him with being a genocidal ethnic cleanser. Other atheists have also specifically criticized the biblical story of the conquering of Canaan by the Israelites because God ordered them to wipe out all who live there—sometimes even including the livestock.

How should Christians understand the slaughter of the Canaanites and the orders God gave to the Israelites? There’s actually more than meets the eye here as we explore why a good God would give such a command.

Should Christians Seek to Shape Culture?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 12 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Should Christians Seek to Shape Culture?

What should be the role of the church in shaping the broader culture of our society? Today’s secular culture seems to be running further and further away from its Christian roots. But does that mean we no longer have a responsibility to it? Are Christians to withdraw from the world or do we bear a responsibility to try and move culture toward a more moral and Godly direction? For today’s podcast, I’m behind the radio mike, joining the Apologetics.com team of Dr. Harry Edwards and Dr. Jacob Daniel to discuss just what we mean by culture and identify what duties the church has in bringing culture more in line with our biblical values.

Faith and Science: Where the Conflict Really Lies

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 5 Aug 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Faith and Science: Where the Conflict Really Lies

Faith and science. These two topics have been seemingly at loggerheads formany years. But don't believe everything you hear. Can people of faith embrace some of the most modern scientific discoveries of today? We're going to be exploring the ideas of faith and science and how these two disciplines are not at loggerheads, but actually work together to give us a clearer picture of the world.

Conservative Politics and the Danger of Secularism

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 29 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Conservative Politics and the Danger of Secularism

What is a cultural Christian? Those who have traditionally been opposed to Christian beliefs, people Like Richard Dawkins, James Lindsay, and others are publicly siding with Evangelicals for conservative causes associated previously with church-goers. They don't believe, but identify as "cultural Christians." What are we to make of all of this? Is it a good thing or something we need to be wary of? Learn about the new rise of secular conservatism on this podcast.

Christianity vs. Christian Nationalism and the Woke Right

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 22 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Christianity Vs. Christian Nationalism and the Woke Right

Today's culture has really shifted as more people are disconnected from faith. Proponents of what we may term "traditional values" are on the rise even though they don't ground such values in any transcendent ethic. Others, claiming to be Christians place their political battles on par with their religious beliefs and some have adopted the tactics that those on the left have used such as cancel culture against their opponents. How can we as Christians understand what it means to be virtuous in a society that no longer holds virtue as a value?

Why Are Churches Blessing Same Sex Couples While Denying Same Sex Marriage?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 15 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Why Are Churches Blessing Same Sex Couples While Denying Same Sex Marriage?

There’s an alarming trend beginning to emerge in churches today across Christendom. Conservative Catholic, Orthodox and even Evangelical churches have taken to offer blessings to same-sex couples while still trying to hold that same-sex unions are against the teachings of scripture. Should "pastoral care" trump the clear teaching of scripture on what we understand as an immoral lifestyle? And how do we as evangelicals elevate doctrine to its proper position while still “loving the sinner and hating the sin”? We tackle this difficult topic in this round-table discussion.

One Nation Under God: How America’s Christian Heritage Shaped Our Country

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 8 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700

One Nation Under God: How America’s Christian Heritage Shaped Our Country

We’ve heard the phrase “American Exceptionalism.” Just what is it that makes America different? In a word, it’s Christianity. Because Christianity so changed and infused the culture, Christian ideas provided the foundation of the American experiment. Indeed, America could not have existed without it and those Christian principles are necessary to maintain the nation as the founders envisioned.

How We Became a Crotch-Driven Culture

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 1 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0700

How We Became a Crotch-Driven Culture

Pride month, transgender ideology, throuples, onlyFans, sexual self-expression, InCels, and abortion. It seems that almost all the issues that capture the attention and the headlines today center around the pelvis. How is it that the center of our culture revolves around the vulgar and the crass? How did civilization lose its way? In this podcast, Dr. Harry Edwards and I discuss why in the 20th century culture turned from elevating the human condition to a more self-centered and feelings-based drive of the individual and how that led to our sex-saturated society.

Understanding In-vitro Fertilization As A Christian

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:28:00 -0700

Understanding In-vitro Fertilization As A Christian

Reproduction, in vitro fertilization, and all of the questions that go along with it have been making the headlines recently. Did the Southern Baptists really oppose IVF treatments for infertile couples? How can pro-life people be against bringing more babies into the world? Just what issues are there with IVF and other reproduction-assisting procedures? Are there dangers to the parents? Listen in as Lenny explores all those questions and more.

Pope Francis vs Augustine: Are People "Fundamentally Good"?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 17 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Pope Francis vs Augustine: Are People "Fundamentally Good"?

In a recent 60 Minutes television interview, Pope Francis made the claim that people are "fundamentally good in heart." Such a statement by the head of the Roman Catholic church seems to directly contradict Catholic theology, going all the way back to Saint Augustine! Is the pope renouncing the doctrine of original sin? What about human nature and human depravity? Is the pope even Catholic? In this podcast, I'm joined by Reasons to Believe scholar Ken Samples as we contrast Catholic and Protestant theology and help unravel Francis's cryptic comments.

What's the Big Deal About The Trinity, Anyway?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 10 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700

What's the Big Deal About The Trinity, Anyway?

The Trinity. It forms the center of Christian doctrine, yet most Christians today either don’t understand it or ignore it as something not important. But if God wasn’t a triune being, our salvation would be impossible. How can we make the Trinity more comprehensible? In this episode I interview Dr. Fred Sanders of Biola University, an expert on the Trinity, as we explore the deep things of God.

Leveraging Culture for Christianity

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 3 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Leveraging Culture for Christianity

It's no secret we're no longer living in a Christian culture when we see all of the various ways that church has been displaced in our society. How can we share our faith with people who simply aren't interested in religion anymore? By leveraging the desires and the thoughts that people do have to show them that Christianity actually is the answer that they're searching for.

What Does Athens Have to Do With Jerusalem?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Tue, 28 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700

What Does Athens Have to Do With Jerusalem?

That question was first famously asked by the church father Tertullian when he was contemplating the relationship between Greek philosophy and church theology. Today, many people wonder the same thing. Do we need all that egghead scholasticism or can’t we just love Jesus? Yet, for most of Christian history the pastors *were* the professors! It is only recently that some mistakenly separate belief from intellectual scholarship. Listen in to learn just how much Christian scholarship can contribute to the church and why we need both to love God with all our minds as well as our hearts.

J. Warner Wallace: The Inside Scoop on True Crime

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 20 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700

J. Warner Wallace: The Inside Scoop on True Crime

Can a homicide detective who dealt with murderers and death really uncover important truths about how to live? In this fascinating interview, Lenny speaks with Det. J. Warner Wallace about his career as a cold-case detective and his new book The Truth in True Crime. In it, Wallace shares the fifteen most important principles to improve your life, strengthen your faith, and make you a better human being.

Learning From 35 Answered Prayers in the Bible

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 13 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Learning From 35 Answered Prayers in the Bible

Throughout the Bible, we see the heroes of the faith coming in prayer to God for all kinds of issues, But have you really studied just how they prayed? In this interview with Dr. Nathan Ward, author of _Our Eyes Are On You: A Study of Biblical Prayer_, we discuss what specific things effective prayers have in common and how our understanding of God's nature and attributes should inform our petitions.

What Dangers Does AI Hold For The Future?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 6 May 2024 00:00:00 -0700

What Dangers Does AI Hold For The Future?

Artificial intelligence is quickly being integrated into more and more systems we use to work and create. But are there dangers to it? Past doomsday scenarios in film may not be realistic, but ther are some legitimate cautions we should heed that accompany the benefits of AI. In this episode, Lenny joins the Kirkwood Center roundtable to look at the benefits and potential pitfalls of AI, including some areas of concern that aren’t normally discussed.

Belief, Denial, and Delusion: Lessons from Jeremiah

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 15:00:00 -0700

Belief, Denial, and Delusion: Lessons from Jeremiah

People will hold their beliefs strongly. If a belief is justified, that should be the case. But what happens when we believe things that aren’t true because we simply don’t want to? We have many examples throughout history of people denying or deluding themselves into believing things about God that are simply wrong, and they even use scripture to try and prove it! In this podcast, we examine how our denial or biased understanding of God makes for dangerous, dangerous trap that can lead to significant consequences.

Losing Culture: How Relativism Makes People More Savage

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 14:00:00 -0700

Losing Culture: How Relativism Makes People More Savage

Why do we see more incivility in our society today? We read about the increase in mass shootings, student violence against speakers with whom they disagree, and an ever-growing online belligerence. And what's worse is our country and our world are being divided among ideological lines where no thought or no charity is given to the person holding a differing view. Here, our panel explores how we are losing our culture--specifically how relativism is making people more savage, causing them to lose the understanding of what civility actually means.

Fake News! How the Misinformation Police Get It Wrong

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 15 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Fake News! How the Misinformation Police Get It Wrong

What counts as misinformation, disinformation or fake news? Are people so led astray by today's social media that they continually confuse facts with opinion? Lenny examines a journalarticle by political sciientists who claim to show how people get their facts and opinions wrong. However, there's a big problem... the researchers themseves don't understand knowledge. By misdefining what counts as fact, theitr paper provides an example of how the experts are committing the very error they are lecturing others about. Find out how to think a little more clearly on this Come Le Us Reason Podcast.

Deconstruction, Doubt, and Christianity: The Bobby Conway Interview

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 8 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Deconstruction, Doubt, and Christianity: The Bobby Conway Interview

Doubt about the claims of Christianity have existed since the day of Jesus's resurrection. Many young people today are deconstructing their faith based on their doubts. But what happens when the one wrestling with doubt is a pastor? How does he face his congregation each week? In this riveting interview, Lenny talks with pastor and apologist Bobby Conway about the difficulties and doubt he faced even while pastoring a church. Hear why doubt doesn't mean the end of faith and why Christianity actually gives us ways to overcome darkness and depression in our lives.

Defusing the Wars Against Men and Culture: The Nancy Pearcey Interview

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 1 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Defusing the Wars Against Men and Culture: The Nancy Pearcey Interview

Our culture is in crisis in many different ways. Depression rates are soaring, young men are finding it more difficult to find their place in this world, confusion over the value that our bodies hold is commonplace, as is the idea that morality isn’t rooted in fact. In special interview with Nancy Pearcey, we discuss several of the most crucial issues that are rocking our culture today. Her books like Saving Leonardo, Total Truth, and her most recent book, The Toxic War on Masculinity, really focus on some of these most important issues that show a seismic shift in where we used to be as a culture and where we find ourselves now.

Christianity and Masculinity - What Does it Mean to Be a A Man?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 25 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Christianity and Masculinity: What Does it Mean to Be a A Man?

What does it mean to be a Christian and a man in 2024? Is it the hyper-aggressiveness and crudity of an Andrew Tate or is it a benign passivity of a Ward Cleaver? Here, we examine the extremes, the stereotypes, and the assertions of how manhood has gone wrong. But we also look to Jesus—the primary example of what being a true man is—and offer a model of biblical manhood that becomes something a bit different from what both the secularists and Christian critics try to make it.

A Paleontologist's View of Darwinism and Intelligent Design

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 18 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

A Paleontologist's View of Darwinism and Intelligent Design

Evolution is a hot=button issue. As our science progresses, is the evidence for evolution beoining more concrete or more tenuous? Here, I interview Dr. Günter Bechly, an evolutionary biologist and paleontologist who has devoted much of his life studying Darwinism. He highlights the incredible problems facing the modern neo-darwinian synthesis and how design makes much better sense of the data.

Does HeGetsUs Really Get Jesus Right

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0700

Does #HeGetsUS Really Get Jesus Right?

How do you reach a culture that thinks Christianity is not only unnecessary, but evil? The #HeGetsUs commercials made a huge splash during the Superbowl, but were they effective? And did they properly communicate the gospel message? Here Lenny, along with Dr. Harry Edwards and Dr. Jacob Daniel, discuss the pluses and the problems of the #HeGetsUS effort and offers a balanced, thoughtful view, shedding more light to a topic that has generated quite a bit of heat, both inside and outside the church.

Beware The Language Games of the Woke

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 4 Mar 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Beware! The Language Games of the Woke

Words matter. We use words in order to communicate ideas, in order to share feelings, and gain knowledge. But words can also wound and be weaponized. In fact, today political ideology has driven an intentional misuse of words and a conflict over how we even understand shared ideas.

Here Lenny exposes the intentional obfuscation of terms and points out the language shell games that are sometimes used to try and shame and coerce us into holding a specific view. However, through a proper approach of engaging and extending ideas, we can actually open a door to gospel conversations.

My LIVE Conversation with Jehovah's Witnesses

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 26 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0800

My LIVE Conversation with Jehovah's Witnesses

What do you do when a Jehovah's Witness knocks on your door? Many people have a bit of a panic attack or want to shoo them away as quickly as possible, Christians included! But you shouldn't be afraid to engage these people, for it's rare enough that someone wants to talk to us about the things of God! I had the opportunity to capture a visit that a couple of Witnesses made to my door and I take you through the entire conversation, providing my thinking and my strategy so you too may be able thoughtfully and graciously engage those who are lost to the cults.

The Lazy Approach to Evangelism

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 19 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0800

The Lazy Approach to Evangelism

Evangelism. It's a word that can strikes fear into the hearts of a lot of people. We know we're supposed to evangelize, but how do we do so? Does it require tons of study? Doesn't it require feet of iron? Maybe there's a lazy way that we can still be faithful to our gospel command and share our faith with those who don't believe in Jesus. That's our topic as I interview author and apologist Eric Hernandez on his new book The Lazy Approach to Evangelism.

Crisis of the Shrinking Family: The Tim Carney Interview

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 12 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Crisis of the Shrinking Family: The Tim Carney Interview

We are in the midst of a baby-bust. For the first time in our history, the number of seniors are growing at a greater rate than the number of babies being born, which spells a dangerous future for our lives as well as our culture. Why has the millennial generation shied away from having kids? What are the *real reasons* for the hesitancy in becoming parents and what can the church do about it? In this interview with Tim Carney, author of the upcoming _Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be_, we discuss these questions and the underlying drivers that disincentivize growing families. it is a topic that should concern us all.

Andy Stanley, Alistair Begg, and Confusion over LGBTQ+ Issues

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 5 Feb 2024 11:47:00 -0800

Andy Stanley, Alistair Begg, and Confusion over LGBTQ+ Issues

What are we to make over the recent controversies that have encircled prominent Evangelical leaders about their stances on same-sex weddings, transgender grandchildren, and the like? A few months ago, Andy Stanley hosted a conference where he invited a "married" gay couple to speak to Christian parents. Last week, Alistair Begg got into hot water for his advice about attending such unions. How are Christians to discern what the right path is?

In this podcast, Lenny examines the statements and positions of these events and offers a sensitive, nuanced explanation of how you can be loving to your LGBTQ+ family and friends while still holding to a clear biblical morality.

Building a Bulletproof Faith in Your Kids

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Sun, 21 Jan 2024 23:00:00 -0800

Building a Bulletproof Faith in Your Kids

The stats are clear. Once they leave home, Christian kids are leaving the church in alarming numbers. How can we help young believers stand up to the continual onslaught of peer-pressure, professors, and pop culture pushing them away from the faith? In this session, noted apologist Lenny Esposito provides parents and young people with specific tools to solidify their faith and help them see why Christianity makes the most sense of our world.

Losing The Family: Are Millennials Choosing Comfort Over Kids?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 15 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Losing The Family: Are Millennials Choosing Comfort Over Kids?

It’s no secret that birthrates are declining in the west and it seems to be more prevalent with the millennials. Why are young people today reluctant to start families? In this podcast Lenny, along with Kirkwood Center colleagues Anthony Costello and Dr. Jacob Daniel review a couple of recent articles written by millennial women where they tell how they actually dread the idea of motherhood and how they aren't alone in their feelings. What does this mean for society and for the future? The answers are chilling.

Would The World Be Better Without Religion?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 8 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Would The World Be Better Without Religion?

Is it true that science fly you to the moon while religion flies you into buildings? Skeptics such as Richard Dawkins often claim that the biggest evils in the world are perpetrated because of religious beliefs. Does religion cause more wars, more hatred and prejudice than other views? What would a world free of religion look like? Join Lenny as he shows why such objections have no grounding in reality.

Top Podcasts of 2023 - The Best of the Best!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 1 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -0800

Top Podcasts of 2023 - The Best of the Best!

Here it is. As we close out 2023 and welcome 2024, Lenny reviews all the interviews and roundtable discussions published over the year and highlights clips from the top five most watched podcasts of the year. Issues like neo-paganism, J.R.R. Tolkien and God in Lord of the Rings, and how Sigmund Freud shifted our culture towards a sex-saturated ideology are here. Interviews with Stephen Meyer, Austin Freeman and former militant atheist Sy Garte are included. Listen all in this final retrospective.

The God of Middle Earth: How Tolkien's Faith Fueled The Lord of the Rings
https://youtu.be/sWcyBWajHDU
Top Scientist Changes From Militant Atheist to Christian Believer - Because of Science!
https://youtu.be/xXYEPDvSEJQ
Four Hot Button Topics the Church Cannot Ignore
https://youtu.be/S98nsB0HCQA
Stephen C Meyer Interview: The Return of the God Hypothesis
Part 1: https://youtu.be/SOpDxXuFkwo
Part 2: https://youtu.be/huAKw8jIEbA
Freud's Poison: Corrupting Civilization Through Sex
https://youtu.be/N39f4j5as8g

Top Podcasts of 2023 - Part 1

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 25 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Top Podcasts of 2023 - Part 1

As we look back on our first year of our newly reformatted Come Let Us Reason Together podcasts, there are several standout moments. Here, Lenny shares some clips from five of the top ten podcasts of the year, discussing issues from the resurrection of Jesus, questions on Hell, engaging Jehovah's Witnesses, why God doesn't make himself more visible, and the logic of holding Christianity instead of other faiths.

College and Faith: Can Christianity Make a Difference on the University Campus?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800

College and Faith: Can Christianity Make a Difference on the University Campus?

It’s no secret that the modern university is bastion of leftism and secularism., yet these institutions of higher learning play an outsized role in shaping our culture. Is it possible for Christianity to make a difference on the university campus? How should young Christians approach college life? In today’s podcast, I’m joined in the discussion by Corey Miller, the President of Ratio Christi, and my colleague at the Kirkwood Center, Anthony Costello, as we explore the state of higher education today and what is being done to fight the moral decay on campus.

Faith And Politics: Where Should Christianity Fit in the Democratic Process?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Faith And Politics: Where Should Christianity Fit in the Democratic Process?

As we get ready to enter another election year in the United States, the question arises of how faith should inform one’s politics. Faith is the basis of morality, and even the founding of the United States points to God who endows us with inalienable rights. How do we make sense of this in a pluralistic culture? Here, our panel explores questions of faith in politics and how Christianity should fit into the democratic process. Is there any virtue in voting for the lesser of two evils? Is politics an appropriate point of discussion for Christian apologetics? These questions and more are tackled in our latest episode.

Top Scientist Changes From Militant Atheist to Christian Believer - Because of Science!

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 4 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Top Scientist Changes From Militant Atheist to Christian Believer - Because of Science!

It's common today to hear atheists proclaim that believing in God is anti-science and as our science progresses, faith will be abandoned. But what if doing good science actually makes a compelling case for God? In this pocast, Lenny talks wth Dr. Sy Garte, a self-described "militant atheist" whose journey as an origin of life scholar prompted hm to abandon his atheism and affirm the Christian faith.

Sy talks about his new book, Science and Faith in Harmony: Contemplations on a Distilled Doxology and the current state of origin of life research as well as how the more we learn, the more God is evident in design.

How to Talk About Jesus Without Fear: The Andy Bannister Interview

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 27 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800

How to Talk About Jesus Without Fear: The Andy Bannister Interview

As Christians, we all want to share the life-changing belief of Jesus with others, but it can seem to tough! Will I say the right thing? Will I be ridiculed? Will I offend someone else? In this engaging interview, Lenny talks with Andy Bannister about his new book How to Talk About Jesus Without Sounding Like an Idiot about no-pressure ways you can engage others in conversations that easily open the door for the Gospel.

Resurrecting a Bold Faith

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 20 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Resurrecting a Bold Faith

Have you ever wished that you could have the faith as those heroes we read about in the Bible? Bold faith isn’t something you stumble upon, it can be cultivated and strengthened. In the second part of our study of Hebrews 11, Lenny examines how faith begins with what we know and how you can make yours grow by deepening your experiences with God.

What is Faith?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 13 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800

What Is Faith?

In today's secular world, faith is dismissed as something akin to wishful thinking. Atheists proclaim faith is nothing more than belief without evidence. However, nothing could be further from the truth. in this, the first of a two-part series, Lenny looks at the Biblical definition of faith in Hebrews 11 and how that faith is demonstrated through the lives of key biblical figures. Learn why faith actually requires evidence in this fascinating study.

Christianity and Culture: Is Therapy Doing More Harm Than Good?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 6 Nov 2023 00:00:00 -0800

Christianity and Culture: Is Therapy Doing More Harm Than Good?

Therapy seems to be all the rage. JAMA Health Forum recently reported use of mental health services has jumped by almost 40% and for most young people today believe therapy is normal and everyone should be in it. Why then are we seeing a mental health crisis exploding across our nation and in the western world, especially among young people? And what's the difference between secular therapy and Christian therapy?

In this discussion, Lenny talks with Dr. Jacob Daniel and Tom Thomazin, a Christian counselor with over thirty years of experience to flesh out both the benefits and the limitations of our modern therapeutic mindset.

The Consummate Covenant

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 30 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The Consummate Covenant<

Have you ever wanted to make a deal with God? We live in an age of contracts, of covenants. God is a God of the Covenant, but what does this mean? In this podcast, Lenny unpacks the different covenants God has offered in His dealings with humanity, culminating in the covenant that Jesus executes by dying on the cross. It's a fascinating study and one that shows just why Jeus provides the Consummate Covenant.

Abandoning Virtual Faith

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Abandoning Virtual Faith

What is driving the growing number of "Exvangelicals"—younger people deconstructing their faith and leaving Christianity? One significant problem is they have never been grounded in the real Jesus. Much like the early believers in the book of Hebrews, they are more familiar with the culture of evangelicalism than with Christ, our Great High Priest who appeals to God in Heaven and makes atonement for our sins. In this podcast, Lenny explores how people have substituted culture for Christ and how Christians should be cautious not to believe in a shadow of Jesus instead of the true center of our faith.

How Can I Know Gods Will For My Life? The Drew Dyck Interview

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700

How Can I Know Gods Will For My Life? The Drew Dyck Interview

Many Christians want to be used by God, but they don't know where to start. Life is busy and hard. How should a Christian view his walk with God in our go-go culture? In this interview with author Drew Dyck, we discuss Drew's new book, Just Show Up: How Small Acts of Faithfulness Change Everything (A Guide for Exhausted Christians). In our discussion we point out easy ways that you can begin to make a big difference with little acts.

Why Questions Will Help You Love God and Build Your Faith

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 9 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Why Questions Will Help You Love God and Build Your Faith

Is being a questioner a good thing or a bad thing? Christians are familiar with doubting Thomas, but Thomas's request allowed Jesus to more clearly state he was the way, the truth and the life. Lenny talks with author Matthew Lee Anderson on his new book Called Into Questions and why getting into a habit of asking good questions is foundational for growing in faith and finding deeper understanding.

Stephen C Meyer Interview: The Return of the God Hypothesis - Part 2

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 2 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Stephen C Meyer Interview: The Return of the God Hypothesis - Part 2

In this, the second of a two part interview, Lenny and Kirkwood Center colleague Anthony Costello continue their discussion with Dr. Stephen C. Meyer on his new book “The Return of the God Hypothesis”. In this section, we shift to issues concerning the philosophy of science and the naturalistic assumptions that keep so many begrudgingly tied to a Neo-Darwian explanation for life on earth instead of design from an intelligent creator. We also explore how Darwin's tree of life model has broken down and what the current discussions are regarding theories of life coming into existence.

Stephen C Meyer Interview: The Return of the God Hypothesis Part 1

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 25 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Stephen C Meyer Interview: The Return of the God Hypothesis Part 1

The concept of intelligent design has caused many waves since its introduction in the 1990s. In this podcast, Lenny and his fellow Kirkwood Center colleague Anthony Costello interview Dr. Stephen C. Meyer of the Discovery Institute. Stephen Meyer is the author of three seminal works in the philosophy of science: “Signature in the Cell” (2009), “Darwin’s Doubt” (2013) and the new “Return of the God Hypothesis” (2021). In this the first of a two part series, we dig deep into the scientific evidences that favor theistic design as the best hypothesis to explain fine-tuning in physics, chemistry and biology.

The God of Middle Earth: How Tolkien's Faith Fueled The Lord of the Rings

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 18 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The God of Middle Earth: How Tolkien's Faith Fueled The Lord of the Rings

J.R.R. Tolkien's world of Middle Earth and its inhabitants have continued to explode in popularity since the last century. Many know Tolkien was a follower of Jesus, but fewer understand just how central God was in the way he crafted his world. In this podcast, Lenny speaks with Dr. Austin Freeman, an expert in Tolkien and his theology, on the ways the Gospel is reflected in Tolkien's works.

Differences Over a Decade: Cold Cases, Christianity, and What's Changed with J. Warner Wallace

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Differences Over a Decade: Cold Cases, Christianity, and What's Changed with J. Warner Wallace

Can we really know that Jesus was raised from the dead? Ten years ago, Detective J.Warner Wallace was an atheist who examined the Gospel accounts using the same approach as his cold-case investigations, resulting in him writing Cold-Case Christianity. Now, a decade later, he sits down with Lenny to talk about his approach, what has changed in the years since his breakout best seller was published, and what is important in the future for those looking to share their faith. Join us for this riveting discussion.

Should Christians Fear Artificial Intelligence?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 4 Sep 2023 23:00:00 -0700

Should Christians Fear Artificial Intelligence?

We’re all familiar with films like the Terminator or the Matrix where machines advance to such a degree they become sentient, and rise up to either subjugate humans or seek to wipe them out. Is the rapid advances in artificial intelligence we hear about today the first step to that scenario? Lenny, Dr. Harry Edwards, and Finney Premkupar discuss just what A.I. is, and how we as Christians should understand this brave new technology.

The Beauty of Eternity: What Is Heaven and Why Did God Creaate Hell?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The Beauty of Eternity: What Is Heaven and Why Did God Creaate Hell?

Most people who believe in an afterlife hope to be in a paradise. Many will speak of a loving God who wants to give good things to those he loves. But if God is all-loving, how can He stand to send people to Hell? Why would He even create Hell in the first place?

In this podcast, Lenny explains how God's nature of love actually demands that Hell exists and that the punishment of sin is actually a result of a loving and just God. Join us as we explore must how beautiful eternity is.

Reaching Gen Z with the Gospel

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 21 Aug 2023 10:01:00 -0700

Reaching Gen Z with the Gospel

A lot of attention has been given to the alarming trend of young people leaving the faith. Both parents and pastors are concerned as they see kids raised in Bible-believing churches who attended youth group each week "deconvert" or identify as one of the "nones". How do we communicate the importance and validity of the gospel to young people whose lives and values have been significantly influenced by our modern anti-Christian culture? In this podcast, Lenny joins with Harry Edwards and Jonathan Noyes to talk about ways we can reach out to Gen Z and better communicate the importance of Christianity in living a good life.

Do I Have to Try All Religions to Know Which One Is True?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 14 Aug 2023 21:38:00 -0700

Do I Have to Try All Religions to Know Which One Is True?

"Just how many belief systems did you try before settling on your particular one?" It is a question that seems to challenge the idea of Christianity as the best understanding of how the world works. Yet, claiming that one must try all different religions before determining the truth lacks practicality and logical coherence.In this study, springing from a passage in Hebrews chapter 5, Lenny examines how one can rationally eliminate many of the different faiths because they hold incoherent views about God internally. He then turns towards a fuller examination of Judaism and Christianity, demonstrating how Jesus as messiah is the logical completion of the Old Testament faith.

The Crucifixion as Tangible History

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 7 Aug 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The Crucifixion as Tangible History

We live in an age where the questionable is declared certain and what had been understood as certain is now questioned. Certainly, the Gospel accounts of Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection have been questioned since the first century. But today, there are some who even doubt whether Jesus existed at all! In this study, Lenny examines the historical evidence of Jesus’s passion that forms the foundation of our faith.

Answers to Living A Christian Life in a Non-Christian Society

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 31 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Answers to Living A Christian Life in a Non-Christian Society

T.S. Eliot once wrote "The problem of leading a Christian life in a non-Christian society is now very present to us… And as for the Christian who is not conscious of his dilemma—and he is in the majority—he is becoming more and more de-Christianized by all sorts of unconscious pressure: paganism holds all the most valuable advertising space." That's the theme of this recent Q&A session that took place at Rock Hill Church. Lenny fielded questions from the audience dealing with issues of doubt, confronting the anti-Christian culture, and how science can inform faith.

Talking Faith Without Fighting: How to Be a Winsome Witness

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Talking Faith Without Fighting: How to Be a Winsome Witness

Sharing one’s faith is becoming more and more difficult as our culture moves away from its traditionally religious roots. Passionate discussions can sometimes lead to angry words or hurt feelings. But this isn’t the way we should spread the Gospel; it’s unloving and ineffective, too. In this talk, Lenny offers some specific tactics in sharing the Christian faith so you may present the truth in a loving, attractive, and effective manner.

Overcoming Barriers to Belief

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 17 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Overcoming Barriers to Belief

It's no secret we live in a post-Christian society. Yet, many believers make a fundamental mistake when they try to share their faith with others. They fail to realize just how foreign certain Christian beliefs and assumptions are to people today. Even though we share many cultural touchstones, there are still significant barriers that must be over come to better communicate the great need for Jesus today.

In this podcast, Lenny joins the Apologetics.com team to identify some of the barriers to belief and how to overcome them in our witnessing efforts.

The Need for a Creed: Confirming Christian Belief

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 10 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The Need for a Creed: Confirming Christian Belief

What do we mean when we say we’re Christians? Is it enough to claim to follow Christ? Mormons and others who have radically different views of the nature of God, the nature of Jesus, and key matters of faith have also claimed to be Christian, but that doesn’t mean they are. In this key study, Lenny examines how creeds became central to defining the essential elements of the Christian faith and how important they are in establishing true from false beliefs.

Critical Theory, Politics, and Reducing Humanity to Sexual Beasts

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 3 Jul 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Critical Theory, Politics, and Reducing Humanity to Sexual Beasts

What's happened to our society? Prior generations have always understood themselves in ways that reference the external world. Today, we're not only feelings focus, we seem to use our sexual proclivities as the primary filter for self-identity. In this episode, Lenny and Dr. Harry Edwards explore how the ideas of Freud and Marx come together in critical theory to exploit sexual ideas and corrupt ideals to a public more than willing to be debased by them.

Abandoning Atheism: What Did It Take for Skeptics to Believe?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 26 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Abandoning Atheism: What Did It Take for Skeptics to Believe?

Just how does someone who vehemently dismisses the concept of God actually come to faith? In this fascinating interview, Lenny speaks with Dr. Jana Harmon on her research studying the conversion of over 100 atheists--people who had described themselves as staunchly against the idea of God--but who have since become believers. Their stories, their reasons for not believing, and their reasons for believing provide tremendous insight for you who are witnessing to skeptical friends and family.

The End of Humanity

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 19 Jun 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The End of Humanity

The crucifixion of Jesus sits at the center of the Christian faith. It also marks the end of humanity. What does that mean, exactly? In this lesson, Lenny explains how the word "end" can convey a thing’s ultimate purpose as well as its final outcome. Join us as we explore how the crucifixion not only displays the ultimate example of evil in sinful creatures putting their holy Creator to death, but also sets a glorious destiny of forgiveness for Adam’s offspring.

Four Hot-Button Topics the Church Cannot Ignore

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 12 Jun 2023 09:00:00 -0700

Four Hot-Button Topics the Church Cannot Ignore

A.I., Critical Race Theory, Neo-Paganism, Christian Nationalism. These are big issues that are causing quite a stir on our society today. In this week's podcast, Lenny and Kirkwood Center fellow Anthony Costello examine each of these hot-button issues and offer suggestions on how the Christian church should engage and respond.

Why Does God Remain Hidden?

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 5 Jun 2023 18:00:00 -0700

Why Does God Remain Hidden?

Why is God so hidden? The existence of God is questioned more than ever, but if God wants us to believe and trust him, then how come he doesn't perform grand miracles to make himself obvious?

But is it the case that providing miracles will convince skeptics of God’s existence? In this podcast, Lenny investigates the idea of God's hiddenness and why it's beneficial for humanity. Let’s look at five reasons why God's hiddenness is a good thing.

Freud's Poison: Corrupting Civilization Through Sex

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 29 May 2023 23:20:00 -0700

Freud's Poison: Corrupting Civilization Through Sex

It's no secret that we live in a sex-saturated culture. Everywhere you turn it seems that we are not only inundated with sexual images, but more and more people see their sexual behavior as a defining aspect of who they are. This is the complete opposite of what civilization used to mean. What happened and how did we get here? In this podcast, Lenny joins the Apologetics.com panel to discuss the outsized impact Sigmund Freud had on modern society, teaching us to filter our understanding if the world through a sexual lens and just how dangerous that can be.

Hidden Ways the Gospels Prove Reliable

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 22 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700

Hidden Ways the Gospels Prove Reliable

The One Factor of Mass Killings No One Is Talking About

podcasts@comereason.org (Lenny Esposito) — Mon, 15 May 2023 00:00:00 -0700

The One Factor of Mass Killings No One Is Talking About

The tragedy of mass shootings is on the increase. Lots of theories are bantered about as to why more and more people are turning violent and what to do about it. But one important point is woefully neglected--our post-Christian culture is reaping the consequences of its purging of God from the common understanding of morality. In this episode, Lenny is joined by Raymond Gregory to talk about the uptick in homicides, shootings, and why these are early warning signs of a civilization that is beginning to crumble.