Episode 218: The Deconstruction of Christianity with Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett [Part 1]

The Book of Judges says that in the days when Israel had no king, "all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes" (Jdg. 17:6; 21:25). It is a perennial problem for man. Without recognizing or serving Jesus as King of kings and Lord of lords, people will generally do whatever they think is right in their own eyes. This is not just a problem for non-believers, as the text from Judges tells us. God's own people are often guilty of this very thing. This week we continue our conversation with Tim and Bethel McGrew about some of the historical and cultural trends of unbelief and atheism in the West. The McGrews give us some helpful insights you can incorporate with your conversations with non-believers.

Bethel McGrew is a high school teacher, math Ph.D., and widely published freelance writer. Her work has appeared in First Things, National Review, The Spectator, and many other national and international outlets. Her Substack, Further Up, is one of the top paid newsletters in "Faith & Spirituality" on the platform. She has also contributed to two essay anthologies on Jordan Peterson. When not writing social criticism, she enjoys writing about literature, film, music, and history. Her edited collection of the World War I letters of Canon A.E. Laurie is forthcoming from the U.K.’s Helion Press. (https://wng.org/authors/bethel-mcgrew).

Dr. Timothy McGrew is Professor of Philosophy at Western Michigan University, where he has taught for the past 25 years. His research interests include formal epistemology, the history and philosophy of science, and the history and philosophy of religion. When he is not doing philosophy, he enjoys playing chess online, coaching at his local chess club, running trails, and making high quality paper airplanes. He lives in SW Michigan with his wife, Lydia McGrew, and their daughters (TimothyMcGrew.com).

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Postmodernism by Aaron Shamp: watchman.org/Postmodernism

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Atheism and unbelief have their origin in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve disobeyed God by listening to the Serpent and partaking of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Since then, man has continually attempted to hide himself from God, suppressing the knowledge of God in unrighteousness. That unrighteousness and unbelief has taken many different forms throughout history. This week and next we feature our interview with philosopher Timothy McGrew and his daughter Bethel. We discuss some of the historical and cultural trends of unbelief in Western civilization and how they continue to influence unbelief today.

Bethel McGrew is a high school teacher, math Ph.D., and widely published freelance writer. Her work has appeared in First Things, National Review, The Spectator, and many other national and international outlets. Her Substack, Further Up, is one of the top paid newsletters in "Faith & Spirituality" on the platform. She has also contributed to two essay anthologies on Jordan Peterson. When not writing social criticism, she enjoys writing about literature, film, music, and history. Her edited collection of the World War I letters of Canon A.E. Laurie is forthcoming from the U.K.’s Helion Press. (https://wng.org/authors/bethel-mcgrew).

Dr. Timothy McGrew is Professor of Philosophy at Western Michigan University, where he has taught for the past 25 years. His research interests include formal epistemology, the history and philosophy of science, and the history and philosophy of religion. When he is not doing philosophy, he enjoys playing chess online, coaching at his local chess club, running trails, and making high quality paper airplanes. He lives in SW Michigan with his wife, Lydia McGrew, and their daughters (TimothyMcGrew.com).

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Postmodernism by Aaron Shamp: watchman.org/Postmodernism

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

"What are the chances of that happening?" we often say or hear whenever something remarkable or out of the ordinary takes place. When we use that phrase, we are invoking the design inference, even though we may not exactly call it that. Our guest again this week, philosopher, mathematician and senior fellow at Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture Dr. William Dembski shares with us how his more formalized design inference is indeed rooted in simple, everyday inferences we all make. But he also how it fits into the laws of probability, information theory, and specified complexity as well, making it a rigorous formal argument applicable for intuiting design in the physical cosmos and biology. We further discuss his new, second edition of his landmark 1998 book, The Design Inference.

William A. Dembski, a noted mathematician and philosopher, is a Founding and Senior Fellow with Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture and a Distinguished Fellow with the Institute’s Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. His most recent books relating to intelligent design include Being as Communion: A Metaphysics of Information (2014), Evolutionary Informatics (2017, co-authored with Robert Marks and Winston Ewert), and the second edition of The Design Inference (2023, co-authored with Winston Ewert). For more info, visit BillDembski.com.

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

For centuries Western natural philosophy, theology and the scientific tradition widely accepted that the physical cosmos and life within it was the creation of God. Arguably one of the most influential works which usurped the belief in God as the Creator was Charles Darwin's 1859 publication On the Origin of Species. It undoubtedly provided many with the intellectual framework for atheism, naturalism, and materialism. But in the late 20th and early 21st century, the concept of intelligent design has made a cultural comeback. This week and next we sit down with Dr. William Dembski, one of the leading founders and proponents of the Intelligent Design movement, to discuss his new, second edition of his landmark 1998 book, The Design Inference.

William A. Dembski, a noted mathematician and philosopher, is a Founding and Senior Fellow with Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture and a Distinguished Fellow with the Institute’s Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. His most recent books relating to intelligent design include Being as Communion: A Metaphysics of Information (2014), Evolutionary Informatics (2017, co-authored with Robert Marks and Winston Ewert), and the second edition of The Design Inference (2023, co-authored with Winston Ewert). For more info, visit BillDembski.com.

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Scientism by Dr. Luke Barnes and Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Scientism

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

What is the chief end of man? For many today in our postmodern culture, it seems to be to glorify the authentic self and enjoy it for as long as you can. Scripture has warned us that in latter times, people will become lovers of themselves. Today, the self sits at the center of the social-media movement known as "deconstruction." Our guests again this week Alisa Childers and Tim Barnet, help us break down and understand the foundational and contradictory aspects of this anti-Christian phenomenon and how we can intelligibly respond to it.

Alisa Childers: As a lifelong church-goer, follower of Jesus, and former CCM recording artist with the Dove award-winning group ZOEgirl, Alisa experienced a period of profound doubt about her faith in her mid-thirties. This questioning launched an investigation and her journey from unreasoned doubt into a vibrant, rational and informed faith. She is the author of  Another Gospel, Live Your Truth, and coauthor of The Deconstruction of Christianity. She hosts the Alisa Childers podcast. For more information, visit: AlisaChilders.com.

Tim Barnett is an apologist and speaker with Stand to Reason (str.org). Tim holds B.S. in Physics from York University, a B.Ed. from Ontario Tech University, and a M.A. in Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. For eight years, Tim served on the staff at Cedarview Community Church. He is coauthor of The Deconstruction of Christianity and currently the host of Red Pen Logic with Mr. B.

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Ever since the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden, human beings have been walking away from God. Call it backsliding, falling away, or deconverting, the terms are all a variation on the them of unbelief. The popular term in social media today is "deconstructing." Our guests this week and next, Alisa Childers and Tim Barnett, are authors of a new book, The Deconstruction of Christianity. They will help us understand the basics of this social-media movement and insights about how we can respond to it.

Alisa Childers: As a lifelong church-goer, follower of Jesus, and former CCM recording artist with the Dove award-winning group ZOEgirl, Alisa experienced a period of profound doubt about her faith in her mid-thirties. This questioning launched an investigation and her journey from unreasoned doubt into a vibrant, rational and informed faith. She is the author of  Another Gospel, Live Your Truth, and coauthor of The Deconstruction of Christianity. She hosts the Alisa Childers podcast. For more information, visit: AlisaChilders.com.

Tim Barnett is an apologist and speaker with Stand to Reason (str.org). Tim holds B.S. in Physics from York University, a B.Ed. from Ontario Tech University, and a M.A. in Philosophy from Southern Evangelical Seminary. For eight years, Tim served on the staff at Cedarview Community Church. He is coauthor of The Deconstruction of Christianity and currently the host of Red Pen Logic with Mr. B.

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Naturalism by Daniel Ray: watchman.org/Naturalism

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (over 600 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Eastern religious traditions are difficult to understand, especially for us in the West where we often find a syncretistic blend of Yoga, Hinduism, Krishna consciousness, Buddhism, and Daoism. What is Nirvana? How does it differ from Brahman? How can we make intelligent distinctions between these different traditions? Our guest again this week Dr. Doug Groothuis, helps break down the more popular Eastern religions and gives us some practical tools from a biblical perspective for understanding and engaging them.

Dr. Douglas Groothuis is a Christian philosopher who is the author of sixteen books, beginning with the best-selling Unmasking the New Age (InterVarsity Press, 1986) and including the popular and voluminous textbook, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (IVP Academic, 2022), as well as a memoir, Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—a Philosopher’s Lament (InterVarsity Press, 2017), an introduction to philosophy, Philosophy in Seven Sentences (InterVarsity, 2016), and a book on the controversial topic of Critical Race Theory, Fire in the Streets (Salem Books, 2022). He co-authored the introductory textbook on apologetics, The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word (Zondervan-Academic, 2022) with Andrew Shepardson. Get Doug's books here: uhop.me/Groothuis.

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: watchman.org/Athiesm
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Islam by James K. Walker: watchman.org/IslamProfile
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Hinduism by Dr. C. Fred Smith: watchman.org/Hindu
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Zen Buddhism by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Zen

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (660 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Episode Art Photo Credit: Cameron Bertuzzi - Capturing Christianity

Studying world religions can seem like an overwhelming task. Where can you even begin? How about right here with us? This week and next on the Profile we talk with philosopher and author Dr. Douglas Groothuis about his very down-to-earth and easy-to-digest book on this expansive and daunting topic, World Religions in Seven Sentences: A Small Introduction to a Vast Topic. If you've been looking for a place to start, look no further! Here on part one we break down in simple terms Judaism, and Islam in light of biblical truth.

Dr. Douglas Groothuis is a Christian philosopher who is the author of sixteen books, beginning with the best-selling Unmasking the New Age (InterVarsity Press, 1986) and including the popular and voluminous textbook, Christian Apologetics, 2nd ed. (IVP Academic, 2022), as well as a memoir, Walking Through Twilight: A Wife’s Illness—a Philosopher’s Lament (InterVarsity Press, 2017), an introduction to philosophy, Philosophy in Seven Sentences (InterVarsity, 2016), and a book on the controversial topic of Critical Race Theory, Fire in the Streets (Salem Books, 2022). He co-authored the introductory textbook on apologetics, The Knowledge of God in the World and in the Word (Zondervan-Academic, 2022) with Andrew Shepardson. Get Doug's books here: uhop.me/Groothuis.

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman, Jr.: watchman.org/Athiesm
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Islam by James K. Walker: watchman.org/IslamProfile
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Hinduism by Dr. C. Fred Smith: watchman.org/Hindu
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Zen Buddhism by Jason Barker: watchman.org/Zen

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (660 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Episode Art Photo Credit: Cameron Bertuzzi - Capturing Christianity

What would you say to a scholar or non-believer who cites scholars who dismiss Jesus's miracles and His resurrection? Dallas Theological Seminary New Testament scholar, Dr. Darrell Bock, helps us negotiate the world of scholarly criticism and skepticism toward the historicity of Jesus. No matter your level of knowledge or background, Darrell's conversational insights can give you some encouragement and confidence to engage this important topic with non-believers. This week we conclude our two-part conversation with Dr. Bock's centered on his 2019 book, Jesus, Skepticism, & the Problem of History.

Dr. Darrell Bock has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tübingen University in Germany), is the author of over 40 books, including well-regarded commentaries on Luke and Acts and studies of the historical Jesus, and work in cultural engagement as host of the seminary's Table Podcasts. He was president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) from 2000 to 2001, served as a consulting editor for Christianity Today, and serves on the boards of Wheaton College and Chosen People Ministries. His articles appear in leading publications.

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: watchman.org/Ehrman
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Mythicism by Dr. Robert Stewart and Marilyn Stewart: watchman.org/Mythicism

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (660 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Dallas Theological Seminary New Testament scholar, Dr. Darrell Bock, helps us negotiate the world of scholarly criticism and skepticism toward the historicity of Jesus. Whether you are familiar with historical Jesus studies or an average layperson somewhat familiar or even unfamiliar with historical studies about Jesus and the Gospels, our conversation with Darrell will help equip you with the basics for having thoughtful dialogue with skeptics and non-believers. Our conversation this week and next, is based on Dr. Bock's 2019 book, Jesus, Skepticism, & the Problem of History.

Dr. Darrell Bock has earned recognition as a Humboldt Scholar (Tübingen University in Germany), is the author of over 40 books, including well-regarded commentaries on Luke and Acts and studies of the historical Jesus, and work in cultural engagement as host of the seminary's Table Podcasts. He was president of the Evangelical Theological Society (ETS) from 2000 to 2001, served as a consulting editor for Christianity Today, and serves on the boards of Wheaton College and Chosen People Ministries. His articles appear in leading publications. He is often an expert for the media on NT issues. 

Related Links: Free access to some related Watchman Profiles:

• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: watchman.org/Ehrman
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Atheism by Dr. Robert M. Bowman: watchman.org/Atheism
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Agnosticism by W. Russell Crawford: watchman.org/Agnostic
• Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Mythicism by Dr. Robert Stewart and Marilyn Stewart: watchman.org/Mythicism

Additional Resources

FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.

PROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (660 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: watchman.org/notebook.

SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.

Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © Watchman Fellowship, Inc.