Practical Apologetics: Clear Answers for the Everyday Christian

Episode 18: Is Buddhism the Answer to Suffering?

Buddhism has become one of the most influential world religions in modern culture, and even many who don’t identify as Buddhist borrow heavily from its ideas—mindfulness, detachment, meditation, and the pursuit of inner peace. But is Buddhism actually the answer to suffering? In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we examine the teachings of Buddhism and compare them to Christianity. We explore the life of Siddhartha Gautama, the Four Noble Truths, karma, anatta, samsara, and Nirvana. Most importantly, we ask whether Buddhism correctly diagnoses the human problem—or whether Scripture gives us the deeper and truer answer. Buddhism says suffering is rooted in desire. Christianity says suffering is rooted in sin. That difference changes everything. Sources: The Holy Bible The Dhammapada The Universe Next Door — James W. Sire Mere Christianity — C.S. Lewis Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus — Nabeel Qureshi Scripture Referenced: Genesis 1:27 James 1:14–15 Galatians 6:7 Ephesians 2:8–9 1 Corinthians 15 Revelation 21:4 Follow Practical Apologetics on Facebook, Spotify, and YouTube.

Episode 17: Is Islam Compatible with Christianity?

Are Islam and Christianity simply two different paths to the same God? Or do their truth claims fundamentally contradict one another? In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we compare the core teachings of Christianity and Islam by examining the nature of God, the identity of Jesus, the crucifixion, salvation, and what many call the Islamic dilemma. While both faiths share certain historical figures and moral teachings, the question remains: can both be true at the same time? Sources Used: The Holy Bible Qur'an Sahih al-Bukhari Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus No God but One What Every Christian Needs to Know About the Qur'an Biblical References: Matthew 28:19 1 John 2:23 John 1:1 John 8:58 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Romans 5:8 Ephesians 2:8-9 1 John 5:13 Qur’anic References: Surah 112 Surah 5:73 Surah 5:75 Surah 4:157 Surah 6:115 Surah 5:46 Surah 5:47 Surah 10:94 Hadith Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari 5:266 Remember, faith isn’t believing without evidence. It’s trusting where the evidence leads. New episodes every Thursday.

Episode 16: Are Jehovah's Witnesses Christian?

Are Jehovah's Witnesses Christian? At first glance, many people assume the answer is yes. Jehovah's Witnesses believe in Jesus, use the Bible, and actively share their faith. So why have Christians historically reached a different conclusion? In this episode, we examine what Jehovah's Witnesses believe about Jesus, the Trinity, the resurrection, and the Holy Spirit, and compare those teachings to the doctrines of historic Christianity. We'll discuss why the identity of Jesus is at the center of this debate, why the bodily resurrection matters, and why Christians throughout history have viewed Jehovah's Witness theology as fundamentally different from biblical Christianity. As always, our goal is not to attack people, but to examine truth claims in light of Scripture. Scripture References John 1:1 John 1:3 John 20:28 Titus 2:13 Hebrews 1:8 Matthew 28:19 2 Corinthians 13:14 Acts 5:3-4 1 Corinthians 15:14 Luke 24:39 John 2:19-21 Acts 13:2 John 14:26 Ephesians 4:30 Acts 17:11 1 John 4:1 Sources The Holy Bible (ESV) Reasonable Faith — William Lane Craig On Guard — William Lane Craig Putting Jesus in His Place — Robert Bowman & J. Ed Komoszewski I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist — Norman Geisler & Frank Turek Introducing Christian Doctrine — Millard Erickson So What's the Difference? — Fritz Ridenour Kingdom of the Cults — Walter Martin

Episode 15: Are Mormons Christian?

Are Mormons Christian? Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints use the Bible, talk about Jesus, and often live moral, family-oriented lives. So why have Christians historically concluded that Mormonism is not a denomination within Christianity, but a separate religious system? In this episode, we compare the teachings of Mormonism with the teachings of Scripture and historic Christianity. We examine the nature of God, the identity of Jesus Christ, the Trinity, continuing revelation, salvation, exaltation, and the claim that Christianity fell into complete apostasy before being restored through Joseph Smith. This episode is not an attack on individual Mormons. Rather, it is an examination of truth claims and a comparison of doctrine with Scripture. Scripture References: Deuteronomy 6:4 Psalm 90:2 Isaiah 43:10 Isaiah 44:6 Malachi 3:6 Matthew 16:18 Matthew 28:19 Luke 24:27 John 1:1 John 1:3 Romans 5:1 Romans 8:29 Ephesians 2:8-9 Colossians 1:16 Galatians 1:8 Jude 3 1 John 3:2 1 John 4:1 Sources: The Holy Bible (ESV) The Book of Mormon Doctrine and Covenants Pearl of Great Price Teachings of Joseph Smith Kingdom of the Cults by Walter Martin Mormonism 101 by Bill McKeever and Eric Johnson Reasoning from the Scriptures with the Mormons by Ron Rhodes Remember, faith isn't believing without evidence. It's trusting where the evidence leads.

Episode 14: What Is a Christian?

What actually makes someone a Christian? Is it church attendance? Believing in God? Being a good person? Baptism? Family tradition? In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we answer one of the most foundational questions in Christianity: What is a Christian? Many people claim the Christian label, and many groups use Christian language, quote the Bible, and talk about Jesus. But what does Scripture actually say defines biblical Christianity? We’ll discuss: • What a Christian is not • Why Christianity is centered on Jesus Christ • Why there is only one biblical Jesus • The essential beliefs that define Christianity • Why redefining the gospel changes Christianity itself Whether you’re a Christian wanting clarity or a skeptic trying to understand what Christians actually believe, this episode is designed to define Christianity fairly and biblically. Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig; Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell; I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek; The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel; Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis James 2:19; Romans 3:23; Matthew 7:21; John 1:1, 14; Romans 10:9; 2 Corinthians 11:3–4; Ephesians 4:5; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 2:8–9; Galatians 1:6–8; 1 Corinthians 15; Mark 1:15; John 3:3 Sources UsedScripture References (ESV)