Practical Apologetics: Clear Answers for the Everyday Christian

Episode 13: Why Did Jesus Have to Die?

Why did Jesus have to die? If God is loving, why was the cross necessary? Why sacrifice? Why blood? And why couldn’t God just forgive people? In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we explore one of the most important questions in Christianity by tracing the story from Genesis to the cross. We discuss sin, sacrifice, the Old Testament covenant system, Passover, the spotless lamb, and how Jesus fulfilled what the sacrificial system had been pointing toward all along. Was the cross an accident? Or was it the plan from the beginning? Sources used: Reasonable Faith – William Lane Craig On Guard – William Lane Craig I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist – Norman Geisler & Frank Turek Introducing Christian Doctrine – Millard Erickson The Cross of Christ – John Stott Bible passages referenced (ESV): Genesis 1–3 Exodus 12:5, 12:13 Leviticus 16 Romans 4:25, 5:8, 6:23 Hebrews 4:15, 9:22, 10:4, 10:12 1 Peter 3:18 John 1:29, 19:30 1 Corinthians 5:7 #Christianity #ChristianApologetics #Apologetics #JesusChrist #CrossOfChrist #BibleStudy #Faith #ChristianPodcast #PracticalApologetics

Episode 12: What Is the Gospel?

What is the gospel? It’s a word that gets used often, but rarely defined clearly. Is it a lifestyle? A set of teachings? Or something more? In this episode, we break down the gospel in simple, biblical terms. The gospel is not advice about what you should do. It is the good news of what God has already done through Jesus Christ. We walk through: * The true meaning of the word “gospel” * The core message found in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 * Why the gospel is necessary * How the gospel saves * And how you can respond to it today This episode also includes a direct invitation to respond to the gospel and a simple explanation of repentance and faith. Scripture References (ESV): 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 Romans 1:16 Romans 3:23 Romans 6:23 John 14:6 Sources: The Holy Bible (English Standard Version) ESV Expository Commentary Recommended Resource: YouVersion Bible App (free): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/bible/id282935706 https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.sirma.mobile.bible.android&pcampaignid=web_share

Episode 11: What Is Salvation?

What does it actually mean to be saved? In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we define salvation clearly and biblically. Building on the previous episode “What Is Sin?”, we explain why salvation is necessary, what it accomplishes, and how it happens. We walk through what we are saved from, what we are saved to, and how salvation is received through grace and faith in Jesus Christ. We also break down key theological terms like justification, regeneration, sanctification, and glorification in a clear and practical way. This episode is designed to give you a solid, understandable foundation for one of the most important concepts in Christianity. Sources used in this episode: Reasonable Faith – William Lane Craig On Guard – William Lane Craig I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist – Norman Geisler & Frank Turek Evidence That Demands a Verdict – Josh McDowell & Sean McDowell Expository Apologetics – Voddie Baucham Introducing Christian Doctrine – Millard Erickson Handbook of Christian Apologetics – Peter Kreeft & Ronald Tacelli A Popular Survey of Apologetics for Today – Ron Rhodes The Case for Christ – Lee Strobel Scripture (ESV): Psalm 3:8 Luke 19:10 John 1:12; 3:3; 3:16; 3:36 Acts 3:19; 16:31 Romans 3:23; 4:25; 5:1; 5:8; 6:23; 8:15; 8:30; 10:13 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 2 Corinthians 5:17 Ephesians 2:8–9; 2:13 Titus 3:5 1 Peter 2:24 1 John 5:13 Matthew 25:46 James 2:19 1 Thessalonians 4:3 2 Timothy 2:12

Episode 10: What Is Sin?

What is sin? Most people think sin is just breaking religious rules, being a bad person, or an outdated idea from the past. But the Bible presents something much deeper. In this episode, we define sin clearly and biblically, and we explain why it matters not just for theology, but for apologetics. Sin is not just rule-breaking. It is a rupture in our relationship with God and a distortion of reality itself. We also explore how sin explains the human condition, the existence of moral evil, and why objective morality points to a moral Lawgiver. Understanding sin is essential, because you cannot defend what you cannot define. In the next episode, we will answer the follow-up question: What is salvation? Sources - Scripture (ESV): Genesis 3, Isaiah 59:2, Romans 1:21–25, Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 7:19, Ephesians 2:1–3, James 2:10, 1 John 3:4 Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig On Guard by William Lane Craig I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel Handbook of Christian Apologetics by Peter Kreeft and Ronald Tacelli Expository Apologetics by Voddie Baucham Why Believe? Christian Apologetics for a Skeptical Age by Neil Shenvi Augustine, Confessions and City of God Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica

Episode 9: What Is the Trinity?

In this episode, we define one of the most central doctrines of the Christian faith: that God is one being who exists eternally as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We examine what the Bible teaches, respond to common objections, and explain why the Trinity is essential to understanding the Gospel. Sources Used: On Guard by William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, The Forgotten Trinity by James R. White, Systematic Theology by Wayne Grudem, and the primary source, the Bible (ESV). Scripture Referenced (ESV): Deuteronomy 6:4 Isaiah 45:5 1 Corinthians 8:6 John 1:1 John 8:58 Colossians 2:9 Acts 5:3–4 1 Corinthians 3:16 Luke 22:42 John 3:16 John 14:26 Matthew 28:19 2 Corinthians 13:14