The Humble Skeptic
Truth Isn't Afraid of Questions
Shane Rosenthal was raised in a Jewish home but became an atheist at a very early age. Some years later, however, he ended up losing faith in atheism and converted to Christianity. On this podcast, he talks with people from a wide variety of worldviews and perspectives in order to explore the beliefs and ideas that shape our lives. www.humbleskeptic.com
Reconciling the Resurrection Accounts
In 1833, Thomas Starkie observed, “It so rarely happens that witnesses of the same transaction perfectly and entirely agree in all points connected with it, that an entire and complete coincidence in every particular…engenders suspicion.” On this special Easter edition of the podcast, Shane airs an interview he recorded with Lydia McGrew about differences that exist between the four Gospels related to Jesus’ resurrection, and whether those differences can be reconciled.SHOW NOTESArticlesConsider
Apr 20, • 36:03
The Messiah's Redemptive Mission
On this episode Shane discusses a number of scenes from the book of Exodus and shows how they point to Christ and his ultimate redemptive mission. Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the bread of life, the living water, the light of the world, and the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.SHOW NOTESArticlesFinding Christ in All of Scripture, Shane RosenthalNew Life in the New Year: The Story of Exodus, Shane RosenthalPassover, The Last Supper & The Day of C
Apr 19, • 31:25
The Sinai Inscriptions
On this episode, Shane talks with Mori Michael S. Bar-Ron about his research project related to the Sinai inscriptions discovered throughout the Sinai Peninsula. Though these inscriptions resemble Egyptian hieroglyphs, they’re actually written in what scholars refer to as “proto-Sinaitic” or “proto-Alphabetic” script. Mori Michael has been working on these inscriptions for the better part of a decade and argues that they are best treated as a form of paleo-Hebrew. In fact, when they are read thi
Apr 3, • 43:26
The Angel of Yahweh
According to Ex. 13:21, as the people of Israel made their way out of Egypt, we’re told that Yahweh went before the people of Israel in a pillar of cloud and fire. What’s odd, however, is that the next chapter tells us it was the “angel of God” who went before the host of Israel in the pillar (Ex 4:19). So, how do we explain the difference between these two passages? Did an angel lead the people out of Egypt, or was it Yahweh himself? On this episode, Shane discusses these questions and more wit
Mar 21, • 1:03:55
Did the Exodus Ever Happen?
The foundational narrative behind Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection is the story of Exodus. After all, Jesus is presented in the Gospels as “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world,” and was put to death on the eve of Passover. But what if the Israelite exodus from Egypt never really happened? On this episode, Shane talks with Egyptologist David Rohl about why so many contemporary scholars conclude that Israel’s foundational story is rooted in mythology, and why they are blind
Mar 15, • 1:12:14
Decoding the Prophecies of Daniel
On this episode, Shane explores some of the fascinating prophecies found in the book of Daniel and discusses how they have been interpreted (and misinterpreted) both before and after the time of Jesus. He also interacts with audio clips related to this subject from interviews he’s recorded with Talmud scholar Daniel Boyarin, and New Testament scholar, Craig Evans.Click here to read selections from the Dead Sea Scrolls, Eusebius, Calvin, and other sources cited on this program along with addition
Feb 23, • 38:38
Christian Narcissism
Shane concluded the last episode with a brief clip from an interview he recorded years ago with respected author and theologian, J.I. Packer. On this program, he decided to feature more of that conversation, while also weaving together other interviews and man-on-the-street segments related to the prevalence of narcissistic beliefs and attitudes in American Christianity. Additional authors featured in this program:Thomas Ascol (3:22), Scott McKnight (3:54; 7:06), Andy Crouch (4:08; 6:01), Willia
Feb 5, • 43:33
Babylon
Wherever we find references to Babylon in the Bible, we’re frequently reminded of man’s failed attempt to ascend to the heavens. This is due in part to the fact that “Babel” and “Babylon” happen to be the same word in Hebrew. On this edition, Shane walks through a variety of Old Testament passages that relate to this theme and contrasts them with prophecies about Israel’s coming Messiah.SHOW NOTESTo read various selections from Irenaeus, Justin Martyr, Josephus, and others that Shane cited on th
Jan 21, • 35:43
Year-End Special with Liam Cooper
On this year-end episode, Shane talks with Australian pop-singer Liam Cooper about their shared interest in the backstory of Billy Joel’s song, Piano Man. Liam is the creator and frontman of a show called King of the Keys, which features the music of Billy Joel, Elton John, Paul McCartney and others. Earlier this year, Liam had plans to shoot a music video featuring the original piano used by Billy Joel at The Executive Room back in 1973—or so he thought. Shane’s research has led him to re-evalu
Dec 30, 2024 • 43:15
Christmas: Legend or History?
This special Christmas edition of the podcast features Shane’s man-on-the-street interviews that he recorded at a local Christmas festival. In particular, he asked whether the holiday, with all its memorable characters, is rooted in mythology, history, or a little of both. In the second half of the program, Shane reads selections from Justin Martyr’s First Apology, which provides insight into the compelling nature of early Christian proclamation. SHOW NOTESArticlesProof of the Gospel (PDF), sele
Dec 18, 2024 • 39:16
Jacob's Ladder
On this episode, Shane weaves together a variety of interviews he’s recorded over the years related to Genesis 28 and the story of Jacob’s ladder. In particular, the conversations focus on the way the narrative has been completely inverted to become another Tower of Babel tale of our ascent to God, rather than a prophecy of Christ’s descent to us in mercy and grace.For a gift of any amount to help support the work of The Humble Skeptic podcast, we’ll send you a 12-page PDF resource by Shane Rose
Dec 3, 2024 • 37:26
Simply Genius
On this episode, Shane talks with Peter J. Williams about his book, The Surprising Genius of Jesus, which primarily focuses on the parables of Luke 15. Shane discussed some of these parables on episode 43 earlier this year, but the insights provided by Williams merit a brand new investigation. In short, the more we notice Jesus’ subtle allusions to the Old Testament, the more we’ll understand his teaching and begin to appreciate the depth of his genius. Toward the end of the conversation, the tw
Nov 26, 2024 • 52:10
Stories of Jesus: Can They Be Trusted?
What are we to make of the stories of Jesus recorded in the New Testament Gospels? Are they authentic accounts of his life and teaching, or collections of myths and legends that evolved over time? Shane discusses this with Cambridge New Testament scholar Peter J. Williams, principal of Tyndale House and author of Can We Trust the Gospels?SHOW NOTESBooksCan We Trust The Gospels? Peter J. WilliamsThe Surprising Genius of Jesus, Peter J. WilliamsIs Jesus History? John DicksonJesus: A Very Short Int
Nov 19, 2024 • 47:44
God & Science: Are Miracles Possible?
Are miracles possible, or should they be seen as violations of natural laws that all scientifically minded people should reject? Is it true that most scientists reject God? What about faith? Should it be dismissed as a kind of of irrational leap that is essentially the opposite of critical thinking? Shane discusses these questions and more with MIT professor Ian Hutchinson, author of Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles?SHOW NOTESBooksCan A Scientist Believe in Miracles?, Ian HutchinsonMonopolizi
Nov 12, 2024 • 48:04
Into the Darkness...
For two years, Steven Flo was filled with fear and despair. He retreated from the world and even began to hide from sunlight. In vampire-like fashion, he closed all his curtains and lived in what felt like a tomb. Even though he was a Lutheran pastor who often counseled others, during this period he was inconsolable, and began to despair about his own eternal state. If the Gospel was true, it was true for others, but not for him. On this episode, Shane talks with pastor Flo about his descent int
Oct 30, 2024 • 48:39
An Evening with The Humble Skeptic
Jeremy Smith, founder of ReThink315, recently invited Shane to join him for a conversation at a fundraising dinner that took place here in the St. Louis area. During their conversation, Jeremy asked Shane to discuss his conversion to Christianity from a secular Jewish background, along with many other subjects that he frequently covers on The Humble Skeptic podcast. Later in the program, the two take a variety of questions from the audience.SHOW NOTESRecommended BooksDefending The Faith, Michael
Oct 22, 2024 • 43:08
Dealing with Discrepancies
How should we deal with discrepancies as we piece together evidence on important matters of interest? On this episode Shane talks with retired cold-case detective, J. Warner Wallace about following the evidence wherever it leads, whether in attempting to solve murder cases, resolving disputed claims about the past, or even when it comes to challenging our beliefs about the nature of reality itself. J. Warner Wallace is the author of Cold-Case Christianity, Forensic Faith, and most recently, The
Oct 1, 2024 • 42:10
Evidential Reasoning
On this program Shane talks with trial attorney Craig Parton about evidential reasoning, which is an outlook that seeks to impartially examine the facts of any particular controversy in order to find the best explanation of those facts. The two apply this type of reasoning to the facts uncovered on last week’s episode about the location of The Executive Room, as well as to the field of Christian apologetics as a whole. Craig Parton is the author of Religion on Trial, The Defense Never Rests, and
Sep 17, 2024 • 57:46
The Executive Room: New Evidence for Billy Joel's Famous Piano Bar
The Pilot Episode of The Humble Skeptic podcast was launched in October of 2022, and on that program, Shane told his Dad’s story of seeing Billy Joel perform at a piano bar in Los Angeles. If you’ve had a chance to listen to that episode, you know the story (if not, you should listen to that show first). On this program, Shane discusses some of the new evidence that has recently come to light about the location of The Executive Room, and talks with John Gibson about his memories of the famous pi
Sep 3, 2024 • 41:25
Christianity & The Secular Creed
According to Rebecca McLaughlin, many of the beliefs of our contemporary culture can be summarized into a kind of “secular creed.” Though Christians will agree with some parts of this creed and disagree with others, it’s important to note that many of the assumptions underlying this “statement of faith” are rooted in Christian soil. So how did Jesus completely reshape the moral imagination of Western culture? Shane discusses this with Dr. McLaughlin, who is the author of numerous books including
Aug 6, 2024 • 41:10
The Intersection of Church & State
Some Christians in our day push back against the idea of “the separation of church and state,” but David VanDrunen argues that, in reality, this is a crucial distinction taught throughout the Bible. So what is the proper view of government from a Christian perspective and how should we think about the relationship between theology and politics? Shane talks with Dr. VanDrunen about these and other issues he addresses in his book Politics After Christendom: Political Theology in a Fractured World.
Jul 2, 2024 • 48:04
Are the Gospels History or Fiction?
According to John Dickson, “Christianity is unlike other religions in that it gambles its plausibility on supposed historical events. Christians,” he writes, “don’t merely say otherworldly things like ‘Heaven is open to all,’ but they also say things like, ‘Christ suffered under Pontius Pilate,’ and statements of this kind aren’t immune from historical scrutiny.” So, what are the considerations involved in assessing the historical value of the Gospels? How can we be sure these ancient texts real
Jun 5, 2024 • 52:26
Is John's Gospel Late & Unreliable?
Many scholars over the past century have claimed that John’s Gospel is the least historically reliable since it was written in the late first century. Essentially, they’ve argued that this text tells us more about the beliefs of the church in that period than it does about the historical Jesus. On this episode, Shane talks with New Testament scholar Daniel Wallace about evidence that points to a much earlier date, along with other matters related to the historical reliability and faithful transm
May 14, 2024 • 44:11
Which John Wrote John?
On this episode, Shane walks through some of the internal and external evidence related to his investigation of The Identity of the Beloved Disciple. This builds on some of the ideas introduced on the last episode with Richard Bauckham, but this discussion of the authorship of the Fourth Gospel takes a significantly deeper dive. As you’ll see, the result of this exploration has surprising implications for the authenticity and historical reliability of all four Gospels—and, of course, John in par
Apr 23, 2024 • 33:16
Questioning The Fourth Gospel
Many scholars over the centuries have questioned the historical value of John’s Gospel. Since it is assumed to be very late, it’s often argued that John’s narrative contains “theology, not history.” Richard Bauckham argues that the author of this text should be seen as a credible eyewitness of the events he reports, but that a careful look at both the internal and external evidence reveals that this Gospel was written by a lesser-known figure named John the Elder. Shane discusses this with Profe
Apr 2, 2024 • 46:03
The Gospels as Eyewitness Testimony
Many New Testament scholars argue that the Gospels were told orally for the better part of a century before they were finally written down, and as such, they tell us more about later Christian beliefs than they do the life of Jesus. Cambridge scholar Richard Bauckham has argued that this entire approach to Jesus research has officially reached a dead end and that the Gospels are rooted in reliable eyewitness testimony. Shane discusses these claims with Dr. Bauckham.SHOW NOTESRecommended BooksJes
Mar 27, 2024 • 32:26
Were Jews Expecting a Suffering Messiah?
What did ancient Jews believe about the mission of their Messiah? Were they expecting a kind of warrior king who would defeat the Gentiles and reign as king over all the earth, or one who would atone for sin through his own sacrificial death? On this episode, Shane discusses these questions as he interacts with a variety of texts from the Dead Sea Scrolls and other sources that give us insight into the way Jews before and after the time of Jesus attempted to interpret some of the messianic proph
Mar 19, 2024 • 41:12
The Galatian Controversy
Galatians is one of the earliest NT epistles and it records one of the oldest controversies in church history. Surprisingly, these early Christians weren’t involved in a dispute about Jesus’ divinity, his death, burial, or even his resurrection from the dead. Rather, the controversy was specifically rooted in the implications of all these foundational beliefs. If Jesus was indeed the promised Messiah, then how should we apply the Law of Moses moving forward? Should Gentiles be circumcised, keep
Mar 12, 2024 • 54:44
The Earliest Gospel
What is the earliest Gospel in existence? It’s not Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John; according to Paul, the oldest Gospel is actually found in the book of Genesis. In Galatians 3:8 he boldly declares that the gospel of Jesus had been proclaimed in advance to Abraham. So what specific passages from Genesis did he have in mind? How did the promises given to Abraham differ from the covenant that was later ratified at Mt. Sinai? Were Old Testament saints saved by works or simply by trusting the promise?
Mar 5, 2024 • 42:36
Follow The Evidence
Abdu Murray is a lawyer who was raised in a Muslim home. Though he used to argue with Christians about the superiority of Islam, after a long and careful consideration of the evidence, he eventually left the religion of his youth and converted to Christianity. On this episode, Shane talks with Abdu about his conversion experience and many other topics he addresses in his books, Grand Central Question, and Saving Truth: Finding Meaning & Clarity in a Post-Truth World. SHOW NOTESRelated BooksSavi
Feb 20, 2024 • 47:18
Rethinking Jesus' Parables
Jesus frequently taught in a way that provoked questions. This is one of the reasons his parables are sometimes difficult to understand since they were actually meant to be confusing and disorienting. On this episode, Shane discusses the purpose of Jesus’ parables with his former pastor, Scott Churnock, and together they walk through the significance of the stories found in Luke 15, including The Lost Coin, The Lost Sheep, and The Lost Sons. SHOW NOTESRelated ArticlesDead Men Can’t Dance, Scott
Feb 13, 2024 • 1:04:12
John Lennox on Evil & The Challenge of AI
How does the Christian worldview explain the problem of evil, and how does this perspective differ from other major worldview options? What are we to think about the challenges related to artificial intelligence, and how could these challenges potentially change our world? Shane Rosenthal discusses these and other questions with Oxford mathematician John Lennox, author of Suffering Life’s Pain, and 2084: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Humanity.SHOW NOTESBooks by John LennoxSuffering L
Jan 30, 2024 • 43:05
John Lennox on Faith & Science
Are faith and science opposed to one another, or do scientific investigations sometimes lead us to ask questions of religious significance? How are we to account for the origin of our finely-tuned universe, and how do we explain the complex amount of information embedded in our own DNA? Is it rational to believe in miracles, or the narratives recorded in the Bible? On this episode, Shane discusses these issues and more with Oxford mathematician, John Lennox, author of Can Science Explain Everyth
Jan 23, 2024 • 40:58
Why Should We Trust The Bible (Pt. 2)
On this edition of the Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane continues his conversation with Dr. Mike Farley of Covenant Theological Seminary, and together they answer questions from the live audience.SHOW NOTESRecommended ArticlesWhy Should We Believe The Bible?, Shane RosenthalAuthenticating The Fourth Gospel, Shane RosenthalThe Mormonization of American Christianity, Shane RosenthalHow to Detect Deception, Shane RosenthalWhat is Faith?, Shane RosenthalHistory & Faith, J. Gresham MachenRecommended Boo
Jan 16, 2024 • 34:27
Why Should We Trust The Bible? (Pt. 1)
There are a variety of purported “holy books” out there in the spiritual marketplace, so why should we trust the Bible over the others? How do we know this book isn’t simply a collection of myths and legends or the ravings of lunatics? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Dr. Mike Farley who is the Visiting Professor of Applied Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary.SHOW NOTESRecommended ArticlesIs Luke a Trustworthy Historian?, William RamsayWhy Should We Believe The Bible
Jan 9, 2024 • 45:16
Jewish Views of The Messiah
Daniel Boyarin is a professor of Talmudic Culture at U.C. Berkeley who argues that many Jews before the time of Jesus were expecting a divine-human Messiah who would suffer on behalf of his people. These ideas are not only found throughout the Hebrew Bible, but we also discover them in a variety of ancient Jewish texts written before the rise of Christianity. On this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with Dr. Boyarin about these and many other views that he presents in his book, The Jewish Gospels:
Dec 19, 2023 • 26:52
How to Read & Interpret the Bible
On this episode of The Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane talks with Mike Brown, one of the authors of Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored, about common errors to avoid when reading and interpreting Scripture. They also discuss a variety of interpretive tools that will make your study of the Bible more effective.SHOW NOTESFinding Christ in All The Scriptures — A New PDF resourceIn John 5:39, Jesus famously told the religious leaders of his day, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in
Dec 12, 2023 • 43:48
Navigating the Currents of an Aggressively Secular Culture
What is a good definition of “culture,” and why is it so effective at conforming us to believe certain things, and to behave in certain ways? How do we protect ourselves and the next generation from the negative influences of our increasingly secular culture? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal discusses these issues and more with Brett Kunkle, founder of Maven, and co-author of A Practical Guide to Culture.SHOW NOTESResources by Brett KunkleA Practical Guide to Culture and A Student’s Guide to Cul
Dec 5, 2023 • 45:01
Live Not By Lies
The word “totalitarianism” describes a political system in which the state has total authority over every aspect of life. In regimes of this kind, external conformity is just the first step—what they really want is your soul. According to Rod Dreher, we’re now seeing the rise of a new “soft totalitarianism” which is closer to Huxley’s Brave New World, than Orwell’s 1984. In soft totalitarianism, conformity is achieved by manipulating access to things like status and comfort, often by means of a
Nov 28, 2023 • 55:38
The Woke Revolution
Fifty years ago, Os Guinness released his book, The Dust of Death, which offered a piercing analysis of the sixties counterculture movement with its revolutionary ideas about human nature and sexual liberation. In his preface to a new edition of this work, Guinness argues that during this tumultuous decade, “many of the seeds of today’s most radical ideas were sown, only to flower more recently in their most destructive forms.” Shane Rosenthal talks with Os about many of his observations and pre
Nov 21, 2023 • 59:53
Identity in a Post-Christian Culture
As discussed on recent episodes, when it comes to religion and worldview preferences, most people tend to follow their own internal feelings, intuitions, and experiences. But what are the larger social implications of this increasing emphasis on the subjective? According to Carl Trueman, in today’s culture of “expressive individualism,” the idea of conforming to anything external—anything outside the “self”—has come to be seen as “inauthentic.” As a result of this cultural shift, identity is now
Nov 14, 2023 • 38:13
Christianity vs. Liberal/Progressive Theology
In his 1923 classic, Christianity & Liberalism, J. Gresham Machen argued that the liberal churches of his day had abandoned everything distinctive about Christianity in favor of a non-redemptive religion that was rooted in moralism and personal experience. According to Michael J. Kruger, contemporary liberal and progressive Churches are making the same crucial mistakes a century later. On this episode, Shane talks with Dr. Kruger about his book, The Ten Commandments of Progressive Christianity.S
Nov 7, 2023 • 35:36
Death, Ghosts & Views of the Afterlife
On this edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast, we’ll contrast popular beliefs about ghosts and the afterlife with the views presented in the Old and New Testaments. Joining Shane to discuss this important topic is Dr. Michael McClymond, who is the professor of Modern Theology at St. Louis University, and the author of numerous books including Familiar Stranger: An Introduction to Jesus of Nazareth, and The Devil’s Redemption: A New History & Interpretation of Christian Universalism.SHOW NOTESRes
Oct 31, 2023 • 58:09
The Effects of Media & Technology
T. David Gordon served as a professor of Media Ecology at Grove City College for several decades, and as laptops, smartphones, and social media arrived on the scene in successive waves, he and his colleagues began to notice a change in students’ ability to pay attention and to process the various reading assignments. Shane discusses this with Dr. Gordon along with some of the issues he addresses in an article he recently wrote titled, “The Material is Not Immaterial.”SHOW NOTESRelated ArticlesTh
Oct 17, 2023 • 36:27
Faith & Experience (Part 2)
How can we know whether religious experiences are authentic, or just a trick of the brain? And if they really are supernatural, how we be sure that they emanate from the God of the Bible, as opposed to the Koran? Too often we allow our experiences to confirm that which we already believe. On this episode, Shane discusses this with believers from a wide variety of faiths and also airs the second half of his conversation with Dr. J.R. Miller, author of One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. SHOW NOTESR
Sep 26, 2023 • 45:24
Faith & Experience (Part 1)
Mormons know their religion is true because they experience a “burning in the bosom.” Pentecostal Christians believe they have proof of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit because they speak in tongues. So how are we to know which religious experiences are truly authentic? Is experience a proper way to ground faith in the first place? On this episode, Shane talks with Dr. J.R. Miller, co-founder of The Center for Cultural Apologetics about his book, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, which traces t
Sep 12, 2023 • 40:46
Greg Koukl on Street Smarts
Have you ever noticed that conversations about religion and politics tend to produce more heat than light? Because most of us are aware of this, we tend to avoid conversations relating to our deepest convictions. So how can we discuss our beliefs with others in a way that ends up producing more light than heat? How do we have difficult conversations on controversial topics such as the use of personal pronouns? On this episode, Shane talks with Greg Koukl about his forthcoming book Street Smarts:
Aug 29, 2023 • 46:44
The Big Picture
Have you ever been puzzled by things you read in the Bible? For example, why does the book of Exodus spend so much time walking through all the meticulous details related to the Tabernacle? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with J. Daniel Hays about the Bible’s grand narrative, which helps us to understand all the individual puzzle pieces. Dr. Hays is the senior professor of Old Testament at Southwestern Baptist Seminary in Ft. Worth, Texas, and he’s the author of The Temple and the Taberna
Aug 8, 2023 • 44:26
What Did the Earliest Christians Believe?
What were some of the notable features of the earliest Christian sermons? What sort of things did they have in common, and how do they compare with the messages we’re likely to hear in Christian circles today? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Dr. Dennis Johnson, author of The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption, and Let’s Study Acts.SHOW NOTES• Recommended books by Dennis Johnson: Journeys with Jesus, The Message of Acts in the History of Redemption, Let’s Study A
Jul 25, 2023 • 59:45
Authenticating the Book of Acts
Is the book of Acts a collection of stories and legends about the lives of the apostles, or is it a trustworthy and reliable history of the earliest days of the church? Is there any external evidence that helps to corroborate its claims? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Dr. Lydia McGrew, author of Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts.SHOW NOTESRecommended BooksHidden in Plain View, Lydia McGrewTestimonies to the Truth, Lydia McGrewThe Mirro
Jul 11, 2023 • 50:24
Rethinking Apologetics
In 1Pet. 3:15, Peter famously says, “Always be ready to give an answer for the hope that lies in you.” In many ways, this has become the standard prooftext for the apologetic enterprise, but have we really understood all that this verse has to teach us? Shane discusses this question and many other related issues with Jeremy Smith, the founder and president of ReThink315.SHOW NOTES• For more information about Jeremy Smith and the mission of ReThink315, click here. • Related articles by Shane Rose
Jun 27, 2023 • 52:23
Power or Persuasion?
On this episode of The Humble Skeptic, Shane talks with Dr. Adam Duker about his interest in the study of comparative religion, as well as some of his unique experiences teaching this subject at The American University in Cairo. In particular, he relates a story that he was directly involved with a few years ago which became international news.SHOW NOTES• To read news articles related to the international incident involving Dr. Duker, use the following links: Fire, ARA, RNS, Fox News, Alex More
Jun 13, 2023 • 41:56
Questioning Your Faith
On this program, Shane talks with Fikret Bocek who currently serves as the pastor of a Christian church in Izmir, Turkey. Fikret was raised as a Sunni Muslim, and during this episode he tells the story of the time in which he began to question his faith. In this process, he began to explore both the Koran and the Bible, and ultimately this led to his conversion to Christianity.SHOW NOTES• For more information about Fikret Bocek, click here. For information about Global Church Ministries, which h
May 30, 2023 • 38:15
Dealing with Spiritual Abuse
On this episode, Shane talks with Sarabeth Kapusta about her experience growing up in a cult that in her words “masqueraded as a Baptist church.” Sarabeth is the host of Reconstructing Your Faith, which is a podcast designed to help those who’ve been affected by various forms of spiritual abuse. SHOW NOTES• For more information about Sarabeth Kapusta’s podcast, click here. To listen to the two episodes of Reconstructing Your Faith featuring Shane Rosenthal, use these links: Part 1, and Part 2. W
May 16, 2023 • 47:12
Dealing with Doubt
Is it okay to question your faith or to express doubts about your religious convictions? On this episode, Shane explores a fascinating scene from Luke 7 in which John the Baptist questions whether Jesus is the promised Messiah. Shane discusses the implications of this passage with Greg Koukl and Alisa Childers, and he also hears from Sarabeth Kapusta of the Reconstructing Your Faith podcast who shares her experience of being raised in a cult where questions were off-limits and doubt was a sin.SH
May 2, 2023 • 43:23
Greg Koukl on Blind Faith
On this episode of The Humble Skeptic, Shane talks with Greg Koukl about the way faith is misunderstood in our day. In fact, he argues that the English word “faith” has evolved to such an extent that Christians should probably stop using it altogether. Greg is the founder and president of Stand to Reason and the author of The Story of Reality, Tactics, and Faith is Not Wishing.SHOW NOTES• Related Humble Skeptic episodes: “Is Faith Irrational?”, “Is Faith Blind?”, “Is Faith a Feeling?”. To listen
Apr 25, 2023 • 41:14
Bonus Episode: Evidence & Faith (Part 4)
On this bonus edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane reads lessons 9 & 10 of Richard Whately’s Introduction to Christian Evidences.SHOW NOTES • Click here to access an online version of Richard Whately’s Introduction to Christian Evidences. If you would like to obtain a paperback reprint, click here.• Recommended articles by Shane Rosenthal, “Why Should We Believe The Bible?,” “How to Detect Deception,” “Authenticating The Fourth Gospel,” and “On Faith & History.” • To watch a video lectur
Apr 14, 2023 • 25:28
Locating Golgotha
Most translations of the New Testament refer to Golgotha as “The Place of the Skull.” But is this correct? On this episode of The Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane Rosenthal talks with Egyptologist David Rohl about a variety of historical and textual clues that help us to better understand, not only the precise location of Golgotha, but also it’s meaning and significance.SHOW NOTES• Recommended articles by Shane Rosenthal, “Where Was Jesus Crucified?,” “How to Detect Deception,” “Authenticating The
Apr 5, 2023 • 31:39
Faith Founded on Facts (Part 2)
On this episode, Shane continues weaving together various interviews he’s recorded on topics related to the reasons Christians can have confidence in the portrait of Jesus presented in the New Testament Gospels. During this podcast, you’ll hear from Peter J. Williams, Richard Bauckham, John Dickson, D.A. Carson, Craig Blomberg, Lydia McGrew, and Daniel Wallace. SHOW NOTESRelated AudioFor Part 1 of this discussion, click here. For the complete interview with Richard Bauckham, click here, and here
Mar 28, 2023 • 49:48
Faith Founded on Facts (Part 1)
On this episode, Shane weaves together several interviews he’s recorded over the years on topics related to the Christian view of “faith,” how it’s grounded in the facts of the real world, and why we can be confident that it’s true. So during this podcast, you’ll hear from scholars such as John Lennox, Peter J. Williams, Richard Bauckham, John Dickson, and D.A. Carson.SHOW NOTESRelated AudioFor Part 2 of this discussion, click here. For the complete interview with Richard Bauckham, click here, a
Mar 21, 2023 • 42:29
Questioning Conventional Wisdom (Part 2)
On this episode, we’ll pick up where we left off last week with Egyptologist, David Rohl. During this part of the conversation, Shane talks with Dr. Rohl about various archaeological discoveries which he argues are connected to the lives Saul and David. Later in the program, the discussion shifts to the recent discovery of the Mt Ebal curse tablet, as well as to questions related to the history and chronology of events recorded in the New Testament.Click here to listen to Part 1SHOW NOTES• To or
Mar 14, 2023 • 37:05
Questioning Conventional Wisdom (Part 1)
On this episode, Shane tells the story of Egyptologist David Rohl by weaving together various interviews and audio clips over the past few decades related to his research into the New Chronology. In the second half of the program, Shane talks with Dr. Rohl about a number of fascinating discoveries that he writes about in his latest book, Legendary Kings: The Real Bible Unearthed.Click here to Begin Part 2SHOW NOTES• To order a copy of David Rohl’s latest book, Legendary Kings (which is currently
Mar 7, 2023 • 43:54
The Jesus of History
On this episode, Shane interacts with statements made on a History Channel documentary about the reference to Jesus in the writings of Josephus. Some claim that the passage is a complete forgery, while others argue that the passage was mildly interpolated. So, outside the Gospels, what can we really know about Jesus from history? Do the Gospels qualify as history, or should they be set aside as works of religious propaganda? SHOW NOTES• For further reading on this topic, check out Shane’s articl
Feb 21, 2023 • 34:45
Fake or Authentic? (Part 2)
How can we tell whether a painting signed by Claude Monet is authentic or not? Similarly, how can we know for certain that the New Testament Gospels aren’t fictional stories, but real historical accounts of the life of Jesus? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation of this subject with Dr. Lydia McGrew, author of Testimonies to the Truth: Why You Can Trust the Gospels.SHOW NOTES• For further reading on this topic, check out Testimonies to the Truth: Why You Can Trust the Gosp
Feb 14, 2023 • 50:10
Fake or Authentic? (Part 1)
How can we know whether the New Testament Gospels are authentic accounts of the life of Jesus, as opposed to fictional documents written as a part of some larger hoax or conspiracy? Shane Rosenthal discusses this question with Dr. Lydia McGrew, author of Testimonies to the Truth: Why You Can Trust the Gospels.Click here to begin Part 2SHOW NOTES• Click here to order a copy of Lydia McGrew’s new book, Testimonies to the Truth: Why You Can Trust the Gospels, and here to read an article by Shane Ro
Feb 7, 2023 • 35:34
Bonus Episode: Evidence & Faith (Part 3)
On this bonus edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane reads lessons 6 through 8 of Richard Whately’s Introduction to Christian Evidences.SHOW NOTES • Click here to access an online version of Richard Whately’s Introduction to Christian Evidences. If you would like to obtain a paperback reprint, click here.• Click here to read Shane’s article, “Why Should We Believe The Bible?”• For more info about The Humble Skeptic vision and how you can help, click here.We Need Your Help!Consider support
Feb 3, 2023 • 24:56
Bonus Episode: Evidence & Faith (Part 2)
On this special bonus edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane continues reading selections from the Introduction to Christian Evidences by Richard Whately.SHOW NOTES • Click here to access an online version of Richard Whately’s Introduction to Christian Evidences. If you would like to obtain a paperback reprint, click here.• Other related articles include: Why Should We Believe The Bible?, What is Faith?, History & Faith, Authenticating the Fourth Gospel, and On Faith & Doubt.• For more inf
Jan 27, 2023 • 23:39
The Gospel Creed
Did the story of Jesus evolve over time? Did he even exist in the first place? On this episode, Shane explores the beliefs of the world’s first Christians through an in-depth investigation of the earliest Christian creed cited by Paul in 1st Corinthians 15.SHOW NOTES• Click here to download a PDF document containing the Dead Sea Scroll material referenced during this episode. If you would like to order a modern English translation of the Dead Sea Scrolls, we recommend this edition. • Click here
Jan 24, 2023 • 37:38
Bonus Episode: Evidence & Faith (Part 1)
On this special bonus edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane Rosenthal plays some Beethoven and reads selections from the Introduction to Christian Evidences by Richard Whately.SHOW NOTES • Program update: OFFICIAL episodes are released most Tuesdays — BONUS episodes, occasional Fridays.• Click here to access an online version of Richard Whately’s Introduction to Christian Evidences. If you would like to obtain a paperback reprint, click here.• Click here to read Shane’s article, “Why Sho
Jan 20, 2023 • 26:53
Proof of the Gospel
On this episode, Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Dr. Mike Farley of Covenant Seminary in St. Louis about the relationship between faith and proof. What does the Bible itself say about this issue, and how was faith promoted during the first few centuries of the Christian Church? That’s the focus of this edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast.SHOW NOTES• To order a copy of Eusebius’ book, The Proof of The Gospel, click here. Also, if you would like to read an article related to the
Jan 10, 2023 • 46:27
Faith & Proof
What is the relationship between faith and proof? Shane Rosenthal discusses this question with Dr. Mike Farley of Covenant Theological Seminary. How did the Israelites come to believe that Moses really spoke with God, and how did his writings become so authoritative among the ancient Hebrews? Was it just a leap of faith? That’s the focus of this edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast.SHOW NOTES• If you would like to read further on this topic, start with Shane’s article “Why Should We Believe the
Jan 3, 2023 • 48:33
Faith & Certainty
What do you believe about God and the afterlife? How certain are you that your beliefs are true, particularly when compared with all the other faith and worldview options that happen to be out there? Can we have certainty about our deepest convictions? On this edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Dr. Dennis Johnson, author of Journeys with Jesus, and Let’s Study Acts.SHOW NOTESFor a gift of any amount, we’ll send you a 20 page downloadabl
Dec 27, 2022 • 43:34
What Child Is This?
On this special Christmas edition of The Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane takes a break from his current series on “Questions of Faith” and plays a Christmas sermon he recently preached on Micah chapter 5.SHOW NOTESFor Further ReadingFinding Christ in All of Scripture, Shane Rosenthal (PDF)Why Should We Believe The Bible?, Shane Rosenthal (article)A New Way of Reading Scripture, Shane Rosenthal (article)The Jewish Gospels, Daniel Boyarin (book)Is Jesus in the Old Testament?, Ian Duguid (booklet)Fou
Dec 18, 2022 • 39:47
Religion on Trial
In his book, Religion on Trial, Craig Parton says that “Religions are worldviews. They claim to address the primary questions of our existence—where we came from, where we are going, and why we are going where we are going.” In that sense he says, “Everyone is religious, because everyone has a worldview, even if that worldview is that we came from a totally purposeless beginning and are returning to dust.” But, how can we determine whether a given worldview happens to be true? That’s the focus o
Dec 13, 2022 • 39:05
Is Faith a Feeling?
According to many Christians today, faith isn’t based on external facts or evidence, but instead is thought of as an internal subjective feeling, intuition, or experience. But is this idea biblical? Does the Bible ever say that faith is related to our feelings? Where do other religious traditions stand on this issue? Shane Rosenthal investigates these questions and talks with Craig Parton, author of Religion on Trial.SHOW NOTESRecommended ReadingIs Faith a Feeling?, Shane Rosenthal (article)Why
Dec 6, 2022 • 44:59
Is Faith Blind?
When Shane Rosenthal recently polled close to a hundred Christians at a variety of different events, the overwhelming majority described faith as a “blind leap.” But is this idea taught anywhere in Scripture? On this episode of The Humble Skeptic, Shane examines the arguments and passages that some people use in support of the idea that faith is blind. SHOW NOTESRecommended ReadingDoes Hebrews 11:1 Teach Blind Faith?, Shane RosenthalWhat is Faith?, Shane RosenthalWhy Should We Believe the Bible?
Nov 23, 2022 • 34:21
Is Faith Irrational?
New atheists such as Richard Dawkins and others frequently claim that “faith is belief in the absence of evidence,” but is this really the case? On this episode of The Humble Skeptic podcast, Shane Rosenthal takes a deep dive into the true definition of faith and interacts with a variety of perspectives.SHOW NOTES• Shane Rosenthal has written a 20-page downloadable PDF document titled, What is Faith? (which you can access here). This e-booklet walks through the issues discussed on this program (
Nov 15, 2022 • 37:12
