Meet with your leadership team once a month to plan out the next month of meetings and walk through one of these sections together to deepen your knowledge and grow as a group. Or, use this on your own to grow deeper in your faith!
So, what is apologetics? It’s not about apologizing for being a Christian. The word comes from the Greek apologia, meaning “defense,” like in 1 Peter 3:15, where we’re told to “always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you, yet do it with gentleness and respect.” Apologetics is the practice of explaining why our faith is true. It has two parts: defending against objections, like “Does suffering disprove God?” and offering positive evidence, like historical proof of Jesus’ resurrection.
Today, we’re diving into apologetics—what it is, why it matters, and how we can defend our Christian faith today. Apologetics might sound like a big word, but it’s really about solidifying why we believe in Jesus and the Bible.
One day, a group of high school students were at a mall sharing their faith. They said, “The Bible is true because it says so in 2 Timothy that all scripture is inspired.” The person they were talking to pointed out that it’s circular reasoning—using the Bible to prove itself. They needed better answers, like evidence from history or archaeology. That’s what apologetics does—it equips us to respond thoughtfully.
Why is apologetics important? First, the Bible commands it. In 1 Peter 3:15, Peter wrote to Christians facing persecution, urging them to be ready with answers. Jude 3 says to “contend for the faith once for all delivered to the saints.” Jesus was an apologist in John 5, pointing to miracles, the Father, Scripture, and Moses to back His claims. Paul, in Acts 17, reasoned in Athens to show Christianity’s truth. We’re all called to this, not just pastors.
Second, apologetics builds confidence. Knowing why the Bible is reliable or how to address tough questions makes us bold, not defensive. Those students at the mall faltered because they weren’t prepared. With apologetics, we stand firm.
Third, it removes barriers for people with doubts. Whether it’s questions about science or suffering, apologetics helps clear the path for those seeking truth, showing Christianity is reasonable.
So, how do we defend our faith today? Start by preparing. Study the evidence—why the Bible is trustworthy or how to respond to challenges like evolution. Those students needed more than “the Bible says so.” Next, check your heart. 1 Peter 3:15 says to honor Christ as holy first. Apologetics isn’t about winning arguments; it’s about being faithful and loving others.
When you engage, do it with gentleness and respect, as 1 Peter 3:15 says. Romans tells us kindness leads to repentance, and Proverbs says a soft word breaks a bone and turns away wrath. Be firm in truth but kind in delivery. Meet people where they are—if they don’t trust the Bible, don’t just quote it. Find common ground, like shared values, and show how Christianity makes sense. Finally, trust God with the outcome. Our job is to be faithful, not to change hearts.
Those students at the mall were bold but unprepared. After they were challenged, they sent friends to keep the conversation going, showing they wanted to grow. We all need to be ready for those moments—with answers, love, and a life that reflects Jesus.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
Before addressing personal questions about faith, we must first ask whether Christianity is actually true—because if it’s not, then none of its promises matter. Truth is not based on feelings or opinions but on what aligns with reality, a concept known as the correspondence theory of truth. While today’s culture often treats truth as subjective, Christianity makes objective claims—especially that Jesus is the Son of God who rose from the dead. These claims can be investigated through historical evidence and logical reasoning, and if proven true, they carry eternal significance. Unlike other religions that contradict each other, Christianity stands on verifiable events and encourages thoughtful questioning. Jesus didn’t claim to be just a good teacher; He claimed to be the truth and the only way to God, which requires a personal response. If Christianity is true, then it means God loves you, your life has purpose, and Jesus is the key to eternal life—making the truth of Christianity the most important question you’ll ever answer.
People often ask deep and personal questions about faith: “Does God love me?” “Can I be forgiven?” “Will following Jesus improve my life?” These are important questions, but they all depend on a more foundational one: Is Christianity actually true? If it’s not true—if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead—then none of its promises ultimately matter. It doesn’t matter how comforting Christianity is or how many people believe in it. But if it is true, then it’s the most important truth anyone could ever know, because it changes everything.
Before we can determine whether Christianity is true, we need to understand what “truth” actually means. In our culture, many people treat truth as something personal or flexible. Phrases like “That’s true for you but not for me” or “Find your own truth” are common. But these ideas don’t hold up when we apply them to real life. No one would say, “Gravity is true for you but not for me” and then jump off a building. That’s because some things are objectively true—true whether you believe them or not.
This concept is known as the correspondence theory of truth. According to this view, something is true if it matches reality. For example, “water boils at 100 degrees Celsius at sea level” is true because it reflects how the world actually works. Truth isn’t about personal opinions or feelings; it’s about facts. Jesus clearly understood this. He didn’t just say truthful things—He claimed to be the truth. In John 14:6, He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” That’s an exclusive claim. Jesus didn’t present Himself as one spiritual path among many—He said He was the only way to God.
This claim forces a decision. If Jesus was lying or mistaken, then Christianity should be rejected. But if He was telling the truth, then His message applies to everyone—whether they believe it or not. Our culture may say that all religions are basically the same, but that’s simply not true. Different religions make very different claims about God, humanity, and salvation. Christianity says Jesus is the Son of God. Islam says He was a prophet. Hinduism believes in many gods. Buddhism doesn’t believe in a personal God at all. These cannot all be true at the same time, because they contradict each other. Either Jesus rose from the dead, or He didn’t. Either He is God, or He’s not. Truth matters—especially when eternal consequences are at stake.
Imagine going to a doctor and being told, “If your truth is that you’re healthy, then you’re fine,” even though you actually have a serious illness. Or imagine choosing a parachute based on what feels right instead of what actually works. In those situations, we care about what is objectively true. The same should be true when it comes to faith. We need a belief system that’s based on reality—not just comfort or popularity.
Christianity welcomes investigation. It doesn’t ask for blind faith but encourages people to examine the evidence. The Bible tells us to love God with our minds, not just our hearts. There is strong historical evidence for the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. There are logical reasons to believe in the existence of God and the reliability of the New Testament. Christianity is grounded in real events that can be studied. The apostle Paul even wrote that if Jesus didn’t rise from the dead, then the Christian faith is useless. That kind of transparency shows how central truth is to Christianity.
Ultimately, deciding whether Christianity is true isn’t just an intellectual question—it’s personal. If Christianity is true, then you were created by a God who loves you, wants a relationship with you, and offers forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus. That makes the question of Jesus not just important, but life-changing. You can accept it, reject it, or investigate it—but you can’t ignore it. Christianity doesn’t just offer helpful advice or moral guidance; it offers the truth. And because it’s true, it matters for everyone—including you.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
The moral argument for God’s existence explores why we believe in right and wrong, suggesting that our deep sense of morality points to a higher standard—God. If God exists, then objective moral values make sense, because He provides a standard that transcends human opinion. Without God, morality becomes subjective, and things like fairness or justice lose their grounding. For example, in a world without God, right and wrong could be reduced to personal preference or cultural opinion, making moral outrage meaningless. The argument also highlights that for morality to matter, we need free will—something difficult to explain in a purely material world without God. Additionally, we believe humans have special value, not just because of intelligence, but because they’re made in God’s image. While the moral argument doesn’t prove Christianity on its own, it shows that worldviews like atheism or pantheism struggle to explain our strong moral instincts. Alternative explanations like evolution, science, or cultural differences fall short in grounding true moral values. Just like our sense of beauty suggests a creative designer, our sense of right and wrong points to a moral Creator. Ultimately, morality makes more sense in a world where God exists—giving us purpose, value, and a reason to care about doing what’s right.
Hey everyone! Today, we’re talking about something super important: why do we believe some things are right and others are wrong? Like, when someone cuts you off in traffic or cheats in a game, you feel upset, right? That’s because deep down, we all sense there’s a real difference between right and wrong. This idea is called the moral argument for God’s existence, and it’s what we’re diving into today!
The moral argument says that the best explanation for why we have a sense of right and wrong is because God exists. Here’s the basic idea in two steps:
Let’s break it down with some examples to make it clear.
Imagine you and your friend are arguing about whether it’s okay to lie to get out of trouble. You say it’s wrong, but your friend says, “Who cares? It’s just my opinion!” If there’s no higher standard—something above humans to decide what’s right—then it’s just one person’s opinion against another’s. That’s a problem because it means whoever’s stronger or louder gets to decide what’s right. That’s not fair!
Think about history. During World War II, some people said terrible things were okay because their leaders told them so. But others said, “No, there’s a higher law—a rule above human rules—that says this is wrong.” That higher law needs to come from something bigger than us, like God. If God exists, He sets a standard for right and wrong that doesn’t change based on who’s in charge.
Here’s another big idea: for right and wrong to matter, we have to be able to choose. If someone says, “You should help your friend,” it only makes sense if you can choose to help or not. That ability to choose is called free will.
Now, if the world is just made of physical stuff—like rocks, water, or even our bodies with no soul—then everything we do is just caused by science, like gravity pulling a ball down. If that’s true, we don’t really choose anything; we’re like robots programmed by nature. But we don’t live like that! When someone pushes you in the hallway, you’re annoyed because you think they chose to do it, not because they tripped.
In a worldview without God, it’s tough to explain why we have free will. But if God made us with a soul—something more than just our physical body—then we can make real choices. That’s why morality makes sense in a world where God exists.
Why do we think it’s wrong to hurt a person but not a rock? Because people have special value. In a Christian worldview, every person—rich or poor, young or old—has value because they’re made in God’s image. That’s why Christians have started things like hospitals or fought against unfair treatment, because every human matters.
But if there’s no God, why do humans have more value than, say, a tree or an animal? Some might say, “Because humans are smarter!” But that’s tricky—does that mean smarter people are more valuable than others? That doesn’t feel right. Without God, it’s hard to explain why every human has equal worth. With God, it’s clear: we’re valuable because He made us special.
The moral argument doesn’t prove Christianity all by itself. It shows that worldviews like atheism (which says there’s no God) or pantheism (which says everything is one) don’t explain our sense of right and wrong very well. To get to Christianity, we’d need to talk about Jesus, His miracles, and His resurrection. But the moral argument helps us see that a world with God makes more sense for explaining why we care about right and wrong.
Some people say we don’t need God to explain morality. Let’s look at a few of their ideas:
Here’s something cool to think about: our sense of right and wrong is a lot like our sense of beauty. When you see a sunset or hear a great song, you just know it’s beautiful, right? We talk about beauty like it’s real, not just an opinion. But why do we see beauty in nature, like stars or oceans, when we don’t need it to survive? Just like morality, beauty points to something bigger—maybe a God who made the world not just to work, but to be amazing.
Let’s tackle a couple of questions you might have:
So, why do we believe in right and wrong? The moral argument says it’s because God exists. He gives us a higher standard, the ability to choose, and a reason to value every person. Without God, it’s hard to explain why we care so much about fairness, justice, or even beauty. Next time you feel that something’s wrong—or see something beautiful—think about how it might be pointing to a God who made the world with purpose.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
Are we just physical bodies, or is there more to us? While materialism claims we are nothing more than our physical parts—like brains and bodies—Christianity teaches that we are souls who have bodies. The soul is the real “you,” and the Bible supports this idea by showing that our soul lives on even after the body dies. Three main arguments support the soul’s existence: (1) Scripture clearly teaches that we have souls distinct from our bodies, (2) our identity remains the same over time even though our bodies completely change, and (3) our thoughts, feelings, and choices are non-physical and can’t be fully explained by the brain alone. Real-life cases, like people who function mentally despite severe brain damage, also support the idea that we are more than our physical brains. While brain science shows a connection between mind and body, it doesn’t prove the brain is all there is—just as a computer needs both hardware and software to work. Finally, our ability to make free, meaningful choices points to a soul capable of real decisions. This truth gives every person incredible value and purpose, and reminds us that we are spiritual beings made for a relationship with God that goes beyond this life.
What are you? Are you just a body, a brain, or is there more to you?
Many people today, especially in the scientific world, believe we are purely physical beings—just a body and a brain. This view is called physicalism or materialism. It says everything about us can be explained by the physical parts: our DNA, cells, neurons, and chemicals in the brain.
But Christians—and many others—believe there’s more. We believe that you’re not just a body, but also a soul. You are a soul that has a body. Your soul is the real “you.” Your body is like your house; it’s important, but it’s not the full picture of who you are.
So how do we know the soul is real? Is there any evidence for it?
Let’s look at three main arguments that point to the existence of the soul:
Let’s start with Scripture. The Bible doesn’t use the word “soul” in a technical, philosophical way, but it clearly shows that we are more than just physical bodies.
For example:
In Matthew 10:28, Jesus says, “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” This shows that the soul is distinct from the body—you can destroy the body without destroying the soul.
In 2 Corinthians 5:8, Paul says, “We would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.” Paul believes that when we die, we go to be with Jesus. That makes sense if our soul continues on after our body dies.
In Philippians 1:21–23, Paul says he desires to depart and be with Christ. Again, this shows Paul believes his true self can live apart from his body. From start to finish, the Bible treats humans as more than just physical creatures. God made us with a spiritual part—a soul—that can exist even after our bodies die.
Think about this: everything in your body changes over time. Every cell, every molecule—eventually gets replaced.
If someone met you as a baby and sees you now as a teenager, not one cell in your body is the same. But you’re still you. You’ve been the same person through all those changes.
So here’s the question: What makes you “you”? What stays the same?
It’s not your body—it’s your soul.
This leads to an important truth:
You are not just a body—you are a soul that uses a body.
The body changes, but the soul stays the same. That’s why we can say, “I’m the same person I was at 5 years old,” even though nothing about our bodies or even personalities are the same.
This idea is powerful because it shows we’re not just machines made of meat. We have an inner, non-physical self that stays the same through all of life’s changes.
Here’s another way to think about it:
Right now, you might be having thoughts about what I’m saying. Maybe you’re feeling curious or confused. Maybe you’re thinking, “I hope this ends soon.” Whatever it is—you’re thinking and feeling things.
Now ask yourself: Are your thoughts made of stuff? Can you touch a thought? Can you see it under a microscope?
No. Thoughts and feelings aren’t physical. They’re immaterial—meaning they don’t have size, shape, or mass. You can’t weigh them or cut them open.
Yes, your brain is involved in thinking. But the brain isn’t the same thing as the mind. The brain is a physical organ in your head. Your mind—your thoughts, beliefs, desires, emotions—is something else. It’s part of your soul.
Let’s break it down:
The piano is a physical instrument. But the music is something different. You need the piano to make music, but music isn’t made of wood and strings—it’s something higher.
In the same way, your brain is needed to function, but your mind—and your soul—is something more.
A Real-Life Example
Here’s a fascinating story that shows this:
A girl named Katie had hydrocephalus—a condition where fluid builds up in the brain. When doctors scanned her head, they found she had almost no brain tissue. Her brain had been mostly destroyed by the pressure.
But here’s the thing: she could still talk, see, and understand things. How is that possible?
If the brain were the only thing responsible for thinking, that shouldn’t have been possible. But if we have souls—a non-physical part of us that thinks, feels, and makes choices—then her situation makes sense.
There are many stories like this, where people with damaged brains can still think or experience things in ways science can’t explain.
But What About Brain Science?
Now, you might be thinking: “Wait, don’t scientists say that everything we think and feel comes from the brain?”
Yes, some scientists do say that. And it’s true that when you think or feel something, your brain shows activity. But that doesn’t prove the brain is all there is.
Here’s an example: imagine pressing keys on a computer keyboard. Letters appear on the screen. The keyboard causes something to happen, but the software is behind the scenes making sense of it all.
Your brain is like the hardware. Your soul is the software.
You can’t see software, but it’s real. And when the hardware is damaged, the software might not run properly—but it still exists.
Free Will and the Soul
Here’s another clue we have souls: we can make free choices.
If we were only physical beings—if our brains were just chemical machines—then everything we do would be determined. We wouldn’t really have free will; we’d just react based on chemistry, like a robot.
But you know that’s not how it works. You can choose what to say, what to do, even what to believe. You’re responsible for your choices.
Free will only makes sense if we have a soul—a part of us that rises above the physical and can make real, meaningful decisions.
Your Soul Is Valuable
Here’s the bottom line: You have a soul. You are a soul. This truth gives you incredible value.
You’re not just a pile of atoms. You’re not just a brain. You are a spiritual being made in God’s image. That means your life has deep meaning and purpose.
And it also means this life isn’t all there is. Because you have a soul, you can have a relationship with God—a relationship that continues even after death.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
The session on miracles explores whether supernatural events are possible, especially in a world governed by natural laws. While critics often reject miracles based on a naturalistic worldview—believing science has ruled them out—the real question is whether God exists. If He does, then miracles, like the resurrection of Jesus, are possible. Miracles aren’t random violations of nature, but purposeful acts by a Creator who can act outside His creation. The session argues that disbelief in miracles is often rooted not in lack of evidence, but in a worldview unwilling to consider the supernatural. Scholars like Craig Keener have documented hundreds of credible miracle reports from around the world, many with medical evidence, which challenge the notion that miracles don’t happen. While not all claims are accepted, the sheer volume and reliability of testimonies make it unreasonable to dismiss them outright. If miracles do occur—and especially if Jesus rose from the dead—they provide strong support for the truth of Christianity and the idea that God has revealed Himself in history.
The discussion on the possibility of miracles builds on earlier sessions that explored truth, morality, and general revelation—evidence of God accessible to everyone, like beauty, design, and the soul. The key question now is whether this intelligent Creator has revealed Himself through miracles. One of the main challenges to belief in miracles is not necessarily lack of evidence, but worldview assumptions. Many people reject miracles because they assume a naturalistic worldview where such events are impossible. As Gary Habermas has pointed out, before considering the resurrection of Jesus, we must first ask if miracles are even possible. For example, when skeptical students at Berkeley questioned whether Jesus rose from the dead, their rejection was based on the belief that science proves the dead stay dead. But the resurrection claim was never that Jesus rose naturally, but that God supernaturally raised Him. If God created the laws of nature, He can override them. Miracles, then, only make sense in a world that normally follows consistent laws—otherwise we wouldn’t recognize anything as miraculous.
The real issue isn’t what science observes, but whether God exists. If He does, then miracles are at least possible. Dismissing miracles outright reflects a closed worldview, not open-minded skepticism. The example of the General Noble Tree at the 1897 World’s Fair illustrates how people can reject clear evidence if it doesn’t fit their assumptions. Likewise, many reject miracle claims not because of weak evidence, but because of their presuppositions. To deny miracles altogether, skeptics must prove that God’s existence is impossible—a far harder task than believers need to take on. If God’s existence is even possible, then miracles must also be considered possible.
Once the possibility is accepted, we can turn to the evidence. Scholar Craig Keener has compiled a vast number of miracle reports from across the globe, including blind people regaining sight, the deaf hearing, and even the dead being raised. While Keener doesn’t accept every story as credible, he argues that the sheer volume and diversity of reports, many backed by documentation and medical records, make it unreasonable to dismiss them all. For instance, one young man with a severe stomach condition was healed after prayer and could suddenly eat normally. Another case involved a woman legally blind for 13 years who instantly regained her sight after being prayed for—confirmed by medical evidence. While not every prayer results in healing—Keener himself has experienced loss despite faith—miracles appear to occur with enough regularity and credibility to merit serious consideration.
Verification of miracles varies. Some rely on firsthand testimony, others on multiple witnesses, and some are even reviewed through rigorous investigations, such as those conducted by the Catholic Church. The point isn’t that Christians should accept every claim uncritically, but that careful, evidence-based belief in miracles is rational. Proper skepticism doesn’t mean denying all supernatural claims—it means investigating them carefully and being open to where the evidence leads.
Miracles, then, add significant weight to the cumulative case for Christianity. Alongside arguments from cosmology (the beginning and fine-tuning of the universe), biology (design in DNA), morality, free will, and beauty, miracles—especially the resurrection—strengthen the argument that God not only exists but has revealed Himself in history. The resurrection, if true, would be the most significant miracle, confirming Jesus’s divine identity and validating the Christian faith.
Finally, defining a miracle matters. Rather than calling it a violation of natural law, a better definition is that a miracle is a purposeful act by God that overrides the natural order for a specific reason. It’s not just a strange or rare event, but something that points beyond nature to a supernatural cause. For example, the parting of the Red Sea wasn’t just a freak windstorm—it happened at exactly the right moment for God’s people to escape, demonstrating both power and purpose. In the same way, when miracles occur today, they often carry deep personal or spiritual meaning. This purposeful intervention points to a God who is not distant but active in the world, using miracles as a kind of signature to reveal Himself to humanity.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
A few years ago, while studying, I noticed a woman reading Christopher Hitchens’ book God is Not Great, which claims religion poisons everything. When I asked her about Jesus, she described Him as merely a “really nice guy,” denying His virgin birth and resurrection. I challenged her: if Jesus was just kind, why was He crucified? This question highlights a critical point—who is Jesus really? The resurrection is key because it addresses life’s biggest questions: Does God exist? (A resurrection demands a supernatural cause, pointing to God’s power over life and death.) Which religion is true? (Jesus claimed to be God, and His resurrection supports that claim.) And is there life after death? (Jesus rose after three days, offering hope of eternal life.) My dad, Josh McDowell, searched the world for evidence against Christianity but found overwhelming proof of Jesus’ resurrection and God’s love, inspiring him to write Evidence That Demands a Verdict. Despite living in a “post-truth” world, many still seek answers about Jesus’ resurrection. Understanding miracles matters because some dismiss them outright, blocking consideration of the resurrection. Four key facts about Jesus’ death, accepted by historians of all backgrounds, provide a solid foundation: first, Jesus really died by crucifixion. This is confirmed by multiple independent sources, brutal historical details, medical evidence like the flow of blood and water indicating His death, archaeological findings of crucifixion nails, and logical reasoning—no one would invent a humiliating crucifixion story to promote a fake Savior. The reality of Jesus’ death and resurrection changes everything and is the cornerstone for exploring further evidence and explanations.
A few years ago, a woman was observed reading God is Not Great by Christopher Hitchens, a former atheist, whose subtitle boldly claims that religion poisons everything. When asked about the book’s message on Jesus, she described Him as merely “a really nice guy,” denying the virgin birth, divinity, and resurrection. However, this raises a critical question: if Jesus was just kind-hearted, why was He crucified? The brutal Roman practice of crucifixion was reserved for criminals and rebels, not gentle figures. This contradiction prompts a deeper inquiry into who Jesus really was, and why the resurrection is so significant.
The resurrection of Jesus answers three profound questions: Does God exist? Which religion is true? Is there life after death? Science and philosophy provide hints—like the universe’s beginning and moral laws—but the resurrection offers personal, compelling evidence. Just as an effect requires an adequate cause, a person rising from the dead demands a supernatural cause, pointing directly to a God with power over life and death. While many religions claim to reveal truth, Jesus uniquely claimed to be both the truth and God Himself, validating this claim through His resurrection, similar to the Old Testament story of Jonah’s three days inside the fish. The resurrection also offers hope for life after death; unlike brief near-death experiences, Jesus was in the grave for three days and came back to life, proving life beyond the grave is possible.
Josh McDowell, a notable Christian apologist, personally searched for evidence against Christianity. Growing up in a difficult home, McDowell set out in the 1950s to disprove the faith. Instead, he found the evidence for Jesus’ resurrection convincing, and it was God’s love that ultimately transformed his heart. His 1972 book Evidence That Demands a Verdict has become a cornerstone of Christian apologetics, widely read and recently updated to reflect the vast amount of new evidence accumulated over the decades. Despite claims of living in a “post-truth” world, many still seek the truth about Jesus’ resurrection, which makes being prepared to answer this question crucial.
A significant challenge is that many dismiss miracles outright, and if miracles are impossible, then the resurrection cannot be true. Understanding this mindset is key, as people who reject the possibility of miracles from the start will not consider the evidence seriously. Therefore, exploring the facts about the resurrection is essential to addressing skepticism.
Four key facts about Jesus’ resurrection, accepted by most historians regardless of faith, provide a strong foundation. The first fact is that Jesus really died by crucifixion. This is supported by the criterion of multiple attestation, meaning the event is recorded in many independent sources: all four Gospels, the rest of the New Testament, early church writings, and even non-Christian sources. Crucifixion was an excruciatingly brutal method of execution. Jesus was whipped with a flagrum containing sharp bone or metal pieces, tearing into flesh. A historian named Eusebius described victims as having veins, muscles, and even organs exposed. Jesus carried His crossbeam but, weakened by torture, stumbled and bled before being nailed to the wood. The very word “excruciating” derives from the suffering endured on the cross.
Medical evidence from a 1986 article in the Journal of the American Medical Association explains that crucifixion typically causes death by asphyxiation. Victims had to push themselves up to breathe, intensifying pain. John’s Gospel records that soldiers found Jesus already dead before breaking His legs to hasten death. To confirm, a soldier pierced Jesus’ side, and blood and water flowed out. Modern medicine explains this as the rupture of the pericardial sac surrounding the heart, a detail unlikely to be fabricated and consistent with death by crucifixion.
Archaeology also confirms crucifixion’s reality. For a long time, scholars doubted the Gospel’s mention of nails because most crucified remains showed victims tied to crosses. However, in 1968, a first-century crucified man was found with a nail still lodged in his heel, with further discoveries in Britain reinforcing this evidence. This aligns with the Gospel account where Thomas insisted on seeing nail marks in Jesus’ hands and feet.
Logical considerations add weight to the claim. If early Christians were inventing a story to elevate Jesus as the Son of God, they would have avoided a shameful death like crucifixion, reserved for the lowest criminals. That they embraced and proclaimed this humiliating death suggests the event’s authenticity rather than fabrication.
In conclusion, the first critical fact—Jesus’ death by crucifixion—is well supported by medical, historical, archaeological, and logical evidence. This fact serves as the starting point for examining the resurrection’s other aspects and refuting alternative explanations. If Jesus truly died and rose again, it transforms everything, providing a foundation for faith and the hope of eternal life.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
The New Testament stands out among ancient documents due to its vast number of manuscript copies, closeness in time to the originals, and the strong historical evidence supporting its authors’ truthfulness and accuracy. Eyewitness accounts, inclusion of embarrassing details, and external corroboration from historians and archaeology all contribute to its credibility. While not proving every religious claim, these facts show the New Testament is a trustworthy historical record, making the life and resurrection of Jesus a serious historical event rather than myth.
When evaluating the reliability of the Bible, particularly the New Testament, it is important to approach it like historians do with any ancient document. Historians use tests such as the copy test, character test, and corroboration test to assess trustworthiness. Applying these to the New Testament reveals its strong historical credibility.
The copy test looks at how many manuscripts exist and how close they are to the originals. Unlike most ancient texts, the New Testament has an unparalleled number of manuscript copies—over 5,800 Greek manuscripts alone and more than 25,000 when including other languages. Some manuscripts date back only 30 to 50 years after the originals, which is exceptionally close in historical terms. Although there are many textual variants, most are minor and do not affect any core Christian beliefs. Scholars estimate that the New Testament we have today is about 99.5% accurate to the original writings.
The character test examines whether the New Testament authors were truthful. The writers claimed to be eyewitnesses or to have interviewed eyewitnesses. For example, Luke says he carefully researched his account, and Peter and John affirm firsthand experience with Jesus. If these claims were false, critics at the time would have likely exposed them, but no contemporary challenges succeeded. Moreover, the authors include many embarrassing or difficult details—like the disciples’ failures and misunderstandings, women discovering the empty tomb, and Jesus’s challenging teachings—that make it unlikely they fabricated the stories. These details suggest the writers were honestly reporting events, not creating a myth. Furthermore, the disciples showed great courage, willing to suffer and die for their beliefs. People generally don’t die for things they know are false, especially claims of witnessing a risen Jesus.
The corroboration test asks whether external sources support the New Testament. Several non-Christian ancient historians—Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliny the Younger—mention Jesus or early Christians and confirm key details such as Jesus’s crucifixion under Pontius Pilate. Though these sources don’t accept Jesus as divine, they acknowledge his historical existence and certain facts recorded in the Gospels. Archaeological discoveries also back up biblical details, such as the Pool of Bethesda, Pontius Pilate’s inscription, and the bones of Caiaphas, the high priest. These findings reinforce the accuracy of the New Testament’s historical context.
Taken together, these tests show the New Testament is a highly reliable historical document, not simply a religious text full of myths. While this doesn’t prove every theological claim true, it does mean the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus are based on solid eyewitness testimony and real historical events. This foundation supports taking the Christian faith seriously without dismissing it as legend.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
The lecture tackles the difficult question of why a good and powerful God allows evil and suffering in the world. It explains that this issue involves both emotional and philosophical challenges, showing that Christianity provides a meaningful response by acknowledging human pain, defining evil as a corruption of good, and emphasizing free will’s role. The lecture highlights that God not only understands suffering by becoming human in Jesus but also promises ultimate victory over evil through the resurrection. It encourages empathy and honest questioning while affirming that Christianity offers hope and answers even in the hardest circumstances.
The problem of evil and suffering is one of the most significant challenges to the Christian faith. It raises the question: If God is all-good and all-powerful, why does evil exist? The lecture addresses this from both emotional and intellectual perspectives, showing that it’s not merely about proving God’s existence but about understanding His goodness amid pain.
Evil and suffering are undeniably present in the world—natural disasters, violence, illness, and personal tragedies cause people to question why the world is broken. This question isn’t unique to skeptics; even Christians wrestle with it. The speaker shares personal stories, such as his wife’s miscarriage and his own pain, to illustrate that believers often ask, “Why doesn’t God stop this?” The Bible records similar struggles, as seen when the prophet Habakkuk questions God’s silence, demonstrating that grappling with suffering is a universal human experience.
Philosophers and scholars like Einstein, Darwin, and Bart Ehrman have also found the problem of evil challenging. Their doubts highlight that the issue isn’t trivial—it cuts deep into questions about faith and reality.
The emotional side of suffering concerns how people feel when facing pain. The speaker recounts an experience where he gave an intellectual answer to someone suffering, which failed to address her emotional needs. This taught him that people in pain need empathy and presence more than quick explanations. The Bible supports this approach, urging believers to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15). Sometimes, simply listening and being there is the best way to help, just as Job’s friends sat silently with him during his suffering.
Philosophically, evil is understood as a corruption or distortion of what is good. Using C.S. Lewis’s analogy, just as a broken clock or rusty wrench fails to work as intended, evil is a “damaged good.” Without a standard of goodness (which implies a designer or God), it’s impossible to recognize evil. Thus, the very concept of evil points to God’s existence.
The logical problem of evil claims: if God is all-powerful, He can stop evil; if God is all-good, He would want to stop evil; but evil exists, so God cannot exist. The speaker challenges this by clarifying that “all-powerful” means God can do anything logically possible, not contradictions like making a square circle. Moreover, true freedom requires the ability to choose good or evil. God could not create free creatures who only do good without undermining their freedom. Therefore, God permits evil because free will is valuable.
Regarding God’s goodness, suffering can serve a purpose. C.S. Lewis described pain as “God’s megaphone to rouse a deaf world,” encouraging people to focus on deeper spiritual realities. Life’s hardships can strengthen faith and character. The speaker uses the example of Spider-Man, whose suffering leads to heroism. Similarly, God may allow suffering to bring about greater goods that may not be immediately visible.
Christianity’s unique response to evil is a God who suffers with humanity. The story of Father Damien, who contracted leprosy while serving lepers, illustrates God’s solidarity with human pain. Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross symbolize God’s deep empathy. The Bible says Jesus “sympathizes with our weaknesses,” meaning He truly understands human suffering. But the story doesn’t end there—Jesus’ resurrection demonstrates God’s power over evil and death. What seemed like defeat on the cross was actually victory.
The Bible also shows that God can use evil for good purposes. Joseph’s story, where his brothers sold him into slavery, ends with Joseph recognizing God’s control, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” The apostle Paul faced immense suffering but could mock death’s power because of the resurrection’s hope.
The lecture concludes with audience questions. Evil entered the world through the free choices of Satan and humans, not by God’s design. Hell is a place of eternal separation from God, where evil continues in rebellion but is not equal to God’s eternal goodness. Addressing horrific evils like child trafficking is hardest emotionally. Christianity values children immensely and acknowledges that free will means bad choices sometimes harm innocent people. However, the very fact that people see such acts as evil points to an objective moral standard, which in turn points to God’s existence.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
The lecture emphasizes that apologetics—the defense and explanation of Christian faith—is for every believer, not just experts. It’s about recognizing everyday opportunities to share faith and understanding that often people’s questions about Christianity hide deeper fears, struggles, or doubts. By listening carefully and asking thoughtful questions, Christians can uncover the “question beneath the question” and address real concerns with empathy and wisdom. Through real stories of conversations with young people, the speaker shows how effective listening and gentle questioning reveal heart issues like fear, pride, or pain behind surface-level objections, helping believers respond more meaningfully.
The speaker begins by redefining apologetics as something accessible to all Christians, not just scholars or speakers. Apologetics is simply sharing why one believes in Jesus and being ready to talk about faith in everyday life—in school, at home, or in the neighborhood. The goal is to improve in noticing “hurt” and “opportunities” around us where faith conversations naturally fit. Drawing a parallel to parenting, where everyday moments can teach faith better than rigid plans, the speaker encourages praying for awareness and readiness rather than relying on complicated strategies.
Central to the lecture is the idea of the “question beneath the question.” Often when people ask tough questions about Christianity—like “How can Jesus be the only way?”—there is a deeper, sometimes hidden, emotional or personal issue behind the surface question. Proverbs 20:5 says, “The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.” In other words, effective apologetics means listening carefully and patiently to uncover what’s really going on inside someone’s heart or mind.
The speaker admits he used to focus on giving quick, intellectual answers without really engaging the person’s feelings or struggles. Now he tries to find the underlying concern by asking thoughtful questions and truly listening, helping address the real barriers to faith instead of just debating surface objections.
To illustrate, he shares five stories from conversations with young people at conferences:
From these stories, the speaker concludes that good apologetics depends on listening more than talking and asking good questions to draw out the real issues. He references Greg Koukl’s book Tactics, which teaches how to ask questions that challenge false ideas or advance the conversation. However, the main point is that questions aren’t just for winning debates—they’re tools for understanding people.
Jesus and Paul asked hundreds of questions in Scripture, showing that asking questions is a biblical way to connect and communicate. The best apologists ask questions that help people see how Jesus meets their deepest needs, fears, and doubts.
In summary, apologetics is not just about defending facts but about caring for people’s hearts by uncovering their true concerns and responding with empathy, wisdom, and love.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
Meaningful spiritual conversations can be guided by four simple questions: “What do you believe?”, “Why do you believe it?”, “Where do we agree?”, and “Where do we disagree, and why?” These questions help uncover not just surface beliefs but the deeper stories, emotions, and experiences behind them. By listening carefully, finding common ground, and respectfully discussing differences, Christians can share their faith effectively and with kindness, meeting people where they are and encouraging open, honest dialogue.
This lesson presents a practical, straightforward approach to having meaningful spiritual conversations based on four key questions inspired by communication expert Tim Muehlhoff. The emphasis is on engaging in real, respectful dialogue rather than debating or lecturing.
Practical Application
Every Christian is an apologist—someone who explains and defends the faith—in everyday life. This doesn’t require special training or public platforms; it’s about praying for opportunities, paying attention to conversations, and being ready to listen and speak with love and patience. Personal stories of dialogue with skeptics show how humor, kindness, and genuine curiosity can break down stereotypes and open doors.
The lesson ends by encouraging reflection: Who in your life could you pray for or start a spiritual conversation with? The journey of faith-sharing is challenging but rewarding, as God can use everyday conversations to reveal Himself to others.
This discussion is based on the teaching from Sean McDowell at Biblical Training. To see the original lesson, click here.
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