Episodes
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The efficiency of generative AI can be tempting. But Philip Bunn, assistant professor of political science at Covenant College, argues that we may be sacrificing part of our humanity—and eventually our freedom—for the apparent perfection of AI results. When we allow ourselves do things badly instead of relying on AI, we're forming important parts of ourselves, Philip argues.
Don't miss this latest installment in the series "Know About AI" where Liberty and Philip discuss the AI crisis in academia, the purpose of education, 18th century economist Adam Smith's predictions about technology and "mental mutilation," and tips for preserving independent judgement in a culture that increasingly depends on AI.
More Resources:
Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age by Samuel James
The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley
A Web of Our Own Making: The Nature of Digital Formation by Anton Barba-Kay
EverythingWasBeautiful.Substack.com
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Is it cheating to have ChatGPT give feedback on your research paper?
What if you just ask ChatGPT to check your math homework?
Should professors stop fighting the use of AI and incorporate it into collegiate-level assignments?
How can teachers mitigate the negative effects of technology overload in their classrooms?
We cover all these questions and more in the second installment of our Know About AI series, featuring Emily Harrison, author of the resource-heavy website Dear Christian Parent on Substack. Whether you're a parent, a teacher, or a student yourself, you won't want to miss this episode on artificial intelligence and education.
More Resources:
Dear Christian Parent on Substack
Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Business by Neil Postman
From the Garden to the City: The Place of Technology in the Story of God by John Dyer
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Missing episodes?
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In the kick-off to our Know About AI series, Peter Goeman of The Bible Sojourner YouTube channel joins the Know Why Podcast to talk about artificial intelligence from a Christian perspective.
Specifically, Peter explains what it means when the Bible says humans are made in the image of God, and what implications that has for our relationship with AI technology.
Don't miss this conversation, which provides a helpful framework for our future episodes on AI!
More Resources:
Artificial Intelligence and the Christian: Understanding AI's Promises and Pitfalls by Peter Goeman
The Bible Sojourner (YouTube Channel)
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Chances are you know someone who has deconstructed their faith or is in that process. Maybe that person is you. Wherever you are in your faith journey, you'll appreciate this interview with Ian Harber, who has experienced deconstruction of faith first hand.
Ian shares his own story, including what led to his crisis of faith and how he managed to rebuild belief in God's goodness after his lowest moment.
He also discusses his "brutally honest, defiantly hopeful" book: Walking Through Deconstruction: How to Be a Companion in a Crisis of Faith. It tackles common misconceptions about deconstruction, provides tips for supporting loved ones through a spiritual crisis, and offers hope and advice for reconstructing a healthy faith.
More Resources:
Walking Through Deconstruction by Ian Harber
Confessions by St. Augustine of Hippo
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There are more voices competing for our attention than ever before, and they all have a different interpretation of reality. Is there such a thing as absolute truth, and if so, how can we find it?
Joining the Know Why Podcast to discuss this important question is Andrea Crum, the leader of Genuine Family Ministries. Andrea helps us understand why there is a crisis of truth, how we can identify and understand different worldviews, and why the existence of truth points to God’s goodness.
More Resources:
Andreacrum.com Christ Over Culture: Raising Christian Kids to Stand in a Postmodern World by Andrea CrumDr. Frank Turek (crossexamined.org/dr-frank-turek)THE BEAT by Allen Parr (youtube.com/@thebeatagp) -
At a time when many church-raised millennials and Gen Zers are deconstructing, Know Why Podcast host Liberty McArtor is still a Christian. Why?
In this episode, Liberty shares her journey with faith and how two things kept her from completely abandoning God during a season of struggle.
She also discusses the difference between education and propaganda and why knowing the difference could strengthen one's faith.
More Resources:
Education, Indoctrination and Propaganda
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So far, our quest to know why God is good has led us to biblical stories of God himself. But why should we accept biblical accounts as evidence for God's goodness if we aren't even sure the Bible is true?
Josh Barnes, pastor and host of the popular YouTube channel The Bible Explained, talks us through three categories historians use to judge a historical text's reliability: authenticity, accuracy, and transmission.
Hear the case for the Bible's authenticity, accuracy, and reliable transmission in this 30-minute interview—and hear why Josh thinks evidence-based faith is better than blind faith.
More Resources:
Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics by William Lane Craig
Evidence That Demands a Verdict: Life Changing Truth for a Skeptical World by Josh an Sean McDowell
The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary Habermas and Michael Licona
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Newly confirmed HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims that America is in a "spiritual crisis." Is this true? In this 20-minute episode, Liberty examines religious trends and sociological research to evaluate the truth of RFK's claim and shares her opinion on why it matters.
More Resources:
https://news.gallup.com/poll/358364/religious-americans.aspx
https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2024/07/religion-happiness-faith-loneliness-spirituality-atheism/678945/
https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/08/21/leaving-christianity-religion-church-community/
https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/04/breaking-faith/517785/
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/02/21/opinion/religion-faith-america.html?showTranscript=1
https://www.theatlantic.com/projects/how-build-life/
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Safe. That definition may change from person to person, but there's no denying that today's generation seeks to feel and promote physical and emotional safety. Our world is anything but safe. How do we cope with this?
Dr. Tanita Maddox is a Gen Z expert and veteran Young Life leader. In this conversation, she shares why this is an important question, how we can align our definition of safety to God's, and how we can access peace even when it feels like the world is going up in flames. She also offers loving encouragement that every Gen Zer needs to hear.
More Resources:
https://www.ivpress.com/what-gen-z-really-wants-to-know-about-god
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Does God actually care about the marginalized? If so, why does he seem so harsh in the Old Testament? Why do Christians seem like hypocrites today? In this episode, returning Know Why favorite Dr. Sandra Glahn tackles these hard questions. Dr. Glahn is an author, professor, and sought-after expert in issues relating to Jesus, Scripture, women and gender, and more.
More resources:
https://sandraglahn.com/
https://www.marydemuth.com/books/90-day-bible-reading-challenge/
https://sandraglahn.com/latte-with-luke
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It's our second annual "Best Of" episode! We looked at our most-downloaded episodes of 2024 and compiled the highlights here. Listen for excerpts from five of listeners’ favorite episodes of the year, with selections from our "Know About Jesus" series, our "Know About Political Engagement" series, and more!
In this episode, you’ll hear snippets of the following interviews (click to listen to the full interviews or read more):
Did Jesus Prescribe Gender Roles? Know About Jesus: Interview With Dr. Sandra Glahn (Part 2)Is My Anger Righteous? Know About Jesus: Interview With Brant Hansen (Part 1)How Can I Talk About Controversial Politics With Family This Thanksgiving? Interview With Peyton Luke
Why Should I Advocate for Religious Freedom? Know About Political Engagement: Interview With Nathan Shackelford
Can Localism Ease Partisanship (And Even Anxiety)? Know About Political Engagement: Interview With Dr. Mark T. Mitchell
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Why do we celebrate the birth of Jesus? Is it merely cultural tradition...or something more significant?
In this repost of one of last year's most popular episodes, Joshua Barnes of The Bible Explained demonstrates why Jesus' birth is unique compared to the origin stories of mythical gods. Josh also highlights intriguing prophecies that predicted details of Jesus' birth hundreds of years before it happened.
More Resources:
Romans 5:12Daniel 9Isaiah 7Isaiah 9Isaiah 60 -
In honor of the holiday season, we're bringing back two of our most popular episodes from 2023! In the first Christmas-themed interview, Joshua Barnes, host of popular YouTube channel The Bible Explained, answers questions like:
Does Christmas have pagan origins?Does the date December 25th come from ancient holidays like Saturnalia or the Winter Solstice?Are traditions like caroling and decorating trees borrowed from other religions?Should Christians celebrate Christmas?For a deeper dive, check out these resources:
Was Christmas Pagan?Is Christmas a Pagan Holiday?Why the Puritans Cracked Down on Celebrating ChristmasIs Christmas PAGAN? In Defense of Christmas (Video)A history of Christmas in the early Church (from New Advent) -
We know DNA is complex, but recent discoveries are revealing new layers of complexity within DNA—and creating problems for evolutionists. Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins, a research scientist for the Institution for Creation Research who specializes in genetics research, explains these discoveries in the final episode of our series, "Know About Science and Faith." Listen to find out what epigenetics, Meiosis, DNA codes and even Darwin's Finches can tell us about Intelligent Design. More Resources:
ICR.org
Acts and Facts Magazine
The Design and Complexity of the Cell by Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins
Other writings by Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins
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We interrupt our series on science and faith to discuss something many Americans are thinking about as they enter the holiday season...how to interact with those family members and friends who hold vastly different opinions. While some advise avoiding family who hold different political opinions, communications expert Peyton Luke encourages listeners to have fruitful conversations, following a few specific tips. Listen to this episode in preparation for your Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering, and take notes on keeping your interactions civil, calm, and productive.
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In Part 2 of his latest conversation with Know Why, apologist Jon Noyes, a former atheist, encourages listeners to follow scientific evidence to its conclusion. For Christians, Jon believes following the evidence will lead to a more robust faith in God—not the opposite, which many people fear. For non-Christians, Jon shares his own testimony of how scientific evidence and logic led him to reject naturalism in favor of the Christian worldview.
More Resources:
Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology by J. P. Moreland
EvolutionNews.org
Darwin's Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design by Stephen C. Meyer
The Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe by Stephen C. Meyer
Science and the Mind of the Maker: What the Conversation Between Faith and Science Reveals About God by Melissa Cain Travis
Understanding Intelligent Design: Everything You Need to Know in Plain Language by William A. Dembski and Sean McDowell
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Returning guest Jon Noyes from Stand to Reason joins our Know About Science and Faith series. In Part 1 of his conversation with Liberty, Jon explains how Darwinism entered the stage as a scientific theory and then took over as a worldview that permeated not only science, but every area of life. But is a theistic approach to science is experiencing a renaissance? Jon says yes. Know why by listening to this episode, and tuning back in for Part 2 next week!
More Resources:
Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology by J. P. Moreland
EvolutionNews.org
Darwin's Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design by Stephen C. Meyer
The Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe by Stephen C. Meyer
Science and the Mind of the Maker: What the Conversation Between Faith and Science Reveals About God by Melissa Cain Travis
Understanding Intelligent Design: Everything You Need to Know in Plain Language by William A. Dembski and Sean McDowell
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What caused the Ice Age? Returning for Part 2 of his conversation with the Know Why Podcast, Dr. Jake Hebert, a research scientist with the Institute for Creation Research, explains why the global flood described in the Bible would have created the perfect environment for an Ice Age. In fact, he argues the evidence for a flood-induced Ice Age is more compelling than the reigning theory, which depends on manipulated calculations and questionable science.
Skeptical? Listen and let us know what you think—and don't forget to read more at the resources below.
More Resources:
https://www.icr.org/article/the-bible-best-explains-the-ice-age
https://www.icr.org/article/physics-today-ignores-monster-milankovitch-problem
https://www.icr.org/article/missing-ice-age-forests-fit-flood-ice-age-model
https://www.icr.org/article/earths-thick-ice-sheets-are-young
https://www.icr.org/article/ice-core-research-continues/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-FbQoqXbtkM&t=110s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HtnV7q07aMg&t=126s
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In the next installment of our "Know About Science and Faith" series, Dr. Jake Hebert, research scientist at the Institute for Creation Research, joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss evidence for extreme longevity of ancient humans and other species. He also talks about problems with the theory of natural selection. Listen to hear about fascinating discoveries that are puzzling evolutionists and contributing to the theory of Intelligent Design. Be sure to check back next week for Part 2 of this conversation, where Dr. Hebert shares his research on causes of the Ice Age.
More Resources:
Evidence for Extreme Pre-Flood Animal Longevity
https://www.icr.org/article/icr-research-longevity
https://www.icr.org/article/living-900
https://www.icr.org/article/oysters-pre-flood-longevity
https://www.icr.org/article/fossil-sharks-signs-longevity/
https://www.icr.org/article/tiny-mammal-fossils-corroborate-longevity
https://www.icr.org/article/methuselah-like-longevity-pre-flood
https://www.icr.org/article/creation-podcast-episode-80
https://www.icr.org/article/creation-podcast-episode-81
Questioning Natural Selection
https://www.icr.org/article/creation-live-episode-1
https://www.icr.org/article/creation-live-episode-2
https://www.icr.org/article/creation-live-episode-3
https://www.icr.org/article/creation-podcast-episode-18
https://www.icr.org/article/cet-testing-cavefish-model
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If you've ever felt that belief in science and belief in God are incompatible, you'll want to hear this interview, republished in honor of Know Why's current series, "Know About Science and Faith." In this interview (originally posted in July of 2023) Jonathan, Executive Editor of Discovery Institute Press, explains how the scientific method was born out of a biblical worldview, provides examples of modern scientists who profess faith in God, and points to major scientific discoveries that point to God's existence.More Resources:
Heretic: One Scientist’s Journey From Darwin to Design Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth? Why Much of What We Teach About Evolution is Wrong Zombie Science: More Icons of Evolution How Did the Universe Begin? Discovery Institute: Intelligent Design - Show more
