Apologetics & Worldview

Apologetics & Worldview gathers Christian Standard articles that help readers understand, defend, and live out the Christian faith in a skeptical and changing culture. Here you’ll find thoughtful engagement with questions about truth, Scripture, Jesus, science and faith, suffering, morality, and competing worldviews shaping public life. These articles aim to strengthen confidence in the gospel, equip believers to answer objections with humility and clarity, and encourage a Christ-centered perspective for navigating everyday decisions and cultural conversations.

March 20, 2019

Christian Standard

How Could a God of Love Allow the Christchurch Massacre?

Jeff Vines, lead pastor of Christ’s Church of the Valley, San Dimas, Calif., is a former 10-year missionary to New Zealand who has shared some challenging thoughts in the aftermath of the mass shootings at a mosque and Islamic center Friday that left 50 dead and dozens injured. Vines—who was in New Zealand when the shootings occurred—wrote “How Could a God of Love Allow the Christchurch Massacre?” for the Vision Christian Media website. VCM broadcasts Christian programming throughout the South Pacific via a large network of radio stations. Vines’s sermons are broadcast on those stations twice each day. Because he was in New Zealand when

March 5, 2019

Christian Standard

How to Have Influence in Dialogue with the Ignorant, Obstinate, and Belligerent . . . and with Those Sitting on the Sidelines

By Michael McCann Let me clarify from the beginning: I am addressing these comments to followers of Jesus who, accordingly, take seriously their calling as disciples to reach out to those who don’t know Jesus and lead them to become his disciples as well. Everything below is slanted toward that end. If you are not committed toward that end, these suggestions will be irrelevant to you. Social media can be fertile ground for toxic conversation, and it often bleeds over into face-to-face encounters. Someone might say, “That is my social media persona, but that isn’t the real me.” Yet Jesus

January 29, 2019

Christian Standard

Ravi and Me

By Jack Cottrell Several years ago Ravi Zacharias and I were on the same program. Ravi accepted an invitation to speak at Cincinnati Christian University on April 29, 2014. He spoke twice, once in morning chapel and once for an evening banquet. About three weeks before the event, the school president, David Faust, sent me a request that said, in part, “As part of the program prior to Ravi’s speech in the evening, I would like to interview you briefly about the ongoing relevance of apologetics, especially as it relates to our work at CCU. . . . If you

August 27, 2018

Christian Standard

How to Debate Debatable Issues: The Art of Godly Disagreement

See the end of this article for web-only content: practical next steps you can take in response and helpful resources you can use to dig deeper into this issue.   By Jon Weatherly I have the spiritual gift of opinions. I have opinions on everything, including things I know nothing about. I think my role in life is to help people agree with my right opinions. If you hold an opinion that’s different from mine, or even if you hold no opinion at all, get ready to be enlightened. Some say that I think I’m always right. That’s not true!

August 11, 2018

Christian Standard

Can You Define Deception?

By Costi Hinn The church’s greatest threat has never been from the outside, but rather, from deception within. The Bible is clear. Satan doesn’t show up at the foot of your bed with red horns and a pitchfork claiming, “Here I am to distract and deceive you!” Neither do his false prophets. They are disguised in light; seeming to be workers of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Our adversary’s deceptive strategy is to infiltrate our ranks. Like a Trojan horse entering through the city gates, darkness often hides in plain sight. Satan doesn’t fight fair and false teachers take no prisoners.

January 11, 2018

Christian Standard

He Didn’t Fit the Profile

By Jim Nieman Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy concerning the Messiah, so why did most leading Jewish religious leaders and scholars of his day reject Jesus, plot to kill him, and coerce and influence the Roman occupiers into crucifying him? In part, it’s because Jesus—though he performed many impressive miracles, and taught lessons and made claims like no one else—was just too ordinary. Jewish leaders had a preconceived notion of what the Messiah would be and what he would do: he would be a mighty warrior and earthly king; he would overthrow the oppressors and establish an earthly kingdom. And

December 13, 2017

Christian Standard

Christmas””Miracle or Fairy Tale?

Is Our Concept of God Big Enough to Believe the Christmas Narrative Is Literally True and Historically Accurate? By Bob Russell Several years ago, my granddaughter Corrie started asking probing questions about Santa Claus. Since she was 8 years old, her parents decided it was time to come clean about fairy tales and make believe. My son Phil went into her room, sat down by her bed, and tenderly explained, “The story of Jesus is real but Santa is just pretend.” He told her how the legend started from a generous man named St. Nicholas and then explained that there is no

April 11, 2017

Mark A. Taylor

resurrection of Christ

Why We Celebrate

An Easter editorial on why Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ: historical testimony, witness accounts, and a call to humility. Faith is not surrendering intellect, but surrendering arrogance as we seek and find.

February 17, 2017

Christian Standard

The Church of Mirrors

By T.R. Robertson Not everyone needs to look just like me. In fact, not everyone should. Gary grew up in the church but has rarely been inside a church building for the past decade. I asked him why he and many of his millennial friends are reluctant to give church another try. “We”re fairly sure if we show up at church, we won”t fit in,” he told me. “We aren”t “˜church-people” anymore. They”d make a big fuss if I showed up, but if I stayed, they”d be uncomfortable around me because I”m not like them. And I”d be uncomfortable around

February 16, 2017

Christian Standard

Helping the Skeptical See God

By Richard A. Knopp Making Sense of God: An Invitation to the Skeptical Timothy Keller  New York: Viking, 2016 Tim Keller writes, “If you think Christianity doesn’t hold much promise of making sense to a thinking person, then this book is for you.” I would add: If you even have contact with anyone who thinks Christianity doesn’t hold much promise of making sense, then Making Sense of God is for you. Whether you are a strong skeptic, a Christian scholar, a sermonizer, a church shepherd, or a concerned saint, this book is worth your time (and your dime). Keller’s numerous

February 14, 2017

Mark A. Taylor

Reasonable Doubt

By Mark A. Taylor Confronted with doubters, some Christians display one of two unfortunate reactions. Some look away. They prefer not to think about serious skeptics. Isolated inside the church with no real relationships outside it, they are comfortable with a faith they themselves may never have questioned. They ignore the skeptic. But others attack. They can”t pretend doubters don”t exist. They”ve heard the cynical sneers about Christianity from public critics, and the arguments make them angry. They view disbelievers as the enemy, and their instinct is to defend the faith with sarcasm, condemnation, or insult. Those in either group

February 12, 2017

Christian Standard

Seeds of Doubt

By Steve Carr What I”ve learned, and what I”m still asking, after conversations with those who left the faith. “It was Santa Claus.” As Bill said it, he looked me straight in the eyes without blinking. I thought he was joking. “Are you being serious,” I asked. “Santa Claus pushed you toward atheism?” Bill nodded his head. “It sounds stupid, but that guy really did a number on me.” If you”re like me, it”s impossible to reminisce about childhood without talking about church. Faith was the priority of my family”s social life. After home and school, I spent the majority

February 11, 2017

Christian Standard

After the ‘Hot Button’ Is Pushed (Strategies for Engaging Skeptics about the Faith)

By Chris Moon Imagine the following scenario: You are sitting in the bleachers at your child”s soccer game on a Saturday morning. It”s a beautiful day, and you strike up a conversation with another parent whom you have seen at several games. You find you have a lot of things in common””but not everything. When your new friend asks what you”ll be doing the following day, you casually explain that you”ll be at church in the morning. Then you remember your pastor”s encouragement, and you offer the invitation: “You are more than welcome to come with us. We could do

February 10, 2017

Christian Standard

Reply from a Believer

Editor’s note: This piece was written as a response to another post at our sight, “Letter from a Skeptic.” The author’s insights will mean even more to the reader who has read that post first. By Dick Alexander Dear Friend, Thank you for writing. You have made a concise critique of Christianity””a large part of which I wholeheartedly agree with. And you”ve asked a serious question that deserves an equally serious response. Thank you for giving me an opportunity to do that. From your original question, “Can I be a Christian and be good?” a number of other questions followed.

February 9, 2017

Christian Standard

Letter from a Skeptic

Editor’s note: We present the following essay as an example to Christians, showing us how many skeptics think about the faith we hold dear. The thoughts and arguments here are not unique, and Christians do well to listen to them. In a separate post, Dick Alexander answers this anonymous writer. You’ll want to read his piece after you’ve read this one. By Anonymous When asked why he did not embrace Christianity, Mahatma Gandhi replied with this widely known remark: “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” The sentiment resonates with

October 22, 2016

Christian Standard

The Vitality of Apologetics in Our Ministries (Part 1 of 3)

Apologetics sounds like a term only seminary professors use or understand, yet the meaning is simpler and much more vital than most people realize. Apologetics is the field of study devoted to defending or reasoning for our faith. The Greek word apologia is used, for instance, in 1 Peter 3:15 and is translated “defense” or “answer” in English Bible versions. Over the next three months, David Holdcraft, regional director of Ratio Christi (ratiochristi.org) in Kentucky and longtime minister, will discuss the vitality of apologetics in ministry. This month: the connection between ministry and apologetics. ___ If we say ministry at its

June 21, 2016

Mark A. Taylor

Three Ways Churches Can Address Biblical Skepticism

By Mark A. Taylor Americans are less engaged with the Bible than ever, according to research released by the Barna Group last week. The trend is “toward biblical skepticism,” Barna President David Kinnaman reported. The report shows, for example, that only a third of Americans agree strongly with the statement, “The Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles it teaches,” down from 48 percent in 2011. Only 45 percent agree with this statement: “The Bible contains everything a person needs to know to live a meaningful life,” down from 53 percent in 2011. “With each passing year, the

October 29, 2015

Christian Standard

Choosing the Best Story

By Joe Boyd The world is a dangerous place. Issues like extremist terrorism, systemic racism, and constant political backbiting seem insurmountable. As a Christian, I believe there is a way through God to a better future. But how? Where is that way? And how do I walk in it? I”ve come to believe that the kingdom (the Way of Jesus) comes in only one form: story. The problems I see associated with the world today all boil down to the big stories, the metanarratives we all live within. For many people, the biggest story they live inside is their personal

July 15, 2015

Mark A. Taylor

A Conversation with Rich Knopp and Mark Mittelberg

CHRISTIAN STANDARD Editor Mark A. Taylor speaks with Rich Knopp and Mark Mittelberg about an apologetics initiative called Room for Doubt that is designed to both reinforce Christians in their faith while also reaching non-Christians. The idea is to defend Christian faith with mercy and grace. Knopp is a professor of philosophy and Christian apologetics at Lincoln (IL) Christian University and Mittelberg is a Christian writer and speaker. Watch the interview.

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