Why do people believe what they believe? For Francis Schaeffer, a groundbreaking apologist and cultural critic, the answer lay in our hidden assumptions – our "presuppositions."14 This episode delves into the life of the visionary thinker who founded L'Abri, a haven for intellectual and spiritual seekers. Discover how Schaeffer diagnosed the "line of despair" in Western thought, arguing that only a coherent Christian worldview could provide "true truth" and meaning. His insights into cultural trends and the power of underlying beliefs are more vital than ever for engaging our complex modern world.Works CitedChallies, Tim. "Edith Schaeffer (1914 – 2013)." Tim Challies, 30 Mar. 2013.Groothuis, Douglas. "Francis Schaeffer: Pastor, Evangelist, Apologist, Prophet." Christian Research Institute, 21 Mar. 2018.r/Reformed. "Have any of you been to L'abri? How was it?" Reddit, n.d.Schaeffer, Edith. L'Abri. Tyndale House, 1973.Schaeffer, Francis A. He Is There and He Is Not Silent. Tyndale House, 1972.---. How Should We Then Live? The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture. Fleming H. Revell, 1976.---. The God Who Is There. InterVarsity Press, 1968.Seagren, Barry. "Francis Schaeffer— An Appreciation." The Southern Baptist Journal of Theology, vol. 24, no. 2, 2020."L'Abri." Wikipedia, 3 Feb. 2025. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L%27Abri.Verstraete, Susan. "Edith Seville Was Ready for a Fight." Church Bulletin Inserts, 2006.Wellum, Stephen. "A Brief Chronology of the Life of Francis A. Schaeffer." Christ Over All, 10 Oct. 2022.
In the bustling, skeptical heart of New York City, Tim Keller built a church on the bedrock of reasoned faith and radical grace. This episode explores the life and transformative impact of a pastor and apologist who masterfully engaged the toughest questions of modern urban intellectuals. Discover how Keller exposed the "idols" of our age, tackled the problem of suffering, and presented the compelling rationality of the Gospel to a generation hungry for meaning. His empathetic approach continues to be a blueprint for making Christianity credible and beautiful in a secular world.Works Cited"About." Gospel in Life, Gospel in Life, gospelinlife.com/about/. Accessed 15 May 2024."Bio." Timothy Keller, Redeemer City to City, timothykeller.com/bio. Accessed 15 May 2024.Keller, Timothy. Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope that Matters. Dutton, 2009.———. Generous Justice: How God's Grace Makes Us Just. Dutton, 2010.———. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. Dutton, 2008.———. Timothy Keller Sermon Archive, 1989–2011 (1,233 sermons). Redeemer, 2013. Verbum.Nieuwhof, Carey, host. "Episode 583: Tim Keller on How He Would Preach if He Was Starting Over, His Biggest Regret, The Decline of The Evangelical Church, and How Culture is Changing the Future of the Church." CareyNieuwhof.com, 2023, careynieuwhof.com/episode583/. Accessed 15 May 2024."Redeemer History." Redeemer Churches and Ministries, redeemer.com/learn/red_history. Accessed 15 May 2024."Sermons." Redeemer Churches and Ministries, redeemer.com/sermons. Accessed 15 May 2024.Strohschein, Alex. "Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation." Regent College Bookstore, 29 Aug. 2023, www.regent-college.edu/bookstore/blog/a-tribute-to-dr-timothy-keller/timothy-keller-his-spiritual-and-intellectual-formation. Accessed 15 May 2024."Tim Keller (pastor)." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 19 May 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Keller_(pastor). Accessed 15 May 2024."Vision and Values." Redeemer Churches and Ministries, redeemer.com/learn/vision-and-values. Accessed 15 May 2024.Zylstra, Sarah Eekhoff. "The Life and Times of Redeemer Presbyterian Church." The Gospel Coalition, 22 May 2017, www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/life-times-redeemer-presbyterian-church/. Accessed 15 May 2024.
For R.C. Sproul, the starting point of all theology and apologetics was the breathtaking, awe-inspiring holiness of God. In this episode, we explore the life and profound teachings of one of the most influential Reformed theologians of our time. Discover how Sproul's unyielding commitment to God's majesty and logical consistency provided a powerful framework for defending Christian truth. Whether you're seeking intellectual depth in your faith or grappling with the biggest questions about God's nature, Sproul's unwavering voice will guide you to a deeper understanding.# Works Cited"Attributes of God in Christianity." *Wikipedia*, 10 June 2024, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Attributes_of_God_in_Christianity&oldid=1295949171.De Klerk, Jenny-Lyn. "DEFENDING YOUR FAITH: AN INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS, by R.C. Sproul." *Books at a Glance*, 26 Apr. 2018."[deleted]." "Are R.C. Sproul's Views Widely Accepted in Christianity?" *Reddit*, r/theology.Finn, Nathan A. "R. C. Sproul's Legacy: Theology Is for Everyday Believers." *The Gospel Coalition*."If There's a God Why are There Atheists? by R. C. Sproul." *Apologetics315*.Ligonier Ministries. "About Ligonier." *Ligonier Ministries*.Ligonier Ministries. "Archive." *Renewing Your Mind*, Ligonier Ministries.Ligonier Ministries. *Renewing Your Mind*. Apple Podcasts.Ligonier Ministries. *Renewing Your Mind*. Family Radio.Ligonier Ministries. "Statement of Faith." *Ligonier Ministries*.Nichols, Stephen. "R.C. Sproul: A Life." *Ligonier Ministries Store*, Ligonier Ministries, 2 Mar. 2021.Nichols, Stephen. "The History of Ligonier Ministries." *Ligonier Ministries*, 26 Aug. 2021, learn.ligonier.org/articles/history-ligonier.Nichols, Stephen J. "Stephen J. Nichols on R.C. Sproul." *Life and Books and Everything - Clearly Reformed*, OpenTheo, 15 Feb. 2021.Roberts, Scott. "Book Review – The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul." *The Official Scott Roberts Website*, 12 May 2023.Sproul, R.C. *Defending Your Faith: An Introduction to Apologetics*. Crossway Books, 2003.Sproul, R.C. *The Holiness of God*. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 1998.Sproul, R.C. "The Inner Struggle." *Renewing Your Mind*, Ligonier Ministries, 18 June 2025.Sproul, R.C. *Reason to Believe: A Response to Common Objections to Christianity*. Zondervan, 1982.Sproul, R.C. "Reason to Believe." *Ligonier Ministries Store*.Sproul, R.C. "Transformed by the Renewing of Our Minds." *Ultimately with R.C. Sproul*, Ligonier Ministries, 26 Mar. 2025, learn.ligonier.org/podcasts/ultimately-with-rc-sproul/transformed-by-the-renewing-of-our-minds.Sproul, R.C. "What Is Reformed Theology?" *Ligonier Ministries*.Westminster Bookstore. "R. C. Sproul." *Westminster Bookstore*.
For decades, if you had a burning question about Christian faith, chances are Norman Geisler had an answer – or an entire book on the subject! This episode explores the remarkable life and monumental contributions of one of the 20th century's most prolific Christian apologists. Discover Geisler's systematic approach to defending truth, his unwavering commitment to biblical inerrancy, and how he tackled everything from the existence of God to complex theological dilemmas. His legacy as a teacher and author continues to equip countless individuals to confidently defend their faith in a questioning world.Works CitedBunt, Andrew. "Why Do Christians Trust the Bible?" Living Out, 12 Jan. 2021.Compton, Paul. "A Tribute to Norman L Geisler." Ratio Christi, 5 July 2019.Fernandes, Phil. "Phil Fernandes's Tribute to Dr. Norman Geisler." N.d.Geisler, Norman L. "An Apologetic for Apologetics." Norman Geisler, N.d.Geisler, Norman L. Baker Encyclopedia of Christian Apologetics. Baker Books, 1999.Geisler, Norman L. Christian Apologetics. Baker Academic, 2013."Historical reliability of the Gospels." Wikipedia, N.d."Interviews with Dr. Norm Geisler." Christian Research Newsletter, vol. 7, no. 1, 31 July 1994.Nelstead, Kevin. "Dealing with an apparent Bible contradiction." GeoChristian, 6 Sept. 2009.Reasonable Faith. "A Tribute to Norman Geisler." Podcast, 16 Sept. 2019.Shadrach, Steve. "My Five Profound Memories of 'Stormin' Norman' Geisler." N.d.Sherwood, David A. "Doing The Right Thing: A Christian Perspective on Ethical Decision-Making for Christians in Social Work Practice." NACSW, 2002.Southern Evangelical Seminary. "The Apologetics Legacy of Norman Geisler." N.d.The Warrior's Journey®. "10 Objections to Christianity and How to Respond." 2021."Who was Norman Geisler?" GotQuestions.org, 4 Jan. 2022.
In the arena of modern intellectual debate, one philosopher consistently takes on the toughest questions about God, the universe, and the meaning of life. William Lane Craig is renowned for his sharp intellect and compelling arguments for Christian belief. Join us as we explore the life of this formidable apologist and unpack his most powerful defenses, including the famous Kalam Cosmological Argument. Whether you're a skeptic looking for answers or a believer seeking to deepen your understanding, Craig's logical rigor offers a powerful pathway to faith.Works CitedBiola University. (n.d.). Does God Exist? William Lane Craig vs. Christopher Hitchens - Full Debate [HD]. YouTube.Chia, R. (2025, January 6). Analytical Theology and Its Discontents. ETHOS Institute for Public Christianity.Craig, W. L. (2008). Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics (3rd ed.). Crossway Books.Craig, W. L. (n.d.). The Challenge of History: An Interview with William Lane Craig. Reasonable Faith.Craig, W. L. (n.d.). William Lane Craig: Five Arguments for God. The Gospel Coalition.Davis, S. T. (2020). Craig on the Resurrection: A Defense. Socio-Historical Examination of Religion and Ministry, 2(1), 28–35.Ghica, S. (2023). William Lane Craig, a Classic Apologist. RAIS Conference Proceedings.John Anderson Media. (n.d.). Reasonable Faith | Dr. William Lane Craig. YouTube.Morriston, W. (n.d.). Doubts about the Kalām Cosmological Argument. (Provided excerpt).Oppy, G. (2017, May 30). Review of God Over All: Divine Aseity and the Challenge of Platonism, by William Lane Craig. Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews.Rauser, R. (2015, February 1). Apologetics and the Problem of the William Lane Craig Clones. Randal Rauser (blog).Rauser, R. (2015, November 13). The Top Three Problems with William Lane Craig's Apologetic. Randal Rauser (blog).Reasonable Faith. (n.d.). Debate Videos and Transcripts.Reasonable Faith. (n.d.). Frank Turek interview with William Lane Craig.Reasonable Faith. (n.d.). Is the Foundation of Morality Natural or Supernatural? The Craig-Harris Debate.Reasonable Faith. (n.d.). Is There Evidence for God? The Craig-Krauss Debate.Reasonable Faith. (n.d.). The Kalam Cosmological Argument.ReasonableFaithOrg. (n.d.). Dr. Craig Reveals His Debate Tactics. YouTube.r/atheism. (n.d.). Who debates William Lane Craig well. Reddit.r/changemyview. (n.d.). CMV: No atheist has defeated William Lane Craig. Reddit.r/DebateAnAtheist. (n.d.). Basis of Morality Essay. Reddit.r/DebateReligion. (n.d.). William Lane Craig is worse than you think. Reddit.r/samharris. (n.d.). The case of William Lane Craig, the Philosopher. Reddit.The Gospel Coalition. (n.d.). Review: 'Atonement and the Death of Christ' by William Lane Craig. The Gospel Coalition.The Remnant Radio. (n.d.). The Book of Genesis: With Dr. William Lane Craig. YouTube.(n.a.). (n.d.). William Lane Craig and atheist Daniel Dennett discuss cosmology and fine-tuning. (Provided excerpt).Wielenberg, E. J. (2009). An Inconsistency in Craig's Defence of the Moral Argument. PhilArchive.Wikipedia. (n.d.). Kalam cosmological argument.
From an atheist don in Oxford to one of Christianity's most beloved defenders, C.S. Lewis's journey is as captivating as his tales of Narnia. Join us as we explore the life of this literary giant, whose profound insights into faith and reason transformed countless lives. Discover his famous "Lord, Liar, or Lunatic" argument for Jesus, his compelling case for objective morality, and his unique ability to make complex theological ideas understandable and beautiful. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, Lewis's wisdom will challenge and inspire.Works Cited"75 Years Ago: C.S. Lewis Speaks to Britain about Christianity on the BBC—A Chronology." n.d."Cs lewis mere christianity." n.d.Green, Roger Lancelyn, and Walter Hooper. C.S. Lewis A Biography. HarperCollins, 2002.Heck, Joel D. "Mere Christianity: Uncommon Truth in Common Language." VII: An Anglo-American Literary Review, n.d..Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. HarperCollins, 1952.Lewis, C. S. The Problem of Pain. HarperCollins, 1940.Lewis, C. S. Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life. HarperOne, 2017.Marsden, George. "A Biography of Mere Christianity." C.S. Lewis Institute, 7 Mar. 2017.Martindale, Wayne. Beyond the Shadowlands: C. S. Lewis on Heaven and Hell. Crossway Books, 2005.McGrath, Alister. C. S. Lewis—A Life: Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet. Tyndale, 2013.McGrath, Alister. If I Had Lunch with C. S. Lewis. Tyndale House Publishers, 2014."The only surviving audio of C.S. Lewis' voice." Reddit, r/ObscureMedia, n.d.."The Reluctant Broadcaster: C.S. Lewis Finds a New Voice." Taylor & Francis Group, 2025.
Can the very idea of God prove His existence? For Anselm of Canterbury, a brilliant medieval theologian, the answer was a resounding yes. In this episode, we delve into Anselm's famous motto, "faith seeking understanding," and unpack his revolutionary Ontological Argument – a logical proof for God that has captivated and confounded philosophers for nearly a millennium. Join us as we explore Anselm's profound intellectual journey and discover why his bold argument continues to ignite debate and inspire wonder in the pursuit of ultimate truth.Works CitedAllan, Leslie. "Plantinga’s Ontological Argument." Rational Realm, 1 May 2017.Anselm. Proslogium. Internet Medieval Source Book, Fordham U, 1 June 2025."Anselm of Canterbury." Wikipedia, n.d. Accessed 26 May 2024."Anselm of Canterbury: A Bibliography: Home." Luther Seminary Library - LibGuides, n.d."Anselm of Canterbury: Doctor of the Church and Eminent Theologian." Relics.es, 12 Dec. 2023.Annie Kate. "Review: Anselm of Canterbury by Simonetta Carr." Tea Time with Annie Kate, 30 Apr. 2014.Brady, Jules M. "An Ontological Argument for the Existence of God: Anselm, Aquinas and Kant in Dispute." URAM, vol. 12, 1989, pp. 177-201.Davies, Brian, and G.R. Evans, editors. Anselm of Canterbury: The Major Works. Oxford UP, 1998.De Guzman, Eugene Victoriano. "A Review of Contemporary Approaches to Anselm's Ontological Argument." Prajñā Vihāra: Journal of Philosophy and Religion, vol. 24, no. 2, 26 July 2023."First Prize: An Analysis of the Ontological Argument of St Anselm." N.p., n.d."Gaunilo of Marmoutiers." Wikipedia, n.d. Accessed 26 May 2024."Gaunilo's Critique of the Ontological Argument: Challenging Anselm's Reasoning." PHILO-notes, n.d.Halsall, Paul, editor. "Gaunilo: In Behalf of the Fool, and Anselm (1033-1109): Reply." Internet Medieval Sourcebook, Fordham U, Aug. 1998.Heathwood, Chris. "The relevance of Kant's objection to Anselm's ontological argument." Religious Studies, vol. 47, 2011, pp. 345–57.Himma, Kenneth Einar. "Anselm: Ontological Argument for the God's Existence." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, n.d.Hopkins, Jasper. "Anselm of Canterbury (1033–1109)." Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy, n.d.Hopkins, Jasper, and Herbert Richardson, translators. Complete Philosophical and Theological Treatises of Anselm of Canterbury. Arthur J. Banning Press, 2000."Immanuel Kant's Critique of the Ontological Argument: Challenging the Existence of God." An-Nur: Jurnal Studi Islam, vol. 15, no. 2, 2023, p. 19+.James, William. "The Will to Believe." The Will to Believe and Other Essays in Popular Philosophy. Longmans Green & Co., 1897.Lee, Sarah. "Medieval Philosophy's Ontological Argument: Unpacking the complex reasoning behind existence and reality." Number Analytics, 16 June 2025.Nolan, Lawrence. "Descartes' Ontological Argument." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2025.Oppy, Graham, Joshua Rasmussen, and Joseph Schmid. "Ontological Arguments." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2024."PHI 110RS Module 3 Lecture Notes The Perfect Island: Gaunilo’s Objection to Anselm’s Ontological Argument." Saint Leo U, n.d."Proslogion." Wikipedia, n.d. Accessed 26 May 2024.Sadler, Greg. "Anselm of Canterbury (1033—1109)." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2006.Saunders, Dan. "A Theological Assessment of Anselm’s Cur Deus Homo." Church Society, n.d."Strengths and Weaknesses of the Ontological Argument." Get Revising, 2025.Thamrindinata, Hendra. "St. Anselm of Canterbury (1033-1109 AD): His Contributions to the Intellectual Developments on Medieval Scholasticism." Diligentia: Journal of Theology and Christian Education, vol. 2, no. 1, 31 Jan. 2020, pp. 15-30.Williams, Thomas. "Anselm of Canterbury." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 16 July 2023.Woleński, Jan. "Was Gaunilo Right in His Criticism of Anselm? A Contemporary Perspective." European Journal of Philosophy of Religion, vol. 4, no. 2, Summer 2012, pp. 101-111.
Imagine a mind so vast, it could bridge ancient philosophy with divine revelation. Thomas Aquinas, the "Angelic Doctor," stands as a giant in Western thought, forever changing how we understand faith and reason. Join us as we unravel his incredible life story, from being nicknamed the "Dumb Ox" to crafting the monumental Summa Theologica. We'll break down his famous "Five Ways" to understand God's existence and discover why his insights continue to shape philosophy, theology, and the very way we think about the world today.Works CitedAmerican Journal of Biblical Theology. "Thomas Aquinas's Understanding of Faith & Reason: Jacques Maritain and Norman Geisler in Dialogue." N.p., n.d. Accessed 17 June 2025.Arp, Robert, ed. Revisiting Aquinas’ Proofs for the Existence of God. Brill, 2016.Chesterton, G. K. St. Thomas Aquinas. Christian Classics Ethereal Library, 17 June 2025.Chesterton, G. K. St. Thomas Aquinas. Project Gutenberg Australia, 3 Mar. 2006.Christian Research Institute. "Thomas Aquinas's Five Proofs for God Revisited." Christian Res. J., 7 May 2025.Feser, Edward. Aquinas: A Beginner's Guide. Oneworld, 2009."Five Ways (Aquinas)." Wikipedia, 17 June 2025.Floyd, Shawn. "Aquinas: Philosophical Theology." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 17 June 2025.Ghazanfar, S.M. "The Dialogue of Civilisations: Medieval Social Thought, Latin-European Renaissance, and Islamic Influences." Muslim Heritage, May 2004.GotQuestions.org. "What are the Five Ways of Thomas Aquinas?" 4 Jan. 2022.Hain, Raymond. "Thomas Aquinas's Summa Contra Gentiles: A Guide and Commentary by Brian Davies (review)." Nova et vetera, vol. 17, no. 4, Fall 2019, pp. 1291-95. Project MUSE, doi:10.1353/nov.2019.0075.Hibbs, Thomas S. "Kretzmann’s Theism vs. Aquinas’s Theism: Interpreting the Summa Contra Gentiles." The Thomist, vol. 62, no. 4, Oct. 1998, pp. 603-22. Project MUSE, doi:10.1353/tho.1998.0005.Huffine, Nathan. "Thomas Aquinas." World History Encyclopedia, 13 Apr. 2021.Kretzmann, Norman, et al., eds. "II - Aristotle in the Middle Ages." Cambridge Hist. of Later Medieval Philosophy. Cambridge UP, 1982. doi:10.1017/CHOL9780521226059.Lee, Sarah. "Aristotle Meets Christianity." Number Analytics, 27 May 2025.Lee, Sarah. "The Enduring Legacy of Thomas Aquinas." Number Analytics, 27 May 2025.Pasnau, Robert. "Thomas Aquinas." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Summer 2024.Preslar, Andrew. "Summarizing the Summas, or, the Simplicity of Saint Thomas Aquinas." Called to Communion, 8 Oct. 2009."Quadrivium." Wikipedia, 17 June 2025.r/askphilosophy. "Any responses to Aquinas' Fifth Way (teleological argument)?" Reddit, 17 June 2025.r/AskHistory. "Why did Aristotle become such an important figure in medieval Christianity?" Reddit, 17 June 2025.r/CatholicPhilosophy. "St Thomas Aquinas on Mohammed and Islam." Reddit, 17 June 2025.r/DebateReligion. "Aquinas's Five Ways Argument is Both Unsound and Invalid." Reddit, 17 June 2025.Rodriguez, David. "Book Review: Aquinas by Edward Feser." Apologetics 315, 17 Dec. 2011.Rothbard, Murray N. "The Decline of Scholasticism." Mises Institute, 12 Feb. 2010."Scholasticism." Wikipedia, 17 June 2025.Stenberg, Joseph. "Thomas Aquinas's Summa Contra Gentiles: A Guide and Commentary." Rev. of Thomas Aquinas's Summa Contra Gentiles, by Brian Davies. Notre Dame Philosophical Reviews, 14 Jan. 2017."Summa Contra Gentiles." Wikipedia, 17 June 2025."Summa Theologica." Wikipedia, 17 June 2025."Teleological argument." Wikipedia, 17 June 2025.The Reformed Classicalist. "Thomas' Natural Theology in the Summa Contra Gentiles." n.d. 17 June 2025."Thomas Aquinas." Wikipedia, 17 June 2025.Vallicella, William F. "Divine Simplicity." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2023.
"What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?" For Tertullian, a brilliant Roman lawyer turned Christian apologist, the answer was clear: very little when it came to defending the radical truth of the Gospel. In this fiery episode, we delve into the life of this uncompromising North African thinker who wielded rhetoric and legal logic like a sword to defend early Christians against brutal accusations. Discover how Tertullian's passionate arguments not only challenged Roman authorities but also laid foundational stones for Western theology, proving that sometimes, the boldest defense is the best offense.Works CitedBalfour, Ian L. S. "Tertullian and Roman Law – What Do We (Not) Know?" Studia Patristica, vol. 94, Peeters Publishers, 2017, pp. 11-21.Eastwood, Bruce S. "Why Early Christians Were Persecuted by the Romans." History Today, vol. 16, no. 8, Aug. 1966.Hanson, R. P. C. "J. H. Waszink, J. C. M. Van Winden: Tertullian's De Idololatria (Critical Text, Translation and Commentary, with material from the late P. G. Van der Nat)." The Classical Review, vol. 38, no. 2, Oct. 1988, p. 419. Cambridge UP, doi:10.1017/S0009840X00122486.Hughes, Kyle R. "Tertullian: A Critical Biography." Kyle R. Hughes Early Christian Archives Blog, 22 Feb. 2019, kylerhughes.wordpress.com/2019/02/22/tertullian-a-critical-biography/.Johnston, David, editor. "Roman Law: The Evidence." The Cambridge Companion to Roman Law, Cambridge UP, 2015, pp. 59-148. Cambridge Core, doi:10.1017/CCO9781139034401.Lems, Shane. "The Apology of Tertullian: Then and Now." Modern Reformation, vol. 25, no. 4, July/Aug. 2016.Ralph, Margaret Nutting. "Christian Persecutions in the Roman Empire." Saint Mary's Press, 2012."What if Northern Africa Had Been as Fertile as Southern Europe?" Reddit, 19 June 2024, www.reddit.com/r/HistoryWhatIf/.Tertullian. The Prescription Against Heretics. Trans. Peter Holmes. Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 3, edited by Alexander Roberts et al., Christian Literature Publishing Co., 1885. New Advent, www.newadvent.org/fathers/0311.htm.
In an age when Christianity was often ridiculed and misunderstood, a formidable intellectual challenge arose: Celsus's The True Word, a scathing philosophical attack. But one man rose to the occasion with unparalleled scholarly rigor. Join us to explore the extraordinary life of Origen, a prolific scholar and theologian, and delve into his monumental work, Contra Celsum. Discover how he systematically dismantled the arguments of Christianity's fiercest critics, setting a powerful precedent for intellectual defense that still resonates today.References"Alexandrian school." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 May 2024, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alexandrian_school&oldid=1290714152."Approaching the Divine Darkness Negative Theology in Clement and Gregory." n.p., n.d.Bennett, Alice. "10 Reasons The Ancient City Of Alexandria Was An Intellectual Powerhouse." TheCollector, 5 Dec. 2020.Bergjan, Silke-Petra. "Logic and Theology in Clement of Alexandria: The Purpose of the 8th Book of the Stromata." Zeitschrift für antikes Christentum, vol. 12, no. 3, 2008, pp. 394-411.Bobonich, Christopher. "Why Should Philosophers Rule? Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Protrepticus." Social Philosophy and Policy, vol. 24, no. 2, July 2007, pp. 153-75.Chroust, Anton-Hermann. "A Brief Account of the Reconstruction of Aristotle's Protrepticus." Classical Philology, vol. 60, no. 4, Oct. 1965.Clement of Alexandria. Exhortation to the Greeks. Translated by G. W. Butterworth, Loeb Classical Library, vol. 92, Harvard University Press, 1919. Theoi Classical Texts Library."Clement of Alexandria." New World Encyclopedia, 19 Dec. 2023."Clement of Alexandria." OrthodoxWiki, 12 July 2018."Clement of Alexandria's Ethic of Wealth as an Ethic of Grace." Mid-America Journal of Theology, vol. 2, 1986, pp. 138-48.CopticChurch.net. "The Allegorical Interpretation of the Scriptures." n.d.Czarnuch, Monika. "Clement of Alexandria's Attitude towards the Greek Philosophy." Scripta Classica, vol. 10, 2013, pp. 141-46.Escoffey, Carole. Ancient Alexandria. Illustrated by Flora Cavoura, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, 2012."Faith and Reason in Roman Catholic Thought from Clement of Alexandria to Vatican II." Centro Documentazione Saveriani Roma, n.d.Glenn, Justin Lawrence. The Educational Philosophy of Clement of Alexandria in the Stromata. PhD dissertation, Boyce Digital Repository, 2018.Havrda, Matyáš. "Clement of Alexandria." [Unnamed Collection], n.d., pp. 358-72.Herrera-Posada, Juan. "Faith and Reason in St. Clement of Alexandria." n.p., n.d. Draft.Hrůšová, Veronika, et al., editors. Clement of Alexandria’s Paedagogus. Brill, 2025."Library of Alexandria." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 May 2024.Maher, Jimmy. "Chapter 6: Alexandrian Astronomy." The Analog Antiquarian, 27 Feb. 2021.Mihai, Constantin-Ionuț. Protreptic Discourse and Way of Life in Ancient Philosophy: Classical Sources and Christian Receptions. PhD dissertation, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, 2015.Mirus, Thomas V. "Church Fathers: Clement of Alexandria, Part I." CatholicCulture.org, 6 Oct. 2015.---. "Church Fathers: Clement of Alexandria, Part II." CatholicCulture.org, 6 Oct. 2015."Mouseion." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 May 2024.Osborn, Eric. Clement of Alexandria. Cambridge University Press, 2005."Protrepticus (Aristotle)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 May 2024."Protrepticus (Clement)." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 May 2024."Protrepticus." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 7 May 2024.Ryan, Jim. Clement of Alexandria: Liminal Servant, Proto-Liberation Theologian, and Proto-Feminist (Maybe!). PhD dissertation, York University,."The Ptolemies: An Unloved and Unknown Dynasty. Contributions to a Different Perspective and Approach." CORE."Was Clement of Alexandria Alone among Early Christians in Thinking That Some Pagan Gods Were Historical People?" Reddit, r/AcademicBiblical, n.d.
Step into the intellectual heart of ancient Alexandria, where minds clashed and new ideas blossomed. Here, Clement of Alexandria forged a revolutionary vision: that Greek philosophy wasn't an enemy of faith, but a "preparation for the Gospel." Join us to explore how this brilliant scholar harmonized classical wisdom with Christian truth, building bridges between Athens and Jerusalem. Discover his enduring lessons for those who believe faith and intellect are not just compatible, but mutually enriching.ReferencesBennett, Alice. "10 Reasons The Ancient City Of Alexandria Was An Intellectual Powerhouse." TheCollector, 5 Dec. 2020.Bergjan, Silke-Petra. "Logic and Theology in Clement of Alexandria: The Purpose of the 8th Book of the Stromata." Zeitschrift für antikes Christentum, vol. 12, no. 3, 2008, pp. 394-411, doi:10.1515/ZAC.2008.025.Bobonich, Christopher. "Why Should Philosophers Rule? Plato's Republic and Aristotle's Protrepticus." Social Philosophy and Policy, vol. 24, no. 2, July 2007, pp. 153-75, doi:10.1017/S0265052507070203.Chroust, Anton-Hermann. "A Brief Account of the Reconstruction of Aristotle's Protrepticus." Classical Philology, vol. 60, no. 4, Oct. 1965, doi:10.1086/365046.Clement of Alexandria. Exhortation to the Greeks. Translated by G. W. Butterworth, Loeb Classical Library, vol. 92, Harvard University Press, 1919. Theoi Classical Texts Library.---. Stromateis. Books One to Three. Translated by John Ferguson, Catholic University of America Press, 1991. Internet Archive.CopticChurch.net. "The Allegorical Interpretation of the Scriptures." n.d.---. "The School of Alexandria and Philosophical Attitudes." n.d.Czarnuch, Monika. "Clement of Alexandria's Attitude towards the Greek Philosophy." Scripta Classica, vol. 10, 2013, pp. 141-46.Escoffey, Carole. Ancient Alexandria. Illustrated by Flora Cavoura, Bibliotheca Alexandrina, 2012."Faith and Reason in Roman Catholic Thought from Clement of Alexandria to Vatican II." Centro Documentazione Saveriani Roma, n.d.Glenn, Justin Lawrence. The Educational Philosophy of Clement of Alexandria in the Stromata. PhD dissertation, Boyce Digital Repository, 2018.Havrda, Matyáš. "Clement of Alexandria." [Unnamed Collection], n.d., pp. 358-72.Herrera-Posada, Juan. "Faith and Reason in St. Clement of Alexandria." n.p., n.d. Draft.Hrůšová, Veronika, et al., editors. Clement of Alexandria’s Paedagogus. Brill, 2025.Maher, Jimmy. "Chapter 6: Alexandrian Astronomy." The Analog Antiquarian, 27 Feb. 2021.Mihai, Constantin-Ionuț. Protreptic Discourse and Way of Life in Ancient Philosophy: Classical Sources and Christian Receptions. PhD dissertation, Alexandru Ioan Cuza University of Iași, 2015.Mirus, Thomas V. "Church Fathers: Clement of Alexandria, Part I." CatholicCulture.org, 6 Oct. 2015.---. "Church Fathers: Clement of Alexandria, Part II." CatholicCulture.org, 6 Oct. 2015."Approaching the Divine Darkness Negative Theology in Clement and Gregory." [No publication information provided], n.d."Clement of Alexandria's Ethic of Wealth as an Ethic of Grace." Mid-America Journal of Theology, vol. 2, n.d., pp. 140-47."The Ptolemies: An Unloved and Unknown Dynasty. Contributions to a Different Perspective and Approach." CORE, n.d.Osborn, Eric. Clement of Alexandria. Cambridge University Press, 2005.Ryan, Jim. Clement of Alexandria: Liminal Servant, Proto-Liberation Theologian, and Proto-Feminist (Maybe!). PhD dissertation, York University, n.d.u/Chiyonosuke. "Do any 'protreptic' philosophical works still exist today?" Reddit, r/askphilosophy, n.d.u/Kevin_Scharp. "Four Hellenistic Schools." Reddit, r/philosophy, n.d.
In the bustling Roman Empire, where pagan gods reigned supreme, a brilliant philosopher embarked on an intellectual quest that led him to an unexpected truth: Christianity. Join us as we explore the captivating life of Justin Martyr, a man who dared to bridge the gap between Greek philosophy and Christian revelation. Discover his groundbreaking 'Logos' argument, how he bravely defended believers against false accusations, and why his ultimate sacrifice continues to inspire those who seek truth. Is faith truly reasonable? Justin Martyr offers a resounding "yes."## ReferencesAdeniyi, Gbenga Aboyeji. "Justin Martyr and His Contribution to Christian Theology." N.p., n.d.Calvert, Kenneth R. "Saint Justin Martyr." *EBSCO Research Starters*, 2023.CBN. "Second Century: Persecution and Faith." *CBN*, n.d.Davidson, David. "Take It from the Church Fathers: You Should Read Plato." *Logos Bible Software*, 26 Nov. 2013."Dialogue with Trypho." *Wikipedia*, 28 Nov. 2023, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dialogue_with_Trypho&oldid=1258692434."First Apology of Justin Martyr." *Wikipedia*, 17 Apr. 2024, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=First_Apology_of_Justin_Martyr&oldid=1276766265.Gozum, Ivan Efreaim A. "The Concept of Logos from Heraclitus, Philo of Alexandria, and the Early Christianity of the First Century CE." *Philippiniana Sacra*, vol. LIX, no. 180, Sept.-Dec. 2024, pp. 585-607.Graham, Wyatt. "What We Need to Learn from the Second-Century Apologists." *The Gospel Coalition*, 15 Feb. 2021.Harland, Philip A. "9 / Imperial Cults, Persecution, and the Apocalypse of John." *Ethnic Relations and Migration in the Ancient World*. N.p., n.d.Hughes, Kyle R. "Justin Martyr: A Critical Biography." *Kyle R. Hughes Early Christian Archives*, 17 Dec. 2018.Justin, Martyr. *First Apology*. Translated by Marcus Dods and George Reith, Roman Roads Media, LLC, 2015.---. *Dialogue with Trypho*. Translated by George Reith, *The Ante-Nicene Fathers*, vol. 1, edited by Alexander Roberts and James Donaldson, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.html."Justin Martyr." *Wikipedia*, 27 May 2024, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Justin_Martyr&oldid=1294165612.Kristiatmo, Thomas. "Justin Martyr’s Logos: Its Import for Dialogical Theology." *Melintas*, vol. 37, no. 3, 2021, pp. 268-79.Lieu, Judith M. "Between Jews and Heretics: Refiguring Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho." Review of *Between Jews and Heretics: Refiguring Justin Martyr's Dialogue with Trypho*, by Matthijs Den Dulk. *Bryn Mawr Classical Review*, 16 Dec. 2018.McLaren, James. "From Jewish Movement to Gentile Church: Exploring the formative and definitive developments." *Jewish-Christian Relations*, n.d.Needham, Nicholas R. "Persecution in the Early Church." *Tabletalk Magazine*, May 2023.Origen. *Contra Celsus*. Translated by Marcus Dods, *The Ante-Nicene Fathers*, vol. 4, 1867-1872. Christian Classics Ethereal Library, ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf04.html."Persecutions of Christians by Romans." Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States, n.d.Pliny the Younger and Trajan. "Pliny and Trajan on the Christians." N.p., n.d.St. Michael's. "Justin Martyr (100 – 175 AD): Brief Summary: And How Did They Worship?" *St. Michael's Anglican Church*, 11 Nov. 2022."Stoicism and Christianity: Exploring the Logos and Historical Connections." N.p., n.d.usopsong. "Today we honor St. Justin Martyr the First Apologist!" *Reddit*, r/Christianity, n.d."What is Justin Martyr's main theological contribution?" *Bible Hub*, n.d."Why Were So Many Romans Stoics? (video from /u/toldinstone) [9:15]." *Reddit*, r/Stoicism, n.d.Wilson, Jacqueline. "The Relevance of St. Justin Martyr’s Dialogue with Trypho: How to Discuss Religion Today." *Gaudium Magazine*, 23 Nov. 2022.
He was the intellectual rock star of the 12th century – brilliant, controversial, and deeply human. Peter Abelard dared to apply rigorous logic to the mysteries of Christian theology, revolutionizing medieval thought and sparking fierce debate. Join us as we explore Abelard's tumultuous life, from his meteoric rise and infamous love affair to his groundbreaking "Sic et Non" method. Discover how this master of dialectic refined Christian theology and paved the way for intellectual inquiry within faith, leaving a legacy as complex and compelling as his own dramatic story.Works CitedAbelard, Peter. Historia Calamitatum: The Story of My Misfortunes. Translated by Henry Adams Bellows, Christian Classics Ethereal Library, ccel.org/ccel/abelard/misfortunes.html."Bernard Lonergan." Lonergan.org, n.d., lonergan.org/about/bernard-lonergan."Heloise." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 9 May 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heloise.Jenkins, Martin. "Peter Abelard (1079-1142)." Philosophy Now, no. 134, 2025, philosophynow.org/issues/134/Peter_Abelard_1079-1142.Kelso, Carl J., Jr. THE HELOISE OF HISTORY THESIS. 1988. University of North Texas, Master of Arts thesis.O’Grady, Paul. "Wisdom and methodological diversity in philosophy of religion." Religious Studies, vol. 60, 2024, pp. 65–76, doi.org/10.1017/S0034412522000774.Pies, Ronald. "Are Antidepressants Effective in the Acute and Long-term Treatment of Depression? Sic et Non." PubMed Central, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May-June 2012, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3398684/.Rea, Michael. "Analytic Theology." St Andrews Encyclopaedia of Theology, edited by Brendan N. Wolfe et al., University of St Andrews, 10 Aug. 2022, www.saet.ac.uk/Christianity/AnalyticTheology.Ruys, Juanita Feros. "'He who kills himself liberates a wretch': Abelard on Suicide." Rethinking Abelard: A Collection of Critical Essays, edited by Juanita Feros Ruys, Brill, 2014, pp. 230–49.