Resources in Shows

Episode 1600 Aired December 5, 2021

In today’s rapidly changing culture, atheism and agnosticism appear to be on the rise. What reasons do people typically give for adopting this kind of worldview, and are these ideas reasonable? How should we respond to an unbelieving friend or family member who asks, “If God really exists, why is there so much evil and suffering in the world?” On this episode, Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Mark Lanier, author of Atheism on Trial: A Lawyer Examines the Case for Unbelief.

Episode 1599 Aired November 28, 2021

Whenever you watch the news, it becomes increasingly clear that the world isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. But how did things go so wrong in the first place? And if something has gone wrong, does this imply that God is either indifferent to our plight or powerless to do anything about it? How are we to reconcile the existence of a good and all-powerful God with the problem of evil? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Greg Koukl, founder and president of Stand to Reason. In his book The Story of Reality, Greg argues that, at the end of the day, the Christian worldview is the only belief system that both acknowledges the existence of evil and provides a solution for it.

Episode 1597 Aired November 14, 2021

In the early 1800s, a man by the name of Robert Owen began to challenge the concept of original sin. “None are or can be bad by nature,” he mused, “and it must be a gross error to make him responsible for what nature and his predecessors have compelled him to be.” As a result, Owen attempted to establish a utopian socialist community in New Harmony, Indiana. Even though his project utterly failed after only three years, his views would later greatly influence thinkers such as Friedrich Engels and Karl Marx, who in their Communist Manifesto, actually referred to Owen’s work as a kind of “new gospel.” On this episode, Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Dr. Michael McClymond, focusing this time on the social and political implications of denying original sin.

Episode 1596 Aired November 7, 2021

Bestselling author Richard Rohr has argued in his writings that the concept of original sin “was first put forth by Augustine in the fifth century but is never mentioned in the Bible.” But is this really the case? What does the Bible actually say about man’s nature after the fall? And was Augustine the first theologian in church history to discuss original sin? How are we to make sense of the world, or even our own sinful inclinations, without the insights of this important doctrine? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Anglican theologian Michael McClymond, author of The Devil’s Redemption.

Episode 1595 Aired October 31, 2021

The first woman to publish a book in her own name in the English language was Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII. In her book The Lamentation of a Sinner (1547), she abased herself considerably and outlined her conversion to Protestant theology. In fact, she writes, “I feel myself to come, as it were, in a new garment before God, and now by his mercy, to be declared just and righteous. By faith alone I am sure to be justified, although the dregs of Adam do remain.” On this episode, Shane Rosenthal discusses Queen Katherine’s fascinating life and robust convictions with Don Matzat, author of a new biography titled Katherine Parr: Opportunist. Queen. Reformer.

Episode 1594 Aired October 24, 2021

At the heart of the division between Protestants and Catholics is the disagreement over the doctrine of justification. According to Catholic theology, justification is believed to be a lifelong process in which the sinner becomes intrinsically righteous, to the extent that he or she cooperates with grace. On the other side, Protestants assert that this ends up confusing justification with sanctification. Whereas sanctification is a process, justification is a once-for-all declaration of right standing with God that is ultimately rooted in Christ’s perfect righteousness. On this program the hosts walk through all the issues involved in this historic debate (originally aired 08-21-16).

Episode 1593 Aired October 17, 2021

For the past 500 years, Protestants have argued that the doctrine of justification by faith alone is a core component of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But sometimes opponents of the Reformation claim that the Bible actually teaches the opposite. In James 2:24, for example, we’re told that “a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” So what is the point James is making, and does his teaching actually conflict with Paul and others? Shane Rosenthal discusses this with Bob Hiller, author of Finding Christ in the Straw, as they continue their discussion of the book of James.

Episode 1592 Aired October 10, 2021

Was the book of James written by one of the twelve disciples or the brother of Jesus? Are there any references to James outside the world of the New Testament? Many scholars have concluded that his epistle was likely written in the early- to mid-forties of the first century. Since James so frequently quotes and alludes to the sayings of Jesus throughout his epistle, this provides strong evidence that both he and his readers were saturated in Jesus’ teaching from a very early date. On this episode, Shane Rosenthal begins a two-part discussion of the book of James with Bob Hiller, author of Finding Christ in the Straw, A Forty-Day Devotion on the Book of James.

Episode 1591 Aired October 3, 2021

Are human beings born innocent or corrupt? Do we have the ability to create a perfect world, or is that impossible? Those drawing on Enlightenment assumptions assert that man is born pure, and that corruption comes through outside forces. In this view, utopia becomes achievable to the extent that we eliminate all sources of corruption. But rather than ushering in heaven on earth, this outlook actually has a long track record of creating totalitarian dystopias. So where is our culture headed at present, and which vision of man and society will ultimately prevail? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with Os Guinness about the thesis of his new book, The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom.

Episode 1590 Aired September 26, 2021

From its inception, “the new world” has always been a place of religious experimentation. It was seen as a place where people would be liberated from pre-existing traditions and church structures. And so it’s not surprising that the search for the sacred in this country has often seen radical departures from traditional Christian beliefs and practices. So how do contemporary views of spirituality differ from classical Christian views about God, redemption, and spiritual renewal? On this edition of White Horse Inn, Michael Horton contrasts “American spirituality” with the historic Christian gospel (originally aired 08-15-10).

Episode 1589 Aired September 19, 2021

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul warns believers about the dangers of turning away to alternative gospels, even if they’re found on the lips of an apostle or an angel from heaven. But what if Satan himself actually authored his own gospel? What might it look like, and what might some of its popular slogans be? Jared Wilson recently devoted some time to this thought experiment, the results of which he published in his recent book, The Gospel According to Satan: Eight Lies About God that Sound Like the Truth. On this episode Shane Rosenthal talks with Jared about this writing project along with his concerns for the contemporary church.

Episode 1588 Aired September 12, 2021

In his book Marketing the Church, written back in the late eighties, George Barna argued that “the number one principle of Christian communication is that the audience, not the message, is sovereign.” So what has been the result of this philosophy as it has been implemented over the past few decades? If the audience is sovereign, what is to stop churches from “accumulating for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2 Tim. 4:3). In short, what are the effects of an increasingly-narcissistic culture on contemporary Christian faith and practice? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Dean Inserra, author of Getting Over Yourself: Trading Believe-in-Yourself Religion for Christ-Centered Christianity.

Episode 1587 Aired September 5, 2021

In the past, prosperity gospel evangelists were known for their slick suits, gaudy television sets, and prayer cloths. But according to Dean Inserra, this kind of instant health and wealth teaching is now a fringe movement that is more mocked than followed. In its place, a new prosperity gospel has emerged that is now going mainstream. What are the characteristics of this “new and improved” version, and who are the leaders of this movement? On this program, Shane Rosenthal talks with Dean Inserra, author of Getting Over Yourself: Trading Believe-in-Yourself Religion for Christ-Centered Christianity.

Episode 1586 Aired August 29, 2021

Are today’s colleges and universities hostile environments for Christian students? Do our institutions of higher learning value the open pursuit of truth, or does indoctrination rule the day? What can churches and Christian parents do to better prepare students for the challenges they’re likely to face on increasingly-secular campuses? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Dr. Michael J. Kruger, president of Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte NC, and author of Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College.

Episode 1585 Aired August 22, 2021

Martin Luther once noted that in numerous passages throughout the Old Testament, it’s appropriate to “interpret the name Yahweh to refer to our Lord Jesus Christ.” How can this insight change the way we read and interpret a book like Genesis? On this episode Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Dr. Thomas Egger, president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and together they discuss how so many of the themes introduced in the Bible’s first book are ultimately resolved in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Episode 1584 Aired August 15, 2021

What are we to make of the God who is presented in Genesis and other Old Testament texts? According to popular atheists such as Richard Dawkins, this God is judgmental, homophobic, racist, misogynistic, and an ethnic cleanser. Is this an accurate representation of the God of Israel, or a completely distorted caricature? Shane Rosenthal discusses these and other important issues with Dr. Thomas J. Egger, professor of Exegetical Theology and president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis.

Episode 1583 Aired August 8, 2021

On last week’s episode, John Lennox argued that the story of Joseph is one of the most moving accounts in all the world’s literature. But is this famous narrative just a beautiful rags-to-riches tale, or is there evidence that Joseph was a real historical figure who became prime minster of Egypt during the time of a great famine? Shane Rosenthal discusses this question with Egyptologist David Rohl, author of numerous books including Exodus, Myth or History?

Episode 1582 Aired August 1, 2021

According to Oxford mathematician John Lennox, the account of Joseph’s rise to power in the latter part of Genesis—which leads to the climactic moment in which he reveals himself to his brothers and publicly forgives them—“is one of the most moving scenes in all the world’s literature.” On this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with Professor Lennox about the implications of this amazing story, as well as other important scenes from Genesis which he has written about in his book, Joseph: A Story of Love, Hate, Slavery, Power and Forgiveness.

Episode 1581 Aired July 25, 2021

As mentioned on last week's program, most commentators tend to argue that Genesis 32 is about Jacob’s refusing to let go of God until he received his desired blessing, which of course is something that all believers should strive to do as well. Or is it? On this episode the hosts continue to explore the idea that Jacob was literally “in the dark” about his assailant’s identity and may even have thought he was fighting his own brother, Esau. If so, this would indicate that he was still trying to secure the blessing of firstborn status by his own efforts. So what’s the ultimate point of this passage, and how does it relate to the Gospel in Genesis? Tune in to find out as Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Matt Foreman and Doug Van Dorn.

Episode 1580 Aired July 18, 2021

As Jacob returns to the promised land in Genesis 32, he's attached in the middle of the night. As the two men struggle until the breaking of day, it slowly begins to dawn on Jacob that there’s something special about his wrestling partner. In fact, by the end of the encounter it’s revealed to Jacob that he’s actually been “striving with God.” Many commentators suggest that the patriarch wrestled with God in order to receive a divine blessing, but is that really what’s going on here? At what point does Jacob even realize this man’s true identity? Shane Rosenthal discusses this mysterious passage with Matt Foreman and Doug Van Dorn, authors of The Angel of the Lord.

Episode 1579 Aired July 11, 2021

In Genesis 29, Jacob the deceiver is himself deceived. Though he had intended to marry Rachel, he was first tricked into marrying her older sister. Later, as she struggles with infertility, Rachel gives Jacob her maidservant to be a kind of surrogate mother. When two sons are born to her in this way, Rachel believes that she has “wrestled with God and her sister and prevailed.” But if, according to Paul, Sarah and Hagar represent covenants of grace and works, what are we to think about the events recorded here? On this program Shane Rosenthal discusses the implications of Genesis 29 and 30 with Adriel Sanchez, host of Core Christianity.

Episode 1578 Aired July 4, 2021

Many people today think of religion as a metaphorical stairway that leads to heaven. Basically, it’s an upward path that all of us are meant to ascend by our own good works. In Genesis 28, however, Jacob encounters a great stairway between heaven and earth, but he’s not invited to climb it. Instead, God graciously descends the stairway and makes one-sided promises to Jacob, who is fast asleep at the bottom. What’s the point of this chapter and how does it foreshadow the work of Jesus Christ? On this episode Shane Rosenthal discusses this fascinating scene with White Horse Inn founder Michael Horton as we continue our series on The Gospel in Genesis.

Episode 1577 Aired June 27, 2021

As we saw last week, difficulties arise when we attempt to read the story of Jacob and Esau as a traditional morality tale. In reality, the book of Genesis does not present Jacob as a hero to be emulated, but as a great sinner in whom God’s mysterious grace is richly on display. And as we’ll see in Genesis 27, Jacob actually deceives his father by clothing himself in his brother’s garments and calling himself “Esau.” So then, why does God allow him to receive his brother’s blessing? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Dr. Iain Duguid, author of Living in the Grip of Relentless Grace.

Episode 1576 Aired June 20, 2021

The story of Jacob and Esau raises a number of important questions. Why did God choose Jacob in favor of Esau? Was it due to some kind of foreseen virtue on Jacob’s part? In reality, that approach fails on a number of levels, since Jacob is presented throughout Genesis as a schemer, deceiver, and master-manipulator. In Romans 9, Paul argues that ultimately, the story of Jacob and Esau is about “God’s purpose in election—not because of works, but because of him who calls.” Shane Rosenthal discusses this with Dr. Iain Duguid, author of Living in the Grip of Relentless Grace: The Gospel in the Lives of Isaac & Jacob.

Episode 1575 Aired June 13, 2021

Why did God call Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac? Why would he ask a loving parent to even consider such a thing? Is this story a kind of object lesson meant to show us how much we should be willing to give up for God, or is something else being revealed in this unsettling account? What if the focus of the narrative actually centers on that which God is promising to sacrifice for us in the fullness of time? Shane Rosenthal discusses the significance of this scene from Genesis 22 with Matt Foreman and Doug Van Dorn, co-authors of The Angel of the Lord: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Study.

Episode 1574 Aired June 6, 2021

In his Genesis commentary, Walter Brueggemann notes that in chapters 16 to 18, Abraham and Sarah “are not offered as models of faith but as models of disbelief.” In this part of the narrative, he says, “the call is not embraced, but is rejected as non-sensical.” This helps to explain why the couple sought to fulfill God’s promise with Hagar’s assistance. But as Paul explains in Galatians chapter 4, this entire narrative is a tale of two covenants: one of grace, and another of works. Shane Rosenthal talks with Mike Brown about these issues and more as we continue our series on the Gospel in Genesis.

Episode 1573 Aired May 30, 2021

The story of Abraham is a record of both faith and doubt. While we’re told in Genesis 15 that “Abraham believed the Lord and it was counted to him as righteousness,” in the very next chapter we find him agreeing with his wife Sarah to attempt to bring about the fulfillment of God’s promises by impregnating her maidservant Hagar. Later in the story, Abraham actually falls on his face and laughs at God as he reiterates the promise that his wife Sarah, even in her advanced age, would conceive and bear a son. What is the point of this narrative, and how does it help us to better understand both the complexity of sin and the grandeur of God’s grace? Shane Rosenthal discusses this with Mike Brown, co-author of Sacred Bond: Covenant Theology Explored.

Episode 1571 Aired May 16, 2021

In the beginning God created man in his image and likeness. What are the implications of this important truth, and how was that image twisted and distorted after the fall? What was so significant about Adam and Eve’s transgression in the first place, and how do the effects of that original sin continue to echo and reverberate throughout the rest of Scripture? Finally, how is the gospel of Christ hinted at and foreshadowed in these early chapters of Genesis? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Anglican theologian Justin Holcomb.

Episode 1570 Aired May 9, 2021

Does the idea of the multiverse provide a good explanation for all the fine tuning we see throughout our universe? Is there any way to test the multiverse hypothesis or does it operate as a kind of unquestioned dogma? How do naturalistic scientists explain the origin of life, or the complex amount of information that exists in our own genetic code? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Stephen Meyer as they continue their conversation begun last week related to the release of Dr. Meyer’s latest book, The Return of the God Hypothesis.

Episode 1569 Aired May 2, 2021

How do contemporary physicists and cosmologists explain the origin of the universe? If in the very beginning there was no space, time, or matter, then what could have caused the Big Bang? Also, as scientists have studied the exquisite nature of our finely-tuned universe, some have concluded that this points us toward the existence of some kind of divine “super-intellect” who is responsible for the laws of nature and the origin of life. On this edition of the program, Shane Rosenthal discusses these issues with Dr. Stephen Meyer, author of The Return of the God Hypothesis.

Episode 1567 Aired April 18, 2021

After their exodus from Egypt, God announced to the people of Israel that he would “send an angel to guard them on the way and to bring them to the place he has prepared” (Ex. 23:20). Who was this angel, and how are the words of this passage echoed and alluded to throughout all of Scripture? What does this text, as well as others like it, end up revealing about God’s triune nature? On this program, Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Matt Foreman and Doug Van Dorn about their new book, The Angel of the Lord: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Study.

Episode 1566 Aired April 11, 2021

What are we to make of all those passages in the Old Testament in which “the Angel of the Lord” appears on the scene and proceeds to speak and act as God himself? In their new book, The Angel of the Lord: A Biblical, Historical, and Theological Study, Matt Foreman and Doug Van Dorn argue that this mysterious Angel appears much more frequently than many people realize, since he is called by a variety of names including the Angel, the Name, the Glory, the Face, the Right Hand, and the Word. Shane Rosenthal talks with Matt and Doug about their research into this important topic, and its implications for our understanding of God’s self-revelation.

Episode 1565 Aired April 4, 2021

In Luke’s account of the resurrection, we are told of two disciples who encountered Jesus as they walked from Jerusalem to the nearby village of Emmaus. Though their eyes were kept from recognizing him, Jesus revealed why it was necessary that the Christ should suffer, and “beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself” (Lk. 24:26-27). What Old Testament passages would Jesus likely have discussed with these disciples? Shane Rosenthal discusses this with Jason DeRouchie, Research Professor of Old Testament at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Episode 1564 Aired March 28, 2021

On this episode we’ll be concluding our brief series through the Servant Songs by taking a look at the song of the Suffering Servant from Isaiah 53. Where exactly does this famous hymn begin, and is there any evidence that readers of Isaiah believed it pointed to the coming Messiah? Are there any references to a suffering messiah in the Dead Sea Scrolls or other ancient Jewish texts? Shane Rosenthal discusses these issues with Dr. Craig Evans, author of The Holman Quicksource Guide to the Dead Sea Scrolls and, more recently, Jesus and the Manuscripts.

Episode 1563 Aired March 21, 2021

In Isaiah chapter 43 God reveals that he alone is the redeemer of his people, and that “there is no other savior.” So what are the implications of these words for the way we think about religion in general, and our view of Jesus in particular? How does Isaiah’s prophecy help us to better understand the significance of Christ’s person and work? On this program Shane Rosenthal continues his discussion of the Servant Songs of Isaiah with Dr. Andrew Abernethy, author of Discovering Isaiah and God’s Messiah in the Old Testament.

Episode 1562 Aired March 14, 2021

On this edition of White Horse Inn, we’re beginning a new three-part series on the Servant Songs of Isaiah. Who was Isaiah and what were the circumstances in which he wrote his prophecy? Was this book written by more than one author? What are the Servant Songs, and how do these prophecies point ahead to the coming of Christ and his work of redemption? Joining Shane Rosenthal to discuss these questions and more is Dr. Andrew Abernethy, author of The Book of Isaiah and God’s Kingdom.

Episode 1561 Aired March 7, 2021

“Christless Christianity” continues to be a problem in many churches around the world. Too often, though, even in places where Jesus’ name is frequently mentioned, he’s presented as a divine therapist or motivational speaker who encourages us to “be all we can be.” In other cases, he’s a kind of political organizer who calls us to various degrees of social activism. What seems to be missing, however, is the singular focus of the Apostle Paul who wrote to the Corinthians saying, “I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified” (originally aired 01-13-08).

Episode 1560 Aired February 28, 2021

Though evangelicals and liberals are often at each other’s throats in the culture wars, this division is best understood as a kind of “sibling rivalry.” […]

Episode 1559 Aired February 21, 2021

According to a recent Pew study, less than 30% of evangelicals were able to identify Protestantism as the faith which embraces the doctrine of “justification […]

Episode 1558 Aired February 14, 2021

In his bestselling book The Universal Christ, progressive theologian Richard Rohr claims that the doctrine of original sin was invented by Augustine and that the […]

Episode 1557 Aired February 7, 2021

In her new book, Another Gospel, Alisa Childers argues that “progressive Christianity is not simply a shift in the Christian view of social issues. It’s […]

Episode 1556 Aired January 31, 2021

How did so many people in our day come to believe that sexuality is at the core of a person’s individual identity? And how is […]

Episode 1555 Aired January 24, 2021

What is a covenant? Is there a difference between the Abrahamic covenant and the Sinai covenant, or are they basically the same? What is the […]

Episode 1554 Aired January 17, 2021

Who was Abraham and why did God choose to bless him along with his descendants? Was it because he was a particularly holy and righteous […]

Episode 1553 Aired January 10, 2021

In Genesis, Abraham was told that in his seed, all the nations would be blessed. So why then did God later command the Israelites to […]

Episode 1552 Aired January 3, 2021

Scholars such as James Dunn and N.T. Wright have argued that both Old and New Testament saints were members of one and the same covenant, […]

Episode 1551 Aired December 27, 2020

Has smartphone technology changed the way we live and relate to others? Is there a relationship between social media usage and increased suicide rates among […]

Episode 1550 Aired December 20, 2020

Christmas is the time we celebrate the incarnation of Jesus Christ, the Word who “became flesh and dwelt among us” (Jn 1:14). But as it […]

Episode 1549 Aired December 13, 2020

Was Jesus merely a nice Jewish teacher who over time began to be worshiped as a kind of god by later generations, or was he […]