Practical Apologetics: Clear Answers for the Everyday Christian
Practical Apologetics provides clear, Biblical answers to common questions about the Christian faith. Each short, practical episode helps everyday Christians understand and defend what they believe and why they believe it. The podcast emphasizes the call to be prepared to give a respectful response to those who ask about the hope within, as outlined in 1 Peter 3:15.
Episodes
Episode 16: Are Jehovah's Witnesses Christian?
Are Jehovah's Witnesses Christian?At first glance, many people assume the answer is yes. Jehovah's Witnesses believe in Jesus, use the Bible, and actively share their faith. So why have Christians historically reached a different conclusion?In this episode, we examine what Jehovah's Witnesses believe about Jesus, the Trinity, the resurrection, and the Holy Spirit, and compare those tea
Episode 15: Are Mormons Christian?
Are Mormons Christian?Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints use the Bible, talk about Jesus, and often live moral, family-oriented lives. So why have Christians historically concluded that Mormonism is not a denomination within Christianity, but a separate religious system?In this episode, we compare the teachings of Mormonism with the teachings of Scripture and historic Chris
Episode 14: What Is a Christian?
What actually makes someone a Christian?Is it church attendance? Believing in God? Being a good person? Baptism? Family tradition?In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we answer one of the most foundational questions in Christianity: What is a Christian?Many people claim the Christian label, and many groups use Christian language, quote the Bible, and talk about Jesus. But what does Scripture
Episode 13: Why Did Jesus Have to Die?
Why did Jesus have to die?If God is loving, why was the cross necessary? Why sacrifice? Why blood? And why couldn’t God just forgive people?In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we explore one of the most important questions in Christianity by tracing the story from Genesis to the cross. We discuss sin, sacrifice, the Old Testament covenant system, Passover, the spotless lamb, and how Jesus fu
Episode 12: What Is the Gospel?
What is the gospel?It’s a word that gets used often, but rarely defined clearly. Is it a lifestyle? A set of teachings? Or something more?In this episode, we break down the gospel in simple, biblical terms. The gospel is not advice about what you should do. It is the good news of what God has already done through Jesus Christ.We walk through:The true meaning of the word “gospel”The core message fo
Episode 11: What Is Salvation?
What does it actually mean to be saved?In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we define salvation clearly and biblically. Building on the previous episode “What Is Sin?”, we explain why salvation is necessary, what it accomplishes, and how it happens.We walk through what we are saved from, what we are saved to, and how salvation is received through grace and faith in Jesus Christ. We also break
Episode 10: What Is Sin?
What is sin?Most people think sin is just breaking religious rules, being a bad person, or an outdated idea from the past. But the Bible presents something much deeper.In this episode, we define sin clearly and biblically, and we explain why it matters not just for theology, but for apologetics. Sin is not just rule-breaking. It is a rupture in our relationship with God and a distortion of reality
Episode 9: What Is the Trinity?
In this episode, we define one of the most central doctrines of the Christian faith: that God is one being who exists eternally as three distinct persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.We examine what the Bible teaches, respond to common objections, and explain why the Trinity is essential to understanding the Gospel.Sources Used:On Guard by William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith by William Lane Craig
Episode 8: What Is the Biblical Narrative?
Many people think the Bible is just a collection of unrelated stories or religious rules. But the Bible actually tells one unified story written over more than 1,500 years by over 40 authors.In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we walk through the big picture of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation. We examine the four major movements of the biblical narrative: Creation, Fall, Redemption, and
Episode 7: Is Jesus God?
Is Jesus just a good teacher… or is He God?In this episode, we examine one of the most important questions in all of Christianity. If Jesus is not God, then Christianity falls apart. But if He is, then everything changes.We walk through a cumulative case for the deity of Christ by examining the reliability of the New Testament, the claims and actions of Jesus, His acceptance of worship, and the re
Episode 6: Is Jesus the Messiah?
Christians claim Jesus is the promised Messiah foretold in the Old Testament. But is that claim supported by evidence?In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we examine the biblical and historical case that Jesus of Nazareth is the Messiah. We look at Old Testament messianic expectations, specific prophecies Christians believe Jesus fulfilled, Jesus’s own claims about his identity, and the role
Episode 5: Did Jesus Rise From The Dead?
Did Jesus really rise from the dead?The resurrection of Jesus is the central claim of Christianity. The apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:17 that if Christ has not been raised, the Christian faith is futile. Everything rises or falls on this single historical question.In this episode, we examine the historical evidence surrounding the death of Jesus and the rise of the early Christian movemen
Episode 4 - Did Jesus Exist?
Did Jesus of Nazareth actually exist?Before asking whether Jesus was God, performed miracles, or rose from the dead, we have to answer a simpler question: Was Jesus a real historical person?In this episode, we examine the historical evidence for the existence of Jesus using the same standards historians apply to other ancient figures. We look at ancient non-Christian sources such as Tacitus, Josep
Episode 3: Is the Bible Reliable?
Is the Bible historically reliable, or is it just a collection of myths and legends?In this episode of Practical Apologetics, we examine the historical credibility of the Bible through three key areas:• Archaeological evidence• Textual preservation• Internal unityWe look at discoveries such as the Tel Dan Inscription referencing the “House of David,” the Nabonidus Cylinders confirming Belshazzar i
Episode 2: Is God Real? Part 2 – The Scientific Case
In Part 2 of our series asking “Is God Real?”, we move from philosophy to science.Does modern physics support the idea of a Creator?Is the universe fine-tuned for life?Can chemistry alone explain the origin of biological information?We examine cosmology, the precision of the physical constants, the origin of life, and the structure of DNA. We also look at why the laws of nature are mathematically
Episode 1: Is God Real? Part 1 - The Philosophical Case
Is God real?Before we ask whether Christianity is true… before we examine the reliability of the Bible… before we look at the resurrection of Jesus… we have to answer a more basic question:Does God exist at all?In Part 1 of this two-part series, we examine the philosophical case for God’s existence. We focus on two foundational arguments:• The argument from the beginning of the universe• The argum
Episode 0 - An Introduction
Is Christianity just blind faith?Can we really trust the Bible?Is God actually real?Practical Apologetics exists to answer these questions clearly and confidently.In this introductory episode, Kenneth Willis shares his story and the reason behind launching this podcast: to equip everyday Christians with thoughtful, biblical answers to the most important questions of life.Each episode will focus on
