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The Westminster Podcast

Westminster Media

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"...to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever." Follow The Westminster Podcast to listen to stories, interviews, and archive audio from Westminster Theological Seminary in Glenside, PA. Featuring interviews and in-depth conversations with renowned authors, theologians, pastors, and historians, The Westminster Podcast is meant to help listeners in deeper exploration of the Christian faith. Visit wm.wts.edu to Read, Watch, and Listen to more content like this.
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WSCAL - Office Hours

Westminster Seminary California

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A free, weekly broadcast from Westminster Seminary California (WSC), a Christian institution seeking to glorify God through theological education. Interviews discussing biblical and exegetical questions, historical and theological questions, pastoral matters, and Christian living.
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This podcasts explores apologetics and evangelism in practical terms in short form episodes. It is aimed at the ordinary Christian who wants to effectively reach unbelievers in an indirect, conversational and relational manner. The podcast is led by Dr. Mark Farnham (PhD, Westminster), the Founder and Director of Apologetics for the Church, a local church training ministry. Mark is also Director of the Master of Arts in Christian Apologetics at Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary in L ...
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Dr. Sinclair Ferguson has a long history of teaching the Doctrine of God at Westminster and still teaches it in our online programs. While Dr. Ferguson was in town to deliver the 17th annual Gaffin Lecture, Nate sat down with him to talk about the Doctrine of God, how he teaches it, what resources he recommends, and they also take some time to answ…
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The difference between a faithful apologetic method and an unfaithful one often lies in your interpretation of Romans 1. What does it mean that the unrighteous "suppress the truth" and yet "what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them"? In this episode Nate and Dr. Poythress look to Romans 1 to answer these questio…
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When it comes to the issues that pastors are forced to deal with, the landscape is quickly changing. In a culture that is obsessed with gender and sexuality, a pastor is often going to be engaging with these issues and ideas. However, there is nothing new under the sun and the Scriptures have much to say on issues of sexuality. Nate sits down with …
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Mark and Jeff discuss their recent interest in the ways that Eastern Religion, specifically Hinduism and Buddhism in the form of “New Thought” have been creeping into the church and Christian practices. This is the first in a series of exposing the Vedantic corruption of Christianity through practices such as declaring, manifesting, grounding, visi…
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Dr. Stafford Carson has a long history with theological education and his experience comes from a number of different contexts. So this week we hear about some of the history of theological education from the early modern period as well as some current developments that are happening in theological education today. Most importantly Nate and Dr. Car…
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Some people believe that science has disproved Christianity or that science is the ultimate source of truth that trumps any other source. In this episode, Mark presents the eight limits of science to show that science cannot possibly have all the answers, despite the fact that it is a good gift from God to understand our world. Want to reach out, a…
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Vern Poythress teaches a course at Westminster on the Theology of Science and has a lot of experience in both the fields of science and theology. Nate sits down to discuss science and faith with him and it's implications for theology, apologetics, evangelism, etc. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content like it at wm.wts.edu. If y…
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If asked to share what you believe as a Christian in contrast to other religions, could you answer clearly and confidently? In this episode, Mark interviews Jeff after he appeared on a religion panel at a local university. Jeff shares how he answered the questions in contrast to the other religious representatives and provides some interesting stor…
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Hey everyone. We're back this week with the second episode of The Scottish Tempest. In this episode I'll be covering the period from Knox's conversion to Protestantism until his initial exile from Scotland. There's a lot that happens during that period; his best friend dies, he is the subject of a manhunt, there's an assassination, some people take…
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Luke Laird is a prolific country songwriter. He's written over 20 Billboard number one singles, has won two Grammys, and a handful of CMA awards. He also happens to be a student in the Master of Theological Studies (MATS) program here at Westminster and is set to graduate next month. Brandon McLean Smith sits down with Luke to talk about the MATS p…
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Do you ever find yourself wondering where to go next in a gospel encounter when the conversation starts to drag? Mark and Jeff suggest five lines of questions that will give you ideas of what to ask next when you don’t know what else to say. Everyone wrestles with these questions, so they can be used with any person you are engaging in conversation…
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Hey everyone. Dr. Brandon Crowe is one of the most prolific authors on the faculty at Westminster and teaches several classes here. Nate sits down to talk with him about his approach to teaching New Testament. They cover a lot of topics, but one thing that shines through is how Biblical Theology, Redemptive History, and Systematic Theology are wove…
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Many people try to evangelize by spitting out a scripted explanation of the gospel. As a result, the unbeliever often feels like he is being given a pitch for Jesus, something he did not ask for or want. In this episode, Mark and Jeff explain the value of taking the time to listen to and understand the unbeliever’s worldview so you can tailor your …
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Dr. Mark Farnham graduated from Westminster's PhD program in Apologetics. His book, "Every Believer Confident" was recently released by P&R Publishing. He currently teaches at Lancaster Bible College. Nate sits down with Dr. Farnham to discuss apologetics and how every Christian believer is equipped to do the work of apologetics. It's not just a di…
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Nate Shannon sits down with Dr. Vern Poythress to discuss Genesis 1 and its implications for theology, evangelism, and apologetics. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content like it at wm.wts.edu. If you would like to join us in our mission to train specialists in the Bible to proclaim the whole counsel of God for Christ and his glo…
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Many Christians learned to present the gospel as a “decision” to be made or think of it in terms of “committing one’s life to Christ” or “surrendering to Christ.” In this episode, Mark and Jeff emphasize the need to use biblical language and concepts of repentance and faith to avoid confusion and to make it clear what we invite the unbeliever to do…
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Hey everyone. I hope you're enjoying the interviews with Dr. Shannon. We've been having a great time getting this content produced and out for the world to hear. This week we're releasing the first episode in a series on the life of John Knox. Ever since I heard about some of the stories from the life of John Knox in a Church History course on the …
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Confidence in your ability to share and defend the faith is like a helium balloon. When you are at an apologetics conference or reading a helpful book on apologetics, your confidence is like a newly filled helium balloon. A few days or weeks later, however, you often find that your confidence has leaked and it lies lifeless on the floor like a defl…
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In this episode of the Westminster Podcast, Nate Shannon is joined by Luke and Charis Carson to discuss their ministry in the London prison system. Luke works with London City Mission and ministers to those in the prison and with people who have recently been released from prison. Charis also works as a chaplain in the London prison system. If you …
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When it comes to the Christian life Orthodoxy (right belief), Orthopraxy (right practice), and Doxology (worship) work together like a 3-fold braided cord. If any of the 3 are compromised, the whole cord suffers. So, at Westminster, we don't just commit to theological education in the abstract. Some might be tempted to say "I'm just going to study …
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Culture is the air that we breathe. It informs how we view the world around us and is a necessary consideration for any apologetic discussion. Dr. Nate Shannon sits down with Dr. Bill Edgar to discuss culture, apologetics, and cultural apologetics. If you enjoy this episode, you can access tons of content like it at wm.wts.edu. If you would like to…
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Stafford Carson has been associated with Westminster Seminary for nearly half of its existence. He has also had a rather prolific preaching ministry with experience in proclaiming the Word of God in many diverse contexts. Dr. Nate Shannon sits down with Stafford to discuss a range of topics including not just how to preach well but how to listen to…
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Many of Cornelius Van Til's critics claim that Van Til did not sufficiently base his apologetic method on Scriptural exegesis. Van Til himself acknowledged that robust exegesis wasn't as prominent in his work as it could have been. That was not, however, an admission that his method was not built on exegesis, just that it's exegetical foundation wa…
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The new release of Mark’s book, Every Believer Confident, offers an opportunity to learn anew the basic, accessible way of engaging unbelievers with the gospel. Mark and Jeff discuss the new chapter and the new features of case studies and study questions in each chapter. Want to reach out, ask a question, or request a speaking event? Visit my webs…
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A common accusation against the Christian faith is the hypocrisy of Christians.. How do we handle that? In this episode, Mark and Jeff review ways to respond to this charge by asking for a definition, showing that hypocrisy is a human trait, and calling all believers to a life of integrity and consistency. Want to reach out, ask a question, or requ…
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Once you learn to engage unbelievers effectively with the gospel, how do you keep growing in your abilities? Mark and Jeff discuss some simple ideas, such as reading through the entire Bible, reading commentaries to deepen our understanding of the Scriptures, and more. Want to reach out, ask a question, or request a speaking event? Visit my website…
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Many Christians feel at a loss to know how best to start a spiritual conversation with those who don’t believe in God, either overt atheists or someone who simply has no beliefs about God. This will provide some helpful resources for effective gospel conversations. Want to reach out, ask a question, or request a speaking event? Visit my website at:…
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Don’t miss the big ethics conference on February 22 in Allentown, PA. We will address a number of critical issues of our day from a Christian perspective, including the sanctity of life, technology, gender and sexuality, abortion, and reproductive technology. Go to https://cedarcrest.church/ethicscon2025/ for more details. Hurry, seating is limited…
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A key to effective engagement with unbelievers is simply to start conversations. Becoming a good conversationalist is possible for anyone, regardless of their personality. In this episode, Mark shares some basics about having good conversations and turning them to spiritual topics to open the door for sharing the gospel. Want to reach out, ask a qu…
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When we look around the world and see wars, genocide, human trafficking, and modern-day slavery, we have to ask, How can an all-loving, all-powerful God exist? Christians claim that God loves the world, so why is it in such a mess? Who among us has not cried out to God in grief, fear, and desperation? Does God care, and when will he do something ab…
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What is Apologetics? Is it only for pastors and professors, or is every Christian called to practice apologetics? Is it primarily about confrontations or conversations? Is the concept even in the Bible? Why can’t we just evangelize and skip the apologetics part? In this episode, Mark and Jeff lay the foundation of the basics of apologetics. Want to…
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The infiltration of the West and the Church by Eastern religion, the New Age, neo-paganism, and earth religions is rooted in a foundational error of the “oneness of all things.” In this episode, Mark and Jeff get to the heart of these errors and show how the Creator-Creature Distinction corrects our thinking and allows us to remain in truth as we w…
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It has been widely observed that the New Age and Eastern religious thought have infiltrated the West for many years through practices like Yoga and the promise of making all things “one.” In this episode, Mark and Jeff explore how this has happened and how the Church has been subverted through seemingly innocent practices. Want to reach out, ask a …
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Some Christians struggle with the idea of apologetics and may see it as something too difficult for them, or even unspiritual. Jeff and Mark answer those objections and show how apologetics can help every Christian in their proclamation of the gospel. Want to reach out, ask a question, or request a speaking event? Visit my website at: https://apolo…
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How do you become skilled at starting conversations that lead to the gospel? That is the single greatest challenge for most Christians who want to share the gospel. In this episode, Mark and Jeff talk about ways to become more natural conversationalists for the sake of gospel witness. Want to reach out, ask a question, or request a speaking event? …
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Many people have a vague or mistaken idea of what Christianity is all about. In addition, even Christians have a hard time articulating the gospel clearly. This episode nuggets to the heart of each so we can more effectively share the gospel and compel people to believe the Christian faith in all its glory. Want to reach out, ask a question, or req…
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How can a church begin to create a culture where gospel conversations with the lost are normal? How does a church move beyond an inward focus on discipleship to add an outward focus on reaching the lost? Mark and Jeff discuss some philosophical keys and some practical steps that can be taken to help a church cultivate gospel engagement among its me…
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Mark and Jeff share their origin stories as apologists. For both of us, it began with our inability to answer objections and questions from non-believers. Our hope is that you will be encouraged that you, too, can engage anyone you meet with the gospel and do it well. Want to reach out, ask a question, or request a speaking event? Visit my website …
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Learning that true salvation is a work of the Holy Spirit and not something we can accomplish through our own ability or charm is freeing. If the Holy Spirit is the one who convinces of guilt and opens eyes to see Christ as the only Savior, then I can confidently share the good news of Jesus with whomever I meet. Want to reach out, ask a question, …
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Jeff and Mark resume their list of reasons why Christians believe in the deity of Jesus. They demonstrate that the only way to reject Jesus’ deity is to ignore or reject the testimony of Scripture, which affirms again and again that Jesus is fully divine. Want to reach out, ask a question, or request a speaking event? Visit my website at: https://a…
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Muslims, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, Jews, and skeptics all share in common a rejection of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Some Christians are surprised to learn that nowhere in the New Testament does Jesus say these three words: “I am God.” In this episode Mark and Jeff explain why that is and the overwhelming evidence from Scripture that Jesus is…
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Mr. Anderson punches a plot-hole through simulation theory... In the final episode of this book companion podcast series, Brandon and Scott don't go as all-in on The Matrix references as the guy who wrote this description has. Instead, they follow the white rabbit down Greg Bahnsen Lane as Scott discusses how to interpret one of Van Til's foremost …
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Mark and Jeff continue their discussion of deconstruction and the need for Christians to be grounded in their faith. They also talk about the difference between questions that search for answers and those that are seeking an exit from the faith. Want to reach out, ask a question, or request a speaking event? Visit my website at: https://apologetics…
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You couldn't ask for a better guide through The Future of Reformed Apologetics than Dr. Strange (No, not that Dr. Strange). Brandon Smith (No, not that Brandon Smith) and Scott Oliphint (Yes, that Scott Oliphint) take us back to Rust Auditorium in the Winter of '23 and review Dan's rousing lecture titled "Van Til Goes Pop." To enjoy Strange's essay…
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Mark and Jeff introduce the topic of deconstruction and talk about a recent New York Times article recounting one couple’s deconstruction from Christianity that began with a rejection of God’s law regarding sexual fidelity. Want to reach out, ask a question, or request a speaking event? Visit my website at: https://apologeticsforthechurch.org/…
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Brandon and Scott sample a draught of Christopher Watkin's cask strength "Van Til's Two-Handed Apologetic." While some claim that Van Til's original malt was tainted with notes of idealism and even (shriek!) "biblicism," Scott suggests that when it comes to the good stuff there's only one ingredient that matters... For a full pour, check out the bo…
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For many years I believed (because I was taught this, either overtly or by implication) that the most important thing a Christian and a church could do is to reach the lost with the gospel. Everything else paled in comparison and was secondary to the reason God left believers on earth after their salvation. Only when I rejected this idea did I begi…
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The most common approach to apologetics is the evidentialist approach, which argues that what the unbeliever needs most is evidence of the truth of Christianity. Once there is enough evidence, belief is sure to follow. By looking at the case of Eve in the Garden of Eden, we can see that there is a more fundamental problem–our rebellion against God.…
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