Bible Answer Man Podcast with Hank Hanegraaff

Hank answers the following questions: Hank welcomes Founder and Executive Director of Levant Ministries, Fares Abraham to discuss the great opportunity for ministry in the fertile soil of the Levant. The passion and purpose of Levant Ministries is to share the gospel with Arabic speaking people, encourage and support believing Arabic Christians, and to equip the next generation to be faithful followers of Jesus-bringing hope and healing to the Middle East. Hank and Fares also talk about the NEXTGEN Conference, October 6th-9th in Costa Mesa California, which is designed to provide practical ways for Millennials to connect with other believers, grow in their faith, and go share the gospel in their sphere of influence and around the world.

Hank answers the following questions: When Paul recounts his Damascus road experience several times in the book of Acts, are there discrepancies between the accounts? I read an article in the CHRISTIAN RESEARCH JOURNAL on modesty; how can I make the transition from lusting after women, to seeing them as human beings made in the image of God? I've heard that the church is no longer mentioned after Revelation 3; is that true? Is Matthew 24:40-41 referring to the rapture in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4? I cannot respect women pastors; what is your view on this? I am always debating a Muslim friend of mine who knows a lot about the Bible; is there a resource that compares these two religions? My eighteen-year-old daughter is talking with a Roman Catholic boy who claims to be a Christian. Should I be concerned? Should she pursue this relationship? How do you reconcile Hebrews 8:12 and 10:17 with Jesus' admonition to the churches in Revelation chapter 3?

Hank answers the following questions: Why do some churches observe closed Communion, and is it biblical? There are so many different interpretations of Scripture, how can I know what the Bible is really teaching? Why doesn't God speak to us clearly? What prophecies in the Bible are yet to be fulfilled? Where do you stand on the age of the earth? I was divorced fifteen years ago and have been remarried, so when I get to heaven, will I know that both men were my husband? I am struggling with sin and I ask the Holy Spirit to help me, but how can I know that I'm truly saved? Why don't you use the language of the early church fathers with regard to baptism? Have you grown in your understanding of baptism?

Hank shares his thoughts on an article in USA Today by Traci Watson. According to the article, scientists have found a fossil on Mars dating back 3.7 billion years. If confirmed, this would support the theory that life took root very quickly after the planet's birth. Despite the credibility of this supposed find, if evolutionists were to be given every possible concession; everything needed to create life, it would not only be improbable, but impossible to form even one protein molecule by random chance. Christians, therefore, need to read articles of this sort with discernment. Hank answers the following questions: How can Jesus be one in substance with the Father, but be a distinct person? In Exodus 4:11, God says He makes the blind and the deaf, but I was always taught that only the Devil does these things. How many years did Lazarus live after Jesus raised him from the dead? How do you explain the fossils of dinosaurs and why they died off? Can a Christian cast a demon out of himself? What about demons oppressing Christians? With regard to evolution and a six-day creation, what is one day according to God?

Hank welcomes author, public speaker, and Islam specialist, Raymond Ibrahim to discuss his book Crucified Again: Exposing Islam's New War on Christians. Hank and Raymond talk about the difference between how Islam is portrayed in the media and its reality; the history of Islam spanning from the time of Muhammad until now; the myth of the Andalusian Paradise, and how Christians should think about President Obama's denigration of Christianity while at the same time using glowing rhetoric when it comes to Muhammad and Islam.

Hank articulates the core values of the Christian Research Institute, which include apologetics, countering the cults, and biblical literacy, as well as an emphasis on the life equation. While many people think the task of apologetics is only for scholars and theologians, it is in fact for all believers. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to always be ready to give an answer for the hope within us. The purpose of apologetics is not only to defend objections from without, but also preserve the faith within and be prepared to deal with relevant issues threatening our culture-providing defensible arguments with gentleness and respect. Hank answers the following questions: Is our government undermining itself from within? What's going on in this nation? Why has President Obama taken such a lax stance on Islam? As Christians, should we be pushing creationism and trying to eliminate the teaching of evolution in schools? Why did you say that Black Lives Matter is trying to destroy the nuclear family? I don't believe we as Christians should be trying to push our values with legislation. If Antiochus the IV Epiphanes is the abomination of desolation, how do you reconcile this with Jesus' words in Matthew 24:15? My brother is being influenced by the Jehovah's Witnesses; how can I counteract their teaching?

Hank shares his thoughts on a USA Today article by Doyle Rice claiming that we now know how Lucy, our iconic, supposed human cousin, died. According to this article, about 3.2 million years ago this hominid, Lucy, fell to her death from a high tree. Yet upon further examination, this is ends up being a dogmatic assertion rather than a defensible argument. The picture of a knuckle-dragging ape evolving into a human has been seen so frequently, that it has become the argument despite the fact that evolution cannot account for the origin of life. Hank answers the following questions: I know the Church of Christ teaches that baptism is required for salvation, but are there any other problems with this church? Since Satan knows the Bible and knows how things will end, why doesn't he repent? How do evolutionists explain asexual reproduction? How can I know whether or not God is calling me to do something? Are behemoth and Leviathan mentioned in the book of Job, actual creatures? If baptism is not necessary for salvation, does that mean repentance is not necessary either? Is baptism a command like repentance? What biblical passages would you use to refute the doctrine of universalism? I have been married five times and I'm afraid to get married again. What do you think about living together first to see if things will work out?

Hank welcomes Mary Eberstadt once again to continue their discussion about the attack against religious liberty in our culture as delineated in her book, It's Dangerous to Believe. The main assault seems to stem from the Sexual Revolution with its maxim: pleasure is the highest principle. Hank and Mary also talk about what has happened in the last ten years or so with regard to the lack of tolerance for Christians and the legal move to put Christian charities out of business, as well as what Christians can do in the midst of a hostile culture. Hank answers the following questions: Is the man of lawlessness mentioned in 2 Thessalonians chapter 2 a false prophet in the first century? Do you believe in "once saved always saved?" Can you explain what Jesus meant when He talked about hating father and mother? My daughter left the Christian faith after thirty years; what should I do?

Hank welcomes Mary Eberstadt to continue discussing her book, It's Dangerous to Believe: Religious Freedom and Its Enemies. Although there are some secular activists who really want to change the United States by shutting down religious liberty, Hank and Mary talk about signs of hope amidst the current climate of religious hostility, as well as what Christians can do to promote civility and fairness in the public square, on college campuses, and in the courtroom. Mary also notes that most of the antagonism between secularists and Christians revolves around the sexual revolution and how it conflicts with core Christian values. Hank and Mary answer the following questions: What are active steps we can take to stand for religious liberty? Are we living in a time where people just want to hear what they want to hear? Isn't this more of a spiritual problem; should we even be trying to use intellectual arguments?

Hank welcomes author Mary Eberstadt to discuss the rising hostility towards Christianity in our culture as detailed in her book, It's Dangerous to Believe: Religious Freedom and Its Enemies. Hank and Mary address the very real danger of religious persecution in the East as well as the "soft" persecution that is growing in the West, and what Christians can do to stand strong for religious liberty.

Hank discusses a Pew survey showing that half of Americans who have left the church no longer believe in God. Many of those who have departed claim to no longer believe in religious teachings or miracles because of science. While this false dichotomy between faith and reason is often adduced, miracles are not only possible, but necessary to make sense out of the universe in which we live. Reason forces us to look beyond the natural world to a supernatural Designer who miraculously intervenes in the affairs of His created handiwork. It is incumbent upon Christians, therefore, to reach out to those leaving the church based on false information. Hank answers the following questions: Since God is perfect and created a perfect world, did he have to intervene supernaturally in His creation to make it imperfect after Adam and Eve sinned? What is your perspective of the rapture, is it pre, mid, or post-tribulation? Can you explain the doctrine of original sin? How can God blame us for sinning if we are born with a sin nature? What's your view on the eternal subordination of the Son? Did I hear you say that we should keep the Sabbath? How should we observe it today? Can you clarify your earlier comments on the rapture? Since the two witnesses in Revelation and the man lawlessness have not yet been revealed, doesn't that point to a future tribulation?

Hank shares his thoughts on an article by David French in the National Review on the LGBT movement. Anyone who contradicts the cultural narrative on this subject is labeled a bigot, however, upon closer scientific examination the LGBT contention collapses. A new comprehensive study shows how the idea that people are "born this way" is not supported by the scientific data. While the LGBT Left is driving the culture to disregard the norms of marriage and gender and embrace their lifestyle as fast as they can, we now know they are certainly not doing so in the name of science. Hank answers the following questions: What are your thoughts on contemporary Christian music? What is the difference between the actions of ISIS and God's commands to destroy nations in the Old Testament? What prophecies in the Bible are yet to be fulfilled? Where do you stand on the age of the earth? I was divorced fifteen years ago and have been remarried, so when I get to heaven, will I know that both men were my husband? What do you think about those who believe we add works to our salvation, such as baptism? Is the Muslim takeover we are seeing, a fulfillment of prophecy, and what do you think will happen to the US with regard to Muslim immigration? What does God think about nations solving their problems by going to war? We know that killing is a sin. How can we pray for our service men and women?

Hank answers the following questions: Why do some churches observe closed Communion, and is it biblical? There are so many different interpretations of Scripture, how can I know what the Bible is really teaching? Why doesn't God speak to us clearly? What is the origin of Easter? Why did the King James translators lie in Acts 12:4 when the Greek text doesn't use that word? In the book of Job, what is his basic argument and why were Job's three friends wrong? With respect to a previous question, can't we just ask the Holy Spirit to help us understand God's Word? I am struggling with sin and I ask the Holy Spirit to help me, but how can I know that I'm truly saved? Why don't you use the language of the early church fathers with regard to baptism? Have you grown in your understanding of baptism?

Hank answers the following questions: Since God created us as sexual beings, why is homosexuality wrong if it exists in the animal kingdom as well as the human race? How did Noah that know Ham would have a son named Canaan, and why was Canaan cursed? Spirits are controlling my mind; how can I break free from this? Why do so many evangelicals say that Genesis 12:3 calls for unconditional support of Israel? Did Zechariah predict what would happen prior to Armageddon? Must we observe the Sabbath on Saturday? Why do we celebrate Christmas on December 25, a pagan holiday? Which member of the Trinity should I address in prayer?

Hank welcomes Graham Veale, head of the Religious Education department at City of Armagh High School, Northern Ireland, to discuss his book, New Atheism: A Survival Guide. Graham explains the difference between science and scientism, the supposed conflict between science and faith, and the fact that apologetics clarifies good reasons to believe the gospel and goes hand in hand with evangelism. Hank and Graham also address Richard Dawkins' assertion that the world would be a better place without God, despite any evidence to the contrary. Although Dawkins refuses to look at the evidence and offers no response to those who question his dogmatism, Graham argues that the complexity and precision of the universe provides overwhelming evidence for God. In the final segment, Graham articulates the distinguishing aspects of new atheists, what it means to really believe in a God who has unlimited power and freedom, as well as the reason for writing his book in an accessible fashion so younger readers would have real answers when faced with attacks on Christianity.