Candid Conversations with Dr. Jonathan Youssef

Latest Episodes:

Episode 225: How to Consider Conflicting Opinions in the Church: Dr. Bruce Lowe Nov 28, 2023

Show notes

Should Christians allow their children to trick-or-treat? Is Santa Claus ok? Are we free to send our children to public school? The list of debatable issues is endless - places where Biblical principles should be applied, but will every Christian apply them the same way?

Join Jonathan Youssef and Dr. Bruce Lowe to explore the delicate balance between conviction and grace, navigate the complexities of disagreements within the Christian faith, and understand when to hold Christian beliefs with a closed hand and embrace Christian liberty.

Bruce Lowe is a scholar, author, and a favorite professor at Reformed Theological Seminary.

Please take a few minutes to settle in and listen to a thoughtful and inspiring Candid Conversation.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 224: Cultivate a Heart of Biblical Gratitude: Mary Mohler (Reprise) Nov 21, 2023

Show notes

November rolls around and we all think about giving thanks. Jonathan welcomes Mary Mohler to Candid Conversations to discuss what Biblical gratitude really is – a gratitude that is more than thanking God for all the good things in our lives.

Mary Mohler serves in ministry alongside her husband, Dr. Al Mohler, at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. She is also the founder and director of Seminary Wives Institute, an academic program for students' wives that she started over 20 years ago at Southern Seminary.

A native of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Mary is a summa cum laude graduate of Samford University where she earned a BS in Biology. She is a proud mother of two children and several grandchildren. She is also the author of the book, Growing in Gratitude, Rediscovering the Joy of a Thankful Heart - a book you won't want to miss on Biblical gratitude.

Join the conversation now and be encouraged to cultivate a heart of gratitude that goes far beyond our usual gratitude checklists.

Get Your Copy of Growing in Gratitude: Rediscovering the Joy of a Thankful Heart

After you listen to this episode, you may have your own questions. We would love to hear from you! To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Also, join the conversation on our social media pages:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 223: The Loneliness Crisis: Jonathan Youssef Nov 14, 2023

Show notes

In Genesis 2:18, God made a profound statement: “It is not good for man to be alone.” God did not design us to navigate the waters of life in isolation. Today, Jonathan explores the depths of a modern epidemic, loneliness, and provides a biblical framework for understanding and responding to this crisis.

Today's episode is a call to action. Whether you're basking in the warmth of Christian fellowship or you're in a season of profound solitude, there is a step you can take. For some, it might be extending an invitation into your community; for others, it may be reaching out for the fellowship you crave.

Join Jonathan now to dive into The Loneliness Crisis and discover how, through Christ, we can reclaim the connection we were created for.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 222: Mama Bear Apologetics: Hillary Morgan Ferrer (Reprise) Nov 07, 2023

Show notes

When it comes to ensuring the spiritual well-being of our children, how do we go beyond just “raising them in church”? As the next generation navigates unprecedented issues surrounding gender identity, doubt, and resistance to the Christian faith—it won’t be enough for them to have “the faith of their parents.” How do we equip them to become disciples of Jesus Christ in a hostile world?

According to Barna and USA Today, nearly 59% of youth leave the church after graduation, and only 17% maintain a Biblical worldview. According to a Lifeway survey, youth are moving to college, witnessing hypocrisy within the church, and no longer feeling connected to the body of Christ.

This week, Jonathan welcomes Hillary Morgan Ferrer to Candid Conversations. Her passion is to help equip parents to answer the questions that our children will inevitably ask and teach them how to “demolish arguments raised against the knowledge of God” (2 Cor 10:5). She is the founder and Mama-Bear-in-Chief of Mama Bear Apologetics and she has a burden to help provide accessible apologetics resources for busy parents.

Together, Jonathan and Hillary discuss how we can better equip children and parents with resources and critical thinking skills, including her own methodology called “ROAR,” to help families recognize unbiblical ideas and develop discernment.

Hillary is the chief author and editor of the bestselling book Mama Bear Apologetics: Empowering Your Kids to Challenge Cultural Lies and Mama Bear Apologetics Guide to Sexuality: Empowering Your Kids to Understand and Live Out God’s Design. Hillary has her master’s degree in biology from Clemson University and is working on her master’s in apologetics from Biola University. She loves helping moms to discern both truths and lies in science and culture, and she specializes in understanding the root causes of doubt.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 221: A New Reformation: Jonathan Youssef Oct 31, 2023

Show notes

Imagine waking up to a message that challenges the core of your beliefs, putting your faith and freedom on the line. Would you surrender, or would you stand firm? In today's reflection, Jonathan shares how some youth today would respond to a threat to limit their freedoms in exchange for their lives.

In response, Jonathan will trace the threads of history and explore the essence of the Christian faith and why we desperately need a new reformation.

Today, on the day we celebrate the beginning of the Protestant Reformation, Jonathan will dive deep into the roots of Christian beliefs, the transformations of key figures like Martin Luther, and the crucial moments that have shaped our world and faith. So, grab your headphones, settle in, and join Jonathan for this thought provoking new reflection

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 220: Where is God in Seasons of Sorrow: Tim Challies (Reprise) Oct 24, 2023

Show notes

The holiday season is approaching – a time of year filled with joy, tradition, faith, and nostalgia–but also a season of sorrow for so many. Where is God in seasons of sorrow?

Whether you are grieving the death of a loved one, a lost relationship, an unsaved family member, or an unfulfilled dream, today’s Candid Conversation guest will minister powerfully to you.

Author, blogger, pastor, and theologian, Tim Challies recently released a new book, Seasons of Sorrow, a real-time, first-person, present-tense series of reflections on the pain that comes with loss and the comfort that God alone can provide.

Join Tim and Jonathan as they discuss what Godly grief looks like and how we can keep moving forward through deep seasons of sorrow through faith in Christ.

Visit Tim Challies' blog: https://www.challies.com/

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.inst

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 219: Defending Your Faith When You Don't Have All The Answers: Tim Barnett (Reprise) Oct 17, 2023

Show notes

As you scroll through social media, it's no longer uncommon to come across a video shared or created by a friend that challenges elements of the Christian faith. You don't agree with their logic, but you aren't quite sure how to highlight the error you see. You honestly want to offer insight, but you don't want to come across angry or defensive. How can we lovingly help someone who is experiencing doubt or who has drawn a wrong conclusion based on faulty logic?

Today's guest, Tim Barnett, author of TikTok profileRed Pen Logic, has gained millions of online followers by helping Christians defend their faith in gracious and understandable terms. Tim began Red Pen Logic with Mr. B on YouTube in the wake of the pandemic to defend Christianity in an ever increasing world of false and misleading social media content.

Together, Jonathan and Tim discuss the importance of Christian apologetics, the need to give an informed defense of the faith, and how we can respond clearly and graciously in a social media world rampant with bad theology and deconstruction videos.

Our hope is that this episode will empower you to confidently share your faith both on and offline.

Check out Red Pen Logic with Mr. B. on:

YouTube

TikTok

Facebook

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter:https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 218: How to Read the Bible (As if Your Life Depends On It): Dr. Michael Youssef Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

Dive into a groundbreaking exploration of the Bible with Dr. Michael Youssef’s new guide, How to Read the Bible (As If Your Life Depends on It).

With five decades of experience in preaching and studying God's Word, Dr. Youssef calls this book, “the culmination of a lifetime of proclaiming the uncompromised Truth of God's Word” and “the fulfillment of a lifelong dream.”

Imagine a guide where you can rediscover the awe-inspiring narrative of the Bible, learn its reliability, uncover its consistent Gospel message, avoid common pitfalls of Bible study, and experience an intimate connection with its divine Author.

This isn't just another book on your shelf. This will be your Bible study companion, your guide that will deepen your love and understanding of God's enduring Word.

So, whether you’re a seasoned theologian or someone just beginning your spiritual journey, How to Read the Bible promises insights that will stay with you forever. Stay with us as we delve deeper into what makes this book unique and hear from Dr. Youssef himself about the passion and dedication behind every page.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

If you want o learn more about the ministry of Leading The Way with Dr. Michael Youssef, please visit our website.

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 217: Gen Z's Real Faith Questions: David Robertson Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

What are the questions you wrestle with in life? We all have that innate desire to ask questions, seek answers, and engage in conversations that challenge our thinking.

In today’s Candid Conversation, Jonathan gets helpful answers to some hard questions as David Robertson answers tough questions, and makes theology accessible to everyone.

David is not just an apologist, minister, author, and blogger, he is a bridge between questions and answers, doubt, and belief. With books like The Dawkins Letters and A.S.K: Real World Questions/Real Word Answers, and his recent release, SEEK: More Real World Questions, More Real World Answers,, David is a beacon for those seeking answers – especially those in Gen Z.

So, whether you're here searching for the answer to a nagging question or are seeking a deeper connection with God, listen to this conversation for a candid exploration of life's intriguing questions.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions

Episode 216: Should Christians Be Concerned About Artificial Intelligence?: Dr. Kristen Davis Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

As artificial intelligence (AI) grows exponentially in its capabilities, we find ourselves grappling with profound questions about consciousness, morality, and the very nature of existence.

Dr. Kristen Davis joins Jonathan to discuss AI and how it should be viewed from a Christian perspective. Dr. Davis is a powerhouse in both apologetics and advanced technology. She completed her doctorate dissertation on Christianity and Artificial Intelligence – dispelling the myth that AI would one day disprove the existence of God.

She is the founder of Doubtless Faith Ministries and speaks internationally. She is also the Senior Manager of Systems Integration for a financial tech company, where she leads an international team of software developers.

Join Jonathan and Dr. Davis for an enlightening conversation to explore the intriguing intersection of AI and Christianity, delving into the challenges and opportunities with AI for Christianity.

To ask Jonathan a question or connect with the Candid community, visit https://LTW.org/Candid

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/candidpod

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/candidpod

Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecandidpod

For more original podcasts from Leading The Way, please visit ltw.org/subscriptions