CrossExamined Blog
Tackling today’s toughest questions, these posts explore topics on God, morality, science, and culture.
Whether you’re a skeptic or believer, each article challenges your worldview and sharpens your thinking. Engaging, thought-provoking, and unapologetic, this is a place to dig deeper and follow the truth wherever it leads.
Universe Designed: A Documentary on God’s Existence
2. Does God Exist?[Editor’s Note: This blog was originally posted on Mama Bear Apologetics] Do you have a sciency cub? Do they make comments about things like “the starlight problem” and “multiverse theory” that make your eyes glaze over? No fear! We got you, mama bears! Our friend, Michael, is not only a sciency-bear, but a really good […]
You Don’t Have the Freedom of Religion in America
Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsAt first glance, that title sounds absurd. Of course we have freedom of religion in the United States—it’s one of our most cherished rights. But if by “freedom of religion” we mean the unlimited right to believe and do anything whatsoever in the name of religion, then the truth is simple: you do not have that […]
Struggling with Prayer? 5 Reasons You Lack the Desire to Pray (and How to Overcome Them!)
Theology and Christian ApologeticsHave you ever felt like prayer is as elusive as losing weight or getting in shape? You know it’s good for you, you know you should do it, but somehow the motivation to bend your knees, clasp your hands, and close your eyes is as elusive as Waldo. Frustrating, isn’t it? But here’s the thing: […]
Who Do You Say That I Am, James Talarico? Part I: Two Key Reasons Why Talarico Has Missed the Divine Jesus
Theology and Christian ApologeticsSeries Introduction: James Talarico is not the first politician to invoke the Christian faith or the Bible to score political points. He is, however, the first I am aware of who has been enrolled in seminary while running for office. Talarico is certainly popular among prospective voters, but he has received significant scrutiny by pastors […]
Be Fruitful and Multiply: A Case Study in Natural and Divine Revelation
Theology and Christian ApologeticsMy thesis is this: The consequences of defying God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” are becoming visible in the modern world. I recently heard a pastor say, “Reality is undefeated.” That line captures a powerful apologetic truth: the world God made behaves according to the design God gave. In Christian apologetics, one of the most […]
The LDS Can’t Outrun Joseph Smith the Materialist
Theology and Christian ApologeticsI don’t know if you’ve had a chance to look into the Mormons or not. I’m here in Arizona, and they tend to enjoy a state just north of me: Utah. I’m not super old, but I’m old enough to remember a few waves of Mormon advertisements, and I’m starting to notice a pattern, or […]
When Building our Case for Intelligent Design, How Should We Think about Prior Probability?
2. Does God Exist?As many readers will know, I am a card-carrying Bayesian when it comes to hypothesis testing. I recently interviewed Tim McGrew (professor of philosophy at Western Michigan University) for the ID the Future podcast on the application of Bayesian reasoning to intelligent design. I have also previously been interviewed by Andrew McDiarmid on the same subject. In […]
The Horrors of Euthanasia and the Problem of Suffering
2. Does God Exist?, Theology and Christian ApologeticsAs I’m writing this blog, on March 26, 2016, a young woman by the name of Noelia Castillo Ramos is being euthanized in Spain.[i] Unfortunately, this is nothing new in our Western society. Medically assisted suicide has been legal in Canada for almost 10 years.[ii] Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Austria, Belgium, Germany, […]
If Life Ends at Death, Then Eat, Drink, and Be Merry, for Tomorrow We Die
Theology and Christian ApologeticsThe book of Ecclesiastes is notoriously difficult to interpret. In this article I share my best attempt at understanding and explaining what this book is about. Many have argued that the main message of Ecclesiastes is that we shouldn’t look for meaning and purpose in this world or in this mortal life. While that might […]
Abortion Versus Sacrificial Living
Legislating Morality, Culture & Politics“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.’” Matthew 16:24-25, NASB Abortion isn’t just a surgical procedure. […]
Did God Give Adam and Eve Enough Information to Make an “Informed Decision”?
Theology and Christian ApologeticsIn my previous post, I partially answered the question, “Why did God create the tree in the first place?” This question is a big one for little minds to wrap themselves around. For a child, creating the tree in the first place sounds like God was just asking for trouble. For the hardened skeptic, it sounds […]
When “Too Christian” Becomes a Metric: A Case Study in Academic Double Standards
Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsAlthough I am a tenured full professor of philosophy at ASU, I am still required to complete an annual review of my work each year (as the name suggests). At most universities, faculty evaluations are supposed to be straightforward. At Arizona State University, where I teach, we use an objective rubric. Faculty are evaluated annually […]
A Divine Love Theodicy: Addressing James Sterba’s and Erik Wielenberg’s Problem of Evil Arguments
2. Does God Exist?Abstract: James Sterba claims my Divine Love Theodicy does not address the working parts of his new logical problem of evil. In this paper I summarize Sterba’s new logical problem of evil, respond to it with an explanation of my Divine Love Theodicy, and point out how my theodicy does address the working parts of his […]
Why did God Create the Tree in the First Place?
Theology and Christian ApologeticsA few weeks ago, our church’s 3rd-5th graders were learning about the creation story from Genesis, and I was brought in to the planning process to help address common science misconceptions that the kids will encounter as they get older. (i.e. “Science can disprove God,” “Natural processes alone can produce design,” or “Science uses facts, religion […]
If I Were a Mormon: A More Coherent View of God
2. Does God Exist?, Theology and Christian ApologeticsOver the past several years—especially since 2018—I’ve made multiple trips to Utah every year. I’ve honestly lost count of how many times I’ve been out there, but it’s starting to feel like a second home. I can understand why Brigham Young reportedly said, “This is the place.” It’s beautiful. One of the things I appreciate […]
Why Is ASU’s New College Requiring Confessional Rituals?
Legislating Morality, Culture & PoliticsAt Arizona State University’s New College (where I serve as a tenured full professor of philosophy and religion) the faculty recently voted to make a Native American Land Acknowledgment the official college policy. Until now, these statements were read at the beginning of faculty meetings. At times, faculty were even asked to bow their heads […]
Dialogue and Christian Apologetics: A Biblical-Theological Overview
Theology and Christian ApologeticsChristian apologetics is often understood as the task of defending the faith—giving reasons why believing in Christ is rational, true, and worthy of commitment. Scripture itself urges believers to be “ready to give an answer” for the hope that is in them (1 Pet. 3:15). Yet the Bible presents this defense not merely as the […]
Some Definitional Drawbacks In Atheism
2. Does God Exist?In a previous article I wrote about how “atheism” is best understood as a belief that there is no God. Those who prefer to describe themselves as merely “lacking God-belief” would do better to describe themselves as “negative atheists” as that is the more precise term. As a postlude to that article, I think it’s important to […]
Which God When There are 3,000 to Choose From?
2. Does God Exist?When I went to university, I encountered the biggest intellectual doubt I’ve ever faced as a Christian: How can I be sure that Christianity is true? Here was my thinking: “Can I really claim that I have the right religion when there are 3,000 others to choose from?” You might have come across a form […]
Jonah and the Big Fish, Part 2
3. Are Miracles Possible?In my previous article, Jonah and the Big Fish Part 1, I spoke about Jonah, the wayward prophet who initially tried to avoid God’s command to warn the people of Nineveh about the impending judgment they were about to receive for the wickedness of their culture. In that article, I discussed the identity of Jonah, who […]
Jonah and the Big Fish (Part 1)
3. Are Miracles Possible?The Book of Jonah is very short, only four chapters long. It tells of a prophet named Jonah who was told by God to go to the great city of Nineveh and warn them of a coming judgment. Jonah goes the opposite way on a ship, but a violent storm ends with Jonah being tossed […]