BIBLETHINKER.ORG
Mike Winger
Mike was a Calvary Chapel pastor based out of California who now teaches people how to think biblically about everything. He has a YouTube channel and website were he answers all kinds of questions about Christianity and how to live as a Christian. He typically spends months (sometimes years) studying about the topics in his videos. From biblical marriage, to head-coverings, Mike answers all the tough questions. (If you go to biblethinker.org and use the clip search feature, you will be able to search any word Mike has said in any one of his YouTube videos. This is extremely helpful if you don't have time to watch the entire video)
"You will learn to think biblically about everything so you can deal with false teaching, know what Scripture says about specific issues, prove Christianity is true, go deep into theology and become a go to resource for biblical knowledge so you can help others. I have a passion for helping others to carefully and thoughtfully understand and apply the Bible by creating the well-researched biblical content that you have been starving for ever since you first believed." - Mike Winger
ALISACHILDERS.COM
Alisa Childers
Alisa was a member of the Christian music group, ZOEgirl, who deeply struggled with her faith after attending a pastor's progressive-thinking study group. It launched her into a lengthy reconstruction process of her faith. She cares deeply about Christian apologetics and often refutes the many unbiblical claims of Progressive Christianity and the deconstruction movement. She has a YouTube channel and podcast were she speaks about Progressive Christianity and other pop-Christian beliefs. Head on over to her YouTube channel and website. She and Tim Barnett, of Red Pen Logic, have a book called The Deconstruction Of Christianity. It will help you understand what deconstruction is, why it's destructive, and how to respond to it.
"Equipping Christians to identify the core beliefs of historic Christianity, discern its counterfeits, and proclaim the gospel with clarity, kindness, and truth." - Alisa Childers
Alisa's Beliefs About Christianity
Scripture
Alisa believes the Scripture of the Old and New Testament are inspired by God and inerrant in the original text. Scripture is the supreme and final authority in faith and life. Scripture is useful to believers for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness.
Tribune God
She believes that there is one God, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
She believes in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, sinless life, miracles, atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, and in His ascension to the right hand of the Father.
She believes in the deity of the Holy Spirit as a person distinct from the Father and Son, and possessing all of the divine attributes. He exalts Christ, convicts people of sin, and enlightens and empowers believers and the church in worship, evangelism, and service.
Creation / Salvation Of Man
She believes that man was created in the image of God and that the whole human race fell in the fall of the first Adam and was alienated from God. Only through faith, trusting in Christ alone for salvation, which was made possible by His death and resurrection, are we reconciled to God.
She believes in the eternal life of the saved and the eternal punishment of the lost. And that the Lord Jesus is coming again to this earth, personally, bodily, and visibly to consummate history and the eternal plan of God.
GOTQUESTIONS.ORG
Got Questions
If you have any questions about God, your faith, the problem of evil, differences between religion or denominations, a random argument made by an unbeliever or skeptic, yoga, tarot cards, worship music, women in ministry, or anything else you can think of, GotQuestions.org probably has you covered. At the very least, GotQuestions can be a great starting point in your quest for a solid biblical answer to a tough question.
Do you have a question about God, Jesus, the Bible, or theology? Do you need help understanding a Bible verse or passage? Are there any spiritual issues in your life for which you need advice or counsel? - Got Questions
MELISSADOUGHERTY.CO
Melissa Dougherty
Melissa used to follow New Thought teachings before she found out what it was called and how heretical is was. She followed popular New Age teachers, like Richard Rohr, and was deeply involved in their practices while using things like crystals, tarot cards, etc. to become "more spiritual." She now cares deeply about Christian apologetics and often refutes the many unbiblical claims of New Age teachings. She also loves witnessing to Jehovah's Witnesses. She has a YouTube channel were she speaks about and refutes New Age Christianity and other pop-Christian beliefs and teachings. Head on over to her YouTube channel and website.
"You'll find a mixed bag of Jesus, theology, art, mediocre satire, and apologetics here on my channel.
I'm an ex-new ager and have been in a counter-cult ministry to Mormons and Jehovah's witnesses since 2011. I have been saved since I was 16. I fell into many new age practices thinking they were Christian teachings but left in 2011. Because of this experience, I also talk about about how New Age has permeated Christianity." - Melissa Dougherty
APPLYGODSWORD.COM
Mark Ballenger
Mark is a pastor who uses his YouTube channel and writings to help Christians live, date, and marry biblically. He uses his channel to help Christians honor the Lord while they seek and grow relationships. He also helps them see signs and patterns that indicate if the person they're dating is the one God has for them, or not. While he primarily speaks about Christian dating and relationships, he'll also debunk other worldly beliefs and dating practices. Head on over to his YouTube channel and website.
"I mainly focus on helping Christian singles with relationships, but many of my videos apply to all Christians.
My writings have been featured on a variety of popular ministries, including Desiring God, Relevant Magazine, Church Leaders, and many more.
I have a master's degree in pastoral counseling from Liberty Baptist Theological Seminary.
My goal is to apply timeless truth to modern topics and questions. I believe the Bible has the answers our world needs because the Bible points us to Jesus Christ." - Mark Ballenger
COLDCASECHRISTIANITY.COM
J. Warner Wallace
J. Warner is a Dateline featured Cold-Case Detective, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, Adj. Professor of Christian Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University, and Author of Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, Forensic Faith, and Person of Interest, and creator of the Case Makers Academy for kids. He has a YouTube channel, podcast, and many books (as read above) were he speaks about Christian apologetics and the historicity of Jesus and the bible. He has a very unique approach by using his experience and methods he uses in his cases. Check out his YouTube channel and website.
"As a former atheist and a police officer, J Warner Wallace understands the importance of evidence — whether it’s the evidence needed to convict a criminal, or the evidence needed to change the heart of a skeptic.”
– Andy Bannister, Christian Apologist
“Whether you are a Christian or a skeptic, J. Warner will challenge you to consider the evidence through fresh eyes.”
– Sean McDowell
STANDTOREASON.ORG
Greg Koukl
Greg is an adjunct professor in Christian apologetics at Biola University. He's the president and founder of Stand to Reason (STR), podcast host, and author of many books were he teaches Christians how to evangelize to skeptics and unbelievers. Like Mike Winger, he often will take live questions so he can offer up answers and/or biblical direction for the viewer's scenario or theology question. Check out STR's YouTube channel and website.
"Stand to Reason trains Christians to think more clearly about their faith and to make an even-handed, incisive, yet gracious defense for classical Christianity and classical Christian values in the public square.
-What is Stand to Reason's principle activity? Training
-Who do we train? Christians
-What do we train them to do? Think clearly and give a defense
-What is the manner in which we do this? Intellectually fair, gracious, and incisive
-What is the scope of our defense? The doctrine and values of classical Christianity
-Where is the defense made? In the public square
-Why do we do this? To give confidence and courage" - Stand to Reason
CROSSEXAMINED.ORG
Dr. Frank Turek
Dr. Frank Turek is the founder of CrossExamined.org, Christian apologist, and co-author. Cross Examined has a YouTube channel, podcast, livestream show, and Q&A clips. They talk about many misconceptions and objections against the bible and other worldly views. Dr. Frank Turek is one of the most knowledgeable Christian apologists out there and has an answer for nearly any question or skepticism about the Christian worldview. Check out his YouTube channel and website.
"We exist to cross-examine ideas against the truth of Christianity. Here you’ll find content from the Cross Examined team lead by our founder & president Dr. Frank Turek, the co-author of the best-selling Christian apologetics book, ‘I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be An Atheist’ (& several more). Topics we cover include addressing common misconceptions & objections made against the Bible, God, & Christianity. Demonstrating how historical, archaeological, scientific, & philosophical evidence all support what only the Christian worldview claims. We also discuss political & cultural movements that are incompatible with a Biblical worldview & how Christians can best navigate the cultural climate we find ourselves in today." - Cross Examined
FOUNDATIONWORLDVIEW.COM
Elizabeth Urbanowicz
Elizabeth has a B.S. from Gordon College in Elementary Education and Spanish, an M.S.Ed. from Northern Illinois University in Literacy Education, and an M.A. in Christian Apologetics from Biola University. She was once a teacher in a Christian school, but realized her students held a lot of worldly views in spite of going to that school. Given this, she started implementing a teaching style that helped her students think critically and apply the worldview described in the bible to their everyday lives. Parents and fellow teachers noticed and encouraged her to share her teachings, so she put together a curriculum for them to use. This curriculum grew into Foundation Worldview and now Elizabeth and her company help thousands of parents and teachers disciple their kids and raise them to think critically. Click the link below to head to her Foundation Worldview website.
"Her goal is to prepare the next generation to be lifelong critical thinkers and, most importantly, lifelong disciples of Jesus Christ." - Foundation Worldview
Note: This may not be the best option for your specific child. Use your own judgement and read the reviews to see if your children would benefit or if they might be too mature for this type of content. There are other good biblically-based options out there, if you do a little digging.
ALLENPARR.COM
Allen Parr
Allen is worship pastor who teaches people how to think biblically about the world and thier lives. He has a YouTube channel, called The Beat by Allen Parr, books, and a website were he answers common questions about Christianity and how to best honor the Lord in various circumstances. From biblical marriage, to scripture interpretation, to pornography, Allen speaks to many of the tough and sometimes taboo questions and concerns we encounter as we live out our faith. He tries to model how a Christian should act when being critical of others and tries to show how a solid biblical marriage looks and operates. His wife joins him on occasion to give her perspective, in an effort to model a faithful Christian woman in a traditional, biblical marriage. They both provide various ways to help train, equip, and bring community to their brothers and sisters in Christ. Here's Allen's website and YouTube channel.
"Do you ever feel stuck in your spiritual life? Perhaps you feel like you’re simply going through the motions but not really growing in your faith. You go to church. You’re part of a life group. You try to read your Bible but it just feels like nothing is moving you forward. I’ve been there and as a result, I have a passion for helping people grow spiritually. My purpose is to help equip Christians with the tools, training and teaching they need to live a victorious life and fulfill God’s purpose for their life." - Allen Parr
Allen's Beliefs About Christianity
The Holy Scriptures
He believes the Holy Scriptures to be the verbal, inspired words of God, authoritative, and without error in the original manuscripts. We further believe that the scriptures of both the Old and New Testaments are designed for our practical instruction in faith and conduct.
2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:21
The Godhead
He believes that the Godhead eternally exists in three persons: The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit; and that these three are one God.
Deuteronomy 6:4; Genesis 1:26; Matthew 28:19
The Person And Work Of The Lord Jesus Christ
He believes that the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, came into the world that He might manifest God to men, fulfill prophecy, and become the Redeemer of a lost world. To this end, He was born of the Virgin Mary, received a human body and a sinless human nature without ceasing to be God.
Luke 1:30-35; John 1:1, 14, 18; Hebrews 4:15; Philippians 2:5-11
He believes that, in infinite love for the lost, He voluntarily accepted His Father’s will and became the divinely provided sacrificial Lamb and took away the sins of the world.
Romans 3:25-31; 2 Corinthians 5:14; Hebrews 10:5-14
He believes He rose from the dead in the same body, though glorified, in which He had lived and died and that His resurrected body is the pattern of the body which ultimately will be given to all believers.
John 20:20; Philippians 3:20-21
He believes that on departing earth, He was accepted by His Father and that His acceptance is a final assurance to us that His redeeming work was perfectly accomplished.
Hebrews 1:3
He believes that He became head over all things to the church, which is His body, and in this ministry He does not cease to intercede and to be an advocate for the saved.
Luke 1:35; 1 Corinthians 15:1-3; Ephesians 1:23; Philippians 2:6-8; 2 Timothy 2:5; 1 John 2:1-2
The Holy Spirit
He believes that the Holy Spirit, the Third Person of the Trinity, dwells in every believer immediately after he places his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and that God provides, through the Holy Spirit, power to live the Christian life.
Romans 5:5; 8:1-9; Galatians 5:16-25
He believes that every believer receives grace from God in the form of a spiritual gift, which enables him to function as a member of the body of Christ.
Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:7; Ephesians 4:7
The Personality Of Satan
He believes that Satan, the devil, is the prince of demons and the declared adversary of God and man. However, when the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross, He limited the power of the devil and guaranteed the ultimate triumph of God.
Ephesians 2:2; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 20:10; Colossians 2:13-15
Salvation
He believes that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless born again spiritually, and that the new birth of the believer comes only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We believe, also, that our redemption has been accomplished by the grace of God, an unmerited gift, given in love by God and not the result of any human works.
John 3:17-18; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:13; Romans 4:4-5
He believes that the explicit message of our Lord Jesus Christ to those whom He has saved is to make Christ known to the whole world and that this is the purpose of the church through the individuals within it.
Matthew 28:18-19; Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
He believes that local churches gather together for practical instruction in the scriptures, for fellowship with God and with other believers, and for corporate witness to the unsaved world. Our common spiritual goal is to grow toward Christ’s likeness.
Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 2:42-47; Romans 12:5; Ephesians 4:13-16
The Rapture And The Second Coming Of Christ
He believes that a future period of great tribulation on the earth will be climaxed by the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to the earth as He went in person in the clouds with power and great glory to establish His millennial kingdom. But prior to this tribulation, we believe there will be the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in the air to receive to Himself into Heaven both His own who are alive and remain until His coming and also all who have died in Jesus Christ.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-17; Zechariah 14:4-11; Revelation 3:10
Eternal State
He believes that at death the spirits and souls of those who have trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation pass immediately into His presence and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the glorified body when Christ comes for His own, whereupon soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory. All those who rejected Jesus Christ will eternally be separated from God to endure His eternal wrath forever.
2 Corinthians 5:8; Revelation 20:11-15; 21:1-27
Responsibility Of Believers
He believes that all believers should seek to walk by the Spirit, separating themselves from worldly practices and witnessing by life and by word the truths of the Holy Scripture.
Romans 12:1; Galatians 5:16, 25; 2 Corinthians 5:9-17
He believes that all believers will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ and rewarded based on their faithful obedience to Him in this life.
1 Corinthians 3:10-17
SEANMCDOWELL.ORG
Sean McDowell
Sean is a high school Bible class teacher, which helps him give relevant insight into the current culture so he can help fellow Christian educators, pastors, and parents. He's the co-host for the Think Biblically podcast, which is one of the most popular podcasts on faith and cultural engagement and he uses his YouTube channel for Christian apologetics. Sean graduated from Talbot Theological Seminary with a double master’s degree in Theology and Philosophy and he earned a Ph.D. in Apologetics and Worldview Studies from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He is the author, co-author, or editor of over twenty books including Chasing Love, The Fate of the Apostles, So The Next Generation Will Know (with J. Warner Wallace), Evidence that Demands a Verdict, Same-Sex Marriage: A Thoughtful Approach to God’s Design for Marriage, Is God Just a Human Invention? and Understanding Intelligent Design. He is the General Editor for A New Kind of Apologist, Apologetics for a New Generation, Sharing the Good News with Mormons, and The Apologetics Study Bible for Students.
"Dr. Sean McDowell is a professor at Biola University. On this channel he tackles some of the biggest questions about God, morality, and contemporary culture." - Sean's YouTube Channel
ALISA CHILDERS
Another Gospel?
Another Gospel?refutes the claims of the modern movement/worldview known as Progressive Christianity as well as taking the reader through her testimony. This is an amazing book for anyone wanting to understand Progressive Christianity, deconstruction, doubt, and how to seek Truth.
Christopher Yuan
Holy Sexuality And The Gospel
Dr. Christopher Yuan has taught the Bible at Moody Bible Institute for twelve years and his speaking ministry on faith and sexuality has reached five continents. He speaks at conferences, on college campuses, and in churches. He has co-authored with his mother their memoir, Out of a Far Country: A Gay Son’s Journey to God, A Broken Mother’s Search for Hope (100,000 copies sold and now in seven languages). He is also the author of Giving a Voice to the Voiceless. Christopher graduated from Moody Bible Institute in 2005 and received a master’s in biblical exegesis in 2007 and a doctorate of ministry in 2014. Dr. Yuan’s newest book, Holy Sexuality and the Gospel: Sex, Desire, and Relationships Shaped by God’s Grand Story. Holy Sexuality details his dramatic conversion from an agnostic gay man who put his identity in his sexuality to a Bible professor at Moody Bible Institute who puts his identity in Christ alone.
CLOUD & TOWNSEND
Boundaries
Boundaries is an excellent book that anyone can and should read. Even when you feel you have healthy boundaries, this book will help you learn to have biblical ones. This is a book that will greatly impact your life if you apply its teaching and guidance to your life, especially if you struggle with people-pleasing and/or saying "no." Cloud and Townsend also have boundaries books tailored to specific seasons of life, such as dating, marriage, or leadership.
"Many people focus so much on being loving and unselfish that they forget their own limits and limitations. That’s why the ability to set clear boundaries is essential to a healthy, balanced lifestyle. A boundary is a personal property line that marks those things for which we are responsible. Boundaries define who we are and who we are not. Drs. Cloud and Townsend offer biblically-based answers and show how to set healthy boundaries with your spouse, children, friends, parents, co-workers, and even yourself!" - Boundaries Books
MARK BALLENGER
Christ-Centered Dating
Christ-Centered Dating is a book written for anyone who is a Christian single wanting to honor the Lord in their pursuit of a spouse. This is extremely helpful and biblical, and not a topic that is talked about in many churches, unfortunately.
"Waiting around to find a spouse doesn't really work for a single Christian who desires to be married. In Christ-Centered Dating, Mark Ballenger challenges the popular perspective of "If I want to be married, I should just wait and glorify God" with the biblical truth that "I can glorify God through the pursuit of marriage." Practical and freeing, Christ-Centered Dating helps you reflect God's image while actively seeking to meet, date, and marry the person God has chosen. Inside, you will find answers for: Why your beliefs about dating are so crucial to your spiritual life, How to meet other godly singles, What the eight phases of a healthy dating relationship should be, How to heal from past relationship wounds and idols, Whether or not there is such a thing as "the one" Learn how to follow God's lead and find what (or who) is best for your life." - from Barnes and Noble
LEE STROBEL
The Case for Christ
"Is there credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? Now a major motion picture, Case for Christ, Strobel retraces his own spiritual journey from atheism and former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune to faith. Strobel cross-examines a dozen experts with doctorates from schools like Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandeis who are recognized authorities in their own fields. He challenges them with questions like, how reliable is the New Testament? Does evidence for Jesus exist outside the Bible? Is there any reason to believe the resurrection was an actual event? Strobel’s tough, point-blank questions read like a captivating, fast-paced novel. But it’s not fiction. It’s a riveting quest for the truth about history’s most compelling figure."
GREG KOUKL
Tactics
Tactics helps Christians hold and control their conversations about God and His message. If you are looking to evangelize and share your faith through your testimony and apologetics, this book is a must!
"In a world increasingly indifferent to Christian truth, followers of Christ need to be equipped to communicate with those who do not speak their language or accept their source of authority. In Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition, Gregory Koukl demonstrates how to artfully regain control of conversations, keeping them moving forward in constructive ways through thoughtful diplomacy. You'll learn how to stop challengers in their tracks and how to turn the tables on questions or provocative statements. Most important, you'll learn how to get people thinking about Jesus. Tactics provides the game plan for communicating the compelling truth about Christianity with confidence and grace.
-Initiate conversations effortlessly
-Present the truth clearly, cleverly, and persuasively
-Graciously and effectively expose faulty thinking
-Skillfully manage the details of dialogue
-Maintain an engaging, disarming style even under attack" - STR
J. Warner Wallace
Person Of Interest
"Does Jesus still matter?
Detective J. Warner Wallace listened to a pastor talk about Jesus and wondered why anyone would think Jesus was a person of interest.
Wallace was skeptical of the Bible, but he’d investigated several “no-body, missing person” cases in which there was no crime scene, no physical evidence, and no victim’s body. He successfully identified and convicted the killers in these cases, even without evidence from the scene.
Could the historical life and actions of Jesus be investigated in the same way? Could the truth about Jesus be uncovered even without a body or a crime scene? In Person of Interest, Wallace describes his own personal investigative journey from atheism to Christianity, as he employs a unique investigative strategy to confirm the historicity and deity of Jesus—without relying on the New Testament manuscripts." - coldcasechristianity.com
CROSSWAY
What Is A Reliable Bible?
If you are looking for a good and reliable bible and don't know a good version or can't understand the one you have, the English Standard Version (ESV) is a great, highly recommended option! It is easier to read than a bible like the King James Version (KJV) yet highly reliable and accurate. However, the New International Version (NIV), New American Standard Bible (NASB), KJV, and New King James Version (NKJV) bibles are all good versions, among others. Mike Winger has great content on bibles here. If you didn't know, all bibles require translation and light interpretation, so no bible will be 100% accurate to the original ancient languages/transcripts. Scripture is God-breathed, but bibles are translated and interpreted by Christians that try to stay true to the originals, while also making it understandable to the current culture. This means certain passages and verses may slightly differ in word usage from bible to bible. Also, depending on the information and ancient texts they had available to them at the time of the bible's writing, a passage or verse may or may not be moved or left out in certain versions. But don't worry! This only happens when we have loads of evidence that show the original texts did not contain it and it was added or moved at a later date. These fixes just makes them more accurate. Most versions even include these so-called "bad" passages and verses into the footnotes to let us know why they chose to omit or move it. All that to say, you can trust most modern translations. But, remember, the best version of the bible is the one you read.
However, please stay away from The Passion Translation (TPT) and if you're new to the faith, The Message Bible (TMB) as well! The Passion Translation is extremely unreliable and has many New Age and Progressive ideas and interpretations woven into it. Many scholars hesitate to even call it a translation of the bible. The Message Bible, on the other hand, is incredibly dumbed down to the point that it interprets the bible for you. These "versions" could potentially mislead you and teach you a message foreign to the historical scriptures if you are not already well-versed in God's word.
If you want a good more word-for-word bible, click the link below to head to Crossway's website. There, you can grab yourself an ESV bible. The link will lead you to a single column journaling bible (pictured).
Please use discernment and test what these sources say against scripture. They may make mistakes, just like us. That said, we have found these sources reliable and genuine. We provide these sources so you can affectively and accurately disciple others with the information they provide. Use these sources to aide you, they will not and cannot be a substitute for the bible or for going to church / being in Christian community. Still, we hope you will enjoy using them and find them fruitful! And as always, To God Be The Glory!