Know Why PodcastInterview With Dr. Sandra Glahn
Does God actually care about the marginalized? If so, why does he seem so harsh in the Old Testament? Why do Christians seem like hypocrites today? In this episode, returning Know Why favorite Dr. Sandra Glahn tackles these hard questions. Dr. Glahn is an author, professor, and sought-after expert in issues relating to Jesus, Scripture, women and gender, and more.
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Interview With Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins
We know DNA is complex, but recent discoveries are revealing new layers of complexity within DNA—and creating problems for evolutionists. Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins, a research scientist for the Institution for Creation Research who specializes in genetics research, explains these discoveries in the final episode of our series, “Know About Science and Faith.” Listen to find out what epigenetics, Meiosis, DNA codes and even Darwin’s Finches can tell us about Intelligent Design.
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The Design and Complexity of the Cell by Dr. Jeffrey Tomkins
Interview With Peyton Luke
We interrupt our series on science and faith to discuss something many Americans are thinking about as they enter the holiday season…how to interact with those family members and friends who hold vastly different opinions. While some advise avoiding family who hold different political opinions, communications expert Peyton Luke encourages listeners to have fruitful conversations, following a few specific tips. Listen to this episode in preparation for your Thanksgiving or Christmas gathering, and take notes on keeping your interactions civil, calm, and productive.
Interview With Jon Noyes (Part 1)
Returning guest Jon Noyes from Stand to Reason joins our Know About Science and Faith series. In Part 1 of his conversation with Liberty, Jon explains how Darwinism entered the stage as a scientific theory and then took over as a worldview that permeated not only science, but every area of life. But is a theistic approach to science is experiencing a renaissance? Jon says yes. Know why by listening to this episode, and tuning back in for Part 2 next week!
More Resources:
Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology by J. P. Moreland
Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design by Stephen C. Meyer
The Return of the God Hypothesis: Three Scientific Discoveries That Reveal the Mind Behind the Universe by Stephen C. Meyer
Science and the Mind of the Maker: What the Conversation Between Faith and Science Reveals About God by Melissa Cain Travis
Understanding Intelligent Design: Everything You Need to Know in Plain Language by William A. Dembski and Sean McDowell
Interview With Dr. Jake Hebert
In the next installment of our “Know About Science and Faith” series, Dr. Jake Hebert, research scientist at the Institute for Creation Research, joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss evidence for extreme longevity of ancient humans and other species. He also talks about problems with the theory of natural selection. Listen to hear about fascinating discoveries that are puzzling evolutionists and contributing to the theory of Intelligent Design. Be sure to check back next week for Part 2 of this conversation, where Dr. Hebert shares his research on causes of the Ice Age.
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Evidence for Extreme Pre-Flood Animal Longevity
Questioning Natural Selection
Interview With Parker Eng
Listen as we jump into our new series, “Know About Science and Faith!” Parker Eng, President and Founder of the organization Day 4 Astronomy, joins Know Why to discuss some fascinating ways the heavens demonstrate the uniqueness of Planet Earth—and what implications that has for humanity. If you enjoyed viewing the solar eclipse back in April, you’ll want to hear Parker share what two astronauts told him during an eclipse watch party and exactly why the 2024 eclipse was so special. Do you have a science-related question you’d like us to address in this series? Reach out at KnowWhyPodcast.com.
Impossible Odds
Many people take life for granted—specifically, the fact that life can exist on Earth. But according to science, the fact that we exist in space is special.
The odds of the conditions which make life possible on Earth appearing by chance are 1 in 10 to the 40,000th power, Parker explained. Details like the precise size and distance of our moon and the kind of light emitted by our sun provide perfect conditions for life. Those conditions would be destroyed if there was even slight variation in many of these details.
Another unlikelihood—the fact that the sun is 400 times larger than the moon, and also 400 times further away from earth than the moon. This is what makes a total solar eclipse possible on planet earth.
“What are the chances of that happening for the planet that has life?” Parker asked. “I think it points to a Creator. I think it points to God giving us something very unique to show his might and his power.”
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Interview With Richard Lim (Part 2)
It’s the “age of the unprecedented!” That’s historian Richard Lim’s take. Back for Part 2, the host of “This American President” explains what factors truly make this presidential election so unique. He also offers insight on the importance of knowing our nation’s history, and why it’s so rare to find political leaders who are willing to do the right thing anymore. But Richard still has hope that America can produce leaders of integrity—if some things change. Find out what those things are in this quick, topical episode.
Tired of ‘Unprecedented?’
“We truly live in the age of the unprecedented,” Richard told Know Why, adding that there is so much unprecedented about our current politics that it’s “absurd.” However, we can still glean insight from looking at our nation’s history. Unfortunately, few Americans are well-versed in American history.
“History is to a country the way memory is to an individual,” Richard said. “Why would you experience things and learn lessons but then forget them? What’s the point of that?”
Hope
Richard believes studying the past can also give us hope for the future, because even though events and circumstances change, human nature stays the same across time. And in the past, there are examples of leaders emerging to do the right thing, even when it wasn’t popular—and sometimes even when it was costly. He gives examples of past presidents who made the right decision when it was tough.
He acknowledges that many Americans may feel frustration at our political leaders today, whom many deem corrupt. “Why did we have leaders that did [the right thing] back then and not have that now?” he said.
“The answer is because there was this belief that everybody was accountable to God. Whether you were a Christian or not, that was the basic belief in the country. And we don’t have that anymore. If you want better leaders, you need that moral check on every American citizen, because then it will lead to leaders doing good things.”
You can read more about one of America’s good leaders in Richard’s forthcoming book, Refusing a Crown. Learn more at his website below.
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Interview With Dr. George Barna
Rounding out Know Why’s Back to School series, Dr. George Barna joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss kids, parents, and worldview. While previous episodes in this series have focused on high school or college students, Dr. Barna addresses parents. Whether you have kids now or hope to someday, listen to find out why things like intentionality, consistency, and honesty are so critical in passing a biblical worldview on to the next generation. You’ll also hear why only 1% of American teens have a biblical worldview today, and why many kids are saying they don’t trust their parents.
More Resources:
Raising Spiritual Champions: Nurturing Your Child’s Heart, Mind, and Soul by Dr. George Barna
Interview With Jon Noyes (Part 2)
In Part 2 of his interview with Know Why, Jon Noyes addresses the problem of suicide among young people. Jon encourages listeners to break the stigma around discussing suicide, gives practical tips for recognizing signs of suicidal thoughts, and helps listeners know why recognizing our identity as image-bearers of God is essential to tackling suicide and renewing hope. Don’t miss this important installment of our “Back to School” series.
Confronting Lies With Truth
Jon noted us that suicide is the second leading cause of death for people between the ages of 10 and 34. As students return to high school this year, they’re likely to know someone who is struggling with their mental health or even having suicidal thoughts.
Jon told Know Why suicide is a growing problem because “people believe a lie, and the lie is that they’re better off dead than alive.”
To confront the lie, we need to speak truth, Jon said. The first step is ending the stigma surrounding discussions of suicide. That can include bringing the topic up to a friend we suspect is considering suicide, or reaching out others and being honest about our own mental health struggles.
Jon Noyes
“We’re devoid of hope in our culture.”
“When did it become ok not to express concern about other people?” Jon asked. “If we look at people and see them as God’s sees them, we should care enough to at least talk to them about their problems, or us talk to other people about our problems and be real with one another.”
Hope and Identity
Seeing people as God sees them is necessary for bringing hope to others, Jon told Know Why. It’s also essential for retaining hope ourselves. If we recognize that we are made in the image of God, we will know that our life has inherent value, and that we were designed for an eternal future with Jesus.
“Ultimately it all comes back to hope, and that hope is found in Christ, and we always need to be pointing people back to Christ, and reminding people daily who we are,” Jon told Know Why.
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Know About Creating: Interview With Nick Sungenis (Part 2)
In the last episode of our Know About Creating series, Liberty and Nick wrap up their conversation on music, philosophy, and life. Nick dives deeper into the philosophy of music, explaining how music can help us understand the nuance of life and sharpen our ability to reason through our actions. He also discusses the fascinating science behind the effect of music on living beings, and offers encouragement for people who want to pursue music as a career, or pick up an instrument for the first time!
Essentially Musical
Nick says that musicality is part of humans’ nature. “We are essentially predisposed and so ripe for becoming more musical because we have a fundamental level of musicality,” he told Know Why.
The more we play and understand music, the more we can understand about life, added. That’s because students of music learn that there is a right or wrong time to play certain notes, and that depending on the instrument, playing the correct note accurately requires a lot of nuance.
It’s the same with life. “There’s sometimes a lot of nuance to life and actions,” Nick said. “Reason will guide us to make the right selection, whatever it is.”
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