Safe. That definition may change from person to person, but there’s no denying that today’s generation seeks to feel and promote physical and emotional safety. Our world is anything but safe. How do we cope with this?
Dr. Tanita Maddox is a Gen Z expert and veteran Young Life leader. In this conversation, she shares why this is an important question, how we can align our definition of safety to God’s, and how we can access peace even when it feels like the world is going up in flames. She also offers loving encouragement that every Gen Zer needs to hear.
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.
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.
Returning Know Why guest Dr. Brad East joins the podcast to discuss his new book, Letters to a Future Saint: Foundations of Faith for the Spiritually Hungry, a resource for young adults, college students, and parents of young adults. Dr. East argues that young adults are hungry for a faith “worth staking your life on.” He also says many seek straight, clear answers on matters of importance. If you’re a college student seeking to strengthen or better understand your faith in this season, don’t miss this installment of our Back to School series!
A Needed Resource
As a professor at Abilene Christian University, Dr. East spends plenty of time with young adults. Despite the many issues facing young adults, he says that one thing about the generation sticks out to him: “The thing that I experience the most with this population is a deep and utterly sincere hunger for what is worth staking your life on.”
But even among young adults who attend a Christian university and were raised in a Christian home, many do not actually know what it means to be a Christian. Dr. East says his forthcoming book, Letters to a Future Saint, is for them.
Why the Gap?
Why the gap in understanding? Dr. East thinks there are a few reasons. One is churches’ underestimation of how deep young adults really want to go with their faith. He says many churches have adopted a “concert and a Ted Talk model.”
“A concert, no matter how good, and a Ted Talk, no matter how good, are just not enough,” he told Know Why. “They’re not going to do the job we need to catechize and raise up committed, adult Christians.”
But he also identifies technology as a reason young Christians are unfamiliar with their own faith. The rapid advances in technology, the impacts of which are still being studies, have led to a young population that is less literate than previous generations.
Give it to me Straight
Dr. East said he gets lots of questions about a variety of issues from his students. But a common theme underscores the questions: “Would you please give me clear and succinct answer? Because no-one seems to be able or willing to do that for me?”
His book, Letters to a Future Saint, sets out to provide those answers, and equip others to give them as well.
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.
“We’re devoid of hope in our culture.”
Jon Noyes
“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.
Ross Boone (artist name Raw Spoon) is an author, illustrator, mechanical engineer, and theologian. He’s also had his share of doubts about faith and the Bible. Using those struggles as his creative engine, today Ross encourages others through artwork and stories. In Part 1 of his interview with Know Why Podcast, Ross shares how he uses digital tools including AI to create art that enhances biblical understanding. He also discusses how his app Creature Habits aims to reorient our distractions toward positive purposes. Listen and check out more of Ross’s creative resources below.
Doubt, Faith, and People
Ross told Know Why that he used to struggle with guilt over doubts and questions he had regarding Christian faith. He turned to creativity to process those doubts and questions, and now helps others wading through the same questions through his art.
Overtime, Ross realized that doubt is an important part of one’s journey with faith. “If you weren’t ever left in longing or left with questions, you wouldn’t have to dig deeper,” he said. He’s found that seeming dissonances within Scripture actually point to the complexity and nuance of humanity—much like art.
“If you weren’t ever left in longing or left with questions, you wouldn’t have to dig deeper.”
Ross boone
He believes Christian art needs to do a better job of portraying this reality. “Art has alerted me to the fact that we are complex, because I recognize when stories and portrayals of humans are done poorly.”
AI and Art
Ross believes that digital tools, including AI, have the power to bring depth and complexity to our understanding of biblical principles. He uses AI to generate art that accompanies Bible passages available in his app, Creature Habits. He hopes the art will help users visualize and understand biblical morals in fresh ways.
He notes that AI isn’t replacing the creative process for him as an artist. Rather, AI is a tool he is using for the benefit of the viewer in a specific context.
“Every new, modern technology is a tool for us to do what we want to do better,” he told Know Why. “We just have to be careful we don’t become a slave to these tools.”
Bestselling author and illustrator John Hendrix joins the Know Why Podcast to talk about the intersection of art and faith. A critically acclaimed artist and lifelong Christian, John shares why beauty has inherent value, argues why Christians should support artists, and explains why pursuing art as a profession matters in today’s world. A professor of art at Washington University in St. Louis, John offers advice and encouragement to aspiring artists. We also discuss some of John’s published (and forthcoming) graphic novels, so don’t miss this episode!
Art and Faith
John told Know Why he has been a Christian and an artist for as long as he can remember. As a child, he was often artistically inspired by the beauty in his home church. He sees art and creation as intrinsic expressions of his belief system.
“You cannot decouple creativity from expression of Christian faith,” he said, noting that “everyone is a creator,” even if they don’t consider themselves artists.
“We are made in the image of a Maker, and that is why we love making stuff.”
John Hendrix
John also shared how throughout his life, he’s wrestled with seasons of doubt regarding Christianity. “I think if you do not have doubts in your faith, you’re probably not really wrestling with it,” he told Know Why. “The doubts are a sign that it means something to you.”
The Value of Beauty
Christians can sometimes have a complicated relationship with the arts, and Johns sees a few reasons for this. For instance, Christians are often focused on practical ways to advance the gospel, and focusing on art can feel like an “indulgence.”
John understands the concern, but thinks the focus on practicality is misguided. “The sunset is not doing a particular work in spreading the gospel, unless you believe that beauty is fundamentally connected to some of God’s intrinsic values, which—news flash—it is,” he said. “So supporting the arts, in some ways, means succumbing to a mystery.”
He believes that churches should welcome artists and even implement programs to support them.
Encouragement for Aspiring Artists
The decision to pursue art professionally can result in both judgment and concern regarding everything from finances to the legitimacy of the pursuit. John encourages young artists, insisting that devoting one’s life to art is not selfish, but sacrificial—and meaningful for the world.
“Artists do not have the same earning power in general as Wall Street brokers, and that’s ok,” he said. “The goal of life on this planet is not to maximize your earning potential.” He says following one’s calling and living rightly are what matter most.
“The calling into the arts is a very broad one and it is totally worthy of your life.”
John Hendrix
Regarding illustration specifically, John says that “there is no better time to be an illustrator than right now.” There are so many devices and books that need illustration today, he continues, and illustration brings “clarity.”
“What does God value in the world?” John asked. “He values clarity. Clarity is a value. And it’s a value that is very difficult to do and to bring to the world.”
Lauren McAfee and her husband, Michael, know firsthand what it’s like to face back-to-back tragedies and unforeseen trauma. How can we handle the anxiety and grief that results from life spinning out of control? Jesus’ teachings and life offer helpful examples, which Lauren and Michael write about in their book Beyond Our Control: Let Go of Unmet Expectations, Overcome Anxiety, and Discover Intimacy With God. Lauren, an author, founder of Stand for Life, and Ministry Director at Hobby Lobby, joins the Know Why Podcast to share their story.
Control and Anxiety
Rates of anxiety are increasing in our society. Lauren believes part of that is due to the growing illusion of control we have over our lives, from being able to buy what we want and have it delivered within days or even hours, to being able to contact people across the world within seconds.
“We’re not having to control all things, we’re not having to fix everything. That’s not our responsibility. Our responsibility is to trust in God.”
Lauren McAfee
“All of these things that make us have this facade that we have so much control over our lives are actually making us more anxious,” she told Know Why. “Deep down we know we actually don’t have as much control as we wish we had over the things that really matter in life.”
According to Dr. John Townsend, author, psychologist, and friend of Lauren, “the negative emotion most closely associated with the lack of control is anxiety,” she told Know Why.
How do we survive the anxiety and even grief that comes when our tragic things happen beyond our control?
Let Go and Lament
Lauren and Michael have had to find the answer to this due to events in their own marriage and parenting journey, from obstacles having children, to facing a child’s cancer diagnosis, and heartbreak amidst adoption. They found peace and direction in the words and examples of Jesus.
“Go to the Lord, and the practice of drawing near to Him allows us to more fully feel his presence, and his presence is what fully brings peace,” Lauren said. She said that Jesus’ promise that his “burden is light” is true, even if it sounds impossible. “Even in the midst of hard things we can have a lighter burden because we’re not carrying it on our own.”
“We have to create the space for lament.”
Lauren Mcafee
Leaning on Jesus doesn’t mean always feeling positive, however. In fact, Lauren says that Jesus set an example of lament, and that lamenting is an important part of anyone’s healing journey.
“God created us with emotions,” she told Know Why. “We honor the Lord whenever we acknowledge however we are feeling about things.”
Brant Hansen is back! The radio personality and author discusses research from an atheist that points to the genius of Jesus’ teachings on anger, forgiveness, and anxiety. Listen and learn why Brant says Jesus is the “smartest man who ever lived.”
Refuse to be Scandalized
Letting go of offense, anger, and anxiety can lead to more opportunities for friendship and even evangelism, Brant said, sharing more stories from his family’s own experiences.
“People are suddenly drawn to you when you’re the one who’s the least judgmental person on the block,” he told Know Why. That doesn’t mean you must abandon your values or morals, Brant explained. But you can refuse to be scandalized by others’ sin, and enjoy a less stressful life as a result.
“Everything we discover about this subject just points again to the genius of Jesus.”
Brant Hansen
Jesus himself refused to be scandalized by others’ behavior, Brant notes. In fact, some have even used the word “relaxed” to describe Jesus.
Don’t Live in Fight or Flight Mode
Scientific research has reinforced the wisdom of Jesus’ teachings. For instance, both animals and humans were created with fight or flight responses, but those responses are supposed to be fleeting, helping us survive and escape threats. Existing in fight or flight mode long-term is bad for our health, research shows. But when we allow ourselves to stay angry and anxious, that’s what we’re doing.
“He knows how we’re made, how we flourish, and how we thrive,” Brant told Know Why. “Everything we discover about this subject just points again to the genius of Jesus.”
Talking about anger has never been more fun! Radio personality and author Brant Hansen joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss his book Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better. In Part 1 of his interview, Brant explains Jesus’ teachings on anger and forgiveness, sharing personal testimonies revealing that “the way to freedom is the way of Jesus.”
The Way of Jesus
In Unoffendable, Brant makes an argument many find startling: we are not entitled to hold on to anger. But many of us have been taught that “righteous anger” is justified, and that anger can even be helpful in getting things done.
Brant points to Jesus’ teachings to show this is the wrong way to think about anger. “We are never entitled to harbor anger because we have to do something that Jesus is very big on—it’s called forgiveness,” he told Know Why.
“The way to freedom is the way of Jesus.”
Brant Hansen
That doesn’t mean that we have to ignore injustice, though. Brant says we should be motivated to help others and correct the wrongs in our world because it’s the right thing to do—not because we’re angry.
“I can do the right thing and do it better without anger,” Brant said. As an example, he tells the story of how he once confronted his mayor about a criminal act against his wife that had been ignored by city officials. Approaching the problem with resolution but without anger, he got his result.
Listen to the episode for the full story, and don’t miss Part 2 next week!
