I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST

What's next for Iran and is this current war a sign of the end times? For nearly five decades, millions of Iranians have lived under the harsh realities of militant Sharia law, while many in the West still misunderstand or even enable the system behind it. In this follow-up episode, historian Bill Federer returns to unpack how the 1979 Iranian revolution transformed Persia and why the consequences still ripple across the Middle East and beyond. Tune in as Frank and Bill tackle questions like:

What laws were immediately imposed when the Ayatollah seized power in 1979?
What president gave the Ayatollah the green light to take over?
What lies did this Ayatollah tell America in order to take power?
Who did he execute immediately when he took power?
What's the difference between Iran and Iraq?
What is a fatwa, and how can it function as a tool of political and religious execution?
Why do many Middle Eastern leaders privately oppose Iran while publicly aligning with it?
How did U.S. foreign policy decisions help shape the rise of militant Islamist movements?
Why is the centuries-old Shia–Sunni divide still the key to understanding Middle Eastern conflict?
What is “Twelver” Islam theology and why does it make Iran uniquely dangerous on the global stage?
Is a democratic Iran even possible, and what would it take for regime change to occur?
How and when did Israel become its own nation?
What role does Israel play in the future balance of power in the Middle East?
What does Bill think is coming next for Iran and who is he praying will take over?
What does the Bible say about the land we now know as Iran?
Is this war a sign of the end times?

Pray for our leaders, and pray that the people of Iran are safe, but their evil government is dealt with justly. If you missed Part 1, be sure to go back and hear how Persia’s ancient past set the stage for today’s crisis. And for more information on this topic, be sure to check out Bill’s book, 'What Every American Needs to Know About the Quran'!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
What No One Ever Told You About the History of Iran with Bill Federer (Part 1) - https://youtu.be/TshWSxBEBNE
The American Minute - https://americanminute.com/
What Every American Needs to Know About the Quran - https://bit.ly/4baFLJE

After 47 years, is a regime change in Iran finally on the horizon? Or are we about to repeat history yet again? As tensions rise and the U.S. and Israel work to counter the Ayatollah’s nuclear ambitions, many Americans know the danger but not the backstory.
In this episode, Frank sits down with historian Bill Federer to explain the "why" behind the war, trace Iran’s journey from ancient Persia to the Islamic Revolution, and uncover the historical forces that shaped today’s Middle East. Tune in as they answer questions like:

What happened when Frank traveled to Tehran in 2006?
What is the ancient history of Iran (previously known as Persia)?
What's the difference between Shia and Sunni Islam?
What was the Islamic "Golden Age" and who brought it to an end?
How did the collapse of the Ottoman Empire lead to radicalism?
What is the chilling origin story of the word "assassin"?
How does the Sunni-Shia divide continue to fuel the fires of modern Middle Eastern conflict?
What was the real catalyst behind the fall of the Persian Shah and the rise of the current Ayatollah regime?
What was Winston Churchill's "hiccup"?
What is the Muslim Brotherhood and what role did they play in the history of Iran?

Frank and Bill cover thousands of years of history in less than an hour, but this is only the beginning! Be sure to tune in next week as they continue their discussion on how the Ayatollah took power over Iran in 1979 and what may lie ahead.

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
The American Minute - https://americanminute.com/
What Every American Needs to Know About the Quran by Bill Federer - https://bit.ly/4baFLJE

What are the most common questions Frank answers during his college visits and how do we distinguish between a legitimate theological mystery and a true logical contradiction when discussing God's omnipotence, foreknowledge, and moral responsibility with skeptics?
In this midweek Q&A episode, Frank tackles the problem of evil and the deeper questions it raises about God’s goodness, justice, and mercy. Find out how free will, moral responsibility, and redemption fit into a MUCH bigger story that explains suffering while offering real hope in the midst of experiencing great pain. Frank will answer questions like:

What is classical Christian theology and how does it address the problem of evil?
What are the four major categories of Christian apologetics?
Where can you easily find answers to skeptics most commonly asked questions about Christianity?
Does God care more about our comfort or our character?
What are four major problems with macroevolution?
If God is good and all-powerful, why doesn’t He stop evil?
What does Frank say that redemption is more powerful than innocence?
When it comes to God's omnipotence, is appealing to “mystery” a copout or is there a clear difference between a logical contradiction and a limitation in human understanding?
What are two powerful examples from Frank's personal life where good emerged from a tragic event?

Later in the program, Frank also reacts to President Trump's State of the Union address and what it reveals about the political divide in our country, including the dangers of blind loyalty. Do you have a question for Frank? Send it to [email protected]!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
Download the CE App! - https://crossexamined.org/app/
Stealing from God - https://bit.ly/41hLt91
How Does God Use Suffering for Our Good? - https://a.co/d/0emTpsAm
Armstrong William's Facebook Post - https://bit.ly/4skALc7

What does a ministry-minded Christian couple do when they experience five miscarriages, numerous disappointments, doubts, unanswered prayer, and incurable cancer? They PRAISE GOD and write a comforting and brilliant new book, 'How Does God Use Suffering for Our Good?', that will help thousands of others who are experiencing pain and suffering.

This week, Frank sits down with Dr. Clay Jones and his wife of 50 years, Jean E., to explore the hard realities of suffering and the even harder truth that God can use the most devastating events in our lives for good--both now and in eternity. Clay and Jean E. share lessons from their own lives and the Scriptures while answering questions like:

If evil and suffering are happening to you is it all your fault? Do you just need more faith?
What was Clay’s first major life crisis and how did it shape his worldview?
How did Clay process learning he had incurable bone cancer and how is he feeling now?
How are some Christians misrepresenting the Gospel?
How did five miscarriages change Jean E.'s perspective and what good came from it?
How does suffering lead to glory and what does it REALLY mean to give glory to God?
What is God’s "Plan A” for your life?
How did keeping truth journals help Jean E. stay anchored in Christ during hard times?
What does it mean that Christians will ultimately reign with Christ?
What is the Jones' best advice for those experiencing pain and suffering?

One thing is certain in this life: We will all experience hardship and pain. If you’ve ever asked, “Why me?” this episode is just for you. This is as real as it gets, folks. Read, listen, and be encouraged!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
How Does God Use Suffering for Our Good? (book) - https://a.co/d/0emTpsAm
Why Does God Allow Evil? (self-paced online course) - https://bit.ly/4gYjT5v
Why Does God Allow Evil? (book) - https://www.amazon.com/dp/0736970444
What Is the Unpardonable Sin? from the Christian Research Journal - https://bit.ly/4cOm3FR
The Lord Made Orgasms Possible - https://bit.ly/4cj2HIO
Clay’s website - https://clayjones.net/
Jean E's website - https://www.jeanejones.net/

Does the Quran actually support Zionism? If not, why does it say that the land we know as Israel was given to Israel by God? In this midweek episode, Frank welcomes back Ridvan Ademir, a.k.a Apostate Prophet, to continue their eye-opening conversation about the Hamas–Israel conflict. Together, they peel back the political headlines and examine the theological and historical roots driving the crisis in Gaza. Together, they tackle questions like:

Where do we see Israel mentioned in the Quran and what does it say?
Why isn’t “Palestine” mentioned in the Quran?
How and when did Palestine's national identity emerge?
Why does the Quran say the Holy Land belongs to the Jews? Is Allah a Zionist?
What started the 1948 Israel-Arab War?
Why do Palestinians have multi-generational refugee status?
What are Hamas’ stated goals and why doesn't the West take their charter seriously?
What roles did Presidents Winston Churchill and Bill Clinton play in the conflict?
Why did Yasser Arafat reject the 1993 land deal and launch an intifada?
Why have repeated peace negotiations failed and is a two-state solution even possible?
What is the irony behind leftist groups who support a pro-Palestine narrative?

You'll learn how Islamic history shapes modern geopolitics and why Christians must think clearly about what’s unfolding in the Middle East. If you want more context beyond the headlines, be sure to listen in and check out Frank and AP’s previous conversations in the resources below. Understanding the proper history behind this conflict matters now more than ever!

If you enjoyed this podcast episode PLEASE HELP US SPREAD THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY BY SUPPORTING OUR MINISTRY USING THE LINK BELOW. 100% of your donation goes to ministry, 0% to buildings!

Resources mentioned during the episode:
Donate to CrossExamined - https://donor.crossexamined.org/
Why I Left Islam and Became a Christian (Part 1) - https://youtu.be/eQNX6AuzEDo
Why I Left Islam and Became a Christian (Part 2) - https://youtu.be/bv4SC3KDxwE
What No One Ever Told You About the Hamas-Israel Conflict - https://youtu.be/7JtqqsvntQA
Were Jews In Israel Before 1948? - https://youtu.be/IZq1JeR1onA
The Truth About Hamas in Their Own Words - https://youtu.be/VqFL1Hj_4pg
Apologetics Roadshow with David Wood - https://youtube.com/@apologeticsroadshow
The Hamas Charter 1988 - https://avalon.law.yale.edu/21st_century/hamas.asp
AP's YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@ApostateProphet