Listen Now

"What if our father's faith is misleading?" Murray Murdoch, recently retired professor of history from Cedarville University, comes to our microphone to share his story of encountering racist teachings at Bob Jones University, and the the crisis it created in his spiritual growth.Epistemology is the study of how we know what we know, and in the stories Murray shares, we get insight into the quest every thinking Christian must undertake alone: to build one's own world and life view by the examination of all the evidence available.

George Tabac of Chicago returns to the Bibdig microphone to discuss his take on Ezekiel 39 and Revelation 19 -- the "burning" of the weapons of war meant to destroy Israel, the "burying" of the slain, the destruction of "beast" and "harlot", and the "smoke" that will remain in those system's aftermath. Be prepared to have your assumptions stretched and your worldview rocked. Times of blessing are ahead, when even the bad guys learn from their mistakes.

Carm Luke turns 98 years young in June. She shares her faith -- undinted and undaunted after 80 years of realistic, fact-based devotion to God. Her key emotion? Gratitude. Her ever-present, "can't wait" hope? The kingdom of God upon earth. Carm's vision is uncompromising: life and equity for all people. It would not be enough to tell folks the troubles were good for them.  Evil -- actual evil -- was permitted.  Every problem of human history requires a splendid solution if we will all be satisfied that a loving God did the wise and loving thing -- for our good. The deepest tragedies will become the perfect introduction to unbounded joy. In this podcast, Carm shares her excitement that at long last, the darkness will soon come to an end.Another in a series of "the faith of our fathers and mothers."

The resurrection of all people ... and the blessing of all through two different parts of the seed of Abraham. That's the grand vision we discuss in this second interview of Richard and Shirley Evans of Portland, Oregon. Much of the discussion revolves around his book -- a life-long effort just published: Hear, O Israel (let not your heart faint).

Richard Evans was a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force when Owen first met him, and Owen had just filed for conscientious objector status. But they were both baptized the next day, as "Christian soldiers". This interview occurred 50 years later. Now, Richard and Shirley exemplify the "Faith of our Fathers and Mothers". The purpose God has in all his dealings with the human race? Richard describes it as "A Loving Creation."

In this final episode of the Truth-seeking series, we consider the weight of tradition on the search for truth. George Tabac of Chicago joins Owen in a discussion of his 1995 research paper, "The Three Anointings of David".  King David was anointed by the Prophet before he was king, then by his tribe's elders after Saul died and his reign began in Hebron;  then by the entire nation when he set up his throne in Jerusalem.  George shows how each of these anointings revealed the steps Jesus has been taking toward his destiny as King of Kings. Though Jesus' kingdom was "not of this kozmos" or order of things at his first advent, he rebuked Satan at the beginning of his ministry and defeated him on the cross. Psalm 2 describes the present time, as Jesus reigns among his brethren, the Christians who welcome him as king ... and it won't belong before the entire world anoints him as its monarch when his reign as Messiah is seen and recognized by all. The story of David's anointings also reveal the five giants Jesus must face -- Goliath before he becomes king, the Dragon, Beast, and Image of the Beast/False Prophet who deceive and exploit the world in the Book of Revelation, and finally Satan himself whose destruction is promised after the Millennium completes its work of educating and restoring Planet Earth and "ALL" the people who have ever lived .These insights into history and prophecy serve as the backdrop, really, of the final episode of the "Truth-Seeking" series, and the first installment of a new "Faith of our Fathers and Mothers" series. To be successful in truth-seeking, we need to take a grown-up approach (1 Corinthians 10:15) which considers tradition and learns from the past, but does not fail to discern the mistakes and sins of previous generations. George Tabac, a "father of faith" for Owen throughout the last 50 years, shares the wisdom and joy of his search and service for Truth.

Recorded on the eve of the pandemic, this episode features the improv humor stylings of Cassidy Russell, Zeke Blackwell and Vincent Migliore. From Adam and Eve to John the Baptist, these A-list comedians risk their reputations to explore the humor in the holy and profane.

If you think of the Passover as a Jewish thing or even for Christians only, listen to this episode of the Bibdig podcast. Matt Kerry shares dozens of scriptures which show that this little Sunday School story (or Chabad House lesson if you are Jewish) is rich with meaning, and brimming with fresh hope. Matt and Owen study what the Bible has to say about this most ancient of redemption stories. To the Jews, the Passover celebration is like Christmas, New Years, Thanksgiving and the 4th of July all rolled into one transformative celebration of the past and future!

The night before he died, Jesus chose to spend the evening with his closest friends. He broke bread with them, and gave them a special insight into what that unleavened bread meant to them and to the entire world of mankind. Like the bread that materialized in the night-time, Jesus provides nourishment. Like the matsos eaten by the apostles at the annual Passover celebration, the bread was broken. This symbolized that Jesus' body was shed on their behalf.In this podcast Todd Alexander shares his understanding of the last supper and its bittersweet qualities. What Jesus was thinking, and the important lessons of humility and service he wished to teach his disciples that night.This episode emphasizes the element of "communion" or common participation -- the special fellowship of the spirit which all true followers of Jesus share.

Up till now we have looked at the most basic analytical tools of truth-seeking: verifiable facts, observable actions, historical records, logical deductions,  In that world, journalists and scientists are on equal or firmer footing than Christians who have been taught to distrust those sources, while giving creedence to unreliable "faith-based" voices. The result in recent years has been, frankly, a disaster for many Christians. The world needs people who love God to grow up and fact actual facts.But Truth has many aspects -- so now we slide onto the thin ice where a lot of Christians are entirely too comfortable-- but where every authentic Christian feels some essential guidance. This is the area of the Grace of God -- specifically, the perception that the Man we have never seen is alive, and living in us. This ineffable, immaterial experience is the fault-line between two entirely opposite world-views. And it is a very important part of the confidence that is so maddening to the good skeptics of our time. Christians are confident that we are being heard, and our questions are being answered. We fully understand why honest skeptics take a cautionary approach in this area, and recognize the dangers we are facing: self-deception, wishful thinking, overconfidence bias, confirmation bias. All of the progress we've been trying to make toward a solid basis of fact can be completely upended by the false hope that comes from misplaced religious "certainty". "Faith" is often mere credulity, a bogus, foolish flight of fancy.Yet the Bible affirms a special promise: "The LORD advises those who fear him. He reveals to them the intent of his promise." [Psalm 25:14, God's Word Translation]In this Podcast we are exploring the notion that one very important reason why skeptics are correct to doubt most of what they hear from Christians is that most folks who have jumped on the Jesus bandwagon have not been paying close attention to what the Bible itself says. James T. Burson is one clear voice who is joining Owen in this episode to discuss the clarity of the Bible's promises of reconciliation for all (Colossians 2:10) ... in contrast to the popular Christian narrative which expects most people to be permanently outside of the grace of God.And so today's podcast is: The Grace of God -- destined to benefit all, but as yet only perceived and received by a few.

If the Bible is relevant to modern man, it MUST contain prophecy that withstands careful scrutiny. Until recent decades, most claims of that nature could not be verified because the precise dates of ancient events simply could not be known. In this episode with David Rice of San Diego, we examine prophecies in Daniel 9 and the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Revelation and the Psalms, among others. In this episode we will consider the astounding claim that the whole purpose of God is the restoration of the entire planet, and all its people, in a Messianic era about to begin.

The Bible is not afraid of skeptical analysis. In fact, it has welcomed and received more than its share of challenge for the last 150 years, and still enjoys its role as a participant in the march of human progress. The best work of skeptics --  exposing the pride of Christianity and falsehood anywhere -- is precisely what the Bible stands for.In this episode Jeff Hausmann discusses his upcoming book, "A Mirror Not So Dark" -- a look at the origins of the Bible and the internal prima facie evidence that shows integration, harmony and consistency of message across the centuries of the Bible's composition. This is the eighth in our series on "Truth-seeking".

Hal Holbrook has died at 95; Owen shares his Hal Holbrook story, defines skepticism in a positive way, and explores what Christians can learn from skeptics like Mark Twain, Abraham Lincoln, Jacob, Deborah, Tamar, Job and Paul.  He also quotes from the writings of contemporary skeptics like Michael Shermer and Marilyn Price-Mitchell. Why we should teach skepticism and critical thinking to our children, and why skepticism should give us the ability to have constructive dialog about the existence of God while, in Michael Shermer's words, "keeping our emotions in check."Examples of honest skepticism in action throughout the Bible. The study applies Deuteronomy 17 to today's world, and sees in the words of Abraham, Daniel and the Apostle John, a harmony between questions and faith. Closing with a reading of Mark Twain's War Prayer.

Humans are creatures of habit, and unless we make the acquisition and testing of new information a habit, we will get into a rut. That's the observation of Jeff Hausmann, who was decisively and firmly an Atheist -- for good reasons -- until he encountered information which he confronted, tested, and finally accepted as more persuasive. Then, Jeff tells the story of how he settled into a new normalcy of his chosen Christian belief, until he again began to question and test the assumptions he had embraced. Is it possible to be a life-long truth-seeker? Can you keep your old friends if you do? Will you make new friends if you keep challenging your own religious assumptions? These are some of the issues we discuss in episode 206 of the Bibdig podcast.

Pastor Carl Ruby found himself so angry and perplexed in the aftermath of the January 6 Capitol Riot that he could not write a sermon. He shares the process of sadness and reflection which brought him toward peace and the voice of conscience. Don't miss this exploration of the deep questions and vital principles that Christians as well as non-Christians are learning in the strange times in which we live. We explore the ethics of preaching Bible truths that are viewed as partisan -- and not appreciated by many Christians whose politics run counter to the Bible.

When millions disagree on the most basic questions of truth and falsehood, truth is no longer just an opinion, it's a moral imperative with life or death impact. This episode confronts fellow-Christians on their support of Donald Trump and examines both contemporary and ancient sources. What are the nine thinking errors that the State of Texas teaches young murderers how to overcome? Deceiving, downplaying, avoiding, blaming, making excuses, jumping to conclusions, acting helpless, overreacting, and feeling special.

What is God doing? Is this planet, this troubled world, the end of the story, or the beginning? As we continue our series on truth-seeking, we have looked at how science and facts produce a kind of faith. Now we see how the arts open insights into truth that are elusive when we confine ourselves to the written word of the Bible. The heart of God can often be more clearly seen in music than in the doctrinal teachings that seem to box so many sincere Christians into a notion of a dark and angry deity. We will get to the "proof texts" culture soon. In the meantime enjoy the music... After all, the angels sang of good tidings, great joy, for all people.What are God's intentions for the human race?  In music -- ancient, classical and contemporary -- we find a more positive and hopeful tone. That's what Tim Krupa and I discuss in this episode. Recorded at Cannon Beach, Oregon, with the sounds of the ocean in the background, I hope you enjoy our discussion of the transforming power of music in the lives of both Christians and everyone else.A postscript discusses three important parts of being a victorious Christian -- honesty, service, and love without hypocrisy. It is episode 203 (Season 2, Episode 3)

Truth seeking is a life and death matter in this era of official lies and deadly disinformation.  But Christians don't own truth-seeking and the faith it leads to. In this episode Owen interviews Hank Lentfer, a writer and philosopher who has written two books that we discuss in the podcast... Faith of Cranes and Raven's Witness -- the Alaska Life of Richard K. Nelson.Hank tells the story of his journeys as an advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the Arctic. He describes his personal realization that his bitterness toward humans for habitat destruction was going to rob him of the gratitude and joy he needed to share with his unborn child. He had nine months to find that joy and faith, and he found it in the wilderness of their home in Gustavus, Alaska. The Sandhill Crane is a major part of the story. Every spring and fall they fly over his land, and their 60 million years of unchanging consistency speak volumes of the reliability of the Universe. Even without confidence in a written revelation, faith in the principles of goodness is possible. In a letter Hank writes to his daughter before she is born, he says "A prayer for gratitude. Gratitude is the pool in which all good things gather. It is the combined state of acceptance and humility, awareness and faith, joy and sorrow, compassion and caring. It resonates through an open heart like a finely tuned guitar."

Season two of Bibdig packs a sharpened focus, purposeful topic selection, and expanded guest list. The "big theme" of this season is "Christianity for Grownups".  In this episode Owen Kindig shares the story of his best friend's battle with cancer over fifty years ago, and the impact Owen still feels today. The experience led to a quest for truth, and Owen is not bashful about examining the importance of facts -- objective reality -- to find our way around the Universe, regardless of our religious beliefs. Join us for a primer on realistic, mature thinking, and an inspiring launch of a podcast series that promises to be truly thought-provoking.

The shore of the Columbia River on an unseasonably warm February day was the perfect place to open up about how God led four very different friends. Dan was a wandering spirit and an over-achiever. Janet was a self-confident woman who became discouraged with her own relational choices. Claudia was overwhelmed with self-doubt and only gradually adjusted her thinking, while Brent was a confident, happy-go-lucky Canadian who found himself confronted with an entirely new way of looking at the world. Two came to Jesus early in life, two much later. Two were raised in Christian homes, but only one pursued her childhood training throughout life. What did God do, and how did God lead them? Where are they headed now, and what is their vision for the future of the human race? This is the big-picture yet transparent, intimate portrait of four people who love God and feel loved by God today.