Shows
crosswiseEp. 53 | "What Is A Woman?" Let Us Share That, And More...Some women are tall; some are short. Some have blue eyes, and some brown. Some women excel at art and music while others make medical breakthroughs that save lives and change the world. But, none of this defines a woman. A woman isn't even defined by long hair, or pronounced hips. A woman is a life-giver and a life-sustainer. Not just anyone can be a woman, or do the things a woman can do - only a woman can.In this episode, that covers womanhood from all angles, Ciara and Jessi explore the controversy that has erupted...2022-04-191h 21crosswiseEp. 52 | The Meltdown Over Modesty: Why Women Need to Cover UpA Christian pastor set off a firestorm last week when he suggested believing women had no good reason to post immodest photos on the internet. It's no surprise the secular world went into a tailspin over such a thought, but to see Christian women link arms with the God-reviling culture was not as expected - or appropriate.In this episode - the season 3 finale - Ciara and Jessi explain why they planned to take on this topic even before "Dear Brian" became a trending topic on Twitter, where clothing came from, who designed it, for what purpose...2022-02-151h 10crosswiseEp. 51 | Creation and Evolution with Guest Ben BridgesAt the request of a young listener looking for information to refute the claims of a high school science teacher, Ciara and Jessi explore the truth behind dominate theories including evolution and the Big Bang with special guest, and creation enthusiast, Ben Bridges.Ben answers questions from how science and the Bible aren't incompatible, but work together to inform our understanding of life, how advancing science actually disproves long-standing theories about how life and the universe began, why the idea that the Earth is billions of years old should be rejected by Christians, and so many more.2022-02-081h 21crosswiseEp. 50 | Beauty and the Beastly: Why the Culture Has Replaced the Gorgeous with the GhastlyBeauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well, not really. That may sound like a nice thing to say, and it may even be an attempt to remain neutral or inoffensive when someone mislabels something objectively ugly as beautiful. But what ends up happening is an ushering in of the truly offensive because the world has defined the act of discriminating what is true, beautiful, and good as being hateful.Despite what the world says, we can know what is objectively beautiful, and what isn't, because the God who made all of creation is beauty Himself...2022-02-0152 mincrosswiseEp. 49 | Preferring Pets Over People: Popular, Yet PerverseIf your dog and a perfect stranger were drowning in a lake, side by side, who would you try to save? Would it surprise you to learn that nearly 2/3 of American adults would choose their dog? This disregard for our fellow man, in favor of animals is permeating society to a degree that many married couples are choosing to have pets instead of having children, and many animal species have greater legal protections than unborn babies. As Christians, we ought to be aware of how our attitudes about animals and their relative value to human beings can...2022-01-2552 mincrosswiseEp. 48 | Cringey Christian CatchphrasesYou know those times when you're really struggling and could use some solid encouragement, but then, someone tries to sum up God's provision like its a bumper sticker? Yeah. Cringe, right? The problem here is that these catchy little phrases take hold because rarely do we stop and consider what they mean, if they hold up against scripture, and what the implications are when saying this stuff?Well, in this episode Ciara and Jessi take on all the cringe - well, not all of it, but some of it - and look at three common phrases you...2022-01-1850 mincrosswiseEp. 47 | Hunting For Hope In The Heavens: Seeking Alien LifeThey are the stuff of sci-fi horror films and mystery documentaries - extraterrestrial life, just waiting to be discovered. Some have speculated we’ve already made contact, while others theorize they could be the source of our own existence. But what should the Christian believe about life beyond our planet?Ciara and Jessi take a trip into the cosmos to explore the possibility that life exists into the reaches of our universe, using scripture as the guide. Is it always a battle between science and faith, or is it possible they aren’t as mutually exclusive as they...2022-01-1134 mincrosswiseEp. 46 | Biblical Boycott or Costly Cancel CultureIt seems there are a million reasons Christians could find to boycott any number of businesses. But which reasons actually qualify as valid? Which reasons should compel us to take our business elsewhere or even encourage others to do so? And if we have valid reasons for boycotting the ungodly actions of others, doesn't that make us no better than the woke mob which has sparked the controversial "cancel culture" that has destroyed countless lives and businesses?Ciara and Jessi kick off the new year by examining these questions, considering them against scripture, and sharing their own...2022-01-0453 mincrosswiseEp. 45 | Rewind: The False Teachings of Steven FurtickDuring the holiday break, Ciara and Jessi decided to revisit their most popular episode yet - a look into the false gospel promoted and taught by celebrity pastor Steven Furtick. His popularity is growing, which increases the need for discernment and biblical literacy so that well-meaning Christians can avoid the wolves in sheep's clothing. Enjoy this flashback episode as we head into a new year!2021-12-281h 07crosswiseEp. 44 | He Sees You When You're Sleeping? No, Thanks!Ciara and Jessi get together for a quick hello before re-releasing the second episode of crosswise, where we give all the reasons Christians should take a hard pass on Santa Claus and his little helper, the Elf on the Shelf.Enjoy this early episode, and our tales of getting ready for Christmas this year (oh, and a little surprise for one loyal listener).2021-12-2152 mincrosswiseEp. 43 | We Absolutely Do Not Criticize Abortion In This EpisodeAfter doing an entire show on the evils of abortion and the flawed logic and bad science used to defend the practice last week, Ciara and Jessi noticed an interesting trend. Despite all the interest and timeliness of the topic, the show got suspiciously little traction and all their related social media posts had a noticeably reduced reach.So, this week, they decided not to talk about abortion. Not even a little. Not one word. Nope. Not at all.P.S. Dr. Fauci should be given sainthood and Joe Biden has no diminished mental capacities...2021-12-1447 mincrosswiseEp. 42 | Brushing Up On Beating Down Pro-Abortion DistortionsIn light of the biggest abortion case to be heard by the Supreme Court in years, and all of the really illogical, anti-scientific, and outright immoral arguments defending the practice that have been circulating social media in recent days, Ciara and Jessi decided to spend this episode breaking down some of the most common arguments made by abortion advocates. From "my body, my choice," to "personally pro-life," this conversation tackles them all. The aim is to arm listeners with the science, medicine, biology, and of course scripture that all make the truth of the pro-life position irrefutable.2021-12-071h 17crosswiseEp. 41 | Bloopers, Outtakes, And Behind the ScenesThis week, Ciara and Jessi took a break to spend Thanksgiving with family, but still lined up a fun episode featuring a few of their favorite mistakes and bloopers from past episodes.We hope you enjoy these funny moments as much as we did.2021-11-3027 mincrosswiseEp. 40 | "Let's Go, Brandon"A chant of frustration, turned otherwise meaningless euphemism, turned cultural phenomenon, "let's go, Brandon" has become the slogan of choice for millions who are wishing to express displeasure with President Biden, and mock the mainstream media for their complacency in distorting the reality which the rest of the world can plainly see.Prominent Christians have been seen wearing shirts and hats with the slogan, members of Congress have used it on social media and inside the nation's capitol, and self-proclaimed Christian musicians have produced chart-topping songs using the phrase as a means of avoiding the overtly vulgar...2021-11-2353 mincrosswiseEp. 39 | Raising Girls"Who run the world?" Girls. But then why do we keep telling them it's so hard for them to make it in a man's world? Why is the rate of young girls "transitioning" and rejecting biological realities about themselves at an historic high? Why do girls always want to be "one of the boys"? All of these messages, not to mention the sexual pressure put on young women to embrace promiscuity because "men get to," are destroying young women and girls and progressivism is to blame.Sadly, there is nothing progressive about disregarding the uniqueness...2021-11-161h 02crosswiseEp. 38 | Raising BoysIs it really true that "boys will be boys"? And if it is, shouldn't we put a stop to that? Isn’t all that unbridled "toxic masculinity" bad for the world? Maybe what our boys need is to be more like girls.Or maybe, God made boys to be rough, physical, and rambunctious for good reason. Maybe we ought to be embracing the amazing attributes of our sons, appreciating them for how they're made, and encouraging God-fearing men to father our boys, raising them to harness their energy for good. That's the argument Ciara and Je...2021-11-091h 07crosswiseEp. 37 | The Walking Dead: Not Another Debate About HalloweenIt's not just another way to celebrate Halloween, and it isn't just a day to remember those who have died. Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead - is a tradition of reuniting with loved ones and building altars in their honor. The practices should concern professing Christians and Ciara and Jessi and here to break down all the reasons why in the season 3 premier of crosswise.Not all cultures are equal, and in a time when we aren't supposed to say that, it's even more important to say. Strap in for...2021-11-0256 mincrosswiseEp. 36 | Asked and AnsweredIn the final episode of the season, Ciara and Jessi answer listener questions regarding salvation, the second commandment, baptism and more. Be sure to check out this conversation as Season 2 comes to a close.Show Notes:Episode 16: Inadvertent Idolatry Part I https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8193123-ep-16-inadvertent-idolatry-part-1Banner of Truth: The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-childrens-books/the-childs-story-bible/Reformation Heritage Books https://www.heritagebooks.org/Search.html#/Search.html?search=children+bibleCharles Spurgeon: The Holy Spirit's Intercession (Transcript) https://www.spurgeon...2021-09-141h 12crosswiseEp. 35 | Falling Out Of Love With The World"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works... encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)Ciara and Jessi talk sanctification, worldly desires, sinful passions of the heart, temptations of envy and sloth, and how by the power of the Holy Spirt, they are working to put those things away and live a life that seeks to glorify God and live for him.Christians are still sinners while in this world, but because of faith in Jesus, and by the...2021-09-071h 12crosswiseEp. 34 | The Enneagram And Christianity: Complementary or Incompatible?People seem to have this perpetual need to find a way to tell others who they are through the use of personality labels. Almost like there needs to be this universally understood and accepted language that when when spoken, it tells others all they need to know - and all we need to know - about who we are and what makes us tick.For decades it has been astrological signs. "What's your sign?"Then it became the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. "What's your type?"And now, growing in popularity and influence, it's the Enneagram. "What's...2021-08-311h 04crosswiseEp. 33 | Sola FeelzWe all know the feeling of feeling all the feels. You know, that feeling when something doesn't feel quite right. Those feelings have a place and purpose, but does that place and purpose involve how respond to the gospel?Well, the doctrine of Sola Feelz, adopted by the modern church of the perpetually offended, says, "if it doesn't feel right, it's not right." But Sola Scriptura (and all the other Solas for that matter), say something else entirely.In this episode, Ciara and Jessi explore how to manage our feelings when responding to the gospel...2021-08-241h 04crosswiseEp. 32 | Faith Over FOMONow, like no other time in history, Christians are faced with deciding whether to follow their conscience or follow the trends. Between viral YouTube videos and "must-see TV," social media influencers and binge-worthy movie series, our screens have growing control over how we spend our time. But, both the content found on these platforms, and the amount of time spent consuming media should give believers pause. Is it appropriate for us to intentionally witness sinful behavior? Is it possible for us to come to a consensus on what kind of media should be avoided by professing Christians? Ho...2021-08-171h 12crosswiseEp. 31 | Garden of Deception: Examining the Growth of Bad Theology on Social Media with Dr. Jen RussumYou've heard the phrase, "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions." This idea proves truer now that we consume so much information on social media, and from influencers who claim to have nothing but good intentions and positive motivations behind the theology they promote. But, as Dr. Jen Russum explains in this episode, those intentions, more often than not, are leading Christians - especially Christian women - down a road that sounds less and less like they are able to defend a Biblical worldview and instead have bought into the same lies that fooled Eve...2021-08-101h 15crosswiseEp. 30 | Counterfeit Christianity Series, Part 5 | The Gospel According To Progressive ChristianityThe Bible has plenty of warnings about false teachers and how to identify them. Because of its rejection of Scripture, the essence of God, the divinity of Jesus, and so much more, Progressive Christianity can fairly be called a counterfeit version of true Christianity.But, with all it rejects about the good news of Jesus Christ, what does the movement teach is the gospel? That question, and so many more, are answered in this episode, as Ciara and Jessi wrap up their look at a theology that puts man and his feelings at the center of his...2021-08-031h 21crosswiseEp. 29 | Counterfeit Christianity Series, Part 4 | Introduction to Progressive ChristianityIn this episode, Ciara and Jessi breakdown the history, the redefinition of biblical terms, and the denials of scripture that all make up the growing ideology of Progressive Christianity. As Postmodern thought was beginning to take hold in American culture, a concern started rising within Evangelical churches that the message of the bible was being lost. In response, self-proclaimed Christians began "deconstructing" their faith and have since arrived at a new religion that looks and sounds nothing like Biblical Christianity.In this first part, of a two part look at Progressive Christianity, you'll hear a...2021-07-271h 36crosswiseEp. 28 | Counterfeit Christianity Series, Part 3 | CatholicismIs it possible that the largest religious organization in the world is teaching doctrines that are diametrically opposed to the doctrines found in the religious text it teaches from? Is it possible that more than 1.1 billion people have been deceived into believing something about Jesus Christ, and themselves, that could actually call their salvation into question despite the fact that they hold many historically Christians beliefs? Ciara and Jessi argue yes - not only is it possible, but that is in fact what has happened as a result of the false gospel preached by the Roman Catholic...2021-07-201h 28crosswiseEp. 27 | Counterfeit Christianity Series, Part 2 | Jehovah's WitnessesCiara and Jessi continue their look into other religious teaching that claim to be Christian in nature but are really promoting a false gospel based on a false understanding of Jesus and the saving grace of God.For this episode, the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witness Church are examined against the Bible. Is it possible for Jesus to be the archangel Michael? Did Jesus rise from the dead in a spiritual way, leaving his body behind? What does salvation look like according to the Jehovah's Witness and does scripture affirm that teaching? Is it really fair to...2021-07-131h 44crosswiseEp. 26 | Counterfeit Christianity Series, Part 1 | MormonismThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - They believe in Jesus and that he died on a cross. They even named their church after him, so they must be just another denomination of Protestant Christianity, right? Unfortunately, no, because the Jesus they teach about, the God they worship, and the salvation they believe in is completely antithetical to everything we read about these things in Scripture. Ciara and Jessi kick off a new series, Counterfeit Christianity, which exposes the false gospels and the dangerous teachings of some of the biggest churches in the world today...2021-07-061h 31crosswiseEp. 25 | The False Teachings of Steven FurtickOne of the most frequent warnings we get throughout the books of the New Testament is about false teachers. In fact, Paul included warnings to be on the look out for "wolves" within the church body in almost all of his letters to churches and church leaders in the first century. Heresy was a problem in the early church, and it is still a problem today. In this episode, Ciara and Jessi do the unimaginable in a culture that says "thou shalt not judge," and get specific about the problems with the preaching of Steven Furtick. From outright heresy...2021-06-291h 07