Shows
The Humble SkepticIs Faith a Feeling?According to many Christians today, faith isn’t based on external facts or evidence, but is considered an internal, subjective feeling, intuition, or experience. But is this taught anywhere in the Bible? What about other religious texts and traditions? Shane Rosenthal explores these questions and more and talks with Craig Parton, author of Religion on Trial. Note: This is Humble Skeptic episode #4, which was originally released on Dec. 6, 2022.SPECIAL OFFER: What is Faith?This 20-page PDF resource by Shane Rosenthal walks through many of the issues covered on this episode, and includes all the supporting do...
2025-08-0540 min
The Humble SkepticIs Faith Blind?When asked to define the word “faith,” the majority of Christians polled at a variety of Christian events and gatherings described it a “blind leap.” But is this idea taught anywhere in the Bible? On this episode of The Humble Skeptic, Shane examines the arguments and passages that some Christians use in support of blind faith. This is Humble Skeptic episode #3 which was originally released on Nov. 22, 2022.SPECIAL OFFER: What is Faith?This 20-page PDF resource by Shane Rosenthal walks through many of the issues covered on this episode, and includes all the supporting documentation in case y...
2025-07-3133 min
The Humble SkepticIs Faith Irrational?While we’re taking a short summer break, we’ve decided to re-release some of our favorite episodes, starting with the first program in our series on “faith.” Many people today claim that faith is “believing in things without evidence,” but is this really the case? On this episode of The Humble Skeptic, we’ll take a deep dive into the true definition of faith. This episode was originally released on Nov. 15, 2022.SPECIAL OFFER: What is Faith?, by Shane RosenthalThis 20-page PDF document walks through many of the issues covered on this episode, and includes all t...
2025-07-2437 min
The Humble SkepticIn the Beginning Was the Word...“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” What exactly do these words mean? Some argue that John is hinting at concepts related to Greek philosophy, but is this really the case? What are the Jewish Targums and how do these ancient texts helps us to better understand the meaning of John’s prologue? On this episode, Shane talks with John Ronning, author of The Jewish Targums and John’s Logos Theology.Click here for detailed notes related to this episode (including quotes from Philo of Alexandria, and the Aram...
2025-05-1545 min
The Humble SkepticThe Messiah's Redemptive MissionOn this episode Shane discusses a number of scenes from the book of Exodus and shows how they point to Christ and his ultimate redemptive mission. Jesus is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world, the bread of life, the living water, the light of the world, and the good shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.SHOW NOTESArticlesFinding Christ in All of Scripture, Shane RosenthalNew Life in the New Year: The Story of Exodus, Shane RosenthalPassover, The Last Supper & The Day of Crucifixion, Shane RosenthalWhere Was...
2025-04-1931 min
The Humble SkepticChristmas: Legend or History?This special Christmas edition of the podcast features Shane’s man-on-the-street interviews that he recorded at a local Christmas festival. In particular, he asked whether the holiday, with all its memorable characters, is rooted in mythology, history, or a little of both. In the second half of the program, Shane reads selections from Justin Martyr’s First Apology, which provides insight into the compelling nature of early Christian proclamation. SHOW NOTESArticlesProof of the Gospel (PDF), selections from Justin Martyr, Eusebius & AugustineIsaiah’s Prophecy of the Messiah’s Birth, Shane RosenthalThe Bethlehem Prophecy: An Exploration of Micah...
2024-12-1839 min
The BucketTeaching a Brit About TeaIn this episode, the hosts engage in a lively discussion that spans various topics, including the significance of numbers, the vastness of space, cultural perspectives on tea, and the nature of scientific discovery. They also delve into coding practices, particularly focusing on Laravel's array helper and the implications of a recent pull request regarding its functionality. The conversation highlights the importance of curiosity and open-mindedness in both science and technology. In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into various themes including the implications of frameworks in technology, the potential existence of aliens, the future of consciousness and travel, the...
2024-12-161h 31
The Humble SkepticAn Evening with The Humble SkepticJeremy Smith, founder of ReThink315, recently invited Shane to join him for a conversation at a fundraising dinner that took place here in the St. Louis area. During their conversation, Jeremy asked Shane to discuss his conversion to Christianity from a secular Jewish background, along with many other subjects that he frequently covers on The Humble Skeptic podcast. Later in the program, the two take a variety of questions from the audience.SHOW NOTESRecommended BooksDefending The Faith, Michael Horton, Shane Rosenthal & OthersThe Jewish Gospels, Daniel BoyarinThe Proof of the Gospel, Eusebius of CaesareaThe Moody...
2024-10-2243 min
The Humble SkepticDealing with DiscrepanciesHow should we deal with discrepancies as we piece together evidence on important matters of interest? On this episode Shane talks with retired cold-case detective, J. Warner Wallace about following the evidence wherever it leads, whether in attempting to solve murder cases, resolving disputed claims about the past, or even when it comes to challenging our beliefs about the nature of reality itself. J. Warner Wallace is the author of Cold-Case Christianity, Forensic Faith, and most recently, The Truth in True Crime. SHOW NOTESRecommended BooksCold Case Christianity, J. Warner WallaceThe Truth in True Crime...
2024-10-0142 min
The Humble SkepticEvidential ReasoningOn this program Shane talks with trial attorney Craig Parton about evidential reasoning, which is an outlook that seeks to impartially examine the facts of any particular controversy in order to find the best explanation of those facts. The two apply this type of reasoning to the facts uncovered on last week’s episode about the location of The Executive Room, as well as to the field of Christian apologetics as a whole. Craig Parton is the author of Religion on Trial, The Defense Never Rests, and more recently, The Art of Christian Advocacy.SHOW NOTES...
2024-09-1757 min
The Humble SkepticQuestioning The Fourth GospelMany scholars over the centuries have questioned the historical value of John’s Gospel. Since it is assumed to be very late, it’s often argued that John’s narrative contains “theology, not history.” Richard Bauckham argues that the author of this text should be seen as a credible eyewitness of the events he reports, but that a careful look at both the internal and external evidence reveals that this Gospel was written by a lesser-known figure named John the Elder. Shane discusses this with Professor Bauckham and interacts with other scholars (including D.A. Carson, Craig Blomberg, Andreas Kostenberg...
2024-04-0246 min
The Humble SkepticWhy Should We Trust The Bible? (Pt. 1)There are a variety of purported “holy books” out there in the spiritual marketplace, so why should we trust the Bible over the others? How do we know this book isn’t simply a collection of myths and legends or the ravings of lunatics? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Dr. Mike Farley who is the Visiting Professor of Applied Theology at Covenant Theological Seminary.SHOW NOTESRecommended ArticlesIs Luke a Trustworthy Historian?, William RamsayWhy Should We Believe The Bible?, Shane RosenthalCan We Trust Luke as a Historian?, Shane RosenthalAuthenticating The Fourth Gospel, Shane R...
2024-01-0945 min
The Humble SkepticJewish Views of The MessiahDaniel Boyarin is a professor of Talmudic Culture at U.C. Berkeley who argues that many Jews before the time of Jesus were expecting a divine-human Messiah who would suffer on behalf of his people. These ideas are not only found throughout the Hebrew Bible, but we also discover them in a variety of ancient Jewish texts written before the rise of Christianity. On this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with Dr. Boyarin about these and many other views that he presents in his book, The Jewish Gospels: The Story of the Jewish Christ.SHOW NOTES...
2023-12-1926 min
Daily Comedy News with Johnny MacWOW Chris Rock, Seinfeld, Kreischer, Segura (2 Bears One Cave), Trevor (What Now? with Trevor Noah) AWESOME Netflix comedy festival lineupNetflix announced an amazing comedy festival lineup including Ali Wong, Atsuko Okatsuko, Anthony Jeselnik, Bert Kreischer, Beth Stelling, Bill Burr, Brett Goldstein, Cedric the Entertainer, Celeste Barber, Chelsea Handler, Chris Rock, Craig Robinson, Daniel Tosh, Dane Cook, David Letterman, Demetri Martin, Deon Cole, Earthquake, Fortune Feimster, Hannah Berner, Hannah Gadsby, Heather McMahan, Iliza Shlesinger, Jason Mantzoukas, Jeff Ross, Jerry Seinfeld, Jessi Klein, Jessica Kirson, Joel Kim Booster, John Mulaney, Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, Jim Jefferies, Jimmy Carr, Justin Willman, Katherine Ryan, Katt Williams, Kevin Hart, Kountry Wayne, Kumail Nanjiani, Leanne Morgan, Leslie Jones, Luenell, Mae Martin, Mark Normand, Marlon Wayans...
2023-12-1512 min
The Humble SkepticFaith Founded on Facts (Part 1)On this episode, Shane weaves together several interviews he’s recorded over the years on topics related to the Christian view of “faith,” how it’s grounded in the facts of the real world, and why we can be confident that it’s true. So during this podcast, you’ll hear from scholars such as John Lennox, Peter J. Williams, Richard Bauckham, John Dickson, and D.A. Carson.SHOW NOTESRelated AudioFor Part 2 of this discussion, click here. For the complete interview with Richard Bauckham, click here, and here. For the complete interview with John Lennox, clic...
2023-03-2142 min
The Humble SkepticReligion on TrialIn his book, Religion on Trial, Craig Parton says that “Religions are worldviews. They claim to address the primary questions of our existence—where we came from, where we are going, and why we are going where we are going.” In that sense he says, “Everyone is religious, because everyone has a worldview, even if that worldview is that we came from a totally purposeless beginning and are returning to dust.” But, how can we determine whether a given worldview happens to be true? That’s the focus of this special bonus episode of The Humble Skeptic podcast.SHOW NOTES...
2022-12-1339 min
The Humble SkepticIs Faith a Feeling?According to many Christians today, faith isn’t based on external facts or evidence, but is considered an internal, subjective feeling, intuition, or experience. But is this taught anywhere in the Bible? What about other religious texts and traditions? Shane Rosenthal explores these questions and more and talks with Craig Parton, author of Religion on Trial.SPECIAL OFFER: What is Faith?This 20-page PDF resource by Shane Rosenthal walks through many of the issues covered on this episode, and includes all the supporting documentation in case you’d like to research things further yourself. We’ll sen...
2022-12-0640 min
The Humble SkepticIs Faith Irrational?Many people today claim that faith is “believing in things without evidence,” but is this really the case? On this episode of The Humble Skeptic, we’ll take a deep dive into the true definition of faith.SPECIAL OFFER: What is Faith?, by Shane RosenthalThis 20-page PDF document walks through many of the issues covered on this episode, and includes all the supporting documentation in case you’d like to research things further yourself. We’ll send you a link to download this PDF when you upgrade to a paid subscription or make a gift of an...
2022-11-1537 min