Finding Something Real Janell Wood

Happy Wednesday! Today Abdu is joining Janell and Noelle.
This is the tenth episode in a series dedicated to special co-host, Noelle. Abdu Murray joins Noelle, Janell, and special guest, Signe, for a conversation about his journey from being a proud Muslim to becoming a Christian. Abdu talks about the importance of love and treating people with dignity and kindness. He shares the challenges he's faced within his family and community due to his decision to embrace Christianity. Abdu emphasizes the need to separate a person from their ideas and see each person as intrinsically valuable even when disagreements occur. He shares about the fulfillment he found in Jesus and how becoming a Christian was not something he initially desired but a decision he made out of intellectual honesty. He talks about the purpose of the Christian faith not being about achieving happiness, but instead finding fulfillment, joy, and knowledge of God.
We hope you enjoy this week's episode!
 
About Abdu Murray
Abdu Murray offers the credibility of the gospel message as a speaker and writer with Embrace the Truth. He has authored several books including Saving Truth, Grand Central Question, Apocalypse Later, and the forthcoming More than a White Man’s Religion. For most of his life, Abdu was a proud Muslim until a nine-year historical, philosophical, theological, and scientific investigation pointed him to the Christian faith. Abdu has spoken to diverse international audiences and has participated in debates and dialogues across the globe. Abdu holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor and earned his Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Abdu lives in the Detroit, Michigan area with his wife and their three children.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!
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Links:
Noelle's First episodeNoelle & DrewNoelle & XandraNoelle & DougNoelle & J, Warner Wallace
Noelle & Jeannine Hanger
 
Embrace The TruthAbdu Murray - YouTube”Was Jesus Raised from the Dead?” - Abdu Murray and John Loftus DebateGrand Central Question - Abdu MurraySaving Truth - Abdu MurrayMore Than a White Man’s Religion - Abdu Mu
 
Questions Christianity Answers with Abdu Murray
REPLAY: Questions Christianity Answers with Abdu Murray
What Happens When You Embrace the Truth about Jesus Christ? with Abdu Murray
Christianity: Is it helpful? Is it good? with Abdu Murray
 
 

Today, Jeannine joins Noelle and Janell!
 It's a conversation with Dr. Jeannine Hanger, Noelle, and Janell, discussing the trustworthiness and relevance of the Bible. Noelle shares her questions about the Bible and its translation throughout history. Jeannine shares her personal faith journey and her passion for the New Testament. Jeannine discusses students' doubt and skepticism over the Bible and the things she sometimes shares with them. She explains why she lives by the Bible's authority and how it can be relevant to people today. Towards the end of the conversation, there is a discussion about authenticity in the Bible- in passages of scripture that weren't part of the oldest manuscripts, and in the historical facts of Jesus' life and death. Jeannine shares about the compelling story of Mary of Bethany and why the tangible things mentioned in scripture are so meaningful to her.
We hope you enjoy today's episode! 
 
About Jeannine
Jeannine Hanger has been involved with Biola University since 2000. She earned a Master of Arts (2004) and Master of Theology (2009) at Talbot in New Testament Studies and has taught undergraduates in an adjunct role since 2009. She recently completed her doctoral studies (2021) at the University of Aberdeen, also in the New Testament. Her research interests revolve around the Gospels. More specifically she has enjoyed exploring literary approaches to texts seen alongside their ancient world contexts. She has a heart for students to know God through the Word with every aspect of their beings: heart, soul, mind, and strength. As the wife of a pastor, Jeannine has also been deeply invested in the local church. Most recently, she and her husband have enjoyed launching Coastline Covenant Church alongside dear friends in ministry. They live with their three teenage children in the South Bay.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!
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Links:
Noelle's First episodeNoelle & DrewNoelle & XandraNoelle & DougNoelle & J, Warner Wallace
biola.edu
 

Today, Dr. John Marriott joins Noelle and Janell!
 
Together they discuss reasons why people leave Christian faith, why John is still a Christian, and how he began studying deconversion & faith deconstruction. They explore the difference between having reasons vs. absolute certainty when it comes to faith. They talk about the theme of happiness and the search for deep satisfaction. John explains the concept of flourishing by aligning oneself with God's design and conforming to the nature of reality. The discussion also touches on the pursuit of pleasure, power, and wealth as inadequate sources of lasting happiness. Noelle shares more about why she's not a Christian and John shares some helpful insight for those who have a loved one who has left the Christian faith. 
 
We hope you enjoy today's episode! 
 
About Dr. John
John is a faculty affiliate of The Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University's Institute for Quantitative Social Science. He is the former Research and Program Coordinator for the Biola University Center for Christian Thought and teaches part-time in the Department of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology.  A former pastor, he holds a Ph.D. degree from The Cook School of Intercultural Studies. His dissertation focused on deconversion from Christianity to atheism.
He is the author of five books on deconversion, A Recipe For Disaster: How the Church Contributes to the Deconversion Crisis (Wipf & Stock, 2018), The Anatomy of Deconversion: Keys to a Lifelong Faith in a Culture Abandoning Christianity (ACUP, 2021), Going... Going... Gone..! Why Believers Lose Their Faith and What Can be Done to Guard Against it (Renaissance Publishers, 2020), Before You Go: Uncovering Hidden Factors in Faith Loss (Leafwood Publishers, 2022), and Set Adrift: Deconstructing What You Believe Without Sinking Your Faith (Zondervan, 2023). John is also a contributor to an updated edition of the forthcoming book Apologetics for a New Generation (Harvest House 2025). His sixth book, The Good Book? Restoring Your Faith in the Bible by Questioning Everything You Assume About it, (Tyndale) is due for release soon.
John is the Director of Cultural Engagement with the Renaissance Forum which focuses on connecting calling to culture for societal wellbeing. He enjoys speaking at churches and conferences on topics related to biblical studies, philosophy of religion, deconversion, and the relationship between the Church and culture.
Dr. Marriott is also the International Student Services Coordinator at Whittier Christian High School, in Whittier California. 
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!
 
Noelle's First episode
Noelle & DrewNoelle & XandraNoelle & DougNoelle & J, Warner Wallace
Dr. John Marriott Set Adrift - Sean Mcdowell & John Marriott 

Happy Wednesday! We hope you are doing well!
Today w are airing part two of our conversation with Detective J. Warner Wallace. Jim responds to Noelle’s objection that she doesn’t have to believe in Jesus. In this conversation they discuss reasons why people believe or reject truth claims. and how someone can come to the conclusion that Christianity is the right choice? They talk about how life experiences can impact belief. Jim explains how we cannot deny our fallen human nature. 
Noelle and Jim discuss the exclusive truth claims of Christianity. Jim shares about why it’s important to get identity right with God. He shares about different Bible translations and what they were written for- encouraging Noelle to read the primary source material. Jim also shares some reasons people don’t come to Christ and the way pride vs humility interacts with the offensive nature of the gospel message. 
We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
 
About J. Warner Wallace
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author. He continues to consult on cold-case investigations while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He is also an adjunct professor of apologetics at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University), Gateway Seminary, and Southern Evangelical Seminary, and a faculty member at Summit Ministries. J. Warner became a Christ-follower at the age of thirty-five after investigating the claims of the New Testament gospels using his skill set as a detective. He eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Gateway Seminary.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!
 
Links:
FSR May 2023 with J. Warner WallaceFSR April 2024 with J Warner Wallace (YouTube)
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Cold Case Christianity (website)Cold Case Christianity (book)The Truth in True Crime (book)

Happy Wednesday! We hope you are doing well!
Today, we welcome back Detective J. Warner Wallace! Jim shares about coming to faith in Jesus Christ and explains how he began asking the question, “Is the Bible accurate in the way it portrays Jesus?” He shares about his search on the topic and the conclusion of his search. He discusses the difference between objective and subjective truths and the implications of what it means if Christianity is true. 
We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
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About J. Warner Wallace
J. Warner Wallace is a Dateline featured cold-case homicide detective, popular national speaker and best-selling author. He continues to consult on cold-case investigations while serving as a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview. He is also an adjunct professor of apologetics at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University), Gateway Seminary, and Southern Evangelical Seminary, and a faculty member at Summit Ministries. J. Warner became a Christ-follower at the age of thirty-five after investigating the claims of the New Testament gospels using his skill set as a detective. He eventually earned a Master’s Degree in Theological Studies from Gateway Seminary.
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We would love to thank our Patrons for all their amazing support! To learn more about supporting Finding Something REAL via Patreon, click here! If you are interested in supporting the Finding Something REAL fundraising campaign, you can head to the webpage and click on the orange donate button.To learn more about Faithful Counseling and if it is a good fit for you, you can click here!If you would like to receive Janell’s 7 Deep Faith Questions resource click here!
Visit the Finding Something REAL Youtube channel!
 
Links:
FSR May 2023 with J. Warner Wallace
Cold Case Christianity (website)Cold Case Christianity (book)The Truth in True Crime (book)

Hello Everyone Today on the podcast we welcome back Douglas Groothuis!
Today’s discussion covers a few of Noelle’s questions was about spiritual practices and why some of them might be concerning for Christians.  Doug shares about his own personal faith journey, why he's not an atheist or agnostic. He also talks about reasons followers of Jesus should avoid spiritual practices outside of Christianity. He responds to some of Noelle’s questions and objections. 
We hope you enjoy today’s episode!
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About Douglas
Dr. Douglas Groothuis has fire in his bones for the Christian message and many irons in the fire to explain, defend, and apply it. He has been explaining the world to the church and explaining the church to the world for nearly fifty years through his teaching, preaching, writing, mentoring, and general witness. His passion is to take to the streets the truth and significance of the Christian worldview for all of life. To that end, he publishes both academic and popular works, preaches in churches, gives public lectures, engages in debates, and has appeared on hundreds of radio programs and podcasts since 1983. He is known as a knowledgeable, sharp, forceful, but gentle communicator of the Christian message.  
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Links:
FSR October 2023 with Douglas
Douglas’ Website