Thinking about Faith

Jeffrey Maskrod
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Christianity
  • Biweekly

Thinking About Faith helps Christians think deeply about what they believe and share it winsomely with others — while helping seekers better understand Christianity. Honest conversations about faith, science, apologetics, worldviews, and tough questions — all done with humility and respect. Hosted by Jeffrey Maskrod.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    Do We Control Our Beliefs? Faith, Evidence, and Doxastic Voluntarism Explained

    Can you actually choose what you believe? In this episode of the Thinking About Faith podcast, we unpack the philosophical debate between doxastic voluntarism and doxastic involuntarism—the question of whether our beliefs are under our direct or indirect control. Responding to one of Todd Phillips’ reasons for leaving the faith, we carefully define belief and biblical faith (contrasting it with popular misconceptions), explore direct vs. indirect control over what we believe, and examine how evidence, bias, and personal agency shape our convictions. Along the way we look at key biblical examples—from Genesis and Abraham to the Bereans, Gideon, and Moses—that encourage honest examination of truth claims. Whether you’re a believer wrestling with doubt or a non-believer exploring Christianity, this episode invites you to ask better questions: What evidence do I require? Am I willing to follow it to its logical conclusion? Am I truly non-resistant? Listen in as we dig deeper into how we form beliefs, handle evidence, and pursue truth. A special thank you to Jason Carrico of Carrico AV & Technology. He has been helping get my sound quality dialed in for this podcast.

  2. Oct 27

    Ep 9 Divine Hiddenness: Why Does God Seem Hidden? A Christian Response

    In this episode of the Thinking About Faith podcast, we carefully examine one of the most common reasons people give for leaving Christianity: Divine Hiddenness — the claim that a perfectly loving God would make His existence more obvious, especially to those who are open to belief. We listen to Todd Phillips (The Deconstructed Pastor) explain why this argument was decisive for him, then take the question seriously. Drawing from Scripture (Psalms, Habakkuk, and Jesus’ cry on the cross), we acknowledge that the experience of God’s apparent absence is real and should never be dismissed. Key points covered include: What the modern argument from Divine Hiddenness actually claims (including J.L. Schellenberg’s formulation)Why expecting constant “burning bush” experiences is unrealistic and sets up a double standard for evidenceWhether the category of “non-resistant non-believer” holds up under closer examinationBiblical examples of people who had clear evidence of God and still rebelledHow God has revealed Himself through Scripture, creation, and historyWhy mystery is not a problem to be solved but part of what draws us into deeper pursuit of GodThis episode models how Christians can respond to serious doubts with both intellectual honesty and compassion. Whether you are wrestling with this question yourself or walking with someone who is, you will find careful reasoning grounded in Scripture and real experience.

  3. Oct 13

    Ep 8 Does Geography Determine Your Religion? The Genetic Fallacy Explained

    In this episode we examine one of the most common arguments used by those who have deconstructed from Christianity: the claim that your religious beliefs are simply determined by where you were born. Drawing from Dr. Todd Phillips’ video “Why I left Christianity after 20 years as a pastor,” we look closely at what he calls the “Geography of Belief” or the “lottery of birth.” Phillips argues that your GPS coordinates are the single greatest predictor of your religious identity. We unpack why this reasoning commits the genetic fallacy and why statistical correlation is not the same as causation. Topics covered include: Why predicting belief is not the same as determining itHow sincerity does not make a truth claim trueThe historical spread of Christianity in hostile environments (Roman Empire, Ethiopia, and beyond)Why the decline of Christianity in the West actually undercuts the geography argumentWhy two opposing absolute truth claims cannot both be correctThis is the first in a short series responding to Phillips’ eight reasons for leaving the faith. Whether you are wrestling with deconstruction arguments yourself or simply want clearer thinking on this issue, this episode walks through the logic carefully and charitably. You can find Todd Phillips full video here.

  4. Oct 2

    Ep 7 Why I believe that Jesus is the Messiah

    In this episode, I share the positive reasons why I believe Jesus is the Messiah, focusing especially on the historical evidence for the resurrection—from the disciples’ initial disbelief and the women’s expectation of finding a body, to Paul’s dramatic conversion and the claim of appearances to over 500 people. I also examine why we can trust the Bible through archaeological discoveries like the Dead Sea Scrolls, the House of David inscription, and the Cyrus Cylinder, plus the Gospels’ geographical precision and “undesigned coincidences.” Finally, I reflect on how the biblical worldview aligns with the beauty and brokenness we see in the world, the uniqueness of human beings, and the regularity of creation, and I invite you to share your own reasons for faith (or your questions) in the comments.

  5. Sep 15

    Ep 6 Sharing the Gospel with Latter-day Saints: 7 Practical Steps

    In this episode we walk through practical, biblical steps for sharing the gospel with friends and family who are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Too often conversations get stuck on secondary issues. Instead, we focus on what actually matters and what tends to be most effective: Pray — for them and for yourselfStay grounded in the Word of GodKeep the goal clear: point people to the real Jesus of the Bible (not win an argument)Avoid the “weird” topics (polygamy, coffee, secret handshakes) and stick to the core issuesAsk good questions (drawing from Greg Koukl’s Tactics)Put a pebble in their shoe — plant seeds of truth and trust God with the growthBe willing to say “I don’t know” when you need toWe also look at key passages that shape our approach, including the priesthood of every believer (1 Peter 2 and Hebrews 10) and why the LDS temple system effectively puts the curtain back up that Christ tore down. Whether you have LDS friends, family members, or coworkers, this episode gives you a simple, gracious framework for conversations that focus on Jesus rather than rabbit trails.

  6. Sep 1

    Is the Book of Mormon Historically Reliable? Examining Archaeology, DNA & Translation Claims

    Joseph Smith called the Book of Mormon “the most correct of any book on earth” and “the keystone of our religion.” In this episode we carefully examine whether that claim holds up under historical, archaeological, linguistic, and genetic evidence. We look at several major problems: How Joseph Smith claimed to obtain the gold plates (including the account of carrying them three miles while fighting off attackers)The actual method of “translation” — seer stones placed in a hat — and why this differs significantly from the biblical Urim and ThummimThe claimed language of “Reformed Egyptian” and the complete lack of archaeological or linguistic evidence for Hebrew or Egyptian influence in pre-Columbian AmericaThe massive natural disasters and three days of darkness described in 3 Nephi 8 that left no historical or archaeological recordThe final Nephite war at Cumorah involving hundreds of thousands of warriors, with no supporting evidence at the New York site or in MesoamericaDNA evidence that led the LDS Church to change the Book of Mormon’s introduction from calling the Lamanites the “principal ancestors” of Native Americans to merely “among the ancestors”Taken together, these issues make it very difficult to accept the Book of Mormon as a historically reliable record or as the most correct book on earth. This episode is for anyone seeking clear, evidence-based answers about the Book of Mormon’s claims.

  7. Aug 18

    Ep 4 Is God an Exalted Man? Biblical Language About the Father and Son

    In this follow-up episode on the Trinity, we dig deeper into how Scripture describes God the Father and God the Son — and why the way we use language matters. We examine key Greek terms that often get misunderstood: Monogenes (“one and only” / “begotten”) — does it mean Jesus was created or born, or does it point to uniqueness?Prōtotokos (“firstborn”) — how the New Testament and the Septuagint use this word for preeminence rather than chronological birth order (including Psalm 89:27 about David)We also look carefully at the word “Father.” The biblical writers use this language analogically — drawing from human experience to help us understand a transcendent God. Joseph Smith and later LDS teaching, however, take the same terms univocally (as having only one literal meaning). The result is a God who was once a man, who has a Heavenly Wife, and who literally procreated spirit children — including Jesus and Satan as spirit brothers. This episode shows how that approach reverses the biblical pattern: instead of humans being made in the image of God, God is reshaped in the image of man. We close with a reminder to pray for those in the LDS church and to speak the truth about the real Jesus with both clarity and love.

  8. Aug 4

    Ep 3 The Biblical Trinity vs. the LDS Godhead: One God or Three Gods?

    In this episode of the Thinking about Faith podcast, we carefully examine one of the most important differences between historic Christianity and Latter-day Saint theology: the doctrine of the Trinity. We begin by defining the traditional Christian understanding of the Trinity — one eternal God who exists as three distinct persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — equal in power, glory, and being. We then contrast this with the LDS view of the Godhead, in which God the Father is an exalted man with a physical body, Jesus is the first spirit child of Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother (and the spirit brother of Satan), and the three members of the Godhead are one only in purpose, not in essence. Key topics covered include: What Joseph Smith and official LDS sources teach about God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy GhostThe role of “burning in the bosom” versus the authority of ScriptureClear biblical evidence that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are each eternal, each Creator, and each called GodWhy Matthew 28:19 (baptism “in the name” of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) is significantThe claim that the Trinity was invented at the Council of Nicaea — and why that claim does not hold up historically or theologicallyThis episode shows that the doctrine of the Trinity is not a later invention of Greek philosophy or church councils, but is derived directly from Scripture. Whether you are studying LDS claims, seeking clearer thinking on the nature of God, or simply want a careful walk through the biblical data, this episode is for you.

  9. Jul 21

    Episode 2 - Did the Great Apostasy Really Happen? Evidence That the Bible Was Never Corrupted

    In this episode we examine one of the central claims of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: the Great Apostasy. According to LDS scripture and teaching, after the death of the apostles the true gospel, priesthood authority, and many “plain and precious” truths were removed from the earth until Joseph Smith restored them in 1820. We carefully define the Great Apostasy using LDS sources (1 Nephi 13, Doctrine & Covenants, and Joseph Smith’s First Vision accounts) and then test the claim against historical and textual evidence. Key points covered: What LDS scriptures actually say about the loss of the gospel and priesthood authorityThe manuscript evidence for the New Testament (approximately 5,800 Greek manuscripts)Why textual critics across the theological spectrum conclude that no essential Christian doctrine has been lost or corruptedQuotes from F.F. Bruce, Daniel Wallace, and even Bart EhrmanEarly church testimony (including Tertullian) that the authentic apostolic writings were still being readJesus’ promise in Matthew 16:18 that the gates of Hades would not overpower His churchWhy the availability of the New Testament manuscripts stands in sharp contrast to the claimed golden plates of the Book of MormonIf the New Testament has been faithfully transmitted, then the claim of a total apostasy collapses—and with it the necessity of a 19th-century restoration. This episode is designed for anyone wrestling with LDS claims, seeking clearer thinking on the reliability of Scripture, or simply wanting evidence-based answers. Keep thinking about faith.

  10. Jul 7

    Thinking About Faith Introduction

    In the first episode of Thinking About Faith, host Jeffrey Maskrod introduces the podcast’s purpose: helping Christians think more deeply about what they believe and why, so they can clearly articulate it to others, while also helping unbelievers better understand Christianity. Drawing from his chemistry background, work as a quality engineer, and role as a Stand to Reason Outpost director, Jeffrey shares how early questions about science and faith sparked his love for theology and philosophy. Rooted in 1 Peter 3:15-16 and Matthew 22:37, this episode encourages wrestling with hard questions instead of settling for surface-level answers and invites listeners to join the journey—subscribe, share, and keep thinking about faith.

  • 10 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Thinking About Faith helps Christians think deeply about what they believe and share it winsomely with others — while helping seekers better understand Christianity. Honest conversations about faith, science, apologetics, worldviews, and tough questions — all done with humility and respect. Hosted by Jeffrey Maskrod.

Information

  • Creator
    Jeffrey Maskrod
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Jeffrey Maskrod
  • Show Website
    Thinking about Faith