The Search for Meaning

Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith
  • 4.7 (36)
  • Christianity

Listen in as Bill and Lamar, two good friends, discuss their big questions with openness, honesty, logic, evidence, and a great deal of mutual respect. There is real help in these dialogues for intellectually honest people who want faith in God to make sense, who want to build a solid basis for purpose, meaning, ethics, and personal priorities in life.

Episodes

  1. 06/12/2014

    12. How do you grow closer to God in the here and now?

    1. The most important decision — Starts at 0:00 2. The second most important decision — Starts at 11:22 3. Reading the Bible — Starts at 17:16 4. Prayer — Starts at 23:35 5. Church — Starts at 3:27 6. Learn with a friend — Starts at 7:26 How do you grow closer to God in the here and now? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  2. 06/11/2014

    11. Once you gain eternal life, can you lose it? If not, why be good?

    1. Is a maintenance agreement required? — Starts at 0:00 2. A license to steal versus a secure relationship — Starts at 4:49 3. Are future sins covered as well? — Starts at 10:30 4. An attitude of gratitude — Starts at 13:57 5. Going for the gusto — Starts at 16:16 6. Avoiding painful, natural consequences — Starts at 20:35 7. Avoiding loving discipline — Starts at 23:57 8. Going for the gold — Starts at 3:20 Once you gain eternal life, can you lose it? If not, why be good? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  3. 06/10/2014

    10. What does it really mean to "believe"?

    1. Isn't it too easy? — Starts at 0:00 2. It's either impossible or free — Starts at 5:02 3. The role of reason and doubt in faith — Starts at 10:17 4. Transferring the trust — Starts at 15:33 5. Faith plus performance? — Starts at 19:24 What does it really mean to "believe"? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  4. 06/09/2014

    9. How good must we be to qualify for heaven?

    1. What would you say at the gate? — Starts at 0:00 2. The goodness and justice of God — Starts at 3:36 3. The problem with Bill — Starts at 10:20 4. The good news — the love of God — Starts at 15:00 5. Life's most important decision — Starts at 18:57 How good must we be to qualify for heaven? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  5. 06/08/2014

    8. Does hypocrisy invalidate the claims of Christianity?

    1. The guy in the office, and the TV preacher — Starts at 0:00 2. Definitions: "hypocrite" and "Christian" — Starts at 3:38 3. Comparisons don't work — Starts at 8:09 4. The most important point — Starts at 11:38 Does hypocrisy invalidate the claims of Christianity? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  6. 06/07/2014

    7. Would a fair God condemn those who have never even heard?

    1. Excluded withoug information? — Starts at 0:00 2. Accountability that is fair — Starts at 3:16 3. Good news, yes, but how can the primitive hear? — Starts at 8:36 4. What about babies, or people before the time of Christ? — Starts at 15:36 5. Part of the problem or part of the solution? — Starts at 22:59 Would a fair God condemn those who have never even heard? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  7. 06/06/2014

    6. Is Jesus the only way to God?

    1. Truth and sincerity — Starts at 0:00 2. Truth: absolute or relative? — Starts at 3:08 3. Narrow-mindedness versus soft-headed indulgence — Starts at 6:00 4. The law of non-contradiction — Starts at 10:23 5. Truth and tolerance — Starts at 13:20 6. The claims of Christ - Good teacher or God? — Starts at 16:42 Is Jesus the only way to God? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  8. 06/05/2014

    5. Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?

    1. Pain is personal — Starts at 0:00 2. Atheism and evil - Circular reasoning — Starts at 4:23 3. Pantheism and suffering — Starts at 8:15 4. Love, choice, and consequences — Starts at 12:06 5. Reason to hope — Starts at 18:35 6. How could a loving God send anyone to hell? — Starts at 23:16 Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  9. 06/04/2014

    4. Is the Bible mythical or historical, divinely inspired or merely human?

    1. Evidence from archaeology — Starts at 0:00 2. Evidence from ancient documents — Starts at 8:14 3. Unity out of diversity — Starts at 13:46 4. Fulfilled prophecy — Starts at 20:22 5. The problem of interpretation — Starts at 2:37 6. What difference does it make? — Starts at 8:37 Is the Bible mythical or historical, divinely inspired or merely human? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  10. 06/03/2014

    3. Is faith just a psychological crutch for weak people?

    1. Wishing doesn't make it true — Starts at 0:00 2. Wishing doesn't make it false — Starts at 4:03 3. Examining the object of faith — Starts at 6:25 4. Real needs versus felt needs — Starts at 11:36 Is faith just a psychological crutch for weak people? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  11. 06/03/2014

    2. How can a rational person believe in miracles?

    1. If there is a God who can act, then… — Starts at 0:00 2. Do miracles violate the laws of nature? — Starts at 5:00 3. The evidence for the empty tomb — Starts at 8:20 4. The after-death appearances — Starts at 16:08 5. The disciples' radical change — Starts at 18:54 How can a rational person believe in miracles? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  12. 06/02/2014

    1. Can anyone know if God exists?

    1. What's missing? — Starts at 0:00 2. The atheistic and the agnostic leap of faith — Starts at 4:03 3. The universe as evidence for God — Starts at 7:26 4. Order and morality as further evidence — Starts at 11:05 5. Pascal's wager — Starts at 15:07 Can anyone know if God exists? Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith

  • 12 Episodes

4.7
out of 5
36 Ratings

About

Listen in as Bill and Lamar, two good friends, discuss their big questions with openness, honesty, logic, evidence, and a great deal of mutual respect. There is real help in these dialogues for intellectually honest people who want faith in God to make sense, who want to build a solid basis for purpose, meaning, ethics, and personal priorities in life.

Information

  • Creator
    Bill Kraftson & Lamar Smith
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Search Ministries
  • Show Website
    The Search for Meaning