Paratus

Dr. Brian C. Nixon
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Latin for "prepared," Paratus is a podcast sponsored by Veritas International University. Paratus is dedicated to helping Christians develop a Biblical worldview, assisting listeners to think scripturally and soundly about the world today.

  1. 6d ago

    What Is the Biblical and Scientific Case for a Historical Adam and Eve? | Casey Luskin & Michael Keas

    Were Adam and Eve real historical people, and how should Christians evaluate scientific arguments about human origins? Host Luke Betzner welcomes Dr. Casey Luskin and Dr. Michael Keas to examine the biblical case for a historical Adam and Eve, the fossil and genetic evidence discussed in debates over human ancestry, and proposals for reconciling Christianity with evolutionary accounts of human origins. Drawing on The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith, the conversation explores Jesus’ and Paul’s references to Adam and Eve, four alternative models of human origins, questions surrounding biblical genealogies and the dating of humanity, and population-genetics modeling. Luskin and Keas explain their arguments for the traditional view and discuss how evidence and coherence shape their evaluation of competing models. Their interpretations and critiques are presented as the guests’ positions in an ongoing debate. In this episode The biblical case for a historical Adam and EveFossil evidence and human genetic diversityEvolutionary creationism, Homo divinus, genealogical Adam and Eve, and Homo heidelbergensis proposalsGenesis genealogies and the question of when Adam and Eve livedPopulation-genetics models and the possibility of an original pairRecommended books and further readingChapters 00:27 Introduction and guests 03:47 The biblical case for a historical Adam and Eve 12:16 Two scientific challenges: fossils and genetics 18:53 Four alternative models of human origins 27:53 Evaluating the models against Scripture 36:15 Do biblical genealogies establish a date? 40:18 Genetic diversity and a primordial pair 47:45 Final thoughts 50:50 Recommended reading 53:41 Support Paratus and closing Resources mentioned The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith, edited by Joseph M. Holden, William A. Dembski, and Casey LuskinC. John Collins, Did Adam and Eve Really Exist? and Reading Genesis WellCasey Luskin, “Comparing Contemporary Evangelical Models Regarding Human Origins,” ReligionsDiscovery Institute: discovery.orgAbout ParatusParatus is the podcast of Veritas International University, helping Christians develop a biblical worldview and think scripturally and soundly about faith and culture. Learn more at ves.edu. Support Paratus and Veritas International UniversityHelp sustain this outreach at ves.edu/give.

    What Is the Biblical and Scientific Case for a Historical Adam and Eve? | Casey Luskin & Michael Keas

  2. Sep 26

    Has Science Refuted Miracles and the Supernatural? | Jonathan McLatchie & Brian Miller

    Has science refuted miracles and the supernatural? Paratus host Luke Betzner welcomes Discovery Institute scholars Dr. Jonathan McLatchie and Dr. Brian Miller to discuss what scientific inquiry can tell us about extraordinary events, how historical reasoning differs from laboratory experimentation, and the philosophical questions raised by claims of divine action. Continuing Season 8's exploration of science and Christian faith, the conversation draws on Richard G. Howe's chapter in The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith, edited by Joseph M. Holden, William A. Dembski, and Casey Luskin. The guests examine David Hume's objections, the historical case for Jesus' resurrection, claims of contemporary miracles, and the relationship between scientific evidence and philosophical assumptions. The guests' interpretations and arguments are presented for listeners to consider. Chapters 00:27 Introduction and guests02:40 What can science tell us about miracles?05:07 Historical science versus laboratory science09:49 Defining miracles and their biblical purpose12:03 The God-of-the-gaps objection17:44 Where science ends and philosophy begins22:44 David Hume's objections to miracles28:50 Forgotten historical defenders of Christianity32:24 Can science refute the existence of God?37:20 Angels, demons, and contemporary miracle claims41:14 Invisible causes and evidence of agency47:27 Final arguments and the resurrection51:50 Brian Miller's concluding thoughts54:46 Recommended reading56:54 Guest organizations and closing Guests Dr. Jonathan McLatchie is a resident biologist and fellow at Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture and founder of Talk About Doubts, a ministry offering private conversations to people exploring doubts and questions about Christianity. Discovery Institute profile. Dr. Brian Miller is Research Coordinator and Senior Fellow at Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture. His research interests include the origin of life, protein rarity, and the intersection of engineering and biology. Discovery Institute profile. Recommended reading and resources Craig S. Keener, Miracles Today: The Supernatural Work of God in the Modern World — recommended by Brian Miller.John Douglas, The Criterion; or, Rules by Which the True Miracles Recorded in the New Testament Are Distinguished from the Spurious Miracles of Pagans and Papists — recommended by Jonathan McLatchie.George Campbell, A Dissertation on Miracles.William Paley, A View of the Evidences of Christianity.George Lyttelton, Observations on the Conversion and Apostleship of St. Paul.Lydia McGrew, Hidden in Plain View: Undesigned Coincidences in the Gospels and Acts, and her other works on Gospel reliability.Library of Historical Apologetics — a source for historical apologetics works mentioned during the discussion.Explore the guests' work at Discovery Institute. Learn more about Veritas International University at ves.edu. Next episode: the historical Adam and Eve with Dr. Casey Luskin and Dr. Michael Keas. Support Paratus and Veritas International UniversityHelp sustain this outreach at ves.edu/give.

    Has Science Refuted Miracles and the Supernatural? | Jonathan McLatchie & Brian Miller

  3. Sep 19

    Faith and Reason: Is Christianity Rational? | Dr. Don Deal

    Can Christian faith be intellectually responsible—and what role should reason play in knowing and trusting God? Host Luke Betzner is joined by Christian apologist and scholar Dr. Don Deal for a careful exploration of faith, reason, evidence, logic, revelation, and truth. Dr. Deal explains why biblical faith is neither blind belief nor skeptical paralysis. Faith and reason perform distinct but cooperative roles: reason evaluates evidence and exposes contradiction, revelation supplies truths human inquiry could not discover on its own, and faith entrusts the believer to what God has revealed. The conversation also examines how Christians can reason faithfully without elevating human reason above God. In this episode How faith and reason work together without becoming identicalWhy reason is a God-given capacity rather than an autonomous judge over GodGeneral revelation, special revelation, and rational grounds for beliefThe dangers of fideism, rationalism, pragmatism, and circular reasoningDeductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning explainedWhy logical training matters for discipleship, discernment, and evangelismScientific reasoning, certainty, probability, and inference to the best explanationTruth, beauty, love, logic, and realities that science cannot measure directlyHow to engage skeptics and materialists through thoughtful questions rather than information overloadHow Jesus used Scripture, questions, evidence, analogy, and logical argumentHow Christians can weigh evidence with intellectual honesty and theological confidenceChapters  00:00 Welcome to Paratus 00:27 Introducing Dr. Don Deal 01:39 Dr. Deal’s journey from aviation to apologetics 03:57 How faith and reason work together 11:56 What reason is—and what it is not 20:34 Pragmatism, contradiction, and competing worldviews 23:40 Deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning 28:22 Learning to reason well 29:40 Why Christians should study logic 31:49 The real conflict: truth versus error 33:45 Science, induction, and levels of certainty 36:10 What science cannot see 39:12 Engaging materialists without “beating them with information” 44:45 How Jesus used reason and evidence 50:32 Weighing evidence as a Christian 54:33 Faith that understands and reason that seeks truth 55:54 Recommended reading 57:15 Norm Geisler International Ministries and Veritas 58:18 Preview of the next episode  Guest Dr. Don Deal is a Christian apologist, scholar, and Director of Classical Apologetics at Norm Geisler International Ministries. He also teaches scientific apologetics at Veritas International University. Learn more about his work and the Norm Geisler Institute at ngim.org. Recommended reading Reasons for Belief: Easy-to-Understand Answers to 10 Essential Questions — Norman L. Geisler and Patty TunnicliffeTwelve Points That Show Christianity Is True — Norman L. Geisler; available through the NGIM storeChristian Apologetics — Norman L. GeislerReasons for Faith: Making a Case for the Christian Faith — edited by Norman L. Geisler and Chad V. MeisterCome, Let Us Reason: An Introduction to Logical Thinking — Norman L. Geisler and Ronald M. BrooksSeason 8 resource This season’s conversations are guided by The Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith, edited by William A. Dembski, Casey Luskin, and Joseph M. Holden. About Paratus Paratus is the broadcast ministry of Veritas International University, helping Christians develop a biblical worldview so they can think deeply, stand firmly, and live purposefully in changing times. Support Paratus and Veritas International UniversityHelp sustain this outreach at ves.edu/give.

    Faith and Reason: Is Christianity Rational? | Dr. Don Deal

  4. Sep 12

    Science and Faith: Are Christianity and Science Compatible? | Casey Luskin & Jonathan McLatchie

    Are science and Christianity fundamentally at odds—or can they converge in a common pursuit of truth? Host Luke Betzner opens Season 8 of Paratus with Dr. Casey Luskin and Dr. Jonathan McLatchie of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture. Together they examine what science is, what biblical faith is, and whether the two are genuinely incompatible. The conversation moves beyond the familiar “science versus faith” conflict. Luskin and McLatchie consider the limits of scientific consensus, the difference between evidence and authority, methodological naturalism, scientism, confirmation bias, and the importance of testing every claim. They also explore evidence bearing on a Creator—including the beginning and fine-tuning of the universe, the information-rich character of life, and the cumulative case for intelligent design and Christianity. In this episode Science as an empirical, evidence-governed search for truthFaith as rational trust grounded in evidence rather than blind beliefConflict, separation, and qualified-agreement models of science and religionWhy methodological naturalism can prevent investigators from recognizing intelligent causesScientism, cognitive dissonance, institutional pressure, and scientific consensusThe Big Bang, cosmic fine-tuning, biological information, and the origin of lifeWhy multiple independent lines of evidence form a cumulative case for theism and ChristianityChapters 00:17 — Welcome and the Season 8 question01:14 — Meet Jonathan McLatchie and Casey Luskin03:50 — What is science?07:50 — What is faith?12:32 — How science and faith relate to truth18:19 — Why people separate science and faith25:21 — Methodological naturalism explained29:23 — Confirmation bias and intelligent causes33:34 — Scientism: when science becomes an idol37:24 — Cognitive dissonance, theology, and scientific claims42:17 — Testing agenda-driven claims with a scout mindset45:31 — Creation, the Big Bang, and fine-tuning50:20 — A cumulative case for design and Christianity53:39 — Recommended books and further study55:43 — Closing resources and a preview of Episode 2 Guests and resources Dr. Casey Luskin — Associate Director, Research Director, and Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and CultureDr. Jonathan McLatchie — Fellow of the Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and CultureJonathanMcLatchie.comTalk About Doubts — confidential conversations for those examining doubts about ChristianityDiscovery InstituteThe Comprehensive Guide to Science and Faith: Exploring the Ultimate Questions About Life and the Cosmos, edited by William A. Dembski, Casey Luskin, and Joseph M. HoldenRecommended reading mentioned in the episode Undeniable by Douglas Axe; Signature in the Cell, Darwin’s Doubt, and Return of the God Hypothesis by Stephen C. Meyer; works by C. John Collins on science and Genesis; Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique; and The Scout Mindset by Julia Galef. About Paratus Paratus is sponsored by Veritas International University and exists to defend and discuss unchanging truth in changing times—helping listeners think deeply, stand firmly, and live purposefully within a biblical worldview. Learn more about VIU at ves.edu. Support Paratus and Veritas International UniversityHelp sustain this outreach at ves.edu/give.

    Science and Faith: Are Christianity and Science Compatible? | Casey Luskin & Jonathan McLatchie

  5. 01/14/2025

    The Necessity of Grace

    God’s grace is a central feature of salvation. Without grace, people can’t be saved.  As the Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 2: 8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Because of God’s unmerited favor, we have access to the Father by one Spirit, with Christ as our cornerstone. Therefore, grace is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith.

    The Necessity of Grace

  6. 01/14/2025

    The Bodily Resurrection of Christ

    Christ’s resurrection stands at the core of the Christian faith.  Without the resurrection, Christianity is nothing more than moral teachings. It’s as the Apostle Paul declares in I Corinthians 15:14: “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”  Hence, the resurrection is a crucial doctrine to defend.  Why?  Without it, Christianity stands or falls, offering no real means of salvation.  Therefore, the resurrection is an essential doctrine of the Christian faith.

    The Bodily Resurrection of Christ

  7. 01/14/2025

    Christ's Atoning Death

    Christ’s atoning death is the heartbeat of the Christian faith, leading to the resurrection.   As the Apostle Paul states in I Corinthians 15:3: “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.”  And it’s because of Christ’s death and resurrection that salvation is made possible for all who believe. This makes the atoning death of Jesus central to the Christian faith.   Because Christ sacrificially atoned for human sin on the cross, Jesus died for the unjust—that’s you and me, enabling God to be the Perfect Sacrifice for salvation.

    Christ's Atoning Death

  8. 01/14/2025

    Christ's Sinlessness

    If Jesus had two biological parents, then He would have been a sinner like the rest of us.  And unless Jesus was without sin, then we are without a Savior, one who can offer true salvation. Classical Christianity holds that Jesus was completely without sin, following the Apostle Paul’s statement in 2 Corinthians 5:21:  “ For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

    Christ's Sinlessness
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About

Latin for "prepared," Paratus is a podcast sponsored by Veritas International University. Paratus is dedicated to helping Christians develop a Biblical worldview, assisting listeners to think scripturally and soundly about the world today.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Brian C. Nixon
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2023 Paratus Podcasts, Veritas International University
  • Show Website
    Paratus