Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis

4.9 (108)
CHRISTIANITY
UPDATED WEEKLY

Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis is a podcast dedicated to finding the truth through reason, and evidence about what matters most. Our subjects include how to defend the Christian faith (through apologetics), biblical ethics, and social issues.

4 DAYS AGO

A Counter Catechism

This episode comes out of an article I wrote a few months ago called A Counter Catechism. I was inspired by a book called Life in the Negative World, where the author, a man named Ren, said we needed to know what we believe and what we don't believe in light of the negativity towards Christianity today, even the hostility. So I've written a piece on a counter catechism concerning belief in God, and I would like to read part of that today. Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University and the author of twenty books, including Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

19 min
FEB 10

Spiritual Lessons I've Learned from My Dog

In this week's episode of Truth Tribe, Dr. Groothuis discusses the spiritual lessons learned from his dog, Sonny, a golden doodle. He reflects on the biblical references to animals, emphasizing that dogs, like all creatures, reveal God's existence and attributes. Dr. Groothuis argues against viewing pets as replacements for human children and highlights the importance of human procreation. He explores how dogs' existence, beauty, skills, and emotional bonds with humans can illustrate aspects of God's nature. Dr. Groothuis also shares personal anecdotes about Sonny's role in his family, particularly during his wife's illness, to illustrate the deeper theological connections between humans and animals. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

20 min
FEB 3

The Need for Viewpoint Diversity on College Campuses

In this episode, Dr. Groothuis discusses the suppression of free speech on college campuses, particularly by the "woke" ideology, referencing Herbert Marcuse's "Repressive Tolerance." Topics Covered:Challenges of Intellectual Debate on College CampusesStory of True Tolerance at the University of OregonHopes for Future Academic Freedom Other Resources Mentioned: Dr. Groothius's book' Unmasking the New Age American Evangelicalism: Conservative Religion and the Quandary of Modernity by James Davidson Hunter Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University and the author of twenty books, including Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

8 min
JAN 27

College Students Are Struggling to Read Books - Can Anything Help?

Often I will read a previously published essay or review of mine, or maybe even part of one of my books. But today I'd like to be a little more off the cuff and talk about the need to return to reading, particularly reading books. There's an article in The Atlantic Monthly, November 2024, called The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books. To read a book in college, it helps to have read a book in high school, and this essay laments the lack of reading of books in high school and the fact that many college students are not prepared to read. In this episode, I want to share my own reading journey and talk about what it might take to help students today embrace and strengthen their reading life. Resources Mentioned: The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books. The Soul in Cyberspace The God Who Is There A Christian philosopher’s path to truth | Douglas Groothuis: Four books that shaped my thinking Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University and the author of twenty books, including Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

28 min
JAN 20

How Technology Warps Our Experience of the World

We embraced the mediated life―from Facetune and Venmo to meme culture and the Metaverse―because these technologies offer novelty and convenience. But they also transform our sense of self and warp the boundaries between virtual and real. What are the costs? Who are we in a disembodied world? In today's episode, Dr. Groothuis reviews Christine Rosen's book "The Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World," which critiques the impact of technology on human life. Dr. Groothuis highlights Rosen's argument that technology impoverishes our lives by replacing human interactions with digital ones, such as handwritten notes with texting and in-person education with online learning. He notes that Rosen's secular perspective can be applied to religious practices like online church services. Dr. Groothuis also criticizes the reduction of art to mere entertainment and the negative effects of technology on attention and safety. Despite these criticisms, he acknowledges the convenience of technology but emphasizes the importance of preserving distinctively human experiences. Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University and the author of twenty books, including Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

8 min
JAN 13

To Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse - Book Review

In this episode of Truth Tribe, I review Carl Trueman's newest book, "To Change All Worlds: Critical Theory from Marx to Marcuse." His magisterial 2020 volume, "The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self," established him as an insightful, rigorous, and incisive analyst who writes lucidly about complex ideas and places them into a Christian context. He then followed up this book with a smaller summary volume, which added new material, which was called "Strange New World," which was published in 2022. His newest effort addresses in more depth elements taken up in that previous work, or actually those two previous works, the nature of Critical Theory and its influence in contemporary culture. Although critical race theory has its roots in critical theory, Truman does not say much about critical race theory. We are again in his debt for an in depth analysis, rich in original source research and pertinent for understanding contemporary cultural and political currents. Hegel was right in at least one thing: to understand an age, you must understand its philosophy, and as Christians, we must expose it and counter it with biblical truth. Truman, patiently and non polemically, explains critical theory. To do so, he explores the philosophies of major figures such as Hegel, Karl Marx, and Sigmund Freud, and culturally significant thinkers from the German Frankfurt school such as Herbert Marcuse and Max Horkheimer. He also consults Neo-Marxist thinkers such as John Lucas and Karl Koch and the Neo-Freudian Wilhelm Reich as a historian. Truman's aim is more elucidation than reputation, and he exposes difficult ideas in readable prose—no mean feat. However, he is wisely critical of critical theory to summarize and review a book that explores several dense thinkers, and their significance is challenging. I'd rather teach it than review it. However, several salient ideas emerge, which I will discuss here. Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University and the author of twenty books, including Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

8 min
JAN 6

My Ministry to You: Defending the Christian Faith in a Complex World

Dr. Groothuis offers a diverse range of seminars designed to equip churches and groups with essential knowledge on contemporary issues that are increasingly relevant in today's society. His expertise spans various topics, including apologetics, critical race theory, and gender identity, all of which are crucial for understanding and navigating the complexities of modern culture. Apologetics Seminars A primary focus of Dr. Groothuis' seminars is apologetics, the defense of the Christian faith against objections and misconceptions. He offers several levels of training in this area: Apologetics Boot Camp: This introductory seminar provides a foundational understanding of apologetics, covering the Christian worldview and basic arguments from science and history. It aims to equip participants with the tools to respond to common criticisms of Christianity, such as claims that it is anti-science or morally restrictive. Mastering Apologetics: For those seeking a deeper understanding, this seminar delves into more complex apologetic matters. It is particularly beneficial for individuals involved in evangelism, campus ministry, or academic settings. Topics include various apologetic methods, the nature of truth, and a comparative analysis of Jesus's identity alongside other religious figures like Buddha and Muhammad. Jesus Apologetics Immersion: This seminar focuses specifically on Jesus Christ's claims and credentials, examining the reliability of the New Testament and the significance of the Incarnation. It also explores how Jesus's teachings relate to other religions, providing a comprehensive view of his role in the Christian faith. Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University and the author of twenty books, including Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

11 min
12/30/2024

Re-Humanizing Our Culture: The Lost Art of Writing Meaningful Cards

In this episode of Truth Tribe, Dr. Groothuis explores the heartfelt and somewhat lost art of writing meaningful cards and letters. He reflects on his mother's legacy as a champion correspondent and shares how her passing inspired him to connect more deeply with others through written communication. Dr. Groothuis emphasizes the significance of handwriting, noting that it re-humanizes our increasingly digital culture. He discusses the personal touch of sending cards, whether to comfort someone in need or to celebrate achievements and encourages listeners to consider who in their lives might benefit from a simple, thoughtful card. In this Christmas season, who can you send a card to this week? Douglas Groothuis, Ph.D., is Distinguished University Research Professor of Apologetics and Christian Worldview at Cornerstone University and the author of twenty books, including Beyond the Wager: The Christian Brilliance of Blaise Pascal (InterVarsity, 2024). Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

5 min

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TRAILER

Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis: Official Trailer

Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis is a podcast dedicated to finding the truth through reason, and evidence about what matters most. Our subjects include how to defend the Christian faith (through apologetics), biblical ethics, and social issues. Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

10/31/2022

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27 sec

4.9

out of 5

108 Ratings

Well made reasoned arguments

07/29/2024

Evan_13

Doug Groothuis teaches through well reasoned arguments that many people in the church, especially pastors, need to be able to follow and understand. Thoughtful and thought provoking!
Awesome show!

10/16/2023

mwcollins.org

Loving it!
You will learn!!

08/17/2023

WHH129

I have been a follower/reader of Douglas Groothuis since about 2000 when I picked up his book “Truth Decay” and read it. His podcast has the depth that you would expect from a Christian philosopher who is concerned that Christians understand worldview and cultural issues. It’s seminary level material. I highly recommend it to you!
Clear and Straightforward

05/22/2023

Suzu-bi

I’ll read and listen to anything Groothuis has to say. He speaks as he writes—clearly, so the lay audience can understand. He’s discovered the secret that you don’t need $100 words to make your case intelligently and coherently. Highly recommended!

Truth Tribe with Douglas Groothuis is a podcast dedicated to finding the truth through reason, and evidence about what matters most. Our subjects include how to defend the Christian faith (through apologetics), biblical ethics, and social issues.