Cutting through the noise to find the truth about life, faith, and God.

Chuck Rathert and Aaron Mueller discuss issues and questions that are on the minds of people who are wrestling with the problems of existence and meaning, and explore how Christianity can answer these questions in a way that satisfies the longing of the human heart.

Latest Episode

Christianity and Legalism

Legalism is the belief that humans flourish best when they have order, structure, and rules to guide them. Christianity, while definitely providing order and rules for living, holds that humans flourish best when in relationship, especially the relationship all humans were created for – with the creator God in Jesus.

Episode 88    |    40 minutes

Christianity and Legalism (Ep88)

Christianity and Legalism (Ep88)

Legalism is the belief that humans flourish best when they have order, structure, and rules to guide them. Christianity, while definitely providing order and rules for living, holds that humans flourish best when in relationship, especially the relationship all humans were created for – with the creator God in Jesus.

Is Christianity a Psychological Crutch? (Ep87)

Is Christianity a Psychological Crutch? (Ep87)

In a materialist age, Christianity appears to some committed secularists to be a crutch – a psychological prop weak-minded religious people need for some sort of support or comfort. Chuck and Aaron talk about how those who make that charge are (partially) correct in their assessment of how Christianity functions in the life of believers but also very hypocritical in their unwillingness to acknowledge their own psychological crutches.

Christianity and Stoicism (Ep86)

Christianity and Stoicism (Ep86)

The ancient philosophy Stoicism is making quite a comeback in today’s culture, largely by offering an alternative to our culture’s commitment to personal, instantaneous pleasure as the highest good. And why Christianity certainly agrees with Stoicism about the problems of our post-sexual revolution Western culture, the two worldviews also diverge at important points.

In this episode, Chuck and Aaron talk about the similarities and differences between Christianity and Stoicism.

Are Atheists Smart and Christians Dumb? (Ep85)

Are Atheists Smart and Christians Dumb? (Ep85)

It’s commonly said in skeptical circles that atheists are logical and rational while Christian believers are superstitious and irrational; in other words, that atheists are smart while Christians are dumb. Is this true; and if it is, what does it tell us about the nature of the disagreements between skeptics and believers? Chuck and Aaron discuss the role intelligence plays in questions about God, and what Christianity has to offer people of all psychological makeups that attracts so many.

Christianity and Islam (Ep84)

Christianity and Islam (Ep84)

Islam is the second largest religion in the world after Christianity. The growing population of Muslims in the West has caused many secularists (as well as many Christians) to be alarmed at their expanding influence, but what do Muslims believe and how should Christians interact with their Muslim neighbors?

Christianity and Current Events (Ep83)

Christianity and Current Events (Ep83)

Should Christians speak out on current events, or should they stick to “religion” and keep quiet? Chuck and Aaron talk about the Christian vocation of speaking and living the gospel in the context God has placed us, but doing it in a way that doesn’t cave in to the culture’s false left/right dichotomy.

Should a Christian Watch Modern Movies? (Ep82)

Should a Christian Watch Modern Movies? (Ep82)

Christians are called to be in the world but not of the world, but this simple statement ends up being more complex in practice. Chuck and Aaron discuss how Christians can engage with the artistic expressions of our culture while maintaining the Gospel reality that Jesus’ kingdom stands against and has the power to redeem our culture’s attempts to replace him.

How to Walk with Someone Who is Suffering (Ep81)

How to Walk with Someone Who is Suffering (Ep81)

Many people struggle to be present with someone they care for who is suffering or grieving. The need to say comforting things but not having the right words sometimes causes us to avoid our suffering friends, but shunning is just as harmful as talking inappropriately. In this episode Chuck and Aaron talk about how to walk with someone who is suffering in a way that is healing and hopeful.

Christian Masculinity (Ep80)

Christian Masculinity (Ep80)

Toxic masculinity has provided an easy target for those who want to critique traditional notions of gender and gender relationship, but the most common alternative to toxic masculinity in our culture appears to be a self-absorbed narcissistic male, concerned only with his own pleasure and power. Chuck and Aaron discuss the biblical option to both these unfortunate stereotypes: a vision of masculinity that is self-giving and leads by sacrificially serving, a masculinity whose foundation is the character of God in the one true man, Jesus Christ.