What should Christians think about AI? Artificial Intelligence is reshaping culture, business, education, and even the way we think about human identity. In this roundtable conversation, Sean McDowell talks with 3 Biola professors to explore how believers can navigate the rapidly changing world of AI with wisdom and clarity. This is an intriguing conversation that I am sure you will appreciate and learn from.
Category Archives: Christianity
DEFEND CHRISTIANITY IN EGYPT AND YOU WILL BE GAOLED
Christian author and apologist Dr Augustine Samaan was detained in early October. His only crime? Criticising Islam.
Samaan’s social media presence is unashamedly Christian. Much of his content contains a defence of Christianity and discussions about Christians who’ve left Islam. According to Samaan’s social media accounts, he is a well-schooled theologian.
While personal information about him is scarce, Samaan’s YouTube page states he is dedicated to preaching the reliability of the Gospel. He describes himself as an ecumenical clerical deacon (reader and teacher), who is enthusiastic about engaging in “defensive and offensive theology in both Arabic and English.”
On a more personal note, Samaan’s “theology channel” is also dedicated to his mother, who, Samaan said, “planted in him the love of Jesus Christ.” This was, he added, “despite all the internal and external wars and persecutions.” The self-titled channel has over 1 million views, hosts 7,400 videos, and enjoys over 106,000 subscribers.
Reasons for his dubious “defaming Islam” arrest could be directly related to content shared two weeks ago. In one video he describes as funny, he shared audio of “a Muslim teaching an attempt to raise doubts about the Bible.” The second video appears to be excerpts from a much longer StreamYard debate about Islam from last year. Samaan’s last post featured a short from that debate in which he calls Islam’s tolerance for child marriage criminal. Particularly, Muhammad’s marriage to Aisha. To recount, Aisha was six years old at the time, and Muhammad consummated that marriage when she was nine. In the debate excerpt (posted twice, once in English and Arabic), Samaan argued that Muhammad’s child bride contradicted Egyptian and International law. Under those laws, Samaan declared, Muhammad had committed a crime.
Christian oppression in Egypt continues to worsen. Kidnappings, false imprisonments, and forced disappearances are at least a weekly occurrence. The latest is 18-year-old Bola Adel Naguib. Naguib was forcibly disappeared (secretly arrested) the week before last on suspicion of preaching Christianity and insulting Islam. Egyptian intellectual, Magdy Tadros, told Bassam Sam, owner of the YouTube channel Free Thought, that Naguib’s disappearance was probably due to his contact with Said Mansour Rezk. Rezk was arrested as a terrorist in August for converting to Christianity and criticising Islam.
WHO IS CHARGED WITH THE GREAT COMMISSION?
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realised that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4:13
The mission of God has always been in the hands of ‘ordinary’ people, rather than in the hands of the professionals.
When Peter and John were brought before the religious rulers, there were several things that were noted about them.
Firstly, they took note of their courage. This is worthy of our extra attention. After all, it was only several weeks since Peter, out of fear, had denied even knowing Jesus (Luke 23:54–60), and since all the disciples hid in the upper room behind locked doors “because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders” (John 20:19).
Secondly, they noted that they were unschooled and ordinary men. These were not professional priests, nor were they formally educated. These men had been fishermen.
Thirdly, they could tell that they had been with Jesus. Their fear and unschooled ordinariness had been transformed by their being with Jesus.
It appears to me that the average Australian Christian has an internal narrative that is defeatist when it comes to being able to help another person put their faith in Jesus. For many, they associate trying to share their faith with failure and even trauma. Hence, they aspire to simply being willing to invite a friend to an environment where someone else can do it.
It was not so with the first disciples. Their courage came from time in Jesus’ presence, which resulted in them “teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead” (Acts 4:2). May it also be so for us today.
The issue is not whether we are trained or somehow ‘special’. The mission of God is in the hands of ordinary people just like us.
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
Christian scholar, pastor John MacArthur destroys Jewish scholar, Ben Shapiro’s view of Jesus. The two have an intense conversation about Judaism and Christianity, exploring their commonalities but also the major difference found in the person of Jesus Christ. This a powerful exchange worthy of wide distribution which is why I am posting it here.
I am sure you will agree with me that John MacArthur does a great job. If you don’t let me know why.
THE TRUTH ABOUT ISLAM
Historian and author Raymond Ibrahim joins The Winston Marshall Show for a powerful, eye-opening conversation on the hidden history of Islam’s conquest of the Christian world—and why so few dare to speak about it today. Raymond traces the rapid Islamic expansion following Muhammad’s death, showing how, within just one century, Muslim armies had violently overrun three-quarters of the original Christian world—from Syria and Egypt to Spain and deep into Europe. He dismantles the myth of Andalusian “tolerance,” reveals the brutal realities behind the so-called Islamic Golden Age, and explains how the Islamic conquests shattered the Mediterranean world, plunging Europe into the Dark Ages. Raymond explores the modern censorship around Christian persecution, the resurgence of historical jihadist rhetoric in groups like ISIS, and the urgent lessons today’s leaders refuse to learn. All this—the real story of the Crusades, the lost Christian heartlands, the enduring legacy of conquest, and the history the mainstream media won’t touch…
Key takeaways from the interview with Winston Marshall include:
- Within the space of 100 years, after the death of Mohammed, by 732, Muslims were overtaking Europe by violent conquest. There was no tolerance, harmony between Judaism, Christians and Muslims. Christianity was denigrated, and it was convert, pay Jizya, or die. Jizya is money paid by non- Muslims so that they can keep practising their religion. (Under Islamic law, if the money is not paid, the people are to be enslaved or killed.)
- Three-quarters of the Christian world was conquered and has not been recovered.
- Once a Territory is taken by Islam, even though they are defeated and expelled from that region, Islam believes it always belongs to them and must be retaken.
- The Eastern world included Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, and Morocco. They were more Christian in numbers and belief than Europe at that time. (In fact, the Coptic Christians from Egypt were instrumental in spreading the Gospel in Europe.) Each country was violently conquered. As was Israel.
- The Slavic nations got their name from the fact that Islam conquered the area and enslaved the populace. Slavery was their bread and butter.
- The Vikings supplied white slaves to the Muslims.
- The exploration of the New World by Christopher Columbus came about because of the constant threat of Muslim invasion of Spain. The quest was a fallback plan if all else failed.
- The very first war fought by the new United States of America was against the barbarism of the Barbary Pirates. A series of two wars were fought from 1801-1805. The North African slave traders ramped up their aggressive posture by shifting their focus to KIDNAPPING and holding for ransom. The pirates, based in modern-day Tunisia, Libya, and Morocco, demanded tribute for ‘safe passage’ through the Mediterranean. The newly minted American nation refused to negotiate with terrorists and defeated them.
- The times may change. The playbook remains the same.
MARTYN ISLES IS BACK
Since Martyn’s short stint at Answers in Genesis many of us have been wondering what God has next in store for Martyn. It had to be connected to evangelising with a focus on young people because that is the talent God has given him.
Well now we know: Martyn Iles is set to Launch Two New Digital Platforms to Reclaim the Cross and Reimagine Christian Education. At the Crux and Proto are two initiatives designed to proclaim Christ and shape young minds with gospel-centred education.
“At the Crux” is designed to meet growing cultural curiosity about Christianity with a renewed focus on the gospel.
Speaking directly to a generation disillusioned with empty ideologies, Iles said the time had come to stop “simply opening conversations” and instead “bring them all the way to the cross.”
The announcement comes amid what Iles describes as a “resurgence of Christian interest.” Whether that looks like Joe Rogan going to church, Jordan Peterson promoting the Bible, or Donald Trump punctuating “a press conference with, ‘We love you, God’”, for many, “Christianity is interesting again” and is not limited to high-profile political or media figures, but particularly to young men.
At the Crux: Meeting the Moment
The name, “At the Crux”, has been deliberately chosen and crafted to carry three layers of meaning, with three promises:
- A promise of clarity. As in the phrase, “the ‘crux’ of the issue”, the word also signifies something of foundational importance, yet expressed simply and clearly.
- A promise of relevance. Finally, in being ‘at’ the crux, Iles determines that the new platform will be ‘at’ a decisive moment.
- A promise of the gospel. In Latin, crux means “cross,” pointing directly to Christianity’s central and always-relevant message.
In earlier seasons, Iles was best known for his widely viewed series “The Truth of It” and “Living in Babylon”, which tackled modern culture through a biblical lens. Those efforts drew strong audiences and made Iles a familiar name among Australian and international Christians. Now, with At the Crux, he intends to be even more explicit in gospel proclamation.
“I want to take up the curiosity that’s simmering out there – not just to answer people’s questions – but to bring them all the way to the cross,” he said.
The initiative reflects what Iles sees as a God-given moment: to speak into our modern culture not with the “wisdom of man,” but with the clarity and conviction of Christ crucified.
Proto: Reimagining Christian Education
In addition to At the Crux, Iles and his team have unveiled a second major project – “Proto”, a comprehensive Christian education platform designed to equip children from ages 5 to 18 with a robust biblical worldview.
Built in partnership with experienced educators, software engineers and policy experts, Proto promises a cutting-edge app experience tailored for Christian families. It aims to support parents and educators – whether homeschooling or using other educational models – with tools to instil faith, knowledge, and critical thinking from a Christian foundation.
Key features under development include:
- Bespoke Christian curriculum aligned to international academic standards
- Substantive and age-appropriate content across core subjects
- Leading Christian educators as content creators
- Advanced AI-powered assessments and personalised progress tracking
- Parental controls and content safety features
- Free foundational content with extended features available through subscription
- Community tools to foster local connection among Christian families
Ultimately, the team behind Proto plans to offer not only worldview training but also full-spectrum academic coverage – integrating humanities, sciences and electives into a Christ-centred education model.
Iles leads both initiatives as Chief Executive Officer, bringing years of experience in Christian advocacy, law and digital content. Formerly the Managing Director of the Australian Christian Lobby, which grew by more than 400% during his tenure, he is known more recently for serving in executive leadership with the US-based Answers in Genesis apologetics ministry.
Iles has announced that he is joined by a distinguished team of co-founders, including:
- David Cook, Chief Technology Officer, is a Silicon Valley veteran who helped build Apple iTunes and contributed to platforms like Netflix and YouTube. Converted six years ago, Cook now devotes his technical expertise to Christian mission.
- Dr Paul Henderson, Chief Education Officer, is a global education expert who has advised prime ministers, authored national curricula, and holds advanced degrees from Cambridge, Aberdeen, and other leading institutions.
- José Ziebarth, Chief Product Officer, is the former Head of Privacy at Facebook and an anti-corruption and de-bureaucratisation reformer in Brazil’s government. Once an atheist, he became a Christian seven years ago and now home-educates his three sons with his wife.
“These projects are ambitious—but they’re timely, strategic, and already underway”, Martyn revealed.
“Early support has been encouraging, and we’re praying for provision to fully launch At the Crux and accelerate the build of the new platform.”
At a time when biblical truth is often sidelined or diluted, Iles aims for At the Crux and Proto to fulfil a dual commitment: to proclaim Christ crucified and to raise up the next generation in truth.
Those who want to financially support Ilies’ efforts to present Christianity’s centuries-old core claim in a new format can do so here.
JOE ROGAN IS IMACTING MILLIONS FOR CHRIST
Podcast veteran Joe Rogan, once an atheist, is now attending church. His spiritual trajectory mirrors a broader spiritual revival among Gen Z and young men worldwide. Raised Catholic but long agnostic, Rogan is now rethinking some of life’s biggest questions — and his public platform means millions are along for the ride.
As of this week, The Joe Rogan Experience boasts 14.5 million followers on Spotify, making it by far the most popular podcast on the platform. Of course, since Spotify ended its exclusivity deal with Rogan in a multi-year agreement signed last month, the podcast is also now available on other platforms, including Apple Podcasts. The number only accounts for his Spotify audience, but his reach across platforms is staggering. Joe Rogan’s engagement with Christianity is becoming hard to ignore. Once a self-described atheist, he’s now asking serious questions about Jesus, the soul, and Scripture — often in front of millions.
In a recent discussion with Michael Kruger, Daniel Wallace and Michael Horton on the Know What You Believe podcast, Huff confirmed, “I can tell you for a fact that he is attending a church, and that has been a consistent thing.”
Huff, who serves as Central Canada Director for Apologetics Canada, said he’s maintained a line of communication with Rogan since their three-hour conversation on Christianity and the Bible. “He’s a very inquisitive individual,” Huff noted, adding that Rogan has been actively seeking out trustworthy sources on Christianity and Scripture.
Rogan’s personal journey is taking place in the midst of a broader, global resurgence of interest in Christianity — especially among Generation Z men.
“We’re seeing somewhat of a resurgence in interest in these topics,” Huff told the Know What You Believe audience, citing evidence both statistical and anecdotal. “We had young people walking into a Christian bookstore saying, ‘I want a Bible. All my friends are reading this thing.’”
The trend to which Huff referred is measurable. According to Barna’s 2025 State of the Church report, weekly church attendance in the US has risen from 28% in 2024 to 32% in 2025, driven primarily by Gen Z and Millennials. Remarkably, young men are now more likely to attend church than their female peers — a reversal of historic patterns.
Similar growth has been observed in the UK. A Bible Society study titled The Quiet Revival reports that regular church attendance has grown by 50% in the past six years, adding two million new attendees. The most dramatic rise has come from 18–24-year-olds, whose church participation jumped from 4% to 16% — with young men increasing from 4% to 21%.
Australia is seeing similar stirrings, though among an older crowd. McCrindle Research’s An Undercurrent of Faith found that from the 2016 to 2021 Census, more than 784,000 Australians shifted from “no religion” to identifying as Christian. Contrary to assumptions, the growth is not fuelled by immigration but by Australian-born citizens — most significantly among those over 55.
WHAT LAID THE FOUNDATIONS FOR MODERN SCIENCE?
Dr. John Lennox dismantles the myth that science and Christianity are at odds, showing how faith in a rational Creator laid the foundation for modern science. Thinkers like Newton and Galileo saw science as a way to understand God’s design, aligning with Jordan Peterson’s insight that an intelligible universe itself requires faith. While atheistic materialism struggles to justify reason and morality, Christianity provides a coherent framework where science and faith strengthen each other. Lennox’s argument is clear: belief in a divine Lawgiver doesn’t hinder science—it makes it possible.
In this video, you will see Dr Lennox interviewed by Jordan Peterson, then an Islam scholar, followed by the atheist Christopher Hitchens. It is a video to watch multiple times and to circulate widely.
WALKING WITH JESUS
“All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labour and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30
What an amazing Scripture: Jesus says, all things have been handed over to Him by His Father and Jesus makes the decision as to who will get to know our Heavenly Father (anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal Him). Also, look at the invitation Jesus gives us:
- Come to Me
- Recover your life
- Real rest
- Walk with Me and work with Me
- Watch how I do it
- Keep company with Me
I feel odd about writing this, but it looks like Jesus wants to hang out with us. At the same time, I am reminded of the Scripture: “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding.” Psalms 111:10. A healthy respect, knowing Jesus is God, is required.
Also, understanding the role of the Holy Spirit as our counsellor, teacher, comforter, and helper is important in understanding our relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Jesus made it possible for our Heavenly Father to send the Holy Spirit to indwell our spirit. Without the Holy Spirit it is impossible to live the Christian life. If we allow Him to guide our steps each and every day, we will be in a good relationship with Jesus and our Heavenly Father. The apostle Paul gives us good advice:
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22
“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” Ephesians 4:30
GOD IS LOOSENING SATAN’S HOLD ON THE U.S.A.
In November, Trump was elected President of the USA largely on the basis of putting God back in His rightful place (In God We Trust). In December, The Wall Street Journal reported that Bible sales were up 22% while sales of other books were essentially flat. In fact, in 2019, 9.7 million copies of the Bible were sold in America. Last year, that number approached 14 million, with most sales driven by “first-time buyers.”
Then there is football, with Ohio State players preaching to students last summer and on national television after winning the national championship, Boise State head coach Spencer Danielson praising Jesus at the Fiesta Bowl, and Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh leading his team in the Lord’s Prayer, God-talk on and off the field has been conspicuous this season.
Or consider the “moment” God is having among secular thought leaders. Richard Dawkins and Elon Musk, recognizing the importance of Christianity to the West, have labeled themselves “cultural Christians.” Former New Atheist Ayaan Hirsi Ali experienced and defended a conversion to the Christian faith, as did her husband, well-known historian and Hoover Institute fellow Niall Ferguson. Former atheist and popular historian Tom Holland’s bestselling book has changed the narrative about the positive role Christianity has played in making the Western world. Psychologist and author Jordan Peterson often references Scripture and just released a 500-page book attempting to draw lessons and meaning from the Old Testament. And, of course, podcaster Joe Rogan recently interviewed Christian apologist Wesley Huff for his 14 million subscribers.
Justin Brierley, co-host of the “Unbelievable” podcast and author of The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God, thinks we are seeing something significant:
[T]hey say God moves in mysterious ways. I see signs that he is moving in the minds and hearts of secular intellectuals. Many of them are recognizing that secular humanism has failed and, against all their expectations, seem to be on the verge of embracing faith instead.
Brierley thinks this “wider turning of the secular tide in the West,” is a result of secularism’s failed predictions. A couple of decades ago, the New Atheists promised a rational utopia in the wake of religious decline. Instead, we got a crisis of meaning, widespread “confusion, a mental health crisis in the young, and the culture wars.” Now, a “New Theist” movement has sprung up, and even those not converting to Christ have toned down the anti-Christian rhetoric. Some are even suggesting that faith is good for the world.
Still, Brierley cautions that what we’re seeing is far from a revival. Many of the “cultural Christians” of our moment are not believers, nor are they claiming to be. There’s a big difference between regarding Christianity as a “useful fiction,” able to restore vigor and cohesion to the West, and submitting to it as the ultimate truth that demands our allegiance and devotion. For the millions of new Bible owners, the difference is between looking for sage advice and looking for God. Neither a better world nor a better you is what Christianity fundamentally offers.
Though a “vibe shift” in favor of religion is welcome, and cultural Christianity is genuinely a good thing, Christ does not claim to be “useful.” He claims to be the risen Son of God and King of kings, before whom every knee must bow. Those hoping to make Him “useful” overlook that the West did not become a great civilization because people believed Christianity offered good advice, but because they believed it was true. Anyone who tries to use the God of the Bible to some earthly end will only be repeating the blunder of Mainline Protestantism, not doing something genuinely new or important.
At the same time, the truth about Christ is compelling. Thus, the renewed interest in this cultural moment can be welcomed and celebrated. Secularism has failed to satisfy the human soul or build the utopia that was promised. But Christ will not fail, not in this world nor in the age to come. Our task is to point insistently to the full and glorious truth of His rule and reign.
We can direct the curious to resources like The Bible Project, or Graeme Goldsworthy’s classic book, According to Plan, both of which explain what the Bible is and what it teaches. Proven apologetic classics like C.S. Lewis’ Mere Christianity are incredibly helpful resources for those willing to give God a new look. Most importantly, the Church must be the Church, with the Word faithfully taught and lived. After all, we know that God’s Word will not return void, and He is at work through His people in this and every cultural moment.
LIVING ETERNAL NOW 