Thinking Out Loud

Eight Tips to Become a Professional Apologist

April 25, 2024 • Alan Shlemon

Alan offers eight tips to help someone who is interested in pursuing part-time or full-time apologetics ministry.

The Problem with a Christian Attending a Same-Sex Wedding

March 14, 2024 • Alan Shlemon

Should a Christian attend a same-sex wedding? Alan has attended a same-sex wedding in the past, but believes he made the wrong decision. In this episode, he unpacks his past reasoning, explains why he was mistaken, and offers a practical alternative.

If Pro-Gay Theology Advocates Could Change the Past, Would that Change the Future Like They Want?

February 13, 2024 • Alan Shlemon

Problems with Creating Your Identity When You Reject God

January 12, 2024 • Alan Shlemon

When a person rejects God, they’re left to determine for themselves their own identity. Alan unpacks some problems with this approach.

Why It’s Reasonable to Refuse to Use Preferred Pronouns

December 15, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

Alan addresses whether it’s reasonable to refuse to use a transgender person’s preferred pronouns.

Should You Violate Your Conscience to Maintain Your Relationship with an LGBT Person?

November 10, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

People who identify as LGBT routinely ask their Christian friends and family to accommodate various requests. Are you justified in declining to go along even if it might damage your relationship with them? Alan unpacks his thoughts on this thorny dilemma.

What Are My Concerns with Andy Stanley’s Unconditional Conference?

October 27, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

Alan attended Andy Stanley’s Unconditional Conference, an event intended to equip parents and ministry leaders how to reach out to LGBTQ youth. In this episode, Alan provides his assessment of the conference, including three major concerns.

Is it Difficult to Define a Woman?

September 10, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

Why has it become so hard to define a woman? Alan looks at a few definitions that are offered, explains what’s wrong with them, and then offers his own definition.

Do Christians Have an Ulterior Motive for Being Kind?

August 10, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

Alan addresses the objection that some people claim Christians are only kind to people so they can convert them.

Should Abortion Remain Legal So Women Don’t Pursue Back-Alley Abortions?

July 11, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

Alan offers three steps to respond to the rhetorically powerful, yet flawed argument that women might get injured or killed through dangerous, back-alley abortions if abortion is made illegal.

The Puzzling Inconsistency of Abortion and Homicide Laws

June 14, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

Alan describes the inconsistency in current laws surrounding abortion and homicide and offers a simple solution.

Deconstructing Is Not Reforming Your Faith

May 10, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

Some Christians and many former Christians are promoting a trendy approach to doubting and questioning your faith called deconstruction. Is it the same as reforming your faith? Alan explains the one key element that distinguishes between the two.

Dishonest Images of the Unborn

April 12, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

A recent article in The Guardian displayed some misleading images of what is removed in an abortion from a 9-week pregnancy. Alan explains the problems with the article and the images.

Man or Maker: Who Has the Answers to Humanity’s Most Critical Questions?

March 12, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

When it comes to answering critical questions about how we humans should live, identify, and behave sexually, who should we listen to? Man or our Maker?

Gay Idioms Don’t Time Travel

February 8, 2023 • Alan Shlemon

Alan addresses a progressive Christian who claims that Jesus wants LGBT people to “come out,” by explaining how he misuses a common literary device.