Advertise on podcast: Apologetics Profile

Since 2018, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been publishing teaching curriculum for its members to study at home each week. It's called Come, Follow Me. Every year the curriculum focuses on a specific section of either the Bible or the Mormon scriptures. In 2026, the focus of CFM is the Old Testament. You can see the curriculum for yourself on the LDS Gospel Library App. It's free and available to LDS and the general public alike. This particular week, CFM is focused on several chapters from the Book of Isaiah. And this week and next on Apologetics Profile, we'll be discussing CFM and some of its teaching on the Book of Isaiah and how that teaching obscures and covers up a lot of what Isaiah is really all about. We'll be talking with former Latter-day Saint Casey Brianne, fiancee of our very own Apologetics Profile host Daniel Ray. Casey was a Latter-day Saint for 16 years, baptized as a young adult convert into the LDS Church at the age of 21. Here on part one Casey will share a bit of her story and we'll get into a bit about what CFM has to say about the Book of Isaiah. If you know of any Latter-day Saints, please share the broadcast with them this week and next!Casey's TestimonyPart OnePart TwoPart ThreeLDS linksEncyclopedia of MormonismWho Do Mormons Worship?Preach My Gospel Manual Come, Follow MeAudio Clips Used in This Episodehttps://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/54pace?lang=enghttps://youtu.be/nlMq1Pgy9Qc?si=zVVkng6N9oFYHixBhttps://youtu.be/VD4QeKqETtM?si=eq_via9tyY8TFSDVResources from Watchman FellowshipPrevious podcasts on Latter-day Saint beliefs, practices, history, and doctrines. Additional Resources:FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

How can Christians participate in the arts? What does Jesus have to do with aesthetics in the arts? How can a Christian-informed view of the arts help us better understand Jesus as the Creator and our Savior? This week we pick up with part two of our conversation with author, philosophical theologian and assistant professor of theology at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana about his latest book What is Beauty? An Introduction to Art & Aesthetics. Dennis Bray (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a philosophical theologian who integrates insights from philosophy, biblical and systematic theology, history, and the empirical sciences. He is assistant professor of theology at Taylor University. Thumbnail image credit: Messier 51 - The Whirlpool Galaxy. NASA, ESA, S. Beckwith (STScI) and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA).Watchman Fellowship's Brand New Book on engaging Mormon Missionaries with compassion and truth, Trading Questions - Trading Questions - Twenty Essential Conversations To Have With Your Mormon Friend. Free Four-Page Articles From Watchman FellowshipCharles DarwinCarl Sagan's CosmosNaturalismDeconstructionAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

You've heard it said "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." What exactly, though, does that really mean? While it is true we all seem intuitively to know beauty when we see it, we find it difficult to pin down an exact definition of what beauty actually is. Is it subjectively determined or is beauty as objectively real as the stars above us? This week and next on the Profile, we tackle this engrossing question with philosophical theologian and assistant professor of theology at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. We discuss his new book What Is Beauty? Dennis Bray (PhD, University of St Andrews) is a philosophical theologian who integrates insights from philosophy, biblical and systematic theology, history, and the empirical sciences. He is assistant professor of theology at Taylor University. Thumbnail image credit: The Orion Nebula. NASA, ESA, M. Robberto (Space Telescope Science Institute/ESA) and the Hubble Space Telescope Orion Treasury Project Team.Watchman Fellowship's Brand New Book on engaging Mormon Missionaries with compassion and truth, Trading Questions - Trading Questions - Twenty Essential Conversations To Have With Your Mormon Friend. Free Four-Page Articles From Watchman FellowshipCharles DarwinCarl Sagan's CosmosNaturalismDeconstructionAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

In the chaotic times in which we live, how can we navigate through its darkness? Where can we find the light of true wisdom? Where can we find rest for our souls? Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and YOU SHALL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”Jesus also tells us He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And by being in Christ, we have been declared righteous. We are on the path of righteousness, and, "...the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,             That shines brighter and brighter until the full day" (Proverbs 4:18). By not leaning on our own understanding, by trusting in the Lord with all of our hearts, we act virtuously and shine as lights in a dark world. But even our virtuous acts are all of grace (Ephesians 2:8-10). This is part two of our conversation with English Professor at Oklahoma Baptist University Dr. Alan Noble about his latest book To Live Well. Come and see! From AlanNoble.comAlan Noble is Assistant Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University. Alan launched the group Public Faith with Michael Wear to offer an alternative evangelical political voice. He also joined The AND Campaign as an advisor, were he served for a number of years. Alan has written articles for Christian publications such as Modern Reformation, InTouch Magazine, and Christianity Today and for secular publications like VOX, Buzzfeed, and The Atlantic. He has been interviewed, quoted, or cited in The New York Times, The Washington Post, MTV News, MSNBC, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, Politico, Village Voice, Yahoo! News, ThinkProgress, The Blaze, WORLD Magazine, and Slate. And he has spoken at colleges, organizations, churches, and youth groups on a range of topics related to the church and culture. In 2023, Alan became a “fellow” at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.  Free Watchman Profile articles. These profiles provide an overview of the person and ideas as well as a concise biblical response. NaturalismDeconstructionAtheismCarl Sagan's CosmosRichard DawkinsNihilismAdditional Resources:FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (two volumes totalling over 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

In a world that often seems to be chaotically out of control, in a world of an endless cacophony of competing  voices, in a world that encourages us to do whatever we want, in a world that relentlessly encourages us to pursue our own interests and desires, how can we possibly even begin to "live well"? What does that mean? Is it pursuing personal peace and affluence? The perfect job? The perfect spouse? The right college? The right neighborhood? Our guest this week on the Profile, Dr. Alan Noble of Oklahoma Baptist University, has written a helpful little guide that answers these and other questions about what it means for Christians to live well. This is not a self-help book or a name-it-and-claim-it prosperity treatise, but an invitation to meditate upon and pursue the ancient virtues. Noble does not advocate that we are earning God's favor by pursuing the virtues. Rather, because we are made righteous in Christ, we have the freedom in Christ to pursue patience, wisdom, charity, love, courage, and resoluteness. The pursuit of virtue is not dry religious legalism, but an adventure, accomplished by and through the Holy Spirit. Come and see!From AlanNoble.comAlan Noble is Assistant Professor of English at Oklahoma Baptist University. Alan launched the group Public Faith with Michael Wear to offer an alternative evangelical political voice. He also joined The AND Campaign as an advisor, were he served for a number of years. Alan has written articles for Christian publications such as Modern Reformation, InTouch Magazine, and Christianity Today and for secular publications like VOX, Buzzfeed, and The Atlantic. He has been interviewed, quoted, or cited in The New York Times, The Washington Post, MTV News, MSNBC, The Guardian, Buzzfeed, Politico, Village Voice, Yahoo! News, ThinkProgress, The Blaze, WORLD Magazine, and Slate. And he has spoken at colleges, organizations, churches, and youth groups on a range of topics related to the church and culture. In 2023, Alan became a “fellow” at the Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics.  Free Watchman Profile articles. These profiles provide an overview of the person and ideas as well as a concise biblical response. NaturalismDeconstructionAtheismCarl Sagan's CosmosRichard DawkinsNihilismAdditional Resources:FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (two volumes totalling over 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

What do you say if two young Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints suddenly show up at your doorstep? What do you say? How do you say it? Watchman Fellowship can help! If you know little or nothing about Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon, or their beliefs, doctrines, and practices, we have the perfect, handy little book, just for you! Watchman staff have combined their years of engagement and experience with Latter-day Saints into one compact, easy-to-read, easy-to-use, little book called Trading Questions - Twenty Essential Conversations to Have with Your Mormon Friend. We're featuring an exclusive new-release offer you can take advantage of right now, right here. In addition to an autographed signed copy of Trading Questions you'll also receive additional bonus material and resources on Latter-day Saints from Watchman Fellowship! Also be sure to check out our trip to Utah this September! Brady Blevins is the Senior Apologist for Watchman Fellowship. He has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for over 25 years, and they have three children: Drew, Madison, and Jett. He earned his doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served as both a college professor and a pastor for more than 20 years. Daniel Ray is a Staff Apologist for Watchman Fellowship. He holds a master’s degree from Houston Christian University and is the co-author and editor of The Story of the Cosmos: How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. Daniel also serves as the primary host of Watchman Fellowship’s podcast, Apologetics Profile. James K. Walker is the President of Watchman Fellowship and a former fourth-generation Mormon. He holds a master’s degree from Criswell College and is the author of The Concise Guide to Today’s Religions and Spirituality, What the Qur’an Really Teaches About Jesus, and The Truth Behind the Secret.Apologetics Profile podcast episodes about Latter-day Saint beliefs and practices. You'll find the episodes to our interview with Dr. Bowman in this link. Additional information featured in this broadcast. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/history-of-missionary-work-in-the-church https://churchhistorylibrary.churchofjesuschrist.org/guides/missions-and-missionaries?lang=eng#finding-local-unit-historical-records https://provo.mtc.missionary.org/about Additional Resources:FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (two volumes totalling over 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

What do you say if two young Missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints suddenly show up at your doorstep? Watchman Fellowship can help! If you know little or nothing about Latter-day Saints, the Book of Mormon, or their beliefs, doctrines, and practices, we have the perfect, handy little book, just for you! Watchman staff have combined their years of engagement and experience with Latter-day Saints into one compact, easy-to-read, easy-to-use, little book called Trading Questions - Twenty Essential Conversations to Have with Your Mormon Friend. We're featuring an exclusive new-release offer you can take advantage of right now, right here. In addition to an autographed signed copy of Trading Questions you'll also receive additional bonus material and resources on Latter-day Saints from Watchman Fellowship! Brady Blevins is the Senior Apologist for Watchman Fellowship. He has been married to his wife, Jennifer, for over 25 years, and they have three children: Drew, Madison, and Jett. He earned his doctorate from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and has served as both a college professor and a pastor for more than 20 years. Daniel Ray is a Staff Apologist for Watchman Fellowship. He holds a master’s degree from Houston Christian University and is the co-author and editor of The Story of the Cosmos: How the Heavens Declare the Glory of God. Daniel also serves as the primary host of Watchman Fellowship’s podcast, Apologetics Profile. James K. Walker is the President of Watchman Fellowship and a former fourth-generation Mormon. He holds a master’s degree from Criswell College and is the author of The Concise Guide to Today’s Religions and Spirituality, What the Qur’an Really Teaches About Jesus, and The Truth Behind the Secret.Apologetics Profile podcast episodes about Latter-day Saint beliefs and practices. You'll find the episodes to our interview with Dr. Bowman in this link. Additional information featured in this broadcast. https://newsroom.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/history-of-missionary-work-in-the-church https://churchhistorylibrary.churchofjesuschrist.org/guides/missions-and-missionaries?lang=eng#finding-local-unit-historical-records https://provo.mtc.missionary.org/about https://www.watchman.org/utah Additional Resources:FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (two volumes totalling over 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

This week is part two of our conversation with Old Testament scholar and theologian Dr. John Oswalt to discuss his 2009 book The Bible Among the Myths - Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature? John continues to outline his case that the Bible is utterly unique in ancient literature, despite any alleged similarities in its pages with its surrounding pagan cultures often unnecessarily overemphasized by skeptics and critics of the Bible. Dr. John Oswalt Asbury served on the faculty of Asbury Theological seminary from 1970 to 1982 as professor of Old Testament and Semitic languages, and again from 1989 to 1999 as Professor of Old Testament. He rejoined Asbury in 2009 as visiting distinguished professor of Old Testament studies. He has also served as research professor of Old Testament at Wesley Biblical Seminary in Jackson, Miss., from 1999 to 2009, was president of Asbury College from 1983 to 1986, a member of the faculty of Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Ill., from 1986 to 1989, and  Interim President of Wesley Biblical Seminary, Ridgeland, MS from April 2019 through March 2020. He is the author of 16 books, most notable of which is the two-volume commentary on the book of Isaiah in the New International Commentary of the Old Testament. His most recent book is The Holy One of Israel: Studies in the Book of Isaiah, released in 2014. He has also written numerous articles that have appeared in Bible encyclopedias, scholarly journals and popular religious periodicals. Dr. Oswalt is an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, with membership in the Kentucky Annual Conference. He has served as a part-time pastor in congregations in New England and Kentucky, and is a frequent speaker in conferences, camps and local churches. Oswalt received a B.A. from Taylor University; a B.D. and Th.M. from Asbury Seminary; and a M.A. and Ph.D. from Brandeis University.The Bible Among the Myths  Isaiah CommentaryFree Resources from Watchman Fellowship:  Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman  Atheism: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction   Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Hiddenness  Other Resources from Watchman Fellowship FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.The complete Profile Notebook (Digital Edition, PDF): www.watchman.org/DigitalNotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

A frequent argument leveled against the Bible by skeptics and non-believers is that the Bible is just a collection of borrowed myths from surrounding pagan nations. But is that actually true? Are stories in the Bible just borrowed mythology from other pagan cultures? The short answer is "Absolutely not." The longer answer can be found in Old Testament scholar and theologian Dr. John Oswalt, in his 2009 book, The Bible Among the Myths - Unique Revelation or Just Ancient Literature? This week and next on Apologetics Profile, Watchman staff apologist Daniel Ray sits down with John for a lively and highly accessible and pastoral conversation about his book. From Zondervan Academic: Dr. John N. Oswalt (PhD, Brandeis University) is Visiting Distinguished Professor of Old Testament at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky. He is the author of numerous articles and several books, including the two-volume commentary on Isaiah in the New International Commentary on the Old Testament series and Called to be Holy: A Biblical Perspective.The Bible Among the Myths  Isaiah Commentary Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship:   Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Bart Ehrman by Dr. Rhyne Putman: www.watchman.org/Ehrman  Atheism: www.watchman.org/Atheism Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Deconstruction by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Deconstruction   Watchman Fellowship 4-page Profile on Divine Hiddenness by Daniel Ray: www.watchman.org/Hiddenness  Other Resources from Watchman Fellowship FREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/Free.The complete Profile Notebook (Digital Edition, PDF): www.watchman.org/DigitalNotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/give.Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

If physical extraterrestrial beings from another region of our galaxy or universe is scientifically impossible, then what other alternatives are there which might reveal the true identity of aliens and extraterrestrial intelligences? Are they all just science fiction, or might there be a deeper, spiritual reality behind their true identity? On this episode of the Profile, Watchman Fellowship President James K. Walker sits down with Watchman founder David Henke to discuss some biblical possibilities regarding the nature and identity of alleged extraterrestrials. Why would any alien beings from another part of the universe be so focused on correcting our understanding of Jesus and the Gospel message?The Bible is clear about the identity of anyone who comes preaching a different Gospel or a different Jesus, even if they appear to us as angels of light.  Other Watchman Fellowship Resources on the Question of Aliens, UFOs, and UAPs: Free Four-Page Profile ArticlesUFOs and UAPsRaeliansHeaven's GateDisclosure DayThe Urantia BookPodcast Episodes on UFOs, Aliens, and Extraterrestrials Aliens, Evolution, and Intelligent DesignWhat is the Message of Spielberg’s Disclosure Day?UFOS and AliensUfologist Gary Bates Part OneUfologist Gary Bates Part TwoAncient Aliens? No.Daniel’s interview with Sasha Sagan, the daughter of the late planetary astronomer Carl Sagan Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

Do intelligent, extraterrestrial aliens exist? How might evolution explain their existence? Or can it? Here on this week's Apologetics Profile, we discuss intelligent design and the evolutionary assumptions behind the possible existence of ETs with Kristin Marais and Casey Luskin of Discovery Institute. Casey Luskin is a scientist and an attorney with graduate degrees in science and law, giving him expertise in both the scientific and legal dimensions of the debate over evolution. He holds a PhD in Geology from the University of Johannesburg He earned a law degree from the University of San Diego. His B.S. and M.S. degrees in Earth Sciences are from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Luskin has been a California-licensed attorney since 2005, practicing primarily in the area of evolution-education in public schools and defending academic freedom for scientists who face discrimination because of their support for intelligent design (ID). https://www.discovery.org/p/luskin/Kristin Marais has roughly 15 years of educational experience spanning the traditional building classroom, online classroom, curriculum development, and tutoring. She graduated from the University of California Riverside with a BS in biochemistry and then completed a MS in Teaching through Western Washington University. Kristin is a Washington state certified teacher with endorsements in chemistry, biology, and general science. https://discoveryinstitute.academy/chemistry/Featured Audio ClipsCarl SaganRichard DawkinsUS News LiveBob SalasStephen C. Meyer Resources on Aliens, UFOs and UAPs from Watchman FellowshipUFOs and UAPsRaeliansHeaven's GateDisclosure DayThe Urantia BookPodcast Episodes on UFOs, Aliens, and Extraterrestrials UFOS and AliensUfologist Gary Bates Part OneUfologist Gary Bates Part Two Ancient Aliens? No. Daniel’s interview with Sasha Sagan, the daughter of the late planetary astronomer Carl Sagan SUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

What are the messages behind the new Steven Spielberg's new alien film Disclosure Day? Should we pay attention to them? What should we think about them? What exactly are they? On this episode of the Profile, Watchman Fellowship President James K. Walker sits down with Watchman apologists Brady Blevins and Daniel Ray to analyze and discuss the deeper religious themes in the film and how we might respond to them as believers. Does the film present any new ideas that would be a threat to Christianity? We'll discuss this and several other questions on this episode. Other Watchman Fellowship Resources on the Question of Aliens, UFOs, and UAPs: Free Four-Page Profile ArticlesUFOs and UAPsRaeliansHeaven's GateDisclosure DayThe Urantia BookPodcast Episodes on UFOs, Aliens, and Extraterrestrials UFOS and AliensUfologist Gary Bates Part OneUfologist Gary Bates Part Two Ancient Aliens? No. Daniel’s interview with Sasha Sagan, the daughter of the late planetary astronomer Carl Sagan Additional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

How does the omnipresence of God in the created world fill our day-to-day lives? How are our everyday lives actually manifestations of God's extraordinary grace? What makes a good story? And what role do pack animals play in some of the greatest moments in the history of Western civilization? We tackle these and other mysteries here on part two of our conversation about the science fiction writing of C.S. Lewis with author, cosmologist, and budding philologist Dr. Luke Barnes. We hope this conversation will stir your wonder and imagination and inspire you to have better conversations with people whom God brings into your life. Luke A. Barnes is a theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and postdoctoral researcher at Western Sydney University. "He received his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge in 2009.   He is a John Templeton Fellow. He has published papers in the fields of galaxy formation and the fine-tuning of the Universe for life. He is the author, with Geraint Lewis, of A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely Tuned Cosmos published by Cambridge University Press. He has also published papers on the philosophy of science, and regularly engages in public outreach through public speaking, articles in the popular press, and social media. He has modeled galaxy formation in a cosmological context with supercomputer simulations, and connected those simulations to observations with modeling of radiative transfer (particularly Lyman alpha emission and absorption) and realistic models of IFU observations. He has investigated the fine-tuning of the universe for intelligent life, modeling the effect of the cosmological constant on galaxy formation and the effect of alternative nuclear physics on stars. He has contributed to the philosophy of science by considering the challenges of testing multiverse theories using probability theory." Daniel and Luke's co-authored profile on Scientism. https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdfAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

In the opening chapter of the Book of Isaiah, the LORD calls the heavens and earth to witness a remarkable but tragic thing. Planets and stars and all the heavenly hosts, which do not have ears, will listen and obey their Creator, but we who do have hears fail to hear or understand. Even oxen and pack animals have more sense than we do, according to what God says through the prophet. In order to circumvent our sinfulness, Jesus often used parables stories to get His audience's attention.  And to this day, Jesus's parallels are the most well-known stories in the world. From the Prodigal Son, to the Good Samaritan, Jesus tells us of the kingdom of God and of His mercy and grace toward sinners. C.S. Lewis likewise believed stories were perfectly suited to convey spiritual and theological truths. Lewis used stories to get past our analytical "watchful dragons" of bias, skepticism, and false beliefs we might harbor about God, lessons and truths we might miss if spoken directly to us as an object moral lesson. This week and next on the Profile, we have a delightful rambling chat about Lewis's science fiction with author, budding philologist, cosmologist and C.S. Lewis enthusiast, Dr. Luke Barnes. We hope the conversation will inspire you to have likewise enjoyable and meaningful conversations, too, as well as inspire you to use words wisely! Luke A. Barnes is a theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist, and postdoctoral researcher at Western Sydney University. "He received his PhD in Astronomy from the University of Cambridge in 2009.   He is a John Templeton Fellow. He has published papers in the fields of galaxy formation and the fine-tuning of the Universe for life. He is the author, with Geraint Lewis, of A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely Tuned Cosmos published by Cambridge University Press. He has also published papers on the philosophy of science, and regularly engages in public outreach through public speaking, articles in the popular press, and social media. He has modeled galaxy formation in a cosmological context with supercomputer simulations, and connected those simulations to observations with modeling of radiative transfer (particularly Lyman alpha emission and absorption) and realistic models of IFU observations. He has investigated the fine-tuning of the universe for intelligent life, modeling the effect of the cosmological constant on galaxy formation and the effect of alternative nuclear physics on stars. He has contributed to the philosophy of science by considering the challenges of testing multiverse theories using probability theory." Daniel and Luke's co-authored profile on Scientism. https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdfAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.

If intelligent design is so apparent in living organisms and in the cosmos, why don't more people accept it? Here on part two of our conversation with President of Reasons to Believe, biochemist, author, and apologist, Dr. Fuz Rana, we explore this question and reveal how people do in fact recognize design, but yet suppress that truth. Fuz will give us some winsome wisdom about how we as Christians can intelligently engage in the theology-science dialogue and help unbelievers see Christ more clearly. Fuz's Testimony and Background: "As a graduate student studying biochemistry, I was captivated by the cell’s complexity, elegance, and sophistication. The inadequacy of evolutionary scenarios to account for life’s origin compelled me to conclude that life must come from a Creator. Reading through the Sermon on the Mount convinced me that Jesus really was who Christians claimed him to be: Lord and Savior. Still, encouraging others to join me in following Christ wasn’t important to me—until my father died. His death changed that.  In 1999, I left my position in research and development at a Fortune 500 company to join Reasons to Believe. I felt the most important thing I could do as a scientist was to show Christians and non-Christians alike the powerful scientific evidence for God’s existence and for the reliability of the Bible."Free Resources from Watchman Fellowship Naturalism: https://www.watchman.org/Naturalism/ProfileNaturalism.pdfScientism: https://www.watchman.org/scientism/ProfileScientism.pdfPanpsychism: https://www.watchman.org/files/ProfilePanpsychism.pdfAtheism: https://www.watchman.org/profiles/pdf/atheismprofile.pdfAdditional ResourcesFREE: We are also offering a subscription to our 4-page bimonthly Profiles here: www.watchman.org/FreePROFILE NOTEBOOK: Order the complete collection of Watchman Fellowship Profiles (around 700 pages -- from Astrology to Zen Buddhism) in either printed or PDF formats here: www.watchman.org/NotebookSUPPORT: Help us create more content like this. Make a tax-deductible donation here: www.watchman.org/Give Apologetics Profile is a ministry of Watchman Fellowship For more information, visit www.watchman.org © 2026 Watchman Fellowship, Inc.