Podcast Summary

Podcast: I Don't Have Enough FAITH to Be an ATHEIST
Host: Dr. Frank Turek
Guest: Pastor Jack Hibbs (Calvary Chapel, Chino Hills)
Episode: MAKE HEAVEN CROWDED and Take a BOLD Stand for Christ
Date: September 13, 2025

Main Theme

This episode centers on what it means for Christians to "take a bold stand for Christ" in a rapidly secularizing, morally confused culture. Dr. Frank Turek and Pastor Jack Hibbs discuss discipleship beyond mere "fire insurance" Christianity, exploring how true faith requires action, conviction, and engagement in public and private life. They also unpack Pastor Hibbs’ new book, Called to Take a Bold Stand: Resilient, Effective Faith for a Godless Age, reflecting on its call for practical, courageous discipleship.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Christianity: More Than "Fire Insurance" (00:00–04:33)

• Dr. Turek critiques the notion that Christianity is just about "getting saved" and waiting for the afterlife.
• The Great Commission (Matthew 28) instructs believers to "make disciples," not just converts.
  • Quote: "It's not about fire insurance. It's about being a disciple." – Frank Turek (04:33)
• Jack Hibbs highlights his church’s enduring focus on discipleship and being "salt and light" in California for 35 years.

Discipleship in Action & Facing Persecution (04:33–10:04)

• Hibbs emphasizes that following Jesus often leads to persecution, not comfort.
• The necessity of active Christianity:
  • Real discipleship is evidenced by loving engagement with truth and calling out sin—with love and integrity.
  • Taking a stand often brings opposition, but for “the right reasons.”
  • Quote: "If we really love like Jesus, we are going to call sin out. We're going to start in our own lives…" – Jack Hibbs (06:28)
• Hibbs recounts mobilizing over 6,500 people to California’s Capitol, opposing legislation threatening parental rights (“AB495”)—a demonstration of "doing righteousness" rather than "just being political."

The Role of the Church & Engaging Society (10:04–14:59)

• Christians are called to actively engage in all areas of life as "salt and light" and not shrink from cultural battles—especially concerning the safety and upbringing of children.
• Nonbelievers joined the stand against destructive legislation, showcasing the universal impact of righteous action.
• Quote: "If we can stand up against evil in California, you can stand up for evil anywhere." – Jack Hibbs (08:58)

Standing for Righteousness: Love, Truth, and Toughness (14:59–22:38)

• Turek and Hibbs discuss the confusion in today’s church between love and approval; enabling sin isn’t biblical love.
  • Quote: "If you approve of everything your 13-year-old wants to do, you're not loving, you're enabling evil." – Frank Turek (18:39)
• Hibbs stresses biblical love involves protection and sometimes confrontation—“the love of God is rugged.”
• Christians are to be both kind and bold, defending God-given freedoms, families, and truth.

Obedience, Experience, and the Holy Spirit (22:38–34:02)

• Discipleship involves not just emotional experiences but active learning and obedience.
• On how the Holy Spirit works:
  • The Spirit uses scripture, impresses truth on believers’ hearts, and leads us in daily sanctification.
  • Quote: "The Spirit of God will take the word of God and impress it upon your thought life throughout the course of the day." – Jack Hibbs (26:29)
• Warns against “experience-led” faith—feelings can mislead; the Bible must be central.
  • Quote (on new personal revelation): "Why are you asking for new revelation when you're not even obeying the existing revelation?" – Dr. Norman Geisler (recounted by Frank Turek) (33:12)

Perseverance Through Suffering and Divine Appointments (34:02–43:59)

• Hibbs shares testimonies from his church about people impacted through suffering—emphasizing that crisis often opens hearts to the gospel.
• His own sister Peggy came to faith through battling cancer after years of New Age beliefs.
  • Quote: "Suffering caused her to come to the place of understanding that all these falsehoods could not help her." – Jack Hibbs (39:45)
• The message: The tragedy is not dying young, but living a long life without using it for the Lord (41:37).

Encouragement for Ordinary Believers (43:59–48:19)

• God uses ordinary and even weak people for his purposes—biblical heroes were not inherently special.
  • Quote: "God in his sovereignty can use anybody, including Balaam's donkey." – Jack Hibbs (45:58)
• Impact isn’t about platform size, but about obedience where you are.
• Christians are not judged compared to others but by their faithfulness to God’s calling in their lives.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "You're immortal until the day that the Lord takes you home." – Dr. Frank Turek (44:08)
• "Stop playing it safe, act on it. And gosh, guess what? If we make a mistake, wouldn't you rather get an A for thinking that was God speaking…?” – Jack Hibbs (47:38)
• "Let's be a little bit reckless with truth and do it and see what happens." – Jack Hibbs (47:56)
• "You can be a fool for Christ." – Frank Turek (48:17)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00–04:33 | Introduction: Purpose of Christianity, The Great Commission, Introduction to Jack Hibbs and his book
• 04:33–10:04 | Discipleship over shallow faith; Standing in a hostile culture
• 10:04–14:59 | Standing in California; Real-life activism; Unpopular bills and public responses
• 14:59–22:38 | The biblical basis for standing firm; Church's militant but loving calling
• 22:38–34:02 | The Holy Spirit’s guidance, dangers of "feelings-based" Christianity
• 34:02–43:59 | Sanctification through suffering; Testimony of Peggy’s conversion
• 43:59–48:19 | God uses ordinary people; Call to practical, bold disciple-making

Style and Tone

The conversation oscillates between passionate exhortation ("Put evil on notice!") and warm encouragement, interspersed with stories, scriptural references, and practical applications. Hibbs’ style is direct but heartfelt: “Let’s be a little bit reckless with truth.” Turek’s tone is both playful and serious, ensuring the content is both accessible and urgent.

Conclusion

This episode is a call to arms for Christians to move from passive belief to active, courageous discipleship—centered in scripture, powered by the Spirit, and evidenced in loving yet bold engagement with the world. Pastor Jack Hibbs’ stories and biblical challenges, as well as the practical content of his new book, are designed to inspire believers to "make heaven crowded" and not shrink from their mission, no matter the cost or the cultural climate.