Podcast Summary: Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey – Ep 1163 | _Self-Centered Women’s Ministries Are Making the Church Weak_** | Guest: Natasha Crain**

Podcast Information:

• Title: Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey
• Host: Blaze Podcast Network
• Episode: Ep 1163
• Guest: Natasha Crain
• Release Date: March 31, 2025

Introduction

In Episode 1163 of Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey, host Allie Beth Stuckey engages in a profound conversation with Natasha Crain, a dedicated mom, apologist, and author. The discussion centers around the critical issue of self-centered women's ministries and how they may be inadvertently weakening the church's impact in today's culturally hostile environment.

Guest Background

Natasha Crain introduces herself as a seasoned author with five books over the past decade, focusing on equipping Christians with robust understandings of worldviews and apologetics. Married for 25 years and a mother of three teenagers, Natasha shares her journey from homeschooling and blogging to becoming a recognized voice in Christian apologetics.

“I eventually turned around and made my blog into a place where I was equipping other Christian parents with an understanding of these things...”
— Natasha Crain [04:59]

The Genesis of Apologetics in Her Ministry

Natasha recounts starting her blog, Christian Mom Thoughts, in 2011 as a space to document her experiences raising children in a Christian home. Unexpectedly, her blog attracted skeptics who challenged her faith, prompting her to delve deeper into apologetics to provide substantive answers.

“I had to dig deeper because I couldn’t stand the thought that people were raising objections that I couldn’t answer.”
— Natasha Crain [05:27]

Challenges in the Church: The Lack of Apologetics Training

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the deficiency of apologetics training within churches. Natasha emphasizes that while parents are the primary disciplers of their children, many lack the necessary tools to effectively impart a strong biblical worldview.

“Parents are the primary disciplers of the kids. I’m not saying that the church has to take that over, but the parents are the primary disciplers.”
— Natasha Crain [10:59]

Biblical Worldview and the Authority Gap

One of the pivotal points is the disparity between self-identified Christians and those holding a true biblical worldview. Citing research from Arizona Christian University’s Cultural Research Center, Natasha reveals that while approximately 65% of Americans identify as Christians, only about 4% truly adhere to a biblical worldview.

“There’s an authority gap. It’s the difference between what people say they are and how they actually align with biblical truths.”
— Natasha Crain [12:16]

She further explains that a worldview encompasses fundamental beliefs about existence, purpose, morality, and the afterlife. The research methodology ensures that only those whose beliefs align 80% or more with biblical teachings are classified as holding a biblical worldview.

Advocacy in the Public Square: Navigating Double Standards

Natasha addresses the double standards Christians face when advocating for their beliefs in the public arena. Conservative Christians often receive backlash and are labeled as Christian nationalists or authoritarian when promoting policies based on biblical truths. In contrast, progressive Christians advocating from a biblical standpoint do not face similar stigmatization.

“There is a huge double standard. Progressive Christians advocating from the Bible aren’t labeled the same way.”
— Natasha Crain [20:30]

She clarifies that constitutional democracy supports the free exchange of diverse viewpoints, and Christians should embrace this framework to advocate effectively without being mislabeled.

Defining and Advocating for the Common Good

A central theme is the definition of the common good from a biblical perspective. Natasha underscores the importance of distinguishing objectively good defined by God from subjective worldly definitions. This clarity is essential when advocating for policies on contentious issues like gender identity and abortion.

“The common good is defined by God alone. We have to think more about that as Christians.”
— Natasha Crain [23:52]

Overcoming Fears: Balancing Evangelism and Advocacy

Addressing concerns that policy advocacy might hinder evangelism, Natasha asserts that advocacy is an integral part of loving others. By promoting righteous societal structures, Christians demonstrate tangible care for their neighbors, aligning with Jesus' teachings.

“Advocating for righteousness in the public square is part of loving others.”
— Natasha Crain [48:58]

The ACT Framework: A Guide to Perseverance

Natasha introduces the ACT framework as a strategy for Christians to persevere in advocacy:

1. A – Know Your Biblical Authority: Understanding that God's word is the ultimate truth motivates advocacy.
2. C – Strengthen Conviction: Equip oneself with knowledge and understanding of biblical teachings.
3. T – Maintain Tenacity: Adjust expectations and remain steadfast despite opposition.

“A is for know your biblical authority. C is for strengthen conviction. T is maintain tenacity.”
— Natasha Crain [40:51]

Facing Opposition: Building Conviction and Resilience

Natasha shares personal experiences of facing criticism and opposition, highlighting the necessity of conviction rooted in biblical truth to overcome fear of making enemies. She encourages Christians to deepen their understanding of faith to bolster their resilience in the face of societal pushback.

“If you truly believe that Christianity is true, you’re going to be much more motivated to advocate for what’s right.”
— Natasha Crain [44:59]

Transforming Women’s Ministries: From Self-Centered to Christ-Centered

A critical examination of women's ministries reveals that many focus excessively on self-esteem and personal development, neglecting the theological depth needed to foster strong biblical foundations. Natasha advocates for theological equipping of women to serve as theologians and apologists within their homes and communities.

“When you gather women for events, focus on bringing them deeper in the Word, helping them understand scripture.”
— Natasha Crain [56:52]

Conclusion

The episode concludes with a strong call to action for Christians to embrace their role in advocating for a biblical worldview in the public sphere. Natasha Crain’s insights underscore the importance of ** theological education**, parental leadership, and active engagement in societal issues to restore the church’s strength and influence.

Follow Natasha Crain:

• Website: NatashaCrain.com
• Podcast: The Natasha Crain Podcast

Key Takeaways:

• Authority Gap: A significant number of self-identified Christians do not hold a true biblical worldview, weakening the church’s societal impact.
• Biblical Worldview: Defined by alignment with core biblical truths, encompassing beliefs about existence, morality, and purpose.
• Double Standards in Advocacy: Conservative Christians face harsher backlash compared to their progressive counterparts when advocating policies from a biblical stance.
• ACT Framework: A strategic approach (Authority, Conviction, Tenacity) to empower Christians to persevere in public advocacy.
• Transforming Ministries: Shift women’s ministries from self-focused to theologically robust to better equip women for discipleship and advocacy.

Notable Quotes:

• Natasha Crain [04:59]: “I was equipping parents with this understanding that they probably weren't going to get from their church in terms of how to disciple their kids and answer these questions.”

• Natasha Crain [12:16]: “When you have 65% of people say they are Christians and only 4% who hold the beliefs consistent with what you would expect that to mean, we have what I would call an authority gap.”

• Natasha Crain [40:51]: “A is for know your biblical authority. C is for strengthen conviction. T is maintain tenacity.”

• Natasha Crain [56:52]: “When you gather women for events, focus on bringing them deeper in the Word, helping them understand scripture.”

By delving into these discussions, listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and necessary strategies for Christians to strengthen their roles within both the church and the broader cultural landscape.