Podcast Summary: “I Don’t Have Enough Faith To Be An Atheist” | Frank Turek on The Bobby Bones Show

Introduction

In this episode of “The Bobby Bones Show,” host Granger Smith welcomes renowned Christian apologist Frank Turek as his guest. Released on March 3, 2025, the conversation delves deep into the foundations of Christian apologetics, addressing common misconceptions about the role of apologists, the importance of morality grounded in faith, and strategies for engaging with atheists effectively.

Football Banter

The episode opens with a light-hearted exchange about football preferences, highlighting a playful theological debate:

• Frank Turek [00:04]: “I should be a giant fan. And both of our teams stink.”
• Granger Smith [01:41]: "It’s a theological difference we have here?"

This banter sets a collegial tone, illustrating how personal interests can intersect with deeper discussions.

Defining Apologetics

Granger Smith emphasizes the necessity for Christians to engage in apologetics, challenging the notion that not everyone is equipped to defend their faith:

• Granger Smith [06:33]: “Everyone should be an apologist... But some are better than others.”
• Frank Turek [07:13]: “Nothing goes to the heart without first going through the head.”

Frank clarifies that apologetics are not about apologizing but about defending and presenting the truth of Christianity, rooted in the Greek origin of the word from 1 Peter 3:15.

Frank Turek's Journey to Apologetics

Frank shares his personal journey from Catholic upbringing to becoming a leading apologist:

• Frank Turek [04:28]: “I came to Faith through apologetics... I read Josh McDowell’s books and realized Christianity is true.”
• He recounts meeting Norman Geisler, moving to Charlotte for seminary, and co-authoring “I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist.”

Belief That vs. Belief In

A significant portion of the discussion distinguishes between “belief that” knowledge and “belief in” personal trust:

• Frank Turek [07:54]: “There’s a difference between belief that and belief in.”
• Granger Smith [07:55]: “Belief that is intellectual. Belief in is not just intellectual, it’s also emotional.”

Frank explains that while many acknowledge the existence of God intellectually, true faith requires a personal trust in Him, akin to trusting evidence in relationships.

Morality Without God

The conversation addresses the foundational role of God in establishing objective morality:

• Frank Turek [23:06]: “He [Costi] doesn’t have a moral ground if there is no God, to say that sleeping with your girlfriend is right or wrong.”
• Granger Smith [23:14]: “Costi thinks slavery is wrong but has no moral standard without God.”

Frank argues that without a divine moral lawgiver, morality becomes subjective, leading individuals to justify immoral actions based on personal preferences rather than objective standards.

Engaging with Atheists: The Costi Story

Frank recounts his extensive dialogue with an atheist named Costi, illustrating the challenges and strategies in apologetic conversations:

• Frank Turek [16:01]: “If Christianity were true, would you believe it?”
• Costi [30:04]: Ultimately rejects the offer, highlighting the resistance atheists often have toward accepting faith.

This narrative underscores the importance of understanding underlying motivations and the difficulty in persuading those who actively resist belief in God.

Defense of God's Actions in the Bible

Addressing criticisms of God’s morality, especially concerning actions in the Old Testament:

• Frank Turek [25:22]: “By what moral standard are you saying that’s wrong?”
• He contends that God's actions are just judgments, appropriate for the Creator, contrasting human moral limitations.

Frank also points out the literary and contextual nuances in scriptures, suggesting that some harsh commands might be exaggerated language typical of the ancient Near Eastern context.

Strategies for Apologetics

Frank outlines effective methods for engaging in apologetic discourse:

• Frank Turek [37:15]: “Start asking questions like that and see what they say.”
• Emphasizes asking foundational questions about existence, morality, and the universe’s fine-tuning to lead conversations toward recognizing the need for a divine cause.

He advises focusing on cause-and-effect reasoning to demonstrate that the universe's orderliness points to an intelligent designer.

Experiences Debating Christopher Hitchens

Frank shares his encounters with the late atheist Christopher Hitchens, highlighting the challenges of debating someone who often diverted from the core arguments:

• Frank Turek [40:53]: “Christopher got up and started talking about what a bad person Mother Teresa was.”
• Criticizes Hitchens for not addressing the theological propositions directly, instead using rhetoric to evade fundamental questions.

These debates exemplify the difficulties apologists face when opponents do not engage straightforwardly with the substantive arguments.

Addressing the Problem of Evil and Ethics

A core segment focuses on the problem of evil and how it relates to the existence of a benevolent God:

• Frank Turek [24:36]: “If God were to end evil at midnight tonight, would any of us be alive at 1201?”
• He argues that God’s allowance of evil preserves human free will, essential for genuine love and moral responsibility.

Frank distinguishes between God’s just judgment and human morality, asserting that divine actions are inherently different due to His sovereignty and perfect nature.

The Gospel Clarification

Frank emphasizes the centrality of the Gospel in Christian faith, differentiating it from social justice narratives:

• Frank Turek [50:44]: “Jesus came to be the sacrifice, the lamb, to take your sins and give you His righteousness.”
• Clarifies that Jesus’ mission was to offer salvation and eternal justice, not primarily to instigate social reforms.

This clarification helps listeners understand that the Gospel’s focus is on spiritual redemption rather than solely on ethical or societal changes.

Practical Advice for Apologists

Frank provides actionable advice for Christians looking to engage in apologetics:

• Focus on foundational arguments: existence of truth, God, miracles, and resurrection.
• Address common objections categorized as the four E’s: Ethics, Evil, Evolution, and Eternity.
• Utilize resources like his book “Stealing from God” and the cross-examined.org platform for structured responses.

He encourages continuous learning and practicing questioning techniques to effectively engage skeptics.

Concluding Remarks

The episode wraps up with mutual appreciation and reflections on maintaining physical and intellectual sharpness for effective ministry:

• Granger Smith [59:54]: “You certainly can [be in ministry and music].”
• Frank Turek [60:32]: Discusses the importance of health in sustaining endurance for long discussions and debates.

Frank hints at upcoming projects, including the book “The War on Reality,” aimed at countering modern misconceptions and defending the Christian worldview.

Notable Quotes

• Frank Turek [07:13]: “We’re supposed to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, strength, and mind.”
• Frank Turek [17:57]: “Natural laws come from lawgivers, just like every law comes from a lawgiver.”
• Frank Turek [37:15]: “If there is no God, why do you spend all your time fighting him?”
• Frank Turek [50:44]: “Jesus came as the sacrifice. I came to take your sins from you and then give you my righteousness.”

Conclusion

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of Christian apologetics through Frank Turek’s expert insights. It underscores the necessity of intellectual engagement in faith, the pivotal role of objective morality, and effective strategies for defending Christianity in contemporary discourse. Listeners gain valuable perspectives on navigating theological debates, understanding the interplay between belief and trust, and the importance of maintaining both mental and physical readiness in their spiritual journey.