

Faith and Reason Exchange
1517 Podcasts
Explore challenging questions about Christianity in thoughtful, informed, and intellectually stimulating conversations that deepen the connection between faith and reason. Set within the historic Christian tradition, this podcast discusses current scientific, philosophical, and cultural issues as it pursues a faith that better understands and an intellect that has reason to believe. In a time when the world seems to be losing its mind, and hope along with it, our goal is to equip a new generation of critical thinkers who can defend their faith with reason and evidence. Hosted by Dr. David Andersen & Dr. Adam Francisco
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 3, 2025 • 45min
Spiritual but not religious, nones, et cetera
David and Adam begin a conversation on what to think and do about the religiously unaffiliated--those who claim to be spiritual but not religious and/or check the "none" box on religious surveys. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

Aug 27, 2025 • 48min
Did Jesus really exist?
David and Adam address the claim that Richard Dawkins and other skeptics have made, asserting that Jesus may not have existed and, even if he did, the historical evidence is unreliable. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Untamed Prayers: 365 Daily Devotions on Christ in the Book of Psalms by Chad Bird Remembering Your Baptism: A 40-Day Devotional by Kathryn Morales Sinner Saint by Luke Kjolhaug The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

Aug 20, 2025 • 45min
Is Christianity a cleverly devised myth?
David and Adam tackle the claim that Christianity was developed from mythology. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

Aug 13, 2025 • 43min
Is the Christian faith in conflict with science?
David and Adam address the common assumption that Christian faith conflicts with science. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

Aug 6, 2025 • 40min
Individual and community w/ Dr. Mickey Mattox
In this episode of Faith and Reason Exchange, David and Adam are joined by Dr. Mickey Mattox of Hillsdale College to discuss individualism and community. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

Jul 30, 2025 • 43min
Faith and doubt
David and Adam reflect on the pervasiveness of doubt in the modern age among believers and non-believers alike. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

Jul 23, 2025 • 43min
Ratzinger's Introduction to Christianity
This episode dives into Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's approach to theology in a secular and, at the same time, spiritual age. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

Jul 16, 2025 • 49min
Is Modern Man a Moral Idiot?
David and Adam go through the introduction of Richard Weaver's Ideas Have Consequences and discuss the intellectual roots of modern Western culture. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

Jul 9, 2025 • 42min
Medieval apologetics
David and Adam explore medieval apologetics--esp. the work of Anselm and Thomas Aquinas. Show Notes: Support 1517 Podcast Network 1517 Podcasts 1517 on Youtube 1517 Podcast Network on Apple Podcasts 1517 Events Schedule 1517 Academy - Free Theological Education What's New from 1517: Celebrate 2,000 Episodes of Christian History Almanac! The Impossible Prize: A Theology of Addiction by Donavan Riley Ditching the Checklist by Mark Mattes More from the hosts: Adam Francisco David Andersen

Jul 2, 2025 • 33min
The early apologists, part 2
Dive into the fascinating life of Justin Martyr, exploring his philosophical journey from paganism to Christianity. Learn how he viewed Christianity as the fulfillment of earlier philosophies and argued that reason and divine truth coexist. Discover his insights on Old Testament prophecies and how he articulated the transformative power of the Eucharist. The podcast also delves into early Christian worship practices and Justin's defense of these traditions against Roman misconceptions.


