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
Jun 25, 2025 • 46min
The first apologists
Explore the fascinating origins of Christian apologetics, starting with the Epistle to Diognetus and the influential works of Justin Martyr. Discover how early Christians defended their faith against accusations of immorality and sedition. The hosts discuss how these writings reflected early believers' unique moral lives and convictions. Learn about the role of philosophy in shaping these defenses and the courageous witness of martyrs under persecution. A deep dive into the compelling context of the second-century Christian experience awaits!
Jun 18, 2025 • 36min
Church without God
David and Adam discuss a recent CBS show from its State of Spirituality series, which examines how atheists and agnostics are creating communities with their own set of rituals that often mimic Christian ones. You can find the show here. 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
Jun 11, 2025 • 45min
The myth of neutrality
David and Adam discuss metaphysics and the myth of neutrality. 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
Jun 4, 2025 • 45min
Christian life in secular times
David and Adam pick up where they left off last week, discussing the Christian life in a secular 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: 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
May 28, 2025 • 40min
Is there secular space?
Does the distinction between sacred and secular make sense? Join David and Adam as they discuss the problem of the secular. (Here is the article they refer to in the episode.) 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
May 21, 2025 • 49min
The Shroud of Turin (wih Rev. Dr. Fred Baltz)
Dr. Fred Baltz is an expert on the Shroud of Turin, the Sudarium of Ovieda, and many other historical matters that intersect with the biblical narrative. He has made significant contributions to the projects of investigating filmmaker Timothy Mahoney's Patterns of Evidence website and documentaries (links below). He has also written several books, which are available here. https://www.patternsofevidence.com/2024/03/29/does-jesus-face-cloth-of-johns-gospel-still-exist/ https://www.patternsofevidence.com/2023/05/19/the-pattern-in-the-numbers/ https://www.patternsofevidence.com/2022/04/15/evidence-for-jesus-shroud-of-turin/ https://www.patternsofevidence.com/2021/04/02/torn-temple-curtain/ https://www.patternsofevidence.com/2021/04/09/moses-path-through-the-red-sea/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTJtPS9tcEg&t=856s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=es0kUHufk_E https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWIpA48PBnE&list=LL https://youtu.be/g0cYgiLHmAY Additional 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
May 14, 2025 • 46min
Philosophy amidst theology (with Dr. Dan Deen)
Dr. Dan Deen of Concordia University Irvine joins David and Adam to discuss how he approaches philosophy at a college dominated by theology. 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
May 7, 2025 • 37min
An irenic conversation on Pope Francis
Bruce Hillman joins David and Adam to discuss his recent article on the death of Pope Francis. You can find the article here: https://www.1517.org/articles//what-does-pope-francis-death-mean-to-protestants. 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
Apr 30, 2025 • 51min
What role can history, archeology, and the sciences play in our understanding of the Bible?
David and Adam discuss how extra-biblical evidence from history, archeology, and the sciences can inform our understanding of the Bible. 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
Apr 23, 2025 • 45min
Christ has, in fact, been raised from the dead (1 Cor. 15:20)
David and Adam address objections to the historicity of Jesus' resurrection. 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
