4/12/2023
Episode S5:E15
28 min 
30 sec

Ode to Cincinnatus

With Shawn Boonstra

It's a fact you'll find all throughout history: people who unwittingly become leaders by accident or in times of sudden crisis quite often make better leaders than people who spend their lives trying to gain power. On this week’s episode of AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra takes a look at Cincinnatus, an ancient Roman statesman who was quickly made dictator in wartime—and just as quickly resigned after victory. His unusual story points us to the true nature of human rule, power, and corruption.

Episodes
Authentic
3/29/2023
Episode S5:E13
28 min 
30 sec

Lessons from Dead Friends

With Shawn Boonstra

Losing someone to death can be heartbreaking, especially if that person was young. And it's far from rare: studies show young Americans are TWICE as likely to die as their counterparts in other developed nations, like Germany, France, and Japan. The mortality rate for U.S. babies is scarily high, too. How do we cope? AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra says there is something we can do to help make these painful moments less difficult.

Episodes
Authentic
3/23/2023
Episode S5:E12
28 min 
30 sec

The Nature of Evidence

With Shawn Boonstra

If you didn't see it, hear it, or feel it yourself—did it REALLY happen? Learn how your experiences and the way you rely on them can trick you when it comes to miracles. Join Shawn Boonstra as he takes a closer look at famous philosopher David Hume, who didn't believe in miracles. This week's episode of AUTHENTIC will make you think a little differently about the world around you!

Episodes
Authentic
3/15/2023
Episode S5:E11
28 min 
30 sec

David Hume and Miracles

With Shawn Boonstra

Is it possible for miracles to be scientifically proven? Join Shawn Boonstra on this week's episode of AUTHENTIC as he explores one of history's most influential philosophers, David Hume, and his controversial view on miracles. There's plenty to discuss at this fascinating intersection of philosophy, religion, and science—don't miss this week's show!

Episodes
Authentic
3/9/2023
Episode S5:E10
28 min 
30 sec

Marketing God

With Shawn Boonstra

Churches risk losing their way when they prioritize business and marketing strategies over their core mission. They may be filling the pews, but in the process they're unintentionally compromising the message they stand for. This episode of AUTHENTIC with Shawn Boonstra explores the dangers of putting church growth and popularity ahead of Gospel truth.

Episodes
Authentic
3/1/2023
Episode S5:E09
28 min 
30 sec

The Strange Case of Free Will

With Shawn Boonstra

Do you really control every decision you make? There’s an increasing number of people who believe that free will is only an illusion—that the decisions you make today are solely caused by events from your past.

In this episode, AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra discusses research from neuroscientist Benjamin Libet and the determinism of Dutch-Jewish philosopher Baruch Spinoza. It's a deep dive into the debate over free will versus the law of Nature.

Episodes
Authentic
2/24/2023
Episode S5:E08
28 min 
30 sec

Infinity and Beyond

With Shawn Boonstra

Your life is finite: you'll live and die, having occupied a limited space for a limited amount of time. But in the end, we all seem to sense that there’s something infinite to grab hold of. Where does it take us? This week on AUTHENTIC, Shawn Boonstra peers into the beyond.

Episodes
Authentic
2/17/2023
Episode S5:E07
28 min 
30 sec

Signs and Wonders

With Shawn Boonstra

Lots of people talk about Jesus' miracles—whether they did or didn't happen. Christians believe they were real. But what's important is that the miracles are not the reason one believes. They're not the foundation of Christian faith. AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra explains how the story of Jesus as Messiah stands strong regardless of the supernatural signs and wonders He performed.

Episodes
Authentic
2/9/2023
Episode S5:E06
28 min 
30 sec

Freedom and the Bible

With Shawn Boonstra

More and more people in North America seem to believe the Bible is a book that oppresses humans and shuts down personal freedom. On this week’s program, Shawn Boonstra argues that the opposite is true—that many freedoms Americans enjoy today are largely inspired by the Bible itself.

Episodes
Authentic
2/2/2023
Episode S5:E05
28 min 
30 sec

The Four Witnesses, Part 5

With Shawn Boonstra

Some critics believe the deity of Christ was a concept invented years after Jesus at the Council of Nicaea. But the gospel of John says otherwise, claiming that Jesus was God from the very beginning—even before God created Earth. And AUTHENTIC host Shawn Boonstra says John talks about everything in a way no other gospel writer does.

This is the final part in a five-episode series called "The Four Witnesses."

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