Word for Word with Austin W. Duncan

"Word for Word" with Austin W. Duncan is a weekly podcast that tackles the most pressing questions about Christianity, faith, and spiritual life. Each episode provides clear, Scripture-based answers to fundamental questions that both believers and seekers ask, from "What must I do to be saved?" to "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" Through careful biblical teaching and practical application, Austin explores topics across Basic Christian Thought, Spiritual Growth, Apologetics, World Religions, Biblical Interpretation, and Contemporary Issues. Each episode breaks down complex theological concepts into understandable explanations, using visual elements and modern examples to illuminate ancient truths. Drawing from his passion for biblical teaching, Austin guides listeners through challenging spiritual concepts with clarity and warmth. Whether you're new to Christianity, a long-time believer, or simply curious about faith, "Word for Word" offers thoughtful, accessible answers to help you understand and grow in your spiritual journey.

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Basic Christian Thought & Spiritual Growth

Spiritual Gifts

Holidays

The Nature and Character of God

Basic Apologetics

ALL WORD FOR WORD ARTICLES

ALL WORD FOR WORD ARTICLES

Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan

Who made God?

'But who made God?' The question usually comes with a smirk, as if five-year-olds and philosophers had finally stumped Christianity. Some call it the ultimate gotcha question. Richard Dawkins claims it's the end of intelligent design. Today, we're discovering why this supposed stumbling block is actually a stepping stone to understanding something profound about the nature of existence - and why the answer points to an even bigger truth about God.

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Austin W. Duncan Austin W. Duncan

Responding to Tragedy with Biblical Wisdom

When tragedy strikes our political landscape, how should Christians respond? In the wake of Charlie Kirk's tragic death, Austin W. Duncan offers seven biblical principles for navigating crisis with wisdom instead of outrage. From the truth that "violence is the argument of those who have run out of words" to the reminder that "grief shared is grief halved, but anger shared is anger doubled," this post challenges believers to choose Christ-like character when the world loses its mind. A thoughtful guide for responding to political violence with prayer, truth-seeking, and practical love—because how we handle tragedy reveals our true theology.

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Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan

How many explanations are there for the existence of our universe?

Imagine walking into your kitchen to find a chocolate cake. There are only four possible explanations: someone baked it, it appeared from nothing, it's always been there, or there are infinite kitchens with infinite possibilities. These same four options face us when we look at our universe. Today, we're examining why three of these explanations crumble under scrutiny, leaving us with one extraordinary conclusion.

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Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan

Can chance account for the universe?

A Las Vegas casino makes millions betting on chance. Roll the dice enough times, and probabilities even out. Play enough hands, and the house always wins. But here's what's fascinating: the same mathematicians who calculate casino odds have looked at the probability of our universe existing by chance. Their conclusion? The odds are so astronomical that betting on chance requires more faith than believing in God. Today, we're discovering why the house of chance loses when betting against design.

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Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan

Is there evidence for life after death?

A neuroscientist insists consciousness is just brain chemistry. A grieving widow holds her husband's last letter. A philosopher argues for the soul's immortality. A skeptic dismisses near-death experiences. Everyone has an opinion about life after death - but here's what's fascinating: the strongest evidence doesn't come from modern science or ancient philosophy. It comes from an empty tomb in first-century Jerusalem, and the historical ripple effect that changed the world.

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Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan

How do we know that the Bible is divine rather than human in origin?

66 books. 40 authors. 3 continents. 1,500 years. Shepherds, kings, fishermen, tax collectors, doctors, scholars - all telling the same unfolding story without a single contradiction. No ancient book comes close to the Bible's manuscript evidence. No religious text matches its historical accuracy. No human book predicts the future with perfect precision. Today, we're discovering why the Bible's unique fingerprints point to an Author far beyond human capability.

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Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan

What are the most significant apologetic issues?

'I just can't believe anymore.' These four words have launched thousands of late-night conversations between parents and children, pastors and congregants, friends and colleagues. But here's what's fascinating: while each crisis feels unique, almost every loss of faith traces back to one of four fundamental questions. Today, we're discovering what they are - and why Christians have confidently answered them for 2,000 years.

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Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan

Can a person be argued into the kingdom of God?

Two men hear the exact same defense of Christianity. One walks away transformed, ready to give his life to Christ. The other? Completely unmoved. Some Christians respond to this by saying 'Just keep arguing until they believe!' Others insist 'Never argue, only share your testimony!' But both miss something crucial about how God actually draws people to Himself. Today, we're uncovering what's really happening when someone comes to faith - and why conversion is a mystery that's bigger than any argument, yet often involves careful reasoning.

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Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan

Is apologetics really necessary?

'Christianity is just a crutch for weak people.' 'The Bible is full of myths.' 'Science has disproven God.' Every day, Christians face these challenges. Some stay silent. Others retreat. Some say 'you just have to believe.' Five words that have probably shut down more spiritual conversations than any others in history. It's the answer many Christians give to hard questions. But is it the answer Jesus gave? The apostles gave? When Thomas doubted, Jesus offered evidence. When Greeks questioned, Paul gave reasons. When Jews struggled, Peter pointed to prophecy. The early church knew something we often forget: answering questions doesn't weaken faith - it strengthens it. Today, we're discovering why God never asks for blind faith - and why that changes everything about defending what we believe.

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Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan Basic Apologetics Austin W. Duncan

What is apologetics?

1967. A brilliant young professor sits in his hospital bed, dying of cancer. His atheist friend visits, hoping to talk him out of his 'foolish' Christian faith. Two hours later, the atheist leaves the room shaken - not by his friend's condition, but by his friend's unshakeable confidence in Christ. That professor was Francis Schaeffer, and he demonstrated something vital: defending your faith isn't just about winning arguments - it's about showing that Christianity has real answers to life's hardest questions.

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The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan

Can God create a rock so heavy that He cannot move it?

The question usually comes with a smirk: 'Can God create a rock so heavy He can't lift it?' The asker thinks they've found the perfect trap - either God can't create the rock (so He's not all-powerful) or He can't lift it (so He's not all-powerful). For centuries, this puzzle has been used to challenge God's omnipotence. But here's what's fascinating: the question itself reveals something profound about both human logic and divine power - and the answer changes everything about how we understand God's omnipotence.

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The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan

Does God have a gender?

'Our Father who art in heaven.' 'He leads me beside still waters.' 'Like a mother hen gathering her chicks.' Wait - is God male, female, or neither? Some say using 'He' for God promotes patriarchy. Others claim changing God's pronouns is heresy. Churches split, friendships end, and books are banned over this debate. But here's what's fascinating: in over 170 references to God as Father, and hundreds of masculine pronouns throughout Scripture, God revealed Himself to humanity with absolute clarity and purpose. Today, we're discovering why this revelation matters - and what it tells us about the God who is far beyond any human category.

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The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan

If jealousy is sin, how can God be jealous?

There's a word we hate in relationships. It destroys marriages, ends friendships, and drives people to desperate acts. Jealousy. We call it toxic, sinful, destructive. Yet God looks at this same word and does something shocking: He claims it as His name. 'For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.' Today we're discovering why this isn't a divine contradiction - it's actually one of the most beautiful revelations of God's heart.

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The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan

Does God Repent?

Genesis 6:6 - 'The Lord regretted that he had made human beings.' First Samuel 15:11 - 'I regret that I have made Saul king.' Numbers 23:19 - 'God is not human, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.' Wait... what? Does God regret decisions or doesn't He? Does He change His mind or doesn't He? Today we're tackling one of Scripture's most fascinating paradoxes - and discovering how the answer reveals something profound about who God is.

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The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan

Does God know the future?

Picture two rooms. In one, a theologian argues that if God knows the future, we can't have free will. In the next, a grieving mother asks, 'If God knew this would happen, why didn't He stop it?' These aren't just academic debates - they're questions that shake faith, trouble hearts, and keep people awake at night. Today, we're diving into one of Christianity's most challenging questions: Does God really know everything that will happen? And if He does... does anything we do actually matter?

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The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan

What does it mean to say that God is omnipresent?

A child prays in America. A mother weeps in India. A prisoner worships in China. A student questions in Brazil. All at the exact same moment. If God is personally present with each one, is He divided? Spread thin? Partially there? Today we're exploring one of God's most mind-bending attributes - and why understanding it might completely transform how you pray, worship, and live.

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The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan

If God is one, why does the Bible refer to Him in the plural?

Open your Bible to its very first chapter, and you'll find something strange. God says, 'Let US make man in OUR image.' Skip ahead to the tower of Babel: 'Let US go down.' Jump to Isaiah's vision: 'Who will go for US?' For centuries, these plurals have puzzled readers. Some call them proof of multiple gods. Others dismiss them as translation errors. Today, we're uncovering why these mysterious plurals might be one of Scripture's most fascinating revelations about who God is.

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The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan The Nature and Character of God Austin W. Duncan

Is the Trinity biblical?

The year is 325 AD. The greatest minds of the Christian world have gathered in Nicaea to debate a single letter in a single word - whether Jesus is 'homoousios' (same essence) or 'homoiousios' (similar essence) with God the Father. Some called it linguistic hairsplitting. But they understood what many today forget: change one letter in how you describe God, and you might end up worshiping something else entirely. Today, we're exploring why the Trinity isn't just complex theology - it's the heart of who God is.

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Holidays Austin W. Duncan Holidays Austin W. Duncan

Why do Christians worship on Sunday rather than on the Sabbath day?

'Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy.' It's one of the Ten Commandments - written in stone by God's own finger. Yet most Christians worship on Sunday, not Saturday. Some call this the greatest act of religious rebellion in history. Others claim it's evidence that Christianity has lost its way. Today, we're exploring how the day of worship shifted from the seventh day to the first - and why it matters more than you might think.

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Holidays Austin W. Duncan Holidays Austin W. Duncan

How should Christians respond to Halloween?

In 'Shav: Name Power', Pastor Austin W. Duncan examines the third commandment from Exodus 20:7, exploring the deep meaning of God's name. Drawing from linguistic, historical, and biblical contexts, the sermon illustrates how God's name embodies His character, authority, and invitation to relationship. Austin warns against both obvious and subtle misuses of God's name, from casual exclamations to manipulative prayer practices. He challenges listeners to move beyond mere avoidance of misuse to actively hallowing God's name in daily life. The message emphasizes how our treatment of God's name reflects our relationship with Him, culminating in the ultimate revelation of God's name in Jesus Christ. Balancing scholarly insight with practical application, this sermon invites believers to a deeper reverence for and intimacy with the God who has graciously revealed His name to us.

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