Three Chords Goes to the Movies: Avengers: Endgame

Welcome to a new episode of Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast! In the 1960s, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby began creating comic book storylines that were interconnected in a shared universe and told a single story through many individual stories. In the early twenty-first century, that's what Marvel Studios decided to do through the films that became the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The first of these films was released in 2008. Now—eleven years and twenty-two films later—all of these storylines have culminated in a single film, Avengers: Endgame. In this special episode of Three Chords and the Truth, Garrick Bailey and Timothy Paul Jones take a careful look at Avengers: Endgame. The resulting discussion covers everything from humanity's inescapable yearning for a metanarrative to the philosophical foundations that undergird the ethics of Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor. A bizarre link between the Infinity Gauntlet and the bones of the sixteenth-century nun Teresa de Jesus also makes an appearance. This week's question from the Infinity Gauntlet pits Sting—the elven blade borne by Bilbo and Frodo—against Mjolnir, the mythical hammer carried by Thor.

Subscribe to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast: Apple / Android / RSS.

Questions to Discuss

1. What does the popularity of the Marvel Cinematic Universe tell us about ourselves and about the stories we tell?

2. How specifically does Avengers: Endgame elicit an awareness of the goodness of God’s creation?

3. In this film, what is it that’s broken and fallen that the heroes are seeking to repair? 

4. How does Avengers: Endgame intersect with a biblical understanding of redemption?

5. Are there any places in Avengers: Endgame that we glimpse fragments of God’s truth about the end of time?

Links to Click

B and H Academic

"Spidey Meets the Prankster": from the 1974-1977 feature on the PBS program The Electric Company

Superheroes Can’t Save You: book by Todd Miles

After Virtue: book by Alasdair MacIntyre

The Inklings: book by Humphrey Carpenter

A Secular Age: book by Charles Taylor

Reformed Dogmatics: Volume 4: Holy Spirit, Church, and New Creation: book by Herman Bavinck

How (Not) to Be Secular: book by James K.A. Smith

Our Secular Age: book edited by Collin Hansen

"A Super Group Takes the Screen": article by Tom Russo

"Kissing the Hand of Saint Teresa in Ronda": article with photographs about the reliquary for the hand of Teresa of Avila

"Comic-Book Superheroes in a Christian Worldview": article by Timothy Paul Jones

Avengers: Endgame: music by Alan Silvestri

Encomia: song by Encomia

ThreeChordsApologetics.com

If you are interested in earning a master’s degree online or on campus that will equip you with the most comprehensive apologetics training available anywhere, go to http://www.sbts.edu/bgs/degree-programs/mdiv/apologetics/

How to Make Three Chords and the Truth More Amazing than It Already Is

Support the show and spread the word! Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Subscribe to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast (Apple / Android / RSS).

2. Leave a rating and review on iTunes to encourage other people to listen to the show.

3. If you purchase any of the books mentioned on Three Chords and the Truth, consider using the Amazon links provided in the show notes. The show will receive a small percentage of each sale.

4. Visit our Patreon site where you can support the podcast, suggest future songs or topics, and order Three Chords and the Truth merchandise.

5. Make contact with us on Twitter: @DrTimothyPJones @GarrickBailey @ApologeticsPod

The Closing Credits

Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast thanks B&H Academic for their sponsorship. Music for the podcast has been licensed through Artlist.io and performed by the band Vegan Friendly—even though neither Garrick nor Timothy has ever been vegan friendly. Brief excerpts of music played in this program are included solely for the purposes of comment and critique as allowed under the fair-use provision of U.S. copyright law. "The fair use of a copyrighted work ... for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, ... scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright" (U.S. Code § 107, Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use).

How Did Judas Iscariot Really Die? + “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper”

Welcome to the Death and Cowbells episode of Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast! One of the most difficult dilemmas in the entire Bible has to do with how Judas Iscariot actually died. According to Matthew’s Gospel, Judas hanged himself, and priests purchased the field where he died for thirty pieces of silver. But, according to the book of Acts, Judas fell headfirst in a field that he had acquired and his intestines burst out. So which is it? And what does this mean for how we read the New Testament? Today, in the Three Chords segment of the program, Dr. Robert Plummer joins Timothy and Garrick to discuss the fate of Judas Iscariot. In the Truth segment, your intrepid cohosts discuss a Christian theology of death by examining “(Don’t Fear) The Reaper” by the Blue Öyster Cult--which ends up leading to discussions about the Milford Oyster Festival and whether Eddie Money is still alive. This week’s question from the Infinity Gauntlet places the two greatest comic-book movie trilogies ever—DC’s Dark Knight trilogy and MCU’s Captain America trilogy—in the ring to face each other in a battle to the death. Subscribe to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast: Apple / Android / RSS.

In this Episode

Robert Plummer, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and host of the Daily Dose of Greek screencast. He is the author or editor of several books, including Going Deeper with New Testament Greek (B&H, 2016) and 40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible (Kregel, 2010). Follow Dr. Plummer on Twitter at @dailygreek.

Questions to Discuss

1. According to Matthew 27, Judas hanged himself; according to Acts 1, he fell headfirst and his intestines burst out. How did Judas actually die, by falling or by hanging?

2. According to Matthew, it was the priests who bought the field where Judas bought the farm; according to Acts, Judas bought it himself. Who actually purchased the Field of Blood?

3. There is another account of the death of Judas that comes from an individual named Papias, who was a leader in the second-century. According to his account, Judas was cut down after trying to hang himself, and he was later run over by a wagon. Should these words from Papias have any impact on the way we approach this apparent discrepancy?

Links to Click

If you want to dig deeper into the historical integrity of the New Testament, one great place to start is In Defense of the Bible, edited by Terry Wilder and Steven Cowan. To download a sample chapter, visit http://www.bhacademic.com

B&H Academic

40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible: book by Robert Plummer

Daily Dose of Greek: resource by Robert Plummer

Remember Death: book by Matthew McCullough

The Pornography of Death: article by Matthew McCullough

Swimming in a Sea of Death: book by David Rieff

The Myth of Sisyphus: novel by Albert Camus

Unanswered Prayers and the Love of God: article by Eduardo Echeverria

(Don't Fear) The Reaper: song by Blue Öyster Cult

The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald: song by Gordon Lightfoot

Black Sabbath: song by Black Sabbath

I Wanna Go Back: song by Eddie Money

Milford Oyster Festival: community event in Milford, Connecticut

ThreeChordsApologetics.com

If you are interested in earning a master’s degree online or on campus that will equip you with the most comprehensive apologetics training available anywhere, go to http://www.sbts.edu/bgs/degree-programs/mdiv/apologetics/

How to Make Three Chords and the Truth More Amazing than It Already Is

Support the show and spread the word! Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Subscribe to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast (Apple / Android / RSS).

2. Leave a rating and review on iTunes to encourage other people to listen to the show.

3. If you purchase any of the books mentioned in Three Chords and the Truth, consider using the Amazon links provided in the show notes. The show will receive a small percentage of each sale.

4. Visit our Patreon site where you can support the podcast, suggest future songs or topics, and order Three Chords and the Truth merchandise.

5. Make contact with us on Twitter: @DrTimothyPJones  @GarrickBailey  @ApologeticsPod

The Closing Credits

Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast thanks B&H Academic for their sponsorship. Music for the podcast has been licensed through Artlist.io and performed by the band Vegan Friendly—even though neither Garrick nor Timothy has ever been vegan friendly. Brief excerpts of music played in the second half of each program are included solely for the purposes of comment and critique as allowed under the fair-use provision of U.S. copyright law. "The fair use of a copyrighted work ... for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, ... scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright" (U.S. Code § 107, Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use).

The Earliest Christian Confession about the Resurrection + “Cat’s in the Cradle”

Was Jesus really raised from the dead? Every aspect of the Christian faith hinges on this single claim. On this Holy Week episode of Three Chords and the Truth, New Testament scholar Dr. Thomas Schreiner joins Garrick and Timothy to talk about what Paul says about the resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15. Then, in the second half of the program, Garrick and Timothy review a song that’s almost always ascribed to the wrong artists. The dilemma drawn from the Infinity Gauntlet this week forces a painful choice between the Jedi Temple and Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Dr. Schreiner chooses an option that's completely different from Timothy's or Garrick's, which almost certainly means that Timothy and Garrick were wrong.

Subscribe to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast: Apple / Android / RSS.

In this Episode

Thomas Schreiner, Ph.D., is James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament Interpretation and Professor of Biblical Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary where he also serves as Associate Dean of the School of Theology. Dr. Schreiner is the author or editor of many books including, Romans (Baker: 2018); The Race Set Before Us (IVP Academic: 2001); and Spiritual Gifts (B&H: 2018). Follow Dr. Schreiner on Twitter at @DrTomSchreiner

Questions to Discuss

1. What is the context of 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, one of the earliest surviving Christian confessions about the resurrection?

2. What are the specific implications of the words "passed on" and "received" in 1 Corinthians 15:3?

3. What would you say to someone who is struggling to believe that Jesus was actually raised from the dead?

Links to Click

If you want to dig deeper into the historical integrity of the New Testament, one great place to start is In Defense of the Bible, edited by Terry Wilder and Steven Cowan. To download a sample chapter, visit http://www.bhacademic.com

* B&H Academic

* 1 Corinthians: An Introduction and Commentary: book by Thomas Schreiner

* Interpreting the Pauline Epistles: book by Thomas Schreiner

* Paul, Apostle of God's Glory in Christ: book by Thomas Schreiner

* Interview with Thomas R. Schreiner: an author interview from Books At a Glance

* Cars, Coffee, Theology 1:1: dialogue between Thomas Schreiner and Jonathan Pennington

* Father and Son: song by Cat Stevens

* Cat's In the Cradle: song by Ugly Kid Joe

* Cat's In the Cradle: song by Harry Chapin

* It'll Come Back: song by Red Sovine

* ThreeChordsApologetics.com

If you are interested in earning a master’s degree online or on campus that will equip you with the most comprehensive apologetics training available anywhere, go to http://www.sbts.edu/bgs/degree-programs/mdiv/apologetics/

How to Make Three Chords and the Truth More Amazing than It Already Is

Support the show and spread the word! Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Subscribe to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast: Apple / Android / RSS.

2. Leave a rating and review on iTunes to encourage other people to listen to the show.

3. If you purchase any of the books mentioned in Three Chords and the Truth, consider using the Amazon links provided in the show notes. The show will receive a small percentage of each sale.

4. Visit our Patreon site where you can support the podcast, suggest future songs or topics, and order Three Chords and the Truth merchandise.

5. Make contact with us on Twitter: @DrTimothyPJones  @GarrickBailey  @ApologeticsPod

The Closing Credits

Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast thanks B&H Academic for their sponsorship. Music for the podcast has been licensed through Artlist.io and performed by the band Vegan Friendly—even though neither Garrick nor Timothy has ever been vegan friendly. Brief excerpts of music played in the second half of each program are included solely for the purposes of comment and critique as allowed under the fair-use provision of U.S. copyright law. "The fair use of a copyrighted work ... for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, ... scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright" (U.S. Code § 107, Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use). 

Historical Evidence for Supernatural Signs at the Death of Jesus + “American Pie”

Click here to listen to this episode about supernatural signs at the death of Jesus and the song "American Pie" on iTunes.

According to the New Testament Gospels, the death of Jesus was accompanied by all sorts of signs and wonders, including supernatural happenings connected with the temple in Jerusalem. But is there any evidence outside the New Testament that any of these events really happened? As it turns out, there could be. That’s what Garrick and Timothy explore in this episode with renowned New Testament scholar Dr. Rob Plummer. In the second half, Garrick and Timothy go looking for God’s truth in Don McLean’s classic song “American Pie.”

In this Episode

Robert Plummer, Ph.D., is professor of New Testament interpretation at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and host of the Daily Dose of Greek screencast. He is the author or editor of several books, including Going Deeper with New Testament Greek (B&H, 2016) and 40 Questions about Interpreting the Bible (Kregel, 2010). Follow Dr. Plummer on Twitter at @dailygreek.

Questions to Discuss

1. When it comes to the events that accompanied the death of Jesus, the Synoptic Gospels—Matthew, Mark, and Luke—claim that the sun was darkened, the earth shook, and the veil in the temple was torn in two. What was this curtain and why can’t we go see it today?

2. Is there any evidence in Jewish rabbinic writings that any of these miraculous events really happened?

3. What about other sources outside the New Testament? Do they say anything about extraordinary events around the time of the death of Jesus?

Links to Click

B&H Academic

Josephus: The Essential Works: book by Josephus

NIV Archaeological Study Bible: study Bible by Zondervan

Something Awry in the Temple?: article by Robert Plummer

The Veil of the Temple in History and Legend: article by Daniel Gurtner

American Pie: song by Don McLean

That’ll Be the Day: song by Buddy Holly

'American Pie' Lyrics Sell for $1.2 Million: news by CNN

Under My Thumb: song by The Rolling Stones at Altamont '69

ThreeChordsApologetics.com

How to Make Three Chords and the Truth More Amazing than It Already Is

Support the show and spread the word! Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Subscribe to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast (Apple Podcasts / Android / RSS)

2. Leave a rating and review on iTunes to encourage other people to listen to the show.

3. If you purchase any of the books mentioned in Three Chords and the Truth, consider using the Amazon links provided in the show notes. The show will receive a small percentage of each sale.

4. Visit our Patreon site where you can support the podcast, suggest future songs or topics, and order Three Chords and the Truth merchandise.

5. Make contact with us on Twitter: @DrTimothyPJones  @GarrickBailey  @ApologeticsPod

The Closing Credits

Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast thanks B&H Academic for their sponsorship. Music for the podcast has been licensed through Artlist.io and performed by the band Vegan Friendly—even though neither Garrick nor Timothy has ever been vegan friendly. Brief excerpts of music played in the second half of each program are included solely for the purposes of comment and critique as allowed under the fair-use provision of U.S. copyright law. "The fair use of a copyrighted work ... for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, ... scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright" (U.S. Code § 107, Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use).

Jesus, Superman, Captain America, and Other Resurrected Superheroes + “The Great American Novel”

So what do Superman, Captain America, Professor X, and Jesus Christ all have in common? According to the canonical accounts of their lives, each one has been raised from the dead. So why is it that, even in fiction, humans yearn for heroes who die and return to life? That’s one of the questions that apologist and bestselling author Timothy Paul Jones explores in this episode with cohost Garrick Bailey and guest Todd Miles. In the second half, Garrick and Timothy go digging for God’s truth in the music of Larry Norman, the father of Christian rock--and, as it turns out, someone that Garrick had never even heard about until recently. This week's dilemma from the Infinity Gauntlet leads to a deadly duel between Jedi Master Yoda and Gandalf the White.

In this Episode

Todd Miles, Ph.D. is professor of theology at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is the author of the B&H Academic titles Superheroes Can’t Save You (2018) and A God of Many Understandings? (2010).

Questions to Discuss

1. In Infinity War, Rocket Raccoon asks Thor about his brother Loki who has just died. Thor’s reply is, “Well, he’s been dead before” which is a reminder of how frequently death is temporary in comic-book universes. What are some of the best comic-book resurrection stories?

2. Why is there a recurrent theme of sacrifice, death, and resurrection in the comic books?

3. How might the rise of secularity reshape superhero stories now and in the future?

Links to Click

B&H Academic

Superheroes Can’t Save You: book by Todd Miles

A God of Many Understandings?: book by Todd Miles

The Gospel According to Superheroes: book with foreword by Stan Lee (Google Preview)

Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?: book by Greg Thornbury

The Great American Novel: song by Larry Norman

Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?: song by Larry Norman

Why Don't You Look Into Jesus?: song by Larry Norman

Jesus Sound Explosion: vinyl LP recorded at Explo '72

ThreeChordsApologetics.com

How to Make Three Chords and the Truth More Amazing than It Already Is

Support the show and spread the word! Here are a few ways to do that:

1. Subscribe to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast (Apple Podcasts / Android / RSS)

2. Leave a rating and review on iTunes to encourage other people to listen to the show.

3. If you purchase any of the books mentioned in Three Chords and the Truth, consider using the Amazon links provided in the show notes. The show will receive a small percentage of each sale.

4. Visit our Patreon site where you can support the podcast, suggest future songs or topics, and order Three Chords and the Truth merchandise.

5. Make contact with us on Twitter: @DrTimothyPJones  @GarrickBailey  @ApologeticsPod 

The Closing Credits

Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast thanks B&H Academic for their sponsorship.

Music for the podcast has been licensed through Artlist.io and performed by the band Vegan Friendly—even though neither Garrick nor Timothy has ever been vegan friendly.

Brief excerpts of music played in the second half of each program are included solely for the purposes of comment and critique as allowed under the fair-use provision of U.S. copyright law. "The fair use of a copyrighted work ... for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, ... scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright" (U.S. Code § 107, Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use).

Is There Enough Historical Evidence to Believe Jesus Was Raised from the Dead? + “Spirit in the Sky”

Atheist Richard Dawkins has defined faith as “a state of mind that leads people to believe something—it doesn’t matter what—in the total absence of supporting evidence.” But is the evidence for Christian faith really that weak? On this week's episode of Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast, Timothy and Garrick explore historical evidences for the resurrection of Jesus Christ; then, in the second half of the show, they take a look at the theology of “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum. This week's question from the Infinity Gauntlet pits J.K. Rowling's Elder Wand in a battle to the death against J.R.R.Tolkien's One Ring.

What Questions Do We Discuss in this Episode about Historical Evidences for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ?

1. How is it that Richard Dawkins can claim there is a “total absence of supporting evidence” for faith?

2. What are some of the ways that historians determine what claims about the past are most plausible?

3. What are the results when we apply these approaches to historical evidence that relates to the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus?

What Resources Do We Recommend?

If you want to dig deeper into apologetics, one great place to start is Reasons for Our Hope by H. Wayne House and Dennis Jowers. To download a sample chapter, visit http://www.bhacademic.com 

* N.T. Wright, The Resurrection of the Son of God

* Michael R. Licona, The Resurrection of Jesus

* The Bible Project, "Heaven and Earth"

* Jonathan T. Pennington, Heaven and Earth in the Gospel of Matthew

If you are interested in earning a master's degree online or on campus that will equip you with the most comprehensive apologetics training available anywhere, go to http://www.sbts.edu/bgs/degree-programs/mdiv/apologetics/

What Are We Discussing in the Next Episode?

So what do Superman, Captain America, Professor X, and Jesus Christ all have in common? According to the canonical accounts of their lives, each one has been raised from the dead. So why is it that, even in fiction, humans yearn for heroes who die and return to life? In the next episode, Timothy explores these questions with cohost Garrick Bailey and Western Seminary professor Todd Miles. In the second half of the program, Garrick and Timothy go digging for God’s truth in the music of Larry Norman, the father of Christian rock. This week's dilemma from the Infinity Gauntlet leads to a deadly duel between Jedi Master Yoda and Gandalf the White.

Do You Have Any Questions?

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future episode, ask us on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/ApologeticsPod. If you want to subscribe to the podcast, click here. If you’re interested in supporting this podcast, in suggesting future songs or topics, or in ordering Three Chords and the Truth merchandise, visit https://www.patreon.com/ThreeChordsandtheTruth.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

Music for the podcast has been licensed through ArtList.io and performed by the band Vegan Friendly---even though neither Garrick nor Timothy has ever been vegan friendly. Music identified as having been composed by Timothy Paul Jones may not be reproduced, used, adapted, or performed in any other context without his express written permission, except for the purposes of review with acknowledgment of the source. Brief excerpts of music played in the second half of each program are included solely for the purposes of comment and critique as allowed under the fair-use provision of U.S. copyright law. "The fair use of a copyrighted work ... for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, ... scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright" (17 U.S. Code § 107, Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use). 

The Cross and the Lynching Tree + “The Star-Spangled Banner”

Welcome to a new episode of Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast! Thank you to B&H Academic for supporting this podcast.

So what happened to the body of Jesus after his death on the cross? According to the New Testament Gospels, his body was buried in a tomb and raised on the third day. And yet, according to some scholars, the body of Jesus was abandoned and consumed by wild beasts. How can we know that Jesus was actually buried? What was the meaning of the cross in the ancient world? And what does this mean for the ways that Christians understand the crucifixion today?

In the second half, Timothy and Garrick go searching for truth in a song that Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock and discover a yearning for justice that God has placed in every human heart. Then, we'll reach inside the Infinity Gauntlet and pit Charles Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters against Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

What Questions Do We Discuss in this Episode?

1. How did people in the ancient world perceive the practice of crucifixion?

2. Pastors and Bible teachers sometimes compare crucifixion in the ancient world to the electric chair today. What works in this analogy and what doesn’t?

3. According to the New Testament Gospels, the body of Jesus was buried in a tomb and raised on the third day. And yet, John Dominic Crossan and some other scholars claim that the body of Jesus was left on the cross or thrown in a communal grave to be consumed by animals. What is the evidence for Crossan's claim?

4. How do the perceptions and practices of crucifixion in the ancient world support what we read in the New Testament Gospels?

What Resources Do We Recommend?

If you want to dig deeper, one great place to start is Reasons for Our Hope by H. Wayne House and Dennis Jowers. To download a sample chapter, visit http://www.bhacademic.com 

* James Cone, The Cross and the Lynching Tree. For an evenhanded review of the strengths of this book and of the problems with Cone's understanding of the death of Christ in relation to the gospel, see "When He Died Upon the Tree" by Bruce Fields.

* Martin Hengel, Crucifixion.

If you are interested in earning a master's degree online or on campus that will equip you with the most comprehensive apologetics training available anywhere, go to http://www.sbts.edu/bgs/degree-programs/mdiv/apologetics/

What Are We Discussing in the Next Episode?

Atheist Richard Dawkins has defined faith as “a state of mind that leads people to believe something—it doesn’t matter what—in the total absence of supporting evidence.” But is the evidence for Christian faith really that weak? In the next episode, Timothy and Garrick explore historical evidences for the resurrection of Jesus Christ; then, in the second half of the show, they take a look at the theology of “Spirit in the Sky” by Norman Greenbaum.

Do You Have Any Questions?

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future episode, ask us on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/ApologeticsPod. If you want to subscribe to the podcast, click here. If you’re interested in supporting this podcast, in suggesting future songs or topics, or in ordering Three Chords and the Truth merchandise, visit https://www.patreon.com/ThreeChordsandtheTruth.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

Music for the podcast has been licensed through ArtList.io and performed by the band Vegan Friendly—even though neither Garrick nor Timothy has ever been vegan friendly. Music identified as having been composed by Timothy Paul Jones may not be reproduced, used, adapted, or performed in any other context without his express written permission, except for the purposes of review with acknowledgment of the source. Brief excerpts of music played in the second half of each program are included solely for the purposes of comment and critique as allowed under the fair-use provision of U.S. copyright law. "The fair use of a copyrighted work ... for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, ... scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright" (17 U.S. Code § 107, Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use). 

Truth and Testimony in the New Testament Gospels + “All Along the Watchtower”

According to bestselling biblical scholar Bart Ehrman, the New Testament Gospels “were not written … by people who were eyewitnesses, but by people living later.” Many of the stories about Jesus were—as Ehrman sees it—fabricated in the context of early Christian communities. Ehrman goes on to say that “sometimes Christian apologists say there are only three options to who Jesus was: a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. But there could be a fourth option—legend.” And legend is the possibility for which Ehrman argues.

But is it true that the circulation of stories by word of mouth necessarily results in changes that turn testimony into legend?

That’s the dilemma that Timothy Paul Jones and Garrick Bailey discuss with New Testament scholar Jonathan Pennington on the Three Chords segment of the show.

Then, in the second half of the program, Garrick and Timothy go looking for God’s truth in Jimi Hendrix’s cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower.” This week’s encounter with the ever-dangerous Infinity Gauntlet pits Thanos with the Infinity Stones against Sauron with the One Ring.

What Questions Do We Discuss in this Episode?

1. What is eyewitness testimony and why does it matter to Christians?

2. How much does it really matter whether any of the claims in the Gospels can be traced back to eyewitness testimonies of truth?

3. According to Richard Bauckham, the Jesus traditions that we find in the New Testament Gospels originated with known and named witnesses that Christians in the first century knew personally. How should this shape the way that we read and receive the Gospels?

What Resources Do We Recommend?

If you want to dig deeper, one great place to start is Reasons for Our Hope by H. Wayne House and Dennis Jowers. To download a sample chapter, visit http://www.bhacademic.com 

* Richard Bauckham, Jesus and the Eyewitnesses.

* Armin Baum, “Content and Form,” Journal of Biblical Literature.

If you are interested in earning a master’s degree online or on campus that will equip you with the most comprehensive apologetics training available anywhere, go to http://www.sbts.edu/bgs/degree-programs/mdiv/apologetics/

What Are We Discussing in the Next Episode?

What happened to the body of Jesus after his death on the cross? How do we know that Jesus was actually buried? Timothy and Garrick explore these questions in the first half of the program. In the second half, they search for truth in a song that Jimi Hendrix played at Woodstock and discover a yearning for justice that God has placed in every human heart that leads us to protest injustice. Then, they reach inside the Infinity Gauntlet and pit Charles Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters against Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Do You Have Any Questions?

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future episode, ask us on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/ApologeticsPod.

If you want to subscribe to the podcast, go to https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/three-chords-and-the-truth-the-apologetics-podcast/id1454538161?mt=2&i=1000432573465.

If you’re interested in supporting this podcast, in suggesting future songs or topics, or in ordering Three Chords and the Truth merchandise, visit https://www.patreon.com/ThreeChordsandtheTruth.

What Else Do You Need to Know?

Music for the podcast has been licensed through ArtList.io and performed by the band Vegan Friendly—even though neither Garrick nor Timothy has ever been vegan friendly. 

Music identified as having been composed by Timothy Paul Jones may not be reproduced, used, adapted, or performed in any other context without his express written permission, except for the purposes of review with acknowledgment of the source.

Brief excerpts of music played in the second half of each program are included solely for the purposes of comment and critique as allowed under the fair-use provision of U.S. copyright law. “The fair use of a copyrighted work … for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, … scholarship, or research, is not an infringement of copyright” (17 U.S. Code § 107, Limitations on exclusive rights: Fair use).

God, Humanity, and Gender in Captain Marvel + “All Along the Watchtower”

At first, Vers seems like an ordinary alien with an extraordinary power. But, in her dreams, she remembers that she was once something different---and perhaps even something greater. That's how Captain Marvel, the newest film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe begins. In this special episode of Three Chords and the Truth, Garrick and Timothy take a look at Captain Marvel and the larger metanarrative of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Then, in the second half, Garrick reveals his wrong opinions about Bob Dylan as he and Timothy examine the song that inspired this podcast in the first place, "All Along the Watchtower." This week, the Infinity Gauntlet throws the webslinging wonder Peter Parker into the ring against the mighty Shazam.

What Apologetics Questions Do We Discuss in this Episode?

1. What is the view of God in Captain Marvel?

2. What view of humanity does the movie portray?

3. What is the overarching metanarrative of the Bible?

 What Resources Do We Recommend?

If you want to dig deeper, one great place to start is Reasons for Our Hope by H. Wayne House and Dennis Jowers. To download a sample chapter, visit http://www.bhacademic.com 

* Superheroes Can't Save You by Todd Miles

* ”Repressive Tolerance” by Herbert Marcuse. This primary-source document will help you to understand the ideology that accompanied the rise of the New Left.

If you are interested in earning a master's degree online or on campus that will equip you with the most comprehensive training available anywhere, go to http://www.sbts.edu/bgs/degree-programs/mdiv/apologetics/

What Are We Discussing in the Next Episode?

In the Three Chords segment, Timothy and Garrick discuss with New Testament scholar Jonathan Pennington on the nature of the New Testament Gospels. In the second half of the program, Garrick and Timothy go looking for God's truth in Jimi Hendrix's cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower."

Do You Have Any Questions?

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future episode, ask us on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/ApologeticsPod

Subscribe to the podcast here.

Visit https://www.patreon.com/ThreeChordsandtheTruth if you’re interested in supporting this podcast financially, suggesting future songs or topics, or ordering Three Chords and the Truth merchandise.

What Is Apologetics? + “Age of Aquarius”

What is “apologetics” and why should Christians care about this topic at all? That’s the issue that bestselling author Timothy Paul Jones and theologian Garrick Bailey tackle in this episode of Three Chords and the Truth—but that’s not all! No episode is ever complete until we draw a mystery question from the Infinity Gauntlet and talk about the the history of rock and roll. This week, the mystery question pits DC against Marvel, and we go searching for divine truth in an almost-forgotten song entitled “The Age of Aquarius” and in the early decades of rock and roll.

What Apologetics Questions Do We Discuss in this Episode?

1. What is apologetics?

2. What will look different in a church when the people begin to value apologetics?

3. Is it possible for a church to focus so much on apologetics that apologetics becomes a distraction from the gospel?

What Resources Do We Recommend?

If you want to dig deeper, one great place to start is Reasons for Our Hope by H. Wayne House and Dennis Jowers. To download a sample chapter, visit http://www.bhacademic.com 

* Urban Apologetics by Chris Brooks

* Apologetics at the Cross by Mark Allen and Josh Chatraw

If you are interested in earning a master's degree online or on campus that will equip you with the most comprehensive training available anywhere, go to http://www.sbts.edu/bgs/degree-programs/mdiv/apologetics/

What Are We Discussing in the Next Episode?

In the Three Chords segment, Timothy and Garrick take a look at Captain Marvel and the larger metanarrative of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Then, in the second half, Garrick reveals his wrong opinions about Bob Dylan as he and Timothy examine the song that inspired this podcast in the first place, "All Along the Watchtower."

Do You Have Any Questions?

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future episode, ask us on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/ApologeticsPod

Subscribe to the podcast at http://ThreeChordsApologetics.PodBean.com

If you want to support the podcast, recommend songs for the podcast, or receive exclusive Three Chords and the Truth merchandise, go to http://www.patreon.com/ThreeChordsandtheTruth

Why Apologetics Matters + “God Gave Rock and Roll to You”

Welcome to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast, a new podcast that brings together apologetics, theology, and the history of rock and roll. In the Three Chords segment of this week’s program, Garrick Bailey and I talk about why apologetics matters to us; then, in the Truth segment, we learn about the doctrine of common grace as we consider Bill and Ted's Bogus Journey and the classic hit by Argent and KISS “God Gave Rock and Roll to You.” 

What Apologetics Questions Do We Discuss in this Episode?

1. Why does apologetics matter?

2. What are the primary apologetics dilemmas that every believer must face as their faith matures?

3. What is the doctrine of common grace?

4. How does the doctrine of common grace strengthen and support apologetics?

What Resources Do We Recommend?

If you want to dig deeper into apologetics, one great place to start is Reasons for Our Hope by H. Wayne House and Dennis Jowers. To download a sample chapter, visit http://www.bhacademic.com. A special thank you to B&H Academic for their support.

* Urban Apologetics by Chris Brooks

* Apologetics at the Cross by Mark Allen and Josh Chatraw

What Are We Discussing in the Next Episode?

In the Three Chords segment, Timothy and Garrick explore the question, "What is apologetics?" Then, in the Truth segment, they go digging for divine truth in "Age of Aquarius" and the early history of rock and roll. 

Do You Have Any Questions?

If you have a question or a suggestion for a future episode, ask us on Twitter at http://Twitter.com/ApologeticsPod

Subscribe to the podcast at http://ThreeChordsApologetics.PodBean.com

If you want to support the podcast, recommend songs for the podcast, or receive exclusive Three Chords and the Truth merchandise, go to http://www.patreon.com/ThreeChordsandtheTruth

Three Chords and the Truth Trailer

Welcome to Three Chords and the Truth: The Apologetics Podcast!

In each episode of this engaging new podcast, bestselling apologetics author Timothy Paul Jones joins with cohost Garrick Bailey and top biblical scholars to wrestle with questions related to evidence for the truth of Christianity. Then, in the second half of the show, Garrick and Timothy take a theological look at a classic hit from the history of American rock and roll.