Mama Bear Apologetics

In this episode of Mama Bear Apologetics, Amy hosts Krista Bontrager (a public theologian with decades of experience) to unpack why theology is foundational for Christian living. They define theology, remove intimidation around it, talk about practical ways families can study theology with kids, and point listeners to resources that make theology accessible. The big idea centers around this: theology equips Christians to think well about God so that apologetics isn’t just reactive but rooted in truth. They stress that theology is not just for “academics in tweed jackets,” is essential for discipling children, and that everyday families can begin with simple practices like reading the creeds, memorizing the Lord’s Prayer and the 10 Commandments, and building routines of Bible engagement together.Main Points CoveredWhat theology is and why everyone is a theologianWhy theology must precede apologeticsPractical ways to study theology personally and with childrenCommon pitfalls when approaching cultural issues without theological groundingPeople and resources mentionedIntro Theology & InterpretationBible Doctrine by Wayne GrudemIntroducing Christian Doctrine by Millard EricksonTheology for Today by Elmer TownsHow to Read the Bible for All Its Worth by Gordon Fee & Douglas StuartGuest ResourcesTheologyMom.com (Krista’s teaching & classes)Center for Biblical UnityThanks to Our SponsorsAquaTru: Go to AquaTru.com now for 20% off your purifier using promo code MBA. AquaTru even comes with a 30-day best-tasting water guarantee.AirDoctor: AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee so if you don’t love it, just send it back for a refund, minus shipping! Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code MBA and you’ll receive up to $300 off air purifiers! Exclusive to podcast customers, you will also receive a free 3 year warranty on any unit, which is an additional $84 value! Lock this special offer by using our promo code MBA at checkout!More from Mama BearCheck out our websiteBuy the Mama Bear Apologetics book (affiliate link)Join Our Email ListHave Us Speak at Your EventFollow us on social media FacebookXInstagramWant to support our ministry?Donate Here—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]

In this Christmas‑themed podcast, the Mama Bear team addresses the biggest questions Christian parents often hear around the holiday season. They explain what Christmas is truly about, how to talk to children about Jesus and Christmas, and address common controversies like whether Christmas is pagan, the role of Santa Claus, and what phrases like “Happy Holidays” mean. They also share practical tradition ideas families can adopt, and recommend books and resources that help keep Christ at the center of the season.Main Points CoveredWhat Christmas Truly CelebratesIs Christmas Pagan?Origins of the Christmas TreeSanta Claus vs. St. NicholasTalking to Kids About Santa“Merry Christmas” vs. “Happy Holidays”People and resources mentionedA Child’s Christmas — Victorian Christmas story (classic reprint)Letters from Father Christmas — Tolkien (beautiful illustrated letters)The Case for Christmas — by Lee StrobelThanks to Our SponsorsAirDoctor: AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee so if you don’t love it, just send it back for a refund, minus shipping! Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code MBA and you’ll receive up to $300 off air purifiers! Exclusive to podcast customers, you will also receive a free 3 year warranty on any unit, which is an additional $84 value! Lock this special offer by using our promo code MBA at checkout!More from Mama BearCheck out our websiteBuy the Mama Bear Apologetics book (affiliate link)Join Our Email ListHave Us Speak at Your EventFollow us on social media FacebookXInstagramWant to support our ministry?Donate Here—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]

In this episode, Amy reflect on the season of Advent and how it points believers toward four core spiritual truths — hope, spiritual warfare (peace), worship (joy), and human dignity (love). Christmas is not about the trappings of the season (lights, gifts, cookies), but about celebrating the coming of Christ, renewing hope, engaging in the cosmic battle against evil, worshiping God, and affirming the value of every human life. She encourages listeners to live out these truths practically — through grief with hope, spiritual headship and discipleship at home, heartfelt worship amid busyness, and compassionate generosity toward the vulnerable — so that their families and communities reflect the gospel's transforming power.Main Points CoveredWhat is Advent?Hope in the midst of grief and brokennessSpiritual warfare: Christmas as a declaration of warWorship and joy beyond the superficialAffirmation of human dignity and unconditional lovePractical discipleship at homePeople and resources mentionedScriptures:Psalm 130:7Isaiah 40:31Romans 15:13John 16:21–22Matthew 14:22–33Ecclesiastes 3:2–4Philippians 4:6Colossians 2:82 Corinthians 10:5Colossians 3:15–17Luke 1:41Luke 1:46–50Luke 2:13Luke 2:201 Corinthians 10:31Hebrews 12:28Genesis 3Ezekiel 10Books:Daily Grace Co. Advent Devotionals O Come, O Come, Emmanuel: A Liturgy for Daily Worship from Advent to Epiphany by Jonathan Gibson Winter Fire by G. K. ChestertonThanks to Our SponsorsAirDoctor: AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee so if you don’t love it, just send it back for a refund, minus shipping! Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code MBA and you’ll receive up to $300 off air purifiers! Exclusive to podcast customers, you will also receive a free 3 year warranty on any unit, which is an additional $84 value! Lock this special offer by using our promo code MBA at checkout!More from Mama BearCheck out our websiteBuy the Mama Bear Apologetics book (affiliate link)Join Our Email ListHave Us Speak at Your EventFollow us on social media FacebookXInstagramWant to support our ministry?Donate Here—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]

In this episode, Amy is joined by Tricia Scribner, a classical apologist, to explore how we can know Christianity is true. They walk through a systematic, logical framework known as classical apologetics, beginning with the existence of truth and culminating in the evidence for Christ's resurrection and divinity. They compare this approach with cultural apologetics and emphasize the importance of understanding presuppositions in conversations about faith. The episode provides a high-level overview of the evidential and logical basis for Christianity’s truth claims and previews an upcoming series that will break down 20 evidences for the Christian faith.Main Points CoveredIntroduction to Classical vs. Cultural ApologeticsThe Role of Presuppositions in Truth ClaimsA Systematic Framework for Christian ApologeticsFulfilled Old Testament Prophecies about JesusReliability of the New Testament Documents:Common objectionsPeople and resources mentionedScriptures:1 Corinthians 15:3–8Isaiah 9 and 53Colossians 2John 2:19Books:Life Givers Apologetics by Tricia ScribnerI Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist by Norman Geisler & Frank TurekHow We Got the Bible by Greg LanierScribes and Scripture by Peter Gurry and John MeadeThanks to Our SponsorsPiper and Leaf: Check out their Advent Tea set and give yourself—or someone you love—a reason to pause, sip, and celebrate. Visit PiperandLeaf.com and use promo code Bear10 to save 10%.AirDoctor: AirDoctor comes with a 30-day money back guarantee so if you don’t love it, just send it back for a refund, minus shipping! Head to airdoctorpro.com and use promo code MBA and you’ll receive up to $300 off air purifiers! Exclusive to podcast customers, you will also receive a free 3 year warranty on any unit, which is an additional $84 value! Lock this special offer by using our promo code MBA at checkout!More from Mama BearCheck out our websiteBuy the Mama Bear Apologetics book (affiliate link)Join Our Email ListHave Us Speak at Your EventFollow us on social media FacebookXInstagramWant to support our ministry?Donate Here—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]

On this episode, we are revisiting the concept of ghosts. Every year around this time, we start to see more depictions, decorations, and stories about ghosts —and your kids may be hearing more about them at school. But what are they? We will be examining the idea of ghosts using our ROAR method. What are they? What are the common misconceptions around ghosts and the supernatural? What does the bible say about ghosts and how are Christians supposed to engage this topic? Our hope is that you will be able to use the tools outlined in this episode to help the young ones in your care to be able to recognize the falsities in the messaging and be able to clearly defend their faith and protect their minds.Main Points CoveredHow does the world see ghosts?What is a ghost truly?How are we to interact with the truth and lies around “ghosts”?How can we navigate elements of the spiritual realm with our kids?People and resources mentionedEphesians 6:121 Thessalonians 5:23Ecclesiastes 12:7James 2:26Luke 16:19-31John 10:10Leviticus 19:31Isaiah 8:19-20Matthew 12:26Acts 19 - Seven Sons of ScevaTeen Vogue article on ghostsMBA Episode 87: The Rise in Occult Fascination Among Youth with Krista BontragerCults, World Religions, and the Occult by Kenneth BoaThe Occult by Josh McDowell and Don StewartThe Handbook for Spiritual Warfare by Dr Ed Murphy Thanks to Our SponsorsPiper and Leaf: Check out their Advent Tea set and give yourself—or someone you love—a reason to pause, sip, and celebrate. Visit PiperandLeaf.com and use promo code Bear10 to save 10%.More from Mama BearCheck out our websiteBuy the Mama Bear Apologetics book (affiliate link)Join Our Email ListHave Us Speak at Your EventFollow us on social media FacebookX InstagramWant to support our ministry?Donate Here—Editing and Support by The Good Podcast Co. If you are interested in being a supporting sponsor of the show, please email [email protected]