The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery

Once again you and I find ourselves perched on the eve of the annual Christmas day celebration. And as such, we do well to remember our Lord’s words concerning the reason He condescended to cloak Himself in human flesh. “The Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). This Christmas Eve may you and I not trivialize the Christmas celebration but rather be transformed by the greatest cleavage in human history. That of a Second Adam who clothed Himself in fallen humanity and in doing so returned fallen humanity to the life of Eden. “To him who overcomes,” said Jesus, “I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God” (Revelation 2:7). Merry Christmas from Hank Hanegraaff and the staff of the Christian Research Institute!Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

I am five years removed from a stem-cell transplant that saved my life. And seven years removed from an initial cancer diagnosis of stage four mantle cell lymphoma. I greet you with a heart of gratitude but also a spirit of resolve. Resolve to remember that life is fleeting. Resolve captured by the words, “Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.”During the past twelve months, users have accessed our website equip.org from more than 230 countries—benefiting from our vast reservoir of unrestricted resources, such as the Bible Answer Man broadcast, Hank Unplugged podcast, Bible Answer Man YouTube Channel, Daily e-Truths, and Christian Research Journal online, available to anyone with Internet access anywhere in the world.I am deeply grateful to all who answer by your continued support of the many outreaches of the Christian Research Institute. I am sincerely grateful for all you do to strengthen our 24/7 outreaches. Outreaches making a strategic difference at home and around the globe.As I approach three quarters of a century in age, I am acutely aware of the reality of being in the fourth quarter of my life. A life motivated by the apostle Paul’s admonition to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:1–2).In closing,  I’ve provided a link to our Website here. Thank you for the vital difference your year-end gift will make in so many lives. https://www.equip.org/product/year-end-gift-2024-hup/ Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

What does Hank Hanegraaff mean when he talks about the "Paradisiacal Transformation of the Cosmos?" It is a message with a mandate—a reminder of the energy by which we are able to transform the cosmos. The energy that St. Paul invoked when he spoke of being energized by all His energy which so powerfully energizes me. This is the energy that alone is sufficient to empower the body of Christ in the present clash between sacred and secular. A contrast between the paradisiacal transformation of the Cosmos and the pagan transformational imperative. An imperative largely fueled by the transhumanist myth of progress. A myth commercialized by the quintessential marketing cliché of our day — artificial intelligence. For further information on the historical nature of this argument please see John Strickland’s Four-Volume Series: Paradise and Utopia: The Rise and Fall of What the West Once Was.  https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-the-age-of-paradise-the-age-of-division-the-age-of-utopia-the-age-of-nihilism-4-volumes-on-ages-of-christendom-hup/

 A rock star, atheist, Marxist, world-class theologian, African missionary, and a Greek Orthodox Bishop all in one lifetime? Hank Hanegraaff is joined by Bishop Themi—a personal hero of his and a beacon of hope and inspiration to millions of Christians around the globe. Bishop Themi earned degrees in theology, languages, and Biblical studies at some of the most prestigious universities in America and became a distinguished scholar—however in the 90s Themi questioned his life’s direction. Was he serving Christ best as a top-tier academic? A series of events led him to follow another path, serving the poor in his native Africa. Themi founded the Holy Orthodox Mission in Freetown, Sierra Leone where he has battled Ebola and foes, both earthly and spiritual, to feed, educate and offer the love of Christ to thousands of West African people.opics discussed include: How Bishop Themi’s roots as a white man born in Africa formed his nomadic DNA and understanding of not feeling completely welcome (3:15); the impact that the British Invasion and the Beatles had on Bishop Themi becoming a Marxist (9:15); the guru and the cross—Bishop Themi’s first steps towards Christianity (19:00); mystical experiences that reveal the reality of Jesus Christ (25:00); how reading the Bible led to Bishop Themi being born again, selling everything and giving it to the poor to follow Christ (29:30); Bishop Themi was a serious academic until he was convicted that he must do missions due to the impact of Mother Teresa (34:00); how Bishop Themi’s belief on missions led him to Africa (40:05); the impact of HIV/AIDS on Bishop Themi’s first mission in Kenya  (43:15); why Bishop Themi thinks the experience in Sierra Leone with Ebola was worse than HIV/AIDS (45:25); what does it truly mean to live in poverty? (48:30); what is Paradise 4 Kids? (51:25); the methodology of indigenous missions (54:20); the impact of Bishop Themi on the life of Hank Hanegraaff (59:35); what we do with our lives and resources matters for all eternity—we will be judged (1:06:00);  sharing among the poor is not unusual—the poor tend to practice generosity beyond their means (1:10:25); the simple truth is that the more you give the more you will receive (1:12:20); Bishop Themi owns nothing—he has surrendered completely in confidence to God (1:14:20); how can we teach our children how fortunate they are?  (1:16:40); how can people support Bishop Themi’s mission? (1:18:40); Christ identified with the suffering and we must follow Christ by imitating Him (1:21:00).  For more information on the life of Bishop Themi, please see the following for your partnering gift, Themi – Apostle To The Hungry with Foreword by Hank Hanegraaff https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-themi-apostle-to-the-hungry-with-foreword-by-hank-hanegraaff/Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.​

Is earth a privileged planet or merely an insignificant speck of soil aimlessly adrift in a meaningless universe? Evidence refutes the principle of mediocrity—demonstrating that our earth is singularly privileged and designed for discovery. Jay Richards again joins Hank Hanegraaff to give the reasons why in this compelling conversation that clearly communicates why our earth is indeed a privileged planet amidst it’s place in the cosmos.  https://www.equip.org/product/the-privileged-planet-book-new-20th-anniversary-edition-2024-the-farm-at-the-center-of-the-universe-original-2004-privileged-planet-dvd-hup/ Topics discussed include: Can machines ever truly replace humans? (7:15); panpsychism—is there a materialistic way to explain consciousness? (11:05); what is the hypothesis of The Privileged Planet? (14:15); why is the earth the best place in the universe for discovery? (17:00); why do people like Neil deGrasse Tyson make the argument that the earth is insignificant? (21:45); how can we overcome the issue of information overload we are facing today? (26:10); what is constrained optimization? (29:45); the role of solar eclipses in scientific discovery (33:00); how is earth a data recorder? (40:45); the reality of climate change (43:20); the four necessary questions you must ask to understand climate change/global warming (47:30); are natural disasters evidence of climate change? (55:40); should we all be driving electric cars? (1:05:25); how does the earth compare to the thousands of other planets that we know exist? (1:07:30); what role do other planets play in our survival? (1:11:45); is the sun mediocre like some famous scientists claim? (1:14:15); how important is our place in the Milky Way Galaxy? (1:17:35); the importance of telescopes (1:20:30); Olbers paradox—why is the night sky dark? (1:22:45); how is our universe fine-tuned for life itself? (1:24:15); how the world has been set up for us to be able to understand it (1:27:30); does our size in relation to the universe matter? (1:30:00); constrained optimization (1:32:00); the myth of the Copernican principle  (1:33:30); the best educational options for our children (1:38:30); what the early Christians can teach us about surviving cultural decay (1:40:40); the price to pay for seeking truth and not the approval of men (1:42:40); what is the anthropic principle? (1:45:20); explaining away the fine-tuning of the universe through the multiverse theory (1:47:10); UFOs—what is the truth about the alien encounters? (1:49:15); the UAP hype [unidentified aerial phenomena] (1:52:45); why are certain ideas deemed to be “science stoppers”? (1:54:00); how to read the book of nature (1:55:05); the importance of the Privileged Planet as a resource (1:59:45).To see how you can receive The Privileged Planet Book (New 20th Anniversary Edition-2024), The Farm at the Center of the Universe,  and Original (2004) Privileged Planet DVD for your partnering gift, please click here. https://www.equip.org/product/the-privileged-planet-book-new-20th-anniversary-edition-2024-the-farm-at-the-center-of-the-universe-original-2004-privileged-planet-dvd-hup/Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.

Other than Scripture, Darwin’s magnum opus, The Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, might be the most significant literary work in history. light of the unprecedented impact of Darwinian dogma, it would be reasonable to expect it to be solidly rooted in truth. In reality, evolution is rooted in metaphysical contentions and mythological tales. However, as you will hear on today’s encore presentation of the Hank Unplugged podcast, the foundations of the great cosmogenic myth of evolutionary naturalism are crumbling. A short while ago we received news that the great iconoclast of evolution, Jonathan Wells, had departed this life on his 82nd birthday. His death led us to listen to the last conversation with him on the Hank Unplugged podcast—a podcast devoted to his last book, Zombie Science which was a follow-up to the classic volume titled Icons of Evolution. We could not help but think that our podcast discussion with Jonathan Wells provides one of the most concise and compelling refutations of the evolutionary paradigm we’ve ever heard. With two earned doctorates, Jonathan Wells was not only a brilliant scientific mind, but he was also incredibly brave in the face of the brazen attacks that await anyone who dares disagree with the so-called scientific consensus on evolution. His work brought to light the errors of the evolutionary paradigm, exposing especially the false icons that for decades have been passed off as settled science to unsuspecting young minds. Just as Wells was an iconoclastic force when it came to evolution, he was likewise an icon of the Intelligent Design movement. His influence will long outlast his life on earth and his heavenly reward will undoubtedly reflect his efforts that did so much to reveal the truth and beauty there is to be found in studying the resplendent handiwork of the Creator of the cosmos.   We hope that you enjoy this encore presentation of Zombie Science as much as we did. *This Hank Unplugged Podcast was originally aired in January of 2018* Topics discussed include: Hank pays tribute to the great iconoclast of evolution—Jonathan Wells (0:30) what is zombie science? (13:00); the price to pay for taking stands against the status quo of materialism and Darwinian evolution in the scientific arena (22:00); examining various icons of evolution like Darwin’s tree of life (26:00); why has the war on Intelligent Design become so ferocious? (31:30); the miracle of metamorphosis (40:00); the strong scientific commitment to materialism (50:40); what is the myth of junk DNA? (54:15); the unnecessary idolization of Charles Darwin (58:15); the problem with making DNA the answer to everything (59:50); examples of zombie science (1:02:30); the threat to religion presented when materialism is masquerading as empirical science (1:08:30).For further information on the resources of  Zombie Science: More Icons of Evolution, Icons of Evolution DVD, and Memorable Keys to the F-A-R-C-E of Evolution, please click here.  https://www.equip.org/product/zombie-science-more-icons-of-evolution-icons-of-evolution-dvd-and-memorable-keys-to-the-f-a-r-c-e-of-evolution/Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.​

The people of Palestine are caught in the crosshairs of the only significant religious system in the history of the human race with a sociopolitical structure of laws that mandate violence against the infidel.  While much has been made about the state of Israel and the several shades of Zionism that play a role in its complicated history, it is impossible to accurately assess the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without understanding the most important factor of them all—Islam.  While there are people of other faiths (such as Christians) that live in the land called Palestine—I have close, personal friends among them—the majority of the people occupying this territory are Muslims and all of the citizens of Gaza are led by Hamas, a militant Islamic organization with connections throughout the Islamic world that undoubtedly and unabashedly desire the destruction of all Jews along with the death of America and ultimately the West. This cannot be overstated and any intentions of a peaceful resolution to this conflict are in direct contradiction with the ideology of Islam—most notably Jihad against the infidel.Make no mistake—in a time of civilizational crisis—Islam is at the heart of this clash of civilizations. In times like these, where honest information is in short supply, it is imperative that lean on the counsel of experts in our pursuit of discernment, which is precisely why Hank Hanegraaff is joined by Robert Spencer, one of the worlds leading experts on Islam, to discuss what he deems “The Palestinian Delusion.”For information on Robert Spencer's book, The Palestinian Delusion: The Catastrophic History of the Middle East Peace Process, please click here.https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resource-the-palestinian-delusion-the-catastrophic-history-of-the-middle-east-peace-process/For information on Hank's book The Apocalypse Code: Find out What the Bible Really Says About the End Times and Why It Matters Today, please click here. Related Resources:Excavating Palestine’s Villages Review of Erased from Space and Consciousness: Israel and the Depopulated Palestinian Villages of 1948Have the Land Promises God Made to Abraham Been Fulfilled?Hank Unplugged Podcast: A Palestinian Christian’s Perspective with Fares Abraham Topics discussed include: Why is it so difficult to discuss Islam without being labeled hateful, bigoted or Islamophobic? (11:35); how and when did Islam begin to call for religiously mandated warfare? (14:00); what is meant by the protest chant, “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”? (18:35); how important is the Levant? (20:35); is Islam anti-Semitic and anti-Christian? (23:30); the end of the world according to Islam (26:15); “welcoming the stranger” and the emphasis on hospitality in Islam (32:30); is there any real hope for a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine? (38:00); the history of the Palestinian flag and nationality (41:45); the history of the Arab-Israeli Peace Process and the Camp David Accords (49:15); “the right of conquest” has been recognized throughout history (57:45); the dangers of Christian Zionism and the influence of John Hagee (1:03:20); understanding the PLO, Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood (1:11:45); Obama vs. Israel (1:19:00); why did Obama and the subsequent Biden administration go so soft on Iran? (1:24:20); why have we seen a surge in support for Palestine? (1:27:40); the rise of anti-Semitism since October 7th (1:30:00); is there a solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict? (1:31:55); why was Robert Spencer fired in 2011? (1:34:30); Robert Spencer’s upcoming book Muhammad: A Critical Biography (1:39:30). 

Most Americans want legal access to abortion. It is likely one of the issues that will determine what politicians get elected—as many politicians today say that unless you have a moderate position when it comes to abortion it is virtually impossible to get elected—even conservative Christians. Abortion is not just an issue—it’s the issue. Yet far too many Christians have embraced the new paganism of our times, and our ways have become detestable to the Lord. For decades now Americans have been sacrificing our children on the altar of hedonism. Simply put—if you are pro-choice, you are pro-murder—full stop.Hank was so compelled by the way that abortion has been discussed in our culture today that he has devoted the entirety of this teaching edition of the Hank Unplugged podcast to discussing abortion and why it is the most important issue of them all.Please see the following related Web resources:  How do we annihilate A-B-O-R-T-I-O-N arguments? https://www.equip.org/bible_answers/how-do-we-annihilate-a-b-o-r-t-i-o-n-arguments/ For further Bible Answers please see The Complete Bible Answer Book: Collector’s Edition: Revised and Expanded (2024). https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resources-the-complete-bible-answer-book-collectors-edition-revised-and-expanded-2024-hup/ The Roots of Planned Parenthood https://www.equip.org/articles/the-roots-of-planned-parenthood/ Margaret Sanger: “No Gods, No Masters” https://www.equip.org/articles/margaret-sanger-no-gods-no-masters/

We live in an era deeply shaped by secularism. Because secular ideas are at the heart of our culture, modern people tend to think in secular ways without realizing it—even the most well-meaning of us. How then do we live in, but not be of, a secular culture? We need to understand the enchanted, Sacramental way that the early Christians viewed the world, but we also need to understand secularism. To truly understand Christianity, we must unlearn an entire secular worldview and become participants in a sacramental worldview instead—a worldview that embraces reality as it truly is. How do you explain the Sacramental life of the Church? To the early Christians—and to all ancient people—the idea that physical objects had spiritual power was very intuitive, whereas modern people tend to find this idea difficult, bizarre or even un-Christian. Join Hank Hanegraaff and his guest Zac Porcu for a discussion on these topics. Topics discussed include:  What is Christianity? (4:00); what are the mysteries of the Church? (6:30); what is religion? (10:15); Arche—a foreign unfamiliar word for God (12:15); the Trinity—why do we care about the Trinity? (15:30); what does it mean for God to be the ultimate reality? (17:30); what is the most important thing about Jesus? (19:20); what is the distinction between a secular and a sacramental of thinking? (21:30); what are the Sacraments? are they necessary in Christianity? (32:00); is baptism necessary for salvation? (36:30); the importance of the Eucharist (43:45); the seriousness of the Sacrament of Marriage (46:35); the role of the priesthood in the Sacramental life of the Church (49:25); Chrismation—what does it mean? (52:50); do Sacramental objects—such as relics—have spiritual power? (55:20); are we living in an enchanted world? (59:30); what makes the divine liturgy divine? (1:02:30); why is all liturgical time present time—proleptic (1:05:00); what does the liturgical cycle of the Church calendar reveal about reality? (1:07:00); the relationship between the Bible and Holy Tradition? (1:08:30); the truth about icons—what they reveal about the participatory nature of Christianity (1:12:15); how the existence of evil is an argument for the existence of God (1:16:30); is free will critical to the nature of Christianity? (1:19:15); why didn’t Jesus spare himself from death? (1:22:00); “He Who Is” (1:28:15); repentance is not a momentary act, but a lifelong process (1:29:15); the fallacy of neutrality when it comes to separations of religious belief and how we govern society—separation of Church and State (1:31:15); Journey to Reality—what does it take for us to become real? (1:35:45). 

What do you do when you don’t know the answer to a question? “Research and return” is Hank’s policy when asked a question on the Bible Answer Man that he is unsure of—something we should all practice when we are unsure of an answer.Likewise, Hank Hanegraaff understands that sometimes answers that he did provide may have been incorrect or insufficient.While you may have seen some of the same questions in past editions of The Complete Bible Answer Book—this Collectors Edition pays testament to the policy of research and return—as each answer was returned to and painstakingly researched to ensure the utmost of accuracy. The Complete Bible Answer Book—Collectors Edition—is the comprehensive collection of the most often-asked questions Hank Hanegraaff has received throughout his four decades as host of the Bible Answer Man. With more than half a million copies already in print, this revised and expanded collector’s edition contains over 210 questions and answers, including more than twenty memorable “Hankronyms.” Answers help seekers and skeptics alike sort through the truth on topics such as reliability of the Bible, basic apologetics, creation, spiritual growth, ethics, religions and cults, the resurrection and afterlife, and many more issues vital to a better understanding of God in Christ and our relationship to Him. Click here to receive your copy of The Complete Bible Answer Book—Collectors Edition. https://www.equip.org/product/cri-resources-the-complete-bible-answer-book-collectors-edition-revised-and-expanded-2024-hup/Listen to Hank’s podcast and follow Hank off the grid where he is joined by some of the brightest minds discussing topics you care about. Get equipped to be a cultural change agent.Archived episodes are  on our Website and available at the additional channels listed below.You can help spread the word about Hank Unplugged by giving us a rating and review from the other channels we are listed on.