Candid Conversations with Jonathan Youssef
Episodes from Jonathan Youssef’s podcast concerning how Christians can engage with culture.
Episode 60: Transgender From Biblical Times to Now
With Guests Claire and Rob Smith
In the past few years, we have seen the rise of the public debate around gender and transgender. What makes a man a man and a woman a woman? Is this a new debate or an ancient one?
Jonathan Youssef welcomes Claire and Rob Smith from Sydney, Australia to Candid Conversations. Rob Smith lectures in theology, ethics, and music ministry at Sydney Missionary & Bible College. He also serves as the Assistant Director of Ministry Training and Development for the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. He is currently undertaking doctoral studies in the theology of sex and gender.
Episode 75: What Planned Parenthood Taught Me
With Guest Monica Cline
Join Jonathan for an eye-opening two-part conversation with Monica Cline. For over a decade, Monica worked in HIV prevention education, comprehensive sex education as a Title X family planning Training Manager, and as a volunteer educator for Planned Parenthood.
Episode 76: Monica Cline: The Secret to Parenting in a Sexual Age
With Guest Monica Cline
Join Jonathan for part two of an eye-opening two-part conversation with Monica Cline. For over a decade, Monica worked in HIV prevention education, comprehensive sex education as a Title X family planning Training Manager, and as a volunteer educator for Planned Parenthood.
In this episode, Monica explains the key role parents play in sexual education and how we can become our children’s greatest advocates and educators in this area. She also shares how God has taken what the enemy meant for evil in her life and is using it for good and for the saving of many lives.
Episode 87: How Equal Is The Equality Act?
With Guest John Stonestreet
The Equality Act is on the political horizon, already passed in the House and on its way to the Senate. What is it, and why should we care? As Christians, what does this mean for religious liberty? Can LGBTQ protections and religious liberties coexist?
In today’s episode, Jonathan welcomes John Stonestreet, President of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview, an organization committed to equipping Christians with a solid Biblical worldview so they can navigate today’s culture.
Episode 95: Redeemed Sexuality
With Guest Dee Barnes
Jonathan has a heartfelt conversation with Dee Barnes about how God saved her and redeemed her sexuality as she pursued a relationship with Christ. Her transparent testimony of transformation through the power of God’s Word has compelled her to lead others struggling with sexual and relational issues to the freedom only possible in Christ.
Dee Barnes is the founder of His Wonderful Works, a ministry dedicated to bringing hope, healing, and freedom to the Body of Christ in the areas of family relationships and sexuality.
Episode 102: The Gospel Comes with a Housekey
With Guest Rosaria Butterfield
Jonathan welcomes Rosaria Butterfield to Candid Conversations to discuss building up the church to live like the family of God to provide a powerful Christian witness to your neighbors.
Rosaria is a former tenured professor of English and women’s studies at Syracuse University. She was converted to Christ in 1999 in what she describes as a train wreck.
In her late twenties, allured by feminist philosophy and LGBT advocacy, she adopted a lesbian identity. Rosaria earned her PhD from Ohio State University, then served in the English department and women’s studies program at Syracuse University from 1992 to 2002. Her primary academic field was critical theory, specializing in queer theory. Her historical focus was 19th-century literature, informed by Freud, Marx, and Darwin. She advised the LGBT student group, wrote Syracuse University’s policy for same-sex couples, and actively lobbied for LGBT aims alongside her lesbian partner.
In 1997, while Rosaria was researching the Religious Right “and their politics of hatred against people like me,” she wrote an article against the Promise Keepers. A response to that article triggered a meeting with Ken Smith, who became a resource on the Religious Right, their Bible, a confidant, and a friend. In 1999, after repeatedly reading the Bible in large chunks for her research, Rosaria converted to Christianity. Her first book, The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, details her conversion and the cataclysmic fallout—in which she lost “everything but the dog,” yet gained eternal life in Christ.
Episode 105: Transgender to Transformed, Part 1
With Guest Laura Perry
You may have heard of the term gender dysphoria. If you haven’t, it is the psychological distress endured by a person because of a perceived mismatch between a person’s biological sex and their gender identity.
What causes gender dysphoria and what lies behind the desire to be a different gender? How should Christians view gender and how can we share the Truth in love with those struggling with gender dysphoria?
Laura Perry, shares her struggle with gender dysphoria. She opens up with Jonathan in the first of a two part conversation about her path from being a transgender male to a transformed woman of God. Don’t miss a minute of this awe inspiring and transformational testimony of the power of Jesus Christ to heal and redeem.
Episode 106: Transgender to Transformed, Part 2
With Guest Laura Perry
Part two of a conversation with Laura Perry, who shares her struggle with gender dysphoria, and how the Lord drew Laura back to Himself and how His love radically transformed every area of her life.
Episode 108: Surviving College
With Guest Michael Kruger
College is not known for encouraging students to grow their relationship with Christ or teaching them how to stand firm in the faith.
Join Jonathan as he welcomes Dr. Michael Kruger to discuss the challenges of holding firm to the Christian faith in college. Together they unpack some general apologetics questions like, “How was the Bible written?” and “Why do we need the Bible? What makes it authentic?” They also talk about why it’s important to stay connected to the body of Christ in college, as well as how we can empower parents to prepare students to stand firm in an academic culture of doubt and disbelief.
Episode 114: The #1 Question Young People Are Asking
With Guest David Robertson
Do you know the #1 question young people worldwide are asking about the Christian faith? Why are only youth in the West asking about suffering? Do you feel equipped to answer questions about Christianity?
Join Jonathan Youssef as he welcomes David Robertson to Candid Conversations. David is an experienced minister and gifted apologist who can explain complex theological Truth in a simple and engaging way.
Episode 131: Can Critical Race Theory Offer Racial Healing?
With Guest Monique Duson
Join Jonathan and his guest, Monique Duson of the Center for Biblical Unity, to peel back the layers of Critical Race Theory. Monique is a racial unity advocate and co-founder with Krista Bontrager of the Center for Biblical Unity.
Episode 136: Building Bridges in a Cancel Culture
With Guest Bill Davis
On today’s episode, Jonathan welcomes Dr. Bill Davis as they discuss culture wars in and outside of the Church along with what the Bible has to say about honoring Christ in our response to culture.
Candid Conversations with Jonathan Youssef
Episodes from Jonathan Youssef’s podcast concerning how Christians can engage with culture.
Episode 60: Transgender From Biblical Times to Now
With Guests Claire and Rob Smith
In the past few years, we have seen the rise of the public debate around gender and transgender. What makes a man a man and a woman a woman? Is this a new debate or an ancient one?
Jonathan Youssef welcomes Claire and Rob Smith from Sydney, Australia to Candid Conversations. Rob Smith lectures in theology, ethics, and music ministry at Sydney Missionary & Bible College. He also serves as the Assistant Director of Ministry Training and Development for the Anglican Diocese of Sydney. He is currently undertaking doctoral studies in the theology of sex and gender.
Episode 75: What Planned Parenthood Taught Me
With Guest Monica Cline
Join Jonathan for an eye-opening two-part conversation with Monica Cline. For over a decade, Monica worked in HIV prevention education, comprehensive sex education as a Title X family planning Training Manager, and as a volunteer educator for Planned Parenthood.
Episode 76: Monica Cline: The Secret to Parenting in a Sexual Age
With Guest Monica Cline
Join Jonathan for part two of an eye-opening two-part conversation with Monica Cline. For over a decade, Monica worked in HIV prevention education, comprehensive sex education as a Title X family planning Training Manager, and as a volunteer educator for Planned Parenthood.
In this episode, Monica explains the key role parents play in sexual education and how we can become our children’s greatest advocates and educators in this area. She also shares how God has taken what the enemy meant for evil in her life and is using it for good and for the saving of many lives.
Episode 87: How Equal Is The Equality Act?
With Guest John Stonestreet
The Equality Act is on the political horizon, already passed in the House and on its way to the Senate. What is it, and why should we care? As Christians, what does this mean for religious liberty? Can LGBTQ protections and religious liberties coexist?
In today’s episode, Jonathan welcomes John Stonestreet, President of The Colson Center for Christian Worldview, an organization committed to equipping Christians with a solid Biblical worldview so they can navigate today’s culture.
Episode 95: Redeemed Sexuality
With Guest Dee Barnes
Jonathan has a heartfelt conversation with Dee Barnes about how God saved her and redeemed her sexuality as she pursued a relationship with Christ. Her transparent testimony of transformation through the power of God’s Word has compelled her to lead others struggling with sexual and relational issues to the freedom only possible in Christ.
Dee Barnes is the founder of His Wonderful Works, a ministry dedicated to bringing hope, healing, and freedom to the Body of Christ in the areas of family relationships and sexuality.
Episode 102: The Gospel Comes with a Housekey
With Guest Rosaria Butterfield
Jonathan welcomes Rosaria Butterfield to Candid Conversations to discuss building up the church to live like the family of God to provide a powerful Christian witness to your neighbors.
Rosaria is a former tenured professor of English and women’s studies at Syracuse University. She was converted to Christ in 1999 in what she describes as a train wreck.
In her late twenties, allured by feminist philosophy and LGBT advocacy, she adopted a lesbian identity. Rosaria earned her PhD from Ohio State University, then served in the English department and women’s studies program at Syracuse University from 1992 to 2002. Her primary academic field was critical theory, specializing in queer theory. Her historical focus was 19th-century literature, informed by Freud, Marx, and Darwin. She advised the LGBT student group, wrote Syracuse University’s policy for same-sex couples, and actively lobbied for LGBT aims alongside her lesbian partner.
In 1997, while Rosaria was researching the Religious Right “and their politics of hatred against people like me,” she wrote an article against the Promise Keepers. A response to that article triggered a meeting with Ken Smith, who became a resource on the Religious Right, their Bible, a confidant, and a friend. In 1999, after repeatedly reading the Bible in large chunks for her research, Rosaria converted to Christianity. Her first book, The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert, details her conversion and the cataclysmic fallout—in which she lost “everything but the dog,” yet gained eternal life in Christ.
Episode 105: Transgender to Transformed, Part 1
With Guest Laura Perry
You may have heard of the term gender dysphoria. If you haven’t, it is the psychological distress endured by a person because of a perceived mismatch between a person’s biological sex and their gender identity.
What causes gender dysphoria and what lies behind the desire to be a different gender? How should Christians view gender and how can we share the Truth in love with those struggling with gender dysphoria?
Laura Perry, shares her struggle with gender dysphoria. She opens up with Jonathan in the first of a two part conversation about her path from being a transgender male to a transformed woman of God. Don’t miss a minute of this awe inspiring and transformational testimony of the power of Jesus Christ to heal and redeem.
Episode 106: Transgender to Transformed, Part 2
With Guest Laura Perry
Part two of a conversation with Laura Perry, who shares her struggle with gender dysphoria, and how the Lord drew Laura back to Himself and how His love radically transformed every area of her life.
Episode 108: Surviving College
With Guest Michael Kruger
College is not known for encouraging students to grow their relationship with Christ or teaching them how to stand firm in the faith.
Join Jonathan as he welcomes Dr. Michael Kruger to discuss the challenges of holding firm to the Christian faith in college. Together they unpack some general apologetics questions like, “How was the Bible written?” and “Why do we need the Bible? What makes it authentic?” They also talk about why it’s important to stay connected to the body of Christ in college, as well as how we can empower parents to prepare students to stand firm in an academic culture of doubt and disbelief.
Episode 114: The #1 Question Young People Are Asking
With Guest David Robertson
Do you know the #1 question young people worldwide are asking about the Christian faith? Why are only youth in the West asking about suffering? Do you feel equipped to answer questions about Christianity?
Join Jonathan Youssef as he welcomes David Robertson to Candid Conversations. David is an experienced minister and gifted apologist who can explain complex theological Truth in a simple and engaging way.
Episode 131: Can Critical Race Theory Offer Racial Healing?
With Guest Monique Duson
Join Jonathan and his guest, Monique Duson of the Center for Biblical Unity, to peel back the layers of Critical Race Theory. Monique is a racial unity advocate and co-founder with Krista Bontrager of the Center for Biblical Unity.
Episode 136: Building Bridges in a Cancel Culture
With Guest Bill Davis
On today’s episode, Jonathan welcomes Dr. Bill Davis as they discuss culture wars in and outside of the Church along with what the Bible has to say about honoring Christ in our response to culture.
Additional Reading
Recommended reading from the Apostles Student Ministry.
Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality
A persuasive, compassionate and uncompromisingly biblical theology of the human body. Embracing our physical body as fundamental to our nature and joy as creatures made in the image of God, this intelligent and engaging critique dismantles the perilous cultural case for moral relativism, and shows how a biblical understanding of humanity and personhood is the only way to true fulfillment.
Alive: Gospel Sexuality for Students
Spark gospel centered, fruitful conversations with teens and young adults about sexuality, gender and identity in Christ. This small, study-oriented book is a powerful and effective way of exploring God’s plan for sexual wholeness, and cure for sexual brokenness. Highly recommended for students, youth groups, and families.
God Made Boys and Girls: Helping Children Understand the Gift of Gender
God Made Boys and Girls helps children understand that their gender is a gift from the God who made them and loves them. The story begins as the girls and boys at Grace Christian School are discussing if boys will always be boys and girls will always be girls.
Their teacher explains that God gives each of us the gift of being male or female before we are born, and that you continue to be a boy or a girl whether you like to climb trees or play house, play tag or color pictures, cause a ruckus or sit quietly.
In a world where there is so much confusion about gender and identity, pastor and best-selling author Marty Machowski shares the simple, clear truth that all of us are made in God’s image as either male or female—and what God made is very good!
Included in the back of the book is a special section just for parents and caregivers that gives biblical guidance and help as they have this important conversation with their children.
Rewriting Gender? You, Your Family, Transgenderism and the Gospel
The world today claims that your identity is entirely defined by you. As parents raising children in this world, how do we teach children the gospel and explain how it impacts gender identity? This book of letters written to the author’s children follows the overarching story line of the Bible, making it clear that transgenderism is a symptom of a far deeper problem that only Jesus can heal. Written with biblical clarity, sensitivity, and an awareness that people affected by these issues are people who need Jesus, just like everyone else, this book will help parents who are looking for guidance on how to explain gender issues to their children.
Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters
Abigal Shrier
Abigail Shrier, a writer for the Wall Street Journal, has dug deep into the trans epidemic, talking to the girls, their agonized parents, and the counselors and doctors who enable gender transitions, as well as to “detransitioners”—young women who bitterly regret what they have done to themselves.
Coming out as transgender immediately boosts these girls’ social status, Shrier finds, but once they take the first steps of transition, it is not easy to walk back. She offers urgently needed advice about how parents can protect their daughters.
A generation of girls is at risk. Abigail Shrier’s essential book will help you understand what the trans craze is and how you can inoculate your child against it—or how to retrieve her from this dangerous path.
Gender Ideology: What Do Christians Need to Know?
Sharon James
The world has embraced the idea that gender is something that can be decided by individuals. As Christians encounter colleagues, friends and family members who identify as a gender other than the one they were born, we need to be informed and equipped with knowledge about what the issues are, what different terms mean and what the Bible has to say about these things. While we walk the line between loving our neighbour and not buying into the world’s lies, Sharon James helps us in this informative and practical guide.