White Horse Inn
415 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 2K ratingsDo all paths lead to God? Is the Bible history or mythology? Are we saved by grace or good works? Featuring conversations with Christians from a variety traditions, this program is designed to give you a better understanding of what you believe and why you believe it.
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Episodes
Reforming the Church
January 02, 2022 08:00 - 32 minutes - 15.1 MBOn this classic episode of the White Horse Inn, Michael Horton, Kim Riddlebarger and Rod Rosenbladt discuss many of the problems facing contemporary Christianity and call for a return to the insights of the sixteenth-century Protestant Reformation. In particular, they focus on the five “Solas”: Scripture alone, Christ alone, grace alone, faith alone, and glory to God alone. This episode was the eighth program of our weekly live broadcast, which began on KKLA in Los Angeles in early November ...
The Jewish Gospels
December 29, 2021 08:00 - 42 minutes - 19.7 MBWHI Classic • There was a time in which Judaism & Christianity had many more beliefs in common. As it turns out, many ancient Jews before the time of Christ actually expected the coming of a divine messiah who would appear in bodily form in order to atone for sin and accomplish redemption. In fact, some Jews even spoke of this messiah as a kind of second divinity who was distinct from the Ancient of Days, and whose relationship to God was like that of a son to a father. Shane Rosenthal discu...
Alistair Begg on Life in a Post-Christian World
December 26, 2021 08:00 - 30 minutes - 17.8 MBIn our increasingly secular culture, Christians are beginning to feel like strangers and aliens in their own land. Perhaps, however, we’ve felt much too at home in this world in the first place. As it becomes more apparent that we live in Babylon, confusing the gospel with the American dream may become less plausible. But will we be able to stand if and when our faith is tested? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with Alistair Begg about the insights into these issues he has gleaned from...
Joy to The World!
December 22, 2021 08:00 - 34 minutes - 15.9 MBWhen the angels appeared before the shepherds in Bethlehem, they came bringing a message of “good news” rather than tips for improving our life or the world around us. On this program, the hosts will discuss the nature of the Christian gospel and its roots in the Old Testament promises of a coming redemption. They’ll also discuss the relationship between good news and the “great joy” that we experience in response (originally aired 12-24-17). __________ For a gift of $50 or more, request...
The Theology of Christmas Carols
December 19, 2021 08:00 - 30 minutes - 15 MBHave you ever taken the time to really listen and think about the lyrics of the various Christmas carols that you hear on the radio and in the shopping malls at this time of year? On this program, the hosts will do just that as they consider popular songs like Jingle Bells and Santa Claus is Coming to Town, to more traditional carols such as Away in a Manger and Silent Night. Finally, they’ll explore the theology expressed in the world’s first Christmas carols recorded for us in the first ch...
What Child Is This?
December 15, 2021 08:00 - 30 minutes - 13.9 MB“What child is this, who laid to rest, on Mary’s lap is sleeping?” This wonderful hymn reminds us every Christmas of the sublime mystery of the incarnation. But what does it really mean to confess that Jesus is God in human flesh? On this edition of the program, the hosts will continue their discussion of The Meaning of Christmas by taking a look at the two natures of Christ and his threefold office as prophet, priest, and king (originally aired 12-17-17). ___________ For a gift of $50 o...
The Theology of Christmas Movies
December 12, 2021 08:00 - 35 minutes - 20.2 MBWhat’s the true spirit of Christmas? That’s the question at the heart of countless Christmas movies that clutter the airwaves and cable listings at this time of year. But the answer one typically receives from films of this genre is not merely a departure from the biblical narrative, but rather is a kind of anti-gospel that turns our attention completely away from the redemption provided by the incarnate Son of God. The hosts will discuss this topic by walking through memorable lines from mo...
O Holy Night
December 08, 2021 08:00 - 13.1 MBHow do the angelic announcements of Mary’s conception and of the birth of Christ relate to the Old Testament promises concerning the coming messiah, and what do they reveal about Christ’s forthcoming mission and work? On this program, the hosts take a closer look at the Annunciation (originally aired 12-10-17). __________ Sign up for our Free Account and gain access to the 12 most recent extended-length episodes of the White Horse Inn as well as other free content. Just head over to whit...
Atheism on Trial
December 05, 2021 08:00 - 20.1 MBIn today’s rapidly changing culture, atheism and agnosticism appear to be on the rise. But what reasons do people typically give for adopting this kind of worldview, and are these ideas reasonable? How should we respond to an unbelieving friend or family member who asks, “If God really exists, why is there so much evil and suffering in the world?” On this episode, Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Mark Lanier, author of, Atheism on Trial: A Lawyer Examines the Case for ...
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
December 01, 2021 08:00 - 12.4 MB“O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” reminds us each year of the deep longing and hopeful expectation for the fulfillment of all the messianic promises revealed throughout the history of the Old Testament. This Emmanuel, or “God with us,” would come in the fullness of time to “ransom captive Israel.” (originally aired 12-03-17). __________ For a gift of $50 or more, request your copy of Michael Horton’s new book, Recovering Our Sanity - How the Fear of God Conquers the Fears That Divide Us, go to...
Greg Koukl on The Problem of Evil
November 28, 2021 08:00 - 20.6 MBWhenever you watch the news, it becomes increasingly clear that the world isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. But how did things go so wrong in the first place? And if something has gone wrong, does this imply that God is either indifferent to our plight or powerless to do anything about it? How are we to reconcile the existence of a good and all-powerful God with the problem of evil? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Greg Koukl, founder and president of...
Greg Koukl on The Problem of Evil
November 28, 2021 08:00 - 19.7 MBWhenever you watch the news, it becomes increasingly clear that the world isn’t the way it’s supposed to be. But how did things go so wrong in the first place? And if something has gone wrong, does this imply that God is either indifferent to our plight or powerless to do anything about it? How are we to reconcile the existence of a good and all-powerful God with the problem of evil? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Greg Koukl, founder and president of...
Guilt, Grace & Gratitude
November 24, 2021 08:00 - 12.6 MB“Grace is the essence of theology and gratitude is the essence of ethics.” It sounds so simple but we often find it difficult to arrange our thoughts, affections, convictions, and actions around these two poles. On this edition of The White Horse Inn, the hosts show how doing so gives us a pattern for repentance, faith, and service to God and neighbor (Originally aired 11-20-94). __________ For a gift of $50 or more, request your copy of Michael Horton’s new book, Recovering Our Sanity -...
The False Gospel of Fascism
November 21, 2021 08:00 - 29.9 MBOn this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with Dr. Gene Veith about a book he wrote back in 1993 titled Modern Fascism: Liquidating the Judeo-Christian Worldview. Recently Dr. Veith wrote an essay reflecting on the observations he had made in that volume about the rise of fascism, its philosophical and worldview assumptions, and how many of those beliefs later morphed into what we now call “post-modernism” In fact, in his recent article, Dr. Veith observes that “Much of what I predicted and war...
Do I Have to Go to Church to Be a Christian?
November 17, 2021 08:00 - 17.1 MBMany Christians in our time seem to think that church attendance is optional, particularly in an age like ours with so many online options. But is this a healthy outlook? Is it even biblical? On this program, the hosts discuss this question and offer numerous reasons why it is not only important but also crucial for Christians to be under the care and supervision of pastors, teachers, and elders at a properly-ordered church (originally aired 08-20-17). __________ For a gift of $50 or mor...
What Happens When We Deny Original Sin?
November 14, 2021 08:00 - 17.9 MBIn the early 1800s, a man by the name of Robert Owen began to challenge the concept of original sin. “None are or can be bad by nature,” he mused, “and it must be a gross error to make him responsible for what nature and his predecessors have compelled him to be.” As a result, Owen attempted to establish a utopian socialist community in New Harmony, Indiana. And even though his project utterly failed after only three years, his views would later greatly influence thinkers such as Friedrich E...
What People Believe & Why
November 10, 2021 08:00 - 16.3 MBIf you ask people on the street what they believe about God and the afterlife, you’re likely to get a wide variety of answers. But an important follow-up question you should ask is, “Why do you believe that?” On this program, the hosts will listen to and interact with a number of on-the-street interviews dealing with basic religious questions. Why do people believe what they believe, and do the answers they provide work in other areas of life? Join us for this broadcast as we begin a new ser...
Original Sin vs. Original Goodness
November 07, 2021 07:00 - 21.6 MBBestselling author Richard Rohr has argued in his writings that the concept of original sin “was first put forth by Augustine in the fifth century but is never mentioned in the Bible.” But is this really the case? What does the Bible actually say about man’s nature after the fall? And was Augustine the first theologian in church history to discuss original sin? How are we to make sense of the world, or even our own sinful inclinations, without the insights of this important doctrine? On this...
Do All Paths Lead to God?
November 03, 2021 07:00 - 14.7 MBReligious pluralism seems to be the only perspective that is tolerated in today’s culture, while those who are “trapped” within the confines of a single religious outlook are dismissed as narrow and sectarian. But if you think about it, those who promote this alternative dogma that “all paths lead to God” are also making an exclusive truth claim, since they end up excluding the opposite view that only one religious path leads to God. The hosts will discuss this contemporary outlook and contr...
Katherine Parr: Queen of the English Reformation
October 31, 2021 07:00 - 17.6 MBThe first woman to publish a book in her own name in the English language was Katherine Parr, the sixth and final wife of King Henry VIII. In her book, The Lamentation of a Sinner (1547), she abased herself considerably and outlined her conversion to Reformation theology. In fact, she writes, “I feel myself to come, as it were, in a new garment before God, and now by his mercy, to be declared just and righteous. By faith alone, I am sure to be justified, although the dregs of Adam do remain....
Addressing Popular Misconceptions of Faith
October 27, 2021 07:00 - 15.7 MBWHI Classic • On this program, the hosts interact with a number of man-on-the-street interviews concerning the nature and meaning of faith. Faith is often seen as a kind of leap in the dark. According to the surveys we’ll air on this program, this belief seems to be held by Christian and non-Christian alike. The Christian misunderstanding of faith appears to be rooted in an often-misinterpreted passage from Hebrews chapter 11, so the hosts also spend some time explaining in what sense “faith...
Understanding the Protestant / Catholic Divide
October 24, 2021 07:00 - 19 MBAt the heart of the division between Protestants and Catholics is the disagreement over the doctrine of justification. According to Catholic theology, justification is believed to be a lifelong process in which the sinner becomes intrinsically righteous, to the extent that he or she cooperates with grace. On the other side, Protestants assert that this ends up confusing justification with sanctification. Whereas sanctification is a process, justification is a once-for-all declaration of righ...
Does Faith Conflict with Science?
October 20, 2021 07:00 - 15.1 MBWHI Classic • Are faith and science at odds with each other? The way the story is often told, science is empirical, rational, and objective, whereas faith is experiential, subjective, and dogmatic. While it’s certainly true that many of the world’s religions think of faith in this way, the hosts will attempt to show that the Christian view of faith is unique in that it claims to be a reasonable trust that is grounded in objective facts, rather than subjective wishes or experiences (originall...
Does James Teach Justification by Works?
October 17, 2021 07:00 - 18.1 MBFor the past five hundred years, Protestants have argued that the doctrine of justification by faith alone is a core component of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But sometimes opponents of the Reformation claim that the Bible actually teaches the opposite. In James 2:24, for example, we’re told that “a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” So what is the point James is making and does his teaching actually conflict with Paul and others? Shane Rosenthal discusses this with Bob Hil...
Is Faith Opposed to Evidence?
October 13, 2021 07:00 - 16.5 MBWHI Classic • Sometimes when discussing evidence for the Christian faith, a person may respond by asking, “What room does this leave for faith?” This question actually reveals a misunderstanding of the Christian view of faith which is grounded in factual claims about the person and work of Christ as reported and authenticated by eyewitnesses. On this program, the hosts will discuss the New Testament view of faith and its relationship to evidence (originally aired 07-16-17). __________ Fo...
An Overview of the Book of James
October 10, 2021 07:00 - 20.5 MBWas the book of James written by one of the twelve disciples or the brother of Jesus? Are there any references to James outside the world of the New Testament? Many scholars have concluded that his epistle was likely written in the early to mid-forties of the first century. And since James so frequently quotes and alludes to the sayings of Jesus throughout his epistle, this provides strong evidence that both he and his readers were saturated in Jesus’s teaching from a very early date. On thi...
Is Faith a Blind Leap?
October 06, 2021 07:00 - 13.9 MBWHI Classic • Why do you believe the Bible? What does it mean to “believe” in the first place? Should we think of faith as a kind of blind leap or shot in the dark? If so, why have you made this particular leap, in contrast to all the other faith options? On this program, the hosts will seek to answer these questions and more (originally aired 07-09-17). __________ For the month of October, become a partner and receive the classic book, The Pearl of Christian Comfort, as a special thank ...
Os Guinness on The Future of Freedom
October 03, 2021 07:00 - 19 MBAre human beings born innocent or corrupt? Do we have the ability to a perfect world or is that sort of thing impossible? Those drawing on Enlightenment assumptions assert that man is born pure and that corruption comes through outside forces. In this view, utopia becomes achievable to the extent that we eliminate all the sources of corruption. But rather than ushering in heaven on earth, this outlook actually has a long track record of creating totalitarian dystopias. So, where is our cultu...
The Story of Reality
September 29, 2021 07:00 - 16.4 MBWHI Classic • Religion is often presented today as a kind of therapy. Find the treatment you like best—the one that meets your needs and warms your heart. That’s the point of religion. But is this the way that Christianity presents itself? Did Jesus offer himself as a kind of sage who could help us to cope with life’s difficulties, or did he come to tell about himself, our problem, and his solution? On this program, Michael Horton and the panel discuss these questions and more with Greg Kouk...
American Spirituality
September 26, 2021 07:00 - 18.6 MBFrom its inception, “the new world” has always been a place of religious experimentation. It was seen as a place where people would be liberated from pre-existing traditions and church structures. And so it’s not surprising that the search for the sacred in this country has often seen radical departures from traditional Christian beliefs and practices. So how do contemporary views of spirituality differ from classical Christian views about God, redemption, and spiritual renewal? On this edit...
The Justice & Mercy of God
September 22, 2021 07:00 - 17 MBWHI Classic • Let’s face it, we all long for justice. But this longing of ours, if we’re honest, is typically focused on the really big sins of other people. It’s the evil we witness on the nightly news, not the evil lurking in the dark recesses of our own fallen hearts that we’re really concerned about. Sure, military leaders need to be tried for their war crimes, but if God is truly just, then he needs to hold all of us accountable for lying, greed, covetousness, sexual impurity, and pride...
The Gospel According to Satan
September 19, 2021 07:00 - 16.2 MBIn his letter to the Galatians, Paul warns believers about the dangers of turning away to alternative gospels, even if they’re found on the lips of an apostle or an angel from heaven. But what if Satan himself actually authored his own gospel? What might it look like and what might some of its popular slogans be? Jared Wilson recently devoted some time to this particular thought experiment, the results of which he published in his recent book, The Gospel According to Satan: Eight Lies About ...
Getting Over Yourself
September 12, 2021 07:00 - 16.3 MBIn his book, Marketing the Church, written back in the late eighties, George Barna argued that “the number one principle of Christian communication is that the audience, not the message, is sovereign.” So what has been the result of this philosophy as it has been implemented over the past few decades? If the audience is sovereign, what is to stop churches from “accumulating for themselves teachers to suit their own passions” (2Tim 4:3). In short, what are the effects of an increasingly narci...
The Holiness & Transcendence of God
September 08, 2021 07:00 - 13.6 MBWHI Classic • We no longer live in a world in which God is conceived as being transcendent and holy. When people think about God today, they rarely conceive of him as “the Holy One of Israel,” but are more likely to think of him as a kind of buddy or friend. Though we are sometimes inspired in our worship to say “Wow!,” we are seldom induced to cry “Woe!” On this edition of White Horse Inn, the hosts will explore the Bible’s teaching on this crucial topic of the holiness and transcendence of...
Prosperity Gospel 2.0
September 05, 2021 07:00 - 17.8 MBIn the past, prosperity gospel evangelists were known for their slick suits, gaudy television sets, and prayer cloths. But according to Dean Inserra, this kind of instant health and wealth teaching is now a fringe movement that is more broadly mocked than followed. In its place, a new prosperity gospel has emerged that is now going mainstream. So what are the characteristics of this “new and improved” version, and who are the leaders of this movement? On this program, Shane Rosenthal talks w...
The Mystery of the Holy Trinity
September 01, 2021 07:00 - 13.7 MBWHI Classic • Why do Christians believe in the Trinity? Is this idea really taught in scripture, or is it a man-made idea that arose at a much later time? Does it even make sense? On this edition of White Horse Inn, the hosts will explore the mysterious nature of God’s self-revelation, namely that he is one in essence, and three in-person (originally aired 09-23-18). __________ Become a partner and you will receive all of the White Horse Inn extended episodes, access to our extensive arc...
Keeping the Faith in College
August 29, 2021 07:00 - 20.1 MBAre today’s colleges and universities hostile environments for Christian students? Do our institutions of higher learning value the open pursuit of truth, or does indoctrination rule the day? What can churches and Christian parents do to better prepare students for the challenges they’re likely to face on increasingly secular campuses? Shane Rosenthal discusses these questions and more with Dr. Michael J. Kruger, president of Reformed Theological Seminary in Charlotte NC, and author of Survi...
Discipleship & Discipline
August 25, 2021 07:00 - 13.9 MBWHI Classic • While many churches in our day emphasize convenience and comfortability, one of the key ingredients to a life of lasting discipleship is actually discipline. In other words, like marriage or excelling in a particular career path, being a Christian is not always fun, but often involves hard work, faithfulness and perseverance. We also need faithful shepherds to come along side us, to feed and care for us as we make our way through Vanity Fair on our way to the Celestial City (or...
Coming to Grips with the God of the Old Testament 2
August 22, 2021 07:00 - 19.2 MBMartin Luther once noted that in numerous passages throughout the Old Testament, it’s appropriate to “interpret the name Yahweh to refer to our Lord Jesus Christ.” So how can this insight change the way we read and interpret a book like Genesis? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal continues his conversation with Dr. Thomas Egger, president of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and together they discuss how so many of the themes introduced in the Bible’s first book are ultimately resolved in the p...
From Doxology to Discipleship
August 18, 2021 07:00 - 14.8 MBWHI Classic: How does a life of discipleship flow out of doxology and worship? First, we need to remind ourselves once again that worship is the natural response to encountering the God of Scripture. Once we have been captivated by his mercy and kindness to us in Christ, we not only offer him praise and adoration, but we also give him our very selves, for we are now no longer our own, but have been bought with a price (1Cor 6:19-20). On this program the hosts discuss what it means to become ...
Coming to Grips with the God of the Old Testament 1
August 15, 2021 07:00 - 18.7 MBWhat are we to make of the God who is presented in Genesis and other Old Testament texts? According to popular atheists such as Richard Dawkins, this God is a judgmental, homophobic, racist, misogynistic, ethnic cleanser. So, is this an accurate representation of the God of Israel, or a completely distorted caricature? Shane Rosenthal discusses these and other important issues with Dr. Thomas J. Egger, professor of Exegetical Theology and President of Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. _____...
A Life of Doxology & Praise
August 11, 2021 07:00 - 14.8 MBWHI Classic • As contemporary Christians have become increasingly detached from both the drama of Scripture and its doctrinal significance, our praise has shifted from a focus on God and his glory to our individual worship experiences. We are not only called to gather once a week to sing God’s praises and to receive his good gifts, but throughout the rest of the week (and the rest of our lives as well), we are called to be loving, generous and hospitable to others, not in order to be saved, ...
The Search for the Historical Joseph
August 08, 2021 07:00 - 18.8 MBOn last week’s episode, John Lennox argued that the story of Joseph is one of the most moving accounts in all the world’s literature. But is this famous narrative just a beautiful rags to riches tale, or is there any evidence that Joseph was a real historical figure who became prime minister of Egypt during the time of a great famine? Shane Rosenthal discusses this question with Egyptologist David Rohl, author of numerous books including, Exodus: Myth or History? __________ If you would ...
From Doctrine to Doxology
August 04, 2021 07:00 - 15.4 MBWHI Classic • How should we respond to the announcement of God’s redemptive mission to seek and save the lost, or to the doctrinal implications of Christ’s atoning death and his resurrection from the dead? On this program, the hosts will move from the drama and the doctrine to a discussion of doxology, or worship. What is the appropriate response to the good news of the gospel, and what patterns of living should flow out of an understanding of God’s grace in Christ? As with doctrine, we cann...
John Lennox on the Story of Joseph
August 01, 2021 07:00 - 18.6 MBAccording to Oxford mathematician John Lennox, the account of Joseph’s rise to power in the latter part of Genesis, which leads to the climactic moment in which he reveals himself to his brothers and publicly forgives them, “is one of the most moving scenes in all the world’s literature.” On this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with professor Lennox about the implications of this amazing story, as well as other important scenes from the book of Genesis which he has written about in his book, ...
How Our Beliefs Shape Us
July 28, 2021 07:00 - 14.1 MBWHI Classic • According to the doctrines of nihilism, nothing at all is sacred. In fact, nothing really matters except that which gives momentary pleasure or excitement. Christianity, on the other hand, starts with a completely different premise. This world is God’s world, and everything we do matters. So what are the implications of these two views? Do ideas like these just float around in a person’s head, or do these beliefs shape us in ways we can’t even comprehend (originally aired 1-22-...
The Gospel of God’s Weakness
July 25, 2021 07:00 - 19 MBAs mentioned on last week’s program, most commentators tend to argue that Genesis 32 is about Jacob’s refusing to let go of God until he received his desired blessing, which of course is something that all believers should strive to do as well. Or is it? On this episode, the hosts continue to explore the idea that Jacob was literally “in the dark” about his assailant’s identity and may even have thought he was fighting his own brother, Esau. If so, this would indicate that he was still tryin...
From Drama to Doctrine
July 21, 2021 07:00 - 15.6 MBWHI Classic • Many Christians today have uncritically accepted the idea that “doctrine is irrelevant,” without even realizing that this very idea is itself a doctrine. In fact, the very moment one turns away from any particular belief or opinion, other beliefs rush in to fill the void. So everyone has a doctrine, but the question is whether our beliefs and assumptions about God or the world in which we live are true, false, or somewhere in between (originally aired 1-15-21). __________ B...
Wrestling with God
July 18, 2021 07:00 - 19.5 MBAs Jacob returns to the promised land in Genesis 32, he’s attacked in the middle of the night. As the two men struggle until the break of day, it slowly begins to dawn on Jacob that there’s something special about his wrestling partner. In fact, by the end of the encounter, it’s revealed to Jacob that he’s actually been “striving with God.” Many commentators suggest that the patriarch wrestled with God in order to receive a divine blessing, but is that really what’s going on here? At what po...
The Greatest Story Ever Told
July 14, 2021 07:00 - 15.6 MBWHI Classic • The Bible did not fall down from heaven as a sourcebook for spirituality, personal life lessons, or even as a collection of doctrines. Rather, it should primarily be understood as a report of an unfolding drama that took place in real space and time history that culminates in the life of a particular Jew born in Bethlehem in the days of Caesar Augustus. If this story isn’t true, it should be completely rejected and set aside. But if it is true, it’s the greatest story ever told...