Randy Newman Journalist Profile

Articles

What Is Apologetics?

Oct 5, 2024 | crossway.org | John Frame |Randy Newman |Greg Gilbert |Neil Shenvi

The Term ApologeticsThe term apologetics has nothing to do with “apologizing” for anything. Typically we think of an apology as an admission of wrongdoing and a request for forgiveness. But presenting an apologetic is almost the very reverse of apologizing. An apologetic is rather a defense of what might appear to be wrong but actually is right. Rather than requesting forgiveness, an apologetic seeks to persuade someone that no forgiveness is needed, despite a wrongful accusation.
6 Practical Steps to Help Grow Your Confidence in God’s Word

Aug 12, 2024 | crossway.org | Philip Graham Ryken |Randy Newman

When We Have DoubtsIf we are honest, we have to admit that what happened to Eve is a temptation for us as well. Sometimes we have our doubts about the stories we read in the word of God, about its moral convictions and the promises it makes. We know how truly human the Bible is, and we wonder if it is also fully divine. We question whether Adam and Eve were the parents of the entire human race. Can we square biblical teaching with scientific evidence?
Autobiographical Order Nos. 1199-1201: Peter Gabriel, Randy Newman, and Sault

Jul 25, 2024 | 1000timesjeff.wordpress.com | Peter Gabriel |Randy Newman

Just as I feel like I’m starting to get caught up, life pulls me in a new direction! I’m starting a new job soon, so I’ll do my best to keep up with this. After all, I’ve come so far! But the first week or two might require a temporary scaling back while I get my bearings. But on the upside, I’ll be able to afford more records, so that’s just fine by me!All the picks in today’s batch were from a used record show in Richmond, held at a brewery.
Faith Is More about Confidence than Certainty

Jun 14, 2024 | crossway.org | Randy Newman

The late Randy Newman (1956-2024) believed that faith shouldn’t be rejected because of doubt or a lack of certainty. Watch this video to hear him explain why. Christians Can Be ConfidentI think there are a lot of people who reject our message because they just have a few doubts and they say, “Oh, I just can’t be absolutely 100 percent sure.”I think that’s a common objection. I very quickly say to people, “I’m not a hundred percent sure.” And they’re usually shocked, saying “What? Wait a minute.
Between Faith and Doubt

Jun 12, 2024 | theaquilareport.com | Randy Newman

“I sympathize with doubters who may feel drawn to Christianity but find plenty of objections to keep them at arm’s distance. If you’re drawn to the message of Jesus but can’t seem to get past your doubts, perhaps it would be helpful if I share how I worked through some of my doubts.” I was raised in an environment of skepticism, during a time of questioning, amid a culture that preferred sarcastic mocking over serious thinking. We liked simplistic slogans more than complex considerations.
Between Faith and Doubt: Five Questions for Our Skepticism

May 30, 2024 | desiringgod.org | Randy Newman

Randy Newman, our longtime friend, wrote this article just weeks ago to be published May 30 at Desiring God. Last week Randy died unexpectedly of heart complications. We publish this article with the blessing of his wife and family, and in gratitude to God for Randy’s faithful ministry and contagious joy in Jesus. I was raised in an environment of skepticism, during a time of questioning, amid a culture that preferred sarcastic mocking over serious thinking.
The Problem of Pain Is a Problem for Everyone

Mar 28, 2024 | crossway.org | Randy Newman |Neil Shenvi

A Problem for EveryoneOver the many years I’ve listened to people share their struggles and questions about faith, the problem of pain is the objection most frequently raised. That makes a lot of sense. It’s a disturbing and ever-present problem. Sooner or later, regardless of how much we may try to avoid thinking about it, everyone will die. As a young child, I learned about the Holocaust—the systematic murder of six million of my people, two-thirds of the population of European Jews.
In These Oscar Movies, ‘Identity’ Flattens Characters

Mar 8, 2024 | thegospelcoalition.org | Brett McCracken |Trevin Wax |Justin Taylor |Randy Newman

“Who am I?” existential musings have long provided rich fodder for cinematic drama. But recently in Hollywood, the drama of a character’s self-discovery has morphed into an all-consuming obsession. “Drama” has come to consist less in what characters do or have done to them and more in who they discover or assert themselves to be. This is especially true when the “who” identity negotiations concern politicized identity categories like sexuality, gender, and race.
The One Right Answer to the Problem of Pain

Mar 4, 2024 | thegospelcoalition.org | Randy Newman |Glenna Marshall |Daniel Hummel |Brett McCracken

Over the many years that I’ve listened to people share their struggles and questions about faith, the problem of pain is the objection most frequently raised. That makes sense. It’s a disturbing and ever-present problem. Often the problem of pain is raised as an accusation against people of faith.
Only God Sees the Whole Elephant

Feb 29, 2024 | crossway.org | Randy Newman

The Question of DifferencesThe story of the blind men and the elephant had always captured Bill’s imagination. He loved it when his pastor wove the story into her sermons. She told it so often as an expression of her attitude about religion that she could simply allude to it and her congregation would nod along agreeably. The story probably has its origins in Hinduism, but I’ve heard Christians, Buddhists, and more than a few rabbis claim it fits well with their traditions.