crosswise

A Christian pastor set off a firestorm last week when he suggested believing women had no good reason to post immodest photos on the internet. It's no surprise the secular world went into a tailspin over such a thought, but to see Christian women link arms with the God-reviling culture was not as expected - or appropriate.In this episode - the season 3 finale - Ciara and Jessi explain why they planned to take on this topic even before "Dear Brian" became a trending topic on Twitter, where clo...

At the request of a young listener looking for information to refute the claims of a high school science teacher, Ciara and Jessi explore the truth behind dominate theories including evolution and the Big Bang with special guest, and creation enthusiast, Ben Bridges.Ben answers questions from how science and the Bible aren't incompatible, but work together to inform our understanding of life, how advancing science actually disproves long-standing theories about how life and the universe began...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Well, not really. That may sound like a nice thing to say, and it may even be an attempt to remain neutral or inoffensive when someone mislabels something objectively ugly as beautiful. But what ends up happening is an ushering in of the truly offensive because the world has defined the act of discriminating what is true, beautiful, and good as being hateful.Despite what the world says, we can know what is objectively beautiful, and what isn't, because th...

If your dog and a perfect stranger were drowning in a lake, side by side, who would you try to save? Would it surprise you to learn that nearly 2/3 of American adults would choose their dog? This disregard for our fellow man, in favor of animals is permeating society to a degree that many married couples are choosing to have pets instead of having children, and many animal species have greater legal protections than unborn babies. As Christians, we ought to be aware of how our attitudes about...

You know those times when you're really struggling and could use some solid encouragement, but then, someone tries to sum up God's provision like its a bumper sticker? Yeah. Cringe, right? The problem here is that these catchy little phrases take hold because rarely do we stop and consider what they mean, if they hold up against scripture, and what the implications are when saying this stuff?Well, in this episode Ciara and Jessi take on all the cringe - well, not all of it, but some of it - a...

They are the stuff of sci-fi horror films and mystery documentaries - extraterrestrial life, just waiting to be discovered. Some have speculated we’ve already made contact, while others theorize they could be the source of our own existence. But what should the Christian believe about life beyond our planet?Ciara and Jessi take a trip into the cosmos to explore the possibility that life exists into the reaches of our universe, using scripture as the guide. Is it always a battle between ...

It seems there are a million reasons Christians could find to boycott any number of businesses. But which reasons actually qualify as valid? Which reasons should compel us to take our business elsewhere or even encourage others to do so? And if we have valid reasons for boycotting the ungodly actions of others, doesn't that make us no better than the woke mob which has sparked the controversial "cancel culture" that has destroyed countless lives and businesses?Ciara and Jessi kick off the new...

During the holiday break, Ciara and Jessi decided to revisit their most popular episode yet - a look into the false gospel promoted and taught by celebrity pastor Steven Furtick. His popularity is growing, which increases the need for discernment and biblical literacy so that well-meaning Christians can avoid the wolves in sheep's clothing. Enjoy this flashback episode as we head into a new year!

Ciara and Jessi get together for a quick hello before re-releasing the second episode of crosswise, where we give all the reasons Christians should take a hard pass on Santa Claus and his little helper, the Elf on the Shelf.Enjoy this early episode, and our tales of getting ready for Christmas this year (oh, and a little surprise for one loyal listener).

After doing an entire show on the evils of abortion and the flawed logic and bad science used to defend the practice last week, Ciara and Jessi noticed an interesting trend. Despite all the interest and timeliness of the topic, the show got suspiciously little traction and all their related social media posts had a noticeably reduced reach.So, this week, they decided not to talk about abortion. Not even a little. Not one word. Nope. Not at all.P.S. Dr. Fauci should be given sainthood and Joe ...

In light of the biggest abortion case to be heard by the Supreme Court in years, and all of the really illogical, anti-scientific, and outright immoral arguments defending the practice that have been circulating social media in recent days, Ciara and Jessi decided to spend this episode breaking down some of the most common arguments made by abortion advocates. From "my body, my choice," to "personally pro-life," this conversation tackles them all. The aim is to arm listeners with the science,...

This week, Ciara and Jessi took a break to spend Thanksgiving with family, but still lined up a fun episode featuring a few of their favorite mistakes and bloopers from past episodes.We hope you enjoy these funny moments as much as we did.

A chant of frustration, turned otherwise meaningless euphemism, turned cultural phenomenon, "let's go, Brandon" has become the slogan of choice for millions who are wishing to express displeasure with President Biden, and mock the mainstream media for their complacency in distorting the reality which the rest of the world can plainly see.Prominent Christians have been seen wearing shirts and hats with the slogan, members of Congress have used it on social media and inside the nation's capitol...

"Who run the world?" Girls. But then why do we keep telling them it's so hard for them to make it in a man's world? Why is the rate of young girls "transitioning" and rejecting biological realities about themselves at an historic high? Why do girls always want to be "one of the boys"? All of these messages, not to mention the sexual pressure put on young women to embrace promiscuity because "men get to," are destroying young women and girls and progressivism is to blame.Sadly, there is nothin...

Is it really true that "boys will be boys"? And if it is, shouldn't we put a stop to that? Isn’t all that unbridled "toxic masculinity" bad for the world? Maybe what our boys need is to be more like girls.Or maybe, God made boys to be rough, physical, and rambunctious for good reason. Maybe we ought to be embracing the amazing attributes of our sons, appreciating them for how they're made, and encouraging God-fearing men to father our boys, raising them to harness their energy for good. That'...

It's not just another way to celebrate Halloween, and it isn't just a day to remember those who have died. Dia de los Muertos - the Day of the Dead - is a tradition of reuniting with loved ones and building altars in their honor. The practices should concern professing Christians and Ciara and Jessi and here to break down all the reasons why in the season 3 premier of crosswise.Not all cultures are equal, and in a time when we aren't supposed to say that, it's even more important to say. Stra...

In the final episode of the season, Ciara and Jessi answer listener questions regarding salvation, the second commandment, baptism and more. Be sure to check out this conversation as Season 2 comes to a close.Show Notes:Episode 16: Inadvertent Idolatry Part I https://www.buzzsprout.com/1538023/8193123-ep-16-inadvertent-idolatry-part-1Banner of Truth: The Child's Story Bible by Catherine Vos https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-childrens-books/the-childs-story-bible/Reformation Heritag...

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works... encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25)Ciara and Jessi talk sanctification, worldly desires, sinful passions of the heart, temptations of envy and sloth, and how by the power of the Holy Spirt, they are working to put those things away and live a life that seeks to glorify God and live for him.Christians are still sinners while in this world, but because of faith in...

People seem to have this perpetual need to find a way to tell others who they are through the use of personality labels. Almost like there needs to be this universally understood and accepted language that when when spoken, it tells others all they need to know - and all we need to know - about who we are and what makes us tick.For decades it has been astrological signs. "What's your sign?"Then it became the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator. "What's your type?"And now, growing in popularity and in...

We all know the feeling of feeling all the feels. You know, that feeling when something doesn't feel quite right. Those feelings have a place and purpose, but does that place and purpose involve how respond to the gospel?Well, the doctrine of Sola Feelz, adopted by the modern church of the perpetually offended, says, "if it doesn't feel right, it's not right." But Sola Scriptura (and all the other Solas for that matter), say something else entirely.In this episode, Ciara and Jessi explore how...

Now, like no other time in history, Christians are faced with deciding whether to follow their conscience or follow the trends. Between viral YouTube videos and "must-see TV," social media influencers and binge-worthy movie series, our screens have growing control over how we spend our time. But, both the content found on these platforms, and the amount of time spent consuming media should give believers pause. Is it appropriate for us to intentionally witness sinful behavior? Is ...

You've heard the phrase, "the road to Hell is paved with good intentions." This idea proves truer now that we consume so much information on social media, and from influencers who claim to have nothing but good intentions and positive motivations behind the theology they promote. But, as Dr. Jen Russum explains in this episode, those intentions, more often than not, are leading Christians - especially Christian women - down a road that sounds less and less like they are able to defend a Bibli...

The Bible has plenty of warnings about false teachers and how to identify them. Because of its rejection of Scripture, the essence of God, the divinity of Jesus, and so much more, Progressive Christianity can fairly be called a counterfeit version of true Christianity.But, with all it rejects about the good news of Jesus Christ, what does the movement teach is the gospel? That question, and so many more, are answered in this episode, as Ciara and Jessi wrap up their look at a theology that pu...

In this episode, Ciara and Jessi breakdown the history, the redefinition of biblical terms, and the denials of scripture that all make up the growing ideology of Progressive Christianity. As Postmodern thought was beginning to take hold in American culture, a concern started rising within Evangelical churches that the message of the bible was being lost. In response, self-proclaimed Christians began "deconstructing" their faith and have since arrived at a new religion that looks and sounds no...

Is it possible that the largest religious organization in the world is teaching doctrines that are diametrically opposed to the doctrines found in the religious text it teaches from? Is it possible that more than 1.1 billion people have been deceived into believing something about Jesus Christ, and themselves, that could actually call their salvation into question despite the fact that they hold many historically Christians beliefs? Ciara and Jessi argue yes - not only is it possible, but tha...

Ciara and Jessi continue their look into other religious teaching that claim to be Christian in nature but are really promoting a false gospel based on a false understanding of Jesus and the saving grace of God.For this episode, the beliefs of the Jehovah's Witness Church are examined against the Bible. Is it possible for Jesus to be the archangel Michael? Did Jesus rise from the dead in a spiritual way, leaving his body behind? What does salvation look like according to the Jehovah's Witness...

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints - They believe in Jesus and that he died on a cross. They even named their church after him, so they must be just another denomination of Protestant Christianity, right? Unfortunately, no, because the Jesus they teach about, the God they worship, and the salvation they believe in is completely antithetical to everything we read about these things in Scripture. Ciara and Jessi kick off a new series, Counterfeit Christianity, which exposes the fal...

One of the most frequent warnings we get throughout the books of the New Testament is about false teachers. In fact, Paul included warnings to be on the look out for "wolves" within the church body in almost all of his letters to churches and church leaders in the first century. Heresy was a problem in the early church, and it is still a problem today. In this episode, Ciara and Jessi do the unimaginable in a culture that says "thou shalt not judge," and get specific about the problems with t...

We have all done it - looked up our zodiac sign to better understand ourselves. Some have even gotten so enamored with astrology and horoscopes, they use it as a guide for decision making and to prepare for what the future may hold. But, the Bible calls this form of idol worship "divination" and commands we avoid it. So why do as many as one in four Christians still, even innocently, dabble in the study of astrology? In this continuation of their look at the New Age, Ciara and Jessi reveal wh...

Human history is replete with stories of how mankind has been on, what seems like, a never-ending journey to find happiness and healing. Some methods have certainly achieved greater popularity than others, and unfortunately, even for Christians, the New Age has offered what sounds like an appealing solution to overcome life's challenges. In this episode, Ciara and Jessi explore the teachings of the New Age regarding internal and external energy, how to cleanse it, and what the pages of Script...

"Barefoot and pregnant." It's a pejorative phrase used to demean the work stay-at-home mothers do. The world has evolved in such a way that two working parents isn't just approved of, it's expected. But how should Christian women approach this pressure to send their kids to daycare while they chase their dreams? In this episode, Ciara and Jessi talking with The Thankful Homemaker host Marci Ferrell about what it means to be a homemaker and whether the Bible encourages women to focus on family...

Continuing the discussion about the Biblical structure for families and the roles within them, Ciara and Jessi, with special guest Pastor Travis Peterson, explore the always controversial topic of appropriate and necessary leadership of husbands in the home. The discussion dives into what headship does and doesn't look like, why God appointed men has heads of households, and how proper execution of the patriarchy is good for women, children, and society as a whole. Will feminists hate this? P...

We have watched as the culture has attempted to redefine nearly every aspect of God's created order and the nature of the very things He brought into being. But try as it might, society doesn't get to make the rules or the definition for what doesn't belong to it, and this includes marriage and family. In this episode, Ciara and Jessi explore all things related to God's design for marriage and the family, the ways in which we have seen a redefinition of these important institutions, how the e...

In this episode, kicking off season 2, Ciara and Jessi, examine the role women play in husband's sins, what biblical submission looks like, and who is responsible for sin inside marriage. This issue always stirs up emotions, and as you'll hear, some serious misunderstandings about Christian teaching.Scripture we referenced:Ephesians 5:22-24 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%205%3A22-24&version=ESV Genesis 3:9-19 https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=genesis+3%3...

In the final episode of Season 1 of crosswise, Ciara and Jessi dive into the acceptance of curse words (or is it cuss words?) and why Christians should feel empowered to reject the use of profane and perverse language. Scripture talks a lot about how important the kinds of language we use is and how that language offers a window into our hearts. If you're full of anger, the words you use reflect that. But, God calls us to set our hearts and our minds on the things of heaven. How does the worl...

In this episode, Ciara and Jessi wrap up their discussion on idol worship and how Christians accidentally fall into violations of the second commandment. Even when we know better, it’s hard to resist the temptation to make our material possessions the center of our worlds. Worse yet, the culture has turned loving ourselves into an even more appealing form of idolatry, that’s sometimes too subtle to even recognize. Paul warns believers not to become lovers of self or of money, and yet, we’ve a...

It may seem simple and straightforward: Don't make or worship idols. But our idea of what constitutes an idol may just be the tip of the iceberg when reading deeper into the second commandment and what God is really trying to communicate. For the Lord, worship - right worship - of Him is a big deal. In this episode of crosswise, Ciara and Jessi discuss ways Christians are accidentally stepping over the line into what is actually prohibited in the second commandment even in their attempts to a...

The topic of gender and gender identity has taken centerstage in the postmodern cultural revolution we find ourselves in today. Christians are being forced to contend with the allegation that God's creation of male and female is somehow more nuanced and complex than just either/or. Not surprisingly, this manufactured complexity, which rests in fighting back against anything appearing "oppressive," has led to the same debate over the gender of God himself. Today, Ciara and Jessi dissect the qu...

There are a lot of questions Christians should consider when it comes to submission and authority. But none more important than "where does authority come from?" This question and its answer are becoming increasingly important as Christians in the West are facing considerations to push back against government authority in a way we have rarely seen in this part of the world. In this episode of crosswise, Ciara and Jessi piece together relevant Biblical passages and stories to better understand...

Scripture is full of directives from the Lord to avoid specific behaviors and even certain thoughts. But did you know that the most common thing Jesus tells us not to do involves a feeling? That can be incredibly tough for us to not only wrap our minds around but actually put into practice. Feelings come so naturally and sometimes without warning or justification, which makes controlling them seem impossible. In the final episode of the Forbidden Series, Ciara and Jessi explain how we can avo...

How do you talk about other people? Have you ever been slanderous, assumed the worst in someone, been a gossip or misrepresented someone's position? Of course you have, we all have. But did you know that scripture actually commands us to avoid such talk? In this special episode of crosswise, Jessi flies solo while Ciara recovers in the hospital from pregnancy complications, and takes a deep dive into the Ninth Commandment, which is so much richer than what we all know as "thou shalt not lie."...

Few, if any, sins are as applauded, celebrated, and accepted as same-sex relationships. But, the Bible is clear - homosexuality is a sin. Ciara and Jessi explain how we know this is true, and more importantly, why is isn't unloving to say so. In fact, telling someone they are in sin is the most loving thing we can do for our neighbor. The controversial conversation continues in this week's episode of crosswise.Disclaimer: While, there is no explicit conversation or material in this episode, p...

The world says that for women to be equal to men, we must be able to do all the things, and have all the same roles, as men can. But is that what God has said about women? Is it possible that His role for women in His church is complete and perfect even though it isn't the same as men? Ciara and Jessi say "Yes!" and walk through all the reasons we can know we are meant for different callings in the church body, why that is the case, and they debunk many common egalitarian arguments that try t...

In the first episode of a series discussing practices explicitly prohibited in scripture, Ciara and Jessi review the dangers of trying to talk to the dead, explain what kinds of practices count as communicating with those who have passed, and call out the teachings of so-called "Christian" churches or denominations that are in clear violation of God's warning of seeking guidance from those who have died. You may be surprised to learn how seemingly harmless activity can quickly become sinful a...

VeggieTales has been a staple in Christian homes and Evangelical churches for decades. The storytelling is endearing and the lessons are great for our kids to hear, but have Bob and Larry been missing the mark this whole time? In this episode, Ciara and Jessi dissect the moralism, "me-ology," and missed opportunities in VeggieTales, and explore how this actually provides parents with a great chance to point our children to the One who it's really all about. Links and resources mentioned in th...

Contemporary Christian Music has crept its way in mainstream radio so much so that many of the biggest names in the industry are well known by even those who don't call themselves believers. But is that a good thing? Why is their music so popular outside Christian circles and should that give us concern when we hear catchy songs in our churches. Ciara and Jessi take a look at some of the most well-known and successful CCM artists and songs over the last few years and hold the lyrics up to scr...

Disney/Pixar attempt a search for the answers to "life's most important questions." Did they find the answers, what does scripture have to say about those answers, and how should we walk our kids through finding those answers. In this episode, Ciara and Jessi examine the concept of worldview and how to ensure that as Christians, we are preparing our kids for the onslaught of secular teaching and the Godless culture they are growing up in. 

The New Year is a great time to examine ways in which we can make meaningful improvements in our life. We should also remain prayerful and vigilant when considering which resolutions we will take on. In this episode, Ciara and Jessi examine the process of making New Year's resolutions in general, and then examine some popular trends that Christian women may be thinking about making a part of their 2021. 

In this episode, Ciara and Jessi wrap up their discussion about how crosswise came together, getting personal with their testimonies and sharing how they each misunderstood what the gospel and being saved really meant - But God stepped in. 

In this episode, Ciara and Jessi give you a look inside their friendship, how this podcast came to life, and share a bit of their backstories that led them to come to know the Lord and become so passionate about wanting to share the gospel. 

With Christmas right around the corner, we thought it was the perfect time to explore some popular holiday traditions and see how they stand up to the truth of scripture. 

We are all looking for ways to improve our life and achieve all we are capable of. But do the practices of repeating mantras or engaging in specific rituals around the phases of the moon really the way to find greatness in life? Today, we examine some popular Instagram accounts and the New Age philosophies they promote and compare them to how Scripture tells us we should live.