Ryan Pauly

Can Christians actually know that Christianity is true, or is faith just a matter of belief? Dr. Timothy Pickavance joins me to discuss what knowledge is, how we can have it, and why knowledge matters for the Christian life. We also explore the false divide between the head and the heart and why truly knowing God is essential to loving him. Dr. Pickavance is Academic Dean and Professor of Philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin and is broadly interested in the core areas of analytic philosophy, though he specializes in metaphysics. Do you want to be a future guest on the show? If you’d like to challenge an idea, push back on an argument, ask difficult questions, or continue a discussion from this video, fill out the guest request form, and let’s have a thoughtful conversation. https://forms.gle/r5GRXLUcjVXYrDfKA Ryan's Info Website: https://think-well.org/ Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2 Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3 iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestions Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430e Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-Podcast Speaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/ If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

Technology is about more than how we use it. Every tool we use also shapes our minds, habits, relationships, and character. The real question is not just what we do with technology, but what technology does to us. #ThinkWell #Apologetics #Technology #AI #ChristianWorldview

Did science advance despite Christianity or because of it? The historical evidence has led many historians to reject the conflict thesis and recognize the significant role Christianity played in the rise of modern science. #ThinkWell #Apologetics #ScienceAndFaith #ChurchHistory #Christianity

Can the atonement really be explained like piano lessons? In this conversation, Dr. William Lane Craig evaluates a popular analogy that compares Jesus paying for our sins to a parent paying for piano lessons, and he doesn't hold back. Dr. Craig explains why this analogy misses the heart of the gospel, what essential elements of the atonement it leaves out, and why a courtroom analogy comes much closer to the biblical picture. He also raises an important question: do we even need analogies at all, or is the New Testament's explanation already sufficient? Question: What's the best analogy you've heard for the atonement? Or do you think analogies ultimately do more harm than good? Let us know in the comments.

Prayer is far more than another spiritual discipline to check off a list. In this conversation, we explore why prayer is the foundation of the Christian life, how it shapes spiritual formation, and why your prayer life often reveals the true condition of your walk with God. If you've ever struggled with prayer or wondered why it matters so much, this discussion offers a rich biblical perspective on what it means to participate in the life of God through prayer. Question: What has prayer taught you about your relationship with God? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

Did Christianity shape the modern West, or have Christian apologists overstated its historical influence? Join me for a thoughtful conversation with historian Dr. Michael Granado as we discuss Christianity, modern science, Western values, and the evidence behind these competing historical narratives. Do you want to be a future guest on the show? If you’d like to challenge an idea, push back on an argument, ask difficult questions, or continue a discussion from this video, fill out the guest request form, and let’s have a thoughtful conversation. https://forms.gle/r5GRXLUcjVXYrDfKA Ryan's Info Website: https://think-well.org/ Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2 Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3 iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestions Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430e Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-Podcast Speaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/ If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

My son asked me to record him at the playground, and it made me ask a deeper question. Are we so focused on capturing life's moments that we're missing the opportunity to truly be present in them? #ThinkWell #Apologetics #Technology #ChristianLiving #Parenting

Today's guest identifies as a gnostic, panentheist, and panpsychist. Although he recently started attending a Christian church, he still has questions about Christianity and the resurrection. In this live conversation, he'll lead the discussion by asking his biggest questions as we explore whether Christianity truly matches reality. Do you want to be a future guest on the show? If you’d like to challenge an idea, push back on an argument, ask difficult questions, or continue a discussion from this video, fill out the guest request form, and let’s have a thoughtful conversation. https://forms.gle/r5GRXLUcjVXYrDfKA Ryan's Info Website: https://think-well.org/ Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2 Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3 iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestions Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430e Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-Podcast Speaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/ If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

Does objective morality exist? Can atheism explain meaning and morality? In this Christian and atheist conversation, we discuss objective morality, the meaning of life, and whether God is necessary for purpose, ethics, and human flourishing. Share your thoughts in the comments! Do you want to be a future guest on the show? If you’d like to challenge an idea, push back on an argument, ask difficult questions, or continue a discussion from this video, fill out the guest request form, and let’s have a thoughtful conversation. https://forms.gle/r5GRXLUcjVXYrDfKA Ryan's Info Website: https://think-well.org/ Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2 Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3 iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestions Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430e Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-Podcast Speaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/ If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

What should Christians do with their doubts? In this message, Ryan explains why doubt isn't a sin, how to identify different types of doubt, and how to doubt toward faith instead of away from it. This message was given at Mission Hills Church in Mission Viejo, California, on June 21, 2026. Want to challenge an idea, push back on an argument, or continue the discussion? Fill out the guest request form, and let’s talk about it on the show. https://forms.gle/r5GRXLUcjVXYrDfKA Ryan's Info Website: https://think-well.org/ Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2 Instagram, X, TikTok: @ryanpauly3 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430e Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-Podcast Speaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/ If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

An atheist commented on one of my videos and claimed that belief in God is a delusion and a sign of mental illness. When I asked him to justify that claim, he insisted that atheism is merely a lack of belief and therefore carries no burden of proof. But can someone claim that Christians are delusional while also claiming they aren't making any positive claims? Using his own definition of delusion, calling someone delusional requires showing: 1. The belief is false. 2. The belief is contradicted by clear evidence. 3. The belief is incompatible with reality. 4. The belief persists despite that evidence. Those are positive claims that require justification. So which is it? Is his atheism merely a lack of belief with no burden of proof, or is his claim that Christians are delusional a positive claim that requires evidence? What do you think? Can atheists lack belief in God and still make this kind of claim? Let me know in the comments. Want to challenge an idea, push back on an argument, or continue the discussion? Fill out the guest request form, and let’s talk about it on the show. https://forms.gle/r5GRXLUcjVXYrDfKA Ryan's Info Website: https://think-well.org/ Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2 Instagram, X, TikTok: @ryanpauly3 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430e Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-Podcast Speaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/ If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

If every thought is determined by brain chemistry and prior causes, can genuine free will or rationality exist? A major philosophical challenge for physicalism is grounding rationality and free will. This is one of the central questions in the debate over determinism and consciousness. #ThinkWell #Apologetics #FreeWill #Determinism #Philosophy

This is the first of what I hope will be many conversations between people who disagree but want to think well about important questions and ideas. My guest, Ruben, joins the show to discuss foundational questions that often shape debates about God, religion, and worldview: What is evidence? What is truth? What is reason? And what makes something reasonable? Do you want to be a future guest on the show? If you’d like to challenge an idea, push back on an argument, ask difficult questions, or continue a discussion from a previous video, fill out the guest request form, and let’s have a thoughtful conversation. https://forms.gle/r5GRXLUcjVXYrDfKA Ryan's Info Website: https://think-well.org/ Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2 Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3 iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestions Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430e Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-Podcast Speaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/ If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/

If some human beings do not qualify for human rights, then universal human equality becomes difficult to defend consistently. You can't be pro-choice and pro-human rights. #ThinkWell #Apologetics #ProLife #HumanRights #Ethics

Join me LIVE for a respectful call-in debate on abortion and the pro-life position. Do you think the pro-life view is wrong? Have an objection, argument, or question? Call in and let's discuss it on the show. My goal is not to shout people down, but to have thoughtful, honest conversations about one of the most important issues in our culture. Whether you’re pro-choice, pro-life, undecided, or just curious, you’re welcome to join the discussion. Want to challenge an idea, push back on an argument, or continue the discussion in a future video? Fill out the guest request form below, and let’s talk about it on the show. https://forms.gle/r5GRXLUcjVXYrDfKA Discussion Topics 0:00 Intro & Opening Thoughts 1:50 New Opportunity for Future Guests & Callers 5:38 The Central Question in the Abortion Debate: What Is the Unborn? 7:28 Two Major Arguments for the Pro-Life Position 10:46 Why the Pro-Life Argument Is Not Just Religious 12:31 The Equal Rights Argument Against Abortion 16:24 Is the Fetus a Human Being? 21:54 Human but Not a Person? Examining Personhood Arguments 24:19 The SLED Test Explained (Size, Development, Environment, Dependency) 28:38 “My Body, My Choice” — The Bodily Autonomy Argument 31:00 Do We Have Unlimited Rights Over Our Bodies? Two Responses 38:31 The Right to Refuse Argument & Responsibility Objection 45:14 Addressing Abortion in Cases of Rape 53:47 Why Common Justifications for Abortion Fail 54:50 Is the Bible Pro-Choice? Genesis 1 and Numbers 5 Explained 1:02:30 How to Respond to the Euthyphro Dilemma Ryan's Info Website: https://think-well.org/ Email Updates: http://eepurl.com/h77OcH Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ryanpauly2 Instagram, Twitter, TikTok: @ryanpauly3 iTunes Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/coffeehouse-questions-with-ryan-pauly/id1088715685 Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/coffeehousequestions Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/25zlBqfoGl685yzGQKtleE?si=7d779b644d66430e Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/f3c33ac9-ec0c-49eb-80ee-9e4b84f29228/Ryan-Pauly-Podcast Speaking Requests: https://think-well.org/contact/ If you have received something of value from this ministry and want to give back, or if you want to partner in equipping the church for cultural engagement, would you prayerfully consider joining our financial support team? More information can be found here. https://think-well.org/donate/