The Christian Optimist

By Raef Chenery

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Category: Christianity

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Episodes: 125

Description

Pastor Raef Chenery tackles the real world issues and questions you face every day head on from an eschatologically optimistic perspective. Rooted in the Word of God, we’ll look at worldview, apologetics, politics, news, theology, evangelism encounters, and so much more. The aim is to allow God’s Word to inform and guide you through each and every moment.

Episode Date
Evangelizing Dads at the Abortion Clinic
May 11, 2026
More Evangelism Encounters at UIC
Apr 30, 2026
Jaden Ivey Fired from the Chicago Bulls for Christian Beliefs
Apr 10, 2026
Five Evidences for the Resurrection
Apr 03, 2026
Roman Catholic False Beliefs on the Lord's Supper
Mar 27, 2026
Austin Carr: The Inerrancy and Clarity of Scripture
Mar 16, 2026
The Iran Conflict - Praying for the Persecuted Church
Mar 06, 2026
Should the Gov Punish or Reform Criminals?
Feb 27, 2026
The Relationship of Israel & the Church
Jan 30, 2026
Protestors Disrupt Church Service in Minnesota
Jan 23, 2026
Pritzker Signs Physician Assisted Suicide Bill
Dec 19, 2025
Saint Nicholas, the Trinity, and the Arian Heresy
Dec 12, 2025
A Proverbs 31 Woman: Interview with Sara Chenery
Nov 14, 2025
Evangelism Encounters at UIC
Oct 24, 2025
ICE in Chicago - Navigating the Discussion
Oct 08, 2025
Charlie Kirk and Voddie Baucham - Reflections on Their Lives
Sep 26, 2025
Q&A: Remaining Questions from Women's Ministry Evening
Jul 25, 2025
Discipling Our Children Through Books: Interview with Jenny Marcelene
Jun 20, 2025
Christian Prayer in the Public Space
Jun 19, 2025
A Testimony of Miraculous Provision: Interview with Luckson Duverne
Jun 13, 2025
Biblical Counseling vs. Secular Therapy: Interview with Ellen H
May 28, 2025
A Protestant Response to a New Pope
May 09, 2025
The Illogic of Abortion
Apr 25, 2025
Physician Assisted Suicide in Illinois - Interview with Dr. Ben German
Apr 16, 2025
News Rundown: Andy Stanley, Modern Men, John Piper
Apr 11, 2025
105: The Persecuted Church - Interview with Andy Coleman
Mar 20, 2025
Episode 104: St. Patrick's Day Special
Mar 17, 2025
Christ and Culture
Mar 07, 2025
News Rundown: IVF, Wheaton College, & Gen Z Men
Feb 20, 2025
Singleness: Interview with Joe Riccardi
Feb 14, 2025
Motherhood: Interview with Sara Chenery
Feb 07, 2025
The Problem of Evil: A Covenant Theology Primer
Jan 31, 2025
Interview with Joel Settecase on Apologetics, Demons, and Confessional Theology
Jan 10, 2025
Christianity vs. Being Woke
Dec 13, 2024
All Your Abortion Questions Answered
Nov 22, 2024
American or French Revolution: Which Way Forward?
Nov 08, 2024
The Dangers of Godless Conservatism
Oct 18, 2024
Interview with Aaron Renn - Life in the Negative World
Sep 26, 2024
Taste & See that the Lord is Good
Sep 12, 2024
Becoming a Man with Godly Zeal
Aug 30, 2024
Nephilim, Giants, and the Book of Enoch
Aug 07, 2024
2024 State of the Bible: Looking at the Facts
Jul 19, 2024
Engaging Politics Christianly
Jul 11, 2024
David Brainerd - A Man Mightily Used of God
Jun 17, 2024
Pride Month History: John Money & Alfred Kinsey
May 31, 2024
Interview with Sara Chenery - Homemaking: A Profound Vocation for Wives and Mothers
May 17, 2024
Exposing Scientology's Demonic Roots - Part 2
May 02, 2024
Exposing Scientology's Demonic Roots Part 1
Apr 19, 2024
Modern Men and the Loneliness Epidemic
Apr 12, 2024
Feasting on God's Word with Calvin
Mar 21, 2024
We're Starting a Christian Classical School in Chicago: Interview with Erica Carr
Feb 26, 2024
Killing Pornography Before it Kills You
Feb 16, 2024
Creation Or Evolution: An Interview with Dr. Brian Thomas
Feb 01, 2024
God and the Nations: Interview with Dave Childers
Jan 25, 2024
Standing for Life: Interview with Juan Riesco
Jan 19, 2024
Was "homosexual" invented in 1946 due to a bad Bible translation?
Jan 12, 2024
The Old Testament Laws as New Testament Christians
Dec 15, 2023
A Biblical Vision for Parenting
Dec 08, 2023
Canada's Euthanasia Problem
Nov 27, 2023
Just War Theory
Nov 10, 2023
Why Can We Trust the Bible?
Oct 27, 2023
Israel & Hamas, A Biblical Starting Point for Engagement
Oct 20, 2023
The Christian and Same Sex Attraction: An Interview
Sep 22, 2023
From Heroin Addiction to Christ
Sep 15, 2023
Evangelism at the Abortion Clinic
Sep 07, 2023
Navigating Pride Month as a Faithful Christian (with Listener Q&A)
Jun 07, 2023
Justification: Catholics vs. Protestants
May 25, 2023
Christian Adoption: Interview with Sara Chenery
May 12, 2023
Mike Rolfes Discusses Chicago's New Mayor
Apr 21, 2023
Responding to the Problem of Evil + Q&A (AI, Male Headship, & Identity)
Mar 24, 2023
Juan Riesco: Making Much of Christ (Homosexuality, Abortion, Persecution)
Feb 17, 2023
Satan at the Grammys—The Good That Comes From This
Feb 10, 2023
Listener Q&A - Holy Spirit, Yoga, Canon, Transgenderism, & PTSD
Feb 02, 2023
Polyamory—The New Front on the Sexual Revolution
Jan 26, 2023
Why Do Women Have More Empathy Than Men?
Jan 12, 2023
Five Disciplines to Deepen Your Resolve in Christ
Dec 31, 2022
The Respect for Marriage Act — Plus Q&A
Dec 09, 2022
Abortion — Facing Our Critics
Nov 03, 2022
Is the Death Penalty Just?
Oct 20, 2022
Is The Church Going in the Wrong Direction?
Oct 04, 2022
Revelation Explained—The Reason for my Optimism
Jun 11, 2022
The SBC Sexual Abuse Report & Pride Month in America
Jun 03, 2022
Can I Trust the Bible?
May 20, 2022
Roe v. Wade — It's All About to Change
May 06, 2022
Satan's Coming For Your Kids & What To Do About It
Apr 28, 2022
A Call For Men to Lead With Godly Zeal
Apr 08, 2022
The Transgender Controversy in Women's Sports
Mar 25, 2022
Apologetics with KJ Johnson of the CS Lewis Institute
Mar 08, 2022
What Impact Has Christianity Had on History?
Mar 02, 2022
An Overwhelming Case for Christianity: Defending Your Faith
Feb 16, 2022
What to Do With Joe Rogan
Feb 02, 2022
Canada's Bill C-4 Threatens to Criminalize the Biblical Worldview
Jan 18, 2022
How to Defend Your Faith with Anybody?
Jan 13, 2022
CTU Threatens a Strike & Roe at the Supreme Court
Jan 05, 2022
Powerful Conversation with Young Muslim Man
Jul 30, 2021
Evolution & Global Warming - Christians & Science
Jul 16, 2021
Global Christian Persecution: The Facts
Jul 09, 2021
5 Animals that Disprove God? Not Quite!
Jul 02, 2021
Planned Parenthood Targets 11 Year Olds
Jun 25, 2021
Blues Clues & The Sexualization of Our Children
Jun 11, 2021
The Internet is Destroying our Brains & Five Disciplines to Counter It
May 28, 2021
Death, Heaven, & Hell - Forming an Eternal Perspective
May 22, 2021
Pressure Mounts to Repeal The Hyde Amendment
May 14, 2021
Courage in Evangelism
Apr 30, 2021
Is There Life After Death? Atheists Weigh In
Apr 23, 2021
Imprisoned for Holding Church Service
Apr 09, 2021
Complementarianism: A Primer on God's Design For Men and Women
Mar 28, 2021
Cardi B's Hyper Sexualization of our Children
Mar 20, 2021
Should We Fight For Religious Liberty?
Mar 13, 2021
Mississippi's New Transgender Sports Law
Mar 06, 2021
The Existence and Knowability of God
Feb 20, 2021
The Irrationality of Atheism
Feb 12, 2021
Abortion: Uncomfortable Talking Points
Jan 30, 2021
Is Unity in America Possible?
Jan 23, 2021
Riots in Washington DC
Jan 15, 2021
What is Apologetics, and why does it matter?
Dec 18, 2020
Exposing the Cult of Jehovah's Witnesses
Dec 11, 2020
Atheist Accuses God of a Double Standard
Dec 04, 2020
Richard Dawkins' Moral Dilemma
Nov 20, 2020
Was Jesus a Wizard?
Nov 12, 2020
Religious Liberty Headed to the The Supreme Court
Nov 06, 2020
Johnny Mac Attack and Chris Pratt
Oct 22, 2020
Bill Nye the Anti Science Guy
Oct 13, 2020
Sam Harris Shows Us Why Atheism is Silly
Oct 06, 2020
Laws of Logic: Why Does Math Work?
Sep 27, 2020