158 - Braxton Hunter and Online Apologetics

Guest: Braxton Hunter — President of Trinity College & Seminary, evangelist, apologist, host of Trinity Radio, debate partner with leading atheists including Matt Dillahunty and Dan Barker.Topics CoveredBraxton’s background and conversion• Son of a megachurch pastor, early ministry exposure• Initial desire to be a rock musician before surrendering to ministry• Seminary training, pastoral and itinerant evangelistic ministryShift toward apologetics• Need to answer skeptics in evangelism contexts• Classical apologetics and the “two-step” method (God → Christ)Family and priorities• Marriage, parenting teenage daughters• Intentional discipleship at home — prioritizing family over platformOrigins and growth of Trinity Radio• Started as a simple audio response blog• Growth through debates (Dillahunty, Barker), collaboration with other creators• Unique chemistry with Jonathan Pritchett (“good cop / blunt cop” dynamic)The “Core Facts” initiative for churches• A two-day on-site training weekend using Braxton’s book Core Facts• Designed for ordinary church members to gain confidence and competence• Goal: launch sustainable apologetics groups inside local churchesApproach to debate & online engagement• Winsome, pastoral tone—credible & charitable without compromise• “Win the person, not just the argument”• Strategic preparation and use of AI/thumbnails/titles for online ministry• Guidance for aspiring Christian content creatorsBehind the scenes of major debates• 8-month preparation for Matt Dillahunty debate• Note-taking strategy & rehearsing responses• Intentionally creating tone and rapport without ceding substanceReferenced ResourcesCore Facts — Braxton Hunter (2nd edition)Trinity Radio (YouTube / Podcast)“Five Views on Apologetics” — ZondervanTalkAboutDoubts.org — pastoral/apologetic care for doubters================================We appreciate your feedback.If you’re on TWITTER, you can follow Chad @TBapologetics.You can follow Brian @TheBrianAutenAnd of course, you can follow @Apologetics315If you have a question or comment for the podcast, record it and send it our way using www.speakpipe.com/Apologetics315 or you can email us at [email protected]