Steve Schramm

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About Steve Schramm
Hi, I’m Steve.
If you’re like most of my readers and listeners, you are a passionate follower of Christ with a desire to see souls saved and lives changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. But in an anti-Christian culture, sharing your faith is harder than ever before.
Be it an awkward dinner conversation around the Holiday table, a pair of cultic Christians who’ve shown up at your doorstep, or a friendly conversation with a stranger that led to spiritual matters, you can identify with a time when you should have shared your faith, but were just too afraid or uncertain of how to handle the conversation. Have you ever thoughtfully considered the source of that fear?
Perhaps,
- You didn’t feel the Spirit leading you to speak up.
- You were afraid of what the person might think of you.
- You weren’t sure how to respond to their claims.
- You weren’t really confident that Christianity is even true.
If that’s you–you’re not alone. In fact, I have found myself in all four of those exact predicaments!
Tired of not being able to defend my convictions, I set out to learn, for the first time, why I believe what I believe. The Lord has used this period of discovery in my life to lead me and my family into the ministry of helping others to hold a more rational, convinced faith.
While our ultimate source of truth is the inerrant, infallible Word of God, we realize that if Christianity is true, the sciences, history, and our own human experience will all point towards Christ. But in a world of vain philosophy (Colossians 2:8), relativistic thinking, and evolutionary naturalism, seeing the connection between God’s Word and God’s world is not always so easy.
The thrust of our ministry is to train up Christians to become confident, passionate servants of Jesus, so they can grow in their walk with God and share their faith more persuasively.
At present we do this by speaking in church services across the country, in-depth articles, a practical theology podcast covering a wide variety of subjects, short videos in answer to tough questions, books, and courses.
Are you an author?
Author Updates
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Blog postNote: The below is a manuscript from a recent small group teaching in my local church. I have preserved the personal and contextual references for the benefit of my small group members who will be reading. Thanks!
Would you believe me if I told you that there is more going on to the story of Christmas than you ever dreamed possible? Would you believe me if I told you that Christmas was not only about joy, but about devastation? Would you believe me if I told you that Ch5 months ago Read more -
Blog post“Let your credo be this: Let the lie come into the world, let it even triumph. But not through me.” – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn These days, it’s harder than ever to get to the bottom of the truth. Unfortunately, relativism is alive and well. And sometimes, it’s downright painful and even deadly to accept the truth. […]
The post The Importance of Believing True Things appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
1 year ago Read more -
Blog postWhen it comes to the very first chapters of the Bible, there is no shortage of disagreement about the meaning. Some, like myself, think that Moses wrote these early chapters and that he intended to teach God’s creation of the world in terms of six, literal, 24 hour days. Others believe that while he did write that, […]
The post The One Question Critics of a Literal Genesis Need to Answer appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
1 year ago Read more -
Blog postIn our day and age, it’s common to hear that people are no longer interested in church.
After all, many churches are having to resort to gimmicks in order to even get people in the door!
But I wonder if the problem is of a different nature entirely?
That’s the subject of this week’s episode. I hope you enjoy!
The post God’s Word Builds God’s Church appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
1 year ago Read more -
Blog postIn our pursuits to be careful and skilled apologists, I think we often get concerns relative to objectivity and subjectivity out of balance. Don’t get me wrong—the distinction is vitally important, but we must remember that our own subjective stories about how the gospel impacted us are, for some people, going to be more persuasive than arguments […]
The post The Power of Subjectivity appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
1 year ago Read more -
Blog post“I began my teaching career at a Bible college, where I inherited the “next generation” of Christian young people—an age group that is now the adult leadership in their churches. Since these students had chosen to go to Bible college, I presumed they were the most likely to be interested in the material. I quickly […]
The post How Christians Made the Bible Boring (And What You Can Do About It) appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
1 year ago Read more -
Blog postPerhaps I have never written a more obvious, and yet, a more needed blog post than this one.
However, there is more nuance to the discussion, and as Christianity becomes less “popular” here in the West, we may be forced to think more carefully about this issue than we ever have before.
Thus, there are two versions of this problem.
The first came in years past with the rise of the televangelist. The argument essentially was, “Well, I can get good preachin’ right here on1 year ago Read more -
Blog postTo the chagrin of many Christians today, it may be surprising to learn that some scholars and laypersons have, throughout history, used to the Bible to justify belief in systems of socialism and even communism. [1]See here, for example: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_socialism
History has proven such ideologies to lead to serious issues such as the destruction of individual property rights, absolute power to given to the government, the loss of individual freedoms and identit1 year ago Read more -
Blog postYoung age creationists may be some of the most misunderstood people in Christendom. In this week’s episode, we discuss some of the core differences that surround the divide. Recently, a Facebook friend of mine (and good brother in Christ) raised a startling proposition: Should one be compelled by Scripture to take a young age view […]
The post RANT: Creation Frustration appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
1 year ago Read more -
Blog postWhy subscribe? The Bible Nerd Society is a group of intensely passionate Bible-believers. We explore the world of the Bible, endeavor to fall more in love with Jesus every day, and build a thoughtful defense for the Christian worldview. We study topics including biblical studies, theology, Christian apologetics, creation science, and philosophy. Here’s the Truth […]
The post Join the Bible Nerd Society! appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
1 year ago Read more -
Blog postOne of the most poignant ideas found in the Bible is the theme of rejection of the Messiah.
But the blow is worsened by the fact that, in a biblical worldview, rejection of the Messiah is inextricably linked with rejection of the Creator of the cosmos.
Much like the son who sits in the lap of his father while slapping his face, or the man with the saw tirelessly sawing away at the very branch holding him firmly to the tree, mankind rejects his maker.
We are going to lo1 year ago Read more -
Blog postDespite the obvious hardship this year has brought, it’s been amazing to watch God work. He has given us many, many blessings this year in life, family, business, ministry, and beyond. I don’t have anything particularly profound for you today, but I feel it vitally important to thank you as a faithful reader, listener, and/or […]
The post I’m Thankful for You! appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
1 year ago Read more -
Blog postThe final days of the 20th century and beginning days of the 21st were rife with socio-political drama.
But they marked “the beginning of the end” for a trend that used to prevalent in Western society—“relativism.”
Now, I can hear some of you objecting already.
These ideas, for some, seem to be alive and well, you might remark. And that may well be true. But I would encourage you to think beyond even what people are saying and notice what people are doing.
It’s1 year ago Read more -
Blog postIn the Book of John, we are introduced to the Word, who we find out is also the Creator.
John continues his logic in denoting that, within the Word, is life.
And, whatever that “life” is, it is also the light of men.
While these are familiar verses of Scripture, what may be unfamiliar to you is the deep theological connection these concepts share with the Hebrew Bible.
In this episode of the Bible Nerd Podcast, we’ll take a deep dive into these verses of Script2 years ago Read more -
Blog postWhen we think of the name “Jesus” any number of images immediately come to mind.
We think of Jesus as the One who died for us. We think of him as the Lord of all and Savior-King. We think of him as the baby, lying in a manger, wrapped in swaddling clothes.
But what rarely crosses our minds is a startling truth about Jesus that the Bible is anything but silent about.
In fact, it’s central to John’s theology and grounds his arguments in the entire first chapter of his bo2 years ago Read more -
Blog postJohn chapter 1 introduces us to the Person of Jesus…as the Second Person of the Trinity: The Word.
In Greek, the word is logos, meaning “word” or “message.”
When we endeavor to dive deeper into the text, we find some amazing things, including:
How the trinity solves the most ancient and fundamental philosophical problem known to man. An explicit articulation of multiplicity in the godhead. The relation of, yet distinctions between, the Word and the Wisdom of God (a common2 years ago Read more -
Blog postHave you ever found yourself in a conversation that was going absolutely nowhere? No matter what you do, no matter how clear or convincingly you think you’ve made your case, still, your interlocutor is unconvinced. In recent days I shared with you some information about Critical Race Theory (CRT), and a resource to check out […]
The post Productive dialogue begins with a truthful premise appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postSimple plea for you today:
My “Bible Q&A” category on the blog is looking a little empty…
Thought perhaps we might fill it up a bit.
Is there a question you have about something you’ve read in the Bible? Any question at all.
Feel free to hit “reply” to this if reading on email, and if you’re reading on the blog, just leave a comment below.
Enduring Together,
Steve
The post Do you have a question? appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministr2 years ago Read more -
Blog postI have to admit—I was shocked. Don’t get me wrong, I understand that we are living in quite a volatile cultural moment… I also understand that most people—sadly, even many Christians—are walking around with an unbiblical worldview. But Critical Race Theory is an entirely different animal from anything I really could have imagined. Frankly, it’s […]
The post IMPORTANT: Everything you need to know about Critical Race Theory appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postHave you ever encountered the absurd idea that it is somehow unethical to persuade someone?
I think it must be a byproduct of the cultural moment we are in…
But lately, it seems I am seeing this sort of mentality crop up all around.
”No, you can’t offer a suggestion and tell me that I SHOULD believe it. That’s unethical.”
But since when?
Is that some unwritten law that folks for the last six millennia never really caught hold of until now?
So, a2 years ago Read more -
Blog postTherefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Cor. 5:17)
The Apostle Paul had a robust theology of Christ’s union with the believer.
This is something, argues Pastor Rankin Wilbourne in his book Union with Christ, that has been all but forgotten in the modern day church.
If your Christian experience has been anything like mine, much of it has been spent on this very human—yet, very unbiblical—2 years ago Read more -
Blog postMany Christians struggle with knowing how to react when skeptics begin to attack their faith — can you relate?
As much as we heard in Sunday School “for the Bible tells me so,” there remains a large portion of the world unwilling to accept the Bible as evidence. Now, I think they are WRONG, absolutely.
But they have legitimate questions and — they deserve an answer.
Whether that is true of YouTube’s “Prophet of Zod” may be a different question altogether.
Many2 years ago Read more -
Blog postOn yesterday’s podcast episode I discussed my approach to apologetics…
For those who didn’t listen—briefly, I take what many call a presuppositional approach to apologetics, although I sort of despise the term for two reasons:
It almost begs to be misconstrued (even the person credited with making up the term didn’t like; it just caught on) I disagree with probably 95% of how most “presuppers” characterize the view Again…catch the Bible Nerd podcast episode called “My approach2 years ago Read more -
Blog postA recent question from a reader of mine sparked the idea that it may be time to bring up the issue of apologetics methodology again…
Here is something insightful that my friend Jonathan had to say:
I see then the value of tearing down false authorities which compete with God’s Word—it is fairly simple to show that, taken in isolation, human logic & evidence-based methods are inadequate as means of judging the truth of God & His Word. If I’m not mistaken, the real chall2 years ago Read more -
Blog postThis might sound a little silly for a Christian to say, but here goes:
Lately, I’m becoming quite enamored with the life and ministry of Jesus.
Understand something…
I’ve been a Christian for very long time—but I believe a person’s love and understanding for Christ grows as one grows older and understands more about life.
So while I have literally always known that Jesus was the “model human” and was the very example for how to live, this is becoming real to me2 years ago Read more -
Blog postWe all have different backgrounds…
Some of you reading have been followers of Christ for a very long time, others a fairly new in their walk…
Me, I have been a follower of Jesus for over 25 years (though I am only 30 years old).
The fact is this:
Navigating life’s challenges is tough whether or not you are a Christian.
I think each and every one of us would say that we do our best to avoid falling into sin in our lives…and we would all probably say that2 years ago Read more -
Blog postToday I write something that is both painful…and yet joyous at the same time.
Departure is never easy; but the hope of the Christian is life eternal!
One of my absolute heroes went to be with Jesus yesterday.
It was the privilege of a lifetime to get to travel on the road with Russell, James, and Edd—the Easter Brothers—full-time for around 6 years playing gospel music.
If you’re not sure who they are, here’s a clip from a trip to Dallas to film with DayStar TV2 years ago Read more -
Blog postWe often see t-shirts, signs, and other paraphernalia promoting biblically based concepts…
That have been ripped entirely of their biblical context and used to promote unbiblical ideas.
While this is unfortunate, it happens ALL the time.
What can be done?
Promoting real, biblical kindness.
Listen to this week’s Bible Nerd Podcast for more: https://www.steveschramm.com/be-kind-no-like-actually/
Enduring Together,
Steve
The post Be K2 years ago Read more -
Blog postSo I was born in 1989…
Which means I grew up in the 90’s. The 90’s were…interesting…for a variety of reasons…most of those utterly irrelevant to today’s topic.
One of the concepts embraced by the church (but especially youth) writ large during that period was this “WWJD” mindset…
You remember the wristbands, don’t you?
In case you don’t, looks like there’s a Wikipedia entry where you can learn all your “What What Jesus Do” history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki2 years ago Read more -
Blog postToday’s is a fairly simple lesson in logic and careful thinking.
Doesn’t it frustrate the living daylights out of you when someone lambasts a person for what they believe instead of dealing carefully with their belief itself?
Now, to be sure…
There is a time and a place to call out people who are teaching false things.
Totally cool with that—in fact, it’s a biblical tact.
However, what does not work is any attempt to use your ill feelings towards someon2 years ago Read more -
Blog postThere I was….feeling like a failure…
Once again, I FORGOT to read the Bible with my kids at bedtime.
I forgot…or I was “too busy.” Which is a pretty lame excuse considering I’m adamant about keeping the commitments I make.
Nevertheless, I break that one far too often.
It is very difficult to be the spiritual leader at home. As one older friend of mine recently said, “In all of my years, the hardest job I’ve ever had has been being a husband and a daddy.”
<2 years ago Read more -
Blog postI received some excellent responses the other day when I asked the question, What is God teaching you right now?
I learned of struggles I had no idea folks were facing. I learned of lessons that, really, I need to be learning myself.
Thanks so much for your responses. (FYI—I do my best to read and respond to every email or comment that comes in…so be patient with me if it takes a few days to get back to you ;])
I am not permitted to share the details of one story I rec2 years ago Read more -
Blog postWhen we really love something, it’s not hard to defend it.
For example:
Your family. Wouldn’t you defend your family if they were being falsely accused or afflicted?
Your freedom. When push comes to shove, many of us stand and fight for the freedom we enjoy here in America.
Your friends. You wouldn’t let your friends go without a defense if they needed you to step up.
What about the Bible though? Do you love—and know it—well enough to defend it?
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postTo the extent possible, I want you to place yourself in the shoes of the ancient Hebrew writer.
You have no “modern” scientific knowledge. You don’t know that stars are balls of gas. You don’t know how big the world really is, etc.
(That is NOT to say they were ignorant, primitive brutes. No—ancient man was rather intelligent. They just did not have access to the kind of information we have access to today.)
And yet, God seems to task you with writing things that have2 years ago Read more -
Blog postToday, I want to hear from you!
Is there something in particular you are learning right now? Something God is teaching you through study and/or prayer?
To the extent possible, I want to keep a pulse on those God has tasked me with serving.
It’s so much easier to know how I can be a help to you if you tell me where you’re at with things.
Feel free to include things you’re struggling and/or feel stuck on as well.
You are NOT alone in this. We all hit road2 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe Core Academy of Science, led by Dr. Todd Wood, has been instrumental in terms of my growth as a creationist and—frankly—as a Christian. Todd is a pretty well-known figure in the “New Creationism” I’m always harping about. In fact, he is one the leading researchers in creationist biology today, particularly the area of baraminology. […]
The post Join me for the 2020 Creation Celebration appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postYesterday, I released a podcast episode about creationist cancel culture.
I figured I would follow up with some thinking around the concept of marking and avoiding false teachers, as we’re instructed to do in Romans 16:17.
It says this:
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
The context of Pauls admonition here is false teachers—essentially, those who teach someth2 years ago Read more -
Blog postHave you ever heard of cancel culture?
It’s a shame that this thinking has often drifted into the church.
In this episode of the Bible Nerd Podcast, I spend a couple minutes dealing with an example I’ve seen of creationist “cancel culture” and what we can do to be biblically faithful all while avoiding a bad attitude.
Here’s the link: https://www.steveschramm.com/creationist-cancel-culture
Enduring Together,
Steve
The post Creationist Cancel Cultu2 years ago Read more -
Blog postLast week my family took an impromptu vacation to Kentucky to see the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter.
We went about three years ago, and now that the kids are a bit older, we thought it might be a bit more fun and even a bit educational.
We were right!
They really had a blast, and of course, I did too.
For me, it was interesting to really immerse myself in this world again in a way I have not done in quite a while. It was interesting to see what beliefs2 years ago Read more -
Blog postIn response to my blog yesterday, a reader and friend responded with some thoughts of his own.
One struck my attention…it seems obvious, but I had never really thought about it before.
The observation is that truth always functions as a polemic against what is false.
That is not to say that a particular teaching of truth is written as an intentional polemic. That is a different thing…
Example: Some think Genesis 1 was written for the express purpose of being a2 years ago Read more -
Blog postAs I have expanded my horizons a bit and start learning from teachers who don’t always fit within my theological “comfort zone,” I have found an…interesting…phenomena that seems to be a result of bad thinking. I love the theology of the Hebrew Bible. More and more, I am studying under teachers who think on deeply […]
The post How to Do Biblical Theology Without Sacrificing “Literal” Truth appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postLately, I have been quite intrigued by the work of Walt Disney. As a visionary entrepreneur, I’m interested in how folks like him pushed the boundaries of what was thought possible.
What may surprise you, though, is how he was unknowingly an important theological voice in the 20th century.
Now—as a tech nerd, I am also interested in the concept of utopia.
What is Utopia?
Simply put, it’s the idea that an actual perfect state of affairs is attainable on earth. <2 years ago Read more -
Blog postThe other day, I spilled my coffee on the floor first thing.
Okay…pretty small problem right. I mean, c’mon.
And, I get that. People have it much worse in the world. Actually, that’s my point.
In a world full of sin and suffering, we often times make a HUGE deal out of stuff that is inconsequential.
Maybe you’re a bit further along in your sanctification than I am…
But don’t the smallest things happen sometimes that just get us so bent out of shape?2 years ago Read more -
Blog postJust 19 years ago on Saturday, I lost my dad to the “C” word.
I was about 12 years old. It was an otherwise…normal night.
My mom had just put me down for my bed in my red, double-bunk bed.
(I’m an only child…but since I was a tad bit spoiled, I had the bunk bed I had always wanted.)
At this point in time my parents had been divorced for around a decade.
My dad, God bless him, had been more through more girlfriends than I could count. At least it2 years ago Read more -
Blog postAnd ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. – Matthew 10:22
One theme of the biblical story is that of endurance.
We talked about this a bit yesterday, and it’s something that has caught my attention in a fresh way.
The world is a tough place…
There are friends of mine—today—who are enduring pain and suffering in their lives both for the cause of Christ and…frankly…just due to their own personal circumsta2 years ago Read more -
Blog postNote: This post makes mention of Ravi Zacharias. It is with a heavy heart that I must acknowledge a tragic independent report concerning evidence of sexual abuse and predatory behavior on the part of Ravi Zacharias. This man was a huge inspiration to me, as is evident from reading my blog, and the news was more than heart shattering. Some ministries leaders have come to the conclusion that removing articles about and references to Ravi is the right move; I have come to a different conclusion,2 years ago Read more
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Blog postHello, friends!
It has been a short while since our last time together, and I wanted to pop in for a few moments to give an update, some announcements, and share with you a message I gave recently at church.
Here are some important highlights/links you may want to know about:
The podcast IS coming back. I am still taking a hiatus, but the question is definitely NOT, “Are you coming back?” I certainly am. I recently released a physical version of my book, God, the Gr2 years ago Read more -
Blog postGrowing up in a profoundly Christian context, I was surrounded by Bible “stories.” Much of my life can be expressed in terms of learning Bible stories to help me through different situations of life, as many of you can relate. To be perfectly clear, I LOVED this about my childhood. I would not trade it […]
The post The Accounts of History: The Truth About Bible “Stories” appeared first on Steve Schramm Ministries.
2 years ago Read more -
Blog postWhy did God choose Israel? Have you ever thought about that?
Throughout the biblical record, we see an emphasis on God’s choosing a people group. In the Hebrew Bible, his choice was Israel. In the New Testament, it is those who become the believing body—the church. Those who become part of the “true Israel” (see Gal. 3:29).
On one hand, many claim this “choice” is not based on anything within an individual. There is nothing an individual can do or say to merit God’s choice o2 years ago Read more