In this episode of The Christian Clinician, host Dr. Tanya Paynter, a wellness expert who integrates faith and evidence-based medicine, tackles the most common objections to the resurrection of Jesus. Drawing on her personal journey through doubt, extensive historical and theological research, and her academic background, she breaks down skeptical arguments and shares logical, evidence-based responses. The discussion covers theories such as mass hallucination, metaphorical resurrection, legend development, the wrong tomb, the swoon theory, and the stolen body theory, offering listeners reasoned rebuttals and practical advice for addressing these issues. Dr. Tanya Paynter empowers listeners with confidence in the historical reliability of the resurrection, emphasizing its foundational impact on faith and everyday life. The episode concludes with a reflection on how understanding the resurrection can reshape priorities and spiritual commitment.

Today's Action Steps

• Reflect on the evidence for the resurrection and consider which objections you struggle with most.
• Make time to research and understand historical and theological sources to strengthen your faith.
• Journal or meditate on how the resurrection affects your personal priorities and relationship with God.
• Engage in conversations about these objections with others to practice articulating logical, evidence-based responses.
• Evaluate your daily routine for ways to prioritize spiritual connection and growth.

Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode

• Strobel, Lee. The Case for Christ. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1998.
• Edwards, William D., Wesley J. Gabel, and Floyd E. Hosmer. “On the Physical Death of Jesus Christ.” JAMA 255, no. 11 (March 21, 1986): 1455–63.
• Groothuis, Douglas. Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith. 2nd ed. Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2022.
• Habermas, Gary R. The Historical Jesus: Ancient Evidence for the Life of Christ. 11th ed. Joplin, MO: College Press Publishing Company, 1996.
• Habermas, Gary R. The Risen Jesus and Future Hope. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield Publishers, Inc., 2003.
• Habermas, Gary R., and Michael R. Licona. The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus. Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 2004.
• Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Academic, 2007.

Time Stamps

• 00:00:00 – Introduction and importance of the resurrection
• 00:00:54 – Overview of common objections addressed in this episode
• 00:03:08 – Personal story of doubt and search for logical evidence
• 00:03:36 – Mass hallucination objection debunked
• 00:05:50 – Individual hallucination and large group appearances explained
• 00:06:12 – Metaphorical resurrection theory rebuttal
• 00:07:17 – Addressing the legend and myth development theory
• 00:09:24 – Variations in the Gospel accounts and authenticity of eyewitness testimony
• 00:15:25 – Wrong tomb theory and its rebuttal
• 00:16:09 – The swoon theory and medical evidence against it
• 00:24:44 – The stolen body theory and why it’s unlikely
• 00:29:00 – Role of women witnesses and implications for historical accuracy
• 00:30:21 – Impact of resurrection on daily life and faith
• 00:33:00 – Prioritizing spiritual growth and relationship with God
• 00:37:36 – Focusing on the deeper meaning of the resurrection

Dr. Tanya Paynter is a passionate wellness expert, podcast host, and Christian scholar dedicated to linking faith and evidence-based practices for holistic health. Through her podcast The Christian Clinician, she guides listeners in exploring the intersection of wellness and spirituality, helping them revitalize their health and renew their faith with confidence and research-driven insight.

Follow The Christian Clinician on Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechristianclinician

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChristianClinician

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianclinician/

In this episode of The Christian Clinician, host Dr. Tanya Paynter sits down with Camille McDaniel, a licensed professional counselor from Georgia and founder of Healing Psychotherapy Practices of Georgia. With over 15 years of experience, Camille McDaniel specializes in helping individuals navigate mental health challenges, work-related stress, trauma, and faith-based reconciliation. The conversation explores the distinction between being a Christian counselor versus a counselor who happens to be Christian, and the importance of integrating faith into therapeutic work. Camille McDaniel shares her journey from childhood aspirations to her current calling, highlights common themes of fear and control among her clients, and emphasizes choosing faith over fear when addressing life’s anxieties and uncertainties. The episode is rich with advice on surrendering control, waiting on God’s timing, and redefining success by God’s standards.

Today's Action Steps

• Identify an accountability partner to support you as you practice surrendering your worries and plans to God.
• Begin each day with a simple prayer asking God to help you fully surrender your mind, body, and heart.
• When you “fall” or find yourself struggling to let go, practice self-compassion and avoid harsh self-judgment.
• Keep Bible verses about overcoming fear and relying on God’s strength visible as daily reminders of His promises.
• Regularly check in with your accountability partner and reflect on God’s faithfulness in both big and small decisions.

Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode

• Healing Psychotherapy Practices of Georgia: www.healingpsychotherapyga.com

Episode Timestamps

02:08 – Camille McDaniel shares her childhood interest in psychology and path to counseling

04:52 – Specializations and client challenges, including anxiety, trauma, and spiritual struggles

07:10 – Discussion: Christian counselor vs. Christian who counsels

09:53 – Integrating faith into the counseling process

13:37 – Handling differences in beliefs and nonjudgmental counseling environments

18:05 – Common themes: anxiety, fear, and loss of control in today’s culture

20:26 – Surrendering goals and waiting on God’s guidance

23:21 – Rethinking success from a Christian perspective

29:23 – Physical, mental, and spiritual costs of self-reliance

36:00 – Practical steps for surrender: accountability, prayer, scripture, and compassion

41:02 – Small acts of obedience and God’s care in daily decisions

44:52 – Where to find Camille McDaniel for counseling

45:31 – Final advice: focus on God’s definition of success and faith over fear

About the Host

Dr. Tanya Paynter is the host of The Christian Clinician, where she brings together faith and evidence-based medicine to revitalize your health and renew your faith. With a passion for combining wellness expertise and Christian scholarship, she helps listeners understand how their relationship with God can shape all aspects of their wellbeing.

Follow The Christian Clinician on Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechristianclinician

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChristianClinician

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianclinician/

In this episode of The Christian Clinician, host Dr. Tanya Paynter shares a personal story about seeking guidance from God and finding clarity through community at church. Dr. Paynter explores the vital role church and fellowship play not only in spiritual health but also in our biological and neurological well-being. She combines insights from scripture, neurochemistry, and research to illustrate why isolation is detrimental and how gathering with others is essential to our overall healing. Listeners are encouraged to examine their relationship with church attendance, explore roadblocks, and take practical steps toward deeper engagement with both faith and community.

Today's Action Steps:

• Prioritize regular church attendance to nurture your faith and support your healing journey.
• Pursue hospitality by sharing meals or coffee with fellow believers to deepen relationships.
• Consider joining a small group or Bible study if traditional church feels overwhelming.
• Reflect on resistance you may have toward church, writing down your thoughts and praying for clarity.
• Pay attention to how God may answer prayers through community and interactions with others.
• Check out the Christian Women's Health Fellowship: www.psalmmedical.com

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Book: Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed. (Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2022).
• Study: Julianne Holt‐Lunstad, “Social Connection as a Critical Factor for Mental and Physical Health: Evidence, Trends, Challenges, and Future Implications,” World Psychiatry 23, no. 3 (October 2024): 312–332, accessed June 7, 2025, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11403199/.
• Early church writings: “Justin_martyr: First Apology - Christian Classics Ethereal Library,” accessed November 13, 2024, https://ccel.org/ccel/justin_martyr/first_apology/anf01.viii.ii.xiii.html.
• Bible verses: Ephesians 4:16, Romans 12:4-5, Hebrews 10:24-25, Proverbs 27:17, Matthew 18:20, Acts 2:42-46, 1 Corinthians 12:27, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:20-22, Titus 1:9, James 3:1, Hebrews 13:17, Genesis 2:18, Colossians 3:16

Timestamps:

00:00 – Dr. Paynter's car accident and seeking God's guidance

00:35 – Realizing answers often come through community

01:32 – How church attendance impacts both spiritual and physical health

03:03 – The importance of fellowship after personal experience

05:32 – Scriptural foundation for gathering as the body of Christ

09:00 – The neurological and developmental impact of isolation

12:29 – Depression, physical symptoms, and the chemistry of isolation

13:07 – Biblical calls for fellowship and the early church model

15:57 – The meaning of church (ecclesia) and practical application today

19:39 – The necessity of sound teaching in fellowship settings

20:54 – Spiritual gifts and the need to work together

22:00 – Neurochemistry of shared meals and social bonding

24:25 – Scientific research on social connection and health

25:12 – Reflecting on and overcoming barriers to church attendance

28:13 – Practical steps to increasing community and spotting God's answers

30:42 – The relational nature of God and spiritual growth in community

About the Host:

Dr. Tanya Paynter is a board-certified naturopathic physician and the host of The Christian Clinician. She is passionate about integrating faith with evidence-based medicine to help individuals revitalize their health and renew their faith. Through her podcast, she empowers listeners to discover the profound impact of spiritual community on well-being.

Follow The Christian Clinician on Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechristianclinician

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChristianClinician

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianclinician/

In this episode of The Christian Clinician, host Dr. Tanya Paynter shares a personal story about seeking guidance from God and finding clarity through community at church. Dr. Paynter explores the vital role church and fellowship play not only in spiritual health but also in our biological and neurological well-being. She combines insights from scripture, neurochemistry, and research to illustrate why isolation is detrimental and how gathering with others is essential to our overall healing. Listeners are encouraged to examine their relationship with church attendance, explore roadblocks, and take practical steps toward deeper engagement with both faith and community.

Today's Action Steps:

• Prioritize regular church attendance to nurture your faith and support your healing journey.
• Pursue hospitality by sharing meals or coffee with fellow believers to deepen relationships.
• Consider joining a small group or Bible study if traditional church feels overwhelming.
• Reflect on resistance you may have toward church, writing down your thoughts and praying for clarity.
• Pay attention to how God may answer prayers through community and interactions with others.

Resources Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

• Book: Douglas Groothuis, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith, 2nd ed. (Downer’s Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2022).
• Study: Julianne Holt‐Lunstad, “Social Connection as a Critical Factor for Mental and Physical Health: Evidence, Trends, Challenges, and Future Implications,” World Psychiatry 23, no. 3 (October 2024): 312–332, accessed June 7, 2025, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11403199/.
• Early church writings: “Justin_martyr: First Apology - Christian Classics Ethereal Library,” accessed November 13, 2024, https://ccel.org/ccel/justin_martyr/first_apology/anf01.viii.ii.xiii.html.
• Bible verses: Ephesians 4:16, Romans 12:4-5, Hebrews 10:24-25, Proverbs 27:17, Matthew 18:20, Acts 2:42-46, 1 Corinthians 12:27, 1 Corinthians 3:16, 2 Corinthians 6:16, Ephesians 2:20-22, Titus 1:9, James 3:1, Hebrews 13:17, Genesis 2:18, Colossians 3:16

Timestamps:

00:00 – Dr. Paynter's car accident and seeking God's guidance

00:35 – Realizing answers often come through community

01:32 – How church attendance impacts both spiritual and physical health

03:03 – The importance of fellowship after personal experience

05:32 – Scriptural foundation for gathering as the body of Christ

09:00 – The neurological and developmental impact of isolation

12:29 – Depression, physical symptoms, and the chemistry of isolation

13:07 – Biblical calls for fellowship and the early church model

15:57 – The meaning of church (ecclesia) and practical application today

19:39 – The necessity of sound teaching in fellowship settings

20:54 – Spiritual gifts and the need to work together

22:00 – Neurochemistry of shared meals and social bonding

24:25 – Scientific research on social connection and health

25:12 – Reflecting on and overcoming barriers to church attendance

28:13 – Practical steps to increasing community and spotting God's answers

30:42 – The relational nature of God and spiritual growth in community

31:49 – Final encouragements and episode wrap-up

About the Host:

Dr. Tanya Paynter is a board-certified naturopathic physician and the host of The Christian Clinician. She is passionate about integrating faith with evidence-based medicine to help individuals revitalize their health and renew their faith. Through her podcast, she empowers listeners to discover the profound impact of spiritual community on well-being.

Follow The Christian Clinician on Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechristianclinician

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChristianClinician

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianclinician/

In this episode of The Christian Clinician, Dr. Tanya Paynter welcomes The Apologetics Guy, Dr. Mikel Del Rosario, a professor of Bible and Theology at the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and author of "Did Jesus Really Say He Was God?" Dr. Del Rosario, with over 31 journal articles published and extensive experience hosting apologetics podcasts, discusses the historical evidence for Jesus’ divinity claims and the importance of engaging skeptics using both faith and historical methodology. Together, they unpack the “blasphemy accusation scenes” in the Gospel of Mark and examine how historical reliability and cultural context can deepen our understanding of scripture. Dr. Del Rosario shares insights on defending Jesus’ divine authority and practical ways to bridge faith and evidence-based reasoning when discussing apologetics. The conversation is filled with both scholarly knowledge and real-world applications for Christians navigating questions of faith and history.

Today's Action Steps

• Familiarize yourself with the criteria historians use to assess the reliability of Gospel accounts, such as multiple attestation and dissimilarity.
• Approach conversations with skeptics by referencing the Bible as a historical document, not just as scripture.
• Study the cultural and situational context behind biblical passages to gain a more accurate interpretation.

Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode

• Book: Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? by Dr. Mikel Del Rosario
• The Apologetics Guy Show (podcast, YouTube & Christianity Today Network)

Where to find Dr. Mikel Del Rosario

• Website with free sample chapter: https://apologeticsguy.com
• Purchase the book on Amazon (or other major book retailers):

https://www.amazon.com/Did-Jesus-Really-Say-Was/dp/1514011018/

Time Stamps

00:05 – Explanation of the “blasphemy accusation scenes” in Mark’s Gospel.

00:07 – Meaning of the title “Son of Man” and its historical context.

00:08 – Defining “divine authority” and Jesus’ unique claims.

00:10 – How historians assess the reliability of gospel documents as historical texts.

00:14 – Why the Bible faces a higher standard of scrutiny than other ancient texts.

00:17 – Importance of cultural and situational context for interpreting scripture.

00:20 – Application of historical rules of evidence to Jesus’ miracles and claims.

00:26 – Comparison to other religious figures in history and analysis of alleged parallels.

00:31 – Detailed response to common critics and their arguments.

00:35 – The Pharisees’ reaction as evidence of Jesus’ divine claim.

00:41 – Dr. Del Rosario’s final advice: evaluate Jesus’ claims and apply his lordship to all of life.

About the Host

Dr. Tanya Paynter is the creator and host of The Christian Clinician, where she brings together faith and evidence-based medicine to help listeners revitalize their health and renew their faith journeys. With her experience in both healthcare and apologetics, Dr. Paynter is passionate about equipping Christians to navigate complex spiritual and wellness questions with confidence.

Follow The Christian Clinician on Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechristianclinician

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChristianClinician

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianclinician/

Episode Summary

In this episode of The Christian Clinician, host Dr. Tanya Paynter dives into the historical evidence for the existence of Jesus as a real person, exploring both biblical and extra-biblical sources. She reviews eyewitness accounts, writings of early Christian authors, non-Christian historians, and the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies to build a robust case for the historical Jesus. Through accessible explanations and references, Dr. Paynter provides listeners with a foundation to explore their faith, even amidst doubts and questions about factual evidence.

Access the Episode Presentation and References

https://www.psalmmedical.com/CCdownload-season2

Resources Mentioned in Today's Episode

(For a full list, please see the episode presentation and references handout here: https://www.psalmmedical.com/CCdownload-season2)

Blomberg, Craig L. and Stewart, Robert B. The Historical Reliability of the New Testament: Countering the Challenges to Evangelical Christian Beliefs. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2016.

Ehrman, Bart D. Did Jesus Exist? The Historical Argument for Jesus of Nazareth. San Francisco, CA: HarperOne, 2012.

Strauss, Mark L. Four Portraits, One Jesus: A Survey of Jesus and the Gospels, 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2020.

Taylor, Doug E. Jesus Before Constantine: The Church, Her Beliefs, and Her Apologetics. Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2020.

Kaiser, Walter C. Jr. The Messiah in the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing, 1995.

McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict. San Bernardino, CA: Campus Crusade for Christ, 1972.

Stoner, Peter W. and Newman, Robert C. Science Speaks: Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible. Chicago, IL: Moody Press Chicago, 1958.

Willmington, Harold. “The Old Testament Prophecies Fulfilled by Jesus Christ.” The Second Person File, 2018, accessed May16, 2024, https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/second_person/162.

Timestamps

0:00–1:00 | Comparing historical evidence for Jesus versus Alexander the Great

1:01–2:00 | Introduction to the historical Jesus mini-series and episode overview

2:01–6:05 | Biblical evidence for Jesus’ existence, focusing on Paul’s letters and eyewitness accounts

6:06–10:43 | Paul’s testimony, early Christian experiences, and the social changes sparked by Jesus’ teachings

10:44–15:04 | Evidence from early Christian authors and extra-biblical sources

15:05–18:36 | Input from non-Christian historians like Josephus, Tacitus, and Pliny the Younger

18:37–24:39 | Old Testament prophecies fulfilled by Jesus and the statistical improbability of coincidence

24:40–29:37 | Timeline for early documentation and summary of the overwhelming historical record

29:38–End | Preview of next week’s guest and episode; Dr. Paynter’s encouragement and closing advice

About the Host

Dr. Tanya Paynter is a clinician who uniquely integrates faith with evidence-based medicine. Through The Christian Clinician podcast, she explores the intersection of health, wellness, and Christian faith, tackling difficult questions about belief, Scripture, and health from both a scientific and spiritual lens. Her thoughtful and informative interviews help listeners revitalize both their physical health and their spiritual journey.

Follow The Christian Clinician on Social Media:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thechristianclinician

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheChristianClinician

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christianclinician/