How can missionaries and apologists connect the gospel to the longings of the human heart—without watering it down?

In this episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex Kocman and Scott Dunford sit down with Dr. E.D. Burns—missionary, author, and professor—to unpack the concept of cultural apologetics. Drawing from the legacy of C.S. Lewis, Dr. Burns explains how cultural apologetics appeals not merely to logic but to the imagination and desires of the soul.

He contrasts this approach with evidential, presuppositional, and classical apologetics, emphasizing how cultural apologetics helps us engage the heart without compromising biblical truth. Sharing stories from his years on the field in Thailand, Dr. Burns shows how this method resonates in honor-shame contexts and how missionaries can faithfully and compellingly contextualize the gospel message.

This conversation explores the importance of storytelling, the beauty of the gospel in every culture, and the role of imagination in helping others see the glory of Christ.

Key topics:

• What sets cultural apologetics apart
• How C.S. Lewis shaped modern apologetics
• Practical strategies for contextualization in missions
• Why storytelling and beauty matter in gospel proclamation
• Avoiding syncretism while engaging the heart

God has already called many people to the mission field, but they need your support to get there. Help someone in Prefield get to where God is calling them by prayerfully supporting their ministry at abwe.org/Prefield.

What doctrinal disagreements are driving wedges into your ministry? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with Dr. Joshua Howard to discuss how to handle theological conflict among Christians. They hit on topics of theological triage, hierarchies of theological concepts, and how the theology of the end times (eschatology), can both unify believers and divide them.

Josh Howard is Pastor at New Covenant Presbyterian Church in Monroeville, PA. He's the host of Eschatology Matters podcast and author of "A Primer for Conflict: Drawing a Line in the Sand". Get a free digital copy of the book at missionspodcast.com/conflict .

What more of the conversation? Join our Premium Podcast Subscribers and get access to the Overtime episode as Alex, Scott, and Joshua discuss how we live in light of eschatological disagreements. Sign up at missionspodcast.com/premium.

With over 3 billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, the global need is tremendous for workers to go into the harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38). Is God calling you to missions? We'd love to have a conversation with you on how you can use your gifts and talents to advance the Great Commission at home and abroad. Visit abwe.org/SendMe for more information and to take your next step in missions.

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The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.

What is going on in the Asian church? In this week's episode of The Missions Podcast, Alex and Scott sit down with an ABWE missionary to East Asia. He details the translation work he did during his time on the field as well as the current needs and struggles of the Chinese church.

This ABWE missionary has helped develop the Bible Study Toolbox, a website of theological resources translated into Chinese to equip national pastors. Visit yanjingbooks.com to view that resource.

With over 3 billion people in the world who have never heard of Jesus, the global need is tremendous for workers to go into the harvest fields (Matthew 9:37-38). Is God calling you to missions? We'd love to have a conversation with you on how you can use your gifts and talents to advance the Great Commission at home and abroad. Visit abwe.org/SendMe for more information and to take your next step in missions.

Do you love The Missions Podcast? Have you been blessed by the show? Then become a Premium Subscriber!

Premium Subscribers get access to:

• Exclusive bonus content
• A community Signal thread with other listeners and the hosts
• Invite-only webinars
• A free gift!

Support The Missions Podcast and sign up to be a Premium Subscriber at missionspodcast.com/premium

The Missions Podcast is powered by ABWE. Learn more and take your next step in the Great Commission at abwe.org.

Want to ask a question or suggest a topic? Email alex@missionspodcast.com.