Christian Basics Video Series

What Is It and Why Make It?

Beginning in early 2021, we have endeavored to create a free, easily accessible video series that teaches the basics of Christianity in one place. People are learning on their own time via outlets like YouTube. And while there is a lot of Christian content to be found there, this is an all-inclusive project that covers the basics of Christianity without assuming anything. It is a step-by-step walk through the big ideas and the Biblical account.

So we created this series, really for whoever may stumble upon it. For example, many churches will likely be without pastors in the future. For church traditions that teach Confirmation, this video series offers a pastor-led curriculum that anyone can use and is made for teenagers. You'll see below that I have worksheets to go with each video.

Most of the classes will be taught by Pastor Evan McClanahan. But many will feature special guests who can offer expertise on subject matter.

Here is the link to the YouTube channel.

So, thanks for finding us! Below you will find links to each video with a brief description as well as a PDF worksheet to accompany each video. Email us anytime at christianbasicsclass@gmail.com.

Filming will begin in early March, 2021 and posting on YouTube should begin by the end of February.

The Videos...

An Introduction to This Series

This introductory video tells you what to expect in this 50-video class. Basically, this class is intended to explain the very basics of the Christian faith. We will tackle the basic apologetic arguments, the Bible, and application of Christian theology in 15-minute videos. There is a lot of stuff out there, but I wanted something as comprehensive as possible and geared towards a new seeker/young adult. If you have any ideas for future videos, let me know: christianbasicsclass@gmail.com.

Class #1: Does God Exist?

Of course there is no way to take centuries of arguments, volumes of literature, timeless debates, and reduce this question to a 15-minute video. But I want you to at least know that you really have two choices: God or absurdity. If God does not exist, then nothing can exist. But God does exist, so your life matters. And if you have an open mind, all of the evidence in the world is available to you.

Class #2: What Difference Does it Make if God Exists?

This class looks at the consequences for living in a world with - or without - God. Without God, there really are no real or true reasons to hope. With God, you have purpose and meaning because you yourself are made by the foundation of all there is.

Class #3: Is the Bible Reliable?

This class looks at whether or not you can really trust all of those stories about Jesus. Do we have what the original authors wrote? Can we trust those old words for our salvation?

Class #4: Are Miracles Possible?

Apologist Taylor Neill (www.neillology.com) joins me to look at the philosophical question of whether miracles are even possible. If they are not, then basically everything else I'm going to teach in this class is a waste of everyone's time. If they are, then we should heed this revelation from God. (Hint: if the creation really took place, then miracles are possible!)

Class #5: Who Was Jesus?

This short video is a basic summary of what others said about Jesus and what Jesus said about himself. When confronting what others said about Jesus, we are left with only a few options.

Class #6: Genesis 1-3: Creation from Nothing or Random Evolution?

This video looks briefly at the main content of Genesis 1-3, but looks more at one of the main issues which keeps people from believing in God: evolution. Are we just glorified apes? Or are we the descendants of the historical Adam and Eve? Could both stories in some way be true?

Class #7: Genesis 4-11 with Ted Wright

Genesis 4-11 is often overlooked as mere myth. After all, these chapters contain the story of the great flood and the Tower of Babel. But is there good evidence that might just speak to the historicity of these accounts? Ted Wright of Epic Archaeology (www.epicarchaeology.org) joins us to talk about these important - and fascinating! - chapters.

Class #8: Genesis 12-50

This class very quickly moves from Genesis 12-50. We get familiar with the Patriarchs in Genesis: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and are prepared to understand the Exodus.

Class #9: The Historicity of the Exodus, with Ted Wright

Archaeologist Ted Wright of Epic Archaeology joins me to look at the historical evidence for the Exodus from Egypt. The Exodus is the story of the Israelites leaving Egypt and heading for the land promised to Abraham and his offspring. Is it possible that this story is not just a myth, but the true story of a massive escape from Egypt?

Class #10: Understanding the Law of God

This class takes a look at the Law of God, briefly considering the Law as given to the Israelites and recorded in Leviticus. We also ask which laws continue into the New Testament, which laws have not, and in what way the Law of God might impact our civic life.

Class #11 - The Conquest of the Land

This class looks at the book of Joshua, but really, more than anything, at the issues surrounding the conquest of the land. Many unbelievers will cite the conquest of inhabited lands (as depicted in Joshua and elsewhere) as evidence that either God does not exist or if he does, he is cruel. As Christians, however, we defend the prerogative of God to judge all evildoers, including ourselves, and the conquest of this land is not an ongoing practice that Christians participate in.

Class #12 - The Prophets, Part 1

I interview Dr. Adam Harger of Houston Baptist University to take a look at the Prophets. Part 1 of 2.

Class #13 - The Prophets, Part 2

I interview Dr. Adam Harger of Houston Baptist University to take a look at the Prophets. Part 2 of 2.

Class #14 - The Kings, Part 1

Dr. Chad Bird of 1517 joins me to look at the Kings in the Old Testament. We make it all the way to David.

Class #15 - The Kings, Part 2

Dr. Chad Bird of 1517 joins me to look at the Kings in the Old Testament. We conclude our look at David's reign and make it through the divided northern and southern kingdoms.

Class #16 - Israel in Exile: Daniel

This class looks at the stories and prophecies of the book of Daniel.

Class #17: Closing Thoughts on the Old Testament

This video ends our brief look at the Old Testament, but not before telling the story of the return to Israel and highlighting some of the important books that were not covered.

Class #18: Luther's Small Catechism, Part 1

This video begins a 6-week look at Martin Luther's "Small Catechism", a staple of Lutheran Confirmation for centuries. We look at the first three of the Ten Commandments.

Class #19: Luther's Small Catechism, Part 2

This video looks at the second table of the 10 Commandments that deal with how we love our neighbor. Parents, you may want to know that when the commandment against adultery is discussed, the topic of pornography is mentioned.

Class #20: Luther's Small Catechism, Part 3

We continue our look at the Small Catechism, focusing this week on the Apostles' Creed.

Class #21: Luther's Small Catechism, Part 4

This is the first of two videos that look at the Lord's Prayer.

Class #22: Luther's Small Catechism, Part 5

This is the second of two videos that look at the Lord's Prayer.

Class #23: Luther's Small Catechism, Part 6

This video concludes our look at Luther's Small Catechism with his teaching on the sacraments, Baptism and the Lord's Supper. Lutherans are a sacramental people, which means we trust that God can do Spiritual things through these ordinary means of grace.

Class #24: What About Other Religions?

James Walker from Watchman Fellowship joins me to look at whether the existence of other religions somehow invalidates the truth claims of Christianity.

Class #25: The Trinity

James Walker from Watchman Fellowship joins me to take a look at the Trinity. This pivotal doctrine of the Christian faith is often misunderstood or falsified by non-Christian groups.

Class #26: The Liturgical Church Year

This class is a primer on the liturgical church year. Why do we have different church seasons? How can they help us as we grow in faith?