Refining Rhetoric with Robert Bortins

What happens when Christians stop thinking for themselves — and hand that job to AI? In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Dr. Ben Holloway — philosopher, professor at Judson College at Southeastern Seminary, and incoming Bruce Little Chair of Christian Philosophy — to explore why classical Christian education depends on mastering language, logic, and the great books. From defending the faith against hard questions to why you simply cannot outsource your thinking to a machine, this is a conversation that will challenge and equip every homeschool family to love wisdom and pursue truth. Dr. Ben Holloway grew up in England, spent his 20s playing in a band and preaching the gospel with no formal education, then moved to America at 34 with his wife, two kids, and 29 boxes — and started his bachelor's degree at Moody Bible Institute. That late-in-life educational journey shapes everything about how he teaches and what he believes education is for. The conversation opens with a rich discussion of Christian philosophy — not as an abstract academic exercise, but as the indispensable tool Christians have always used to answer the questions the Bible doesn't directly address. From the early church borrowing the language of "substance" and "persons" from Greek philosophy to describe the Trinity, to the everyday challenge of interpreting a difficult passage of Scripture, philosophy and language are inescapably central to the Christian life. Dr. Holloway makes a compelling case that language is foundational to how we know God. Because God chose to reveal himself through 66 books, Christians are permanently and inescapably committed to the hard work of interpretation. You cannot outsource that to anyone — and certainly not to AI. He explains that AI isn't a reasoning machine; it's a pattern-matching product built to please customers, not to pursue truth. Students who try to use it before developing their own thinking ability won't just miss the learning — they'll also be incapable of evaluating what AI produces. What You'll Learn: - What Christian philosophy actually is — and why you can't do good theology without it - Why language is one of the most mysterious and important features of God's creation - How to read the Bible the way the author intended — not just the way it "speaks to you" - Three practical techniques for interpreting any difficult text correctly - Why Christians specifically cannot outsource their thinking to AI — and what's at stake if they try - Why using AI before you've learned to think is worse than not using it at all - The surprising connection between Homer's *Iliad* and the biblical meaning of glory and honor - Why hard-earned education is one of God's greatest gifts — and what we rob students of when we shortcut it 00:00 — Introduction & Dr. Holloway's Background 01:44 — Growing Up in England, Ministry Without a Degree & Coming to America 03:11 — Discovering a Calling to Teach at Moody Bible Institute 04:22 — What Makes Judson College Unique: Theory Meets Practice 05:07 — What Is Christian Philosophy — and Why Does It Matter? 06:27 — How the Early Church Used Philosophy to Describe the Trinity 08:26 — Language, God's Creation & Why It's So Mysterious 10:07 — How Language Connects to Truth and Education 12:11 — Why Christians Can't Outsource Bible Reading to AI 13:43 — Who Gets to Fix the Meaning of a Text? The Author, Not You 15:03 — Why You Shouldn't Skip the Parts of Scripture That Don't "Apply" to You 17:02 — Three Techniques for Interpreting Difficult Texts Correctly 21:25 — Honor, Glory & What Homer Teaches Us About the Bible 24:17 — Bethlehem, Lambs & the Depth of God's Storytelling (with Robert) 25:38 — AI, Thinking & Why You Have to Learn Without It First 29:10 — The Ethics of AI in the Classroom: Why It's a Form of Deception 31:05 — Handwriting, Blue Books & Seeing Students' Work 36:19 — The Satisfaction of Hard-Earned Learning 39:36 — Philosophy Means "Love of Wisdom" — and That's the Point 41:12 — About Judson College: Preview Days, Campus Visits & April 16 Experience Day 43:07 — Closing Thoughts: Christians, Culture & the Duty of This Generation Resources: https://judsoncollege.com/ This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing. To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org

Is Bitcoin's bear market your best buying opportunity? On this episode of the Refining Rhetoric podcast, host Robert Bortins and crypto-savvy co-host Will McCreery break down the 2025 crypto market — covering the Bitcoin halving cycle, why altcoins underperformed, the case for dollar cost averaging, and what to watch for heading into 2026–2029. Bitcoin hit an all-time high near $126,000 in October 2025 — then the cycle turned. In this quarterly update, Robert and his Will break down what went wrong (low liquidity, tariff uncertainty, ETF hype without follow-through), why altcoins largely failed to run, and how geopolitics may be pushing nation states toward gold instead of Bitcoin. They also cover the stalled Clarity Act, Michael Saylor's continued conviction, and the case for dollar cost averaging through the bear market. What You'll Learn: - The Bitcoin halving cycle explained, and what it means for 2026–2029 - Why altcoins severely underperformed and whether they're worth buying now - How ETFs, liquidity, and tariff uncertainty shaped the current market - The Clarity Act: where U.S. crypto regulation stands and why 70% of institutions are still on the sidelines - Dollar cost averaging strategies: how to buy Bitcoin with as little as $10 - Robert's 2029 Bitcoin price prediction (and the reasoning behind it) - Catalysts to watch: interest rates, stock market tokenization, and gold/silver rotation 00:00 — Introduction 00:29 — Welcome & Why We Talk Crypto Every Quarter 01:22 — Where Bitcoin Stands Today (Price Check: Feb 10) 02:07 — The Bitcoin Halving Cycle Explained 03:29 — What Happened to the Altcoins? 04:21 — ETFs, Liquidity & Why the Cycle Disappointed 05:41 — Are Nation States Moving to Gold Instead of Bitcoin? 06:36 — Trump, Tariffs & Crypto Sentiment 09:00 — The Case for Dollar Cost Averaging 13:00 — How to Think About Risk & Portfolio Allocation 18:06 — Buying Strategy: Satoshis, Small Buys & Timing 19:26 — Price Predictions: Where Bitcoin Could Go in 2029 22:43 — Michael Saylor & MicroStrategy — Still Solvent? 24:31 — Catalysts to Watch: Clarity Act, Stock Market Tokenization & Interest Rates 25:30 — Gold & Silver Rotation into Crypto — Historical Patterns 26:21 — Final Thoughts & Robert's 2029 Price Call 27:07 — Wrap-Up & Closing Thoughts This is not financial advice. Always do your own research and consult a professional before making investment decisions. This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing. To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org.

What if the best way to change culture isn't through politics or protests—but by faithfully living out a biblical worldview right where you're planted? Discover how to raise disciples who think faithfully about every area of life. In this episode, Robert sits down with Mike Shcutt, Executive Director of Worldview Academy, to discuss how Christians can bridge the gap between biblical truth and cultural engagement. Mike shares insights from 30 years of discipling students through Worldview Academy's leadership camps, revealing why intellectual Christianity matters and how families can avoid the entertainment-focused approach that dominates youth ministry today. From homeschooling three children to watching seven grandchildren grow, Mike offers wisdom on passing down faith across generations. Learn why worldview education isn't about creating "know-it-alls" who argue everyone into submission, but about forming gracious disciples who love their neighbors well. Mike unpacks the difference between being blind versus being dumb, and why asking good questions matters more than having all the answers. This conversation challenges believers to think faithfully about their specific callings—whether in law, plumbing, teaching, or parenting—and bloom where they're planted. If Christians truly repented and lived according to Scripture in every area of life, what would cultural transformation look like? Resources: https://worldview.org/ This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing. To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org

What would you give up to stand for truth? For Kayleigh Bush, the answer was a crown. When Kayleigh Bush was crowned Miss North Florida in August 2024, she had no idea she'd soon face a choice that would make national headlines. Just four weeks after her crowning, she was presented with a revised Miss America contract that redefined "female" to include biological males who have undergone surgical procedures — directly contradicting her Christian faith and Florida law. She refused to sign. And she refused to stay silent. In this episode of Refining Rhetoric, Robert Bortins sits down with Classical Conversations graduate and viral sensation Kayleigh Bush to talk about what really happened, what it cost her, and why she has zero regrets. From a surprise TMZ interview on a Washington D.C. sidewalk to tens of millions of views, Kayleigh shares how her CC education, her faith, and a community rooted in truth gave her the courage to trade a temporal crown for an eternal one. Whether you're a parent raising kids in a world that's redefining womanhood, a student wondering if standing on convictions is worth it, or simply someone looking for a story of genuine courage — this episode is for you. Resources: She Leads America: sheleadsamerica.com Liberty Counsel (Kayleigh's legal representation): lc.org This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing. To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org

What if the path to healing childhood trauma starts with a truth most people overlook? Join us as Rachel Davidson reveals how Kids Alive International is transforming the lives of sexually abused children across seven countries—and what every parent needs to know about prevention right now. In this powerful episode of Refining Rhetoric, host Robert Bortins sits down with Rachel Davidson, Chief Operating Officer of Kids Alive International, to discuss one of society's most challenging issues: childhood sexual abuse and trauma recovery. In this episode, you'll discover: The shocking statistics on child sexual abuse—and why it's closer to home than you think Kids Alive's four-pillar approach: Prevention, Family Strengthening, Restorative Care, and Advocacy Critical warning signs every parent should know to protect their children Why most abuse happens with trusted family friends—not strangers How faith-based trauma healing is transforming lives in Peru, Guatemala, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Kenya, Zambia, and Lebanon Practical prevention strategies you can implement with your family today Inspiring stories of forgiveness and restoration that will move you to tears Whether you're a parent, educator, church leader, or concerned citizen, this episode provides essential insights into protecting children and supporting survivors of abuse. Resources: https://www.kidsalive.org/ This episode of Refining Rhetoric is sponsored by Worldview Academy: Students call Worldview Academy the best week of their lives. Through week-long summer leadership camps for teens, Worldview Academy trains Christians to think and live in accord with a biblical worldview so they can better serve Christ and engage the culture around them. Worldview Academy reinforces what students are learning at home and at church and trains this generation to apply that knowledge to the challenging cultural issues they're facing. To find a camp near you or learn more about Worldview's weekend conferences and other resources for families, visit www.worldview.org