AUTHENTIC with Shawn Boonstra

AUTHENTIC with Shawn Boonstra

Casual, transparent conversations about life, spirituality and God. AUTHENTIC is a deep-dive into the nature of love, relationships, emotions and self-awareness. Host Shawn Boonstra answers real existential questions—stuff that everybody wonders about: the meaning of life, living with purpose, and understanding how the great philosophers still impact the way you live today.

Episodes

The Failure of Philosophy, Part 4

July 4, 2025 • 28 mins
You slip on a ring, and SNAP! You're invisible. What will you do with this power? This week, Shawn Boonstra turns to an old fable of Plato's to confront who we are in the dark, when no one is looking. But while it's easy to sin in secret, the ancient wisdom of Proverbs reminds us: there's a real cost even in this life...and a REAL path to your authentic self.
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The Failure of Philosophy, Part 3

June 27, 2025 • 28 mins
Crucifixion on its own is horrific enough...but if you believe Jesus' death on the cross was the punishment for our sins, it's even WORSE. Some object and say the cross was about pure love—nothing to do with judgment or wrath. Shawn Boonstra investigates the feelings and reasoning at play, and why the biblical framing of Christ's death still holds such power to both disturb and astound us.
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The Failure of Philosophy, Part 2

June 20, 2025 • 28 mins
Desperate to find the meaning of life? It’s only human. Philosophers and theologians have long invented ideas to build an understanding of the universe. But they’ve reached a dead end. In this episode, Shawn Boonstra traces humanity’s precarious path to nihilism and confronts modern misconceptions about divine justice. To understand God and hell, we must turn to the Bible. The WHOLE Bible.
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The Failure of Philosophy, Part 1

June 13, 2025 • 28 mins
Shivering in the shadow of life’s darkest problems, will we ever think our way to the light? Inspired by Thomas Aquinas, nineteenth-century philosophers argued that we could. Shawn Boonstra claims the opposite. Learn why human reason often paves the way to corruption—and discover what it really takes to find the answers to those deepest of life’s questions.
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The Egyptians

June 6, 2025 • 28 mins
We often credit the Greeks with inventing Western philosophy. But how often were they borrowing from another great society? This week, we’re exploring the ancient world to uncover the hidden influences behind Plato, Pythagoras, Democritus, and more. The real roots of popular thought—and your own worldview—may shock you.
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The Envy Line

May 30, 2025 • 28 mins
Is it wrong to want more? In this episode, Shawn Boonstra breaks down what the Bible really says about envy, greed, and material possessions. Turns out, the tenth commandment is about a lot more than wanting a nicer car—this law is a cosmic clue pointing us to the only source of real happiness.
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Bearing False Witness

May 23, 2025 • 28 mins
What does it really mean to “bear false witness”? Does the ninth commandment warn us against ALL falsehoods? Shawn Boonstra doesn’t think so. From gossip to political spin, lies intended to wound another’s reputation can—like wildfire—spiral out of control, causing irreparable damage. Join us for a fresh look at this law on deception . . . and the powerful truth it reveals.
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The Problem with Private Property

May 16, 2025 • 28 mins
Some claim that the road to a perfect society starts with abolishing private property. But the Bible—and a history littered with failed utopian experiments—tells a different story. In this episode, Shawn Boonstra analyzes infamous history, popular philosophy, and the eighth commandment: “You shall not steal.” Could this simple law contain answers for modern issues?
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Ashley the Liar

May 9, 2025 • 28 mins
Is the sanctity of marriage collecting dust? Shawn Boonstra breaks down modern culture’s take on marriage, infidelity, and passion vs. reason. When so many have thrown away God’s seventh commandment, he argues that this law against adultery holds timeless truths—revelations about God’s character that can enrich our lives today.
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Deadly Intent

May 2, 2025 • 28 mins
Humans once swarmed bloody arenas, howling in delight as gladiators slaughtered each other. Today, we consider ourselves enlightened, better than our ancestors—but have we successfully killed our appetite for violence? In this episode, Shawn Boonstra unpacks the sixth commandment, revealing how hatred and mainstream media shape our view of human life. Murder isn’t just about violent crimes—it starts in the heart.
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Parent Trap

April 25, 2025 • 28 mins
In a world that’s too hectic and angry to listen to the wisdom of past generations, are we unknowingly setting ourselves up for failure? Can honoring one’s parents really enhance lives—even entire civilizations? In this episode on the fifth commandment, Shawn Boonstra answers these questions and sheds light on a dangerous cultural shift that’s redefining authority.
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How to Be

April 18, 2025 • 28 mins
Finding a moment of rest in today’s bustling society can be difficult—even impossible. So why do many modern Christians reject the Sabbath? Shawn Boonstra uncovers the Sabbath’s true purpose as a day of rest and SO much more. This week on Authentic, discover why God set the seventh day apart and how this forgotten commandment can help us connect with God in a new dimension.
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The Unwilling Accomplice

April 11, 2025 • 28 mins
What does it really mean to take God’s name in vain? Is it just about expletives and oaths, or is there something much greater at stake?

Shawn Boonstra explores God’s third commandment and its ties to identity theft, our daily conduct, and the majesty of Yahweh. You might be surprised at how relevant this ancient edict is today.
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No Graven Images

April 4, 2025 • 28 mins
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History of the Bible, Part 2

March 28, 2025 • 28 mins
This week on Authentic, Shawn gets to the heart of what exactly "inspired by God" means when it comes to Scripture—writing it, compiling it, interpreting it. And what about all those "extra" books of the Apocrypha? Are they Scripture? Join us for part 2 of our series on how the Bible came to be.
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History of the Bible, Part 1

March 21, 2025 • 28 mins
Almost one-third of humanity sees the Bible as “God-breathed.” But it didn’t appear out of thin air...so where did these scriptures come from, and who decided they were authoritative? Join Shawn Boonstra for a new Authentic series on the astounding history of the Bible. We’ll start with the rich cultures of ancient Mesopotamia—and take a moment to debunk a popular myth from “The Da Vinci Code.”
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Answers for a Skeptic: Our Choice to Sin

March 14, 2025 • 28 mins
Why was a tree that led to DEATH placed in paradise in the first place? Was God setting up Adam and Eve for temptation and failure? In part 6 of his "Answers for a Skeptic" series, Shawn Boonstra explores God's choices, our choices, and the troubling mystery of sin. Don't miss this fascinating discussion that sheds light on an age-old dilemma.
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Answers for a Skeptic: Slavery and the Bible

March 7, 2025 • 28 mins
In this thought-provoking episode, Shawn Boonstra confronts the challenging topic of slavery in the Bible and its relevance to a modern audience. Join us as we focus on God’s efforts to mitigate the consequences of human choices.
 
This is part 5 in Shawn’s series called “Answers for a Skeptic.”
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Answers for a Skeptic: The Problem of Hell, Part 2

February 28, 2025 • 28 mins
This week Shawn continues investigating the common idea of hell and comparing it with Scripture. Where IS hell, exactly? Is it burning in the bowels of the earth? Is hell really everlasting? And is it a truly just punishment?

Be sure to catch last week's Part 1 if you haven't already.
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Answers for a Skeptic: The Problem of Hell, Part 1

February 21, 2025 • 28 mins
Join host Shawn Boonstra for a compelling two-parter as he tackles the age-old misconceptions surrounding hell and eternal punishment. This week he'll explore the origins of these beliefs, the very purpose of hell, and how God's character relates to it all.

This is part 3 in Shawn's series called "Answers for a Skeptic."
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