The Thinking Christian: Recent Episodes
Dane Cramer
This message was delivered on October 12, 2025 at Milford Church in Somerset, PA. Text: Luke 12:13-21
The Reformation Aftermath This is the fifth in a series of lectures given on Church History at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. This lecture was presented on Oct 02, 2025. My notes
This is the fourth in a series of lectures given on Church History at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. This lecture was presented on Sept 25, 2025. My notes
Planning for the future involves more than just a savings account. This message was delivered on Sept 21, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 16:1-13
This is the third in a series of lectures given on Church History at First Christian Church in Somerset, PA. This lecture was presented on Sept 18, 2025. Please note that at around the 26 minute mark there will be a brief interruption of audio. My notes
This message was delivered on September 14, 2025 at Calvary Church of Somerset. Text: John 6:1-14
This is the second of a six-part lecture that I presented on Church History. It is a broad overview, roughly covering 300 AD – 500 AD. Presented September 11, 2025 My Notes.
This is the first of a six-part lecture that I presented on Church History. This section will cover from the book of Acts through around 300 AD. Presented September 04, 2025 My notes
This message was delivered Aug 31, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 14:1, 7-14
This message was delivered on July 06, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text Luke 10:1-11; 16-29
As Jesus prepares to leave His disciples, His final words point to the coming of the Holy Spirit. This message was delivered on June 15, 2025 at Amity UCC Church in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 16:12-15
This message was delivered on June 01, 2025 at Amity Reformed UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Acts 16:16-34
This message was given as an impromptu sermon on May 18, 2025 at Mt Olivet Country Church of Fairhope, PA. I had planned to preach from a different text but changed when I sensed a call to preach on a different subject just minutes before stepping up to the pulpit. Text: Matt 25:31-26
This message was delivered on May 11, 2025, at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 10:22-30
This message was delivered May 04, 2025 at Amity Reformed UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 21:1-19
This message was preached on April 13, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 19:28-40
This message was delivered on April 06, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 12:1-8
This message was delivered March 30, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 15:1-3; 11b -32
This message was delivered March 23, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA Text: Luke 13:1-9
This message was delivered on March 09, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 4:1-3
This message was delivered on Feb 23, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 6:27-38 (see also Matt 5:38-48) See also Dirk Willems.
This message was delivered on Feb 16, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 6:17-26
This message was delivered on Jan 26, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 4:14-21
This message was delivered on Jan 12, 2025 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Acts 8:14-17
This message is dedicated to anyone who is struggling with Christmas. It was presented on Dec 22, 2024 at Mt Olivet Country Church Christmas Candlelight Service. Text: various
This message was delivered on Dec 15, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 3:7-18
This message was delivered on Dec 01, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA Text: Luke 21:25-36
This message was delivered Nov. 24, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 18:33-27
This message was delivered on Nov 10, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Mark 12:28-44
This message was delivered on Nov 03, 2024 at Mt. Olivet Community Church. Text Mark 12:13-17
This message was delivered on Oct 27, 2024, at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Notes: Reference Notes
This message was delivered Oct 13, 2024 at Garrett Community Christian Church in Garrett, PA. Text: Mark 10:17-31
This message was delivered Sept 29, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Mark 9:28-50
This message was delivered on Sept. 22, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Mark 9:30-37
This message was delivered Aug 04, 2024 at Mt. Olivet Community Church in Fairhope, PA. Text: Luke 16:1-10
This sermon was delivered on July 14, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Note: during this sermon I wrongly recognized Dirk Willems as being martyred. Willems was martyred, but the person I described was Michael Sattler. I am very sorry for making this mistake.
This message was delivered June 16, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Mark 4:26-34
This message was delivered on April 14, 2024, at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Luke 24:36-49
This message was delivered on March 31, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale PA. Text: John 20:1-18
In 2013, I was interviewed by the editor of our local newspaper – The Somerset Daily American – about the Resurrection of Jesus. This is the audio portion of that interview.
Text: John 3:14-21 This message was delivered on March 10, 2024 at Amity UCC Church in Meyersdale, PA.
This message was delivered on March 03, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 2:13-22
This message was delivered Feb. 25, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text is Mark 8:31-38
This message was delivered on Feb. 18, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Mark 1:9-15
Join me for this lighthearted talk that I delivered on Feb. 03 2024 at the Annual Wild Game Dinner at Pleasant Hill Methodist Church in Somerset, PA.
This was a message I delivered on Jan 14, 2024 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA. Text: John 1:43-51
This message was delivered on January 07, 2024 at Amity UCC Church in Meyersdale, PA. Text: Mark 1:4-11 & Acts 19:1-7.
This is part of my Sermon-Series podcasts. Preached Dec 17, 2023 at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA.
This is a message I delivered on Sunday, Dec 10, 2023; the Second Sunday of Advent. Delivered at Amity UCC in Meyersdale, PA.
This is a message that I delivered on Nov 26, 2023 at Midway Mennonite Church in Columbiana, OH Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
This is a message I delivered at the Somerset Community Lenten Service on Feb. 24, 2021. Scripture: Mark 10:32-45.
Is there a coming world ruler who will institute a cashless society and force everyone to receive the Mark of the Beast? Join me in this podcast for my thoughts on this controversial subject.
This is one of the most important podcasts that I’ve ever released. I believe something evil has been going on for sometime – and it seems to be increasing. Deception is creeping up on us and I’m afraid many of us are being caught unaware. Keep an open mind as you listen to this podcast […]
Do Christians need to follow dietary restrictions, or are we free to eat anything? This is a question I get asked a lot in my ministry. Join me in today’s podcast for an answer.
Tune in to listen to some of my comments and suggestions regarding the Coronavirus pandemic.
Does the Bible indicate that diseases like the Coronavirus reveal to us that Jesus is going to return soon? Join me as we look at this topic and some verses from Matthew 24.
The Corona Virus is causing a lot of panic and fear. In today’s podcast I want to take on the fear and dread that is abundant everywhere. How is a Christian to react? How are we to live?
In a previous episode I introduced the subject of the Eucharist and whether the elements literally become the body and blood of Christ. In today’s episode I want to take this topic one step further and discuss Jesus’ discourse in John 6, which appears to deal with this subject.
Is Jesus really and literally present in the elements during the Lord’s Supper? Or, is He present in the elements in a figurative way? Tune in to this podcast to walk through these questions with me.
Sometimes Jesus said some things that sound really harsh – difficult to understand – difficult to swallow. In today’s podcast we are going to take a look at His hard words found in Luke 14:25-33.
It would be hard to find a more emotionally-charged topic than this one. Does the Bible condemn same-sex marriage? What should be the Church’s response? Join me in this podcast for some thoughts on this sensitive topic.
If Jesus lived down your street, would He be driving an SUV or a gas-saving hybrid? In today’s podcast we’ll take a look at this question -but my answer my surprise you!
Is it proper or permissible for a Christian to be baptized twice? This question comes up occasionally by genuine seekers and I thought it would make a good podcast topic. What are your thoughts?
Where did Satan come from? Was he a fallen angel who rebelled against God? Is that what the Bible teaches? Join me in today’s podcast for some thoughts on this interesting topic. Shownotes: exegesis vs eisegesis.
Two weeks ago I suggested in a podcast that the Kingdom of God is a present reality here on earth. A listener challenged that thought with some scripture. In today’s podcast we will take a look at those passages.
If a person has an allegiance to Jesus, is it wrong to pledge that allegiance elsewhere? Does it even matter? We will take a look at this question in today’s podcast.
The Kingdom of Heaven is one of the most important aspects of the New Testament. In this podcast we are going to examine it a little closer.
Does God still speak through dreams? Is it possible to get a message from God in a dream? If so, how will we know it is from God? In this podcast we will take a look at these questions. Perhaps God is trying to reach you through a dream?
Have you ever considered going on an international mission trip? If so, what is better: to send money to those in need, or a person? In this podcast I want to walk through some of my own thinking process in terms of these questions.
What does God want me to do? Do I get married? Go to college? Enter ministry? We all have questions like this – big and small ones. In today’s podcast I want to talk about how we know what God wants for us.
Does God speak to us today? If He does, then how do we know it is the voice of God speaking? Many have claimed to have heard God – how are we to know? It today’s episode I want to take a close look at this question because if God is speaking I want to […]
Have you ever wondered why you are saved? What’s the purpose of salvation? What are we saved for? In today’s podcast I want to walk through these questions and provide some possible answers.
Have you ever heard someone claim that God just wants them to be happy? Maybe this is something that you’ve said? Join me in today’s podcast – recorded during a thunderstorm – as we take a look at this question.
In today’s podcast we will take a look at the question of how dinosaurs fit into the creation story of the Bible.
Although this is not an important question to me, it is important to those who take a certain position on baptism. Therefore, I’m going to challenge the conventional position in this podcast. Come along and we’ll split a few hairs!
We all have a story. Each one is a sacred thing to share. In today’s podcast Georgetta shares her story of how she went through many very difficult years to becoming a martial arts black belt, a power-hiker, and an all around positive, energetic athlete.
Baptism is an important, yet often misunderstood concept. Oftentimes I am called upon in my ministry to address it. Therefore, I thought I’d take advantage of this platform to talk about it.
Have you ever wondered if there is life on other planets? Does the Bible give us any clues about possible life in other galaxies? What about these UFO sightings – are they real? Join me in today’s podcast to talk about these questions.
Is the God of the Old Testament an angry, wrathful God, while Jesus of the New is a calmer, nicer God? In this podcast we will discuss what I feel is a common misconception among Christians and non-believers alike.
In today’s Podcast we will look at this question – which was raised by the skeptic. As always – your comments are welcome!
Is it possible that one tiny verb found in Scripture can tell us so much? Could this give us a date-stamp for one of the Gospel accounts? Join me for this interesting discussion in today’s podcast.
Have you ever wondered why there are different versions of the same Bible? What are their differences? Do they say different things? You may enjoy downloading this episode if you’ve ever wondered this about the differences in Bible versions.
In today’s episode we are going to discuss ‘deathbed’ conversions. Could an evil person cry out to God on his or her deathbed and be saved at the last minute?
Why should I believe the Bible? Wasn’t it written by men who were infallible? Have you ever heard these objections? Have you ever made these objections? In today’s podcast we are going to take a look at the reliability of the Bible.
What must a person believe to be true to be a Christian? What if you disagree with some teachings of the Church? Does this mean you can’t be saved? In this episode I hope to prompt you to think about this interesting topic. As always, feel free to respond!
Have you ever wondered why God ordered the death of witches in the Old Testament? Join me in this podcast for some thoughts on the subject.
Most Christians will say that God exists “outside of time.” Perhaps that’s correct – or maybe it’s not. In today’s podcast I want to take a look at some of the problems with that view.
Join me in this podcast as we talk about some common myths concerning Christmas. You may be surprised by what the Bible does and does not say!
Was Jesus wrong about when He would return? Did He make a mistake – or did He wrongly prophesy? Join me in this podcast as we take a look at these questions in light of these two scriptures: Matthew 16:27-28 & Matthew 26:62-64
In this podcast I will be interviewing my guest, David Servant. David is a former pastor, a missionary, and leader of a mission organization. You may reach David at these links: www.heavensfamily.org www.davidservant.com
Does the issue of same-sex marriage lead us to wonder whether God exists? Follow along with this podcast to find out. Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
Okay, so if everything came from something else, then where did God come from? This is a great question! In today’s episode we’ll take a look at the question of where God came from. Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
Does God exist? Is it possible to know if God is out there? In this episode, we will walk through the Kalam Cosmological Argument, and consider the existence of the Cause of our Universe. Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
Hated by nearly everyone, these early reformers showed amazing courage and faith as they tried to live out their faith in a radical way. Join me in this podcast as we talk about the Radical Reformers (the Anabaptists). Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A […]
Join me on this podcast as we talk about Luther’s break from the Roman Catholic Church. As always, feel free to comment below – and don’t forget to subscribe! #potcastTuesday #TheThinkingChristian #MartinLuther Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
In this Podcast we’ll take a look at one of the most frequently-asked questions that I get: how do Roman Catholics differ from Protestants? Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
Listen to the testimony of a young man dramatically saved and called by Jesus to go into the Islamic world to reach Muslims. My guest’s identify is not being revealed for security reasons. He is soon traveling to a foreign country where his identity as a missionary might restrict access for him. If you’d like […]
If Jesus was buried on a Friday and rose on a Sunday – then how is that considered three days and three nights? In this episode, we’ll take a look at this commonly-asked question. Please check out Jeff & Justy’s Ordinary Iron Podcast , which was referenced in this episode. Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail […]
In this podcast we’ll take a look at church membership. Is it important? Is it necessary? Is it scriptural? Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
Ever wonder about the books that didn’t make it into the Bible? Who kept them out – and why? In this podcast, we’ll take a look at the question. Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
While in my 5th grade science class I developed this argument for the existence of God. I still use it today – with a few modifications. Feel free to share and comment. Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
In this podcast I discuss my second reason for being a follower of Jesus. As always, feel free to comment! Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us
Episode #1. In my first podcast we will walk through the reasons why I am a Christian (part 1). Referenced link: Death of Ganeshyogi Maharaj. Dane Cramer is a backpacker, follower-of-Jesus blogger, jail chaplain, amateur filmmaker, Podcast host, and author of two books: Romancing the Trail and The Nephilim: A Monster Among Us