You’re encouraged to listen to some classic Faith Debate podcasts.
Guests:
Julius Shern. Pastor, St. John’s Bible Fellowship Church
Kendall Lovelace. Evangelist, St. John’s Bible Fellowship Church
Daniel Razvi. JD from Oak Brook College of Law
“BANNED! Pregnant Teen from Graduation Ceremony, Bible Verses from Christian School, Jehovah’s Witnesses from Russia”
A Hagerstown Christian school kept a pregnant student from participating in commencement because she had premarital sex. Critics say the school would have never found out about the sex if the student opted for an abortion, meaning that she was punished for being pro-life. How could this have been handled differently?
The government told a Canadian Christian school to remove “offensive” Bible verses from its student handbook? So, the school did. Where could this lead in the future? Could this happen in the United States?
Russia’s Supreme Court ordered the disbanding of Jehovah’s Witnesses, forcing the closure of nearly 400 chapters, with the Russian government taking ownership of all the properties (known as Kingdom Halls). What are the legal protections against this happening in America?
Original air date: 8/27/17, podcast posted 8/28/17
“Jesus Named King in Poland! Clergy Arrested in Washington DC!”
Leaders in the Polish government declare that their country is under the protection of the “immaculate heart of Mother Mary”. Bishops in Poland, with support of the Polish president, pronounce that their country’s king is Jesus Christ. The governing party (known as the Law & Justice Party) move to knit the church and state closer together. What is a biblical response to this?
Fifty interfaith protesters gathered in the nation’s Capitol to voice opposition to Medicaid cuts in the GOP healthcare bill. Eleven of the protesters, including clergy members were arrested outside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s office. Should pastors focus on such things?
Original air date: 9/3/17, podcast posted 9/6/17
“Evangelical Leaders Pray With Donald Trump & North Carolina Commissioners Told Not to Pray”
In July 2017 a number of Protestant Pastors and other prominent Christians made an unscheduled visit to the Oval Office to lay on hands and pray for the president. Some have raised concern based upon the separation of church and state. Are these concerns valid?
Also in July the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that elected officials in North Carolina violated the Constitution by opening meetings with Christian prayers. Some have raised concern based upon the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Are these concerns valid?
Original air date: 9/10/17, podcast posted 11/29/17
“Senior Citizen Churchgoer Shunned By LGBT Supporters & Canada on Its Way to a Genderless Society”
A Unitarian Church in Massachusetts flew a rainbow flag in support of the LGBT community. An 85-year old who had been a member of that church for 25 years said she didn’t think that was right, because she has seen friends die with HIV and AIDS. The response from her townsfolk and from the editors of the local newspapers has reportedly been an effort to silence her. The panel weighs in.
A baby in British Columbia is given an ID listing the sex as “U” (instead of either “M” of “F”). Gender-neutral birth certificates could be the norm in Ontario as soon at 2018. In parts of Canada health cards are already “gender-free” and driver’s licenses have “X” as an option for biological sex designation. Again, the panel weighs in.
Original air date: 9/17/17, podcast posted 9/19/17
Guest:
Tom Weil. Pastor, The Church of God
“The Theology of ‘The Shack’ (Part One)”
William Paul Young’s book has sold more than 22 million copies. The movie was in theaters worldwide in early 2017 and then made available on DVD. So, the story has had wide distribution, and exceptional influence on the theological beliefs of many people. Is the theology of The Shack biblical? Troy takes the “black hat” position and Tom takes the “white hat” position. This program is the first of a three-part series.
Original air date: 10/1/17, podcast posted 10/3/17
“The Theology of ‘The Shack’ (Part Two)”
William Paul Young’s very successful book has become resource material for Sunday school classes in many Christian churches. The follow-up movie, released to theaters in early 2017, is now on DVD and was a popular Christmas gift that year. “The Shack” is more than just a story, as even the author and promoters admit that it makes theological claims. Is what the book and movie teach about God accurate from a biblical perspective? I take the “con” position and Tom takes the “pro” position. This program is the second of a three-part series.
Original air date: 10/8/17, podcast posted 10/9/17
“The Theology of ‘The Shack’ (Part Three)”
The movie and the book “The Shack” has been a phenomenon for years, stirring up quite a bit of controversy along the way. The question swirling among Christians: Does “The Shack” present a biblical view of God? Due to technical difficulties that led to timing pressures, Tom Weil was unable to participate in this final leg of our journey. So, I share some additional thoughts about the subject as a “solo artist”. In the future, look for an additional series of shows on this topic, with even more depth provided. This program is the third of a three-part series.
Original air date: 10/15/17, podcast posted 10/23/17
Panel: Troy Skinner, 930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.
Guests:
Tim May. Pastor, Pleasant View Church of the Brethren
Bernie Beall. Co-Founder, Great Commission Families
“The Confederate Flag and Confederate Statues”
What should Christians think about the Confederate flag controversy? What about Confederate statues or even Christopher Columbus statues? It’s fascinating to examine the intersection of History, heritage and His providence.
Original air date: 10/22/17, podcast posted 10/23/17
“Old Glory and the Maryland State Flag”
What should Christians think about the National Anthem/American Flag controversy? What about the Christian religious symbolism found on the Maryland flag (and even the Frederick City flag)? To aid ones understanding it can be useful to examine direct sources, such as quotes from America’s Founding Fathers and the words written directly in government legislation.
Original air date: 10/29/17, podcast posted 10/30/17
“Cherry Blossoms, Friendships, and Family: How They All Connect to Faith”
Did you ever consider that the DC cherry trees help illustrate the Gospel? How about spiritual lessons to be learned from battlefields in Gettysburg and Antietam? Even Harper’s Ferry, the C&O Canal, and the life of Francis Scott Key. If looking for it, one can find the hand of God at work in Maryland and in the Grand Experiment that is the United States of America.
Original air date: 11/5/17, podcast posted 11/6/17
“Spiritual Lessons Can Be Learned From the Titanic”
The wreck of the Titanic in April of 1912 helps illustrate many lessons that relate to ministry, mission, evangelism, discipleship, and religious instruction. Even in disasters, even in the pagan nudity adorning the public square, even in what many call a “Godless Culture” there are analogies to be highlighted for Bible students. Are you looking for them?
Original air date: 11/12/17, podcast posted 11/15/17
Guests:
Jonathan Switzer. Pastor, Crossroads Valley Church
Chris Jackson. Organizer, Life Bible Baptist Ministries
“Dispensationalism, Covenant Theology, Redemptive-Historical Theology”
What do these mean and how do they shape one’s view of “The Last Days”? The world seems inside out and upside down. Many say the church is adrift, the world is in peril. Is the end near? Some people think so. Perhaps the return of Jesus Christ is just around the corner. Two pastors are here to talk about this.
Original air date: 11/19/17, podcast posted 11/20/17
“Pre-Tribulation, Mid-Tribulation, and Post Tribulation”
What do these mean and how do they inform one’s view of “The Last Days”? Donald Trump’s twitter storms. The rise of Islam through large swaths of Europe. Increased incidents of terrorist attacks in the United States. Does any of this have anything to do with the Second Coming of Christ?
Original air date: 11/26/17, podcast posted 11/27/17
“Pre-Millennial, Post-Millennial, and Amillennial”
What do these mean and how do they represent one’s view of “The Last Days”? The Left Behind book series has proven popular over the past twenty plus years. So popular that it spawned a children’s series of books and several movies. The subject matter of the books? The End Times.
Original air date: 12/3/17, podcast posted 12/4/17
“The Last Days”
Apocalypse, Armageddon, The Rapture of the Church, The Blessed Hope, The Tribulation, The Second Coming, The Coming Final Judgment, The End Times, The End of the World as We Know It. The two pastors share their opinions on such matters.
Original air date: 12/10/17, podcast posted 12/19/17
Guests:
Peter Kemeny. Pastor, Good News Presbyterian Church
Kent Ramler. Pastor, People’s Baptist Church
“What is ‘The Gospel’?”
What’s your problem? What’s my problem? And what’s the solution? A Christian will tell you that the solution is found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. What’s that mean? “Gospel” means “good news”. Why is the Gospel good news? What is the Good News about Jesus? The answer leads us to other questions such as: Who made us? To whom are we accountable? What is God’s solution to our problem? How can I be included in His solution? For centuries Christians have addressed these questions with answers from the Bible. On this episode two ministers of God’s Word join the panel to continue this tradition.
Original air date: 12/17/17, podcast posted 12/19/17
“Can the Bible Be Trusted?”
How do we know the Bible is true? Is the Bible reliable? How did we get the Bible, anyway? How should I interpret the Bible? These are the sorts of questions this show works to answer, with two minister’s of God’s Word who spend countless hours in God’s Word every week, preparing sermons, Sunday school lessons, Bible studies, and more
Original air date: 12/24/17, podcast posted 12/26/17
“Old Testament Law and Its Relevance to Us”
The Bible was written a really long time ago. A really long time. Before smart phones. Before Twitter or Facebook. Even before television, radio, newspapers. The Bible is so old, it was written before there were typewriters, printing presses, or even books as we’d recognize them today! So, how could it be relevant today?
Actually, Jesus is pretty cool. And the Apostle Paul, too. So, maybe the New Testament is at least a little relevant. But the Old Testament? Come on! All those rules and regulations. All that so-and-so begat so-and-so. All that moral law. And ceremonial law. And civil law. Well, undaunted, and here to explain a few things about this sort of stuff, are two longtime minister’s of God’s Word.
Original air date: 12/31/17, podcast posted 1/30/18
Many blessings to you,
Pastor Troy Skinner
