Frederick Faith Debate

Some Christian pastors advocate for the construction of a wall at the United States southern border, and cite Scripture to defend their view.  Other Christian pastors say Jesus wants walls torn down, and if Jesus wants no walls, then we must want no walls, too.  Who’s right?  Who’s wrong?  Or is there a mixture of right and wrong?  Two Christian pastors help us walk through the “Trump Wall” question.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Tim May.  Pastor at Pleasant View Church of the Brethren, Co-Host of “Mid-Maryland Live” (heard weekdays 3p-6p on WFMD)

Morgan Kochenower.  Pastor at Frederick Seventh-day Adventist Church.  (www.ariseforgod.org)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A listener asks how she can be sure that she’s been born again. She’s concerned that her faith is too cold to be real. Can you relate? The Faith Debate panel tackles this concern with thoughtful analysis and heartfelt concern.

This is part two or a four part conversation. (Note: The entire email exchange between the show and the concerned listener was read on-air over the course of the two programs that led into this four-part panel discussion. To hear this, listen to the podcasts from January 6th and January 13th.)

The panel:

Troy Skinner. 930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Imran “Raz” Razvi. President of Conquered By Love Ministries and President of Higher Ground Financial Group. Elder for “The Church that Meets at Imran’s House” (affiliated with The National Center for Family-Integrated Church).

Tami Razvi. Wife to Imran and involved with all of the same ministries. Together they have written 45 books on the subject of adoption and strengthening family relationships; travelling to speak at churches, conferences, schools, and to personally coach parents.

Daniel Razvi. JD from Oak Brook College of Law. Also part of Conquered By Love Ministries. One of Imran’s and Tami’s thirteen children. (All three of this week’s guests have appeared as Faith Debate panelists multiple times in the past, as well.)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many Christians recognize a distinct pattern given in Matthew 18 for dealing with a problem, or more specifically, people who pose for us problems.  You might believe this is primarily talking about dealing with problems among believers, and that would be a good belief.  But it can be applied in many situations.  Doesn’t it always make sense to first go privately to the one with whom the problem exists?  Then take a couple of people with you, if necessary, to help clarify facts and avoid unnecessary argument?  And then ramp it up to the point where action must be taken by those in authority to do so, if it comes to that?  This makes sense, but it too rarely happens this way.  This is particularly true in today’s societal context, when Christianity intersects with Islam.  What to do, what to do.  Here to talk about it are the returning panelists from the past couple of shows.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges.  (www.crossedbridges.com)

Jim Eaton.  Pastor of Mosaic Church.  (www.mosaicmaryland.com)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disagreements and misunderstandings will happen in life, but is this ever an excuse to disrespect others?  The Bible does teach that people should speak to others with love.  Even if we have to deal strongly with certain people, love and respect should be our guide.  Our speech should be kind, but firm when necessary.  Speak firmly, but speak with respect.  Is this right?  If so, how is it accomplished when dealing with the kinds of people that history indicates might be especially difficult people for Christians to deal with?  Take Muslims, for example.  What is there to say about this?  Much.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges.  (www.crossedbridges.com)

Jim Eaton.  Pastor of Mosaic Church.  (www.mosaicmaryland.com)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christians should try to get along with other people.  Right?  But what does that mean?  Does it mean Christians should always agree with people?  Does it at least mean not intentionally looking for opportunities to anger and upset people?  Romans 12 says, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”  This Bible verse does not say it is always be possible to live peaceably, but the effort should be there.  This is true with respect to all people, and therefore it is true with respect to Muslims.  On the panel to talk about Christians interacting with Muslims in today’s world are two area pastors.  es.  And Jim Eaton, pastor of Mosaic Church.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges.  (www.crossedbridges.com)

Jim Eaton.  Pastor of Mosaic Church.  (www.mosaicmaryland.com)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the past five weeks the show has focused on a series of emails received from a listener.  The first two shows (January 6th and 13th) did not have a panel discussion, as they were used to read to you the entirety of the email exchanges.  The following three shows featured a panel discussion about the contents of the emails.  This is the fourth of the panel discussions and the final episode of the six being dedicated to the questions raised within the emails.

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Imran “Raz” Razvi.  President of Conquered By Love Ministries and President of Higher Ground Financial Group.  Elder for “The Church that Meets at Imran’s House” (affiliated with The National Center for Family-Integrated Church).

Tami Razvi.  Wife to Imran and involved with all of the same ministries.  Together they have written 45 books on the subject of adoption and strengthening family relationships; travelling to speak at churches, conferences, schools, and to personally coach parents.

Daniel Razvi.  JD from Oak Brook College of Law.  Also part of Conquered By Love Ministries.  One of Imran’s and Tami’s thirteen children.  (All three of this week’s guests have appeared as Faith Debate panelists multiple times in the past, as well.)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On January 6th and 13th we shared a lengthy email exchange between the show and a listener who is seriously wrestling with the question of her eternal salvation.  Then, on January 20th and 27th our panel began discussing the issues within the emails.  This program is part three of that panel discussion (and part five of the six shows being dedicated to the subject).

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Imran “Raz” Razvi.  President of Conquered By Love Ministries and President of Higher Ground Financial Group.  Elder for “The Church that Meets at Imran’s House” (affiliated with The National Center for Family-Integrated Church).

Tami Razvi.  Wife to Imran and involved with all of the same ministries.  Together they have written 45 books on the subject of adoption and strengthening family relationships; travelling to speak at churches, conferences, schools, and to personally coach parents.

Daniel Razvi.  JD from Oak Brook College of Law.  Also part of Conquered By Love Ministries.  One of Imran’s and Tami’s thirteen children.  (All three of this week’s guests have appeared as Faith Debate panelists multiple times in the past, as well.)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Sometimes you need to walk away.  Sometimes we need to step back and realize that it’s not personal, that a person’s argument might not center around us.  Sometimes we need to examine ourselves.  At all times we need to remember that we’re accountable to God.  Always we should pray for others, including our enemies.  Sometimes people must agree to disagree.  But always we are treat people with love.  How’s this going for us; particularly when Christians and Muslims are in the societal crossfire?  Here with the answers, we hope some answers anyway, are this week’s panelists.

 

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Jonathan Switzer.  Founder of Crossed Bridges.  (www.crossedbridges.com)

Jim Eaton.  Pastor of Mosaic Church.  (www.mosaicmaryland.com)”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A listener asks how a person can “take hold of Christ in the heart in a way that transforms”.  She is concerned that her faith is not genuine because God “seems abstract and distant”.  Then she adds, “I can’t imagine that I’m the only one having problems with this”.

Indeed she’s not alone in this.  So, a panel has been brought together to address these sorts of concerns.  This is part one or a four part conversation.  (Note:  The entire email exchange that the show had with the concerned listener was shared over the course of two programs – last week and the week before.)

The panel:

Troy Skinner.  930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate.

Imran “Raz” Razvi.  President of Conquered By Love Ministries and President of Higher Ground Financial Group.  Elder for “The Church that Meets at Imran’s House” (affiliated with The National Center for Family-Integrated Church).

Tami Razvi.  Wife to Imran and involved with all of the same ministries.  Together they have written 45 books on the subject of adoption and strengthening family relationships; travelling to speak at churches, conferences, schools, and to personally coach parents.

Daniel Razvi.  JD from Oak Brook College of Law.  Also part of Conquered By Love Ministries.  One of Imran’s and Tami’s thirteen children.  (All three of this week’s guests have appeared as Faith Debate panelists multiple times in the past, as well.)

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A listener writes:

“How do I make my heart trust when God seems abstract?  Intellectually I know He is real, but not so to my heart and experience.  Since Jesus is Peace personified, I can’t know Him without having inner peace despite circumstances.   And since I haven’t peace, I must not have Him.  Isn’t this true?  I’m sorry to be so bleak, but that’s where I am.  I’ve talked to pastors and counselors, and they don’t understand….they seem to presume I’m saved simply because I’m concerned about it, but so were King Saul, Cain and Judas…I’m afraid I’m like them.”

This is the second half of a two-part show during which we read a series of emails from a listener and share the program’s responses.  The listener expressed hope that “The Faith Debate” would tackle the subject she has raised, and we will have a panel discussion about these questions.  But first we will complete the sharing of the email exchanges during this episode.

There is no panel for this particular show as Troy Skinner (930 WFMD Host/Moderator of The Faith Debate) flies solo for the week.  Incidentally, there is a sermon transcript link mentioned during the show.  Click here for that link.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.