I’ll bet you thought we had already done a show on gambling, but you would lose that bet! Today on Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith and gambling. The earliest evidence of gambling dates back to approximately 2300 BCE. The question as to whether gambling is a sin – or – is against the teachings of one’s faith, has been posed by religious people for generations. So, what do our faith traditions have to say about gambling? And, are there more subtle indicators in our faith traditions that could be applied to the issue of gambling? We’ll talk about it. Gambling, and what our faith traditions have to say about it – that’s coming up in just a moment on Friends Talking Faith.

You might be interested to see how this show evolves! On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, evolution, and the tension that has sometimes existed between faith and science. Debates between science and religion have raged for centuries. Science and its inquiries and discoveries have often been the battleground of those who claim religious faith. When science challenges an age-old faith concept or understanding, religion has sometimes been its most strident opponent. But there have also been times in history when science and faith have existed side-by-side, without tension or rancor. We’ll address the issue – in part – from the perspective of evolution. What do our three Abrahamic faith traditions have to say in regard to the relationship of faith and science? A conversation about faith and evolution – that’s coming up on this installment of Friends Talking Faith.

There is a very special observance going on across the Muslim world today – it’s called eid ul adha – any idea what it is? On this episode of Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, one of the five pillars of Islam, and a holy day happening today in the tradition of Islam. On this day – during the sacred season known as The Hajj – Muslims around the world are observing what is known as The Day of Sacrifice. We’ll hear from our very own Imam Musri about what this sacred day means for those who practice the religion of Islam. And, we’ll compare notes within our three faith traditions about similarities that we find in regard to this special day. We’ll also take a critical look at the disturbing biblical story of Abraham called to sacrifice his son, Isaac. Our conversation about The Day of Sacrifice being observed today by faithful Muslims around the world – that’s coming on this Friends Talking Faith.

Religious Truth: there are a lot of different ideas about what this means! On this episode of Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, religious truth, and the ways that it may be understood by a variety of people. It seems simple enough, someone says this is the truth that is upheld and understood by our faith tradition. But what we find, is there is a lot of disagreement about what religious truth actually means. While some state that all of religious Scripture is without error, others simply don’t believe that at all. While some would uphold certain ideas about society to be absolute from a religious perspective, others who are strong people of faith will often hold opposite ideas. What does this all mean? Is religious truth only a relative concept? We’ll talk about religious truth – that’s coming up on this Friends Talking Faith.

He says there has been a moral collapse of Evangelicals in America and Donald Trump has something to do with it. On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll talk about faith, evangelicalism in America, and how many times a person can experience conversion as a Christian. One Christian thinker suggested that, “conversion is a moment that takes a lifetime.” Our guest today seems to agree with that assessment – he says that he has experienced his third conversion. We’ll talk with the Rev. Dr. Rob Schenck about what that means to him. Also, we’ll talk about his new book, “Costly Grace: An Evangelical Minister’s Rediscovery of Faith, Hope, and Love.” Our conversation with the Rev. Dr. Rob Schenck about his – third conversion – and his new book — that’s coming up in just a moment on Friends Talking Faith.

We pause to remember one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century: The Rev. Dr. James Armstrong. On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith and a tribute to one of America’s most significant faith leaders. Two weeks ago today we learned of the death of the Rev. Dr. James Armstrong. Dr. Armstrong was 93 years old. His leadership in ministry for nearly 70 years made significant, important, and sometimes controversial contributions to the American religious experience. Today we dig into our archives and will play part of our 2014 conversation with Dr. Armstrong – he was 89 years old at the time. Also, we will talk with a very well-known Central Florida religious leader who knew Dr. Armstrong as his Bishop in his own early days of ministry. Remembering the Rev. Dr. James Armstrong – that’s on this episode of Friends Talking Faith.

Religious leaders talking about the First Amendment, what’s that all about? On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, the freedoms assured in the First Amendment, and our understanding of those from a faith perspective. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution – for many Americans – represents some of the most sacrosanct freedoms in our shared rule of law. Over the last several years there have been a number of interesting and sometimes confusing interpretations of these laws by the United States Supreme Court. We will talk about these issues from a faith perspective. Our conversation regarding the First Amendment and what faith has to say about it – that’s coming up in just a moment on Friends Talking Faith.

The Second Amendment settles any question related to gun ownership, right? On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guyswe’ll discuss faith, the second amendment, and what both the law and faith have to say about it. Some would suggest that the question about gun ownership – all guns – has been settled by the Second Amendment. But there continues to be wide ranging debate on this amendment, as with all of our freedoms. We will delve into questions from both the legal perspective and the faith perspective. Our guest today will help us sort this out. Attorney Scott Rost joins us for our discussion about the Constitution and the Second Amendment – that’s on this Friends Talking Faith.

Should voting rights be restored to felons who have served their time? On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we will discuss faith, the restoration of voting rights, and questions of societal justice. Voters will decide in November whether or not voting rights should be restored to those convicted of a felony who have served their time. But there is a debate going on, even among those who support the concept of the restoration of voting rights to felons. We will get into the conversation on this issue and talk with two people who bring opposing views, but who both support the restoration of voting rights on this issue. Our conversation with Ms. Cynthia O’Donnell, president of the Central Florida chapter of the ACLU, and Mr. Paul Heroux, a felon who has served his time – that’s coming up on this episode of Friends Talking Faith.

Picnics and cookouts with family and friends, lakeside – riverside – poolside to beat the summer heat, and fireworks galore – – but, there’s even more to Independence Day than just these things. On this Friends Talking Faith with The Three Wise Guys we’ll discuss faith, Independence Day, and the meanings of patriotism, freedom‘ and American Exceptionalism. Tomorrow, the United States will celebrate a uniquely American holiday – the fourth of July. Let’s pause for just a few moments this evening to consider what we really mean when we talk about patriotism – and also when we use the word “freedom.” Will our sacred texts and traditions provide us any guidance as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day? Our conversation about faith, patriotism, freedom, and American Exceptionalism – that’s coming up on this Friends Talking Faith.