Exploring Faith, Pursuing Grace

E74: Interfaith Dialogue - Imam Jamal Rahman, Pastor Donald McKenzie

The three branches of the Abrahamic religious tree are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. Each of these monotheistic faith systems have many differences, but they also have much in common. On this episode, Kevin and Lee are joined by Muslim Imam Jamal Rahman and Pastor Donald McKenzie. Jamal and Donald are two of the three members of the 'Interfaith Amigos', and along with Rabbi Ted Falcon (who unfortunately was unable to join us in our conversation) have worked for 20 years to increase interfaith dialogue between adherents of all religions.
This was a fun and profitable conversation, and we think you'll enjoy it!
For more info on the Interfaith Amigos, check out their website www.interfaithamigos.com
We'd love to hear from you! Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!
 
 

Q&A 10: Will Those Who Have Never Heard About Jesus be Lost?

After our episode discussing the parable of the Good Samaritan, we received several questions from you guys about the ramifications of what Kevin stated in that episode; does the parable of the Good Samaritan teach that there's a possibility that those who have never heard about Jesus could find redemption? Kevin believes that may well be, but Lee isn't quite sure about that prospect.
We received enough questions from our listeners along those lines to warrant this Q and A episode, and we hope you enjoy it!
Reach out to us with your questions and comments at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
 
Thanks for listening!

E73: Coping with Grief During the Holidays - Joy Gaertner

Everyone faces loss and grief in their lives. Losing a loved one, the end of a relationship, or even a transition from one stage of life to another can cause feelings of grief. How do we deal with those feelings effectively, especially around the holidays?
Kevin and Lee are joined by Joy Gaertner, a certified, licensed grief counselor who has helped thousands of clients address their grief in a way that honors their grief and allows them to process the complex emotions that often accompany grief through the Grief Recovery Method, a peer-reviewed and evidence-based system of therapeutically recovering from grief and loss.
More information about Joy and her work in grief recovery can be found at www.walkingwithjoy.com
 
Need to reach out to us? Shoot us a message at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
 
Thanks for listening!
 

E72: Rethinking ”Disfellowship” - Brandon Johnson

Brandon Johnson returns to the podcast for a conversation about a heavy, often painful topic; the withdrawing of fellowship from a fellow believer.
The topic of disfellowship (excommunication in some circles) is a heavy topic for many. The practice of disfellowshiping fellow believers happens far too often, many times for trivial reasons. Families, churches, and communities have been torn apart as a result of needless and flippant withdrawal of fellowship between Christians. While there is a time and place for withdrawing fellowship from a fellow believer, this practice is one that should never be considered lightly and should only be utilized as a measure of last resort. 
In this episode, Kevin, Brandon, and Lee discuss their experience with this practice in terms of being on both the 'giving' and 'receiving' end of disfellowship, what the Bible says about this practice, and how Christians can and should do better.
Questions? Comments? Email us! exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!

E71: Contextualizing Luke 9:23

"If anyone would come after me, let him take up his cross daily, and follow me". 
These words spoken by Jesus in Luke's gospel are powerful indeed, and yet the meaning and force behind these words has been diluted over time and across generations. For many, 'taking up one's cross' is relegated to bearing with the annoyances of the day, or is a statement made by many to justify remaining in toxic, dangerous, or abusive situations.
What did Jesus mean when he uttered these words? How can we apply them in our day and time? Kevin and Lee discuss this passage in this episode.Email us with your questions or comments! We love hearing from you. exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!

E70: Kevin‘s Story

You've heard Lee's story and an update to Lee's ongoing journey of faith from Legalism to Grace, and while this entire podcast is an examination of Kevin and Lee's faith journeys from various doctrinal perspectives, we've yet to discuss much of Kevin's personal journey...
...until now. 
In this episode, Kevin steps into the way back machine and discusses his life, his career as a preacher, his legalism, and his journey out of legalism and into a Christ-centered, grace-centered faith.
 
Have questions? Comments? Give us a shout at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com.
 
Thanks for listening!

Holiday Special - Halloween

Halloween is one of the biggest commercial holidays in the modern era. Children and adults alike both enjoy dressing up in costumes and celebrating the festivities of the holiday with friends and family. 
Even so, there are Christians who believe celebrating Halloween is evil, that it is a holiday that celebrates darkness, wickedness, witchcraft, and Satan, and that participating in any shape or form is sin. Other Christians believe in limited participation, while others see nothing wrong with dressing up and begging for candy. 
What are the origins of Halloween? Is Halloween, as it's celebrated in modern times, truly a Satanic holiday? Kevin and Lee discuss the history of Halloween in this episode.
Have questions? Comments? We'd love to hear from you! Email us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com
Thanks for listening!

E69: Prayer

He was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” - Luke 11:1, NRSVPrayer is a fundamental aspect of practically every religious tradition, and it's one that is often overlooked, taken for granted, misunderstood, and even overemphasized in many ways within Christianity. What exactly is prayer? What is it's purpose? Why do we pray? Is prayer transactional? Does our prayer life relegate God to the role of a mere genie who exists to grant our wishes?
Kevin and Lee discuss these ideas and more in this episode which focuses on prayer.
 
Have questions or comments? Please reach out to us at exploringfaithpursuinggrace@gmail.com!
Thanks for listening!