Faith Busters Radio

On a regular basis, Mark discusses divorce and porn being the two biggest issues the church has found itself ill equipped to handle and on our latest episode, we talk with Mike Genung, CEO of Blazing Grace, who has spent most of his adult life helping people with porn addictions.  Author of the new book, The Rogue Christian, Genung discusses the rise of porn use in the pandemic and what families need to do to escape its grip. 

The Covid-19 outbreak has brought out the best in our churches as they've scrambled to serve their congretation through social media and web broadcasting.  Some have been better at it than others. Church consultant Andy McKeever who works in the Detroit area with one of the area's largest churches, Woodside Bible (14 campuses) discusses the behind the scenes work that's gone into moving its congregation online and what churches might look like at the end of the "Pandemic." 

Many evangelical churches align with the conservative Republican views of the day, and in this case, views on immigration.  Mark and Dave discuss the mentality of "we're here so no one else gets in" as being contrary to the biblical views we as Christians should have and the belief that this same viewpoint is hypocritical in a country built on refugees and immigration.  

On this episode of Faithbusters, Mark and Dave welcome Twyla Franz, who blogs about and has a podcast discussing Neighborhood Missional Living - in other words, how about engaging your neighbors as part of your faith?  The old statement "don't go on the mission field until you meet your neighbors" still holds true today.  Twyla, an admitted introvert, has made it HER mission to engage the people in her community and neighborhood.  You can find her writing at www.theuncommonnormal.com   

On this episode we conclude our "Four Biggest Issues" discussion looking at whether Christian teaching is outdated, dangerous and extreme and how the church has become isolated, fragmented and polarized.  Mark and Dave look at whether any of this is true and what we can do to counter these observations from today's disaffected church goers. 

If you've listened to this podcast over the past few years, you know we LOVE lists and we've found another one to ponder this week.  As a matter of fact we've got so much to say about it, we've broken it down into two shows. So in our latest episode of Faithbusters, Mark and Dave discuss the first two of the FOUR biggest issues facing the church today beginning with selfishness and individualism and then the pragmatic view of the church in our society.  While it's ludicrous to think there might be only four, there's much to say here regardless. 

This is "one of those topics" that most don't like to discuss but as usual, Mark and Dave air it out in a freewheeling (unrehearsed) discussion of whether evangelical Christians can co-exist with gay couples in the pews.  

In the Me Too era, have we really advanced male-female relationships in the church and what are we teaching our boys in regards to how to respect women? Do biblical church teachings in themselves hold us back? Dave Willis, speaker and relationship coach as well as author of the book "Raising Boys Who Respect Girls" joins Mark and Dave to discuss. 

What's wrong with a little dysfunction from the pulpit? Does pastoral dysfunction make your church leaders more real?  What's so bad about pastors having a back story? Mark and the man who puts the fun in dysfunction, Pastor Dave, discuss on this episode of Faithbusters. 

We put them on the pedestal and then knock them down.  Mark and Dave return to the airwaves after a one year hiatus to discuss the latest issues surrounding people who are thrust into the Christian spotlight because they have a stage, a pulpit or a microphone - recently with the fall of comedian John Crist and the departure from Christianity of author and speaker Josh Harris.  

Mark and Dave have talked about church hopping in the past, but this is a different story - sometimes, it's okay to move on from your current church.  But when? And why? We all know you get out of things what you put into them, but when do you determine you're at the wrong church and you're just not getting what you need to grow and build your faith? Is it selfish? All of this and more (much more) discussed in this latest edition of Faith Busters. 

After a multi month hiatus, the boys (Mark and Dave) are back for a look at how churches need to be more engaged in helping the transition for teenagers from high school to college in "Losing Your Religion 101" and the battle parents wage to keep their kids "faithful" at the University level.  Mark and Dave also look at the passing of Billy Graham and the impact he made on the religious landscape. 

When you look at the world around us and the countries where Christians are being persecuted, or at the very least having their rights taken away - do we really need to be fighting for religious liberty in a country that, for the most part, protects us?  Is there a dearth of religious liberty in the U.S.?  Are we fighting a problem that doesn't exist? Mark and Dave discuss it on this edition of Faith Busters. 

Mark and Dave ask one of those obvious questions that no one seems to ask IN the church (because plenty talk about it - outside of the church) - why in the world do we need all those churches? Can't you guys just merge? Don't churches get along, is that why they start their own? Mark believes it's like a baseball or hockey coach that starts their own team to get their kids more playing time. Dave comes at this from a very different viewpoint, which makes for some interesting discussion on this edition of Faith Busters

Are we discouraging people from getting married because we keep talking about how hard it is? Are we doing a disservice to our kids and those looking forward to marriage by beating the drum that marriage is SO hard - thus discouraging them from taking the plunge? Mark and Dave talk about the truth and the fallacy relating to marriage in the 2010s. 

Has your church been taken over be a desire to reach those who aren't currently going to your congregation? We're all for reaching the lost and the seekers, but do we have to dump the core members of our church in the process? It's like the cell phone companies that give so much better deals to NEW customers and leave the old ones behind. Mark and Dave discuss how this pracdice is causing long time churchgoers to leave and the sad thing is - no one is noticing? 

Mark and Dave talk to Pastor and Author Ben Young about his new book "Room For Doubt" and discuss how doubt regarding our faith can actually be healthy.  

The only thing harder for people trying to engage a subcultur.te like Evangelical Christianity is trying to manage and understand its lexicon. Man, we use a lot of terms that no one outside the church could EVER embrace!  On this edition of Faith Busters, Mark and Dave have some fun with overused Church Jargon and expose the excruciating way we discuss basic church doctrine and terms that exclude those trying to learn about the faith. 

20 years ago, Josh Harris, a 20 year old writing prodigy, published a book called "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" and turned the Christian youth group world on its ear.  Now at the age of 40, Josh has launched an apology tour asking people to forgive him for what he now says was erroneous advice.  Not only that - he wants you to give to a kickstarter program financiig a documentary on his apologies.  Needless to say, Mark and Dave are not going to be contributing.  They discuss changing dating roles and some of the fallout from Josh's advice. 

"Be anxious about nothing?" We all know the verse, but in spite of that, we all deal with a dose of anxiety in our lives - some more than others - like co-host Mark Gilman, but on this edition of Faith Busters, Mark and Dave Gerber discuss a list that was put together by researchers on what really makes Christians, speciifically, anxious as all get out.  The guys discuss ways to counter that and look to God for answers. 

You've seen them on street corners, at public transit stations, outside of ballparks and on college campuses - the people with the megaphones and microphones telling you you're either going to Hell or need to repent or both.  But why? Mark and Dave discuss the history and implications of this "in your face and in your ears" evangelism and whether or not there are more effective ways to reach people for Jesus (there are)?

Feminism and the church is as old as ... well, the bible.  Today we look at the new post-modern feminism and our guests Wendy Alsup and Tami Zacharias don't believe feminism should be co-opted by the liberal women's rights movement. 

Where would we be without our cell phones? More improtantly - how are you using them? There are certainly good ways to tweak your cell phone use so it's more "Earthly and Heavenly Good." On this episode, Mark and Dave discuss ways to use your cellular attachment for good and how mobile device use in the church has changed over recent years, even in the pulpit. 

In part two of our shows on dating we look at the terrifying travails of online dating fromt he perspective of Carrie Lloyd, a pastor and author of countless relationship articles as well as her latest book, "Prude." From eHarmony to Match to Christian Mingle we take a look a hard look at the pitfalls and barriers online dating presents us with and some common sense advice on how to survive dating in the 2010's.  

For many, Divorce and moving on is hard enough, but when you are ready to share your life with someone again - the "fun" begins.  Dating after divorce is not for the faint of heart.  Joining us to discuss the topic is Psychologist Karla Downing and Author Shana Schutte who have both written much on the subject. We talk about everything from knowing when you're ready (if ever) and how to blend families responsibly.  

Is it tougher to forgive others or forgive yourself? Then there's the obvious issue of whether we forgive someone who doesn't admit a wrong.  We tackle three areas of forgiveness in this program - forgiving others, others forgiving you and forgiving yourself (possibly the toughest of all three). We take a biblical look at forgiveness and what it means for your well-being and relationship with God. 

We live in the most tolerant and intolerant world ever.  How far do we as believers go to make those asking for tolerance happy? How do we appear more tolerant yet hold true to our biblical principles? And what about discussing the fact that Jesus is the only way to heaven? How intolerant is that? Join us for the discussion. 

Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, Instagram, etc....there's never been more ways to reach people and never more ways to drive people from the faith and misrepresent yourself. Decorum and social media are opposing terms these days and Christians have certainly fallen into the trap of their social media life not reflecting the life of Christ they want to portray day-to-day. Should we leave social media altogether or do a better job using these tools to share, encourage and uplift? What a concept!  Mark and Dave discuss social media and the ways we misuse it and ways to turn it into good. 

We all know people who die too early, are chronically sick and never seem to get out of the woods. What about those with debilitating injuries like ALS and those who have become physically handicapped? Where is God? Why does he allow sickness?  Mark and Dave delve into this topic using insight and scripture to help the Faith Buster dilemma of "Where is God When I'm Sick?"

Sports is a slippery slope for your kids - it can rule the life of your family and take your eye off what should be important - like faith and education. BUT - it can also bring a family together and give your kids valuable life skills, in moderation. How much is too much? It's really about balance and priorities. Mark and Dave tackle this topic on this week's edition. 

There's nothing worse than Christians who develop an urging to debate minutia. We're not talking about the folks out there, like the apologists, who debate real issues for a living - or a ministry - we're talking about dumb discussions and debates over bible versions, dinosaurs and other silly things that have no earthly (or heavenly) meaning. Then there's the debates that Christians get into with non-Christians. Now THERE'S a Faith Buster! 

One of the biggest frustration for Christian parents is when their children decided to back off or in some cases run from the faith they were raised in. In this episode, Mark and Dave talk to noted Christian author and mother of five, Susan Yates, who shares her insight into how parents can best deal with children and young adults who fall away from the faith.

On this week's episode, Mark and Pastor Dave look at the church building phenomenon.  When will we have enough churches? Do we really need a building program? People leave chuches all the time because they don't believe the best us of God's money is to b build yet another or bigger churches. Sure, there are exceptions, but does it really lead to more parishioners?  We discuss. 

Let's be frank - if Jesus were here on Earth he wouldn't be involved in politics. AND if he was running for office, he'd be the most unpopular candidate ever. Christians and politics. We've (not) come a long way baby. What are we to do? Should we allow candidates in the pulpit? Why do Christians blindly follow conservatives who have no moral base? We discuss all of this on our "Jesus is NOT on the Ballot" edition of Faith Busters. 

One of Mark's Dad's favorite sayings was, "you can pick your nose, you can pick your friends, but you can't pick your family," which seemed an (in)appropriate title for our show this week discussing toxic family members and how to navigate it. Family members can certainly be a Faith Buster, either by challenging your faith or setting a bad example for theirs. Who do you navigate it? How do you stop them from stealing your faith? Mark and Pastor Dave discuss. 

We are as a people, horrible about knowing what to say when someone we care about loses a loved one.  The Christian community is no exception to this, as we consistently say the wrong things and like to make it about us. Pastor Dave Gerber shares with co-host Mark Gilman his experiences as a hospice chaplain and things he's seen and heard that could ruin friendships and a testimony. 

There's a lot of hokum out there about whether Christians should make New Year's resolutions. We do not deal with that issue in this show - you're welcome - but we do talk about how we can set reasonible goals and make personal changes that are good for everyone. New Year's Day or May Day, it doesn't matter when. Just make some changes! 

Christians set a horrible example in how they tip and how they treat people in the customer service industry. Mark and Dave have some "tips" of their own in how to set a better example. Also - What's so wrong about church hopping? Plenty. 

So how far do we dip our toes in the world before we drown? Mark and Dave discuss the tightrope we walk as Christians to be known for our faith yet not alienate others in the process. 

We've heard everything from - "the church would be a great place with people," and "the greatest deterrant to people going to church are Christians!"  We tackle the topic of why? and how we can be better portals to fellow Christians and those seeking. And of course, tackle the greatest opposition statement of church attendance - "why should I go, the place is full of hypocrites!"