Finding Your Way in the Religious Maze

For more information about “Finding Your Way in the Religious Maze,” visit religiousmaze.org.

[Episode 1] I begin to map the spiritual landscape with the first of six key questions. Does God exist? I share excerpts from interviews with Keith Gasper, the leader of the Kalamazoo, Michigan chapter of Atheists Helping the Homeless, and with Chiezan Tomczyk, a monk from the SukokoJi Buddhist Temple and Monastery in Battle Creek, Michigan. Then I present a Christian response and shows how answers to this ultimate question shape our approach to suffering.The full interviews with Keith Gasper and Chiezan Tomczyk are posted on the “Finding Your Way in the Religious Maze” YouTube Channel.For a transcript of this episode or more information visit ReligiousMaze.orgSources Cited:Michael Hout and Tom W. Smith (10 March 2015). “Fewer Americans Affiliate with Organized Religions, Belief and Practice Unchanged: Key Findings from the 2014 General Social Survey.” NORC at the University of Chicago. https://www.norc.org/PDFs/GSS%20Reports/GSS_Religion_2014.pdfKelsey Jo Starr (5 April 2019). “5 Fact about Buddhists around the World” Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/04/05/5-facts-about-buddhists-around-the-world/

[Episode 2] My first key question in mapping the religious maze is, “Does God exist?” I share excerpts from my interview with Dr. Pradip Sagdeo, a devout Hindu from the Indo American Cultural Center and Temple in Portage, Michigan. Then, I explain how Hindus and Christian differ in our explanations of what God is like, and our ideas about how to relate to other viewpoints.For more information visit https://ReligiousMaze.orgReferencesIndo American Cultural Center and Temple of Portage, Michigan. https://www.kalamazootemple.org/Pew Research Center, The Changing Global Religious Landscape (5 April 2017). https://www.pewforum.org/2017/04/05/the-changing-global-religious-landscape/

[Episode 3] As we cross into the monotheistic part of the maze I share excerpts about how to relate to God from my interview with Rabbi Mordechai Haller of Chabad House in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I also introduce the second of my key theological questions, “Who is Jesus?” Then I share from the Hebrew Scripture four reasons that we need Jesus.For more information visit https://religiousmaze.orgNotesFull Interview with Rabbi Mordechai Hallerhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8A8BYAr58MChabad House of Kalamazoohttps://www.chabadwestmichigan.com/templates/articlecco_cdo/aid/1728028/jewish/Chabad-of-Kalamazoo.htmPew Research Center, A Portrait of Jewish Americans (1 Oct 2013). https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2013/10/jewish-american-full-report-for-web.pdfPew Research Center, Israel’s Religiously Divided Society (8 March 2016).https://www.pewforum.org/2016/03/08/israels-religiously-divided-society/Pew Research Center, The Changing Global Religious Landscape (5 April 2017).https://www.pewforum.org/2017/04/05/the-changing-global-religious-landscape/

[Episode 4] Hear the surprising answer Islam gives to my second key question “Who is Jesus?” I share excerpts from my interview with Hafiz Nauman Akbar, the Imam at the Kalamazoo Islamic Center, about Jesus and about Islam’s view of Scripture, God, and salvation. Then, I respond with a Christian perspective. It all revolves around the issue of whom we should trust.For more information visit https://religiousmaze.orgNotesKalamazoo Islamic Centerhttps://kalamazooislamiccenter.com/Full Interview with Hafiz Nauman Akbarhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NigOr9AdhYPew Research Center, “The Changing Global Religious Landscape” (5 April 2017).https://www.pewforum.org/2017/04/05/the-changing-global-religious-landscape/

[Episode 5] As I begin to explore the main branches of Christianity, I zoom in a level by asking my third key question, “What is salvation?” I share excerpts from my interview with Father Nicholas Kotsis of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan, highlighting the Orthodox views of interpretation, salvation, and worship. Then, I raise practical questions from a Protestant perspective.For more information visit https://religiousmaze.orgNotesSt. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of Ann Arbor, Michiganhttps://www.stnickaa.org/Full Interview with Father Nicholas Kotsishttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN8fXP9JdgIPew Research Center, “Orthodox Christianity in the 21st Century” (8 November 2017).https://www.pewforum.org/2017/11/08/orthodox-christianity-in-the-21st-century/“True Wonder” Ebookhttps://www.religiousmaze.org/teaching/wonder

[Episode 6] I explore Roman Catholicism’s answer to the question, “What is salvation?”, sharing excerpts from my interview with Father Jose Haro of St Mary’s Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan. I compare his views of interpretation, salvation, and worship with Orthodoxy and Protestantism to address the practical concern of finding hope. For more information visit https://religiousmaze.org Notes St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Kalamazoo, Michigan https://stmarykazoo.org/ Full Interview with Father Jose Haro https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YAG7Promi9s Pew Research Center, “Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population” (December 2011). https://assets.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/11/2011/12/Christianity-fullreport-web.pdf Catechism of the Catholic Church (Latin text, 1993; English text, 2003). https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM#fonte “Standing Firm” Ebook https://www.religiousmaze.org/teaching/standing

[Episode 7] To sort out the Protestant movement, I introduce my fourth key theological question, “What is the Church?” We hear the confessional Lutheran perspective from Paul Naumann, Senior Pastor of St. Michael Lutheran Church. I then compare it with the views of the Anabaptists, asking whether the church needed to start over after Catholicism and whether we all need to do the same in our spiritual lives.For more information visit https://religiousmaze.orgNotesSt. Michael Lutheran Church of Portage, Michigan https://www.mightymessengers.org/Full Interview with Paul Naumann https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpW5Ysy0GEELutheran World Federation Statistics https://www.lutheranworld.org/content/member-churchesPew Research Center, “America’s Changing Religious Landscape” (May 12, 2015). https://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/The Book of Concord http://bookofconcord.org/“Stories of Grace” E-book https://www.religiousmaze.org/teaching/stories

[Episode 8] I continue looking at Protestantism by exploring the Calvinist beliefs of Presbyterian and Reformed churches with Dr. Greg Salazar from Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. I chart their place in the maze with my fourth question, “What is the Church?” Then I introduce my fifth question, “Where is assurance found?” I respond by pointing out three pitfalls related to the question, “Do I have a choice?”For more information visit https://religiousmaze.orgNotesPuritan Reformed Theological Seminary http://prts.edu/Full Interview with Dr. Salazar https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBUqLjpaaewThe Three Forms of Unity and the Westminster Standards https://prts.edu/about/our-mission-beliefs/confessional-distinctives/?parent_menu=6Pew Research Center, “America’s Changing Religious Landscape” (May 12, 2015).https://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/Bryan’s “Count Your Blessings” E-book on Ephesians 1 https://www.religiousmaze.org/teaching/cyb

[Ep 9] To examine movements that emphasize right behavior as a source of assurance, I recount the stories and views of Pelagius, Arminius, and Wesley. I also talk with Craig Watson, Lead Pastor of Kalamazoo Free Methodist Church, and end up with three cautions relating to the idea of Christian perfectionism.For more information visit https://religiousmaze.orgNotesKalamazoo Free Methodist Church https://kalamazoofmc.org/ Full Interview with Pastor Watson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=euz5ObUKvdU The Journal of John Wesley https://ccel.org/ccel/wesley/journal/journalPew Research Center, “America’s Changing Religious Landscape” (May 12, 2015).https://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/Bryan’s “Moving Forward” E-book https://www.religiousmaze.org/teaching/moving

[Ep 10] I explore the ways the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements emphasize experience as I talk with Dave Barringer, Lead Pastor of Kalamazoo First Assembly of God. In response, I share three clarifications that I find in Scripture about miracles, spiritual gifts, the Holy Spirit, prayer, healing, and prosperity.For more information visit https://religiousmaze.orgNotesKalamazoo First Assembly of God. https://kfirst.org/Full Interview with Pastor Barringer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM6RwRjy6LE Sarah Parham, The Life of Charles Parham (1930, 1985). https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Life_of_Charles_F_Parham_Founder_of/GJ_tAAAAMAAJGary B. McGee, “William Seymour and the Azusa Street Revival” (April 4, 1999). https://news.ag.org/features/william-j-seymour-and-the-azusa-street-revival“Aimee Semple McPherson: Foursquare Phenomenon.” https://www.christianitytoday.com/history/people/denominationalfounders/aimee-semple-mcpherson.html “The Reverend Dennis J. Bennett.” http://www.emotionallyfree.org/DBbio.html Pew Research Center, “America’s Changing Religious Landscape” (May 12, 2015). https://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/Pew Research Center, “Global Christianity – A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population” (Dec 19, 2011). https://www.pewforum.org/2011/12/19/global-christianity-exec/ Bryan’s “Strong: The Armor of God” E-book https://www.religiousmaze.org/teaching/strong

I introduce my sixth key question for mapping the religious landscape and discuss the opposing answers given by Liberalism and Fundamentalism with David Nichols, Senior Pastor of First Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, and R. J. Morelli, Pastor of Temple Baptist Church also in Kalamazoo. For more information visit https://www.religiousmaze.org NotesFirst Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan. https://www.fbckazoo.org/Full Interview with Pastor Nichols. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Z7iBjUrnq0Walter Rauschenbusch, A Theology for the Social Gospel (1917). https://www.google.com/books/edition/A_Theology_for_the_Social_Gospel/DHEAAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=0 World Council of Churches. https://www.oikoumene.org/what-we-do Temple Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan. https://www.templebaptist-kalamazoo.org/ Full Interview with Pastor Morelli. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVIChCC2Qwo Bryan's Article, “The Infallible King James?” https://www.religiousmaze.org/blog/the-infallible-king-james Bryan's E-Book on the Book of Revelation “Knowledge of the Future—Strength to Persevere” https://www.religiousmaze.org/teaching/revelation

I compare four definitions of what it means to be an Evangelical, discuss the Church Growth Movement with Jeff Porte, Lead Pastor of Centerpoint Church in Kalamazoo, and talk about Christian political involvement with R. J. Morelli, Pastor of Temple Baptist Church in Kalamazoo. Then I close out season 1 by summing up where I personally stand in the religious maze.For more information visit https://www.religiousmaze.org NOTES Centerpoint Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan. https://www.centerpointkzoo.org/ Full Interview with Pastor Porte. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKXxJROmTeU Temple Baptist Church of Kalamazoo, Michigan. https://www.templebaptist-kalamazoo.org/ Full Interview with Pastor Morelli. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVIChCC2Qwo Bryan E-book “The Gospel-Shaped Heart.” https://www.religiousmaze.org/teaching/gsheart