News And Religion

Princeton Theological Seminary recently reversed its decision to award the Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life to pastor Tim Keller. Mark Tooley of the Institute on Religion and Democracy in Washington D.C. offers his perspective on that retraction. Then Mark Lockard joins Shane Raynor to discuss President Trump's proposed federal budget cuts.

Reports continue to indicate an increase in the number of exorcisms being performed by the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Patti Armstrong, a correspondent for the National Catholic Register, offers insight. And Christy Thomas joins host Shane Raynor to discuss the state of health care in America.

"Beauty and the Beast," a live-action film from Walt Disney Pictures opens March 17 in the United States and some prominent Christian leaders are encouraging Christians to boycott the film because of what the film's director has called "an exclusively gay moment." Brandon Showalter, who has been covering this story for The Christian Post, offers some insight. And a recent survey shows that two-thirds of Americans believe that Muslims face more discrimination in the U.S. than Christians, but among white evangelicals, that number drops to 44 percent. Mark Lockard and Shane Raynor discuss why.

President Trump softened his tone in a recent speech to Congress. But how often will we see this side of the president? And what happens when two American values, freedom of religion and freedom from discrimination, clash? Guests are Christy Thomas and Mark Lockard.

Are pastors losing credibility and influence in America? A new study says yes. Plus, another study suggests that Facebook makes us more narrow-minded and also creates a fertile ground for fake news. Finally, Sony has announced a new animated Spider-Man film coming in 2018 featuring black Latino teenager Miles Morales as Spider-Man's alter-ego, not Peter Parker. Guests are Mark Lockard, Christy Thomas and Joseph Yoo.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss the "Trump effect" and the country's expectations for morality from politicians. They also talk about InterVarsity's decision to terminate employees who disagree with the organization's views on gay marriage and they consider a religion columnist's recent post on why some men think church is for women. Guests are David Dorn, Joseph Yoo and Mark Lockard.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss a recent call by Roman Catholic officials for an increase in the number of exorcists in the United States. The panel also talks about a recent series of interfaith prayer services in Jerusalem and a Wall Street Journal editorialist's assertion that the Democratic party is having its Methodist moment.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss the recent deaths of Terence Crutcher and Keith Lamont Scott at the hands of police officers. They also talk about racism in America and the church's role in bringing reconciliation. Guests are Hannah Adair Bonner, Tom Fuerst and Winnie Varghese.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss a Washington Post report about some D.C. area churches that have supposedly discovered the secret to reaching millennials. Other topics include the freezing of the ESV Bible translation and a study showing that the largest megachurches are getting bigger. Panelists this week are Mark Lockard, Kira Schlesinger and Joseph Yoo.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss reasons for the so-called decline of Christianity in America put forward in a recent column by ethicist David Gushee. Guests are Ben Howard, Tom Fuerst and Christy Thomas.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss the recent EpiPen controversy, including the role Christians play in health care, free markets and economic justice. Guests are Justin Coleman, Willis Johnson, Mark Lockard and Drew McIntyre.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss a recent poll that shows the top qualities church shoppers are looking for in a church. They also talk about pluralism in America and the loyalty of many conservative values voters to presidential candidate Donald Trump. Guests are Juan Huertas, Tom Fuerst and Christy Thomas.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss whether or not church planting is the solution to the problem of declining denominations, why politicians talk so much about the middle class and the trend of newer congregations to forgo building ownership. Guests are Justin Coleman, Kira Schlesinger and Mark Lockard.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss preachers who endorse political candidates from the pulpit, a recent study showing that clergy compensation and working hours have improved over the decades and a controversial new afterschool program developed by the Satanic Temple. Guests are Mark Lockard, Christy Thomas and Tom Fuerst.

Shane Raynor and the panel discuss the recent attack by two teenage jihadists on a church in France, the possibility of the Democratic party attracting more religious voters in November and the trend of more Republican voters and Americans in general favoring the legalization of marijuana. Guests are Joseph Yoo, Rebekah Simon-Peter and Mark Lockard.

Shane Raynor, Juan Huertas and Drew McIntyre talk about the recent election of the first LGBT United Methodist bishop and the possibility of schism in the denomination. They also discuss the Republican National Convention in Cleveland and the reception a Muslim received when he gave the benediction on the event's second night.

The group discusses the Pokémon Go craze, the recent discovery of a Philistine cemetery in Israel and Ken Ham's new Ark Adventure theme park in Kentucky.

The group discusses anti-Christian sentiment in the United States, religious persecution, culture wars and why the church struggles to reach millennials and the digital generation.

The group discusses Donald Trump's recent meeting with evangelical leaders and the decisions of several United Methodist annual conferences to pass resolutions in defiance of the denomination's top legislative body. Guests include Willis Johnson, Rebekah Simon-Peter, Talbot Davis and Mark Lockard.

The group discusses the Orlando shooting, homophobia, gun control and the term "radical Islam." Guests are Kira Schlesinger, Juan Huertas and Mark Lockard.