In this episode of Faith Informed, we will delve into prayer. What is prayer? Why should we pray? Does prayer alter God’s plans and purposes? Is prayer really efficacious or is it pointless? Dr. Craig Hazen (former director of the Apologetics Program at Biola University) joins Sam Raju to answer these questions and more. We will examine passages like John 15:7, “ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” What does Jesus mean here?

(Part 2) On his recent visit to Estonia, Sam was interviewed by Estonian National primetime TV host and actor Hannes Hermaküla on the relationship between faith and science, the problem of evil and more.

On his recent visit to Estonia, Sam was interviewed by Estonian National primetime TV host and actor Hannes Hermaküla on the relationship between faith and science, the problem of evil and more.

In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into some crucial questions about the church. What is the church? Why should believers be a part of it? What are the challenges it faces today, especially in the West? And how can we navigate disputes and show love to those we disagree with?

In this episode, we will continue our conversation with Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec on the NAR movement. The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) began in the 1980s and has since gained a global following. Rooted in churches such as Bethel Church in Redding, CA, and the International House of Prayer (IHOP) in Kansas City, Kansas, the NAR has experienced rapid growth. However, many of the NAR's teachings diverge significantly from historic Christianity, with some even being labeled as "heresy."

Although the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) might be unfamiliar to many, names like Bethel and IHOP likely ring a bell. Bethel, a major NAR proponent, is known for more than just popular worship songs. It's important for Christians to understand the teachings and practices associated with this movement, characterized by self-proclaimed prophets and apostles and terms like “activate” and “miracle worker.”

Join me as I discuss the NAR movement with Doug Geivett and Holly Pivec, co-authors of Counterfeit Kingdom. They have extensively studied the movement and will guide us through NAR’s beliefs, practices, and teachings.

In this episode, we will continue our conversation with Dr. JP Moreland on the relationship between science and religion, particularly focusing on whether scientific discoveries point towards the existence of a divine creator. From the Big Bang theory to evolutionary biology, each scientific discovery has provided insights into the intricate workings of the cosmos. However, as our understanding of the natural world has expanded, so too have the questions surrounding the existence of God. The "God of the gaps" argument suggests that as scientific knowledge fills gaps in our understanding, the necessity for a divine explanation diminishes. Has science shown that God does not exist or does science point us to God?

Is there a conflict between belief in God and science? Has science rendered belief in God implausible? The prevailing idea that science has indeed made belief in God untenable is largely due to the immense cultural authority attributed to science today. When figures like Richard Dawkins assert that science has demonstrated the nonexistence or highly improbable existence of God, many accept this perspective without much contemplation. Another prevailing notion in contemporary culture is that science alone provides knowledge. Phrases like "follow the science" or "science tells us” underscore the perceived authority of science in culture today. Science is often regarded as the ultimate or sole source of knowledge. However, is it accurate to believe that science exclusively grants us knowledge?

Furthermore, an idea deeply ingrained in contemporary culture is that, unlike religion, science is free from assumptions, grounded solely in hard evidence and facts. Religion, by contrast, is often characterized as irrational, dogmatic, faith-based, superstitious, subjective, and even anti-scientific. Some argue that religion hinders the progress of science. Does the belief in God impede scientific progress? Are science and faith fundamentally at odds or incompatible?