Conversant Live

Spiritual Profiling: Samaritans and Sadducees

Conversant Live — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 11:40:45 -0800

Tom Hovestol is the author of Spiritual Profiling: How Jesus Interacted with 8 Different Types of People and Why It Matters to You (Moody Publishers). Here Tom talks about two groups--the Samaritans and the Sadducees--that Jesus dealt with. The Samaritans were the outcasts, yet Jesus says more commendable things about them than anyone else. The Sadducees were the power elites and were the toughest for Jesus to reach.

Spiritual Profiling Part 2 from ConversantLife on Vimeo.

Advice for Christians, a Challenge for Skeptics

Conversant Live — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 10:50:08 -0800

This is the final segment of a four-part conversation with a former Christian, William Lobdell and a former atheist, John Ball. William offers some direct advice for Christians: Get some humility, and don't be afraid to explore different things. And Joan has some words for skeptics: Know the real substance of what you're pushing against, and don't confuse that with what people may say or do.

Joan Ball and William Lobdell Part 4: For Christians and Skeptics from ConversantLife on Vimeo.

Spiritual Profiling Part 1

Conversant Live — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 16:13:04 -0800

These days we talk a lot about "pluralism"--indicating the variety of religious and moral beliefs in our culture--as if that's a new concept. In fact, the world in the first century, when Jesus walked the earth, was far more religiously pluralistic than most of us imagine. He met, ate alongside, and conversed with secular leaders, detached believers, traditional power players, and many others. From every perspective, Jesus' world looked a lot like our world.

In Spiritual Profiling, a fascinating new book by Tom Hovestol, these two worlds come together in a dynamic way. ConversantLife.com is excited to feature Tom and his book, which shows how Jesus would have interacted with people today--both religious and secular. Through extensive research into the practices and mindsets of people living at the time of Jesus, Tom uncovered eight distinct groups and gave each one a "spiritual profile."

In Part 1 of our 4-part video interview, Tom talks about the first two groups in his book. First are the Gentiles, which we would call the "unchurched" today. These are people who have littile or no connection with the one true God or the church. The other group of people Jesus encountered were the detached Jews, which we might refer to as church "drop outs." These are people who have been hurt or lost hope, or found their expectations unmet, or found their participation in church unappreciated.

Maybe you can identify with one of these two groups of people. If not, there are six more spiritual profiles to come, so check back right here in the coming days and weeks. Find out how Jesus may have connected with you.

Tom Hovestol - Pt. 1 from ConversantLife on Vimeo.

An Uncertain Faith

Conversant Live — Fri, 12 Nov 2010 14:20:04 -0800

Joan Ball, author of Flirting With Faith, and William Lobdell, who wrote Losing My Religion, get to the heart of faith in Part 3 of their 4-part conversation. "I embrace a very uncertain faith that many people are trying to make certain," Joan says. "By trying to make our faith certain, one cannot help but box it in and intellectualize it and make it human.

Joan Ball and William Lobdell Part 3: How do I love my enemy? from ConversantLife on Vimeo.

Lack of Courage

Conversant Live — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 10:42:16 -0700

Joan Ball, author of Flirting With Faith, and William Lobdell, author of Losing My Religion, continue their conversation about God and faith and Christians. "I don't think there are a lot of Christians out there that deep down truly believe the Gospels," says William. "If they did, they would act quite differently." Furthermore, he believes Christians lack the courage to stand up when they see abuse and scandal in their own faith.

For her part, Joan has had some wonderful experiences with Christians, and some experiences that make her want to shake her head.

Joan Ball and William Lobdell Part 2: Lack of Courage from ConversantLife on Vimeo.

Hip Hop Overview

Conversant Live — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:36:59 -0700

Hip Hop is the soundtrack of forgotten streets that defy our forgetfulness. Its tones are sometimes inspired, sometimes enraged, sometimes despairing, sometimes hopeful.

So begins a fascinating new book by Daniel Hodge, a long-time ConversantLife.com blogger and the author of The Soul of Hip Hop (InterVarsity Press). Bobby Duran, Events Production Manager for Urban Youth Workers Institute, sat down with Daniel for a three-part interview that will inform and inspire you (even if you aren't a Hip Hop fan). In this interview, Daniel gives a birds-eye view of this cultural phenomenon. "Rap is something that's done, but Hip Hop is something that's lived," Daniel says. "People have a story and they want it to be heard. How do we engage that?"

Part 1 - "Hip Hop Overview" from ConversantLife on Vimeo.

Conversion and Deconversion

Conversant Live — Sat, 16 Oct 2010 08:43:01 -0700

Joan Ball is a former atheist who found faith in the most dramatic way possible. Now, seven years later, she "dances with both faith and doubt." William Lobdell is a former Christian whose crisis of faith compelled him to turn his back on the God he once believed in. Joan's story is told in her new book, Flirting With Faith, while Bill shares his journey in Losing My Religion.

ConversantLife sat down with Joan and Bill for a dialogue about faith and doubt and what it means to honestly confront the most important questions any thoughtful person can ask. Here is Part 1 on a continuing conversation.

Joan Ball and William Lobdell Part 1: Conversion/Deconversion from ConversantLife on Vimeo.

Kristin Ritzau "A Beautiful Mess"

Conversant Live — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 09:44:54 -0700

Kristin Ritzau, author of the new book, A Beautiful Mess, sat down with Cissy Brady-Rogers, a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, to talk about the important themes and outcomes of her book. A Beaufiful Mess is getting attention from key influencers like Dr. John Trent, who says: "Read this book! It is a life-changing look at the unavoidable forces that create unrealistic expectations and perfectionism, and at an even more powerful path towards freedom and the joy-in-life you've been longing for."

"A Beautiful Mess" by Kristin Ritzau from ConversantLife on Vimeo.

Frank Pastore "Shattered" Livestream

Conversant Live — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 13:47:06 -0700

Here is the Livestream interview with Frank Pastore direct from the KKLA studio. Frank is the host of The Frank Pastore Show, the most popular Christian talk show in the country, and the author of Shattered: Struck Down, But Not Destroyed (Tyndale House Publishers).

Frank Pastore "Shattered" from ConversantLife on Vimeo.

Hipster Christianity

Conversant Live — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:30:34 -0700

We had a great conversation with Brett McCracken, author of the brand new book, Hipster Christianity (Baker Books). Joining Brett were Rebecca Ver-Straten McSparran, Director of the LA Film Studies program, and Laurel Dailey a professional photographer who produced and shot the photos for the book's website, hipsterchristianity.com.

ConversantLife with Brett McCracken and Hipster Christianity HD from ConversantLife on Vimeo.