Up for Debate

Dr. Richard Land and Jim Wallis—they're both evangelicalleaders. But one's on the political Right; the other, thepolitical Left. This Saturday on Up For Debate, both Dr.Land and Jim Wallis join Julie to discuss everything fromhealthcare and the environment to immigration and foreignpolicy. As a conservative, Dr. Land of the Southern BaptistConvention believes in small government, low taxes, and personalresponsibility. However, Jim Wallis, founder of Sojourners,believes the government should be a tool for "social justice" andshould redistribute wealth. Don't miss what's sure to be afascinating and engaging conversation this Saturday at 8 a.m. onUp For Debate!  

Have Christians become too political or is engaging in politics something God commands—a way of fulfilling the so-called "cultural mandate"? This Saturday on Up For Debate, Host Julie Roys will discuss this issue with Rob Schwarzwalder, senior vice president for the Family Research Council—and David Fitch, author of The End of Evangelicalism?. That's this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up For Debate!

Are Christians too obsessed with sports? Does this obsession cause them to embrace unbiblical values? Host Julie Roys discusses the issue this Saturday on Up For Debate. Joining her will be Dr. Shirl Hoffman, author of "Good Game: Christianity and the Culture of Sports," and Ted Kluck, author of "The Reason For Sports: A Christian Fanifesto." Don't miss this lively discussion on Christianity and sports—this Saturday at 8 a.m on Up For Debate!

Immigration—What's a Christian Response?Does Christian compassion require offering amnesty to illegal immigrants or does respect for law suggest they should be deported? On the next Up For Debate, host Julie Roys will discuss both sides of this difficult issue. Joining her will be Lisa Sharon Harper of Sojourners and Israel Ortega of the Heritage Foundation. That's this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up For Debate!

Marketing your church will make it grow—but is it worth the cost? On the next Up For Debate, host Julie Roys explores this issue with Richard Reising, author of “Church Marketing 101,”and John Hardin, a historian and critic of the church marketing model. Reising says church marketing can be biblical and strategic. But, Hardin argues that it inevitably perverts the gospel message. Consider both sides of this important issue this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up For Debate!

Evangelicals are re-thinking contraception after about 50 years of embracing it. This Saturday on Up For Debate, Julie Roys will explore how evangelical views on this topic have evolved over the years with Dr. Allan Carlson, author of "Godly Seed." Then, she'll discuss arguments for contraception with Dr. Jack Davis, ethicist and professor at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary; and against contraception with popular theologian and author, Christopher West. That's this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up For Debate! (This program was originally aired May 26, 2012)Listen to Julie’s recorded interview with Allan Carlson to preview this program.

Though once taboo among Christians, tattoos now are widely accepted — especially among so-called Millennials. In fact, nearly 40% of young adults aged 18–28 have tattoos. That’s more than four times the number in the Baby Boom generation! This Saturday, we’ll explore tattoos and the Christian meaning of our bodies. Joining host Julie Roys will be Jeremy Edmondson, pastor of Resurgence Church in Evansville, Ind., who proudly sports dozens of tattoos. Also joining Julie will be Matthew Lee Anderson, author of Earthen Vessels. (This program originally aired May 5, 2012)

Should you leave your church if it's forsaking biblical orthodoxy? That's the topic this week on Up For Debate. And, it's a question many in the Episcopal Church are facing after the denomination voted last week to bless same-sex unions. Joining host Julie Roys will be someone who chose to stay with the Episcopal Church in an effort to reform it—and someone who's chosen to leave. Just when is leaving your church appropriate? Join the discussion this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up For Debate!

The nation's largest Presbyterian denomination says it's wrong to spank kids. What do you think? Join host Julie Roys who will be discussing the issue this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up For Debate. Joining her will be a commissioner with the Presbyterian Church who opposes spanking—and a staff counselor with Focus on the Family who supports it. That's this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up For Debate.

Is America exceptional—a so-called "City on a Hill"? And, if so, what makes her exceptional? Should she advance her ideals around the world? Julie Roys will tackle these questions this Saturday on Up For Debate. Joining her will be Bob Morrison, senior fellow for policy studies for the Family Research Council and an advocate of Exceptionalist doctrine. Also joining Julie will be Dr. John Wilsey—a critic of American Exceptionalism and the author of One Nation Under God.

Should churches push abstinence? Or, given that unmarried evangelicals increasingly are getting pregnant and aborting, should churches now be encouraging contraception? Host Julie Roys tackles this controversial issue this Saturday on Up For Debate. Joining Julie will be Marvin Olasky of World Magazine. Olasky recently reported that the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE) is partnering with the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy to forward an agenda that includes contraception for singles. Also joining Julie will be Gabe Lyons, founder of the Q Gathering—a conference attracting hundreds of young, influential evangelical leaders to explore cultural questions. The last Q conference featured a panel discussion on whether the church should encourage contraception. At the NAE's request, the CEO of the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy was included on that panel. Also adding to the discussion will be Scott Phelps, chairman of the National Abstinence Education Association, and Jonathan Merritt, a popular writer on the intersection of faith and culture.

Is modern psychology compatible with Scripture? Dr. Richard Ganz, author of Psychobabble, contends it is not. Dr. Ganz holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and, at one time, taught psychiatry at a major university. But, after becoming a believer, he became convinced that secular psychology could not be integrated with Christianity and become a proponent of so-called "biblical psychology." However, Dr. Eric Johnson, director of the Society for Christian Psychology, believes differently. He thinks that in some areas (like neural transmission, memory formation, etc.), secular psychology can contribute to a better understanding of human nature. We'll consider both sides of this fascinating debate this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up For Debate!

Church-going Christians, on average, give about 2.4% of their income to their church (source: Empty Tomb Inc.). Is that a problem? Some say Christians don't have to give 10% under the New Covenant. Others, however, say God still expects His people to tithe. This Saturday, Julie Roys discusses the issue with Chuck Bentley, CEO of Crown Financial Ministries — and Dr. David Croteau, a Bible professor at Liberty University. Their answers may surprise you. Don't miss Up For Debate, Saturday, June 16, at 8 a.m.!  

Should Christians support animal welfare groups? Or, has our society made animals into idols — spending millions to promote their welfare while neglecting the needs of people? This Saturday on Up For Debate, host Julie Roys will discuss these questions with guests on both sides of the issue. Joining her will be a Texas veterinarian who sold his practice to become a missionary so he could treat animals that support families — not vice-versa. Also joining her will be a member of the Faith Advisory Council for the Humane Society of the U.S. That's this Saturday at 8 a.m. on Up For Debate!

Julie Roys explores this question Saturday morning on Up For Debate. Joining her will be the lead pastor of Liquid Church — a church that’s pushing the envelope in this area, even performing secular songs in its Sunday worship! However, questioning the wisdom of this approach will be Dr. Bob Myers, a music pastor and former professor of worship leadership at Huntington University. Don’t miss Up For Debate this Saturday at 8 a.m.!