Are human beings born innocent or corrupt? Do we have the ability to create a perfect world, or is that impossible? Those drawing on Enlightenment assumptions assert that man is born pure, and that corruption comes through outside forces. In this view, utopia becomes achievable to the extent that we eliminate all sources of corruption. But rather than ushering in heaven on earth, this outlook actually has a long track record of creating totalitarian dystopias. So where is our culture headed at present, and which vision of man and society will ultimately prevail? On this episode, Shane Rosenthal talks with Os Guinness about the thesis of his new book, The Magna Carta of Humanity: Sinai’s Revolutionary Faith and the Future of Freedom.

Was the book of James written by one of the twelve disciples or the brother of Jesus? Are there any references to James outside the world of the New Testament? Many scholars have concluded that his epistle was likely written in the early- to mid-forties of the first century. Since James so frequently quotes and alludes to the sayings of Jesus throughout his epistle, this provides strong evidence that both he and his readers were saturated in Jesus’ teaching from a very early date. On this episode, Shane Rosenthal begins a two-part discussion of the book of James with Bob Hiller, author of Finding Christ in the Straw, A Forty-Day Devotion on the Book of James.

For the past 500 years, Protestants have argued that the doctrine of justification by faith alone is a core component of the gospel of Jesus Christ. But sometimes opponents of the Reformation claim that the Bible actually teaches the opposite. In James 2:24, for example, we’re told that “a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” So what is the point James is making, and does his teaching actually conflict with Paul and others? Shane Rosenthal discusses this with Bob Hiller, author of Finding Christ in the Straw, as they continue their discussion of the book of James.

At the heart of the division between Protestants and Catholics is the disagreement over the doctrine of justification. According to Catholic theology, justification is believed to be a lifelong process in which the sinner becomes intrinsically righteous, to the extent that he or she cooperates with grace. On the other side, Protestants assert that this ends up confusing justification with sanctification. Whereas sanctification is a process, justification is a once-for-all declaration of right standing with God that is ultimately rooted in Christ’s perfect righteousness. On this program the hosts walk through all the issues involved in this historic debate (originally aired 08-21-16).