In Good Faith

Rev. Sage Cole, from Swedenborg Chapel in Cambridge, MA, talks about her conversion experience and walking in trust through the doors God opens, about the fascinating mystical experiences of Emanuel Swedenborg, and celebrates the most famous Swedenborgian of all--Helen Keller! Host Steven Kapp Perry talks with believers from all walks of faith--Catholic and Episcopalian, Buddhist and Baptist, Jewish and Hindu, Presbyterian and Seventh Day Adventist, Muslim and Mormon--in other words, human beings and believers, sharing their personal experience with the sacred and the divine. Sundays on BYU radio--and be sure you subscribe to the podcast!

In spite of Covid-19, I was able to have an enlightening and responsibly-distanced interview in the back courtyard of the Beacon Hill Friends House, in Boston, MA, with Jennifer Higgins-Newman and Nils Klinkenberg, respectively the Program Manager and Executive Director, who are among the 20 or so residents in this community living venture. You'll be surprised by the variety of spiritual thought and practice within Quakerism, also called The Society of Friends, and you'll be stirred--I believe--by Jen and Nils as they share some of the core beliefs that move them to stillness and move them to action. Originally aired Sunday, September 6, 2020.

Pastor Oscar T. Moses, from Calvary Baptist Church in Salt Lake City, shares his background as a police officer in Chicago, what it means to receive a call to ministry, and perspectives on race and faith in the time of Black Lives Matter.

Today on In Good Faith, Jeff Olsen shares insights from his near-death experience after a terrible car accident, and on-going inspiration from 'the other side,' thereafter.

Dr. Laurie L. Patton, President of Middlebury College, talks about why interfaith relations even matter and perhaps more importantly, HOW they can work. She's a poet and writer with a warm, personal style you'll enjoy as she recounts her journey from Unitarianism to learning Sanskrit and going on pilgrimage in India, to finding her home in Judaism. (First aired Sunday, March 29, 2020) Dr. Laurie Patton

Jamie Smith is a thinker, but that doesn’t mean he’s not willing to accept things he doesn’t completely understand. Especially when a personal conversion experience tells him there is a God who is willing to be present with us. In this interview you’ll wrestle a bit with faith and reason, about the way community can be an anchor, and choose the three pieces of art you’d take to your monastery room forever… Dr. James K. A. Smith is from Calvin University. (Special thanks to the Wheatley Institution for arranging this interview. Find them at http://wheatley.byu.edu) (Originally broadcast February 5, 2020) Dr. James K. A. Smith

Dr. Ravi Gupta, a scholar of Hinduism and holder of The Charles Redd Chair of Religious Studies at USU, talks about Vaishnava Hinduism and many questions of faith; Does becoming a scholar of your faith rob you of the joy of simply believing and practicing? Is holy writ to be taken as literal or symbolic--or does it even matter as long as it is "true"? In this interview he shares a favorite verse of the Bhagavata Purana (which he has translated into English and published) in Sanskrit, and shares why it's important to him. Questions of family, parenthood, arranged marriage, and eco-theology come up as well. Enjoy this time with a devoted practitioner and scholar who shares his faith and stories with warmth and thoughtfulness. Dr. Gupta is currently a visiting scholar at the Neal A. Maxwell Institute for Religious Scholarship at Brigham Young University.

Clare Stober from Fox Hill, a Bruderhof near Walden, NY, shares her journey from the world of business, to a life in Christian community. Yes, it is possible to create a society where there are no rich or poor, where children and elderly are welcome, where no one lives in isolation. In the new book, "Another Life Is Possible," you'll meet 100 individuals from diverse backgrounds who ventured everything to build a life together where everyone belongs and each can contribute--pooling their income, possessions, talents, and energy. Clare is the editor of the book and talks about how the Bruderhof communities have lasted 100 years, this year, and celebrates what is possible when people take a leap of faith. You'll be inspired to build a more just, peaceful, and sustainable future. Click for information on "Another Life Is Possible," and to read the stories and see the photographs.

Henry Bakarr, from Sierra Leone. Henry talks about finding a personal relationship with God in college, how his family survived the civil war in Sierra Leone, and why he always trusts God, even during the "exams" or trials we experience. Sierra Leone

Harry Kraemer Jr., former Chairman and CEO of Baxter International and academic from the Kellogg School of Management, delves into the vital balance of faith and life purpose. He emphasizes the importance of mastering one’s 168 hours weekly to align time with personal values. Kraemer explores how spirituality enriches leadership, advocating for reflection and inclusivity. He candidly shares his personal faith journey, highlighting the role of community and self-reflection in finding fulfillment amidst societal expectations.