Summary

Hosts Calvin Moore, Kent Straith, and Steve Phelps sit down with Pastor Scott Sauls and Rabbi to discuss the topic of religion. Both Scott and Asher share their backgrounds and how they became interested in religion, despite Scott growing up in a home where one parent was hostile toward faith, while Asher was brought up in an observant Jewish household. They discuss the purpose of religion, the importance of meaningful relationships, the role of rituals and observance, and the social function of religion in the world.

Chapters

• · First Interest in Religion
• · The General Purpose of Religion
• · The Specific Purpose of Christianity
• · The Specific Purpose of Judaism
• · The Social Function of Religion

ASHER LOPATIN (JEWISH RABBI)

Asher Lopatin is the Director of Community Relations at the Jewish Federation of Greater Ann Arbor. He is an American Open Orthodox rabbi and leader of Kehillat Etz Chayim, an Open Orthodox synagogue in Oak Park, MI. Asher is also the founder and executive director of the Detroit National Center for Civil Discourse, which has run a Fellowship in Civil Discourse at Wayne State University since September 2019. Previously, he was the President of Yeshivat Chovevei Torah (2013-2018) and the spiritual leader of Anshe Sholom B'nai Israel Congregation in Chicago before that. He is a Rhodes Scholar and a Council on Foreign Relations member.

You can hear more from Rabbi Asher Lopatin on his podcast, “A Rabbi and a Lawyer Walk into a Bar” https://rabbilawyerbar.com/

SCOTT SAULS (CHRISTIAN PASTOR)

Scott Sauls is husband to Patti, dad to Abby and Ellie, and formerly served as senior pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee and previously a lead and preaching pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian in New York City after planting two churches in Kansas City and St. Louis. More recently, Scott has founded The Sycamore Collective, an in-person masterclass for high output leaders and influencers. Scott has authored multiple books and blogs regularly at scottsauls.com. His work has also been featured in Christianity Today, Relevant magazine, Catalyst Leadership magazine, and other publications. Connect with Scott on Facebook or Twitter and Instagram at @scottsauls and his website www.scottsauls.com.

Run Time 34m22s