How often do you have a conversation with someone who has a different faith than you do?
I know some Christians who won’t talk to anyone except people they agree with 100%. They live in a “safe” little bubble. But over the years, I have learned so much from people with a different faith than mine. In fact, it always ends up strengthening my own faith when I talk to someone I don’t agree with on everything.
For a full transcript: Episode 250
This week, my guest is Joshua Tapp. We met at a podcast conference in Orlando, in January 2024. I liked Josh from the first moment I met him. He was one of the speakers at this conference and helped me to think in a bigger way of how I can reach more people with The Bible Speaks to You Podcast.
Celebrating Episode 250
In celebration of Episode 250 – What a milestone! – I’ve flipped things up a little. Josh asked me the questions and then we just had a conversation about the Bible and how to live our faith in everyday life.
Josh asked me some very thoughtful questions about how I was brought up in a Christian home. We read the Bible every day and when I got my own copy of the Bible in 3rd grade, I loved to read my favorite Bible stories.
Something Josh asked made me realize I had a pivotal moment in high school when I got serious about my faith. I had made a commitment to follow Christ to the best of my ability, but several weeks later I came across that verse
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. 1 John 4:20 NIV
I actually was able to find ways to love my brother. We used to fight all the time. It was always my fault. I had not really loved him up to that point.
This was the first time I really practiced my faith by myself, without someone telling me what I was supposed to do.
Different faith traditions on what it means to be Christian
Josh and I talked about what it means to be Christian. It’s not just about doctrines, but about how you love God, follow Christ, and care for those in need.
And we got into what it means to forgive, and how hard it is sometimes. Josh’s sister-in-law got really mad at him, said some really hurtful things, told a bunch of lies about him, and wouldn’t talk to him.
He had to work really hard to forgive her.
Josh and I come from different faith traditions, but we have come to appreciate each other and the commitment to follow Christ we each have.
And then we got pretty deep.
Different faith perspectives on salvation
Josh asked me about salvation. Are we saved by grace only? Do we earn salvation by doing good deeds and obeying the commandments? If we’re saved by grace, does that mean we’re still saved even if we commit a terrible sin?
People have been debating that question for centuries, so I don’t have the final answer for all time. But for me, the word balance comes to mind.
You can’t just take one Bible verse about being saved by grace and not works and build a whole theology on it. There are lots of other Scriptures that talk about the importance of doing God’s will in order to enter heaven. We need to read everything the Bible says on this, or any, subject to see the full context of everything that’s said.
Conversations with people of different faith
One thing that Josh does which is really amazing is facilitating a conversation with the folks who work with him about various religious ideas. There is a Muslim, a Jew, a Protestant, a Catholic, Josh, who is Mormon, and others. They talk about various ideas and learn from each other. Even though they all have a different faith, they have been surprised to learn how much they have in common.
Josh and I encourage you to have a conversation with someone who has a different faith than you do. Ask questions. See what you can learn. It’s not about debating to prove you’re right. Josh says that these kinds of conversations will actually help strengthen your faith and you’ll be more understanding of others in the process.
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Joshua Tapp is the host of The Lucky Titan Podcast. He is an entrepreneur in the marketing space. He helps people find success in business. He is a man of deep faith. He lives in Idaho with his wife and two children.
If you would like to let Josh what you thought of this podcast interview, he has shared his personal phone number. He invites you to text him (NO CALLS) with any questions or comments. He likes to learn what’s on people’s hearts and minds.
Here’s his phone number: 208-206-4652
James Early, the Jesus Mindset Coach, is a Bible teacher, speaker, and podcaster. He conducts Bible workshops online and in person. His focus is on getting back to the original Christianity of Jesus by embracing the mindset of Christ in daily life. Contact him here.
Make a donation to support the show
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Bible References
1 John 4:20 NIV
20 Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
Ephesians 5:30 NIV
30 for we are members of his body.
John 13:35 NIV
35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
Luke 6:44 KJV
44 For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes.
Matthew 5:44 KJV
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
Matthew 7:21 NIV
21 Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 4:17 KJV
17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Ephesians 2:8, 9 KJV
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Acts 8:37 KJV
37 And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Matthew 25:31, 32, 45 NIV
31 When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his glorious throne.
32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
45 He will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.’
James 2:18, 20 NKJV
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
Isaiah 58:5-7 NIV
5 Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for people to humble themselves? Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed and for lying in sackcloth and ashes? Is that what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?
6 “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke?
7 Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
Romans 10:4 NLT
4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
John 14:15 NIV
If you love me, keep my commands.
Matthew 4:19 NIV
19 Come, follow me,
Luke 9:23 KJV
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
