Inner Compass Season 1 (2000-2001)
Episode Descriptions (long)
#101 BAPTISM WHEN: INFANCY OR LATER?
Dr. Bob Nienhuis, Associate Provost and Biblical studies professor at
Cornerstone University, and John Witvliet of Calvin College and Seminary
consider the symbolism of baptism when practiced at infancy and at an
age of volition. Is there room for both understandings? As switching
denominations becomes more common, many Christians are finding themselves
confronted with an understanding of baptism they've never considered
before.
#102 WHAT IS CHRISTIAN MUSIC?
What if a Christian writes a song that doesn't mention God? Is it a
Christian song? It's not always easy to identify the spiritual or lack
of it in music. And is the purpose of Christian music to honor God,
to encourage Christians, or to entice non-Christians? Christian radio
DJ Jake Ryan of WAY-FM in Grand Rapids, and Ken Heffner, Student Activities
Director for Calvin College (who books visiting concert tours), explain
what each of them looks for in the Christian music they offer to thousands
of listeners.
#103 SCHOOL CHOICE: MOVE OR IMPROVE?
There is no question that everyone debating over vouchers and school
choice wants children to win. The tough part is figuring out which system
would be more successful. If voters approve voucher Proposal 1 on November
7, will thousands of floundering students finally get a chance to excel
by switching over to better schools? Or will most students stay where
they are, with only the public funding switching over to better schools?
Will this measure improve or devastate public schools? Let's ask a leader
from each side of the debate: Amy McGlynn of the Grand Rapids Board
of Education, and Glen Walstra, Executive Director of the Michigan Association
of Non-Public Schools.
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#104 HOW ABOUT HARRY POTTER?
Most children need help choosing a diet that will make their bodies
grow strong; do they need similar guidance in choosing food for their
minds? Although the commotion about the Harry Potter books has died
down, the ethical questions remain about the responsibilities adults
have regarding what children read. How can they guide children to make
wise decisions? This week's episode of Inner Compass features Karen
Weaver of Jenison Junior High, children's librarian Marla Ehlers, and
parent/school board member Ed Liebenthal.
#105 SEEKER-SENSITIVE CHURCHES
What is church for? Is it only for believers, or is it also a place
for others
to find out about God? As people try to make church more of a welcoming
place for newcomers, some worry that worship and the Bible are getting
watered down. Four guests explore some of the goals and concerns regarding
seeker-sensitive churches:
John Bolt, Calvin Seminary
Andre Daley, pastor of a seeker-sensitive church in Grand Rapids
Ronda Oosterhoff, former Communications Coordinator at Willow Creek
Community Church
Sherwin Weener, Reformed Synod of the Great Lake
#106 IMAGES OF CHRIST
What image forms in your mind when you picture Jesus Christ? Can you
think of where this scene came from? Chances are, an artist named Warner
Sallman may have influenced what you're picturing. There are over 1
billion reproductions of his drawings of Christ. Half of those have
been of one particular portrait of a serene blonde man. Our conversation
with David Morgan of the Valparaiso University art department covers
the evolution of religious popular art in America, and how culture and
marketing influence our perceptions of God.
#107 MINISTERING ON DEATH ROW
"Comforting the afflicted" takes on new meaning when you think
about people sitting on death row. Who isn't afflicted in such a situation?
Is it possible to comfort prisoners facing death AND their victims'
families? Sister Helen Prejean, author of Dead Man Walking, explains
how she handles these and other goals as she ministers to criminals
and survivors.
#108 PROBLEMS IN ASSISTING DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Ever wonder how to support overseas development efforts without streaming
money directly into corrupt officials' bank accounts? What are NGOs
and how do they decide where to direct their efforts? In this episode
we talk with four NGO workers from various countries about what kinds
of aid are the most beneficial.
Guests: Kabiru Kinyanjui, International Development
Research Center, Kenya
Rebecca Samuel Shah, World Bank Human Development Network
Raymond Offenheiser, President of Oxfam-America
Wyva Hasselblad, Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
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#109 SHOULD AMERICANS KNOW THEIR HISTORY?
In what ways does our lack of historical knowledge damage our country
and its potential? Douglas Brinkley of the University of New Orleans
describes the goals of his "Majic Bus" history/literature
tours for college students, and what K-12 teachers can do to give their
students a strong foundation of history knowledge.
#110 SHOULD ATHLETES BE HEROS?
There's no question we are a country that loves its athletes. We pay
them more than our President, we wait in lines for hours to buy tickets,
we drag our three-year-olds to soccer practice in hopes of growing a
star. But what happens when athletes do become stars--what happens to
them, what happens to us? Sports Illustrated and NPR commentator Frank
Deford discusses whether we should be a little more selective in choosing
who we uphold as model citizens.
#111 HOSPICE: PEACE AT THE END OF LIFE
Most people do not like to think about death, much less do any planning
for it. We spend time arranging for schooling, weddings, and other milestones,
so why not our departing of this world? This episode explores what it
means to face the end of life and make it a more positive experience.
June Hamersma interviews Ira Byock, author of Dying Well: The Prospect
for Growth at the End of Life, and Dottie Deremo, President of Hospice
of Michigan.
#112 DO WE REALLY WANT A DEMOCRACY?
Although America is usually called a democracy, it is not a true democracy.
We elect representatives to research and choose the best policies for
us. However, there is a growing interest in initiatives, where the citizens
vote directly for various laws. But if we can't even choose politicians
we like, is the average citizen really equipped to decide on laws with
far-reaching consequences? Join host June Hamersma as she interviews
Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter and political columnist David Broder.
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#113 OVERCOMING RACIAL HATRED
When Patricia Raybon wrote the book My First White Friend: Confessions
on Race, Love, and Forgiveness, she was in the midst of an amazing transformation.
Writing it helped her to face the "racial feelings" which
she ultimately recognized as hate. Her message about the power of forgiveness
will touch every heart that considers it.
#114 MIXING RELIGION AND POLITICS
Should religious people be asked to ignore their worldview when it comes
to politics, while everyone else is welcome to promote theirs? This
is hardly fair. But neither is it fair to wield without caution the
influence that religion can have. We consider the contributions religious
people should and should not make to the public sphere with guest Stephen
Carter, law professor at Yale University and author of God's Name in
Vain: The Wrongs and Rights of Religion in Politics.
#115 TESTING GENETIC TESTING
Through the birth and death of their baby, a couple learns they are
both carriers of a deadly disease. Should they try again for a healthy
child? Most don't dare. But new genetic testing of embryos before implantation
could give them a worry-free pregnancy. Our guest Mark Hughes of Wayne
State University, a pioneer in this kind of testing, describes the ethical
questions that come with the technology.
#116 RELIGION & POLITICS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
It seems many would like to see religion regarded as a strictly private
matter. What would life be like if religion was completely removed from
the public square? Philosopher and priest Tomas Halik describes the
experience of watching communism slowly release its hold on the Czech
Republic.
#117 INTERNET ETHICS
It's fun to watch the internet evolve, but is anyone questioning this
creation that seems to have taken on a life of its own? And would it
do any good, since so many users are determined to keep it free from
any restrictions or ethical guidelines? Cliff Christians of the University
of Illinois Urbana College of Communications and Quentin Schultze of
Calvin's Communication Arts and Sciences department discuss how to be
more than silent observers, and consider the kinds of questions we could
and should be asking.
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#118 TRYING JUVENILES AS ADULTS
Kids aren't allowed to drive, marry, vote, or drink because we don't
think they understand these responsibilities well enough. At what age
are they able to grasp the weight of their actions? Last year in the
U.S. 200,000 juveniles were tried as adults. Is this a good result of
legislatures getting tough on crime, or a disaster of misdirected retribution?
A judge, probation officer, and detention center officer describe what
they've come to believe in their years of working with young lawbreakers.
Judge Patricia Gardner, Kent County Family Court
James Bryant, Kent County Detention Facility
Matthew Fenske, Kent County Community Probation Program
#119 THE RISKS OF RITALIN
It's becoming a common sight for children to watch their classmates
file out of the room for their Ritalin dose every day. But is this just
a quick fix for parents and teachers who cannot control their children?
How stringent are the diagnostic tests? Brett May, psychologist with
the ADD Institute (a project of the Pine Rest Psychological Consultation
Center) shares his assurances and concerns.
#120 CHARITABLE CHOICE
If the government funds religious organizations that serve the needy,
what kinds of restraints will it require? Should these organizations
be permitted to recommend religious solutions to their customers? If
they don't, what remains of their programs? If they do, is government
helping to "establish religion"? Hear the perspectives of
Doug Koopman of Calvin's political science department, Beryl Hugen of
Calvin's sociology/social work department, and Pastor Arthur Bailey
of Abundant Life Ministries.
#121 URBAN DESIGN, SUBURBAN SPRAWL
Ever heard people talking negatively about "suburban sprawl"?
What's wrong with the American dream of a large yard, large house, large
garage? City planners around the country believe it's time to turn back
to neighborhood life of the past. The New Urbanism movement is described
by Robert Goodill of the Urban Design Studio of Torti-Gallas CHK and
Jonathan Bradford of Inner City Christian Federation.
#122 IN SEARCH OF THE CROSS-CULTURAL CHURCH
The idea of a neighborhood church is becoming a charming relic. Nowadays,
worshippers drive all around until they find a church where they feel
the most comfortable. But this has lead to homogeneous churches where
anyone different feels out of place. Should church be like home, or
a place where we stretch to build new friendships? Should we be dissatisfied
with a congregation that is only made of one ethnic group? Guest host
June Hamersma discusses these questions with John Matias, pastor of
City Hope CRC/RCA, and Reggie Smith, pastor of Roosevelt Park Community
CRC.
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