Interviews & Lectures
Richard Abanes 


Aug. 26, 2004 KFUO (mp3 audio, PART 1) radio interview with Todd Wilken on Mormonism (a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Based on the contents of the book Becoming Gods (re-titled Inside Today's Mormonism). Are Mormons Christian? Discusses Latter-day Saint beliefs in the 21st century, Daniel C. Peterson (Mormon defender), the changing face of Mormonism, ongoing revelation, shifts within Mormonism, average Mormons vs. professional LDS defenders (for example, BYU professors),  LDS misconceptions about Christianity, Joseph Smith, Joseph's First Vision, the Book of Mormon story and its reliability, evolution of Book of Mormon views among Mormons, changes in the Doctrine & Covenants, LDS changing view of God (dating back to Joseph Smith), anti-Trinitarian Mormon views.

Aug. 26, 2004 KFUO (mp3 audio, PART 2) radio interview with Todd Wilken on Mormonism (a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Based on the contents of the book Becoming Gods (re-titled Inside Today's Mormonism). Topics: pre-existence, the nature of Jesus Christ, eternal progression toward godhood (exhaltation), polygamy, Heavenly Mother (God's wife), Mormon salvation (grace vs. works), Mormon view of the atonement, Mormon view of The Fall of Adam and Eve, modern LDS view of the great Apostasy of Christianity (anti-Christianity  views of Mormons).

Sept. 5, 2004 KFUO (mp3 audio, PART 1) radio interview with Todd Wilken on Mormonism (a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Discussing the prayer of Mormon Sheri Dew (CEO of Deseret Books), who prayed the invocation at the Republican national Convention in New York. Topics revolving around the contents of the book (re-titled Becoming Gods: Inside Today's Mormonism). Topics: Blurring the lines between 21st century Mormonism and original Mormonism (for example, Joseph Smith, Brigham Young, et. al.), the Great Apostasy, Mormonism evolving, Are Mormons Christians?, LDS views of the Christian Church, changing revelation, original First Vision vs. modern First Vision, the character of Joseph Smith, the occultism of Joseph Smith, the Book of Mormon and Native Americans, ongoing Mormon beliefs still compatible with 19th century Mormons, views of Jesus Christ, deification/exaltation, Christ's atonement, doctrinal knowledge among Mormons, speaks with a Mormon about his faith, the Mormon Testimony, another Mormon calls and admits that not all LDS doctrines are revealed to potential converts, Mormon extra-biblical writings, Mormonism/Masonry.

Sept. 5, 2004 KFUO (mp3 audio, PART 2) radio interview with Todd Wilken on Mormonism (a.k.a. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Topics revolving around the contents of the book Becoming Gods (re-titled Inside Today's Mormonism). Topics: Responding to Mormons, Mormon evangelism techniques, Christian beliefs misunderstood by Mormons, biblical passages/stories plagiarized in the Book of Mormon, Joseph Smith: Doomsday Prophet, witnessing tips, speaks with a Mormon, paid clergy in Christianity unbiblical?, Mormon hierarchy (the LDS clergy), Mormon families in the afterlife, prophets still today?, Mormonism and Masonry, What is a temple Mormon?, baptisms for the dead, the Mormon testimony, Mormon origins, the Mormon people the appeal of Mormonism.

Dec. 14, 2004 KFUO (mp3 audio) interview with Todd Wilken on Richard Mouw (president of Fuller Theological Seminary) and Mouw's comments about Christians needing to celebrate the birthday of Joseph Smith! Other topics: Mouw's confusion about Mormonism, Mouw's possible motives, BYU defenders of Mormonism, authority in the LDS church, the angel Moroni, sources of official LDS doctrine, early teachings of Joseph Smith, witnessing tips, questions that Mormons have about Christians.

Dan Brown
(The Da Vinci Code)
also see my book
The Truth Behind The Da Vinci Code




Issues, Etc. May 2, 2004 interview with Todd Wilken, KFUO, transcript. Includes an overview of The Da Vinci Code, its weaknesses, its popularity, Dan Brown's claims, fan responses, public reactions, Constantine, Gnostic Gospels, Mary Magdalene, Knights Templar, Priory of Sion.

Faithful Readers, roundtable discussion of The Da Vinci Code by various authors who have written book-length responses to Dan Brown's bestseller.

Christian Book Previews, online interview covering main points of The Da Vinci Code and Dan Brown's claims, Christian confusion, the public acceptance of the book, Brown's possible motives.

Jerry Johnson Live (mp3 audio), live radio interview covering many aspects of The Da Vinci Code not discussed in other interviews. Takes many calls from listeners. Topics: Dan Brown's story (Fact or Fiction), early Christianity, Gnostic Gospels, Gnosticism, Council of Nicea, film/book boycotts, an opportunity to engage culture.

Faith2Action (mp3 audio) a live call-in radio interview (Jan. 21, 2004) on VCY America that discusses statements made by Dan Brown in The Da Vinci Code. Topics: the Priory of Zion, lies advanced as truth, the witch hunts of Medieval Europe, The Last Supper, Leonardo Da Vinci, radical feminism, perverse sexuality in The Da Vinci Code. The program includes a fan of The Da Vinci Code who calls into the show to defend Brown by claiming that: 1) he never said Jesus wasn't the Savior; and 2) there is nothing wrong with saying Jesus was married.

John Anderson radio show (mp3 audio), covering a few short points about The Da Vinci Code movie, the popularity of the novel, and the attraction of Dan Brown's plot to the general public. [COMING SOON]

White Supremacy
(Racism)
Patriot Movement
(Militias)
also see my new novel (fiction)
HOMELAND INSECURITY

and see my award-winning non-fiction expose on racism and the militias
American Militias: Rebellion, Racism, and Religion
Novel Journeys,online interview covering subjects include the novel Homeland Insecurity (Richard's first attempt at fiction), writing as a career, and personal experiences as an author.

KKMS radio interview (mp3 audio), from December 5, 2007, discussing Homeland Insecurity, domestic terrorism, racists, neo-Nazis, problems in America, Christian Identity Movement, dangers/threats from white supremacists, Christian views concerning racism.

John Anderson (mp3 audio), live radio interview covering many aspects of racism, white supremacists, the Christian Identity Movement, neo-Nazis, and how such issues are woven into the storyline/plot of Homeland Insecurity: A Novel by Abanes [COMING SOON].

Philip Pullman
(The Golden Compass)
also see my book
Harry Potter, Narnia, and
The Lord of the Rings
J.K. Rowling
(Harry Potter ) also see my book
Harry Potter, Narnia, and
The Lord of the Rings




 Christian Broadcasting Network, an interview with CBN correspondent.

Christians Who Love Harry Potter, very lengthy online interview with Christian fans of the Harry Potter series. Topics: Harry Potter, John Granger, fantasy literature, the occult, Wicca, magick, J.K. Rowling, the "Christianity" beliefs of Rowling, appropriate Christian responses to Harry Potter.

Truths That Transform radio interview (mp3 audio) Dr. D. James Kennedy (10/25/2007). Topics include: What is the occult?, Why should we avoid the occult?, Why is the occult so popular?, benefits of fantasy, dangers of fantasy, The Chronicles of Narnia (C.S. Lewis), The Lord of the Rings (J.R.R. Tolkien), differences between the works of Lewis/Tolkien and J.K. Rowling, marketing of Harry Potter, children and the occult, real occultists using Harry Potter, ethics/morality in Harry Potter, Is Harry Potter a "Christian" novel with Christian symbolism?, proper Christian responses, parents guarding their children's against occult influences.

Crosswalk.com, a November 5, 2001 live online interview with questions being taken directly from online participants. Topics: problems with harry Potter, proper responses, children, understanding the issues, experts who disagree.

Rick Warren
(Saddleback Church)
also see my book
Rick Warren and
the Purpose That Drives Him


 








 
The A-Team, an online interview. Topics include: marketing of Warren's book The Purpose Driven Life, Warren's so-called connection to Robert Schuller, Warren's support for Bruce Wilkinson?, Warren's quoting of non-Christians in Warren's book, terminolgy confusion, Warren's use of inferior Bible translations, Warren's "40 Days" campaign, biblical verses that are misinterpreted by Warren, Don Veinot (Warren critic), Nathan Busenitz and John MacArthur (Warren critics), assorted critics and their attacks, Gary Gilley (Warren critic), Todd Wilken (Warren critic), defining the term "Seeker-Sensitive," misinformation about the overall "Seeker-Sensitive" philosophy, Lighthouse Trails Research Project (Dave and Deborah Dombrowski, Warren critics), Rick Warren and Roman Catholicism, false accusations against Warren, Greg Koukl (Warren critic), the 40 Days campaign, accurately preaching the Gospel.

Tim Sweetman interview, a discussion with a very astute teenager about Rick Warren. Sweetman has become fairly well-known around the Internet as a thoughtful, mature, conscientious blogger whose influences among young people in the church is already being felt. Visit his website. This interview was recorded when he came out with his young group to visit Saddleback Church. We were having lunch together at an outdoor mini-mall.

Two-part discussion with Tim Challies, premier blogger and founder of the very popular challies.com website. An online interview that covers: personal ministry and background, recommended reading, theological influences on Abanes's personal beliefs, Abanes's theology,essentials of the faith, "Soft" Calvinism,Harry Potter and fantasy literature, personal involvement with Saddleback Church and Rick Warren, reasons for writing about Warren, John MacArthur (Warren critics), Todd Wilken (Warren critic), Greg Koukl (Warren critic), opponents of Warren (they are mostly conservatives?), Don Veinot (Warren critic), Warren's use of inferior Bible translations, biblical verses that are misinterpreted by Warren, Matthew 18 applicable to Warren?, Chuck Smith (Warren critic), Warren Smith (Warren critic), Paul Proctor (Warren critic), Robert Schuller's claims, appropriate ways to criticize, the proper spirit/method of apologetics, the tragedy of means-spirited attacks against Warren.

Potpourri
Wake-Up America (mp3 audio), discussion of information contained in What Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games. Topics: Abanes personal history (show business background into writing), the need for accurate information on video games, the video game industry, video games and Hollywood, using discernment with regard to video games (as well as music, movies, and books), Harry Potter, fantasy, video game rating systems, kinds of video game, the rating systems, dangerous to children?, benefits to video game playing, video game advances, using video games as a ministry tool, Tolkien (and video games), choosing games, war games, mature games, the U.S. government and video games.

John Anderson radio show (mp3 audio), covering the information included in What Every Parent Needs to Know About Video Games. Topics: mature games, ratings, entertainment technology, the value of video games, violent effects (or lack thereof), benefits of video games, using video games for God, nothing unbiblical about video games, using video games at church, Christian video games, Eve Online (a massively multi-player online game), the video game industry.

International Church of Christ (sometimes referred to as the Boston Church of Christ), a lecture.
[COMING SOON]

Oneness Pentecostals, a lecture. [COMING SOON]

End-Time Visions, an online interview with TIME magazine online, discusses doomsday prophets, end-time speculation, history of prophetic extremism. Interview based on the book End-Time Visions: The Road to Armageddon?


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