Jim and Casper interviewed on KGNW
Jim Henderson and Matt Casper were interviewed about their new book Jim and Casper go to Church on KGNW yesterday.
Jim and Casper were on the air for about 50 minutes: the segment with them begins about 5 minutes into this recording.
Right off the bat Thor Tolo, the host, becomes incredulous when Jim says he is confident but not certain of his faith in the way he’s certain of gravity. Thor responds by saying Jim sounds like a lukewarm Christian. Between continued discussion of Jim’s lack of certainty and callers wanting to tell Matt why they believe in God, it’s a while before we hear much about the book.
My favorite part is the conversation which begins between 42 and 43 minutes. In that, both Jim and Casper share some wonderful summary thoughts and insights about what they saw and learned during their church visits. Matt’s comments in the last segment “almost sound charming” to Thor and he ends the interview saying Matt is his favorite atheist.
Comment by: Matt Casper
1 04/17/07 9:37 AM | Comment Link |Jim and I thought we were entering a dialog; instead, he wanted us to debate.
It’s kind of like entering a certain kind of church, where you think people will introduce themselves and talk about their church/their beliefs, and instead they only subject you to conversion attempts and tell you what you’re doing wrong.
I don’t know if it’s a problem in the church or in American society…? We seem to crave a fight above all else. Our most popular forms of entertainment are those in which people are hurt or humiliated. Our obsession with being the most righteous or the toughest trumps our ability to work constructively every time.
And in mine and Jim’s interview yesterday, try as we might, we were up against a person–you could hardly call him a follower of Jesus–who didn’t want to talk, but to fight; who used his faith not as a means to unite, but as a weapon.
Anyway, I got off the phone feeling good, because I know Jim and I tried to do the right thing. And that’s exactly what we’ll keep doing. Stay tuned!
Comment by: Helen
2 04/17/07 9:54 AM | Comment Link |Matt, yes, I noticed he wanted a debate.
I think both of you did very well - you were patient and you each made some excellent points, especially in the last segment when you had a bit more opportunity to address the issues the book raises.
Comment by: Jim Henderson
3 04/18/07 12:25 AM | Comment Link |Thor Tolo makes his living creating a poor attempt at what Matt articulates above. He is a copy cat and worst of all he does it in the name of God. I was embarassed to have Matt have to see this level of Christian strangeness. Thor was rude and impolite not only to me but to our atheist guest Matt.
I realized later that he must have kept the conversation focused on how proud he was of his certainty because he certainly had not read the book. He failed to ask one intelligent question about the book.
And he is obviously providing free on air marketing for his pastor (of “the 13th fastest growing church in America”)Mark Driscoll. He pimped Driscoll every chance he got.
Comment by: Helen
4 04/18/07 6:21 AM | Comment Link |Jim I think you’re right - there was no indication the host Thor had read the book.
I noticed his mentions that he goes to Mars Hill and that he made a point of it being “13th fastest growing church”. When he said where he goes I found myself thinking “Wow, one more indication I would really hate it at that church”.
I have every reason to think Chris Fabry will a) focus on the book b) treat you both with respect c) ask good questions about the book when he interviews both of you on his call-in show May 18th.
(We should let people know ahead of time about your call-in shows in case any friends of you and/or Matt want to call in and mention great the book is - oh, I don’t mean me, but, any friend who is available and brave enough to call a live show)
Comment by: Kyle Hoyer
5 04/23/07 4:19 PM | Comment Link |Hello to all,
That interview or debate was just another disheartening picture of the state of the church and those that call themselves Christians. I don’t get it, It is people like Thor that make non-believers never want to associatate with a Christian or church. And What I can’t believe more is that other Believers that listen to the show are not ashamed but rather empoewered to the same kind of thinking. These people make it incredibly difficult for those of us trying to defend the space.
Both Jim and Matt (Casper) did a wonderful job and set a better example, than Mr. tolo, to Both beleivers and non-belivers who might have been listening to the show, on what it means to respect the space.
My congratulations to the both of you on a wonderful and moving book!Keep defending the space
Comment by: Helen
6 04/27/07 7:54 AM | Comment Link |Thanks for your comments, Kyle.