Épisodes

  • Ep 345 - Is It Wrong for Christians to Support War?
    Jul 3 2025

    Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar sit down to tackle a weighty and nuanced topic: war. This discussion isn’t about political sides—it’s about wrestling with the moral, spiritual, and personal implications of warfare in a fallen world. Oscar reflects on how perspectives on war evolve over time. He urges caution against jumping into the hype, especially as Christians. People on every side are made in the image of God. War isn’t something to relish. Mark agrees that war is never ideal, but believes it can be justified in certain cases. He points to Scripture and historical examples, including David and Nehemiah, as men who carried weapons while remaining faithful to God. He notes that sometimes war is necessary to establish peace and protect the innocent.

    The conversation explores the difference between civil and governmental responsibilities, along with the historic Christian approach to violence. The early church leaned toward pacifism, yet history shows that wasn’t a universal stance. Oscar introduces just war theory, grounded in principles like self-defense, proportional response, and the avoidance of cruelty. Just war never glorifies violence—it permits it under strict moral limitations.

    Would a preemptive strike against a hostile nation be justified if credible threats were discovered? Mark believes that standing against tyranny can be an act of love toward one’s neighbor. Oscar, however, questions whether such actions always align with just war principles. He points to past U.S. actions—like the tragic downing of a civilian plane—as reminders of how quickly moral clarity can blur. E.Z. underscores the danger of biased media by comparing contradictory headlines from CNN and Fox News, reminding listeners to seek truth from multiple sources. Ray shares how he deliberately checks both conservative and liberal news sources to challenge his own assumptions.

    Oscar shifts the conversation to the spiritual aspect of war—reminding listeners that violence is a consequence of sin. Defensive war may sometimes be necessary, but it must always be a last resort. Believers are called to be peacemakers because God made peace with them. Mark closes with a powerful story of the Christmas Day truce in World War I. For a brief moment, enemies laid down their weapons in recognition of something greater than the battle. The guys challenge listeners to do the same—raising hands in prayer instead of fists in anger. Scripture urges believers to love peace and pursue it. Before taking sides, one must ask: is there a heart that grieves the loss of life, or one that revels in destruction?

    Send us a text

    Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!

    Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!
    You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.
    Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.

    You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!
    Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
    Ray Comfort
    Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
    Mark Spence
    Oscar Navarro

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    1 h et 2 min
  • Ep. 344 - The Roots of Communism and Why It’s Unbiblical
    Jun 26 2025

    Communism’s rise began with Karl Marx, who introduced the idea of class struggle and critiqued capitalism in response to industrial-era poverty. Marx envisioned a classless society but as Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar point out, his philosophy extended beyond economics—it was rooted in atheism. Oscar shares how his first introduction to atheism came through Marxist economic literature, which proposed a godless utopia. Communism eventually took root in Russia and China, spreading fear of lost democracy. The guys note that socialism is often viewed as a bridge to communism, but a pure communist society has never existed due to the corrupting nature of human power.

    The conversation emphasizes that capitalism, while often defended, is not flawless either. The gospel—not any man-made system—is the only sufficient answer to the world’s brokenness. Communism mimics Christianity in its pursuit of equality but rejects God’s sovereignty and misunderstands human nature. It promotes forced sharing instead of joyful stewardship. The guys agree: any ideology that excludes God becomes idolatry, offering a counterfeit redemption story. In contrast, the gospel leads people to good works driven by love, not compulsion. Scripture affirms the dignity of work and personal responsibility.

    Oscar walks through how communism promises a classless utopia but fails because of a flawed view of the human condition. Power concentrated in godless hands leads to abuse. Those at the top of communist regimes often live in luxury while preaching sacrifice. The guys stress that human-led systems can't fix spiritual problems—only Christ can. They caution against defending capitalism blindly and urge believers to examine economic systems through a gospel-centered lens, digging deep into these issues before taking a firm stance.

    Mark shares a powerful story of a prisoner in a communist regime who endured torture but clung to Christ, reminding us that no one can steal what we’ve surrendered to God. E.Z. recounts seeing the effects of communism in Cuba, yet witnessing thriving Christians. The guys remind us that God’s will is unstoppable. Even in North Korea where the gospel is not easily accessed, people have found ways to evangelize. Real change won’t come through politicians or ideologies but through Jesus. Love—the fruit of the gospel—is the answer to every societal dilemma. When we walk in love, we don’t seek loopholes or act out of greed. The only true solution to both capitalism’s flaws and communism’s promises is the gospel: Christ crucified, risen, and reigning.

    Send us a text

    Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!

    Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!
    You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.
    Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.

    You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!
    Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
    Ray Comfort
    Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
    Mark Spence
    Oscar Navarro

    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 2 min
  • Communism’s Rejection of God. True Equality and Justice in Scripture. - Highlight: Episode 344
    Jun 24 2025

    The guys discuss the rise of communism through Karl Marx’s ideas, highlighting its roots in atheism and its flawed view of human nature. They emphasize that while communism aims for equality, it rejects God’s sovereignty and replaces the gospel with a counterfeit hope. The guys point out that socialism often serves as a stepping stone to communism, but no true communist society has existed because power, when godless, leads to corruption. They also acknowledge that capitalism has its flaws and caution Christians against defending it without examining it through a gospel-centered lens. Ultimately, they stress that neither capitalism or communism can fix the human condition—only Jesus can. The gospel, rooted in love and personal responsibility, is the only true answer to society’s brokenness.

    Send us a text

    Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!

    Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!
    You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.
    Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.

    You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!
    Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
    Ray Comfort
    Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
    Mark Spence
    Oscar Navarro

    Voir plus Voir moins
    11 min
  • Ep. 343 - How to Reach Jews for Jesus
    Jun 19 2025

    Jeff Morgan from Jews for Jesus joins Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar to share his testimony and insights into sharing the gospel with the Jewish community. Jeff grew up in a Jewish household, celebrating high holidays and occasionally observing Shabbat. As a young adult, he pursued fame in Los Angeles but quickly became disillusioned with the cost of success. In search of meaning, he turned to new age spiritualism. Though the experience began with spiritual highs, it soon led to depression and suicidal thoughts.

    His life began to shift after meeting his future wife, who stood firm amid his struggles. At his lowest, he admitted to her that he didn’t know what he was doing and was being spiritually tormented. Shortly after, Jeff met a pastor at the gym, which led to conversations and prayer. Another gym-goer prayed over him, and Jeff began to feel life return. He started seeing Jesus everywhere and was invited to a church men’s retreat where the message on Jesus’ transfiguration transformed him. He rushed home to tell his wife, only to find she, too, had been experiencing encounters with Jesus. In a powerful moment, they both surrendered their lives to Jesus and were filled with peace. Jeff dove into Scripture, eventually joining Jews for Jesus to share his newfound faith.

    Jeff, formerly the host of a vegan lifestyle channel, now uses his platform for evangelism, especially to reach fellow Jews. Sharing the gospel in Israel presents unique challenges—while religious freedom exists, insensitive evangelism (like megaphone preaching) can spark backlash due to the historical persecution of Jews in Jesus' name. Jeff emphasizes the importance of cultural sensitivity and authentic care when speaking to Jewish people. He offers practical advice for evangelizing to Jews: understand the Jewish context of Scripture, use terms like Yeshua, emphasize that faith in Jesus fulfills rather than abandons Jewish identity, and highlight Old Testament prophecies. Quoting passages like Isaiah 53 often prompts thought-provoking discussions. Jeff points out that the New Testament is deeply Jewish, starting with Jesus’ genealogy, and urges Christians to learn rabbinical interpretations and be led by love, not fear.

    Despite occasional persecution—being spit at or having things thrown—Jeff sees increasing openness among Jewish people. Mark relates, sharing how his own Jewish in-laws have resisted the gospel but how he feels renewed conviction to persevere. The guys encourage believers: while the message of the gospel never changes, how we deliver it can make all the difference.

    Send us a text

    Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!

    Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!
    You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.
    Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.

    You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!
    Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
    Ray Comfort
    Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
    Mark Spence
    Oscar Navarro

    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 4 min
  • Preaching the Gospel in Israel. Christianity’s Heritage in Judaism. - Highlight Episode 343
    Jun 17 2025

    Jeff Morgan, once deeply involved in new age mysticism and driven by a desire for fame, found true freedom after a powerful encounter with Jesus that began through unexpected conversations at the gym. A church retreat and shared spiritual experiences with his wife led them both to surrender their lives to Christ. Now part of Jews for Jesus, Jeff is passionate about reaching the Jewish community with the gospel in a way that’s culturally sensitive, compassionate, and rooted in the Jewish context of Scripture. He encourages believers to use terms like Yeshua, reference Old Testament prophecies, and emphasize that faith in Jesus fulfills rather than abandons Jewish identity. Despite occasional persecution, Jeff sees increasing openness among Jewish people and urges Christians to share with both courage and care. The guys offer encouragement and practical insight for anyone seeking to share the gospel with love and wisdom.

    Send us a text

    Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!

    Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!
    You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.
    Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.

    You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!
    Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
    Ray Comfort
    Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
    Mark Spence
    Oscar Navarro

    Voir plus Voir moins
    12 min
  • Ep. 342 - What Does the Bible Say About the Death Penalty?
    Jun 12 2025

    Ray, E.Z., Mark, and Oscar discuss the controversial topic of capital punishment, highlighting its complexity and the wide spectrum of beliefs among Christians. While some believers stand firmly for the death penalty, others oppose it with equal conviction. Christians are called to seek biblical truth with humility, not pride, even in secondary issues where disagreement is allowed. Jesus often responded to difficult questions with another question, inviting deeper thought rather than debate. Ray supports the death penalty in principle but recognizes the flaws in the justice system, pointing out how false witnesses in Scripture and in history have led to unjust executions. The guys agree that capital punishment must be handled with care, remembering that each life involved—perpetrator or victim—bears the image of God.

    Genesis 9:6 and Romans 13:1-4 are cited as the strongest scriptural support for the death penalty, with God affirming the sanctity of life by requiring justice for the shedding of innocent blood. E.Z. emphasizes that those in authority are placed by God, whether as a blessing or judgment, and voters must be mindful of this truth. Still, the group stresses that decisions involving life and death should never be made flippantly. Oscar approaches the issue with humility, offering three lenses of hesitation: spiritual, philosophical, and practical. He references Augustine’s concern that executing someone may mar the image of God, though Augustine wasn’t completely opposed to it. Yet others in the group argue that removing someone who claims lives is actually honoring life and protecting society.

    The guys discuss the tension between grace and justice. Some argue capital punishment is mercy to the victims and society, preventing re-offense. Others say prolonging life on death row offers more time for repentance. This tension surfaces often: should mercy delay justice, or should justice be swift for the sake of the victims? There’s also the question of honoring the victim’s dignity and preventing additional harm to their families.

    Throughout, the group warns against personal retribution, reminding listeners that Scripture differentiates between personal responsibility and the role of government. They caution against cherry-picking verses and advocate for reading Scripture in context, letting Scripture interpret Scripture. True wisdom is found in seeking the Lord, studying His Word, and engaging in fellowship. While opinions may vary, the guys agree on one thing: may the Lord help us think deeply and biblically, with both compassion and conviction.

    Send us a text

    Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!

    Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!
    You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.
    Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.

    You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!
    Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
    Ray Comfort
    Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
    Mark Spence
    Oscar Navarro

    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 5 min
  • False Accusations. Innocent Death Penalties. Divided Beliefs. - Highlight Episode 342
    Jun 10 2025

    The conversation explores the complex and often divisive issue of capital punishment from a biblical perspective. The guys acknowledge the spectrum of Christian views, noting that while some support the death penalty as a form of justice, others question its place in a flawed system. Scripture like Genesis 9:6 and Romans 13:1–4 is examined, with emphasis on honoring the image of God in every person. They weigh the balance of justice and mercy, discussing the importance of accountability while also considering the value of repentance and the potential for redemption. Ultimately, the conversation encourages Christians to approach this issue with humility, careful study of Scripture, and grace for those who land on different conclusions.

    Send us a text

    Thanks for listening! If you’ve been helped by this podcast, we’d be grateful if you’d consider subscribing, sharing, and leaving us a comment and 5-star rating!

    Visit the Living Waters website to learn more and to access helpful resources!
    You can find helpful counseling resources at biblicalcounseling.com.
    Check out The Evidence Study Bible and the Basic Training Course.

    You can connect with us at podcast@livingwaters.com. We're thankful for your input!
    Learn more about the hosts of this podcast.
    Ray Comfort
    Emeal (“E.Z.”) Zwayne
    Mark Spence
    Oscar Navarro

    Voir plus Voir moins
    10 min