Media Kit

Dr. James W. Walraven is available for radio, video, print media and phone interviews. If your are pursuing a story on Christian Unity, Church Division or Christian love in a divisive world, contact Dr. Jim today.

Suggested Interview Questions

1. It’s a brave, bold stance to write about Christian unity, even among diverging denominations, given the current amount of unrest and strife in the world and even the church,. Was there an event that specifically led you to approach this topic at this time?
2. Why do you think Christians today think it’s okay to shred each other publicly? Isn’t that what nonbelievers do? Why do Christians participate in that too?
3. What does biblical unity look like, and why is unity so hard to achieve?
4. Give us a bit of historical perspective on unity in the church. We read about factions and divisions in Corinthians. Is there a time the church was ever united? If not, how can we do better—what should draw us toward unity in the twenty-first century?
5. What specifically about this day and age makes forgiveness so difficult? It seems as if everyone is eager to point a finger. How do we suppress the urge to point fingers and blame others? What questions should we be asking ourselves?
6. You note that the world grows increasing hostile to Christian faith. What’s the impetus behind that growing hostility, and how does that impact us as believers? How will uniting create strength to withstand the hostility?
7. Other than your book One in Christ, what are you doing yourself to promote unity among Christians?
8. What one small step can each Christian take today to promote unity among brethren with differing viewpoints?
9. What does spiritual maturity look like, and what are the top three things each Christian needs to do to mature spiritually?
    

Pull Quote

“Anything but one—today the church is anything but one.”

“But God’s requirements and the biblical command have not changed. We are to be one as God the Father and Jesus Christ are one.”

“While we are not saved by our obedience, our obedience demonstrates that we love Jesus. On the other hand, our disobedience, contrary to what we may claim, speaks loudly that we don’t love Jesus as we ought.”

“When we do put on love toward each other, in the perfect bond of unity (Colossians 3:14), we demonstrate to the world that we are disciples of Jesus Christ (John 13:35).”

“Yet a close examination of the Scriptures often shows us that what we think is vital is of little importance to God. Often, all we end up doing is dividing our Christian house.”

“Jesus doesn’t mince his words, and he doesn’t sugarcoat the consequences of disunity.”

“The church is only one body, not several disconnected ones, each on its own.”

“The body doesn’t have multiple heads, nor does the head have multiple bodies. How would a body function with fourteen heads all trying to give directions and impose their will?”

“Nevertheless, we need to remember that a Reformed Presbyterian who received baptism as an infant but has a genuine faith in Christ is a brother of the Southern Baptist who ardently practices believer baptism and also has true faith in Christ. As we have seen, God declares that there is only one body.”

“When we are immature, we cause division, discord, and strife to the body. In a sense we then become something the body has to fight against, something the body needs to heal and cure.”

“What about us? Will we put our own pasts behind? Will we set aside what has hindered our growth or kept us from moving forward in our faith? Will we press on to maturity?”

“Our lack of love for each other speaks volumes to the world, effectively drowning out our Christian claims.”

“What is love as God describes it? Love is patient and kind. It rejoices with the truth. Love bears, believes, hopes, endures all things, and never fails. That is a tall order, especially in our church disputes and doctrinal disagreements.”

“Do we remember that whatever position we may take on that issue, it has no direct bearing on our eternal destiny? Do we believe and hope with each other, even while disagreeing? We so often make what is secondary of primary importance, while treating what is primary as being of little concern.”

HEADSHOT
Bio

KEY TOPICS

Christian love

Christian maturity

Christian unity

Church growth

Divisions in the church

Forgiveness

How to love other Christians

How do Christians mature?

Spiritual growth

Unforgiveness

Why don’t Christians get along?

Christian universal salvation

Fear of God

God’s holiness

God’s love

Hell

History of Christian universalism

Is Christian universal salvation true?

Is there salvation after death?

Seriousness of sin

What do Christian universalists teach?

What does the Bible teach about heaven?

What does the Bible teach about hell?

Will everyone be saved?

Will people be in hell forever?