#241 Ruslan KD - Ex-Atheist Breaks Down Israel, End Times & Why 48% of Gen Z is Jesus Curious

Ruslan Kd shares his personal tale of spiritual transformation, from skepticism rooted in hardship to a rediscovered faith grounded in evidence and divine revelation. This journey sheds light on the broader challenge of discerning truth in an age crowded with conflicting narratives and misinformation.

Ruslan Kd's Personal Journey From Atheism to Christianity

Ruslan Kd's turbulent past shaped his early views on religion, leading him to initially reject faith due to personal anguish and societal influences.

Ruslan's Refugee Experience Leads To Rejection of Faith

Originally from Baku, Azerbaijan, Ruslan Kd landed in the United States as a six-year-old refugee because of religious persecution and conflict. His atheist stance stemmed from the problem of evil, a common struggle against the backdrop of communist Armenia, where the removal of God and faith was replaced by the government and communism as a pseudo-religion. Describing himself as the youngest self-professed atheist, Ruslan felt abandoned by God, especially after a traumatic event involving his father and his early encounters with the Armenian Apostolic Church, which didn't intervene.

Ruslan's Gospel Encounter & Evidence For Christianity Leading To His Surrender to Christ

It wasn’t until Ruslan Kd's exposure to both life's harsh realities and the devout faith of those around him that he started to question his beliefs. Transitioning from an aspiring professional basketball player to a seeker of truth, Ruslan encountered various religious perspectives through personal relationships and his work at Pizza Hut. A turning point came when he received "New Evidence That Demands a Verdict" by Josh McDowell, which methodically addressed his apologetic questions. After years of journeying from atheism all the way to embracing Christianity, Ruslan fully surrendered to his newfound faith during his junior year of high school.

A pivotal moment on this road was a plain-language church service that connected with him on a personal level, teaching the gospel’s message on sin, brokenness, and the transcendent redemption offered through Jesus Christ. Ruslan recounts a moment of deep prayer, reaching out for a genuine revelation, which led to an encounter that turned his life toward Christ. He attributes the transformative period that followed to God's grace, which guided him over four years of wrestling with belief.

Challenge Of Finding Truth Amid Conflicting Narratives and Misinformation

In a conversation with Shawn Ryan, the difficulty of navigating truth in modern society is juxtaposed against Ruslan's personal revelation.

Competing Perspectives and Unclear Truths in Modern Society

Shawn Ryan highlights the complex landscape of facts and ...

The hosts engage in a deep conversation revolving around the significance of church communities, the value they bring, and the pressing need for transparency and accountability within churches.

Value and Impact of Local Church Community

Ruslan KD highlights how the church has been a fundamental part of his life by providing support in difficult times, including the role it played in his marriage and in facing financial hardships.

Church Offers Stability, Support, and Resources For Ruslan's Family During Hard Times

Initially without a firm religious foundation, Ruslan found a community and role within the Armenian Apostolic Church as an altar boy after arriving in America. He suggests that the local church culminated into him becoming the husband he is today and believes that without the local church, he is unsure if he would be alive, signaling the importance of the church in providing support and stability. Ruslan emphasizes how his church aided him and his wife in building a stable family, despite coming from "utter dysfunction" and getting married amid the 2008 recession.

Church: Fostering Relationships, Teaching, and Growth Opportunities

When Ruslan's friend Tanner Ross got leukemia, North Coast Church provided substantial support not just to Tanner but to his entire circle, altering Ruslan's view on large churches. He now understands the positive impact a large church community can have. The church was where Ruslan discovered Dave Ramsey and learned financial literacy, which helped him and his wife clear $100,000 of debt in 18 months. Furthermore, Ruslan credits the church for fostering relationships and stability, referencing studies that suggest churchgoers are more likely to have stable and healthier marriages. He notes a trend where young men are more interested in church and Christianity, rejecting secularism in favor of structured guidance from Jesus and his teachings.

The Need For Transparency and Accountability Within Churches

Discussions about the need for financial transparency within churches reflect a broader conversation surrounding accountability in faith-based communities.

Ruslan's View on Financial Transparency For Church Leaders

Shawn Ryan brings up the topic of taking care of single mothers in church, influenced by a biblical instruction in 1 Timothy 5, and Ruslan agrees, emphasizing the church's duty to support such individuals. Ruslan advocates for church's financial transparency, sharing a personal experience where a church's reluctance to share financial details led him to question their operations. He mentions that larger churches are generally more transparent, citing external audits and proportionally higher spending on missions and services compared to staffing and buildings. Not providing exact salaries within the financial magazine of his church, Rhythm Church in Oceanside, Ruslan believes in transparency but also fears that disclosing personal salaries might not foster a healthy dynamic within the congregation.

Dangers of Churches and Leaders Abusing Power or ...

Ruslan KD examines the concept of spiritual warfare and its implications on societal and personal issues, the uncertainties surrounding end times prophecies, and the current state of the world, particularly as it relates to Israel.

Demonic Influences Manifesting In Chaos and Brokenness

Ruslan's View on Spiritual Warfare in Societal and Personal Issues

Ruslan KD believes that events like COVID and 9/11 have exposed people to darkness, leading them towards a recognition of the need for goodness and faith. Citing Ephesians 6, he acknowledges spiritual warfare against unseen forces in the world, suggesting every civilization senses something beyond this life. He describes phenomena such as UFOs and extreme individual behaviors as though people have a "dark passenger" within them influenced by demonic elements.

Moreover, Ruslan KD associates personal adversities like family adultery, alcoholism, sexual assault, and substance abuse with spiritual warfare rather than coincidence. He points to individuals who seem to reject goodness or select a metaphorical hell, leading to a view of spiritual conflict. This conflict may manifest as addictions and perpetuate a cycle of consistent issues and trauma. Furthermore, Ruslan KD argues that societal issues and personal struggles arise from a theological disconnect, such as misalignments in worship—for instance, worshipping creation over the creator. He illustrates this with ideologies concerning gender, marriage, and the definition of life.

Spiritual Disciplines: Prayer and Fasting Against Unseen Forces

Ruslan KD emphasizes the necessity for intensified spiritual efforts such as prayer, fasting, and deliverance to combat spiritual darkness. He points to biblical instances, such as where Jesus said that certain types of demonic forces can only be expelled through fasting, highlighting the need for more dedicated spiritual practices.

Uncertainty Around End Times Prophecies and Israel

Ruslan's Study of End Times and Israel's Future in the Bible

Ruslan KD, while admitting limited understanding of Israeli politics, shares concern over the actions of the Israeli Defense Forces and the political tensions in Israel, such as during Benjamin Netanyahu's re-election and alliances with ultra-orthodox groups. He also questions the ethics of IDF military policies and practices.

During discussions with Shawn Ryan, Ruslan touches on end times theology, referencing biblical passages in Matthew and Romans, and expressing the complexity of this subject matter. Moreover, Ruslan KD believes that certain events, such as the construction of the ...

In a dialogue discussing the role of men in contemporary Christian life, Shawn Ryan and Ruslan KD cover a range of topics relating to godly ambition, familial responsibilities, and personal development.

Reclaiming a Biblical Understanding of "Godly Ambition"

Ruslan KD promotes the notion of "godly ambition," advocating for individuals to prioritize care for their own households and to extend that care into their local church and wider community.

Self-Ambition vs. Love-Driven Ambition to Please God

Ruslan discusses the parable of the talents to underline the difference between self-ambition and love-driven ambition to be faithful with one's given resources. He alludes to two Greek words for ambition found in the New Testament – "Edithia" and "feliotiome" – the latter of which denotes a benevolent ambition out of love. Ruslan juxtaposes material rewards with the rewards of a good, faithful life highlighted by a clear conscience and peace, as experienced by Shawn Ryan after coming to faith.

Men’s Responsibility to Families and Communities

Ruslan champions the idea that societal issues could be mitigated if men embrace their roles as providers and protectors of their families. He reinforces the responsibility of men to provide for both immediate and extended family, despite economic and societal pressures.

Men's Need to Develop Skills, Character, and Stability

The discussion focuses on the need for men to invest in their own growth, emphasizing personal responsibility in character building and financial stability.

Men Investing In Growth to Better Serve Families and Others

Ruslan KD shares personal stories about his growth and his commitment to serving his family and church, despite earning a modest income initially. He illustrates the benefits of such an investment through unexpected financial return and the principle of generosity he was able to establish.

Equipping and Supporting Men in Their God-given Roles

Throughout the conversation, Ruslan KD’s narrative is directed toward encouraging men to seek personal development and competencies ...