College Faith

In this episode I continue my sporadic series on various campus ministries. I am joined by Charles Askew and Caysie Ashton, campus ministers with Reformed University Fellowship (RUF). Charles and Caysie bring their unique perspectives to help us better understand the ministry of RUF and whether it might be right for you. In this podcast we discuss: What “Reformed” means How Casey and Chuck got involved in RUF How RUF got started The core mission of RUF How to find a RUF chapter What to expect at a RUF chapter How chapters differ campus-to-campus What is required to be involved in RUF What makes RUF distinct from other campus ministries Why RUF doesn’t have a curriculum that students go through How RUF helps students build deep relationships RUF’s weekly activities for students  RUF’s strengths and weaknesses Why students should look into joining a RUF chapter The importance of just showing up Why we shouldn’t fear the “secular” university Resources mentioned during our conversation: RUF website & various RUF chapter’s Instagram accounts C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity and The Great Divorce Timothy Keller, Counterfeit Gods: The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion (especially “The Golden Book of the Christian Life” section) Martin Luther, The Bondage of the Will

There are an estimated 2 billion Muslims worldwide, including your classmates, neighbors, and friends. Many are interested in discussing spiritual topics, including the person of Jesus. But how do we have these conversations–and share the good news about who Jesus really is–without the conversation turning into an argument? Alan Shlemon has an answer that he and many others have found to be very helpful: beginning with the Koran instead of the Bible to break down barriers. Alan is a staff apologist with Stand To Reason, a sought-after speaker on this topic, and my guest on this episode of College Faith. In this podcast we discuss: How Alan got interested in this topic Why we should care about sharing Jesus with Muslims Why Muslims are open to discussing Jesus What our attitude toward Muslims should be Essential Muslim beliefs and practices How to discuss the accuracy of the Gospels What to avoid in conversations with Muslims Alan’s overall strategy to get to Gospel conversations with a Muslim Why the Gospel is “good news” for the Muslim Resources mentioned during our conversation: Stand To Reason website Get to the Gospel with Muslims, Stand to Reason The Cost Muslims Pay for Missing Jesus, Stand to Reason The Quran Gets Crucifixion Wrong, Stand to Reason Is “Allah” Just Another Word for God?, Stand to Reason STR U, Stand to Reason’s free online training program (includes his course on “Engaging Muslims”)

Mike Schutt, former attorney and law professor now leading Worldview Academy, discusses preparing for law school and integrating faith with legal vocation. He covers why humanities majors help, realistic ways to explore law before committing, choosing schools using LSAT/GPA and fit over prestige, and how Christians can bring a redemptive vision into diverse legal careers.

In this episode, we challenge the idea that studying as a student (and throughout the rest of our lives) is a necessary evil. Rather, we discuss why study is to be embraced and how it plays an important role in forming us into Christ’s image as we increasingly learn to love God with our minds. My guest is Dr. Richard Smith, who has just written Such a Mind as This, a study of the role of thinking well in the Old Testament.  In this podcast we discuss: The role the mind plays in our flourishing What the Old Testament has to say about the role of thinking in spiritual formation Why so many churches and ministries see the mind as the enemy of growth in Christ How the shift in worship music can be harmful to our spiritual life How the belief that deeper study is harmful to our spiritual life negatively affects students Examples of students who have flourished by asking good questions and finding good answers  Resources mentioned during our conversation: Richard Smith, Such a Mind as This John Frame, The Doctrine of the Knowledge of God Gresham Machen, Christianity and Liberalism Daniel Strange, Making Faith Magnetic Richard Smith, The Heart Thinks Getty Music Sovereign Grace Music L’Abri Suggested book list (left side of home page) Such a Mind as This YouTube Lester R. Juarez YouTube Centro de Estudios Cristianos Kuyper Cosmovisión Bíblica College Faith #20: How Christian Study Centers Minister to University Students College Faith #49: Why Are Students Required to Take General Education (or “Core Curriculum”) Courses? College Faith Podcast #61: Redeeming Philosophy: How Christian Scholars Changed The Conversation College Faith Podcast #38: The Pop-Culture Parent: Helping Kids Engage Their World for Christ College Faith #1: How University Students Can Love God with Their Minds – Dr. JP Moreland

This episode’s conversation is especially important if you’ve ever felt like your faith was unraveling—or if you’ve watched someone you care about go through that. I’m joined by Dr. Peter Schuurman, a sociologist, pastor, and co-author of Blessed Are the Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada. It’s a book full of real-life stories from people who have struggled with their faith — and it addresses themes well beyond the Canadian context. Whether you’re deconstructing, reconstructing, or just trying to hang on to your faith—this conversation is for you.  In this podcast we discuss: Why Peter wrote Blessed Are The Undone for this moment What surprised him most when interviewing believers who are “deconstructing” their faith Why it is so important to know why Christianity is true before going to college The role parents, pastors, and Christian communities can have in helping students doubting their faith Discerning the difference between healthy doubt and losing one’s faith Why “inerrancy” and LGBTQ are often stumbling blocks leading students (and others) to deconstruct their faith How to rebuild a sustainable faith after deconstruction Advice on finding a healthy church The importance of also deconstructing our atheistic, hedonistic culture and universities The value of listening to others’ stories of their journey to faith Resources mentioned during our conversation: Peter Schuurman and Angela Reitsma Bick, Blessed Are The Undone: Testimonies of the Quiet Deconstruction of Faith in Canada Keith Campbell, “Filter-Free Praying When Things Get Tough,” College Faith Podcast #57 Stan Wallace and J.P. Moreland, “An Introduction to Have We Lost Our Minds?,” Thinking Christianly Podcast #33 Stan Wallace, Have We Lost Our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How To Read the Bible For All Its Worth Rick Mattson, “Finding the ‘Middle Way’ in the LGBTQ+ Conversation,” College Faith Podcast #40 Ross Douthat, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious Justin Brierly, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old And Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity Again Larry Sanger, “How a Skeptical Philosopher Becomes a Christian”(see also The Gospel Coalition’s “Wikipedia Founder Embraces Christianity: Larry Sanger’s Testimony Highlights”) Joseph A. Scimecca, The Not So Outrageous Idea of a Christian Sociology

Dr. Greg Ganssle, a philosopher and Chair of the Philosophy Department at Talbot School of Theology, sheds light on the renaissance of Christian philosophy. He discusses the mid-20th century's dismissal of theology in academia and how the 1960s sparked a revival. Ganssle highlights influential figures and the emergence of communities that shaped academic dialogues. He emphasizes the importance of combining biblical and philosophical truths while promoting academic rigor and charity, demonstrating how Christian thinkers have carved a respected niche in philosophical discussions.

In this episode, my guest is Dr. Corey Miler, the President and CEO of Ratio Christi, an apologetics ministry on over 100 campuses in the U.S. I’ve invited him to join me to discuss the ministry of Ratio Christi.   In this podcast we discuss: What “ratio Christi” means and how that relates to doing “apologetics evangelism” How Ratio Christi differs from other apologetics ministries and from other campus ministries How Ratio Christi overlaps with other apologetics ministries and with other campus ministries How Ratio Christi connects with the local church What a student can expect at a Ratio Christi chapter meeting How Ratio Christi campus leaders are selected Resources provided to those in Ratio Christi chapters The path to joining Ratio Christi’s staff   How students can find a Ratio Christi chapter Ratio Christi resources for church and community groups Stories of how Ratio Christi chapters have made a real difference in students’ lives The importance of the local church caring about the state of higher education and equipping believers to defend the Faith   Resources mentioned during our conversation: RatioChristi.org Ratio Christi Press College Faith Podcast #59: “Learning With Others to Defend the Faith: Joining a Reasonable Faith Chapter” Stand To Reason Outposts (small groups) Reasons to Believe Veritas Forum J.P. Moreland, Love Your God With All Your Mind: The Role of Reason in the Life of the Soul Stan W. Wallace, Have We Lost Our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing    Josh McDowell and Sean McDowell, More Than A Carpenter Norman Geisler and Frank Turek, I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist Mark A. Noll, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind  

Do you want to find and share answers to skeptics’ questions about the Christian faith? Would you enjoy being around other thoughtful Christians also interested in answering these questions? Then consider joining or beginning a Reasonable Faith chapter on your campus or in your city. My guest in this episode is Tyson James, Reasonable Faith’s National Chapter Director. We discuss why being a part of a Reasonable Faith chapter on your campus or in your community can make a big difference.   In this podcast we discuss: Why it is so important to understand apologetics while in college What a Reasonable Faith chapter on campus is all about How you can be involved in both a Reasonable Faith chapter and another campus ministry How to find a Reasonable Faith chapter on your campus How you can become a Chapter Director to start and lead a Reasonable Faith chapter if there isn’t yet one on your campus (or in your city) How Reasonable Faith helps you launch a chapter How much time is involved in being a Chapter Director What is distinctive about the Reasonable Faith chapter program   A few stories of how God has used Reasonable Faith chapters   Resources mentioned during our conversation: Reasonable Faith Reasonable Faith Chapters Tyson’s email: chapters@reasonablefaith.org Ratio Christi William Lane Craig Dr. Craig’s Defender’s Class William Lane Craig, Reasonable Faith: Christian Truth and Apologetics William Lane Craig and J.P. Moreland, eds., The Blackwell Companion to Natural Theology J.P. Moreland and William Lane Craig, Philosophical Foundations for a Christian Worldview William Lane Craig, On Guard: Defending Your Faith with Reason and Precision Greg Koukl, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions

In this episode we’re talking about something that might sound like it’s only for pastors or missionaries, but actually applies to all of us: mission. I’m joined by Eric Rafferty and Jon Hietbrink, two of the authors of Reviving Mission: Awakening to the Everyday Movement of God, and we’re digging into what it means to live with purpose, not just someday, but right now—in your dorm, your classes, your friend group, your part-time job. Whether you’re wrestling with faith, seeking more meaning, or just wondering if God is at work around you, this conversation will challenge and encourage you in a down-to-earth way.   In this podcast we discuss: Why this book is so important for this moment in higher education What has been lost in how we think about mission, and why it needs to be regained The four-fold pattern of mission that is central in Scripture and unpacked in their book How students can live on mission in the midst of their busy lives Why students are qualified to be “on mission” even when they don’t feel they are Some traps students should avoid as they try to live out their faith “on mission”  How to develop missional rhythms while in college that last beyond the college years A first small step to joining what God’s doing on campus   Resources mentioned during our conversation: Jon Hietbrink, Eric Rafferty, and Linson Daniel, Reviving Mission: Awakening to the Everyday Movement of God

Do you ever feel you can’t really be honest with God when you are upset, angry, or grieving? My guest in this episode believes you don’t need to filter your prayers, and has the biblical evidence to back him up. I’m joined by Dr. Keith Campbell, author of Of Heroes and Villains, which explores prayers of lament in the New Testament. Keith received his Ph.D. in New Testament from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary and currently serves as the Executive Vice President of Global Scholars. In this podcast we discuss:   Why it’s okay to wrestle with God when things go wrong, not filtering our prayers The biblical basis for questioning God, wrestling with God, and crying out to God (lament prayer) Why we don’t hear much about this type of prayer, and what we lose as a result How filter-free praying helped him in his walk with Christ while at college Isn’t this childish, just throwing a temper tantrum because we are immature and unable to accept God’s will? Where trust comes in during a filtered or lament prayer The role of others when we are in dark days New Testament examples, including Jesus’s example of praying an unfiltered prayer Does this type of prayer really change anything? Doesn’t this type of prayer contradict commands to “consider it all joy” and assurances that God will ultimately make all right? How college students can help revive the practice of filter-free praying Resources mentioned during our conversation:   D. Keith Campbell, Of Heroes and Villains: The Influence of the Psalmic Lament on Synoptic Characterization C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain C.S. Lewis, A Grief Observed Dallas Willard, Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God “Why Pray?”, Thinking Christianly podcast #10 May Young, Walking With God Through The Valley: Recovering the Purpose of Biblical Lament