College Faith

In this episode we are discussing an idea every student is sure to encounter early and repeatedly during the college years– the idea of “relativism.” My guest is Greg Koukl, co-author of Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air and the Founder/President of Stand to Reason, a great apologetics ministry. In this podcast we discuss: The prevalence of relativism on campus today (often seen as “expressive individualism”) Some different forms of relativism students will encounter Greg’s “inside/outside” distinction, which goes back to the Garden of Eden and the Fall How relativism is related to the idea of “truth” Why Christians should not talk about “their faith” Why we can know “that” something is true without knowing “how” it is true Why no one is actually a relativist, and how to help a “relativist” see this How to ask good questions as a way to engage in conversations about relativism (and everything else–”gardening” vs. “harvesting”) Understanding and discussing the new/current definition of “tolerance” Responding to relativism on campus (with friends, in classes, in papers, etc.) The importance of finding common ground in conversations The value of using this dialogical approach to defend all Christian truth claims Resources mentioned during our conversation: Greg Kokhl, Street Smarts: Using Questions to Answer Chrisitanity’s Toughest Challenges J. Warner Wallace, Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels Greg Kokhl, The Story of Reality: How the World Began, How It Ends, and Everything Important that Happens in Between Greg Kokhl, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions Francis Schaeffer’s Trilogy C.S. Lewis, Perelandra Randy Newman, Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts the Way Jesus Did Stand to Reason, Greg’s organization Greg’s podcasts Related College Faith Resources: The Reasonableness of Faith: Why Students Should Study Apologetics with Paul Copan (College Faith podcast #25) How Asking Good Questions Helps Us Succeed with Randy Newman (College Faith podcast 10) Stan Wallace, “When it Comes to Weinstein et al., No One is a Moral Relativist–And That’s a Good Thing!”

My guest today is Timothee Joset, author of The Priesthood of All Students. He has been a student leader in campus ministry in Switzerland and internationally, including serving on the International Fellowship for Evangelical Students (or IFES) governing Board for four years. Timothée holds a Master of Arts with majors in Literature and History from the Universities of NOO – ka – tel Neuchâtel, Switzerland and Berlin, Germany, a Master of Theological Studies from Tyndale Seminary, Toronto and a PhD in theology from the University of Durham. For several years he has also helped give leadership to “Dialogue and Truth,” an initiative to support undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral students in integrating their faith and their academic disciplines. Finally, he’s the incoming IFES Engaging the Universty Coordinator.   In this podcast we discuss: Timothee’s long experience in campus ministry as a student, staff, senior leader, and IFES historian, and a brief summary of IFES’s campus ministry Why the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers is an important way to understand how campus ministries should operate — “Immediacy, Mediation, and Participation” The importance of treating students as students Understanding the university as a “foreign land” as a way to discern, value, and engage appropriately in the university context What we can learn about flourishing in the university from the Nation of Israel’s exile (cf. Daniel chapter 1) The importance of engaging the university in all its dimensions (as a complete “ecosystem”) Why the term “parachurch” is a problematic way to identify campus ministries A better missiological understanding of the relationship between campus ministries and local churches How pastors can encourage the students (and scholars) in their congregations Some challenges and opportunities when campus ministries are independent and contextualized The close connection between campus ministries and a “missional ecclesiology” Thimotee’s three-fold summary of what a campus ministry should encourage students to do: Value, Listen, and Engage   Resources mentioned during our conversation: Timothee Joset, The Priesthood of All Students: Historical, Theological, and Missiological Foundations of a University Ministry: The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) Ralph Winter, “The Two Sructures of God’s Redemptive Mission” in Perspectives in the World Christian Movement IFES’s Engage the University project Nicholas Wolterstorff, Religion in the University

My guest in this episode is Dr. Martine Audeoud, Academic Dean of Bakke Graduate University and author of Research as Worship in the Company of God. In this recent book she shares much wisdom for students doing research for term papers.   In this podcast we discuss: How Martine began thinking about research as worship Why she believes “God is a God of research” How Research as Worship can help students doing term papers Why Africans have a “competative edge” in integrating faith and research and what we can learn from them Why she chose the metaphor of the Jewish tabernacle to illustrate how research is worship A few examples of how the tabernacle metaphor relates to research as study Integrity in research as a reflection of the holiness of God How understanding research as worship guards us against plagiarism, relying on ChatGPT to write papers, the temptation to only hear what we want to hear, etc. How to balance being open to new ideas with affirming what we know biblically, as illustrated by Nehimiah The non-negotiable values a Christian student should maintain while doing research The importance of being part of a faith community to help in research How to find other believers on your campus in general and in your major in particular How to find a mentor(s) to help you as a Christian in your research The importance of selecting the best research approach for your term papers A helpful checklist to writing a good research paper The role of journaling in doing research as worship Sabbath-keeping as a part of research and worship How all of our lives include research, well beyond just writing term papers   Resources mentioned during our conversation: Martine Audeoud, Research as Worship in the Company of God Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences “A Case Study in Thinking Christianly and Making a Difference: Edmund Husserl,” Episode 21 of the the Thinking Christianly podcast IFES/The International Fellowship of Evangelical Students and InterVarsity/USA Christian professional societies (see also here)

My guest in this edition is Cam Anderson, author of The Faithful Artist: A Vision for Evangelicalism and the Arts. Cam holds a Masters of Fine Arts (the highest degree in the field) from Cranbrook Academy of Art, works as an artist (among other things), and is past president of CIVA–Christians in the Visual Arts. I know of no one better to help us think about majoring in the arts than Cam.  In this podcast we discuss: How Cam first became interested in the arts His journey toward introducing himself as an artist, especially in the Christian community Why the church tends to devalue a calling to the arts The various fields within the broader category of “the arts” Career opportunities in the arts Shifts in university art departments over the past 50 years How an undergraduate degree in the arts positions one to work in other career fields Character traits and other indicators that you may flourish as an artist What a day in the life of an artist looks like What is often not taught in History of Art courses Cam’s journey to unite faith and art, and some ways this benefitted his faith and life Challenges Cam faced as he worked to unite faith and art How beauty helps us enter the presence of God The current state of the teaching and practice of art in universities (in general) How the crafts display beauty in interesting ways Advice to students considering or in art programs at secular universities What to do if you find your arts program is antagonistic to the Christian faith How to choose a good university art program Thinking Christianly about modern and contemporary art, and the other half of the story  How campus ministers and youth pastors can best reach students in the arts Imagining a world without art as a way to understand the value of art Resources mentioned during our conversation: Cameron Anderson, The Faithful Artist: A Vision for Evangelicalism and the Arts Cameron Anderson and G. Walter Hansen, eds., God in the Modern Wing: Viewing Art with Eyes of Faith Makoto Fujimura, Art and Faith: A Theology of Making Makoto Fujimura, Culture Care: Reconnecting with Beauty for Our Common Life Upper House podcast with Cam Anderson and Majoto Fujimura: Art + Faith Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art Christians in the Visual Arts (ceased programming in April 2023)–see especially their “Find Your Fit” page for links to many other faith and art communities The Brehm Center at Fuller Seminary Duke Initiatives in Theology & the Arts Image Journal The Rabbit Room Square Halo Books

This episode is the first in an intermittent series on majoring in the various academic fields (broadly speaking). My hope is to help you understand more of what is involved in various areas of study, how these fields relate to the Christian faith, and practical advice as you major in this area. My guest for each episode in this series will be someone with many years experience in the field, as well as a robust faith in Christ, and has learned to flourish both academically and spiritually in this field of study. We begin today with a focus on majors in the hard sciences. My guest in this episode is Dr. Bob Kaita, emeritus Senior Physicist at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, where he has conducted nuclear fusion energy research for nearly four decades. Bob has also been the thesis advisor for students who have pursued careers in government and industry as well as academia, mentoring students through their studies in plasma physics. He is a fellow of the American Physics Society, and a recipient of the Kaul Prize for Excellence in Plasma Physics Research and Technology Development for pioneering work in components for fusion devices. Bob is also a fellow and past president of the American Scientific Affiliation, one of the largest organization of Christians in science and engineering. In this podcast we discuss: How Bob first got interested in a career in the sciences How Bob’s coming to faith in Christ in high school connected with his love of science The role Bob’s parents played in helping his pursue a career in science A scientist who followed God’s call that serves as a role model for Bob Career opportunities open to those with degrees in the sciences The importance of having a servant’s heart as a scientist Signs you may be called to be a scientist How Bob’s faith helped him in his studies of physics, rather than be a hindrance Some areas of overlap between faith and physics How Bob thinks about areas of alleged conflict between science and faith The centrality of one’s worldview in interpreting scientific data The exciting future for research in the sciences The grounding of a Christian’s worth as a scientist The valuable role of humility and spiritual formation in the life of a Christian scientist Books and professional societies that help connect faith and science The importance of understanding the relationship between science and the philosophy of science Doing science vs. faith-science integration Why there are so many Christians in the hard sciences The role of imagination in the practice of science The importance of being a good writer as a scientist Why scientists need to understand truth from other disciplines, and vice-versa Limitations of science that believers should be aware of Balancing “follow the science” with complete and blind faith in science The new “priesthood” of scientists, and the resulting backlash against science A final word of encouragement to budding scientists Resources mentioned during our conversation and later suggested by Bob: The American Scientific Affiliation Walter R. Hearn, Being a Christian in Science Other InterVarsity Press books on faith and science P. Moreland and Garrett DeWeese, Philosophy Made Slightly Less Difficult: A Beginner’s Guide to Life’s Big Questions Robert Wuthnow, The Struggle for America’s Soul: Evangelicals, Liberals, & Secularism Hannah Eagleson (ed.), Science and Faith: Student Questions Explored Elaine Howard Ecklund, Why Science and Faith Need Each Other: Eight Shared Values that Move Us Beyond Fear Textbook: The Crossroads of Science and Faith: Astronomy Through a Christian Worldview Textbook: The Crossroads of Science and Faith: An Introduction to the Science & Faith Dialogue

Intro: My guest in this episode is Dr. Rob Bowman, an expert on cults and heretical Christian sects. He is also a biblical scholar who has, since 1984, written 14 books and dozens of articles defending the truth of Christianity against error. In this podcast we discuss: How Rob got interested in cults while in college How his background as a biblical scholar helps him evaluate cults Secular and religious cults (or ‘heretical sects’) and some examples The warning signs that a group may be a cult The importance of distinguishing between sociological and theological definitions of a cult Mormonism as a case study theologically (especially how they define “God”) and sociologically  The biblical, global, and historic understanding of what constitutes the essentials of the Christian faith An example of a cult becoming a legitimate, biblically grounded denomination and vice-versa Distinguishing strong leadership/authority from cultic leadership/authority How the prophets and Apostles in Scripture model strong but not cultic leadership/authority Good questions to ask to determine if a group is a cult (including the one question you should always start with) How all cults deviate on the nature of Jesus Different things cults mean when they affirm “Jesus is the Son of God” What cults mean by “We only go by the teachings of the Bible”–the role other authoritative texts or unique bible translations in cults Examples of cultic beliefs and practices from Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, and Christian Scientism How most modern-day cults are just repackaged heresies of past centuries Why the three large U.S. cults (Christian heretical sects) arose in the same time and region, the dark side of Revivalism in the Second Great Awakening, and the lesson we should learn How “Restorationism” (the desire to restore the first-century church) lead to the establishment of many cults in the 19th century How “Rationalism” (the desire to only accept what we can fully understand) lead to the establishment of other cults in the 19th century If you discover you are in a cult, how do you get out? The “win-win” question you should ask if you think you are in a cult Websites to help you identify and understand groups that are cults (see websites below) The relationship between biblical illiteracy and a train wreck for your faith The importance of understanding the proper principles of biblical interpretation (hermeneutics) to identify and avoid the errors of cults Resources mentioned during our conversation: Institute for Religion Research – resources on cults, apologetic issues, and how to study the Bible Watchman Fellowship – a comprehensive index of cults Bible.org – helpful for resources for studying the Bible

My guest today is Jonathan Morrow. Jonathan has been equipping students and parents in biblical worldview, apologetics, and culture for over 16 years, and is passionate about seeing a new generation build a lasting faith. He holds graduate degrees in Christian thought and is currently the Director of Cultural Engagement and Student Discipleship at the Impact 360 Institute and an adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University. Jonathan has authored several books, including Welcome to College, Questioning the Bible, and Is God Just a Human Invention? His book Welcome to College is the best book I’ve seen to help students flourish during their university years. So I’ve invited him to discuss some of the ideas in this book with me today.   In this podcast we discuss: The five ideas defining campus culture* today and how to identify and respond to them (*and broader culture) Understanding “Sexual Revolution 2.0” and how to reframe these issues How some churches are embracing these harmful ideas (and some authors promoting these ideas) “Deconstructing” faith Dealing with the three types of doubt  Examples of students who have flourished due to the principles in Welcome to College  Some problems students face when not understanding the truths in Welcome to College The importance of choosing friends wisely The fallacy of assuming your Christian upbringing prepares you for college The three biblical ways to flourish in college   Resources mentioned during our conversation: Jonathan Morrow, Welcome to College: A Christ-Follower’s Guide for the Journey Impact 360 Institute Alisa Childers, Another Gospel? A Lifelong Christian Seeks Truth in Response to Progressive Christianity JonathanMorrow.org Andy Crouch, The Tech-Wise Family: Everyday Steps for Putting Technology in Its Proper Place JP Moreland, Scientism and Secularism: Learning to Respond to a Dangerous Ideology Paul Copan, True For You But Not For Me: Overcoming Objections to Christian Faith Francis Beckwith and Greg Koukl, Relativism: Feet Firmly Planted in Mid-Air Thaddeus Williams, Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice Nancy Pearcey, Love Thy Body: Answering Hard Questions about Life and Sexuality Carl Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution Carl Trueman, Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution (a shorter and easier-to-read version of his The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self) Sean McDowell, “Conservative vs. Progressive: Jesus, Culture, and the Bible (with Brandan Robertson)” (One of Sean’s many YouTube videos on Progressive Christianity) Greg Koukl, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions

My guest today is Dr. Phil Bishop, Emeritus Professor at the University of Alabama. Due to the pressures he faced as a student and then as a professor at a leading university, Phil has thought much about the whys and hows of managing his time well so as to excel both professionally and spiritually. He shares some of what he’s learned about time management.    In this podcast we discuss: How Phil learned to manage his time well Why learning to manage time well is so important The importance of making time management choices based on priorities   Time management and a weekly day of rest Why we shouldn’t be “crazy busy” Being sure to get what we are paying for at college Tips on saving time by keeping track of documents How working ahead by leveraging a calendar saves time Time management as a stress-reducer The value of learning to say “no” The role of prayer in time management How knowing yourself is essential to managing your time effectively Combining tasks to maximize your time Succeeding by doing small things well through good time management Learning from others who manage their time better than you A practical first step to managing your time better Why Phil wishes he had managed his time a little less and been a bit less “productive”   Resources mentioned during our conversation: Phil Bishop, College Faith Podcast “How To Get Better Grades…and Have More Fun” Simple Gmail Notes (Gmail extension to add personal notes to emails) Boomerang (Gmail extension to help manage emails) Eugene Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society Tim Keller, Every Good Endeavor: Connecting Your Work to God’s Work Dr. Bishop’s email address: pbishop[at]ua.edu

The college years are pivotal in determining a career path. Beginning with choosing a college and then choosing a major, and often even a specialization, students are faced with many important decisions. It is often challenging for the Christian student trying to discern God’s will in these career choices. It involves determining your calling and having the courage to follow that path. I discuss this with Dr. Gordon Smith, president of Ambrose University and author of Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential. In this podcast we discuss: How Gordon’s own wrestling with career questions lead him to write this book The fundamental paradigm for determining God’s will Does God only “call” people to ministry? Is serving in “ministry” more valued by God? Why or why not? The value of careers that involve “manual” work How Gordon developed a more accurate theology of vocation How others can help you discern God’s will in making career decisions The important difference between your “career” and your “vocation” The four questions that will help you discover your calling The greatest roadblock to discerning your calling The role anger should and should not play in your discernment process The value of the Myers-Briggs [Personality] Type Indicator in your discernment process How to deal with the fear of “missing” God’s call in your career choice Why you should take classes in a wide range of subjects during the first few years of college Releasing the burden of having to nail this all down by the time you graduate Being freed from the “urgency and tyranny of time” in finding and living out your calling How your vocation is tied to your specific time and place The importance of courage in finding and following your calling Resources mentioned during our conversation: Gordon Smith, Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential Gordon Smith, Teach Us To Pray Francis Schaeffer’s Trilogy, How Shall We Then Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture, and his many other books Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov Liam Atchison, “Higher Education 101: How Universities Came to Be and How They Work,” College Faith podcast #3 Gordon Smith, Consider Your Calling: Six Questions for Discerning Your Vocation (for college students) Gordon Smith, Your Calling Here and Now: Making Sense of Vocation (for those in mid-life) Edward P. Hahnenberg, Awakening Vocation: A Theology of Christian Call How Gordon’s own wrestling with career questions lead him to write this book The fundamental paradigm for determining God’s will Does God only “call” people to ministry? Is serving in “ministry” more valued by God? Why or why not? The value of careers that involve “manual” work How Gordon developed a more accurate theology of vocation How others can help you discern God’s will in making career decisions The important difference between your “career” and your “vocation” The four questions that will help you discover your calling The greatest roadblock to discerning your calling The role anger should and should not play in your discernment process The value of the Myers-Briggs [Personality] Type Indicator in your discernment process How to deal with the fear of “missing” God’s call in your career choice Why you should take classes in a wide range of subjects during the first few years of college Releasing the burden of having to nail this all down by the time you graduate Being freed from the “urgency and tyranny of time” in finding and living out your calling How your vocation is tied to your specific time and place The importance of courage in finding and following your calling Resources mentioned during our conversation: Gordon Smith, Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential Gordon Smith, Teach Us To Pray Francis Schaeffer’s Trilogy, How Shall We Then Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture, and his many other books Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov Liam Atchison, “Higher Education 101: How Universities Came to Be and How They Work,” College Faith podcast #3 Gordon Smith, Consider Your Calling: Six Questions for Discerning Your Vocation (for college students) Gordon Smith, Your Calling Here and Now: Making Sense of Vocation (for those in mid-life) Edward P. Hahnenberg, Awakening Vocation: A Theology of Christian Call How Gordon’s own wrestling with career questions lead him to write this book The fundamental paradigm for determining God’s will Does God only “call” people to ministry? Is serving in “ministry” more valued by God? Why or why not? The value of careers that involve “manual” work How Gordon developed a more accurate theology of vocation How others can help you discern God’s will in making career decisions The important difference between your “career” and your “vocation” The four questions that will help you discover your calling The greatest roadblock to discerning your calling The role anger should and should not play in your discernment process The value of the Myers-Briggs [Personality] Type Indicator in your discernment process How to deal with the fear of “missing” God’s call in your career choice Why you should take classes in a wide range of subjects during the first few years of college Releasing the burden of having to nail this all down by the time you graduate Being freed from the “urgency and tyranny of time” in finding and living out your calling How your vocation is tied to your specific time and place The importance of courage in finding and following your calling Resources mentioned during our conversation: Gordon Smith, Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential Gordon Smith, Teach Us To Pray Francis Schaeffer’s Trilogy, How Shall We Then Live: The Rise and Decline of Western Thought and Culture, and his many other books Fyodor Dostoevsky, The Brothers Karamazov Liam Atchison, “Higher Education 101: How Universities Came to Be and How They Work,” College Faith podcast #3 Gordon Smith, Consider Your Calling: Six Questions for Discerning Your Vocation (for college students) Gordon Smith, Your Calling Here and Now: Making Sense of Vocation (for those in mid-life) Edward P. Hahnenberg, Awakening Vocation: A Theology of Christian Call