College Faith

Welcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Dr. Sean McDowell, Associate Professor of Christian Apologetics at the Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. Sean recently wrote Chasing Love: Sex, Love, and Relationships in a Confused Culture. Since every college student I’ve ever known wonders about and struggles with everything in this books’ title, I’ve invited Sean onto the show to share his wisdom on these issues with you. In this podcast we discuss: Why Sean wrote this book, and how it can help students navigate sexual issues Why there is increasing confusion over sexual issues in our culture The biblical understanding of love, sex, and relationships Sean’s story of flourishing during college and now in his marriage as he applied the biblical sexual ethic The important difference between “freedom from” and “freedom for” in sexuality  How the world would be better if everyone lived out the biblical sexual ethic God’s boundaries as protection and provision Why being in a romantic relationship isn’t the answer to being happy and fulfilled How to avoid and/or resolve conflict over different sexual ethics with your roommate(s) Balancing love and truth when discussing “hot button” issues in sexual ethics (such as transgenderism) and “blowing up the script” The pros and cons of the “Purity Culture” movement Where he sees hope for the future of biblical sexual ethics in both student and cultural flourishing The power of God’s grace for those who have “blown it” in sexual ethics Resources mentioned during our conversation: Sean McDowell, Chasing Love: Sex, Love, and Relationships in a Confused Culture Lisa Michelle, “Surviving Sexual Abuse and Exploitation” on the Think Biblically podcast with Sean McDowell and Scott Rae Lisa Michelle, Unlikely Warrior: A Voice Rising Out of the Darkness of Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Joshua Harris, I Kissed Dating Goodbye Rachel Joy Welcher, Talking Back to Purity Culture: Rediscovering Faithful Christian Sexuality Rachel Joy Welcher, “What Purity Culture Got Right and Wrong” on the Think Biblically podcast with Sean McDowell and Scott Rae Sean’s website SeanMcdowell.org Sean’s Facebook Sean’s Twitter Sean’s Instagram Sean’s TikTok Sean’s YouTube channel Sean and Scott Rae’s podcast Think Biblically: Conversations on Faith & Culture

This is the second podcast in a series I’m doing on campus ministries. I am interviewing a leader from each, asking them the same questions so that you have an “apples to apples” comparison of the different ministries’ Missions, emphases, distinctives, approaches, and cultures. In this episode I interview a leader with CRU’s campus ministry. He is the first guest I’ve had on the show twice. You first met Roger Hershey when we discussed his book The Finishers on Episode #13. As perhaps the longest-serving staff in CRU’s Campus Ministry (now in his 50th year), I can think of no one better to help us understand CRU’s ministry. Furthermore, Roger is the staff worker who ministered to me during my college years (as well as before and after). Before moving into college ministry he directed CRU’s high school ministry in Cincinnati, which God used to bring me to faith in Christ in 1980. Roger then discipled me during my years at Miami University in the early 80s. Finally, from 1989 to 1992 I had the privilege of serving on Roger’s staff team, and I learned much about leadership from him during those years (I’ve summarized some of what I learned in my article “Three Types of Leaders–Two to Avoid and One to Become”). And even though we haven’t worked together for many years now, I still count him a mentor and dear friend. In this podcast we discuss:  How CRU began CRU’s Mission CRU’s strategy to accomplish this Mission How this strategy is implemented on campus CRUs’ Statement of Faith CRU’s understanding of women in ministry Regional differences in CRU’s ministry on campus Some of the people CRU holds up as role models for students What CRU believes they should offer students through their ministry CRU’s strengths, and how to take advantage of these strengths A unique feature of all CRU conferences   CRU’s weakness, and how to compensate for this weakness How CRU has changed since the ‘70s and 80s related to this weakness, and results of this change The breadth and depth of  CRU’s curriculum taught in small groups How CRU helps students develop lifelong habits to foster growth in Christ Spiirtual disciplines CRU helps students develop Examples of how CRU has shaped students to serve Christ for the rest of their lives How CRU teaches students to be involved in culture  How CRU encourages students to engage the racial tensions prevalent on campus these days (including how CRU undersands and engages Critical Race Theory and the relationship between Social Justice and Biblical justice ) Why students should consider being involved in CRU The challenge of balancing quantity and quality in a CRU campus ministry Resources mentioned during our conversation: CRU.org CRU’s Statement of Faith U.S. Center for World Mission (now Frontier Ventures) Josh McDowell (especially More than a Carpenter and Evidence That Demands a Verdict) Robert Coleman (especially The Master Plan of Evangelism) Norman Geisler (especially I Don’t Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist) C.S. Lewis William Lane Craig J.P. Moreland Ralph Winters Crawford Loritts James White John Piper Tim Keller Francis Chan Paul Tripp Henry Cloud Richard Niehuhr, Christ and Culture Stan Wallace, “Are You an Artist, a Cheerleader, or a Demolition Engineer? Three Ways Christians Relate to Culture” “CRU Divided Over Emphasis on Race,” Christianity Today, June 3, 2021 “CRU Military Ministry Leader Resigns in Protest of Critical Race Theory,” Capstone Report, August 10, 2021 Stan Wallace, “How Should Christians Understand Critical Theory?” Thaddeus Williams, Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice The Jesus Film The Thinking Christianly podcast with J.P. Moreland and Stan Wallace Global Scholars updates

My guest for this episode is Dr. Tim Muehlhoff, professor of Communication at Biola University. His research, writing, speaking, and consulting focuses on how to have healthy and productive conversations with others, from the home to the church to the university to the public square.   Due to his understanding of communication theory, as well as spending many years earning three degrees in public universities, I can think of no one better to help us understand our topic today! In this podcast we discuss:  How the wrong choice of words can easy sabotage communication and relationships Why he began researching how to engage difficult conversations  What a Christian student’s priority in class should be How to earn the right to be heard in class Understanding the insecurities of (especially) teaching assistants and adjunct professors, and how best to build credibility with them The importance of the first thirty seconds when discussing an area of disagreement  Why the stage of the semester makes a huge difference in responding to challenges The two levels of communication: content and relational (tone and respect) The importance of being able to argue the other side of an issue, and “speaking truth in love” The three questions to ask yourself first in order to communicate well and be heard Factors to take into account to determine if and when to speak up The four areas of the “communication climate” essential to having good conversations (including having our perspective heard in class) Times Tim succeeded and failed in applying these principles, and what he learned Applying “treat others as you want to be treated” to relationships and conversations The role of having gratitude and charity toward even those who promote radically anti-Christian views How to use, and not use, email in communicating with professors and fellows students The role of humor, presence, good etiquette, and compliments in building bridges and fostering good conversations A word of encouragement for Christian students at secular universities Resources mentioned during our conversation: G.K. Chesterton Tim Muehlhoff and Richard Langer, Winsome Persuasion: Christian Influence in a Post-Christian World Craig L. Blomberg, Contagious Holiness: Jesus’ Meal with Sinners Tim Muehlhoff, Eyes To See: Recognizing God’s Common Grace in an Unsettled World Other books by Tim Muehlhoff The Winsome Conviction Project (podcast, articles, devotionals) Tim Muehlhoff, “Reclaiming Humor in Uncivil Times” in Christian Scholar’s Review (the example of C.K. Chesterton) Tim Muehlhoff, “How To Have a Difficult Conversation” on YouTube

Welcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars This is the first in a series I’m doing on campus ministries. Over the next six months or so I will be interviewing a leader from each of the major campus ministries, asking them the same questions so that you can have an “apples to apples” comparison of the different ministries’ Missions, emphases, distinctives, approaches, and cultures. I’m beginning this series by interviewing a leader with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. My guest is Mr. Greg Jao, Executive Vice President–Communications & Mobilization. Greg has over two decades of experience with InterVarsity. He is a former colleague of mine, and I count him as a good friend. In this podcast we discuss: How InterVarsity/USA began, and the sustaining values that resulted The Mission, Purpose, and four Values of InterVarsity The centrality of small group bible studies in InterVarsity chapters InterVarsity’s core distinctives: ethnic diversity, commitment to global missions, and discipleship of the mind Why InterVarsity groups tend to look different regionally and even on the same campus The challenges this differentiation presents, and how InterVarsity responds Why InterVarsity has been forced off a number of campuses in recent years Core elements of InterVarsity’s Statement of Faith, who must affirm it, and why Whether InterVarsity is on the conservative or progressive end of the theological spectrum Some of the “heros of the faith” InterVarsity holds up to students The four things InterVarsity believes students need to flourish during their university years Why InterVarsity puts such emphasis on developing a diverse community InterVarsity’s current strengths and weaknesses InterVarsity’s national strategies to improve on current weaknesses How InterVarsity helps students develop habits to walk with Christ for a lifetime Core spiritual disciplines InterVarsity encourages students to practice Why the “life of the mind” is so important to InterVarsity How students are taught to engage culture with biblical truth How InterVarsity engages racial and justice issues How InterVarsity sees the relationships between biblical justice, “social justice,” and the gospel Why InterVarsity see community as central to their ministry Resources mentioned during our conversation:  Greg Jao, Your Mind’s Mission The Urbana Student Missions Conference InterVarsity/USA’s Website InterVarsity/USA’s Statement of Faith The Emerging Scholars Network Don Everts and Doug Schaupp, I Once Was Lost: What Postmodern Skeptics Taught Us About Their Path to Jesus James Chong, Real Life: A Christianity Worth Living Out J.I. Packer, Knowing God John White, Daring to Draw Near: People in Prayer Gary Haugen, Good News About Injustice: A Witness of Courage in a Hurting World Stan W. Wallace, “How Should Christians Understand Critical Theory?” A listing of all campus ministries at every university: EveryCampus.com

Welcome to another edition of the College Faith Podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Roger Hershey, a national traveling speaker and campus ministry consultant with Cru. Roger has ministered to university students for 50 years now, sharing truths and wisdom that has changed the lives of thousands of students. I know this firsthand, because I was one who, now four decades ago, had the privilege of being discipled by Roger while a student at Miami University.  I am thrilled to have Roger on the show and have him share some of his wisdom on this podcast. In this podcast we discuss: What led him and Jason Weimer to write The Finishers Why he believes this generation of students can finish taking the gospel to all people groups How his time in college deepened his vision to be part of fulfilling the Great Commission of Matt. 28:18-20 His challenge to students to reject a posture of entitlement, and their reaction The difference between rights and privileges Breaking free of our “Pea-sized Christianity” and being a “World Christian” Why God often uses students to begin spiritual revivals The Christian Chinese “Back to Jerusalem” movement Defining the “10-40 Window” and why it is important Why understanding the return of Christ should motivate us to be World Christians The role students can play in helping fulfill the Great Commission while still in college The importance of students getting involved in a campus ministry (see https://everycampus.com/ for a list of good campus ministries on your campus)   The three key elements to use when evaluating which campus ministry to join The importance of having the correct understanding of calling and of God’s will Finding one’s “sweet spot”: gifts and strengths, passions, and the needs in the world Seeing our work as having both intrinsic and instrumental value The greatest challenges students face in fulfilling their callings The current confusion between the gospel and social justice, and how this influences students and ministry The cautionary example of the Student Volunteer Movement How the gospel and justice do fit together Why students must understand God’s grace, their identity in Christ, and that God loves them and likes them Living life with an “eternal perspective” Living in light of the Holy Spirit’s leading The centrality of God’s Word and “thinking Christianly” The importance of knowing Christ is the only way to God The three things to look for in a mentor (someone to disciple you)  Resources mentioned during our conversation: Roger Hershey and Jason Weimer, The Finishers The Campus Ministry branch of CRU Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism The U.S. Center for World Missions (Now Frontier Ventures) Greg H. Parsons, Ralph D. Winter: Early Life and Core Missiology Global Scholars David Bryant, In the Gap: What it Means to be a World Christian The Jesus Film Project Wycliffe Bible Translators J.P. Moreland, Kingdom Triangle: Recover the Christian Mind, Renovate the Soul, Restore the Spirit’s Power Kevin DeYoung, Just Do Something: A Liberating Approach to Finding God’s Will Randy Alcorn, The Treasure Principle: Discovering The Secret of Joyful Giving Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life William Lane Craig on the Problem of Evil Todd Ahren, In This Generation: Looking to the Past to Reach the Present Thaddeus Williams, Confronting Injustice Without Compromising Truth: 12 Questions Christians Should Ask About Social Justice Eric Metaxas, Amazing Grace: William Wiberforce and the Heroic Campaign to End Slavery (also a major motion picture) Rob Bell, Love Wins, and response  Roger Hershey’s website, containing his message for students trying to discern God’s call Joshua Project Joshua Project’s Unreached of the Day App Jason Mandryk, Operation World: The Definitive Prayer Guide to Every Nation

Welcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Dr. Perry Glanzer, Professor of Education at Baylor University. In this episode we discuss the ins and outs of being an excellent student, which goes far beyond just earning good grades.   Perry earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, and is Baylor’s Professor of Educational Foundations, as well as a Resident Scholar with Baylor’s Institute for Studies in Religion. He has authored, co-authored, or edited a number of important books on the integration of biblical truth and academic studies, including Christianity and Scholarship in Higher Education. In addition, he has published over 75 journal articles and book chapters on topics related to moral education, faith-based higher education, and the relationship between faith and scholarship. Perry is also the current Editor-in-Chief of Christian Scholar’s Review. In this podcast we discuss: Why it is important for Christian students to focus on excellence, rather than rules   How Christian students will benefit by reading his book Identity in Action: Christian Excellence in All of Life  What being a good student involves (beyond just getting good grades) Unique challenges Christian students face in being good students  The relationship between pursuing excellence and understanding one’s calling What steps a student can take to become excellence (beyond just “following the rules”) Learning how to really read–the three levels of reading How to think well and biblically about the issues discussed in classes and textbooks–”Christian critical thinking” A Case Study: Christian critical thinking and Critical Race Theory A Case Study: Christian critical thinking and Economic theory  How Christian critical thinking is contrary to modern educational philosophy, and how Christian students can swim against this tide   Ways to find mentors among Christian professors in one’s major  Why Christian students should consider joining a Christian professional society   Is the cost of college worth it? Perry’s experience teaching in Russia The role of our identity in Christ and his grace in the journey toward excellence  Resources mentioned during our conversation: Perry Glanzer, Identity in Action: Christian Excellence in All of Life Mortimer Adler and Charles VanDoren, How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading Ron Blue, Master Your Money: A Step-by-Step Plan for Experiencing Financial Contentment “How To Get Better Grades and Have More Fun,” College Faith Episode #9 with Dr. Philip Bishop Christian Scholar’s Review Christian professional societies  Christian Scholar’s Review Bibliography on integrating faith and academic disciplines Christian Scholar’s Review Blog on integrating faith and academic disciplines  Mike Metzger, Sequencing: Deciphering Your Company’s DNA (“Ought-Is-Can-Will”) Global Scholars  Christian Legal Society Christian Medical and Dental Associations Nurses Christian Fellowship Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory 

Welcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Dr. Michael Kruger, President of Reformed Seminary-Charlotte and author of Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College. Dr. Kruger wrote this book for his daughter, who is now a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, sharing what he wished he understood as a young believer and a student there thirty years ago, as his faith was challenged by his religion professor. Now an accomplished scholar, he is able to offer much wisdom to his daughter Emma, and so many like her, who face challenges to their faith each day on campus.  In this podcast we discuss: Why he wrote this book to his daughter, now studying at a public university How his book will also help students at Christian colleges and universities, and their parents The strong bias against the Christian faith in Religion Departments How studying at a secular university can help students grow in their faith  How students can identify and engage the biases of their professors and their own  How to disagree on “hot-button” topics in a respectful and loving way  How our theological paradigms incline us to respond to objections to the Christian faith differently (such as our response to the Problem of Evil) The importance of students understanding biblical truth to survive Religion 101  How our churches can help students prepare to thrive during college Two “flavors” of Evangelical Christianity that don’t prepare students well for college Different types of doubt Christians experience, and how to “doubt well”   What to do if a student feels “Christianity just isn’t working for me.” The connection between head and heart–between what we believe and what we love The only way to sustain a robust Christian faith for the long-haul   Why one unanswered objection shouldn’t derail your faith Why all believers will benefit from this book (not just college students) Resources mentioned during our conversation: Michael J. Kruger, Surviving Religion 101: Letters to a Christian Student on Keeping the Faith in College  Michael Kruger’s website James Anderson, What’s Your Worldview?: An Interactive Approach to Life’s Big Questions  James Anderson, Why Should I Believe Christianity?  C.S. Lewis’ Free Will defense to the Problem of Evil: Mere Christianity, pp. 47-48, see also Art Lindsley, “The Problem of Evil: C.S. Lewis Speaks to Life’s Most Difficult Questions” Stan Wallace, “If God Exists, Why is There Pain and Suffering?” Mark Noll, The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind Timothy Keller, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism Timothy Keller, The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

In this episode I talk with Dr. Randy Newman about the importance of asking good questions. Whether it be in class, in relationships, or in conversations about our faith, the ability to ask the right questions is often the key to great conversations, learning, and growth.  Randy is one of the best “question-askers” I know. He has shared some of his wisdom on this topic as it relates to sharing the good news of the gospel with others in his popular book Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts The Way Jesus Did. We begin with the principles he shares in this book and broaden the conversation to the many other types of conversations we often have. Randy and I have been friends for over 30 years. Though we no longer serve together in the same ministry, we remain close friends. I am always a better person after our conversations, due largely to Randy’s ability to ask me good questions! Randy currently serves the Senior Fellow for Apologetics and Evangelism at the C.S. Lewis Institute.   In this podcast we discuss: What happens when we ask others questions How Randy’s Jewish background helped him learn to ask good questions How his failures in sharing the gospel lead him to begin asking questions The starting assumption that causes us to not ask questions in evangelism   Examples of how his questions led to good conversations with skeptics of the Christian faith Tips to help us all get better at asking good questions The importance of how we ask questions, in addition to the questions we ask The value of “asking permission” to have a conversation about spiritual matters How we can respond well when a non-believer asks us questions about our faith How Jesus modeled for us how to ask good questions to get to the real issues When we should not answer questions we are asked by non-believers How students can excel academically by asking their professors good questions Why and how to respond with questions when a professor is openly hostile to your faith How a student’s respect and questions helped an atheistic professor come to faith in Christ Accomplishing more by accomplishing less in conversations How asking good questions helps us develop deeper friendships  Why asking questions serves others and is a tangible way to show love  The importance of asking good questions when on a date, and what to listen for in his or her answers Some questions to ask when searching for a good church, and the right people to ask  Questions to ask when choosing a major, and the right people to ask How to have great summers by asking the right questions Errors to avoid when asking others questions The important role of asking God hard questions, and asking others our hard questions about God Examples in media of those who ask good questions, and those who don’t  Randy’s newest book, coming out in September!  Resources mentioned during our conversation: Books by Randy: Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts the Way Jesus Did  Corner Conversations: Engaging Dialogues About God and Life Bringing the Gospel Home: Witnessing to Family Members, Close Friends, and Others Who Know You Well Unlikely Converts: Improbable Stories of Faith and What They Teach Us About Evangelism Mere Evangelism: 10 Insights from C.S. Lewis to Help You Share Your Faith Lyle Dorsett Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis The “On Being” podcast by Christian Tippit

My guest on this episode is Dr. Phil Bishop, emeritus professor of Kinesiology at the University of Alabama, where he taught for 34 years. In 2006 he was appointed the first professorship at Alabama named after Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant. (For more see his “Meet The Prof” page, and his personal page.) As a Christian professor, Phil most enjoys the opportunity he has to love and care for his students. One of the ways he shows this love is speaking often on how to succeed at college, and at life! His talk, “How To Get Better Grades and Have More Fun,” is full of extremely practical and useful tips, gleaned from over four decades as a student and a professor.  Not only does Phil provide helpful tips to get better grades, he also weaves in lessons important to succeeding in life and sustaining a vibrant relationship with Christ.  In our conversation, based on his “Better Grades” seminar, we discuss: Why he cares so much about students getting better grades   How to navigate the distractions of college life  Skills to maximize learning while in class  Skills to maximize learning outside of class How best to retain information you are reading The one strategy that will increase your GPA a full point or more (and reduce stress) How best to take advantage of your professor’s office hours  The importance of doing extra credit work Proven strategies to prepare well for final exams The importance of having a specific place to study  Finding and leveraging your learning style  One poor strategy that won’t help you succeed in college The importance of exercise for stress relief  The importance of prioritizing our walk with Christ during the college years How to determine your major, and when to start    The value of internships  How and why to take classes outside your major that you are interested in Strategies to identify and offset your academic weaknesses  Using summer to prepare well for the next academic year The pros and cons of websites that rate professors  Resources mentioned during our conversation: Google Scholar

Dr. Ken Elzinga is the Robert C. Taylor Professor of Economics at University of Virginia. As a professor at UVA for over 50 years now, he has nurtured several generations of students. Christian and non-Christian students alike have benefitted from his gentle, Christlike spirit, his winsome manner, and his extraordinary wisdom. He is the type of professor we all hope and pray our children will have–someone who cares deeply about both their minds and hearts. Dr. Elzinga has been able to have such an influence on so many students due to his commitment to excellence in his calling as a professor, doing his work as unto the Lord. His honors are too many to mention, but include being the first recipient of the Cavaliers’ Distinguished Professorship at UVA, receiving the Alumni Association’s Distinguished Professor Award, the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Award, and the Thomas Jefferson Award, which is the highest honor UVA awards to a professor. As an outstanding scholar and teacher, his introductory economics course is the largest class on campus, with over one thousand students taking the class each year. His upper-level Antitrust Policy seminar continually has a waiting list of two years. Beyond the university, Dr. Elzinga is often asked for his expert opinion on issues of antitrust economics, including testifying before the Supreme Court as an economic expert in three cases.  In addition to publishing over one hundred academic articles, he has also co-authored four mystery novels (under the pen name Marshall Jevons). These intriguing novels revolve around an economist who solves crimes by using concepts of economics. They are now available in seven languages, and are often used by others teaching economics to illustrate economic theory.  In this podcast Dr. Elzinga shares his insights, wisdom, warnings, and encouragements to help Christian students flourish during their university years. In this podcast we discuss:  How Ken’s faith in Christ influences how he teaches How he ministers to students outside the classroom How students can integrate their faith into all of life The importance of not being ashamed of being a Christian on campus Why it is so important to immediately find Christian fellowship, and how to do so   How students can identify Christian professors  Why students should ask Christian professors to be mentors How Christian Study Centers can help Christian students Spiritual disciplines Christian students should practice in order to thrive Academic disciplines Christian students should practice in order to thrive Ways Christian students can be used by God in their professor’s lives Wisdom for life from his field of Economics The unspoken assumption that often shakes the faith of Christian students What students must do to counter this unspoken assumption  Counsel for Christian students considering an academic career Resources mentioned during our conversation: Dr. Elzinga’s website   Dr. Elzinga’s UVA page Campus Ministries’ websites  Consortium of Christian Study Centers InterVarsity Press books on college life Cru resources on college life