College Faith

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

In this episode, we are discussing how to make wise decisions when faced with ethical dilemmas, both in your personal life and in your studies. My guest is Dr. Scott Rae, a distinguished Christian ethicist and professor at the Talbot School of Theology, Biola University. Scott is widely recognized for his work in bioethics, business ethics, and moral philosophy from a Christian worldview. He holds a Ph.D. in Social Ethics from the University of Southern California and has authored or co-authored numerous influential books, including Moral Choices and Beyond Integrity. Rae is also a frequent speaker and consultant on ethical issues facing the church, business, and society. In this podcast we discuss:How Scott first got interested in learning about ethical reasoning, especially related to business ethics and bioethicsThe four ways people answer the “Says who?” question about right and wrongFinding common ground with others on ethical issuesScott’s very helpful model of ethical decision making applied to three case studies:Navigating your girlfriend’s pregnancyWrestling with honoring your friend vs. confidentiality at workDealing with the challenge of plagiarism at schoolWhy “inner peace” is not a good guide to ethical decision makingWhy we shout at one another so much in our polarized culture today Resources mentioned during our conversation:Scott Rae, Moral Choices: An Introduction to EthicsScott Rae, Introducing Christian Ethics: A Short Guide to Making Moral ChoicesScott Rae and Kenman Wong, Beyond Integrity: A Judeo-Christian Approach to Business EthicsScott Rae and Kenman Wong, Business for the Common Good: A Christian Vision for the MarketplaceThe Center for Bioethics and Human DignityThe Theology of Work ProjectThe Denver Institute for Faith and Work

In this edition we are discussing a very prevalent philosophy on university campuses today (as well as in many churches): Postmodernism. My guest is Dr. Scott Smith, Professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University’s Talbot School of Theology. Scott has written quite a few articles and well-received books on this topic and often speaks on postmodernism and its implications in churches, at conferences, and on podcasts like this one. In this podcast we discuss: What postmodernism is, and how it developed out of modernity Why the theory of nominalism (the belief that there is no reality beyond the words we use for things) is the foundation of postmodernism Why Scott is so interested in this issue as a Christian Examples of where students will encounter postmodern thought Concerns about the rise in “expressive individualism” What we can learn from postmodern thought What we must reject in postmodern thought A practical suggestion for how to converse with someone who embraces postmodernism Resources mentioned during our conversation: Scott Smith, Truth and the New Kind of Christian: The Emerging Effects of Postmodernism in the Church Scott Smith, Authentically Emergent: In Search of a Truly Progressive Christianity Scott Smith, Exposing the Roots of Constructivism: Nominalism and the Ontology of Knowledge Carl R. Trueman, The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self: Cultural Amnesia, Expressive Individualism, and the Road to Sexual Revolution Carl R. Trueman, Strange New World: How Thinkers and Activists Redefined Identity and Sparked the Sexual Revolution Douglas Groothuis, Truth Decay: Defending Christianity Against the Challenges of Postmodernism Scott Smith’s Website: The Dangers of Nominalism Making Sense of Morality: Problems with Naturalism Podcast discussing Scott’s book Exposing the Roots of Constructivism

In this episode, we discuss how to transition well after college. My guest is Jon Steele, host of the After IV podcast, where he interviews guests on this very topic. So I’ve invited him to summarize what he is learning from his guests on this important life transition. In this podcast we discuss: How Jon became interested in helping students transition from college to their careers The important distinction between change and transition from college to after college The three general phases of any transition How to navigate well the inevitable transitions in relationships How the phases of transition play out as you move into your new career The trap of needing to always “live out your passion” and the danger of comparison The balance between valuing work too much or too little Transitioning in our relationship to money: budgeting, saving, giving, credit card use, debt Finding a community to help make wise financial decisions Navigating the inevitable spiritual transition well Finding a good church after college A final word of encouragement to college graduates for the tough times in your transition Resources mentioned during our conversation: Jon’s podcast on life after college: After IV (see below for mor specific suggestions) Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change by William Bridges Meet Up app Courage and Calling: Embracing Your God-Given Potential by Gordon T. Smith Save My Cents website by Shang Saavedra InterVarsity World Changers podcast The Apostles’ Creed The Nicene Creed The Chalcedonian Creed After College: Navigating Transitions, Relationships, and Faith by Erica Young Reitz The Gap Decade: When You’re Technically an Adult but Really Don’t Feel Like It Yet by Katie Schnack Analog Chrisitan: Cultivating Contentment, Resilience, and Wisdom in the Digital Age by Jay Y. Kim Specific After IV podcasts by topic: Stages of Transition E75: Finding Your Footing in Transition Pt 1 (Apple, Spotify) E76: Finding Your Footing in Transition Pt 2 (Apple, Spotify) Relational Transition E102: Ending Well With My Friends on Campus (Apple, Spotify) E103: Making (and Keeping) Friends After Graduation (Apple, Spotify) Work Transition E112: A Foundation for Vocational Transition (Apple, Spotify) E37: How to be the Post-College G.O.A.T. - Nail the Interview (Apple, Spotify) E38: How to be the Post-College G.O.A.T. - Win Employee of the Month (Apple, Spotify) E142: Understanding Your Financial Narrative (Apple, Spotify) E143: Understanding the Biblical Financial Narrative (Apple, Spotify) E151: What's My Financial Finish Line? (Apple, Spotify) Faith Transition E80: I'm so Tired of Church Hopping - Finding Your Footing in a New Church (Apple, Spotify) E122: A Foundation for Healthy Rhythms of Rest (Apple, Spotify) E126: Finding Rest in Familiar Faith Practices (Apple, Spotify) Other Resources E140: Level Up Your 20s (Revisit) (Apple, Spotify) After College: Navigating Transitions, Relationships, and Faith (IVP) E83: A Companion for Transition - Finding Your Footing in the Gap Decade (Apple, Spotify) E91: Joy Instead of Comparison: Anchored in God’s Goodness with Jay Kim (Apple, Spotify) E92: Self-Control Instead of Reckless Indulgence: Beyond Willpower and Positive Thinking (Apple, Spotify) Follow us on Instagram @afterivpod

Today we are talking about how to manage the deluge of college recruiting materials to help choose the best college or university. My guest today is Dr. Shirley Roels. She has been a career counselor and a marketing professor focusing on nonprofit marketing. She also speaks from her experience as someone who made mistakes when she was selecting a college and did a better job helping her two sons in their selection process. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the International Network for Christian Higher Education. In this podcast we discuss: Her terrible decision-making process when choosing her college Experiences that helped her understand how best to wade through college marketing materials The dangers of not being careful in the college selection process Tips to effectively sort through the many college recruitment materials Types of college recruitment media that are more helpful than others How to view and “position” recruitment media The timing and value of talking with real people in the process The timing and role of making campus visits Some red flags to watch for in recruitment media The problem with only focusing on the costs of a college or university Ways colleges and universities hide the actual costs of their schools The challenges of online media recruitment materials, and how to manage these materials How to make the most of a campus visit The importance of taking classes in person early on (freshman and sophomore years) What if you aren’t sure you made the right college choice after your first semester? How to find Christian support at public universities--Christian study centers A word for first-generation and ethnic-minority college students Resources mentioned during our conversation: David Wunder, “How to Choose a College” on the College Faith podcast Council for Christian Colleges & Universities - CCCU The Council of Independent Colleges Consortium of Christian Study Centers Karl Johnson, “How Christian Study Centers Minister to University Students” on the College Faith podcast Robert L. Peters, Getting What You Came For: The Smart Student’s Guide to Earning a Master’s or Ph.D.

My guest on this episode of the College Faith podcast is Dr. Stephen Garrett, Vice-President of Curriculum at Global Scholars. Steve is uniquely qualified to help us understand the benefits and challenges of students taking a semester or year to study abroad, having taught in Lithuania as a “receiving” professor of study abroad students and being a “sending” parent of a son who studied abroad. In this podcast we discuss: Steve's perspective as a "sending" parent: How Steve and his wife first began considering with his son the possibility of studying abroad The value of studying abroad How much parents should be involved in the process The importance of realizing that every school offers different study-abroad programs Three different models or ways to study abroad Benefits and cautions about third-party study abroad companies Who might studying abroad not be for Other considerations such as the language of the host university and country, the status of the host university, the weather, etc. What he wishes he knew as a parent before sending his son off to study abroad Allaying parent’s fears of security and safety for students studying abroad The importance of registering with the US Embassy in the host country Concerns about connecting and making friends in the host country The value of the inevitable “failures” while studying abroad Steve’s perspective as a “receiving” professor: What helps students have a good study abroad experience The role understanding different cultures plays in a good experience What will ensure the student has a very bad study abroad experience Resources mentioned during our conversation: Your university’s Study Abroad Office (or similar title) US State Department’s website The Red Cross T. S. Eliot, Christianity and Culture: Essays The Culture Company’s Country Comparison Tool Andy Crouch, Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling

In this edition, I continue my sporadic series on various college majors students may choose. To discuss the field of Sociology, my guest is Dr. Kevin Dougherty, Associate Professor of Sociology at Baylor University. In this podcast we discuss: How Kevin got interested in sociology What sociologists study Career paths open to those with a degree in sociology Traits that make a person a good sociologist How sociology has been a help and a challenge to his faith His research into the sociology of the local church His recent research into the sociology of religious tattoos Current conversations at the center of sociology, including sexual orientation and gender, and tensions this creates Christian professional associations for sociologists His advice to his younger self about studying sociology The value of going to a Christian university, and church attendance during the college years Resources mentioned during our conversation: Christian Sociological Association Christian Smith, Soul Searching and Souls in Transition Perry Glanzer, Identity in Action and Christian Higher Education Perry Glanzer, “The Art and Science of Being an Excellent Student,” College Faith podcast Episode #12 Stan Wallace, Have We Lost our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing

My guest in this episode is Brian Mann, National Director of InterVarsity’s ministry among students in fraternities and sororities. As many students are on campuses with Greek houses, I’ve asked Brian to help us understand what the “Greek System” is, and the pros and cons of “going Greek” at college. In this podcast we discuss: What is a fraternity or sorority? Why Greek letters are identified with fraternities and sororities (and therefore are referred to as “Greek houses,” which are all part of the “Greek system” on campus, and to join is to “go Greek”) Why Greek societies often foster leadership development Why some universities do or do not have a Greek system, and roughly how many campuses do Brian’s experiences in a fraternity as a believer--some negative, some positive Greek life and the “third way” of engaging the campus culture The difference between a Greek House and a Greek house The overall advantages and disadvantages of joining a fraternity or sorority How to identify healthy and unhealthy fraternities and sororities before joining Defining important terms such as “rush,” “bid,” “house,” “chapter,” “pledge,” “active,” etc. Should you go Greek as a freshman, or wait until your sophomore year? The advantages and disadvantages of joining a fraternity or sorority as a believer The number one factor to help determine whether you should go Greek How InterVarsity’s Greek Ministry serves students in fraternities and sororities Resources mentioned during our conversation: Greek InterVarsity Stan Wallace, “Are You An Artist, a Cheerleader, or a Demolition Engineer? Three Ways Christians Relate to Culture”

Why do universities require students to take classes in the humanities during their first few years? Dr. David Horner, who has taught these classes for many years, helps us see the wisdom of requiring these courses, in light of the value they bring to the student who takes them seriously. Dave earned his master's and doctoral degrees in philosophy at Oxford University, is a professor of philosophy at Talbot School of Theology, and is the author of (among other books) the popular Mind Your Faith: A Student’s Guide to Thinking and Living Well. In this podcast we discuss: How Dave got interested in studying the humanities How apologetics (defenses of the faith) helped him overcome a crisis of faith in college What the “humanities” are and how they relate to humans, being “humane,” and being a “humanist” Understanding a “College of Liberal Arts,” what a “liberal education” is, and how this relates to the humanities The structure of classical education, on which the “core curriculum” was historically based, and on which contemporary classical Christian education is based The interesting “border-line” cases of law and psychology How the “arts” and the “sciences” differ (it’s not what most people think) Why students should be required to take core courses in the humanities The importance, in all fields, of learning to make good distinctions How to discern whether or not a specific humanities course is worth taking The connections between the humanities and wisdom An argument against the humanities--“They are so “impractical!” The critical distinction between “ends” and “means” in evaluating the value of the humanities The valuable role of the humanities in providing us with “cultural literacy” Why Christians should study non-Christians in literature, philosophy, and the other humanities Other practical benefits of studying the humanities, according to the CEO of a major corporation How to get the most out of your core curriculum courses The role a healthy campus ministry can play in your studies Why you shouldn’t just learn about the humanities, but rather learn to engage in the humanities Resources mentioned during our conversation: David Horner, Mind Your Faith: A Student’s Guide to Thinking and Living Well Stan Wallace, Have We Lost Our Minds? Neuroscience, Neurotheology, the Soul, and Human Flourishing Dorothy Sayers, The Lost Tools of Learning John Terrill, College Faith Podcast Interview #47, “A Guide to Majoring in the Professions (Business, Law, Medicine, etc.)” Valerie Strauss, Washington Post, “Enough with trashing the liberal arts. Stop being stupid” Edmund Husserl, The Crisis of European Humanities and Transcendental Phenomenology: An Introduction to Phenomenological Philosophy E. D. Hirsh, The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know Edgar Bronfman, Insider Ed.com, “Business and the Liberal Arts” George Anders, Forbes.com, “That ‘Useless’ Liberal Arts Degree Has Become Tech’s Hottest Ticket” Kery Murakami, Inside Higher Ed, “Liberal Arts Pay Off in the Long Run: A liberal arts education may not have the highest returns in the short run, but a study finds that after 40 years, liberal arts institutions bring a higher return than most colleges” Gene C. Fant, Jr., The Liberal Arts: A Student’s Guide (Reclaiming the Christian Intellectual Tradition) Joseph M. Keegan, Breaking Ground, “Toward the Renewal of Humanistic Education in America” Nathaniel Peters, Public Discourse, “Why Should a Christian Study the Humanities?” Stephanie Dillon, Rolling Stone, “Unlocking The Power: Why You Should Consider Hiring Philosophy Graduates” Wendell Berry, “The Loss of the University,” in Home Economics: Fourteen Essays

This edition of the College Faith podcast welcomes Dr. Robbie Castleman, emeritus professor of Biblical Studies at John Brown University. She has studied, ministered to students, and taught at a number of very different types of schools. As a result, she is a helpful guide to understanding the similarities and differences between different types of colleges and universities. In this podcast we discuss: The fundamental importance of considering who will be your professors The importance of the core curriculum in finding what you are most interested in majoring in When it might be best to transfer to another university to finish your degree Why you should look for schools that encourage professors to "push" you What to look for in professors beyond their understanding of the subject matter How to do research on professors to find the best ones Other very important but non-academic considerations when choosing a college Surprising insights into financial aid, including at private, faith-based institutions, and how to access these funds (illustrated by her personal success in financing almost all her education) Differences she noticed when attending a public university for her masters degree The benefits she sees of studying at an explicitly Christian school (her answer may surprise you--often the opposite of what we hear!) The unique challenges of various types of colleges and universities The necessity of finding good fellowship with other believers while a student How she dealt with isolation and loneliness at one college she attended Resources mentioned during our conversation: Words of Wisdom from a Christian Professor at a Public University -- Ken Elzinga on College Faith The Every Campus Coalition -- a College Faith Interview How Christian Study Centers Minister to Students -- a College Faith Interview How The Navigators Minister to Students -- a College Faith Interview How CRU Minister to Students -- a College Faith Interview How InterVarsity/USA Minister to Students -- a College Faith Interview Robbie Castleman, True Love in a World of False Hope: Sex, Romance, & Real People Robbie Castleman, New Testament Essentials: Father, Son, Spirit and Kingdom (Various authors), Rest of Essentials book set Robbie Castleman, Interpreting the God-Breathed Word: How to Read and Study the Bible

In this episode, I continue my series on various college majors students may choose. To discuss business, and the professions more generally, I’ve invited Dr. John Terrill to join me. John has a unique background to help us consider majoring in the professions. He has a degree in business from Indiana University, an MBA. from the Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern University), master’s degrees in theology and religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology from Seattle Pacific University. After working in banking and with a business consulting firm, John ministered to students at Harvard Business School with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship. He then served as InterVarsity's National Director of InterVarsity’s MBA ministry, and then as Director of InterVarsity’s Professional School Ministries. He is currently the Executive Director of Upper House, the Christian Study Center at the University of Wisconsin. In this podcast we discuss: How John got interested in a career in business How he now applies leadership and management principles in the non-profit sector How positive and negative experiences in various organizations have shaped his understanding of business The inadequacies of seeing the purpose of business as only to maximize shareholder value A better understanding of the purpose of business--fostering human flourishing Developing a proper theology of vocation for all professions--why all work matters to God A wrong theology of vocation: “Finding God’s one specific job for me!” How a proper understanding frees us to flourish in our careers and serve others well The reality of a “calling” to the professions, and why this is not emphasized in our churches The professions as professional “guilds” How our work can be a positive influence on culture by helping build healthy companies How professional schools in universities are similar and different from other schools or departments Temptations of interviewing for jobs with business school recruiters The value of classes outside your professional school The type of person who generally flourishes in a professional school Other tips to help students do well in professional school programs Some ways to live out Kingdom values while in a professional school program Challenges for the Christian studying in professional schools The importance of finding a mentor How to find fellowship with other believers in the professions on campus Joining a professional society as a student Some mainstream ideas in business that are congruent with a Christian worldview and some that are not God’s faithfulness in the process of earning a degree in the professions Resources mentioned during our conversation: Lausanne Movement’s Workplace Ministry Issue Network Robert D. Putnam, Bowling Alone: The Collapse and Revival of American Community Yuval Levin, American Enterprise Institute Curtis Chang Consortium of Christian Study Centers Everycampus.com Christian Legal Society Christian Medical and Dental Association Professional Christian Veterinary Fellowship The Theology of Work Project jterrill@slbrownfoundation.org Upper House, the Christian Study Center at U. Wisconsin-Madison

In this episode, I continue my sporadic series on various college majors students may choose. To discuss the field of Communications, I’ve invited back Dr. Tim Muehlhoff, professor of Communications at Biola University. In this podcast we discuss: How Tim decided to major in Communications Career choices Communications majors have The two things a college education should provide The personal characteristics that will help you flourish in Communications How studying Communications has helped his faith Mainstream ideas in Communications that are consistent with a Christian worldview Mainstream ideas in Communications that are inconsistent with a Christian worldview How to engage these ideas constructively The emerging “golden era” of Christian communications theorists How to discover the direction of a university’s Communications major Movements afoot in Communications to be aware of The growing influence of digital media, and how Christians can be thoughtful about this opportunity Practical advice to keep our family (and friends, churches, businesses) together when we deeply disagree The important role of internships for a career in Communications, and the role of professional societies His advice to his 18-year-old self considering majoring in Communications The importance of being in a community of Christians at college, no matter what your major is Resources mentioned during our conversation: Tim Muehlhoff and Todd Lewis, Authentic Communication: Christian Speech Engaging Culture Biola University Communications Department Tim Muehlhoff and Sean McDowell, End the Stalemate: Move Past Cancel Culture to Meaningful Conversations Sean McDowell’s YouTube channel Tim Muehlhoff and Rick Langer, The Winsome Conviction project and podcast Patrick Lencioni, The Ideal Team Player: How to Recognize and Cultivate Three Essential Virtues NCA - National Communication Association and RCA - Religious Communication Association Stan Wallace, College Faith podcast series on campus ministries

Between the recording of this episode and its posting, Randy Newman, my guest and dear friend, went to be with the Lord. Though Randy is certainly rejoicing to be in the presence of his King, I and so many others who knew him well are grieving deeply. But, as a way to honor his memory, and to continue encouraging others to learn from his great wisdom, I have decided to post this interview posthumously. We discuss a topic very dear to him--helping believers engage their doubts in healthy and redemptive ways. I believe he would have wanted you to hear what he had to say when we talked, to encourage you to continue “fighting the good fight” that he has now so well completed. In this episode Randy and I discuss his recently-released Questioning Faith: Indirect Journeys of Belief through Terrains of Doubt. It is a given that college students, including those heading off to college as believers, will have questions and doubts about the Christian faith. Randy’s wisdom and care for other’s spiritual journeys will be a great help to students (and all others) who navigate the journey through doubt. In this podcast we discuss: How Randy first got interested in understanding the role doubt plays in the Christian faith Why he decided to write Questioning Faith The importance of pre-evangelism before we begin sharing the gospel Faith (in something) is inevitable, not optional The main point he wants readers to take away from this book: it’s OK to have questions, but find answers The value of doubt in the Christian life How he deals with doubts due to the reality of evil Why certainty is not necessary to know Christianity is true The problem with the “presumption of atheism” Why very good “second things” make very bad “first things” in our lives Beauty as one of God’s signposts Advice to Christian students who have doubts about the Christian faith Advice to Christian students as they talk to peers with doubts about the Christian faith Advice to parents, grandparents, and pastors as they nurture those with doubts Resources mentioned during our conversation: S. Lewis, Mere Christianity David Foster Wallace, “This is Water,” Commencement Address at Kenyon College in 2005 C.S. Lewis Institute Randy Newman’s Questions That Matter podcast The Washington Institute for Faith, Vocation, and Culture RandyDavidNewman.com

This episode continues my sporadic series on the various fields students may choose to study while in college, today discussing a major in mathematics. My guest is Dr. Francis Su, a professor of Mathematics at the prestigious Harvey Mudd College. Francis is a past president of the Mathematical Association of America, has been featured in Wired and The New York Times, and is the author of the award-winning Mathematics for Human Flourishing. In this podcast we discuss: How Francis first got interested in studying mathematics The distinction between mathematics and arithmetic How math helps us shape a set of virtues and flourish (vs. approaching math as simply skills) Career opportunities for those with a degree in mathematics Which character traits indicate you may do well as a math major The similarities between mathematics and philosophy The similarities between mathematics and music Different emphases in the field of mathematics How studying mathematics has helped Francis in his spiritual life Challenges mathematics has posed to Francis’ faith Where he sees ideas in mathematics as consistent with a Christian worldview Areas in mathematics Christian students may want to consider pursuing Francis’ general advice for all college students Resources mentioned during our conversation: Francis Su, Mathematics for Human Flourishing Derek Schuurman’s work on ethics, faith, and technology Francis Su’s website Francis Su’s article “The Lesson of Grace in Teaching”

My guest in this episode is Dr. Roger Parrott, the President of Belhaven University for more than three decades. Over the years, he has thought much about the value of a college education, how higher education has changed, in some cases drastically, and the real cost of a college degree. I’ve invited him to share some of his wisdom with us. In this podcast we discuss: How higher education has changed over the three decades he has been a university president The four “S” features most public universities use to recruit students The four “C” features that define most Christian universities The causes of recent trends in public higher education The spectrum of colleges and universities identifying as “Christian” The difference between Bible departments and religion departments and what it says about a college or university How to cut through the PR and fancy brochures when considering schools The two essential questions to ask to choose the school that is right for you Answering a common objection to Christian higher education The downside of requiring students to sign a statement of faith to be admitted The real costs of college and how to navigate the financial challenges The problem with “tuition resets” The importance of calculating living expenses, textbooks, and fees into the total cost of college Understanding good debt and bad debt How important graduate-level education is today The number one quality employers are looking for, and how the college years can help prepare you for this Resources mentioned during our conversation: Roger Parrott, “The Real Cost of College: Insights of an Insider” Belhaven University

My guest in this edition is Jeff Hardin, Ph.D., professor and former chair of the Department of Integrative Biology at the University of Wisconsin. He holds a Ph.D. in Biophysics from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) from the International School of Theology. In addition to his scholarly work in cell biology and leading textbook on this topic, Jeff has thought much about the intersection of faith and science and regularly addresses these topics in public forums. In this podcast we discuss: How Jeff got interested in studying biology The value of exploring various ideas, and noticing God in the process How, as a biologist, he benefits from inter-disciplinary conversations What career opportunities are available with a degree in the biological sciences How to zero in on the area of biology you are interested in How he has connected studying biology with his faith, and how he has thrived as a result Some challenges of being a biologist and a Christian How he seeks to reveal God in his work as a biologist Thoughts on how Christians can think about evolution and creation The role of understanding ethics and broader worldview and religious commitments in studying the biological sciences Character qualities/traits that are good indicators that a student will flourish studying the biological sciences The overlap of God’s call for us to care for His creation and current conversations in the biological sciences The importance for Christians to thoughtfully engage with the biology of neuroscience The importance for Christians to thoughtfully engage with the worldview, ethics, and practice of genome editing The growing conversation around “trans-humanism” that will become increasingly important in discussions in the biological sciences God’s grace for those called to study the biological sciences The value of joining a professional society in the biological sciences, and connecting with other Christians in the field at the society’s meetings What Jeff wished his 18-year-old self knew about majoring in the biological sciences Why it is important for biologists also to study things outside the biological sciences The importance of finding other Christians in the biological sciences, and how to find them Resources mentioned during our conversation: The Isthmus Society C. S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm, Chiefly on Prayer Phillip Johnson, Darwin on Trial Gilbert Meilaender, Bioethics, a Primer for Christians Scott Rae, Moral Choices: An Introduction to EthicsJohn Wyatt, Matters of Life and Death: Human Dilemmas in the Light of the Christian Faith The American Scientific Affiliation BioLogos Reasons to Believe The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity The Christian Medical & Dental Association Francis Collins, The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief

My guest in this episode is Scott Phelps, Executive Director of the Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership. For many years now Scott has spoken to students about the great, long-term benefits of saving sex for marriage, and so I’ve invited him onto the show to share some of what he has learned, and how others have found his insights helpful. In this podcast we discuss: How he got interested in the relationship between living life well, flourishing, and sex Principles, or the successful pathway that most often leads to a good life Habit formation for life-long intimate relationships Hope for students who have already been sexually active Other benefits of waiting for sex until marriage The example of Joseph, Potiphar’s wife, and Joseph’s future wife (Genesis 37-50) The disbelief some have about the possibility of abstinence until marriage, yet their interest How to swim against the alternative cultural narrative of “free sex,” which saturates all media How his approach differs from most sex education programs The personal value and apologetic force of the biblical view of sex and marriage The biggest challenges students face to following the successful pathway to sex, marriage, and the good life The acceleration and shift in the cultural narrative about sex since the COVID pandemic How parents might tackle this topic with their children Simplifying the issue with one simple question Sex as fire in a firepit or as a forest fire Living together, sex, future marriage, and divorce Resources mentioned during our conversation: Abstinence & Marriage Education Partnership Dallas Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines: Understanding How God Changes Lives Scott Phelps, Excel Curriculum and Workbook Glenn Stanton, The Ring Makes All The Difference: The Hidden Consequences of Cohabitation and the Strong Benefits of Marriage Linda Waite and Maggie Gallagher, The Case for Marriage: Why Married People are Happier, Healthier and Better Off Financially Rick Mattson and Stan Wallace, “Finding the Middle Way in the LGBTQ+ Conversation,” a College Faith podcast Stan Wallace’s Summary of Virtue Ethics