Apologetics

For explanations of the four student profiles we are discussing, see the past two weeks' posts.This week: What does it take to reach the truly postmodern student?Three steps:1. Connect. You MUST establish trust. I'm talking personal, heart-felt, self-disclosing trust;...

See last week's post for part 1 of this series."Postmodernism" (PM) took American universities by storm in the 1980s and 90s. When I arrived at Macalester College (St. Paul, MN) as the InterVarsity campus staff in 1992, PM hit...

I travel a lot. Over 25 college campuses, the past few months.People ask me what I'm learning about students.This:Student profile #1: Postmodern all the way through. You may be surprised to know that in the so-called "postmodern" university the truly...

This is the conclusion to last week's story about a mystery fire in my neighborhood. See the post below for part 1.The fire crew finds no flames inside Ann's house, no over-heated walls, no smoke. Nothing.Finally, after poking the...

See that chimney atop my neighbor's house? There's a mystery associated with it.One day in Dec. I'm sitting in my comfy chair looking out my front window when something glittery catches my eye. I look up and see what...

The Ganfield Library Cafe is not exactly spacious, with a max occupancy of maybe 30 or 35 (behind the windows, right). Last Friday morning our discussion group, configured in a tight oval around two small wooden tables, occupied 13...

K telling me his faith story I find that many of the college students I visit with around the country don't know why they believe in the Bible and Jesus. I guess they formed these beliefs on the authority...

College students are more interested in thinking than they think they are.For evangelical students, the subculture in which they've been raised tends to be strong on worship, devotion, service, maybe even outreach.The missing piece? Biblical/theological grounding.Families, youth ministries and...

Last week at Sonoma State University (CA) three “apologetics” converged like streams to a river:1.    The Free Thinkers group pressed me with questions such as “Are miracles rational?” and “Why does God never heal an amputee?”They wanted evidence, even...

A hackneyed, stock conversation in the anthropology dept between Postmodern and Modern that never actually occurs. Except everyday.Pomo: You “Mo’s” have been running the show for 400 years, and we’re going to put an end to it.Mo: What do...