Winter 2009 Ivy League Christian Observer

IVY LEAGUE THE

Volume VIII • Issue I • Winter 2009

CHRISTIAN

OBSERVER

Christian Union Hosts Sold-Out Debate at Princeton with Peter Singer and Dinesh D’Souza Page 13 Cornell Students Take Up the Torch of the International Justice Mission

Dartmouth's 24/7 Prayer Movement

Page 11

Brown Senior Called to Medical Missions

Retirement Not an Option for 83-Year Old Harvard Alumnus Page 31

Page 28

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Future Attorneys Study God's Word at Yale

Columbia's Ilya Wilson Leads Thousands in Prayer at Times Square Event Page 25

Penn Alumnus Is Director of Gotham Fellowship Page 21

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Brown • Columbia • Cornell • Dartmouth Harvard • Penn • Princeton • Yale

Advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the Ivy League The Ivy League Christian Observer is published by the Christian Union, an independent Christian ministry.

“John Jay was one of the great architects of American liberty.... I have no doubt that the John Jay Institute will help many of our most gifted young people more fully to understand and appreciate ‘the blessings of liberty’ bequeathed to us by America’s founding fathers.”

Robert P. George, J.D., D.Phil.

Princeton University

THE JOHN JAY INSTITUTE FOR FAITH, SOCIETY AND LAW

announces its

2009 Fellowships The John Jay Institute for Faith, Society and Law is committed to developing the next generation of principled public leaders.

Explore a graduate-level theological, political, and legal curriculum designed for law, government, and divinity students with world-class faculty and visiting lecturers. Fellowships begin with a semester in residence in Colorado Springs, followed by a 12-week placement in a public policy related field in Washington, D.C., various state capitals, or international political centers. Commissioned Fellows join an elite professional fraternity already serving the nation.

We encourage applications from college graduates who seek to pursue their respective callings in the public square.

Application deadline for the 2009 term: March 1, 2009 For more information, visit www.johnjayinstitute.org or call (719) 471-8900.

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INSIDE

ILCOEditor@Christian-Union.org

Jubilation Columbia’s Christian A Capella Group ‘Casts a Wide Net’

By Jin Wang, Columbia ’10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Please help us get this magazine into the hands of those who want it. E-mail or write us in order to: • pass along the names of fellow Christian alumni, parents, staff, faculty, or friends who would enjoy this quarterly update from the Ivy League universities.

• update us on any address change you have.

• be removed from the mailing list.

Editor-in-Chief Matt Bennett, Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89 Managing Editor Tom Campisi, College of New Jersey, ’88 Senior Writer Eileen Scott, Mount St. Mary, ’87 Field Reporters Grace Chen, Cornell ’10 Biblia Kim, Cornell ’09 Nkem Okafor, Yale Graduate School Ishmael Osekre, Columbia ’09 Joshua Unseth, Brown ’09 Jin Wang, Columbia ’10 Sara Woo, Cornell ’10 Photo Editor Pam Traeger Letters to the Editor Please send us your feedback regarding events and topics described in this magazine at the e-mail or regular mail address listed above.

Sexuality, Integrity, and the University Love and Fidelity Network Hosts First Conference

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Curiosity Lives in Heart of Brown Interfaith House Encourages Students to Explore Beliefs of Others

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 An Eclectic Collection at Yale Resource Ministry Center Provides Tools That Put Theology into Action

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Truth and Lies at Harvard Seventeenth Century Benefactor Sits in College Yard…or Does He?

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A Sign of the Times at Yale?

Choice of Catholic Woman as Chaplain Drew Criticism in 2007

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Cry Freedom Cornell Students Take Up the Torch of the International Justice Mission

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 IN TELLECTU AL EN GAGEM E N T

By God’s power and the help of other ministries, the mission of Christian Union is to change the world by bringing sweeping spiritual transformation to the Ivy League universities, thereby developing and mobilizing godly Christian leadership for all sectors of society. Matt Bennett (Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89) founded the ministry with friends in 2002 in Princeton, New Jersey. To learn more about the ministry, please visit www.Christian-Union.org.

The purpose of The Ivy League Christian Observer (this free quarterly magazine) is to inform Christian alumni, students, parents, staff, faculty, and friends of the Ivy League universities about the spiritual activity on the campuses. Our desire is that you would be encouraged to pray for these universities, give financially to Christian initiatives on the campuses, and use your influence for the cause of Christ.

Cover photos: Frank Wojciechowski

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‘Can There Be Morality Without God?’ Debate Between Singer and D’Souza Probes Deep at Princeton

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Physical Man Dartmouth Alumnus Sees Science as the Alternative to God, Philosophy and Art

By Ryan Anderson, Princeton ’04. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Friday Night Live Cornell Faculty and Students Gather for Talks on Academia, Faith, and the World

By Charity Hung, Cornell ‘09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 TH E MARKETPLACE Presidential Faith Election of Obama Rekindles Debate, Scrutiny

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 The Ivy League Christian Observer

Separating Fact From Opinion Brown Alumni Provide Web Site for Truth-Seekers

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Redeeming Culture David Kim, Penn ’94, Directs Gotham Fellowship

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 An Ambassador of ‘Biblical Faith’ Michael Novak Refutes Atheists in New Book

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

A Crusade to Connect Students with Congregations Penn Ministry Encourages Involvement with Local Churches

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Law and Grace Future Attorneys Meet Weekly at Yale to Study God’s Word

By Nkem Okafor, Yale Graduate School . . . . . . . . . 41

IN PERSON

In God We Trust Christians Take the High Road Despite Wall Street Woes

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Change of Direction Brown Senior Senses Calling to Medical Missions

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

P R AY E R P OWE R

‘Everyone is Called to Pray for Healing’ Former Priest Passionate as Ever at 83

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Prayer in Times Square Columbia Student Passionately Represents Her Generation

By Naadu Blankson Seck, Columbia ’10 . . . . . . . . 25

A Catalyst in the Christian Community Rev. Chuck Tompkins Has Served Cornell for over Two Decades

By Charity Hung, Cornell ‘09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Rekindling the Flame Prayer Conference Draws Leaders from Each Ivy League Campus

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Power Lunch in Princeton Pastor Offers ‘A Working Model for Real-Time Prayer’

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

24/7 Dartmouth Prayer Movement Finds a Home

By Layne Zhao, Dartmouth ’09 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Boots on the Ground Army Officer Pursuing Advanced Studies at Princeton

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

A Faith Fusion Dartmouth Campus and Local Ministers Meet on Common Ground

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

An Uncommon Christian is Remembered New Books Chronicle the Life of Evangelist James Brainerd Taylor

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

A BOUT MINIST RY

Off to a ‘Goode’ Start Penn Alumnus Helps Launch NYC Leadership Center

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor . . . . . . . . . . . 36

The Call and the Response InterVarsity Leaders at Columbia Endeavor to Build a Case for Christ

By Naadu Blankson Seck, Columbia ’10 . . . . . . . . 38 ‘Why Did God Make You an Ivy League Insider?’

Students Encouraged to Consider Ministry Opportunities after Graduation

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 Winter 2009

DEPARTMENTS News-in-Brief . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43 The Mission and Vision of Christian Union . . 50 Ivy League Prayer Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

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nk 30 28 yo ,00 P U pl If y u f 0 ra pd ea ou or m ye at se 'r co in r e co e n nt u Pa ns ot inu te rt id a in s er pr g o ne jo ay to f p rs in er p r in p ra ay g ar y u s tn w e r to er, ith da us y! !

Th a

It is God alone who directs the course of the world.

It is only by His power that the 8 Ivy League campuses can be dramatically transformed to increasingly reflect His presence and lordship.

Prayer for the Ivy League is launching a new year-long initiative called “1,000,000 Minutes of Prayer” mobilizing family, alumni, and friends of the Ivy League to pray 1,000,000 cumulative minutes for the Ivy League.

1,000,000 Minutes of Prayer Initiative

In 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV) the Lord says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” With the Lord’s encouragement in mind, please join together to pray daily for sweeping spiritual transformation across the Ivy League.

To receive a weekly compilation of prayer requests, devotionals, and updates gathered by us from campus ministries, you may sign up online at www.christian-union.org/prayer, send an email to prayer@christian-union.org, or write to: Prayer for the Ivy League, Christian Union, 240 Nassau Street, Princeton, NJ 08542, indicating your interest for: Spring 2009, Fall 2009, or Both.

BROWN • COLUMBIA • CORNELL • DARTMOUTH • HARVARD • PENN • PRINCETON • YALE

ON • CAMPUS

JUBILATION! Columbia’s Christian A Capella Group ‘Casts a Wide Net’ a capella music which piqued my desire to be involved.”

Since its humble beginnings under the umbrella Kim describes the year that he assumed leadership as a of InterVarsity at Columbia, the a capella group COLUMBIA difficult one. “It was a hard year of Jubilation! growing into Jubilation! has grown in size and mission. The its own and rebuilding momentum. It was definitely a year group includes six men and six women and performs a wide of wrestling with what it means to be a Christian organizaarray of music from contemporary Christian to rearranged tion and how to have a God-given vision,” said Kim. hymns, as well as popular songs in order to appeal to a During the fall semester, the group tackled new songs, wider audience. including: “Hosanna” by Hillsong, “Mystery” by Charlie The group performed at its mid-semester Study Break Hall, and challenging arrangements of “Joy to the World” concert in the fall and hosted its annual “Jubilation!” winand “How Great Thou Art.” They have also done such popter concert. ular songs as “Change in My Life” by Rockapella, “The Jubilation! first formed in 1990 when four men and four Shape of My Heart” by Backstreet Boys, and “I’m Yours” women sang together at an Easter outreach dinner hosted

by Jason Mraz.

by Intervarsity Christian Fellowship (www.columbia.

In terms of Jubilation! being both a Christian organizaedu/cu/ivcf/). The group then became a complete a cappella tion and a musical group by the fall of group, Kim believes 1991 and was unoffithat each half of that cially part of Intervaridentity is equally sity for three years. important. “I think By the 1994-1995 Christian a cappella school year, Jubilagroups occupy a very tion! became officially important space on recognized as a student any campus. We are organization by Coboth a Christian orlumbia University. The ganization and an a group added the excappella group. As a clamation mark to Christian group, we its name to better reare intrinsically based flect the meaning of on reaching out to the word (it has also people, both Chrisbeen fondly nicknamed tians and non-Chris“Jube” for short).

Members of the Jubilation! a cappella group dress the part for their holiday concert. tians. This gives us a Jubilation! took a slightly different misbrief hiatus from 2004 sion as compared to other Christian organizations on camto 2006, until it was restarted in the fall of 2006 by two Jupus. It forces us to have a broader perspective and cast a bit bilation! alumni, one of which commuted to Columbia of a wider net.” every week to direct rehearsals. Since then, Michael Kim Kim also stressed the musical aspect of the group: “We ’09 has taken over responsibilities as musical director and are a musical organization as well, and performing is part of president. our purpose. A cappella is something that is almost uniquely Kim’s older brother had been in the group as well. “[My collegiate and I think it is perhaps a little less threatening to brother] said that it was the place that he grew the most,” stated non-Christians and definitely a change of pace for Christians.”

Kim. “I had caught glimpses of his activities during the years he was in college and I was in high school. He fed me a lot of

By Jin Wang, Columbia ’10

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SEXUALITY, INTEGRITY, AND THE UNIVERSITY Love and Fidelity Network Hosts First Conference A plethora of findings from medical and social Now a senior fellow at the Claire Boothe Luce Policy sciences point to the benefits of chastity before Institute, Grossman is passionate about sharing a scientifiPRINCETON marriage and ultimately to monogamy. cally-based warning she feels is alarmingly void from most That was one of the major themes of an intercollegiate collegiate sexual education programs. conference hosted by The Love and Fidelity Network Grossman wants young women to know they possess (www.loveandfidelity.org) at Princeton University in No“unique biological sensitivities” that make them emotionvember. The conference, “Sexuality, Integrity, and the Unially and physically vulnerable. Unlike men, young women versity,” drew 150 or so students from 18 campuses across will “almost always pay a higher price” for casual sexual North America, including seven Ivy League institutions. contact, she said.

The event was held with the support of The Witherspoon In particular, Grossman wants co-eds to know that a Institute, Christian Union (www.Christian-Union.org), and woman’s brain can release oxytocin, a powerful, primarily other organizations. female hormone that fuels feelings “It was an extremely positive of attachment during intimacy. event,” said Cassandra DeBenedetto Once ignited, oxytocin “turns (Princeton ’07), who serves as exred lights green.” It also signals to ecutive director of The Love and the brain that it is “time to turn off Fidelity Network. DeBenedetto caution” and it can foster misplaced trust. Of significance, oxyhelped found Princeton’s Anscombe tocin can be released after just 20 Society (www.princeton.edu/~ seconds of hugging. anscombe) in 2005. She said many “It alters brain chemistry, so of the students left the conference she’s more likely to overlook a eager to launch similar groups on guy’s faults and to take risks she their own campuses or to bring otherwise wouldn’t,” Grossman speakers to existing associations. said. “A girl surely doesn’t want The Love and Fidelity Nether brain drenched with oxytocin work sought to provide training in when making critical decisions.” the arguments that defend sexual Robert George (Harvard Law '81), professor of The aftermath of casual sexual integrity, traditional marriage, and politics at Princeton, speaks at The Love and contact can leave a young woman family values. Participants left Fidelity Network's conference in the fall. as an emotional wreck, Grossman “really excited to engage these issaid. As examples, Grossman noted that while at UCLA, sues more on some level,” said DeBenedetto, who plans to she encountered co-eds who were emotionally devastated make the conference an annual event. and unable to cope with academic responsibilities. She Among the speakers, psychiatrist Miriam Grossman counseled one particularly fragile student to avoid cuddling provided the keynote address, which highlighted the vulor kissing while recovering. nerabilities young women face in today’s college hookup As for physical consequences, Grossman warned that culture. the cervix of a young woman is significantly less thick, Grossman, author of Unprotected: A Campus Psychiaplacing teens at risk for the human papillomavirus, even trist Reveals How Political Correctness Endangers Every with vaccination.

Student, bases some of her material on the decade she spent In addition, Grossman warned male and female students at student psychological services at the University of Calithat some young men who possess sexually transmitted infornia, Los Angeles. fections could be unaware of their condition, in part, be“Casual sexuality causes more anguish than you can cause of incomplete testing. “So, a woman could get an think,” Grossman said. “There are lots of tears and regrets.”

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ON • CAMPUS incurable genital infection from someone who doesn’t know he has it,” she said.

Ultimately, “it’s not politically correct to show the vulnerability of women, but it is medically accurate,” she said.

“I want to keep you physically healthy, emotionally healthy, and out of the doctor’s office.”

A young woman should remember that a “good guy is going to want what’s best for her…Whatever happened to self-control? There are such huge benefits to this,” Grossman said.

And, while restraint offers rewards, the consequences of indulgence are not limited.

Mary Eberstadt, a research fellow with the Hoover Institute, noted the “sexual revolution has been a disaster for many.”

The widespread aftermath has resulted in broken homes, abor-

tion, sexually transmitted diseases, depression, and the like.

But, Eberstadt, Cornell ’83, also said monogamous, married couples score better on most social and economic measures, pointing, in part, to the benefits of commitment and fidelity.

Along those lines, Laura Garcia, a philosophy professor at Boston College, shared that Christians should view a potential mate as an “integrated whole,” not just a physical being.

“You come to love another person sort of gradually, not instantaneously. To bring sex into a relationship at this point is not love,” said Garcia.

Sexual activity outside of marriage “treats a person as an object at some level,” she said. “We’re not just made for sex. We’re made for love.”

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer

CURIOSITY LIVES IN HEART OF BROWN Interfaith House Encourages Students to Explore Beliefs of Others Along the quad of dorms, fraternities, and sororviews,” said Herb. “I encourage my students to consider ities at Brown University is a place where stuliving there as a part of a strategic choice to place themBROWN dents choose to reside in order to live out their selves in situations where they can really share the love of faith and explore the beliefs of others more fully.

Christ in word and deed.”

At Interfaith House, students of all faiths (or no faith) Larson and Herb agree that the variety of religions represented in the dorm does not absorb one’s own share open conversations about their beliefs, Christian faith, but strengthens it through chaltraditions, and tenents. The dorm is one of lenge and exploration.

Katelynn Larson’s favorite places.

“It doesn’t become a melting pot where “Brown’s campus can be a little harshly they all walk away with one quilted-together pre-judgmental of Christianity sometimes,” said Larson ‘09, an evangelical Protestant. religion, but a place where the differences between their faiths are clarified,” said Herb.

“One of the things I like best about Interfaith “The conversations are further spurred on by is that none of that judgment happens within those who are undecided [about their faith]. the house.”

They ask honest, genuine, and good questions In fact, Larson says, residents are encourKatelynn Larson, Brown ’09, calls that spur on further thinking and serve as a cataged to ask questions and discuss their beliefs Interfaith House at alyst to articulating one’s beliefs.” openly and unabashedly.

Brown one of her Nor do Christians have to water down their Brodie Herb, associate director for College “favorite places in the world.” faith in order to fit into an ecumenical lifestyle, Hill for Christ at Brown (www.collegehillLarson says. forchrist.com) says the environment within the “We don’t water anything down,” Larson said. “Most dorms can be helpful for Christian students who want to students in the house live there because they are genuinely learn about religions and different worldviews in a way that curious about what other people believe. People want to can build them up spiritually. know about my experiences growing up within an evangel“It is a place where all the genuinely spiritually-interical Protestant church—what helped me form my beliefs ested people are living and discussing and sharing their

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ON • CAMPUS and convictions; how that influences me today; what issues I struggle to come to grips with…Interfaith House friends always give me a chance to speak my mind, ask incredibly apt questions, and really just want to understand what it is I think and how I got there.”

Interfaith House was established through the efforts of Brown students who wanted to “create a safe space at Brown to foster discussion, understanding, and inter-religious dialogue and respect for people of faith and those without a religious background,” according to the original

Interfaith House proposal submitted to the university’s Residential Life office in 2003.

Additionally, the proposal states, “By its very nature, the house would also be uniquely suited for students interested in learning more about creating understanding, social justice, peacemaking, nonviolence, and community work.”

“We’re a pretty curious bunch,” Larson says. And for students like her, Interfaith House is a place where that curiosity finds a home.

By Eileen Scott, Senior Staff Writer

AN ECLECTIC COLLECTION AT YALE Resource Ministry Center Provides Tools That Put Theology into Action Advent cookie cutters might not be what one shelves of the center are chock full of books, newsletters would expect to find on the shelves of the Yale and audio visual material aimed at helping individuals and YALE University Library. But within the Yale Recongregations who want to share and learn more about their source Ministry Center, a segment of the larger Yale library faith. system, the cookie cutters find a home right next to angels’ As a leader within her own church, Engelhardt has a wings and DVDs on social justice. good feel for what works in the congregational environThe ministry center, which is located at the Yale Divinment. ity School Library, is an eclectic assortment of resource ma“I don’t do things differently from a lay person,” said terials that transcends denominations and Engelhardt, who holds a master’s of divinity academic scholarship. Carolyn Hardin Engeldegree from Perkins School of Theology at hardt, the director, said the center is “a collecSouthern Methodist University. “I act like a tion concentrated on the practice of ministry normal church member; therefore, I know what rather than the theoretical or scholarly aspects.” normal church members are interested in and In other words, it is a place for collecting the involved with. I know they care and what they tools to put theology into action and help minare capable of. Our church uses this center, so istry come alive.

I know it makes a difference.”

Materials include vast resources provided The center is also making a difference for by a variety of publishers and denominations users from around the world, according to EnCarolyn Hardin Engelhardt directs for conducting ministry in and through congregelhardt. While local ministry leaders and indiYale’s unique gations and in and through agencies and nonviduals with a general interest in Christianity Resource Ministry profits, Engelhardt explains. And the resources can use the center on a walk-in basis, those Center. are not just for Yale students or for churches. wishing to take out items from the center must People affiliated with social service agencies, assisted livhave a membership. Members can have resources shipped ing facilities, as well as faculty from other universities and virtually anywhere. congregational ministry leaders have all found ministry Because of the many resources on contemporary issues tools at the center. such as the environment and issues of social justice housed “We are very unique among seminaries,” Engelhardt at the center, Engelhardt said that anyone could benefit from says, “yet every seminary should have one.” using the resources. In addition, she takes care to acquire Engelhardt painstakingly combs through lists distribresources that meet the needs of a variety of denominations. uted by lesser-known publishers and acquires resources that Further, Engelhardt and the student volunteers at the she believes will be helpful to the center’s users. The center take time to question visitors about the nature of the

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The staff is also respectful of the differences in denominations and eagerly helps Evangelicals, Catholics, and mainline Protestants alike. While not a specifically evangelically faith-based operation, the center offers many resources on issues of outreach, stewardship, etc.

“It doesn’t help to give people resources that don’t accent their faith. Not everything is right for every congregation,” Engelhardt says. “We help people stay within their tradition.”

One of the elements that make the resource center unique is that as part of the Yale University Library system, all of the resources must be catalogued by the main library.

This, she says, can be an interesting endeavor for those who work in those other areas of the library. For example, instead of opening boxes of books, library workers might open a box to find a baby Jesus doll or angels’ wings. It takes a collaborative effort, Engelhardt says, on the part of many people within the library system to make it all work.

As for those advent cookie cutters? Engelhardt says she probably found those in a catalog and because of her ministry work, she knew kids would love them. “They are tools for sharing the story of the nativity,” she says. “You can do the same thing with finger puppets or costumes. They are tools for telling the faith story.”

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

TRUTH AND LIES AT HARVARD Seventeenth-Century Benefactor Sits in College Yard…or Does He? The word veritas, Latin for truth, appears on the there were no images or paintings of the minister, a Harvard student stood in for the sculptor. The famous statue of official shield of Harvard University. And that HARVARD Nathan Hale (Class of 1773) at Yale was created under the shield is engraved into the side of one of the same circumstance, many years after the Revolutionary War university’s most prominent landmarks, the statue of John spy was hanged by the British as he Harvard, also known as “The Statue proclaimed, “I only regret that I of Three Lies.” have but one life to give for my Like “Honest Abe” at the Lincoln Memorial, John Harvard proudly sits country.”

While Hale is recognized as an in the college yard with a book American hero, not much is known perched on his lap amidst the inscription “John Harvard, Founder 1638.” about Harvard, whose bequest is In fact, both statues were cast by the credited with sustaining the fledgsame man, Daniel Chester French, in ling university. According to Biography.com, Harvard became a the nineteenth century. freeman of Charlestown, MassaBut the Harvard statue contains chusetts Bay Colony in November three obvious indiscretions, or lies. of 1637, where he immediately was The first is that John Harvard was recognized as a learned and pious not the founder of the college. He man. He served as assistant pastor was a benefactor who donated his of the First Church of Charlestown. considerable library of approxiHarvard, a native of Stratfordmately 400 books and half of his on-Avon, had inherited considerfortune upon his untimely passing at able property in England, and was age 31 in 1638. The second error is wealthier than most of his colonial the founding year—Harvard was esphoto by Pam Traeger contemporaries. Tragically, he died tablished in 1636.

The statue of John Harvard is also known as of tuberculosis a little less than a And lastly, the man in Harvard “The Statue of Three Lies.” year after arriving in Charlestown.

Yard is not John Harvard. Because

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ON • CAMPUS In his will, he directed that half his money, along with his collection of classical and theological literature, be given to a recently-created school known as New College.

Most of that book collection was destroyed by the great fire of 1764 in Harvard Hall. Historians disagree on how many books survived. Some say the only one was The Christian Warfare Against the Devil, World, and Flesh by John Downame. Ephraim Briggs, a senior, had checked the book out of the library and had failed to return it (although it was long overdue). At a recent tour of the campus, a student tour guide said Briggs had been expelled because of the matter, even though he indirectly saved the only book from Harvard’s collection. However, a Harvard Magazine article (July-August 2001) reported that Briggs had indeed

graduated with his class in 1764.

The student guide also said Harvard was not founded as a religious institution, but the original university motto, adopted in 1692, was “Veritas Christo et Ecclesiae”—which translated from Latin means “Truth for Christ and the Church.”

Despite the “lies” and disputed history, the truth remains that John Harvard’s generous gift helped launch a legacy that stands tall today. At the unveiling of the campus statue in 1884, college President Charles William Eliot said, “[John Harvard] will teach that one disinterested deed of hope and faith may crown a brief and broken life with deathless fame.”

By Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

A SIGN OF THE TIMES AT YALE? Choice of Catholic Woman as Chaplain Drew Criticism in 2007 ordaining women priests, that was not a criterion Kugler When Sharon Kugler was first named University could meet. However, with the “decoupling” she mentions, Chaplain at Yale in 2007, the announcement was YALE ordination is no longer a requirement to be chaplain. Yale met with some attention. After all, the university named the Reverend Ian Oliver as the new pastor to the had strong roots in the Protestant tradition, and now the uniUniversity Church and Senior Associate Chaplain for versity chaplaincy was to be led by a Roman Catholic, and a Protestant Life at Yale. woman to boot.

Kugler’s appointment was met But now, more than a year later, with opposition back in 2007. David Kugler said neither her Catholic faith Hamstra ’10 wrote an opinion piece nor her femininity stand in the way of for the Yale Herald about Kugler’s apfulfilling her obligations.

“At this point in time, the Yale pointment shortly after it was ancommunity has a well-established hisnounced. He stated that it was an tory of women in leadership roles, and “abdication to the conventional wisin church ministry roles, and as a dom that a chaplain is no longer imwhole, has been very supportive of portant at Yale.” me assuming a post previously held “…Does the university really need only by men,” Kugler said. “As to work on its ‘interfaith dialogue’?” presently structured, with the position asks Hamstra. No, he concludes. of chaplain decoupled from the posiWhat he believes the university does tion of pastor to the University need, however, is “a preacher, even an Church, the chaplaincy at Yale is theevangelical, who can capture the spirit Sharon Kugler is the first woman to serve as Yale University Chaplain. oretically open to a person of any faith of religious engagement.” who is willing to work with people of In an article on Slate.com, Mark different religious backgrounds.”

Oppenheimer, a Yale alumnus (’96) and author of Knocking In the past, the university chaplain was also an ordained on Heaven’s Door: American Religion in the Age of Counterculture, said Kugler’s appointment exemplifies how the minister. Given the stance of the Catholic Church against

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“The Protestant chaplaincy has become a relic, a quaint nod to an older time,” he said. “…Kugler, who will be the top religious official at a school that has graduated Jonathan Edwards, Timothy Dwight, and William Sloane Coffin, is not a preacher but a layperson—and a lay Catholic at that.

How in heaven did it come to this? What does it mean to have a chaplain who is not ordained, and why would a historically Protestant school hire a Catholic? These are, as the Book of Matthew says, signs of the times.”

“We are no longer a college of white Protestant men,” said Yale Vice President and Secretary Linda Lorimer, in a Yale Daily News article. “We wanted someone who could be an articulate spokesperson for religious values in a pluralistic society.”

Known for her contributions to “diversity” at Johns Hopkins University, it’s not surprising that Kugler puts a premium on advocating for all faiths, whether or not they are Christ-centered.

“The richly diverse religious landscape at Yale University informs and enlightens all of us. It is my role to bring this to life for the entire community,” said Kugler.

But for many Christians, that emphasis to be all things to all faiths hinders opportunities to help students develop a rich biblical faith. Christian Union Founder and President Matt Bennett, Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89, said, “It’s a

tragedy that the University continues to put non-practicing Christians in the lead religious life positions on campus.

Often that person serves to suppress genuine Christian activity and devotion rather than helping.”

While Kugler feels blessed by that intimate interaction with the Yale community, she does not feel constrained by the orthodox tenets of her Catholic faith.

“I don’t work for the Catholic Church and don’t speak for it in any official capacity. So, I wouldn’t feel the same constraints that an ordained priest, for example, might feel in expressing differing viewpoints on official Catholic teaching,” she said.

And despite views some may have of the Catholic Church, according to Kugler, holding differing viewpoints within the denomination is not uncommon.

“Generally, people outside the Catholic Church, and some within it, view it as a monolith,” Kugler said. “I think the reality is that there is a diversity of opinion within the Catholic Church on many of its teachings.”

And Kugler knows what it means to minister without being one.

“I have been blessed to do this work for quite some time now and have made my peace on the ordination question,” she said. “This is a privileged work and it allows a kind of intimate access into people’s lives that I take quite seriously and I am honored by their trust.”

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

CRY FREEDOM Cornell Students Take Up the Torch of the International Justice Mission Last November students from the Cornell chapter of the International Justice Mission sat in CORNELL University Plaza making bracelets with their mouths gagged to illustrate a very real point. Their demonstration was part of an event called “Break the Chains,” a three-day effort to tell people about bonded labor practices around the world. Bonded labor, or indebted labor as it is known, affects approximately 20 million people worldwide, according to the U.N. Working Group on Contemporary Forms of Slavery.

In addition to selling the bracelets, members also distributed information about the campus chapter and the organization’s work worldwide. Passersby were able to

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donate on the spot and choose where their contributions would go.

According to Charity In-Hin Hung ’09, founder and president of Cornell’s International Justice Mission chapter (http://rso.cornell.edu/cornellijm), the event was held to raise funds and awareness for the oppression that occurs around the world today. The money raised went toward supporting aftercare programs for the victims of oppression.

The 15 students who participated are Christians, and some are also involved in other ministries and organizations on campus, Hung said.

While the students did not verbally share the Gospel, Hung said it was clear they are a Christian organization.

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ON • CAMPUS ulty, and passersby in conversation about slavery and so “We are a group convicted by the love of our Savior and many other issues around the world.”

God’s heart for His people and His broken heart for the opAccording to Hung, prior to the organization’s presence, pressed,” Hung said, “and we believe that it is our job as there was not much campus awareness of the issues the InHis followers to align our hearts with His and commit to ternational Justice Mission brought to light. the work He calls us to do in the Bible.”

“I didn’t expect to see people actually wearing the Justin McGeary, director of undergraduate programs at bracelets for too long, but still Cornell’s Chesterton House, today I walk around campus agrees. “We need students in and see students wearing the the Christian Community to bracelets we made to help speak out against injustice, them understand the issues and these students are beginover a month ago,” she said. ning to do that, which is no The International Justice small thing,” he said. The Mission was founded eleven human rights agency also years ago by Gary Haugen works to expose instances of (Harvard ’85), the organizarape, sex trafficking, and potion’s president and CEO. Haulice brutality that go unprosgen has a history of working on ecuted. social justice issues as an attor“Break the Chains” was ney for the Department of Justhe first event for this newly tice and the United Nations. In formed Cornell chapter, and the mid-1980’s he served on while inclement weather The Cornell chapter of the International Justice Mission the executive committee for somewhat constrained their held a demonstration to raise awareness about bonded labor. the National Initiative for Recfundraising ability, the students gained valuable insight onciliation in South Africa, an and experience. “Some experience is necessary for growth organization of Christian leaders working for political reform and racial reconciliation. and learning. Now they know what effort it takes and have And while the atrocities taking place so far away may taken away from it some ideas for improvement,” said seem remote to the comfortable lives of Ivy students, HauMcGeary. gen’s founding of the human rights agency exemplifies the For student members like Hung, the experience itself impact students can have on worldwide social justice. was meaningful. “This event was so special because it was “As Ivy League students,” said Hung, “we often beour first event as a group,” she said. “We were able to educome so entirely immersed into our own little worlds of accate others about the issues and share the sense of responademia, studies, and individual relationships, that we often sibility we owe to those in need. As its president and forget there’s a world out there waiting for us to take action co-founder, I’ve seen this group come such a long way from and responsibility for those without the privileges we have.” its humble beginnings. It was simply amazing to see our chapter members interact, discuss, and engage students, facBy Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

“We need students in the Christian Community to speak out against injustice, and these students are beginning to do that, which is no small thing.”

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The Ivy League Christian Observer

INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT

‘CAN THERE BE MORALITY WITHOUT GOD?’ Debate Between Singer and D’Souza Probes Deep at Princeton Nearly 800 people packed a Princeton UniverUniversity of Oxford and joined Princeton in 1999. A prosity auditorium in the fall semester to hear lific author, Singer is renowned for his ardent support of anPRINCETON famed bioethics professor Peter Singer debate imal liberation and poverty relief; he captured international noted Christian author Dinesh D’Souza on some of philosexposure for his controversial utilitarian philosophies on ophy’s most fundamental, but far-reaching questions on abortion, euthanasia and infanticide. morality.

D’Souza is a best-selling author, commentator, and forThe students, staff, and community members filled mer White House policy analyst whom The New York Times Richardson Auditorium to capacity on December 3 to hear Magazine named one of the country’s most influential conSinger and D'Souza, Dartmouth '83, square off in a debate servative thinkers. entitled “Can There Be Morality Without God?” The event, In his opening statement, Singer said he and D’Souza which was sponsored by Princeton Faith and Action had come to address the philosophical issue summed up by (www.pfanda.com), Christian Union (www.Christianthe Dostoevsky character Ivan Karamazov, who contended Union.org), and Fixed Point Foundation (www.Fixedthat if there is no God, everything is permitted. “Can there Point.org), sparked vigorous discussion among students be morality, given that we are in a universe without God?” who listened to the scholars contend over the source of Singer asked. “What difference would it make to morality morality and the existence of God. if there were a God?” While Singer remained resolute in his The debate was easily the biggest Christian event in the staunch allegiance to atheism, he entertained the notion of last 20 years at Princeton and probably the largest in the Ivy God to discuss the theoretical implication of a deity upon League this year. And the buzz continued long after the last morality. Nonetheless, he maintained that morality has an point was made. Pockets of students could be overheard evolutionary—not divine—explanation. talking about the event on campus, and the blog at the Daily D’Souza, however, countered that God wrote a moral code upon humans and there is no Darwinian explanation Princetonian was quite busy with passionate contentions for both sides.

“It was a real contest of worldviews, with both participants eager to address issues of God and morality directly,” said Dr. Win Green (Yale ’79, MDiv ’83), campus pastor at Nassau Christian Center. “I sensed that the secular audience entered Richardson Hall presuming that Christians had scant rational basis for their viewpoints. I sensed they left with a much greater appreciaphoto credit: Frank Wojciechowski tion for the depth of the The debate between Peter Singer (left) and Dinesh D'Souza, Dartmouth '83, (right) filled Christian worldview.”

Princeton's Richardson Auditorium to capacity on December 3. Eric Gregory (Harvard ’92 The Australian-born and Yale ’02 PhD), assistant professor of religion at Princeton, was the moderator.

Singer studied at the

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INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT dren. There’s a lot of research to show that the best strategy for morality. “Morality is a fact of the world,” he said. “It’s is, at least initially, to help strangers,” said Singer, referencreal.” He invited the audience to consider a hypothetical exing game theory, or the mathematical study of strategy. ample of him walking alone past a drowning, 250-pound In addition, Singer focused his remarks on discrediting stranger calling for help. If man were an “evolved, Darwinthe Judeo-Christian foundation that morality cannot exist ian primate,” D’Souza said he would feel a powerful imwithout God, in part, by highlighting the suffering in the perative to walk past because a Darwinian voice would world. He questioned how warn D’Souza, hypothetian “all-powerful, all-knowcally a bad swimmer, ing and all-good” God could against taking a chance. allow horrific acts of evil or But, “there is the unavoidcatastrophic natural disasable sense that I’m doing ters to plague mankind’s something wrong. Where landscape. does this transcendental, As such, belief in God powerful sense come does not provide a basis for from? We are all moral morality, he said. Rather, creatures.” morality exists because, In addition, D’Souza “we can think and reason highlighted Singer’s core and put ourselves in the cabelief that humans are on pacity of others,” Singer asa “Darwinian continuum” serted. with beasts. “Christians Eric Gregory of Princeton moderated the Dec. 3 debate between atheist Peter Singer (L) and Christian author and Overall, students said put homo sapiens on a apologist Dinesh D’Souza, Dartmouth ’83 (R). the debate provoked intense pedestal. Once we realize dialogue among their peers that God is dead, we have but disagreed in their assessments of the deliberators. to reverse all this,” said D’Souza as he explored the impliGreg D. Snyder ’09 called the event “insightful,” and cations of Singer’s atheist-inspired philosophies. noted that D’Souza’s “attempt to defend Christianity on ra“Why he’s working at the [University Center] for tional grounds was valiant.” He said that for students in both Human Values, I have no idea,” added D’Souza in a mocamps, “any such debate will unfortunately tend to be an ment of sharp-tongued irony. affirmation of the beliefs that one already holds on issues reIn addition, D’Souza also noted many atheists, espelating to morality and God.” cially the so-called new secularists, reject God but embrace Visitor Jill Woods, a Sayreville resident and software qualvalues. “These values came into the West and into the world ity assurance specialist, said the debate helped her to focus on because of Christianity,” he said. her beliefs. “It also helped me in sharing my faith with others As for Singer, he stuck to his theme that the Darwinian by providing some information on which to research. [The model explains morality. debate] may have caused those who were already closed“Do we have to believe there is some transcendental minded to remain so, but I believe there was definitely some spark contrary to the evolutionary account in order to exsoftening of hearts for those who were truly seeking.” plain why we have morality?” Singer asked. “And why, oc“The debate was awesome,” said Princeton sophomore casionally, heroic people jump in and save heavy, drowning Hannah Reynolds. “It was such an encouragement to see strangers? We can explain the existence of compassion, someone take a stand in defense of the faith on our campus.” concern for others, in the evolutionary account as mammals, as beings who have had to take care of their own small chilBy Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer

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The Ivy League Christian Observer

INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT

PHYSICAL MAN Dartmouth Alumnus Sees Science as the Alternative to God, Philosophy and Art with what Gazzaniga regards as real answers to life’s deepest questions, which (like everything human) are ultimately, he is absolutely sure, about biology.

In reality, Gazzaniga and his colleagues overreach and under-deliver. This is not to deny that science is making amazing discoveries about human nature, and for understanding some of these, this book is quite helpful.

Director of the SAGE Center for the Study of the Mind at the University of California at Santa Barbara, and a member of the President’s Council on Bioethics, Gazzaniga is an authority on neuroscience, especially split-brain research. In Human he offers a useful one-stop shop on the latest scientific findings, even if his endless name-dropping and hedging of claims with “What are you looking for?” conflicting theories make for a cumber“My keys.” some read and leave some of his own con“Where did you lose them?” clusions elusive. Trying, too, is his overly “Back over there.” conversational style: “How can one little “Then why look for them here?” change do so much damage? Take a deep “The light is better here.” breath. Blow it out slowly. OK, now you’re A new book by Michael S. Gazzaniga (Dartmouth ’61), ready.” With proper editing, the text could Academic experts—economists, lawyers, Human: The Science Behind have been half as long as it is. philosophers, theologians—often seem to What Makes Us Unique, Gazzaniga’s main aim is simple: to have the same attitude: Whatever you need “overreaches and under delivers.” show how human beings can be “hugely you can find in their corner, where all the different” from other animals despite havlight is. Supply and demand, legal regulaing all of these connections with the biologic world, and in tion, the Categorical Imperative, Original Sin can explain some instances similar mental structures.” The differences everything. Perhaps no discipline is more likely to claim are the result of many small brain developments eventually explanatory omnipotence and unique objectivity than scireaching a biological tipping point, what Gazzaniga calls ence. Before the altar of science, all other disciplines must “a phase shift.” After a tour of our brain’s hemispheres and bow. And its high priests are evolutionary biologists and lobes, cerebral cortex and neocortex, cerebellum and corpus neuroscientists: Everything about us, ultimately, can be excallosum, Gazzaniga concludes that “the human brain is a plained by natural selection and the brain. bizarre device, set in place through natural selection for one Am I being unfair? Only a bit. For an exemplar of this main purpose—to make decisions that enhance reproducattitude, take Michael S. Gazzaniga’s new book, Human: tive success.”

The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique. Don’t let the He similarly explains human practices like the arts, notsubtitle fool you; it’s not as if “science” is one among many ing that we alone make music as such. “It boils down to branches of knowledge that shed light on what distinguishes this: sensations and perceptions that have adaptive us. No, Gazzaniga thinks that we can put away philosophvalue…often become aesthetically preferred.” Admitting ical inquiry, poetic rumination, and prophetic revelation: (because scientific research confirms) that “art can put a Recent advances in neuroscience are finally providing us Editor’s note: the following review, written by Ryan T. Anderson, appeared in the Weekly DARTMOUTH Standard (November 17, 2008) and is reprinted with permission. Michael S. Gazzaniga, author of Human: The Science Behind What Makes Us Unique, is a Dartmouth alumnus (’61), who earned a Ph.D in Psychobiology from the California Institute of Technology. Ryan T. Anderson, a 2004 graduate of Princeton University, is editor of Public Discourse: Ethics, Law, and the Common Good, a new publication of the Witherspoon Institute of Princeton, N.J. It’s a familiar comic scene. A man is searching for something under a street lamp. A passerby approaches:

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INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT smile on your face,” Gazzaniga lets us in on the secret: We are smiling “because our cocky brain is pleased with itself, because it is fluently processing a stimulus, but you don’t need to tell the artist that.”

For a study of human-to-human social interactions, he turns to evolutionary psychology, according to which social relationships “are merely by-products of behavior originally selected to avoid our being eaten by predators.” We may distinguish “our ‘meaningful’ as well as our ‘manipulative’ social relationships,” but he considers this a mere rationalization “generated by a process secondary to the real reason we fall into social groups.” Our sociability is “deeply rooted in our biology not simply in our cognitive theories about ourselves.” So too, in his view, are those very cognitive theories, and even cognition itself.

So it isn’t surprising that Gazzaniga also uses biology to explain “the moral compass within.” Where does our morality come from? While we might “like to think of ourselves as rational beings” able to reach timeless, objective moral truths, Gazzaniga argues that it is “our gut, our intuitive self, that first comes up with the judgment, and our rational self afterward tries to come up with the reasons” to justify prerational moral intuition.

Where do these gut intuitions come from? Although “until recently, all one could do was bat these ideas around without any concrete evidence,” now “things have changed” and modern science shows that “we actually have hardwired ethical programming that has been selected for.”

You guessed it: Morality, like everything else, has been selected for its survival value.

Consequently, the incest taboo needs amendment. This gut instinct has been selected only because, on average, in the long run, it leads to reproductive success. But “if it were rational, then it would not apply to adopted or to stepsiblings.” Gazzaniga, in technical terms, explains where this moral belief comes from: “We got it at the factory.” He confidently concludes that “moral judgments are not completely rational,” they amount to little more than “It feels bad: don’t do it.”

In fact, all kinds of moral norms lack a rational basis: “Why not dump your sick husband or wife and get a healthy one? That would be more rational. Why spend public money on the severely handicapped, when they will rarely be able to repay it?” In Gazzaniga’s world, “a rational person would never go into partnership with someone else because of the high probability that the other rational person

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would cheat, because if the opportunity presented itself, there would be no rational reason not to.”

Which is why Gazzaniga is glad that we don’t live in a rational world: “Emotions solve the problem” by repelling us from perfectly rational activities like cheating, lying, and extramarital sex. He appeals to the crudest form of crass utilitarianism and equates its narrow calculations of self-interest—and only these—with being “rational.”

Such disregard for any sort of philosophical reflection makes Human a disappointment. While Gazzaniga is a reliable guide on the facts of neuroscience and evolutionary psychology, his interpretations of the data and hasty dismissals of other disciplines of inquiry (especially philosophy) are fatal for the task he has set for himself: to understand humanity.

Gazzaniga’s thoroughgoing physicalism, which motivates his reduction of human activities to the domain of the natural sciences alone, is unwarranted. To refute the opposing view that the human person has an immaterial aspect, he gives an evolutionary explanation for it, noting that children are “natural believers in essentialism.” And that, presumably, is enough. If children believe something, it and all related beliefs must be evolutionarily determined and, therefore, false. We think this way only because “our brain processes have been selected over time.”

But if Gazzaniga is correct about this, then his arguments are ultimately self-defeating. For if the brain’s output is determined by blind evolutionary forces and has no necessary connection to objective truth, then his neuroscience is also unreliable. How does he know that the methods his brain leads him to use produce results that are true, and not just selected for reproductive success? And, for that matter, how can I assent to Gazzaniga’s conclusions? If my brain happens to organize the “chaos of input” (Gazzaniga’s term) differently from his, on what basis do we settle the dispute?

In fact, if our personhood can ultimately be explained by recourse to brain states, molecules, and smaller physical parts, then what freedom is left for an “I” to engage in the weighing and sifting of argument and counter- argument that makes up academic (including scientific) discourse? In explaining the science behind what makes us unique, Gazzaniga has explained away the “us.” His evolutionary explanations undercut not only religion and traditional morality, but all rationality and free choice, including scientific theories and the very enterprise of conducting research to develop them.

The job for future neuroscientists is to affirm, with Gaz-

The Ivy League Christian Observer

INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT zaniga, that the human person stands in continuity with other animals, in many respects. But also in radical discontinuity when it comes to mental life. If traditional philosophical arguments for the immateriality of the intellect are correct, then neuroscientists will need to wrestle with the possibility that our mental life is essentially immaterial, though thoroughly integrated with bodily organs like the brain.

Evolutionary psychology and neuroscience will still matter: If we’re really psychosomatic unities, then our biology must be studied, as it helps provide the basis of our inclinations and intuitions and can, if dysfunctional, impede reasoning. But we must maintain that we can, by our freedom and intellect, move beyond such evolutionarily advantageous but immoral behaviors as, say, racist varieties of kin-group affinity.

“The science behind what makes us unique,” as presented by Gazzaniga, is ultimately unilluminating. Gaz-

zaniga is skilled at telling us which sections of the brain light up on the MRI machine under which circumstances, and which behaviors might have been selected to increase our reproductive potential, but he offers no guidance on what any of this means for living a human life. Should we do whatever helps our survival according to science? If not, to what standard do we appeal? And how is reasoning about these questions even possible if the mind is only the evolutionarily determined brain?

Some human phenomena simply cannot be reduced to synaptic firings. Gazzaniga explains all human phenomena in this way because that’s where his training lies—and his lighting is best. But some human pursuits—for love, beauty, truth, goodness—are greater than the sum of their material processes. Rather than explain what it is to be human, Gazzaniga has explained it away. There is light beyond the street lamp of neuroscience, and beyond is where the keys to living a fully human life can be found.

Save the Date! • May 28 – 31 Christian Union’s

REUNIONS ‘09

SATURDAY, May 30 10:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. – Brunch and Open House, Wilson House Celebrating Christian Life at Princeton.

SUNDAY, May 31 11 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. – Worship Service, Nassau Christian Center Featuring testimonies from Major Class Reunions

Karen Buxbaum '93 with family

Worship Service Reunions ‘08 (left to right): George Gallup, Jr. '53, Dr. Archie Fletcher '38, George Vergis '83, Roland Warren '83

For more information contact Christine.Johnson@Christian-Union.org or visit www.Christian-Union.org/reunions

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INTELLECTUAL • ENGAGEMENT

FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE Cornell Faculty and Students Gather for Talks on Academia, Faith, and the World Friday Conversations at Chesterton House campus that meet at least once a week and approximately (www.chestertonhouse.org) began in early 2008 50 religious organizations altogether. The aim of Friday CORNELL as substantive faith-based conversations on a Conversations is not to replicate other Christian campus variety of topics that range from science and faith to social meetings or create another class for which students feel objustice issues. ligated to be prepared. Rather, students who attend agree “It provides a venue for student discussion on faith and that the events are a free time for them to think and connect learning,” explained Chesterton’s director, Karl Johnson, deeply on issues surrounding current events, campus issues, Cornell ’89. academia, and the Kingdom of God. The lineup at Chesterton House has included Dr. Kent Keith Yoder ’09 said that because of his study of neuroFuchs, Cornell’s recently named provost and former dean of science, he appreciated the science and faith talks held prethe college of engineering; Dr. Roger Steele, an associate viously at Chesterton—especially in a world where most professor in the departstudents and professors ment of education; a DVD would completely disreviewing of Dr. Tim Keller; gard a connection between and NBC Dateline’s science and faith. These “Children for Sale,” a talks tremendously helped documentary about the Yoder “begin to combine work of the International neuroscience with ChrisJustice Mission. tianity” on a deeper level in After the night’s presthe classroom and the real entation, attendees enjoy a world. relaxed yet intellectual In terms of engagetime of discussion over ment between believers pizza and refreshments. and non-believers, Larry Makafui Fiavi ’10 reLin ’12 adds, “the ChesterCornell students gathered at Crossroads Life Center for Friday Night Live, as part of Chesterton House events. cently attended Friday ton House can be thought Conversations for the first of as a bridge between the time and said she “enjoyed the video as well as the atmosChristian life and everyday school life. Often I feel like I’m phere in which the discussion took place afterward. It was either with my Christian friends or with my non-Christian very relaxed and people felt free to share their opinions friends. The Chesterton House is a good reminder that those even when they disagreed with others.” lives can be and should be combined.”

The theme of each week varies, but the idea is to deal With so many different Christian student organizations, with substantive issues from a vantage point of Christian Cornell abounds with opportunities for students to engage faith while also addressing students’ career and calling. Actheir faith and academics. Since there is not much theologcording to Johnson, faculty especially enjoy the Friday ical training or Biblical literacy classes in Cornell, ChesterConversations because they provide an opportunity for proton House’s niche is to fill the gap to help students think “Christianly” about a wide variety of topics. fessors and students to have more personal interactions in a “In the big picture, we exist to encourage and facilitate setting that humanizes faculty and encourages students to students to enact their own visions,” said Johnson. connect their studies to their Christian faith.

There are over 15 Christian organizations on Cornell’s

By Charity Hung, Cornell ‘09

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The Ivy League Christian Observer

THE • MARKETPLACE

PRESIDENTIAL FAITH Election of Obama Rekindles Debate, Scrutiny Interestingly, December 8, 1941 marked the start of the While George W. Bush and Barack Obama, very first National Bible Week; and President Roosevelt like the nation’s previous presidents, have ALL IVY hosted the festivities. As part of the events, a national radio claimed Christianity as their religion, the depth, broadcast was scheduled. That broadcast was infamously authenticity, and even the veracity of their faith has been interrupted by the horrifying news of Pearl Harbor. widely debated in the public arena.

National Bible Week continues to be celebrated each Former President George W. Bush, who graduated from year. The president of the United States serves as Honorary Yale (’68) and Harvard Business School (’75), received critChairman and issues a message from the White House. icism from liberals for being “too evangelical.” President Today, the debate of authentic presidential faith continObama, Columbia ’83 and Harvard Law ’91, has been ues. During the recent presidential campaign, the faith of each looked at skeptically because of his stance on issues such as candidate was a point of exploration and inquiry by the abortion and stem cell research. media. Evangelical organizations But this sort of debate has not were closely watched to see where the been reserved for modern presiso-called “evangelical vote” would be dents—both Ivy and non-Ivy. For cast. Many were especially outraged example, some historians assert when the offensive statements of Abraham Lincoln converted to Obama’s former pastor, the Reverend Christianity later in his life while Jeremiah Wright, were revealed. others discount the conversion and The topic of faith was even the continue to portray Lincoln as a subject of a special forum moderated Deist.

by Saddleback Church pastor and Yet Lincoln surprised many by Former President George W. Bush, Yale author Rick Warren. During the quoting Old Testament scripture in ’68 and Harvard MBA ’75, and President Barack Obama, Columbia ’83 and Harvard forum, both candidates professed his second inaugural address.

Law ’91, are among the recent U.S. their faith as Christians. PresidentWoodrow Wilson (Princeton, Presidents to hold Ivy League degrees and elect Obama’s faith, in particular, has 1879), the thirteenth president of profess Christian faith. been the subject of media attention Princeton University and the in response to widely circulated rumors that the nation’s 44th twenty-eighth president of the United States, once said that “the Bible is the one supreme source of revelation of the president is a Muslim. meaning of life, the nature of God, and spiritual nature and “I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian,” Obama needs of men. It is the only guide of life which really leads said in a January 2008 article in Christianity Today. “I bethe spirit in the way of peace and salvation. America was lieve in the redemptive death and resurrection of Jesus born a Christian nation. America was born to exemplify that Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of devotion to the elements of righteousness which are derived sin and have eternal life. But most importantly, I believe in from the revelations of Holy Scripture.” the example that Jesus set by feeding the hungry and healFranklin Roosevelt (Harvard, 1903), under whose ading the sick and always prioritizing the least of these over ministration National Bible Week was established, said, the powerful…Accepting Jesus Christ in my life has been “We cannot read the history of our rise and development as a powerful guide for my conduct and my values and my a nation without reckoning with the place the Bible has ocideals.” cupied in shaping the advances of the Republic. Where we With our nation at a critical juncture, our new president have been the truest and most consistent in obeying its prewill need the prayers of the American people and a daily cepts, we have attained the greatest measure of contentment infilling of the Holy Spirit. There’s no debate about that. and prosperity.”

By Eileen Scott, Senior Staff Writer

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THE • MARKETPLACE

SEPARATING FACT FROM OPINION Brown Alumni Provide Web Site for Truth-Seekers Christ (www.collegehillforchrist.com) at Brown. “Through In the 1960’s, fictional detective Joe Friday beCampus Crusade I understood what it meant to become a came infamous for his no-nonsense pursuit of BROWN Christian. Between my sophomore and junior years, I acthe truth with his catchphrase “Just the facts, cepted Christ and made some changes in how I lived my ma’am.” In today’s pop-news culture, however, that pursuit life,” he said. of truth often gets lost behind celebrity “journalists,” glitzy “I made no changes in how I lived my life,” said Agresti, sets, and even hologram technology.

There is hope, however, for those with a hunger for unwho was a self-described atheist while in college. He wasbiased, undiluted information, as two Brown alumni, Jim n’t the “evangelistic” sort of atheist that has emerged today.

Agresti and Steve Cardone, have placed the facts just a click “If someone asked, I would tell them I didn’t believe in away. The former classmates (Brown ’88) and college God,” he said. wrestling teammates are the founders of JustFacts.com.

But a car ride with Cardone and his wife a few years The mission of the site is to “reafter graduation changed everysearch and publish verifiable facts thing. Agresti found a Bible in the on the critical issues of our time.” glove compartment of Cardone’s “We are a generation on informacar and started reading aloud from tion-overload. It’s difficult to sepaProverbs. “It was amusing,” Agresti rate opinion from fact,” said Agresti. said.

The goal is to “equip people Cardone encouraged his friend to with information they can confitake the Bible and read it. “I knew dently use to make informed deciwhat he was up to,” said Agresti, sions in their personal lives, who accepted the offer with the inBrown alumni Jim Agresti and Steve occupations, and in voting tent to disprove the Bible.

Cardone, both from the Class of ’88, get the facts straight on their website, justfacts.com. booths.” Users can find out about “I realized it couldn’t be disissues like gun control, abortion, proved,” said Agresti, whose degree taxes, health care, and more. What they won’t find is rein engineering and knowledge of science served as a catacycled public policy statements or media accounts of the lyst to verify the truth of what he read in the Bible. “That’s the way the Lord reached me,” he said. issues.

Agresti has since written Rational Conclusions, which Agresti and Cardone look beneath the surface of the issues and search for accuracy. For example, they might chronicles his discovery of Truth. The book is in the prespend a whole day pouring over hundreds of pages of a republishing stages and is designed for non-Christians. port that will be among many resources for one article.

At JustFacts.com, Agresti and Cardone adhere to a forDespite their love for delving into the issues, both men mal Standard of Credibility which they developed. “That’s had very different careers before JustFacts.com. Agresti how we decide what makes a fact,” said Cardone. “I can worked in aircraft engine design, while Cardone was in cortell you from experience there is stuff on the site we don’t porate logistics and operations. JustFacts.com developed personally love that turns out to be a fact, and we put it up from Agresti’s natural passion for knowledge and truth and anyway. If it meets the standard, it goes up.”

Cardone’s talent for business. Agresti’s brother had created Conversely, the two men have witnessed a bias against the site and encouraged him to upload all the information he Christianity in the information they read. “It comes through had acquired over the years. very clearly to me,” said Agresti. “There is a lot of reportAgresti is president and Cardone is the vice president. ing facts as assertions and assertions as facts.”

Those are the same titles they held when they were officers While JustFacts.com is not a Christian Web site, both of their fraternity at Brown. men say faith impacts their work. “We know we are going Cardone was also a member of Campus Crusade for to be held accountable for what we do,” said Cardone. “That

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THE • MARKETPLACE weighs heavily on us. We are commanded to speak the truth, and we do our best to honor that.”

And for these two information “detectives” there ap-

pears to be an endless need for the truth and on-line solace for those seeking just the facts.

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

REDEEMING CULTURE David Kim, Penn ’94, Directs Gotham Fellowship In some ways, Rev. David Kim, 35, is a Renaistionately influential’ in creating the country’s culture and that sance Man. you have to meet this coveted demographic on its own terms.”

PENN The University of Pennsylvania alumnus reRedeemer is virtually an institution in Manhattan. The searched human molecular genetics at The Children’s Hoschurch attracts about 5,000 mostly youthful, but professionpital of Philadelphia for two years before beginning studies ally diverse, congregants each weekend. Keller, a best-sellat nearby Westminster Theological Seminary. ing author, and his team have also worked with other Today, Kim ’94 is tackling a new role as the director of ministries and denominations to plant more than 100 the Gotham Fellowship, an intensive education program in churches across the country and abroad.

Manhattan for young professionals. He also continues to As for Kim, the Philadelphia native is helping fulfill one serve as executive director of Manna Christian Fellowship of Redeemer’s core missions of cultural engagement. (www.princeton.edu/~manna) at Princeton University.

“I don’t think it is possible to make Christian disciples And, along the way, Kim, who of young professionals without helping earned a biology degree at Penn, picked them think out what difference Christ up a master of divinity at Westminster makes for their public lives, not just in Philadelphia in 2001 and a master of their private worlds,” Keller said. theology from Princeton Theological “David Kim is a pioneer in this area. I Seminary in 2007. don’t think anyone is better at this right Although he sometimes misses the now than he is.” scientific intrigues of genetics research, In fall 2007, Kim took a sabbatical Kim described his current role as “more from Manna to help Redeemer develop exciting and a better use of my gifts.” the curriculum for the Gotham FellowIn the fall, Kim helped Redeemer ship. The church seeks to connect the Presbyterian Church launch Gotham “three elements of Gospel worldview, Fellowship, a nine-month program despiritual mentorship, and committed Penn alumnus David Kim ’94 keeps signed to help professionals touch New community for the social, cultural, and busy as the new director of the York City’s culture and marketplace spiritual renewal of New York City.”

Gotham Fellowship in Manhattan with the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

In short, “the goal of the program is and as executive director of Manna Christian Fellowship at Princeton.

“What happens in New York often to invest in the next generation of culfilters to the rest of the country and the tural leaders,” Kim said. world,” said Kim. “The influence of New York to the world “The sovereignty of Christ is as relevant to areas of culis a big part of why we’re investing in a small group of felture as it is to our own personal salvation,” Kim said. “The lows every year.”

Gospel has to impact that culture as much as the church.”

That philosophy isn’t surprising, and it reflects the Much of the expertise Kim brings into his new position savvy of Redeemer’s senior pastor, Rev. Tim Keller. comes from his twelve years of leadership with Manna and In 2006, New York Magazine tapped Keller as the “most its interaction with the Princeton community. successful Christian evangelist” in the city. The publication “I couldn’t have imagined a better training than being at noted Keller recognized “what marketers have known for Princeton,” he said. “We’re all about training for tomorrow’s leaders.” decades: that young professionals and artists are ‘dispropor-

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THE • MARKETPLACE With both students and young professionals, Kim is focused on exploring “how the Gospel really does change everything. The Good News really is at the center of what motivates me to do the work I do. God redeems sinners in a fallen world.”

A devotion to sharing Christ’s Gospel played a large role in Kim’s decision to pursue seminary training instead of a doctoral degree.

“I had been wrestling between going to seminary and going down the science path,” said Kim, who became passionate about campus ministry after helping Manna on a part-time basis during its infancy in 1995-1996. His wife Jane, an attorney, joined the staff in 2008.

Some of the philosophies Kim introduced to Manna early in the new century help form the foundational beliefs of Gotham Fellowship, which accepted 24 students for its

inaugural program.

Under Kim’s leadership, Manna developed a “more robust worldview.” Instead of focusing on primarily personal matters and ethics – the core of some parachurch ministries – Kim encourages students in the campus ministry also to embrace the “public sphere.”

“Christianity is ultimately about good news. It’s not just an intellectual framework, but it’s a living power at work to renew all things—both private and public,” Kim said.

“Faith without works is dead.”

Indeed, Rev. Blake Altman, who serves as Manna’s associate director, said Kim is inspirational. “He has the rare ability to be both a visionary and a very good, good shepherd,” Altman said. “He has the ability to care deeply for people.”

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer

AN AMBASSADOR OF ‘BIBLICAL FAITH’ Michael Novak Refutes Atheists in New Book life’s trials, sufferings, and uncertainty. “Biblical faith deAs a former U.S. ambassador, Michael Novak, mands putting childhood behind, and adolescence, and the Harvard M.B.A. ‘66, championed human rights.

HARVARD busy-ness of young adulthood,” he writes. “It requires an As a theologian and writer, Novak serves as an appetite for bravery, for going into unknown territories ambassador of Christianity to people at various stages of alone to wrestle against inner demons, and a willingness to faith—or faithlessness. experience darkness, if darkness comes. Faith is not for In his recent book, No One Sees God: The Dark Night of those who seek only man-made pleasures.”

Atheists and Believers, Novak takes on the claims of atheists Christopher Hitchens, Richard Dawkins, A devout Catholic, Novak’s appeal crosses denominational lines and has won and Heather MacDonald (Yale ’78) on their acclaim from prominent Ivy League own court of reason. With the respect and dignity of a seasoned diplomat and the conalumni like Dinesh D’Souza, Dartmouth fidence of a deeply rooted faith in Jesus ’83, and Chuck Colson, Brown ‘53.

Christ, he deftly delivers counterpoints. For “Michael Novak boldly—yet winexample, when atheists question how God somely—invites believers and the radical can allow suffering and tragedy, Novak calls atheists of our day to sit down at the table on his own experiences with darkness and for an honest dialogue, one that will, no suffering. “This book is for people who, like doubt, challenge the atheists’ blind faith in me, have spent long years in the dark and No-God; and one that will compel believwindswept open spaces between unbelief ers to re-examine their unexamined views and belief. It is about a fairly common voyof the Almighty,” says Colson, founder of Dr. Michael Novak, Harvard age through the dark, not only in our age, Prison Fellowship Ministries. ’66, takes on the darkness but in every age,” he said.

D’Souza, author of What’s So Great and atheists in his recent book: No One Sees God, The For Novak, mature faith evolves from About Christianity, said, “This book shows Dark Night of Atheists and the initial first blush of spiritual excitement Michael Novak at his best. No One Sees Believers. new believers feel to refinement through God conveys a depth, erudition, generosity

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The Ivy League Christian Observer

THE • MARKETPLACE of spirit, and wisdom that simply transcend anything that the new atheists have to offer.”

Novak’s Judeo-Christian perspective is also praised by leaders of the Jewish faith for its truthful, yet humble correction of the atheist argument. “He succeeds where others have failed by honestly appreciating their critique of simple-minded faith while also clearly demonstrating their insufficient response to the mystery of God. Only Michael Novak could have written this book because of the scope of his intellect, the depth of his faith, and his deep humility that is his greatest gift to all of us,” noted Marc Gellman, Ph.D., senior rabbi of Temple Beth Torah in Melville, NY. Perhaps it is Novak’s ability to sympathize with and understand the atheistic view that enables him to counter it so squarely. He considers his time at Harvard among the most valuable in shaping his perspective. “I cannot imagine getting through graduate studies at Harvard, teaching at Stanford and other universities, without learning how to think, and speak, and work within the horizon, viewpoints, methods, and disciplines of the atheist,” he writes.

Learning to work within that horizon enabled Novak to eloquently and confidently defend the Christian faith with clarity. For example, he writes, “Despite the fact that an atheist Zeitgeist dominates university campuses in America, it has not proved persuasive to huge numbers of stu-

dents, who hold their noses and put up with it. Why does atheism persuade so few?”

Novak also takes on the popular misconception that the nation’s founders were atheists. In this book, as well as in the previously published Washington’s God, Novak creates a portrait of George Washington as a faithful general and president who eagerly gave thanks to God for his victories and for the lessons of defeat. Moreover, Novak has also taken on contemporary issues. In an article for National Review, Novak challenges politicians in both political parties who want to skirt around what many Christians call the “evil of abortion.” He wrote: There are many pretty words that politicians, some Republicans and some Democrats, use to mask their actual practice in regard to abortion. They call it “a profound moral issue,” and they say they seek to make abortions “safe, legal, and rare”—a particularly adroit example of rhetorically pleasing everybody. In actual practice, though, they manage to keep abortions going just as before.

Thus, whether it is the ignorance of atheists who Novak says are “blinded by their own repugnance toward religion,” or the pluralist people-pleasing pandering of politicians, at age 75, Novak continues to call out the faithless and the faithful with the humility and grace that makes him an outspoken ambassador for the Lord.

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

IN GOD WE TRUST Christians Take the High Road Despite Wall Street Woes When trouble comes, blame is seldom far behind. But when a crisis as significant as a naALL IVY tional financial meltdown leaves the entire world reeling, the placement of blame becomes a national media pastime. Many Christians, however, choose placing personal accountability over blame and hope in Christ over fear of uncertainty.

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Although greed, duplicity, and excessive consumption are cited as roots of the global financial crisis, some Christians are looking past governments and bloated financial institutions to determine how the personal behavior of individuals contributed and how God may be intervening within society.

“Beginning in the time of Aristotle and leading up to the

“You have a responsibility to look around to see who needs help— financial, counseling, love, healing. It’s not time to circle the wagons and turn inward and lock doors.”

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THE • MARKETPLACE but in times of moral or economic bankruptcy.” current financial crisis, greed and trust have played imporBut while Christians are relying upon God, they also are tant yet shifting roles in the structure of the world’s trying to discern the role of the government in the financial economies. One of the reasons we face the current crisis is recuperation. our failure to deal with either properly,” wrote Harold “It’s hard for me to sort out how much of this is a divine James, senior fellow at the Witherspoon Institute at Princewake-up call for society and how much we brought upon ton, in Discourse. ourselves and how much is dysfunctional James also pointed out the lack of pergovernment,” Codrington said. sonal accountability within the corporate But he falls short of placing the blame at environment. “When a company does somethe feet of fellow Ivy alumnus and former thing wrong, it—rather than the individuals U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, who made the error—is responsible for the Dartmouth ’68. consequences of the decision,” he said.

“I’m not in a good position to judge And it is that issue of personal account[him],” Codrington said. “He’s under ability that many Christians are contemplattremendous pressure and is carrying a ing. tremendous burden on his shoulders. We While Citigroup Executive Erik Coshould be praying for him. I feel grateful we drington, Cornell ’86, notes that several fachave someone like him on that job.” tors led to the financial crisis, he sees Colson encouraged believers to seize oppersonal stewardship as a core element. portunities presented by the crisis to share “People are so heavily into debt it makes their faith. them financially fragile,” said Codrington, “The financial markets are [God’s]. The a Christian Union board member. “People Finance executive Erik Codrington, Cornell ’86, world is His. We ought to be a witness to the are addicted to consumption. We want more relies on his faith in Jesus world that when times get tough, Christians and more and are willing to borrow to get it.

Christ to navigate the nation’s financial crisis. can be counted on to be merciful,” he said.

No one held a gun to people’s heads and Codrington agrees. forced them to buy a house they couldn’t af“You have a responsibility to look around to see who ford.” needs help—financial, counseling, love, healing. It’s not time Codrington also notes that the banks should not have to circle the wagons and turn inward and lock doors,” he said. contributed to the excess by lending to borrowers who were “It’s a time to reflect. As a country, it’s a good time to look at getting in over their heads. why we are here and what really brings prosperity and secuChuck Colson, Brown ’53, devoted several BreakPoint rity.” radio commentaries to the crisis and told listeners that For Christians, that security and satisfaction come from “these financial troubles are the direct result of our nation’s Christ. And it is the prayer of many that this adversity will turning its back on God.” lead others to find a relationship with Him. “With everyone making up his own rules when it comes “Right now, there are millions of Americans staring to right and wrong, is it any wonder our economic system down the barrel of financial ruin,” said Colson. “When they is under stress?” he said. “Too many believers equate Chrisask ‘Where is God in all of this?’ I hope they will see Him tianity with the good life and the blessings of consumerism. in the loving acts of the body of Christ.”

Clearly, we have forgotten that Christianity has always been countercultural—thriving not in times of great prosperity,

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

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The Ivy League Christian Observer

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PRAYER IN TIMES SQUARE Columbia Student Passionately Represents Her Generation Ilya Wilson, Columbia ’12, is an engaging composite of details: a homebody who has been to COLUMBIA Finland, Burundi, and France; a Mac user so avid she pities PCers; and though she says her parents raised her well, she appreciates a good “fight.”

She is also a planner. “I kind of knew for a few years I wanted to do medicine,” explains the Jamaica native by way of Brooklyn. “Last year, I went with my church and a Nigerian volunteer medical group to Burundi on a medical/humanitarian aid outreach. I couldn’t do much because

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dened one New Year’s Eve [as he was] looking out at the crowd of one or two million people who came to watch the ball drop,” explains Luly McCoy, communications director at Times Square Church. She said he was concerned “that they would return home just the same way that they came.

He prayed and the Lord laid on his heart to do a prayer service right where the ball drops.”

The first Prayer in the Square service was in September 2007. “For the first one, we wanted to pray for New York City; at the second one (2008), we prayed for the nation, be-

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land—2nd Chronicles 7:14 cause our pastors saw something coming and it’s here,” said I was the youngest, but I like the community service aspect McCoy, referring to the nation’s current economic crisis. of medicine. I’m not interested in just being a doctor.”

The 2008 Prayer in the Square event drew an estimated Though she says she has always been better at the hucrowd of 15,000 to 20,000 believers. manities, she loves science and recalls dissecting a fetal pig In addition to a crowd representing 200 churches of in her high school science class.

“It was nasty, but I loved it,” she said. Gore notwithstanding, she is studying neuroscience and behavior on a pre-med track.

Last September, Wilson put her studies on hold for an afternoon and came to the theater district to publicly participate in another of her passions: prayer. For the last 16 years, she and her family have been members of Times Square Church, organizer of the Prayer in the Square event. photo credit: Jungle Communications “Our pastor (Rev. Prayer in the Square drew approximately 15,000 to 20,000 believers in Manhattan last September.

Carter Conlon) was bur-

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P R AY E R • P O W E R Church is there and people know that we are praying for various denominations in New York, where Mayor them. I think it’s awesome; the second time I wasn’t Bloomberg issued a proclamation declaring September 7 ashamed.” as Prayer in the Square day, Christians around the globe Nor is she bashful on campus, where she also joined in via the internet in Holland, said her first semester (last fall) gave rise to South Africa, Ireland, Zambia, and new opportunities: “I think that semester was Guatemala. The event was broadcast live definitely challenging, with opportunities to Christian radio stations in New York, do bad things. The closer you get to God, the Philadelphia and Washington D.C. more opposition you find in seeking Him. Prayer focuses included the economy, But you are closer, so you find more strength the welfare of our troops abroad, cultural to keep walking. I never felt more like giving and racial inclusiveness, government leadup than this semester, but at the same time, I ers, the presidential election, families, chilnever felt more that I don’t have to give in.” dren growing up without fathers in the One of her courses was “Literature Huhome, the rising rate of high school dropmanities,” for which she had to read the Bible outs, and youth suicides. In between books of Genesis, Job, Luke, and John. “Natprayer sessions, a 180-voice gospel choir Ilya Wilson, Columbia ’12, urally, my teacher and I disagreed on almost led the crowd in worship. recently participated in every interpretation of the Bible,” she said “We’ve been gathered here by the Spirit “Prayer in the Square” in with a laugh. “The professor would say, ‘God of God for a specific reason,” said Rev. ConNew York City. was inconsistent here’ or ‘God made a mislon. “Without divine intervention, we’re not take.’ I never had a discussion with someone in a superior going to make it and fulfill what God intended this nation position who didn’t believe what I believed. It forced me to to be.” read the Bible more carefully than ever before. That class was Wilson, the youngest person to lead in prayer, joined a great opportunity.” local pastors, professionals, and ministry leaders.

It seems fitting that Wilson was called on to pray for the “For a lot of people, it was so touching to hear someone 2008 event. “I was supposed to pray for youth on college like Ilya pray,” said McCoy. “She represents young people campuses,” she said. “When it was my turn, I was shaking. all over the city and country.”

I thought I was going to drop the mic. I just closed my eyes, Wilson, who participated in the choir for the 2007 event, started praying, and definitely felt God’s presence.” said, “I sort of felt weird. We were in the middle of billboards, stores, and movies, but it’s appropriate that the

By Naadu Blankson Seck, Columbia ’10

REKINDLING THE FLAME Prayer Conference Draws Leaders from Each Ivy League Campus The cold December morning temperatures hovered in the low teens. The sun began to break through the early gray clouds of winter. Yet in the snowy hills of Litchfield County, Connecticut, a small group of Ivy League campus ministry leaders gathered at the Trinity Conference Center with their hearts afire.

The leaders prayed for their students, their campuses, and for each other during the overnight Leadership Prayer Conference hosted by Christian Union. Sunday evening’s

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events included formal presentations on campus renewal, revival, and the local church. Christian Union Founder and President Matt Bennett (Cornell ’88, MBA ’89) also welcomed the leaders and gave updates on the ministry and prayer initiatives.

But more than individual presentations or social and professional networking, the conference was about prayer.

It provided an opportunity for campus ministry leaders to step away from the demands of busy campuses and holiday

The Ivy League Christian Observer

P R AY E R • P O W E R Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (F.I.R.E.), bustle to refresh themselves. spoke to attendees about the legal aspects of campus minAnd although additional presentations were initially istry. Jon Hinkson, of The Rivendell Institute at Yale scheduled for Monday, the Lord apparently had other plans. (www.yalestudentsforchrist.com), said he was particularly Agendas were set aside as attendees continued to intercede encouraged to hear that more legal decisions are being made for one another. One by one, they humbly came before the in favor of Christian organizations on campus. Jeremy Lord and each other to address their personal prayer conStory, president of Campus Renewal, spoke cerns. They prayed for each other’s spouses about the latest initiatives for campus reas well as for direction in their lives and their vival and renewal. ministries. They also prayed for deeper reBecause of their shared campus ministry lationships with the Lord and for the healing experiences, these colleagues understand the of their minds, hearts, and bodies. demands and challenges faced by their counOn the front lines of campus revival, terparts as they reach college students for these ministry servants constantly work Christ. And because all eight of the Ivy camwith students, leading Bible studies and puses were represented, the attendees were giving of themselves. They know how faith Anita and Jon Hinkson of the able to get a better understanding of ministry should be manifested, and they embody the Rivendell Institute at Yale, were among the Ivy League on the other campuses. love of Christ. And yet, like all humans ministry leaders who “It was such a privilege to seek God tothey, too, are broken. attended the Leadership They were not models of perfection or gether, believe God together, and trust Him Prayer Conference hosted

by Christian Union. to do great things on our campuses. I am so piety. They were humble servants longing thankful for Christian Union’s vision and for time with their Lord and the peace that heart for these students,” said Vicky Samaritano, ministry comes only from Him. And like parents who take time away from the family to rekindle their relationship, these minleader with Columbia Students for Christ (www.columbiastudentsforchrist.com). istry leaders took time away from the campus to renew their Additionally, “a lot of good relational stuff comes from intimacy with God. Laying hands upon each other and trustthese kinds of things,” said Knapke. ing one another with their weakness, they shared, they And, according to Bennett, that was the point of the conprayed, and they cried. ference. It was intended, he said, to be a time of prayer, fel“There was a real sense of camaraderie and closeness lowship, and relationship building as the attendees prayed with people praying together, and what people shared was together and blessed each other. very personal. It was incredible to see people come together “We place a real strong value on blessing peer ministries and lay hands on each other,” said Dan Knapke of Princeton Faith and Action (www.pfanda.com), a campus ministry at Christian Union, and this is one of the ways we do that,” of Christian Union. said Bennett. “I’m excited about doing it again next year.”

Practical lessons were also shared. Luke Sheahan, of the

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

Because of their shared campus ministry experiences, these colleagues understand the demands and challenges faced by their counterparts as they reach college students for Christ.

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P R AY E R • P O W E R

24/7 Dartmouth Prayer Movement Finds A Home end, the sign Feiger saw was actually for another office The first public and permanent 24/7 prayer space. “But I would have never found it without the sign,” room at Dartmouth College opened in January.

DARTMOUTH Feiger mused.

The room came about through the independent After some negotiating, the lease was signed and the ofvisions of three people: Tony Feiger of Campus Crusade fice space began its transformation into a prayer room. The for Christ, his wife Kayleen, and Laura Andreae, Dartroom, finally had for $650.00 a month ($50.00 more than mouth ’10. their initial offer), is largely supported by Christian Union Andreae has carried around such an idea since she or(www.Christian-Union.org), along with the ganized a prayer event in 2006 that encourNavigators (www.dartmouth.edu/~navs/) aged students to pray around the clock for and a local church, Christ Redeemer. one week. However, the event was severely The room will be painted and decorated restricted by logistical considerations beby students and furnished by donations cause a place close to campus that was from local churches and organizations. open 24 hours a day was difficult to find.

“The students want to put something toAfter the event, Andreae attempted to find gether organically. Instead of having it look a permanent space, but made no headway. like a real fancy room, they want it to have Two years later, however, in the suma more relaxed feel,” Feiger said. mer of 2008, Andreae received a phone call Tony and Kayleen Feiger are among ministry members at “The more students invest in it, the from Tony Feiger regarding a certain office Dartmouth working to set up more they will want to go. It really should space for rent. Tony and Kayleen Feiger the new Dartmouth prayer come from the students’ hearts,” Andreae had just moved to the Hanover area to work room. said. with Campus Crusade for Christ (www.

The prayer room is made up of a small, foyer-like area dartmouth.edu/~ccc) and, coincidentally, had the same viand an inner room (with a door). Both Feiger and Andreae sion for a prayer room. see the inner room as an inner sanctum of sorts, devoted to The Feigers first encountered a prayer room in their more quiet and personal prayer, while the outer room will home church and found it extremely inspiring. When they be more social with a couch, a small library with devotional moved to Hanover, Chris West, the director of Christian Immaterial, and a coffeemaker. pact (www.dartmouth.edu/~tucker/rsl/groups), put them in Andreae admits that she is worried that students will not touch with Andreae, who impressed upon them to start a utilize the space as much as she hopes. similar project at Dartmouth.

“But I just kind of remember the passage of Jesus and Initially, the Feigers dreamed of offering a prayer room the lost sheep, so even if one person benefits, it will be in their own house, but soon realized a more neutral locaworth it,” Andreae said. “It’s really God’s and He will do tion would work better. They did not want the room to be with it what He wants. We just need to ask to have His eyes identified with any one group, organization, or church. and not ours, and ask not to base things off of numbers or “In other words, wouldn’t it be great if it wasn’t a Tony hours.” and Kayleen thing, but a community-based thing,” Tony Feiger sees the prayer room as a key component of a Feiger said. larger vision: “Our goal, our vision is to change the prevailOne summer day, as Feiger was walking to a used booking philosophies of the universities of the world. So it’s a store, he saw a sign advertising office space to rent—right huge, God-sized goal. It’s going to take more than ideas; in the middle of Main Street and central to campus. He imit’s really going to take a lot of prayer.” mediately approached the manager.

It’s not just a great place to meet with God, he adds, but At first, there was some mystery about how the sign got a strategic ministry. there, Feiger said, because both the manager and the man who was renting the space denied there was a sign. In the

By Layne Zhao, Dartmouth ’09

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P R AY E R • P O W E R

A FAITH FUSION Dartmouth Campus and Local Ministers Meet on Common Ground The transformative power of the Gospel of Jesus Local pastors whose churches have attracted many DartChrist is top of the agenda when campus ministry mouth students also have a vested interest in the spiritual DARTMOUTH leaders and area pastors meet weekly at Dardirection of the campus. “These are pastors who have had mouth College as the Dartmouth/Upper Valley Fusion Group. a proverbial oar in the water,” said West. “They recognize “This is not another campus ministry,” explains Chris their congregations are in an Ivy locale, and they are motiWest, director of Christian Impact at Dartmouth (www.dartvated to engage in this way.” mouth.edu/~ccc/). “This is simply a group of Christian leadThe essence of the group is really the heart of the Gospel ers inspired to saturate the campus with the Gospel.” In fact, and revival, according to West. If ministries are able to join he said most of them were already meeting informally when efforts or share strategies about events through common Jeremy Story, president of Campus Renewal Ministries prayer and discussion, that’s a bonus. However, the group (www.campusrenewal.org), visited the campus and apis not an outreach effort to the local community or even proached them about forming a Fusion within the campus.

Group.

“This is not about being ecumenical or “We would love to see Fusion groups expanding as wide as possible. It’s not a on all campuses,” Story said. “They are high value to bring as many people to the vital toward revival. It’s about building a table as possible,” he said. “A higher value community among leaders that is catalytic would be to bring evangelically minded and sustains an atmosphere of revival.” leaders and pastors together.” Fusion Group The staff of Christian Impact, Navigaministry members have a lot in common tors (www.dartmouth.edu/~navs/) and with other denominations and main-line Agape Fellowship (www.dartmouth.edu/ Protestant groups. As self-described ~acf/) are among those who come together “Gospel saturation ministers,” they’ve set to pray and partner for growth and their out to accomplish that goal through focused mission to transform Dartmouth’s campus. prayer for the Gospel’s progress, revival, Christ West, director of Christian Impact at Despite other commitments, they’ve agreed and awakening. No students are in its memDartmouth, is one of several to meet at Collis Center at 8 a.m. every bership. “It is a minister’s group in that I ministry leaders and pastors think ministers have freedom to speak to Tuesday for a year. who are praying for revival at weekly Dartmouth/Upper one another in a certain way when students “It’s about commitment,” West says.

Valley Fusion Group aren’t there, and vice versa.”

“It’s a commitment to be in prayer together meetings.

West said there has been discussion as leaders on a regular basis, and it formalabout establishing a Fusion Group for student leaders so izes their commitment to advance the Gospel on campus tothey have the chance to come together the way the staff gether. But it’s also about relationship and camaraderie group does. “I’d like to encourage students to follow our among the members…every soldier wants to feel he is part lead, and pray together as well.” He envisions a student of an army; every player part of a team.” group coming together rather easily, given that a lot of the As he sees it, the group provides an opportunity to get students already meet for prayer on Sunday evenings. Evento know other people who are a “key part of the Gospel pictually, West and the others would like to see students share ture” at Dartmouth as well as an opportunity for regular corthe Gospel through their athletic teams, music ensembles porate prayer and coordination of efforts. At the same time, and other organizations. he said the time is not designed to be a strategy session. The Together, these on-fire ministry leaders and students purpose is “to mobilize the whole body of Christ at Dartcould light a fuse that would ignite spiritual revival to transmouth to strategically focus our resources on reaching the form the campus, and ultimately, the world. whole campus with the Gospel resulting in redemption of society and transformation of the university.”

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

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CHANGE OF DIRECTION Brown Senior Senses Calling to Medical Missions “I wasn’t planning on being a doctor, but the experiIn April 2007, the Brown Daily Herald featured ence [of] working at a clinic for six weeks made me an article about students answering the call to BROWN want to become one,” Quiroa said. “I never wanted to take serve in the rabbinate, ministry, and missions. hard courses, but I see myself in Africa. That’s what moThen-sophomore Jennifer Quiroa spoke about going into tivates me.” the medical missions field, having been inspired to serve “Somehow I want to be in a place where I can provide after volunteering in New Orleans as a freshman. my input into restoration of other countries. I plan on leadToday, nearly two years later, Quiroa looks toward coming missions as a doctor, maybe with Doctors pleting her undergraduate studies at Brown Without Borders.” and remains dedicated to her calling. She is Quiroa says her decision to pursue a less just as dedicated to her faith in Jesus Christ, lucrative medical path has been well-received which, she says, sustains her every day. by her peers. One of her friends, a fellow The intense rigors of pre-med courses were Christian and medical student, hopes to open not in Quiroa’s plans when she first entered a clinic in China one day.

Brown. The first person in her family to go to “Maybe it’s just my crowd,” she said, college, she didn’t know what to look for in a “[but] I feel that of all the Ivies, Brown is the university. She chose Brown because it was the most humanitarian. Success is happiness with most affordable. a career. The students aren’t striving for “I prayed all summer and asked God to Brown senior Jennifer money-oriented goals.” lead me to the school where I could grow the Quiroa relied on faith Still, the pressure of heavy academic remost in Him,” she said. Quiroa decided that in Jesus Christ to get to Brown and that faith quirements proves daunting at times. What the cheapest school would be the sign of continues to see her gets her through, she says, is her relationship where she should attend. As it turns out, through challenges each day. with Jesus Christ.

Brown gave her the most financial aid, resultQuiroa admits that time management isn’t ing in the least expensive tuition. her strength and that she tends to want to “do everything.”

A Christian her “whole life,” Quiroa says she became a But all the demands only lead her closer to God. member of College Hill for Christ (www.collegehill“Being at Brown has really taught me how to prioritize forchrist.org) during her first day at Brown. She had heard God above all else,” she said. “On a daily basis I go through Brown was such a liberal school that she didn’t expect to find a breaking point thinking I can’t handle school. I just get Christian fellowship there. “I was handed the flyer [about on my knees and ask God to strengthen me and help me get College Hill for Christ], and I was so excited,” she said. through the day.”

Quiroa went on to spend every spring break on a misAnd day by day, Quiroa has made it through those tough sion trip with College Hill for Christ. “I feel I’ve grown extimes and looks back at how God led her to Brown and how ponentially through the people I’ve met (on mission trips),” He continues to bless her life. she said. She was particularly struck by the people she met “It brings me to tears,” she said. “I’m amazed at what in Africa and was inspired by their steadfast faith despite God has done.” all their hardships.

The experiences led her to change her academic focus

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer from art to medicine.

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‘EVERYONE IS CALLED TO PRAY FOR HEALING’ Former Priest Passionate as Ever at 83 At 83 years old, many men would be nearly However, in 1967, MacNutt’s focus and his life began twenty years into retirement. But for Francis a profound transformation.

HARVARD MacNutt, Harvard ’46, retirement is not an opWhile at a weeklong charismatic Protestant retreat, tion. He would rather spend his days working for the Lord MacNutt prayed that he would be baptized in the Holy and bringing the gift of healing back to the church. After Spirit, and he was. One of the retreat leaders prophesied that all, he has been helping people nearly all his life. “he would be used to bring healing prayer back to the The only student plucked from his Harvard class by Catholic Church.”

Uncle Sam, MacNutt was drafted into World War II and With a new spiritual fire, MacNutt began praying for served as a surgical nurse. Already preparing for a field in the sick. Many were healed or saw improvement. Accordmedicine, one might think this forced furlough into miliing to his biography, MacNutt was one of the first Roman tary medicine would have given him Catholic priests involved in charismatic greater professional aspiration. Instead, renewal and in active healing ministry. on the front lines of the carnage wrought He went on to become widely known and by war, MacNutt concluded he did not respected among Catholics and Proteshave the calling to be a physician after all. tants for his teachings about healing “I found that in what I did as a surgiprayer and the power of the Holy Spirit. cal nurse, I was closer to patients than MacNutt also went on to minister in doctors,” he said. “I worked in a ward thirty-one countries and found the Assowhere everybody was an orthopedic paciation of Christian Therapists, an organtient or was paralyzed.” ization that worked to bring healing He spoke of a severely burned 20prayer into the medical profession. He is year-old soldier and his 20-year-old wife the author of several works, including sitting next to him, wondering what their Deliverance from Evil Spirits: A Practilife would become. “That wakes you up cal Manual. to what life is all about. I thought I should In 1975, MacNutt’s life took another think it over,” he said. major turn. While speaking at an internaFrancis MacNutt, Harvard ’46, is After the war, MacNutt used the G.I. tional conference in Jerusalem, he met a the founder of Christian Healing Bill to return to Harvard; but this time he woman named Judith Sewell. Two years Ministries. chose a different field of study. MacNutt later, the pair met again through ministry; majored in theater; and, after graduating with honors, he and they married in 1980. But in choosing to wed, MacNutt went on to earn a Master of Fine Arts degree from Catholic had to leave the priesthood and, based on church law at the University. time, was excommunicated from the Catholic Church.

While at Harvard, MacNutt read Thomas Merton’s “It was a painful time,” admits MacNutt. But despite the fact he was unable to attend Mass, MacNutt never left Seven Storey Mountain, a book which affected him prothe church. He celebrated Mass privately at home with his foundly. The book blended with MacNutt’s deep faith and family. “We prayed together, we had a life of prayer,” he his love of the Catholic Church. Soon MacNutt felt a call to said of his wife and two children. the priesthood.

Many besides the church disapproved of his marriage.

In 1956, he was ordained a priest in the Dominican Order.

One colleague told MacNutt that it was a pity he had marHe earned a Ph.D. in Theology from the Aquinas Institute ried because it affected his influence within the church. and was appointed to a homiletics teaching position at the That was not the case, however, as he and his wife JuDominican Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa. The new priest went dith went on to found Christian Healing Ministries. The on to write several books on preaching and worked to build ministry, according to MacNutt, “seeks to advance our the now-defunct Catholic Homiletic Society.

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IN PERSON Lord’s ministry of healing through prayer.”

In 1993, MacNutt received a dispensation from the church and his marriage was celebrated at a Catholic ceremony. Today, he teaches healing before crowds of hundreds at events co-sponsored by the Vatican.

But whether speaking before Catholics or Protestants, MacNutt’s message is clear: “Everyone is called to pray for healing.”

In the fall, MacNutt brought that message to the Yale

community as a featured speaker at the Symposium on Healing, Spiritual and Medical Perspectives in New Haven.

And so, from the battlefield to the mission field, MacNutt’s life has come full circle from his initial desires as a young premed student. Except these days, instead of using the medical skills of a surgeon, he is an instrument being used by the Lord to extract physical and emotional illness from the suffering.

By Eileen Scott, Senior Staff Writer

A CATALYST IN THE CHRISTIAN COMMUNITY Rev. Chuck Tompkins Has Served Cornell for over Two Decades provides office space for the staff of the Chesterton House.

Chuck Tompkins, director of the John R. Mott Today, Tompkins is not only the director of the Mott House at Cornell University, has been actively CORNELL House, he also acts as the pastor to campus staff at Cornell involved in the Ithaca and Cornell communities and as a liaison between campus leaders and ministers. He for more than twenty years and there are no signs of stopaims to encourage and provide resources for ministries on ping him. campus as a “bridge-builder” between staff and faculty.

Tompkins’ love for the Ithaca community and his desire “I am grateful for the unity of the campus staff who recfor students to grow in their faith and further the kingdom ognize the need for collaborative partnership to advance the of God are reflected not only in his active participation in kingdom of God, and thankful for community, but also through his the heart of the campus staff who warm, humble words about his are committed to students and work and God’s direction with stuGod,” he said. dents.

Tompkins emphasizes, however, With honest enthusiasm and huthat his primary focus is working mility, Tompkins says, “I love it. I with the Cornell student body. His find no greater joy than working with students, whether skeptical, heart truly is toward the hearts and well-being of the students. zealous or indifferent to the faith. It is a part of my calling as a small cat“I love the idealism of a student, alyst in helping students in their faith the ‘can-do’ attitude,” he said. “One and lives. This slice of life with stuof my real passions is for a student dents on campus—it’s electrifying.” to be equipped with solid knowlTompkins, or “Pastor Chuck” as edge of Jesus and to be able to see Christian Union’s Mott House at Cornell many students still call him today, what it means to be called by God serves as a meeting and office area for Cornell Christians. is the former pastor of Bethel Grove rather than pursue a career. I want to Bible Church in Ithaca, New York. see students finish at Cornell with He now devotes his time to ministry at Cornell University, solid-based character and to see how God will advance the Ithaca College, and in the Ithaca community. The Mott Kingdom with their pursuit in Him. To be a part of that is House, Christian Union’s ministry center at Cornell, adds to such a privilege.” the vitality of ministry at the university in various ways.

Tompkins makes himself available to all ministries on Mott House, which has a resource library, hosts approxicampus, and he is more than willing to meet with any stumately 200 meetings and Bible studies each year and also dent in any place. Since the very beginning of his ministry

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IN PERSON faith in their academics, but re-tool their faith, and examine in Ithaca, he has “thrived on knowing students and coachthe truth of the Scripture with hard ethical questions.” ing their walk with God.” As a mentor to a large group of Cornell University has more than fifteen students, he said his ministry has certainly beChristian organizations on campus serving over come more freelance in nature, allowing a 15,000 undergraduate students. While Tompgreater number of one-on-one ministry conkins is certainly a hands-on coordinator who is tacts with students. involved in the lives of students, faculty, staff, Tompkins also connects students with their and community alike, he also views God’s interests by getting them involved in the greater work at Cornell on a much broader level. As he Ithaca community. Recently, Tompkins worked continues to make connections between minto pair up students from Cornell’s Fellowship istries, provide resources, and care for students of Christian Athletes with underserved area from all walks of faith, he advances the kinghigh school students through the Ithaca Youth Rev. Chuck Tompkins dom of God in an integrated manner.

Bureau. As chair of the Community Faith Partserves students at With his own zealous spirit and a heart for nership in Ithaca, Tompkins also helps high Cornell University and Ithaca College. the Lord that could match that of any student on school students to get plugged into their faith. campus, Tompkins has no plans to change his “The integration of faith and life is an oncurrent course: “I will continue to identify questions, doubts, going challenge,” said Tompkins. “Students ask lots of and walks of students on their spiritual journey, and remain questions that are much more difficult, and they need to recommitted to the theme of sustainability in spiritual life.” ally work their faith and recalibrate how they think and what they do. Students need to learn to not only integrate

By Charity Hung, Cornell ’09

POWER LUNCH IN PRINCETON Pastor Offers ‘A Working Model for Real-Time Prayer’ ple are used to being right and in control,” said Ristuccia, “Sinners are sinners, wherever you go,” Rev. Matt Ristuccia, Princeton’75, quipped during a who is senior pastor at Westerly Road Church in Princeton.

PRINCETON “Human beings are made to exercise a certain amount of recent Christian Union staff luncheon, where he control. We face conflicts, and we will be in conflicts again. explained that believers in the Ivy League need to be We need to know how to handle conflict. equipped with a chest of spiritual tools— “This is what we should do. Not only is especially ones they can use in everyday situations. it right and permissible, it’s real strategic.

God is our father. He wants to know what’s “You need a working model for realon our hearts.” Along those lines, Ristuctime prayer for spiritual encouragement cia referenced Romans 4, which contains when you don’t have a lot of time. You faith messages that can be applied to a vaneed to know how to relate to God to get riety of situations. The chapter discusses wisdom and direction as to where to go,” how Abraham, despite acknowledging his Ristuccia told the gathering at Wilson advanced age and the similar status of his House, Christian Union’s ministry headwife, believed God that he would be the quarters. father of many nations.

Interpersonal challenges can be inSo to begin with, the “first move of tense on Ivy League campuses. Christians photo credit: Pam Traeger prayer is honesty,” Ristuccia said. Likewise, who work or study in the Ivy League need Rev. Matt Ristuccia, Princeton ’75, was the guest speaker at in workplace or classroom conflicts, a beto be prepared to handle the difficult exChristian Union’s staff liever can be open in prayer about the hurt changes that sometimes accompany luncheon in October. feelings that naturally surface. “Here’s what stressful, competitive environments. “Peo-

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IN PERSON happened. So-and-so said this, and it makes me feel ‘x.’ ” Next, believers should take ownership of a challenge by connecting it to a biblical promise. He suggested carrying a pocket-sized book of biblical promises in a briefcase or backpack. “It may help to have some little thing right on your desk.” Ideal scriptures to commit to memory include the “prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” in James 5:16 and “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you,” in Hebrews 13:5.

Third, Christians in the Ivy League need to prayerfully surrender challenges to God, especially the ones involving personal conflict. “Having an agenda is not necessarily bad or wrong, but it is important that we surrender,” Ristuccia said. “We can say, ‘Here’s what I’d like to see happen, but I’m going to give it up.’ In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus was the best example of that.”

Fourth, believers need to resolve to follow Christian principles despite tough circumstances that can arise while on campus. One prayer can be, “OK Lord, I want this to be

more about you than me,” Ristuccia said. That could mean choosing to practice what he terms “presumptive grace,” based on First Corinthians 13:7, which says that love “beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.”

Furthermore, when believers are facing conflict they need to take time to examine their lives for selfish attitudes or behavior and they may need to prayerfully consider reconciliation. “We surrender the desire to get even. In its place, we resolve to speak well,” Ristuccia said. “In an office situation, it may be that we resolve to forgive and bless that person.”

“Taking the Gospel and applying it in our daily, professional lives is what being a Christian is about,” Ristuccia said. “It’s not just living the Christian life on Sunday but during the week. As Christians, we’re not just to fight these battles alone,” Ristuccia said. “Our spiritual growth is a community project.”

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer

BOOTS ON THE GROUND Army Officer Pursuing Advanced Studies at Princeton As an infantry officer, Parsons has already spent a great The ivy-lined streets of Princeton University are deal of time overseas with tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. a long way from the bombed-out buildings and PRINCETON He has also trained with the Army’s elite infantry unit—the sniper-lined streets of Iraq. Yet, Princeton gradRangers. As a foreign area service officer, he hopes to be asuate student and U.S. Army Captain Bill Parsons has one signed as a defense attaché to an ambassaboot in both worlds by keeping Christ at dor in the Middle East or Africa after his the center of his life. assignment at West Point.

Currently studying at the Woodrow A Christian since he was ten years old, Wilson School of International Studies, Parsons says he has found his way through the United States Military Academy at West Point and the battlefields of SouthWest Point alumnus serves on active duty west Asia by keeping his internal compass while studying at Princeton through a pointed toward Christ. graduate education program funded by the “West Point is very supportive of U.S. Army. The purpose of the program is cadets pursuing spiritual development,” to further develop military officers for a said Parsons. “One of its strengths is decareer of military service as soldier-statesveloping leaders of character.” And that men. character, he says, includes faith.

Upon graduation from Princeton, Par“That’s a wise approach for leaders sons will return to West Point to teach for Princeton graduate student Bill Parsons serves as an who need some sort of spiritual grounding three years in the social science departambassador for the military before making decisions about other peoment of the nation’s oldest military acadand for Christ. ple’s lives,” he said. “You have to have an emy.

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IN PERSON understanding of life and death to appreciate the weight of those decisions.”

Parsons felt that weight personally as a platoon leader and company commander in combat. Yet, he could bear it with confidence because of his faith.

“Having faith in Jesus Christ and knowing that God is sovereign over everything that goes on gave me peace in a place as crazy as Iraq,” he said.

Whether it was IEDs (improvised explosive devices) going off around his vehicle or civilians getting injured in a market, Parsons said he could respond to the chaos by “knowing that our God is sovereign over everything that happens.”

Parson’s faith, however, stands in sharp contrast to the seeming apathy of some of the soldiers around him. The Uniform Code of Military Justice prohibits military leaders from proselytizing or sharing their faith without invitation as it may come across as coercion to subordinates.

So, while Parsons could not openly share his faith with soldiers about to enter combat, he did pray for them; and he made himself available to anyone who wanted to talk to him. Sadly, he did not get many invitations to share the Word.

“It was bewildering how guys in really tough situations could ignore or deny the questions that would seem natural for a person in that situation,” he said. “I longed for guys to open up and ask questions and fully explore issues of faith and eternity.”

“It’s definitely hard to lead guys whom you care so much about who, for whatever reason, have not expressed

a desire to figure out some of these deep questions [of faith] everyone has to answer… I do not take leadership in the Army lightly at all. I view it from a much broader perspective. It’s not just tactical, but are you [also] being an ambassador for Christ? Are you living in a way that’s consistent with your faith? Are you caring for physical wellbeing and souls?”

Now back on peaceful soil, Parsons also serves as an ambassador for the military to the academic community where, he says, some of his fellow grad students have never met a soldier before.

“Some think I’m a curiosity. Some think it’s strange for a military offer to be in a master’s program,” Parsons said.

He explained that they didn’t realize how important it is for career officers to continue their development and education in order to effectively serve in positions of advancing responsibility.

“For me it’s a surprise to see that they are surprised I’m here,” he said. “The military is the public sector. We need leaders in the military to be well-educated and to have studied international relations and understand the political implications of what they do. To me that’s one of the whole reasons I’m here. This is where a guy like me, who will be in the Army for a long time, can be developed and become a stronger military leader.”

Thus armed with faith, courage, and knowledge, Parsons can continue his military service while personifying West Point’s motto of “Duty, Honor, Country” and living out his faith in Christ.

By Eileen Scott, Senior Staff Writer

AN UNCOMMON CHRISTIAN IS REMEMBERED New Books Chronicle the Life of Evangelist James Brainerd Taylor Nineteenth century evangelist James Brainerd Taylor, Princeton graduate (1826) and Yale ALL IVY seminary student, is the subject of two recently released biographies by pastor-evangelist Francis Kyle.

The first book, An Uncommon Christian: James Brainerd Taylor, Forgotten Evangelist in America’s Second Great Awakening, was birthed from Kyle’s thesis work for his Master of Theology for Toronto Baptist Seminary. The second work, Of Intense Brightness: The Spirituality of Uncommon Christian James Brainerd Taylor, is described by the author as a “companion volume” to the first work.

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“These two books are a good start to my long-term effort at preserving and reintroducing James Brainerd Taylor and his Bible-based ‘uncommon Christianity’ to the twentyfirst century global church, seminary, and university,” said Kyle.

The books chronicle the life, preaching, and contributions of the young evangelical who lived with passion for the Lord, even though that life was short lived.

Kyle tells the story of Taylor, who was born in Middle Haddam, Connecticut and was one of eleven children who were raised in the Protestant Episcopal Church. Experienc-

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IN PERSON ing a conversion to Christ in his teens, Taylor publicly professed his faith at Cedar Street Presbyterian Church in New York City and, according to Kyle, “adopted the resolution to become an uncommon Christian.” Taylor defined uncommon Christians as those who are “eminently holy, self-denying, cross-bearing, [Bible-believing], everyday Christians.”

Taylor, who received the calling to ministry when he was in his late teens, attended The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey, as well as Princeton University and Yale Seminary.

While a full-time college student, he actively worked to advance the Gospel throughout the Northeast by establishing weekly prayer meetings in remote towns around the schools and by working with other evangelists to bring revival to New York City, Connecticut, and New Jersey.

Today at Princeton, students continue to follow in the footsteps of Taylor as they share the Gospel through student ministries like Princeton Evangelical Fellowship and Princeton Faith and Action. William C. Boyce, Jr., affiliated chaplain and director of Princeton Evangelical Fellowship, endorsed An Uncommon Christian by writing, “In a time when many seem content to live a complacent Christian life, the story of James Brainerd Taylor is a challenging and encouraging example of a young man who sought to live an uncommon life for the cause of Christ. May the Lord raise up many more like him from this generation of university students.”

But it was his striving to raise up students for Christ from his own generation that made Taylor such an uncommon young man. Even as he approached the final months before graduating from Princeton, Taylor wrote a resolu-

tion to “put more effort into evangelizing his fellow students at Princeton,” Kyle writes.

Upon graduation, Taylor went on to study at Yale Seminary, which would later become Yale Divinity School. Despite ailing health, Taylor was active in revivals in towns throughout Connecticut and was, according to Kyle, instrumental in bringing that revival to Yale itself, as well as New Haven.

However, as he worked for spiritual revival Taylor’s own health conUncommon tinued to decline. He never finished Christian James his studies at the seminary as he sucBrainerd Taylor, Princeton 1826, is cumbed to tuberculosis just before his the subject of two twenty-eighth birthday. recently released Yet the young man who lived biographies. fewer than three decades made an impact upon evangelicalism that has lasted more than a century. And it is through the work of today’s evangelists like Kyle, that Taylor’s work continues to ignite hearts.

“Kyle’s detailed descriptions of his [Taylor’s] piety and humility, as well as the impact this young man had in America, created in me a fresh yearning for the presence of God,” said Christian Union Founder and President Matt Bennett, Cornell ’87, MBA ’88.

But it is, perhaps, the words Taylor wrote in his journal as he contemplated what he would have as an epitaph, that best express his uncommon faith and valor: “Here lies [James Brainerd Taylor]. A sinner, born again; a sinner, washed, and justified, and sanctified. A sinner, once an heir of hell, a child of the devil, by wicked works; but by grace, a child of God and an heir of heaven; a miracle of grace, deserving all the miseries of the second death; and yet an expectant of endless glory and felicity.

Farewell earth; welcome heaven. I am nothing; Jesus is all.”

By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer

OFF TO A ‘GOODE’ START Penn Alumnus Helps Launch NYC Leadership Center When the New York City Leadership Center was launched last fall, the organization chose former ALL IVY Philadelphia Mayor Dr. W. Wilson Goode, Sr. as its keynote speaker. With a distinguished track record that transcends various sectors of society, Goode is a passionate leader who has inspired change and hope in urban America.

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In 1984, Goode became Philadelphia’s first AfricanAmerican mayor and held the position until 1992. He earned a master’s degree from the Fels Institute of Government (’68) at the University of Pennsylvania and a Doctor of Ministry degree at Palmer Theological Seminary. He is currently the director and organizer of the Amachi Program,

The Ivy League Christian Observer

IN PERSON tant Secretary of Education in the Clinton Administration, a national faith-based mentoring model for children of insaid the situation is especially bleak for minorities. Nearly carcerated parents. In 2006, he received two prestigious half of all African-American and Native-American students awards: the Civic Ventures $100,000 Purpose Prize and the will not graduate with their class, and less than 6 in 10 HisPhiladelphia Inquirer’s Citizen of the Year. panic students will graduate on time. “We all pay the price In September, the Baptist minister was a key component of for high school dropouts, who are more likely to be incar“A Leadership Conversation: An Urgent Appeal to Engage a cerated, more likely to rely on public programs and social Generation at Risk,” an education think tank of 120 leaders services and more likely go without health insurance than from the ecumenical, business, education, and political arenas. students who graduate on time.”

The group’s focus is New York City students, The statistics Goode cited regarding inof which only 44 percent graduate on time. The carceration were even more astounding. One consortium heard from various national exin every 100 American males—and one in perts and made recommendations to complenine African-Americans—are in prison. Two ment the NYC Leadership Center’s existing million children have one or both parents in “20/20 Vision Adopt-A-School” program, prison and of those, the likelihood they will which encourages city churches to pray for, be imprisoned is five to six times greater. serve, and enhance the public schools in their The Amachi program, which includes 71 neighborhoods. The NYC Leadership Center Philadelphia churches, seeks to reach and was launched by Concerts of Prayer Greater mentor these at-risk children.

New York, a para-church organization that, “The church is there with a mission to among other initiatives, oversees the Lord’s reach out to people in the community who Watch, a non-stop prayer vigil that has enlisted are hurting and suffering and have needs,” hundreds of churches for over a decade.

Former Philadelphia Mayor said Goode. “Who knows what God has “We’ve promised kids that if they stay in and Penn alumnus Dr. W. brought us because a person of faith has school, they will be equipped with the skills Wilson Goode, MS ’68, called the United States’ mentored a child of promise.” they need. But the average low-income high high school graduation At the Marriott Marquis in Manhattan school graduate lacks the fundamental skills rates “a national disgrace” this fall, Goode went into preaching mode at to compete in college,” said Jeremy Del Rio, at an education summit in the fall. the inaugural banquet for the NYC Leaderco-founder of 20/20. “There are 1.2 million ship Center, which through various proyoung people in New York City schools. grams and initiatives seeks to “encourage, unify and This year’s first graders are the graduating class of 2020. support” local churches and ministries, marketplace profesWe can make good on our promise in this generation.” sionals, and emerging leaders among the youth. He exGoode presented the statistical consequences of risk fachorted local leaders on the importance and responsibility of tors confronting urban young people nationwide, noting that being instruments of change in a global city.

America ranks first worldwide in incarceration rates and “This is a period in our history that cries out for change only eighteenth in graduation rates. “This is a national disand a new direction—similar to the time periods of the grace,” he said. “It’s getting worse every year and our cities American Revolution, Emancipation Proclamation, and are paying the biggest price.” Newark, New Jersey Mayor Civil Rights Movement,” he said. “The eyes of the world Cory Booker, Yale Law ’97, was in agreement: “This is a are on New York City. Unlike Las Vegas, what happens in time of urgency. Man was created in God’s image to achieve New York does not stay in New York.” the impossible. Why do we accept where we are now?”

Goode, who worked for seven years as Deputy AssisBy Tom Campisi, Managing Editor

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A B O U T • M I N I S T RY

THE CALL AND THE RESPONSE InterVarsity Leaders at Columbia Endeavor to Build a Case for Christ Without believers available to present a demonstration In the 10 years since Ashley Byrd, Columbia of how to engage Christ’s transformative power in everyday ’02, has been in New York, he’s had opportuCOLUMBIA life, he says, “you are bringing your friends out to hear nity to understand Christ’s parable of the sower truths which are compelling, but [that’s it].” in a real way. As a staff member at InterVarsity (www.coAt the same time, Byrd estimates that 250 students have lumbia.edu/cu/ivcf), Byrd has been a part of recent efforts made the choice to participate in Columbia’s ministries, to focus on campus renewal. which include Columbia Students for Christ (www.

“God’s really been drawing us into prayer,” he said. “We columbiastudentsforchrist.com), University Bible Fellowstarted off the year just in anticipation for the fall, and that ship (www.ubf.org), and Korean Campus was pretty much led into by last year’s Crusade (www.columbia.edu/cu/kccc). theme, which was 2 Chronicles 7:14 (If my “I think prayer ministry is key to any people, who are called by my name, will chapter. If the understanding that God humble themselves and pray and seek my heals and moves—the fundamentals—is face and turn from their wicked ways, then not in place, it’s a lot harder. One of most will I hear from heaven and will forgive experiential parts of a Christian commutheir sin and will heal their land). nity is how God ministers through At the same time, Byrd points to a few prayer,” Byrd said. factors lending urgency to the need for “Our job as evangelists is to invite constant prayer. He says, “there are fewer people to respond to the Gospel. There are students coming in that would identify a lot of people hanging around, and even themselves as Christian, not just in our though they might go to service, sit in ministry, but across the board. Fewer stuchurch, or have a late night conversation, dents are identifying with a particular reAshley Byrd, Director of they don’t understand how to appropriate ligious affiliation, even if they grew up in InterVarsity at Columbia has seen an increase in the number that and understand how to live their lives a religious community.” of students coming to Christ at for Jesus. Their instincts may tell them Furthermore, New York culture, known the University. that if they go through the motions it will for its liberality, presents another chalhappen, but for many their default is ‘if I become a more lenge. One example, according to Byrd, is the lack of altar moral person, it will be okay.’” calls (a prayer time when attendees can receive Christ as Byrd positions his approach in the context of a national their Savior) in some churches. movement, and notes activity at the University of San “In churches that are trying to be culturally sensitive or Diego as a very dynamic chapter, with over 500 students: relevant, that’s one of the first things to go; because the in“Unlike other chapters, they’ve grown because of new peovitation has been done badly, there’s a stigma associated ple coming to the Lord. They’ve created a culture of rewith it,” he said. sponse, and it’s so biblical. They expect that whenever God Byrd also acknowledges the centrality of idea exchange reveals Himself, people are going to respond, whether or to campus communities and how the Gospel message may not they’ve been Christians their whole lives.” be subsumed by it. He points out that even students who Despite the challenges, Byrd remains hopeful and intent have had some church experience find that they don’t know on two things: “one, that God is going to reveal Himself, and how to work out the tension between “conflicting stories two, when He does, He wants people to respond to Him.” from all credible platforms [such as] public leadership and the classroom, [where] they’re hearing religion is someBy Naadu Blankson Seck, Columbia ’11 thing on the fringe [of society].”

C

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The Ivy League Christian Observer

A B O U T • M I N I S T RY

‘WHY DID GOD MAKE YOU AN IVY LEAGUE INSIDER?’ Students Encouraged to Consider Ministry Opportunities after Graduation said. “What are you saved for? You are saved to do good Christians studying in the Ivy League are in a works, which is this fruitfulness. God deeply desires maxstrategic position to be divinely deployed to reach imum fruitfulness.” the next generation’s top tier of influential leaders.

Likewise, Rebecca Gilmer, vice president of The ImParticipants in this year’s Ivy League Student Leaderpact Movement (www.impactmovement.com), told the stuship Conference heard that stirring message when they dents to make it a point to pray about whether they are gathered from October 31 to November 2 at the Hilton in called to ministry.

Rye Brook, N.Y. Gilmer (Penn ’80) and her husband Charles (Penn ’81) Leaders from Campus Crusade for Christ (www. served as staffers with Campus Crusade before launching ccci.org) and Christian Union (www.Christian-Union.org) a sister ministry aimed at the African-American commuencouraged the 36 students to prayerfully consider options nity. to pursue campus ministry upon graduation and to serve When contemplating the future, students should not base diligently in their present roles. their decisions on the prestige that accompanies matricula“Perhaps, this is God’s destiny for you,” said Jim Laytion into an Ivy League institution, man, northeastern regional director said Gilmer. for Crusade’s campus ministry.

“It’s a bit intoxicating to say, “Why did God make you an Ivy ‘I’ve got this degree,’ and you drop it League insider?” into the conversation,” she said.

“Some people have a really hard Furthermore, Gilmer warned time figuring out how to minister in students to be wary of well-meanthat environment. You’re already an Rev. Gary Parrett and Rebecca Gilmer ing friends and relatives who might insider.”

(Penn ’80), vice president of The Impact caution them to avoid ministry opIn addition to encouraging stuMovement, encouraged students to prayerfully consider a calling to ministry tions because they possess an Ivy dents to explore intern and staff opduring the Ivy League Leadership League degree or because of the exportunities with Campus Crusade, Conference. pense of their education. “I implore Layman asked the students to check you to meditate on the Scriptures,” she said. out options with the organization’s athletic and ethnic minAs well, Gilmer cautioned that even evangelical paristries. ents might attempt to steer their children away from min“We draw the best students in the world. We want to istry opportunities. Gilmer admitted she once wrestled with reach them all,” Layman said. “I’m here because God is hirher son’s decision to turn down a prestigious academic oping.” portunity with Duke University to instead venture to South Along those lines, Rev. Gary Parrett told the students to Africa for a mission trip with Impact. prayerfully consider the idea of a specific “calling” as they “There’s been pressure to go a certain way. You’ve gone contemplate their post-baccalaureate options. through the Ivy League system,” Gilmer said.

Parrett, who earned a doctorate in education from Co“Remember, there are people who prayed for you belumbia University in 1996, is a professor at Gordon-Confore you were born that you would be sent as missionaries.” well Theological Seminary in Massachusetts.

Along those lines, Parrett reminded the students of “Paul was specifically called and set apart for the Psalm 37:23. It instructs that the “steps of a good man are Gospel,” he said. ordered by the Lord.”

Along those lines, Christians are called to be fruitful.

Ultimately, students should remember, “it’s not about That is especially true in terms of spiritual reproduction, me. It’s about the Kingdom of God. How can I purpose with which involves evangelizing, discipling, and nurturing Kingdom endeavors?” young believers.

Conference participants said that message resonated.

“For we are created in Christ to do good works,” Parrett

Winter 2009

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A B O U T • M I N I S T RY “I came away from the conference blessed, highly motivated, and spiritually invigorated to bear fruit in every aspect of my life,” said Nana Amoah, Dartmouth ’11.

Kathleen Breeden, Harvard ’09, agreed: “The speakers

did a fantastic job of laying out a vision for the Christian’s ultimate calling in life, and I returned to campus feeling more deeply rooted in Christ.”

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer

A CRUSADE TO CONNECT STUDENTS WITH CONGREGATIONS Penn Ministry Encourages Involvement with Local Churches Penn Students for Christ began this academic year skills.” Furthermore, Baker tells students to put church aton a slightly different note—one that encourages tendance as a top priority, followed by involvement with a PENN students towards active church participation. small-group Bible study and then participation in a campus The church is “where you’re going to be living out your ministry. faith for the rest of your life—not with a bunch of 18 to 22 One leader from Penn Students for Christ said she tells year olds,” said Steve Baker, director of Campus Crusade students they can benefit from regular contact with a confor Christ’s (www.ccci.org) operations in Philadelphia. The gregation. “I’m more involved in my community, which is organization’s outreach at the University of Pennsylvania important,” said Kathleen Sieffert ’09, a psychology major operates as Penn Students for Christ (www.pennstudentswho heads the ministry to women for Penn Students for forchrist.org).

Christ. “It’s important to have a steady pasOver the summer, Baker met with tor.” nearly two dozen church leaders from Some of the inspiration for encourageight or so congregations in West ing church involvement among Penn stuPhiladelphia to discuss ways to ensure that dents comes from the example set in recent students are firmly grounded in area years by students involved in Crusade’s churches. In September, student leaders outreach at Drexel. Ultimately, “as an interfrom the Crusade branches at Penn and denominational ministry, [Crusade] coordiSteve Baker, director of Penn nates with a wide spectrum of churches, Drexel University followed up with conStudents for Christ, (center) attracting students with a diversity of religregation leaders during a dinner held at with students Phil gious backgrounds and education but with the nearby Antioch of Calvary Chapel.

Deerwester, ’09 (L) and a visiting friend from Turkey, a common relationship to Jesus and the “Our hope is that students own more of Yilmax Kaymak (R). PSFC is conviction that He is the hope of the the idea that they need to be involved in a conducting an initiative world,” Baker said. local church,” Baker said. “Also, we hope encouraging students to participate in local churches.

“We are not a church ourselves, but an that participation, in turn, would build the outreach arm of the church with the focus bridge the other way and have churches on winning, building, and sending college students who are connect for a pastoral role and put some adult leadership on equipped to win, build and send others.” Likewise, one parthem.” The vision is to see students representing their ticipating church has adopted a new slogan for students. It churches in Penn Students for Christ, Baker said. “They’re reads, “Christ is my Treasure, The Church is my Family, not just free agents. I like to have churches legitimize what The Campus is my Mission.” students are doing on campus,” Baker said. Membership in a At Crusade, the goal is for students to embrace a lifelocal church and approval from that church is now a requirelong commitment to church. “We’re kind of prototyping our ment for leadership in Penn Students for Christ. visions with the hope that we can export them to other min“We would like to ask churches to affirm leadership for istries,” Baker said. the ministry as we select Bible study leaders,” Baker said.

By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer Being a student leader should not just involve “freelancing

P

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The Ivy League Christian Observer

A B O U T • M I N I S T RY

LAW AND GRACE Future Attorneys Meet Weekly at Yale to Study God’s Word “[As a Christian law student], you are in the minority, “Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit and you recognize that,” explained Treadwell. “You try not in darkness the Lord will be my light.” Several YALE to have pride in being in the minority, and you pray that Yale Law School students huddle together to God is with you in speaking boldly. The important thing is read Micah 7:8 before they begin their lively discussion on to test everything in the lens of Scripture.” the unique attributes of God and the power of His redemp“A difficult thing to grapple with, as a Christian who tion. These students in the Yale Law Christian Fellowship will be a lawyer, is that you can push the law in a certain di(www.law.yale.edu/stuorgs/yalelawchristianfellowship)— rection—good or bad—when you make your arguments,” united not only by their passion for law and justice, but also said Barnes. “By deciding to represent a client, you have to by their committed faith—meet weekly to pray, fellowship, think hard about the type of arguments you make. There are and study the Word of God. these weighty consequences to what we do. If this argument “I felt particularly burdened that God wanted there to be wins, how will it reflect what the law says or the character a Christian presence and light at the Yale Law School,” said of God?” Brian Barnes ’06, a second year law school As students of the number one law student and the leader of the Yale Law school in the country, the members of the Christian Fellowship. “I assumed it would Yale Law Christian Fellowship do not take be a bleak situation. However, I was surtheir faith lightly. “To be able to interact prised by how vibrant the Christian comwith the worldview from the Bible is an munity was. It was encouraging to know exciting job,” said Treadwell. “There are althat there were other Christians at the law ways other ways to show society policies school pursuing the vision of Christ.” that align with Scripture rather than saying The Yale Law Christian Fellowship God wills it. It is certainly going to take a (YLCF) aims to bring Christ’s light to the great deal of humility with my classmates Yale Law School by gathering students towho don’t have the same amount of faith.” gether to share God’s Word and their faith, Brian Barnes and Ray Treadwell are both members As these future lawyers have the relead outreach and campus ministry activof the Yale Law Christian sponsibility to advocate on behalf of their ities, and support each other spiritually, Fellowship. client, they face challenges—should he or professionally, and personally. she take a particular case, represent a certain client, adhere Many of the members of the YLCF see their time at the to his or her ethical obligation or spiritual leaning? The fulaw school as a part of their calling—a step toward using the ture lawyer has to consider the role of his or her faith. As foundations of law and principles of justice to advance Barnes put it, “There is a tension as a Christian lawyer. The God’s Kingdom. “Every vocation needs Christians,” said right way to respond is to prayerfully turn to God and say, Raymond Treadwell, a first year law student. “I sensed God ‘Lord, I do not know what is right. I will trust in you to give showing me that this career path would be the best way to me guidance and be my Counselor.’” serve Him. I came out of full-time ministry to enter law.”

Despite the eagerness to study law, several students “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he noted the delicate interplay, and at times conflict, between who promised is faithful…Let us not give up meeting toAmerican law and the law given to us by God. “God is a gether, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourGod of justice,” said Barnes. “He is also a God who laid age one another—and all the more as you see the Day down a law for a group of people that reflects a deep moral approaching.” The group reads Hebrews 10:23 and 25 aloud truth, which reflects the character of God. How should that before closing out their weekly session. Even though these inform the way I think about American law and human law students are called to be legal counsel to others, as Chrisrights? The education I get here is not geared toward helptians, they are able to rely on the ultimate Counselor. ing me think about that question.”

By Nkem Okafor, Yale Graduate School

Y

Winter 2009

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The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) determined that there are 5 skills every child needs in order to become a competent reader: ~phonological awareness (the ability to recognize the basic sounds that make up language) ~phonics (the ability to match sounds with their appropriate letters) ~ (the ability to recall information quickly ~vocabulary ~comprehension (the ability to understand the meaning of a word, sentence, and story) Given the interdependence of these skills, the E.G.G.S. Learning Program works on all of these skills in every lesson. The program is made up of eight units with eight lessons in each unit. Every lesson includes all the worksheets and manipulatives needed as well as guidance for how best to use these materials. Easy to use progress monitoring sheets and graphs are included to help teachers track student development.

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E.G.G.S. was founded by Dr. Patricia Frawley, a learning consultant with over 20 yrs. of teaching experience, who developed a reading acquisition program, called Project STAR, that has had overwhelming success in a public school district in New Jersey. To date over 350 kindergarten students, completed the program with very few students needing further intervention. And while most students graduate from the program on grade level, the true success of the program is the sense of selfactual progress in reading acquistion.

Below are the results from the 2005-06 school year.

Orthography is a test of an individual’s familiarity with letters and is a key indicator of success or E.G.G.S. Learning Program began over 15 points behind but closed that gap to less than 1 point by the end of the year!

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By the end of the program, students will have learned how to identify and write every letter of the alphabet; learned 25 sight words and studied enough word families to enable them to read simple stories. They will, in essence, have gotten a great start to reading!

To learn more about the E.G.G.S. Learning Program visit our website at

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www.eggslearning.org

NEWS-IN-BRIEF ALL IVY Pew Forum Adds Ivy League Scholars Stephanie C. Boddie, Penn ’97 PhD, Allen Hertzke, Cornell ’77 MS, and Mehtab S. Karim, Cornell ’82 PhD, are the newest scholars to photo courtesy of The Pew join the Pew Forum on Forum on Religion & Public Life Religion and Public Life Luis Lugo, director of (www.pewforum.org). The the Pew Forum on Religion and Public Life, Ivy League alumni will conrecently announced the duct studies in several new addition of three Ivy areas as the Pew Forum exLeague alumni. pands its research on the topics of religion and social welfare, public policy, and world affairs.

“Their extensive knowledge and understanding of the many ways that religion impacts domestic and global affairs will greatly enhance the Pew Forum’s efforts to provide relevant, objective research to journalists, government officials, and other policy leaders,” said Luis Lugo, director of the Pew Forum.

Ivy League Ministries Celebrate Christmas From parties to concerts and the like, believers in the Ivy League paused during the holidays to celebrate the birth of their Savior.

At Princeton University, Westerly Road Church invited students from Manna Christian Fellowship (www.princeton.edu/~manna) to a Christmas party on Dec. 7. The Harvard University Choir held its 99th Annual Christmas Carol Services Dec. 14-15 in Memorial Church. In New York City, “This Day Christ was Borne—Musical ReMinistries celebrated sponses to Christmas in Late Christmas 2008 with a Medieval and Renaissance variety of activities held England,” with Collegium throughout the Ivies.

Musicum and Viol Consort of Columbia, was held Dec. 6. The Barnard-Columbia University Gospel Choir performed a Christmas concert on Dec. 7.

Winter 2009

Pastor Encourages Campus Ministers to Prepare for Opposition Laborers involved in campus ministry need to be prepared for occasional negative feedback from parents unfamiliar with ministry and university administrators as they share Christ’s Gospel message with Ivy League students.

Occasional hostility One of the byproducts of from parents can be one of the by-products successful evangelism can be of Christian ministry, outrage from family members, according to Win Green, said Rev. Win Green, Yale ’79, Yale ’79, MDiv ’83.

MDiv ’83. Rev. Green shared that message when he spoke at the Christian Union’s monthly lunch for Princeton University staff in November.

Nonetheless, “I hope you’re able to hear the applause of Heaven, for it is a worthy, worthy enterprise,” said Green, campus pastor at Nassau Christian Center.

BROWN Reformed University Fellowship Draws New Participants With Outreach Focus Reformed University Fellowship (RUF) at Brown University (www.rufbrownrisd.org) focused on outreach in the fall semester. “We have a lot of reasons to be encouraged,” said Eddie Park, director.

The organization held a series of outreach events, mostly aimed at freshmen, in September and October.

New participants are “enthusiastic, energetic, and really excited to be a part of things,” Park said.

About 40 students attended the group’s regional conference in November in New Hampshire. On December 5, about 60 students, including up to 10 visitors, participated in the ministry’s Christmas party.

RUF is the Presbyterian Church in America’s campus ministry.

Eddie Park, director of Reformed University Fellowship at Brown, is encouraged by student interest and involvement in the ministry.

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NEWS-IN-BRIEF AIA Small Groups Integrate Sports and Faith Brown Athletes in Action (www.aiaat brown.com) is hosting Men’s Life Groups on campus.

These small group discussions, which involve five to nine Brown students meet during an men, are focused on Athletes in Action Men’s Life integrating the stuGroup discussion. dents’ faith in Jesus Christ with their sport and their everyday lives, according to Jarrod Lynn of Athletes in Action (AIA). The students are also participating in an AIA devotional Bible study entitled, “Game Day Glory.”

’89) and Damaris Taylor, Harvard ’12. Dr. Miranda spoke about the importance and relevance of godly values in society, the church, and academia.

Taylor, a member of Harvard Faith and Action, Christian Damaris Taylor, Union’s campus ministry, Harvard ’12, was spoke about finding the blessamong the Harvard ing of other Christians at HarFaith and Action students who vard. attended the Christian Christian Union Founder Union Boston event and President Matt Bennett, held in November.

Cornell ’88, MBA ’89, provided updates about the ministry, and Harvard’s Christian a capella group, “Under Construction,” entertained and inspired attendees.

Brown University Welcomes New Protestant Chaplain

Wilson House Spreads Good News

William Mathis, a lawyer and part-time pastor, is the new associate chaplain in charge of the Protestant communities at Brown University.

Mathis took over for Rev. Attorney William Mathis has been Allen Callahan, who accepted named Brown’s an appointment at a Protestant associate chaplain seminary in Brazil, according in charge of the Protestant to The Brown Daily Herald. communities.

Mathis served as the interim leader of Brown’s Imani Jubilee, a contemporary worship service that reflects African-American traditions, in 20072008. He studied accounting and political science at Morehouse College and law at Boston College. Mathis also serves as pastor at Spring of Life-Giving Water in New Haven, Connecticut.

CHRISTIAN UNION Boston Event Highlights Importance of Values in Society, Academia On Nov. 12, members of the Boston City Christian Union (www.christian-union.org) gathered at The Union Club in Boston, MA for an event that featured presentations by Rev. Dr. Roberto Miranda (Princeton ’78, Harvard Ph.D.

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On Thanksgiving and Christmas, Christian Union’s Wilson House helped spread good cheer and the Gospel to its neighbors on Nassau Street in Princeton. Fourteen local stores, restaurants, and agencies received holiday baskets filled with candy, goodies, and seasonal scriptures. Because Christian Union delivered holiday baskets of blessings and treats to its Nassau Street neighbors during Christmas. photo by Pam Traeger

Wilson House—Christian Union’s ministry center and headquarters—is housed amidst a diverse community, scriptures were provided in both English and Spanish.

Mike King, the director of Wilson House, personally delivered the baskets as part of the ministry’s community outreach. Wilson House has delivered holiday baskets since Wilson House opened five years ago.

Christian Union Featured in WORLD In October, WORLD magazine featured an article on Christian Union’s vision for advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the Ivy League.

Christian Union Founder and President Matt Bennett (Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89) told the evangelical biweekly news magazine that only about 7 percent of Ivy League

The Ivy League Christian Observer

NEWS-IN-BRIEF students are involved with ministries on campus, and shared the ministry’s goal of working with other likeminded Christian organizations to grow that number to 20 percent by the year 2020. photo by Pam Traeger The October 18 article Christian Union highlighted the influence of Founder and President the Ivy League on the naMatt Bennett, Cornell tion’s legal and political BS ’88, MBA ’89, was recently featured in the epicenters. As well, the Christian biweekly piece reflected Christian WORLD Magazine.

Union’s goal of encouraging godly leaders in all sectors of society.

COLUMBIA Father Thomas Merton Remembered On the 40th anniversary of the death of Father Thomas Merton, Columbia ’38, MA ’39, PBS profiled the Trappist monk in a segment on its “Religion & Ethics Newsweekly” program.

Prolific writer and Catholic monk Merton is known for his prolific Thomas Merton, writings on deepening inner Columbia ’38, was spiritual life. remembered in a PBS documentary “With the death of Thomas recently on the 40th Merton we lost really one of the anniversary of his great Catholic voices, one of the death. great prophetic figures within the Catholic church, and I think that’s why his books are still selling…because that message is as relevant today as when he wrote it,” said Dr. Paul Pearson, director and archivist at The Thomas Merton Center, Bellarmine University.

Zambian Princess Gives Testimony at Columbia Chapel Finding joy in the midst of pain was the topic of a discussion by InterVarsity (www.intervarsity.org) guest speaker Princess Zulu of Zambia, who has spent the past eleven years working to help the people of Africa battling HIV/AIDS. Zulu, whose parents and two siblings died Winter 2009

of the disease, spoke to about 140 students who came to hear her testimony at Columbia’s St. Paul Chapel. Zulu is HIV positive.

“I’m so glad I came to this [event],” said one attendee. “Her story really put a lot of things in perspective for me,” said another.

A Christian Union grant helped fund the event.

Zambia’s Princess Zulu spoke about peace through suffering during a presentation sponsored by InterVarsity.

Fall Retreat Gives CSC Participants Bonding Time Columbia Students for Christ hosted their New York Metro Fall Retreat October 17-19. The goal of the retreat was “to promote first-year identity and overall unity and Believers took time away from their schedules to provide an opportunity focus on Christ during the for all members and Columbia Students for their guests to experiChrist fall retreat. ence a transformative weekend.” Specifically, the weekend enabled freshmen to bond with upperclassmen and enabled all attendees to return to classes refreshed by the Lord.

CORNELL Roundtable Hosts Noted Scholar, ‘Philosopher of God’ Leading religious scholar and philosopher Alvin Plantinga, Yale PhD ’58, spoke at Cornell Scholar and philosopher University on Oct. 2 as Alvin Plantinga spoke about part of the Graduate “Divine Action in the World” during a presentation and Christian Fellowship book signing as part of the Roundtable (www.rso.

Graduate Christian cornell.edu/gradcf).

Fellowship Roundtable series.

About 150 people attended the event, which was sponsored by the Chesterton House. Plantinga gave a presentation entitled “Divine

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NEWS-IN-BRIEF Action in the World” and participated in a book-signing session. During his visit to Ithaca, he also met with graduate students.

Time magazine once described Plantinga as “America’s leading orthodox Protestant philosopher of God.” In 1982, he joined the philosophy department at the University of Notre Dame.

Students Take Volunteer Service ‘Into the Streets’ More than 1,100 Cornell student volunteers participated in the university’s 17th annual “Into The Streets” event in Ithaca, New York. One hundred and thirty volunteer teams worked with more than 40 More than 1,000 student volunteers participated in local, non-profit organizaCornell’s Into The Streets tions such as Southside event.

Community Center, Ithaca Activities Center, and Cornell Cooperative Extension.

According to the Cornell Public Service Center, “Into The Streets” is a student-directed program that “focuses on promoting social responsibility and commitment to public service among college students.”

Chesterton House Celebrates Second Staffer The Chesterton House (www.chestertonhouse.org) is marking a significant milestone with the addition of its second staff position.

This academic year, Justin McGeary assumed the role of director of undergraduate programs at Chesterton House, where he is helping reach students at Cornell University.

McGeary was placed with the Karl Johnson, Chesterton House by the Coalidirector of tion for Christian Outreach, a Chesterton House, campus ministry that partners recently welcomed Justin McGeary as with churches, colleges, and orthe new director of ganizations. McGeary earned a undergraduate degree in English literature from programs.

Geneva College in 2006.

The Chesterton House, a Christian-studies center, encourages critical thinking from a biblical perspective.

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DARTMOUTH Agape Fellowship Hosts Outreach Banquet Agape Christian Fellowship at Dartmouth ( w w w. d a r t m o u t h .edu/~tucker/rsl/ groups/agape.html) held its annual Thanksgiving BanMembers of Agape ministry quet on Nov. 22. The and their guests gather for purpose of the event, Thanksgiving dinner. according to organizers, was to create an accessible, convenient environment where members of the ministry could share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with unbelievers. The event included a full course dinner, time of prayer, and a Gospel presentation.

Agape encouraged each of its members to bring as many non-Christians as possible to the dinner, with the goal of showing them “the love of Christ through service and fellowship.”

This year’s dinner was partially funded by a grant from Christian Union.

New Tucker Foundation Dean Named The Rev. Dr. Richard R. Crocker, Brown ’69, is the new dean of the William Jewett Tucker Foundation.

This fall, the Rev. Dr. Richard R. Crocker was selected as the new dean of the William Jewett Tucker Foundation. As dean, Crocker will oversee programs involving community service, religious life and social justice, among others.

A graduate of Brown University, Crocker ’69 will also continue to serve in his role as college chaplain and, as such, will head the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life within the Tucker Foundation. He has been the college chaplain since 2003. Previously, Dr. Crocker served as senior pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Montclair, New Jersey.

The Ivy League Christian Observer

NEWS-IN-BRIEF Christian Impact Students Hike Mountain Overnight On October 26, members of Dartmouth College’s Christian Impact ( w w w. d a r t m o u t h . edu/~tucker/rsl/groups/ ci.html) and guests braved chilly conditions to conduct an overnight hike of Members of Dartmouth’s Christian Impact Vermont’s Mount Mansparticipated in an overnight field. hike of Mount Mansfield in “Christian Impact is an Vermont. organization that likes having fun and doing fun things,” said Andrew Schuman ’10, a student leader.

The group departed after Christian Impact’s weekly meeting on Friday evening, began hiking around 11 p.m., and returned to campus around noon. The mountain is a “beautiful place to be at four in the morning,” Schuman said.

The event included prayer, fellowship, and light breakfast. “We just kind of did it student-style,” he said.

HARVARD Peabody Museum Showcases Pieces of First Printing Press A recent exhibit at Harvard’s Peabody Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology featured artifacts unearthed during a biennial excavation of Harvard Yard. Among the photo credit: Pam Traeger artifacts were small metal Remnants from the pieces of print type from nation’s first printing press that produced the the nation’s first printing first Bible in North press, which produced the America were unearthed first Bible in North Amerbeneath Harvard Yard. ica. John Eliot, who wrote an Algonquin translation of the Bible in the 1600s, printed the Bible.

The metal type was on display next to a complete copy of the Bible on loan from Harvard’s Houghton Library.

Winter 2009

Harvard Professor: Lincoln, Douglass Inspired by Bible

Harvard Professor John Stauffer’s new book Giants reveals the Bible’s influence on Abraham Lincoln’s writing and orations.

John Stauffer, professor of African and African-American studies at Harvard, recently released a book exploring the unlikely friendship between Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. At the center of their friendship, marks Stauffer, was their ability to command the power of language through great oration.

Both Lincoln and Douglass harnessed that power through reading, writing, and speaking about the Bible.

“These men rose up from nothing, using only words for weapons, and came to reshape not only themselves, but the nation,” wrote Stauffer.

Leadership Connection Holds Roundtable Dinner D. Michael Lindsay (Princeton *06), author of Faith in the Halls of Power, and photo by Don Weiss Harvard University The Harvard Faculty Club was Professor Christothe site for the November pher Winship disdinner meeting hosted by The cussed Examining Leadership Council.

Evangelical Agendas and the Academy at the Roundtable on Science, Art, and Religion hosted by The Leadership Connection.

The dinner event was held November 12 at the Harvard Faculty Club and helped “further the cause of Christ at Harvard through the promotion of a Christian worldview and the initiation and continuation of outreach relationships through hospitality-guided dialogue among faculty,” according to David Thom, founder of The Leadership Connection.

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NEWS-IN-BRIEF PENN Penn Ministries Unite for Worship Event On November 22, students from the University of Pennsylvania and the surrounding colleges were inspired by a night of music and worship as part of the “Wake Me Up” concert series featuring Laura Kazor, Penn ’04. The event was held at Christ CommuLaura Kaczor ’04 was nity Church of Philadelphia. the feature performer Sponsored by Campus in the “Wake Me Up” concert event held to Renewal/Penn for Jesus Minunite Penn’s Christian istries (www.campusrenewal. ministries and the ogr, www.pennforjesus.com) greater Philadelphia college community. in conjunction with Christian Union (www.Christian-Union. org), the concert helped unite ministries at Penn and the greater Philadelphia college community.

Penn Students for Christ Holds Fall Retreat Robert Polen, College and Career Pastor at Tenth Presbyterian Church, was the featured speaker at Penn Students for Christ’s Fall Retreat.

Camp Innabah in Sprint City, Pennsylvania was the site of the Penn Students for Christ Fall Retreat (www.pennstudentsforchrist.org). The event, partially funded by Christian Union, was held October 3-5. Pastor Jonathan Olsen continued a series he began at the PSFC weekly meeting about God’s covenant with Abraham.

The retreat focused on both individual and corporate spiritual growth and unity. It was also an opportunity for freshmen to “get more deeply involved and to develop stronger relationships with upperclassmen.”

Howard took over as interim chaplain in February, a month after William Gipson became associate vice provost of equity and access. A Baltimore native, Howard holds a master of divinity from Andover Newton Theological School and was named Penn’s associate chaplain in 2005. He co-founded the Greater Love Movement, a nonprofit focused on the needs of the homeless in Philadelphia.

Charles Howard, Penn ’00, is the University’s newest and youngest chaplain.

PRINCETON Witherspoon Institute Explores Connection Between Societal Problems, Pornography The Witherspoon Institute recently held a program that allowed scholars to probe a series of papers examining the scope of the societal problems associated with pornography.

“The Societal Cost of Pornography,” which was held Dec. 11-13 at Princeton University, featured 10 presenters, 15 discussants, and 65 photo by Pam Traeger participants from fields that This fall, The feel the reach of pornography.

Witherspoon Institute “It was very encouraging at Princeton sponsored a to see that there are leading discussion about the scholars who are willing to societal effects of put in the time on the subpornography. ject,” said Patrick Hough ’07, assistant director at Witherspoon. Princeton Professor Robert George hosted the event, which followed a “consultation” format.

Interfellowship Praise Night Celebrates Unity

New Penn Chaplain Is Ivy League’s Youngest Penn’s newest university chaplain assumed his post in July.

Charles Howard, Penn ’00, is the university’s seventh chaplain, according to The Pennsylvania Gazette. At 30, he is also the youngest among today’s Ivy League chaplains.

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Students involved in evangelical campus ministries at Princeton University gathered this fall for Interfellowship Praise Night.

More than 50 students, including some involved with Christian Union’s campus ministry Princeton Faith and

The Ivy League Christian Observer

NEWS-IN-BRIEF Action (www.pfanda.com), Manna Christian Fellowship (www.princeton.edu/~manna), and other organizations, met in the Mathey Common Room for more than two hours to worship, fellowship, and pray.

“We come together to celebrate the unity of faith in as large of a body as possible,” said Rev. Blake Altman, the associate director of Manna.

iStock

Students from several campus evangelical ministries gathered to pray for the academic year during an Interfellowship Praise Night.

Visiting Professor Discusses Global Pentecostalism Global Pentecostalism: the New Face of Social Engagement was the topic addressed by Donald E. Miller, author of the book by the same name and lecturer for the Princeton Lecture on Religion and Global Culture. The event, Donald E. Miller, Firestone Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California, spoke to Princeton University students about Global Pentecostalism.

sponsored by the Center for the Study of Religion at Princeton, was held September 25 in Betts Auditorium.

Miller, the Firestone Professor of Religion at the University of Southern California, has authored numerous books about religion and culture and done extensive work in Africa. He received The World’s Children’s Prize for the Rights of the Child from Queen Silvia of Sweden.

YALE Retreat Examines Challenges for Christian Lawyers

Members of the Yale Law Christian Fellowship took time for renewal during their recent retreat.

Winter 2009

Some 28 students from Yale Law Christian Fellowship (www.law.yale.edu/stuorgs/ yalelawchristianfellowship) participated in the organization’s third annual retreat, which was held Oct. 3-5 in Cooperstown, N.Y. Mike Schutt, director of the Institute for Christian

Legal Studies, was the speaker for the event. Discussions centered on some of the issues that surface for believers who practice law.

Among other topics, the students contemplated how their faith influences their beliefs about criminal law and contract law, as well as “some of the struggles that tend to come with being a lawyer,” said Becky Perry, a second-year law student and co-chair of the ministry.

Jonathan Edwards Meets Digital Age The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale recently announced the release of its digital online collection of the works of eminent theologian and revivalist Jonathan Edwards.

According to Executive Director Kenneth Minkema, the seventy-three digital volphoto by courtesy of Jonathan umes include nearly all the Edwards Center at Yale writings of Edwards, as well The Jonathan Edwards Center at Yale recently as approximately 1,200 serreleased a digital mons. The collection is the online collection. result of more than fifty years of scholarly work and can be accessed at the Edwards Center website, www.edwards.yale.edu.

Organist–turned-Chaplain Hopes to Minister to Fellow Musicians The American Guild of Organists has appointed Thomas H. Troeger, professor of Christian Communication at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, as the guild’s chaplain, according to the Institute.

A flutist and poet, Troeger attributes his development as a musician to the influence of church and professional organists he has met and worked with throughout his life.

In a Prism magazine article, he said he is “praying” that his chaplaincy will be a means of repaying those organists for their inspiration.

Thomas H. Troeger, professor of Christian Communication at the Yale Institute of Sacred Music, is the new chaplain for the American Guild of Organists. photo by courtesy of Yale Divinity School

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CHRISTIAN UNION

THE MISSION AND VISION OF THE CHRISTIAN UNION Christian Union Founder Matthew W. Bennett Shares the Vision and Purpose of the Ministry Following is the mission and vision of the Christian Union, which is printed in each issue of the Ivy League Christian Observer to keep new readers informed of the ministry's purpose and passion.

most 50 percent of Americans are in church, however, adding up the involvement of all students every week in all the para-church, and local churches combined it would amount to less than 10 percent of the student body.

The mission of the Christian Union, by God’s power and with the help of other ministries, is to change the world by bringing sweeping spiritual transformation to the Ivy League universities, thereby developing and mobilizing godly leadership for all sectors of society.

It’s an ambitious vision, but it’s what God has called us to give our lives to. We have a deep passion to see Jesus Christ honored and exalted at the eight Ivy League universities (Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, Penn, Princeton, and Yale). As you may know, these universities were established many years ago to bring praise and honor to Jesus Christ, but have drifted far from their moorings. For example, Yale was founded in 1701 by the colonists of Connecticut, and in 1726, Yale College laws, reflecting the students’ and university’s devotion to Jesus Christ, ordained that: “Every student shall consider the main end of his study to know God in Jesus Christ and answerably to lead a godly, sober life.”

You may ask, what can be done to bring these universities spiritually in-step with the rest of the country? The most important means to improve the spiritual dimension is to supply enough long-term, capable, godly campus Christian workers.

The spiritual vibrancy of the campuses is most directly related to this reality. Yes, we also need effective strategies, and, of course, we need the Holy Spirit’s presence and power; however, the Spirit works through people, and without campus Christian workers leading the charge, there is little spiritual life. Take Cornell, for example. It has 20,000 students, served by 3,000 faculty and 7,000 staff. That makes a total of 30,000 university people who need to be presented with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and taught the Scriptures. If you were to count all the full-time Christian workers on campus, it would amount to fewer than five people.

Even with the Herculean efforts of volunteers and the local churches, Christian Union Founder and President, there is no way for the university Matthew W. Bennett, Cornell BS ’88, MBA ’89. to be significantly impacted.

The contrast with today could hardly be more startling. The former assistant dean of Religious Life at Princeton stated of all the faculty on campus that he ministered to, evangelical Protestants were the most fearful of disclosing their religious beliefs to others out of fear of discrimination and ridicule. At Dartmouth, the administration tried to ban the distribution of the book Mere Christianity a few years ago until media attention forced them to back down. In spite of all the rhetoric on campus about the “free exchange of ideas,” there is in many quarters, an intense hostility to Jesus Christ. Reflect on the fact that on every Sunday, al-

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Moreover, the few campus Christian workers present are usually not there long enough to become excellent in what they do, nor are they able to establish an institutional memory for the ministry as they transition out. Every few years, most ministries start from scratch all over again through the work of ambitious recent college graduates. After a few years, these dedicated workers usually move and the cycle starts again. The workers move because they see the position as a stepping stone toward other ministry positions, such as the pastorate. What we need are people who see university ministry as a calling in and of itself and not as a step-

The Ivy League Christian Observer

CHRISTIAN UNION ping stone to other ministries. An even bigger reason that people move on is that they get married and have children, and are no longer able to raise the needed support. Living close to campus in these university towns is expensive, and it is difficult to raise the money that’s needed.

To provide enough godly, capable, long-term Christian workers and to meet other challenges, the Christian Union was formed in 2002 to trust God for dramatic change on these campuses. A unique aspect of the ministry is our commitment to both help other Christian ministries on campus through fund raising and other means as well as implementing our own direct ministry programs. Our passion is to see these campuses changed, whether or not it happens through one of our particular programs. We only direct our ministry programs to the Ivy League schools because they are among the most hostile to the Gospel, but also among the most infleuntial in our nation.

Many of our country’s future leaders will graduate from these schools, and as the leaders go, so goes the country.

Thousands of future leaders in business, media, law, government, journalism, medicine, ministry, academia, and the arts are currently enrolled at the Ivy League schools. And when they graduate, they will make an indelible mark on society. Ivy League alumni include the founder of Federal Express, the founder of Amazon.com, the CEO of eBay,

Bill Gates, Donald Trump, Martha Stewart, Warren Buffet, eight of the nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, Dick Cheney, the head of the FBI, the head of the CIA, the head of the SEC, the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, the National Intelligence Director, Donald Rumsfeld, the head of the World Bank, Madeline Albright, Janet Reno, Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, Howard Dean, Joe Lieberman, former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, and countless others. The names of those who serve in government are more recognizable than other names, but there is similar Ivy League representation in media, academia, journalism, medicine, and other fields.

For the sake of the individual students, staff, and faculty on the campuses who need forgiveness and peace through Jesus Christ and for the sake of the future of our country because of the leadership these people will give, we must do whatever it takes to see these campuses transformed. I want to urge you to pray fervently for these campuses, to give generously to supply more campus Christian workers, and to use your influence in whatever capacity you have to make an impact. By God’s grace and by all of us working together, we can see significant spiritual transformation.

Yours sincerely in Christ, Matt Bennett

Advancing the Kingdom of Jesus Christ in the Ivy League

Winter 2009

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P R AY E R R E Q U E S T S B R O WN

HARVARD

• Pray for the campus to be transformed as Christian stu-

• Pray for Harvard Faith and Action, which held its winter

dents renew their vision to advance the Kingdom of God at Brown University.

retreat on January 23 to 27 in Killington, Vermont. Pray that the ministry would continue to grow and make an impact on the Harvard campus.

• Keep in prayer the students of College Hill for Christ as

they gather each morning to pray for their campus, classmates, and the advancement of Christ throughout Brown.

Pray that students would be equipped to effectively share their faith in a compassionate manner.

• Pray for unity within individual Christian ministries at Har-

vard. Also, pray for student believers to develop a sense of urgency and necessity for evangelism, and pray for maturity as Christians grow relationships with non-believers.

C O L U MB IA

PENN

• Pray for the Catholic graduate students who live together

• Pray that Penn students will have a greater heart for

in Ford Hall. Keep them in prayer as they encourage one another to grow spiritually through sharing responsibilities, Bible study, and prayer.

prayer, and pray that God will burden their hearts to “pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” (Eph. 6:18)

• Pray for student athletes to be able to balance their ath-

• Pray for members of Penn Law Christian Legal Society as

letic activities with studies. Also, pray for God to help Christian athletes demonstrate their commitment to Jesus Christ by their lifestyles and attitudes.

they learn to integrate their faith into current studies and their future professions via Bible study and discipleship.

CORNELL

PRI NCETON

• Pray for students returning from the winter break—that

• Pray the campus will be transformed as Christian stu-

they return rested and restored. Pray for believers to be energized to devote themselves to prayer, relationships and ministry on campus.

dents renew their vision to advance the Kingdom of God at Princeton University and as their individual lives are transformed.

• Pray for the students involved in the Koinonia Collabo-

• Keep Princeton Evangelical Fellowship and Manna

rative to draw closer to God as they return from their mission trip to Los Altos Tres School in Venezuela. Pray that the students will minister in a powerful way among the Cornell community.

Christian Fellowship in prayer as they return from their winter retreat at Camp Spofford, N.H. Pray that the relationships formed and seeds sown at the retreat would continue to bear lasting fruit during the year.

DA RT MO U T H

YALE

• Continue to pray for the 360 students who received free

• Pray for the Yale School of Management Christian Fel-

copies of Mere Christianity at the Dartmouth Christian Impact book give-away in December. Pray the students will be drawn to seek Christ in a deeper way.

lowship as it prepares to host the 2009 Believers in Business Conference in February. Pray that God’s hand will be evident each step of the way.

• A permanent 24/7 Prayer Room has been established at

• Pray for students as they begin to prepare for mid-terms

Dartmouth by Campus Crusade for Christ, Navigators, and Agape Christian Fellowship. Pray that many believers in the Dartmouth community will be unified in concerted prayer.

and other requirements in the spring semester. Also, pray for believers to devote themselves to prayer, deep relationships, and ministry on campus.

Page 52

The Ivy League Christian Observer

From the bottom of our hearts, “Thank You!” Through your generous giving, students’ lives are being changed across the Ivy League.

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