Issue 1 (Fall '14)

A Closer Look at Vertical Conference

5 Tips for Surviving Christmas Materialism

Gray Areas: Partying

5 Places for Quiet Time on Campus

A Modern Perspective on Christian Love InterVarsity Fellowship Deregonized as a Student Group at CSU Schools

ISSUE 1 FALL 2014

Joseph Jones: When Faith Meets Football When Two Worlds Collide: Greek Life and Christianity

A LETTER FROM THE EDITORS

“Veracity” means truth. As we are being shaped and molded in our college lives, interacting with one another, watching each other succeed and fail, and inspiring one another to impact our world, finding truth in the midst of it has never been so important.

For us, being in college has challenged us to rethink what we call our “faith,” whether we grew up believing one thing or are exploring another. More than ever, we want our faith to be filled with veracity, to be so deeply rooted and universally true, that the idea is infectious.

Veracity Magazine exists because we are not the only ones.

Christians and non-Christians search for truth on campus. Students want to know what will give their life purpose. We wanted to give Northwestern a medium to allow for discussion of God, an intimate and loving God, because we believe our life purpose falls hand-in-hand with God and His plans for the world.

Our heart and soul have gone into this magazine, from its inception as just a “cool idea” to getting in touch with the mission of Veracity that God has placed on our hearts. It hasn’t been easy getting this magazine off the ground. Many times, we felt scared, anxious, and inadequate navigating new territory. Yet time and time again, God was faithful to us (as He always is), reminding us that it is not what we do that makes us “good” or “worthy,” but that we are worthy simply because we are His beloved creation. In less than a year, with an abundance of faithful staff, the tremendous support of the Christian community on campus, and ultimately by the grace of God and the strength He provides us, it happened. This magazine has sprung to life.

We hope it blesses you as much as building it has blessed us.

Alice & Bre EDITORS-IN-CHIEF EDITORS-IN-CHIEF Alice Zhang & Breanna Kazmierczak JOURNEY EDITOR Ashley Gilmore LIFE & CULTURE EDITOR Christen Johnson CAMPUS EDITOR David Lee CREATIVE DIRECTORS Anna Baran & Jillian Sellers PHOTO DIRECTOR Hannah Lin FINANCIAL DIRECTORS Jacob Jones & Karina Myrtil MARKETING DIRECTOR Jordan Villanueva SPIRITUAL DIRECTOR Diane Arthur WEB DIRECTORS Noah Conley & Phoebe Kim DESIGN TEAM Chelsea Sherlock, Ethan Albrecht, Marcus Stemple PHOTO TEAM Austin McCredie WRITERS Tiffany Fang, Bethany Mueller, Lydia Fern, Zach Zaruba, Denise Zou WANT TO GET INVOLVED? EMAIL NUVERACITY@GMAIL.COM

CONTENTS // FALL 2014 12 “The Christian Hipster Recommends”

{ THE INAUGURAL ISSUE }

Six books of the Bible so little-known, so hipster you may have to think twice.

14 Christian Music vs.

Christians in Music The deal with Christians musicians (Hillsong, Chris Tomlin) and bands that are Christian (Lifehouse, The Fray, Lecrae).

4-5 On Loving a Left Brain & Right Brain God Why science doesn’t prove God wrong, and how His nature as both a creative and scientific God can draw us (in new ways) deeper in love with Him.

26 Five Places to do Quiet Times at Northwestern Our picks on the best places to get away for some one-on-one time with God — on campus.

gray areas: partying

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Partying is a huge part of college culture: combatting the stereotype that Christians are goody two-shoes who don’t know how to have fun VS. pursuing wholesome living. Can you have it both ways?

INTRODUCING OUR QUARTERLY FEATURES

Bloom is an up-close look at an individual’s experience with faith, whether as a believer or unbeliever.

Gray Areas explores modern college issues with multiple Christian viewpoints and no “right” answer.

Vera in the City covers the Christian movement in Chicago and the world.

FALL 2014 // VERACITY

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JOURNEY

THE SCIENTIFIC

LEFT BRAIN

by Jordan Villanueva

M

y mother tells me a story about an Astronomy class she took in college. Every day when lecture started, two boys in the front row would raise their hands and question the teacher about his religious beliefs. They attacked his moral character and insisted that no Christian could believe in some of the scientific theories he supported. This continued every day of the semester, and the class never learned anything about stars and galaxies.

Unfortunately, this is something I struggle with often.

Many people like to ask me how I can believe in evolution when my faith is so important to me.

I’m sure many of you have the same problem. I’d like to tell you I have an answer, but truthfully I don’t.

God created us to be passionately curious. He instilled in us this insatiable desire to know more: Where did we come from?

Where are we going? What makes the apple fall as it loses its grip on the tree? As a scientist, when I stare at my research I want to understand it. Why

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does a specific cell behave in a certain way? Why is it chemically favorable for lipids to arrange in a membrane? How does a protein know where in the cell it is supposed to go?

I believe God wants me to answer these questions, and many more. However, when I pray, I don’t ask God to answer them for me. I pray that he will give me the strength to continue searching for knowledge. I pray that I can do something significant in the world, and maybe one day I can make a difference in someone’s life.

Science makes sense to me.

Does this make me a hypocrite?

Some would argue yes, but God doesn’t ask us to be perfect. I’m spending my life looking for ways to improve the lives of millions of people. I live closely with my God and know that he’s guiding me. If I ask him to love me in spite of all of my faults, I truly believe he will.

JOURNEY

right brain THE CREATIVE

by hannah lin

T

he sun rises and sets without fail. Even if we do not see it for ourselves, or fully appreciate it, a new day is always on the horizon. Science tells us that the earth continues to spin, and so we take it for granted and life goes on.

But what if it didn’t?

The Bible tells us that the seas and skies are at God’s command (Mark 4:41), that He knows every star by name (Isaiah 40:26). His Word tells us that not one sparrow falls without His knowledge (Matthew 10:28), that He ordains our every breath (Acts 17:25).

We may have never considered that this world, spoken into motion by our sovereign Almighty God, would not continue in its existence without the maintenance and care of that same scientific, creative God. Every grand entity and every little detail is equally significant and meticulously considered.

Have we ever considered that each new day is a new artistic adventure for Him: What color will the leaves be? When will the cherry trees blossom? How will Lake Michigan reflect the sky? Who can I surprise?

God’s imagination and invention is inspired by His very being. Through creation, we get a glimpse into the intricacies of God’s character. We can experience His power through the crashing of the waves or the rumbling approach of thunder during a storm. We can rely on His steadfastness for the organized coming and going of the seasons. We can appreciate His attention to individuality in the diversity and complexity of plant and animal spe-

cies, of human appearance and personality.

And that’s not all.

God can start from scratch, but He can also restore what once was. He takes broken things, and broken people, and makes something beautiful.

Humans reflect and mimic God’s creativity, says Rebecca Hill, a visual artist (NU ’10).

God is “in the business of building, and He is in the business of building again,” which are two facets of Hill’s blog “Industrial Grace Restoration.” She creates graphic and sculptural pieces, and repurposes found objects into jewelry. Her work explores the intersection of faith, life experiences, and art, particularly through symbolism and religious iconography.

“When you think about the work that goes into making or fixing something small, it’s kind of like ‘look what I did!’” Hill said. “How much more can God, who spoke the whole universe into existence and intervenes [in people’s lives], get to say that? This sort of process is like a small echoing of what God does all the time.”

Ultimately, creation is just that. An echo of God’s voice. A shadow of what is to come. A reflection of God Himself.

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J

OSEPH ONES

20, a college athlete, double major in communication studies and economics, a Sonic the Hedge Hog fanatic, Chipotle enthusiast, and soon to be husband. BY JILLIAN SELLERS This is Joseph Edwin Jones.

The thing is, if you ask him, that’s not how he would define himself. He’d first and foremost define himself in one word: Christian.

For any college athlete, everyday is long and frenzied. From classes to practices, they have more than enough to fill their days with. However, for Joseph, his days are a little more than just the traditional balancing act of classes and practice. As a Christian his life is slightly different than some of the other athletes on his team.

Joseph was raised in a Christian household by his mother, father, and later, his stepfather, that is another father to him. He went to church and bible study regularly.

It was in fifth grade when Joseph realized Christianity wasn’t just a religion. At this young age he began to understand that “it’s not just something that I should do because my family and friends do it. I realized the importance of having a relationship with Christ and realizing He died for my sins, and He sacrificed His own son for me, and not just me but everyone on this earth. So to not have a relationship with someone who loves you is just wrong.”

It wasn’t always an easy journey on his path in his faith.

“High school was a very rocky stage in my faith.

I wasn’t doing a ton of things that I shouldn’t do like drinking, partying, or sex; but that’s not was Christianity is about. It’s not about the things you don’t do,

it’s about the things you do do. I wasn’t getting in my word, praying, or fellowshipping with other Christians. High school was a stagnant time for me. There was no growth, at least not early on.”

However, God was faithful to Joseph in revealing Himself to him. His junior year, a new coach came to his school and restarted the program, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, at his school.

“He was a mentor, really a friend; he was my big brother. We started it back up and started to use it for what it’s truly for.” As he began to get involved with FCA, Joseph had a new birth of a passion for The Word.

When Joseph reached his junior year of high school he experienced something that changed his faith forever. He took a severe blow to his leg during a game that landed him out for the entirety of his junior year. It was broken, and there wasn’t anything he could do about it. Yet, as hard as it was to deal with that, he gathered his strength and turned to Jesus.

“Fall of my junior year, I was being recruited and I decided I wanted to play football here, and I break my leg the second play in the second game of the season. I was pretty upset and pissed off with God. I was like ‘God we had this plan. Northwestern is a good fit. We were set, everything was good to go!’

Joseph is thankful that he had his family and close church friends to show him the way to his faith.

“Obviously I had my friends and family, and meanwhile Amber and I became very close. They let me know everything was going to be all right; you

Continued on page 27

JOURNEY

photo credit: https://www.

Why campus ministries don’t fulfill all your spiritual needs

C

hurch. Stained glass, musty old hymnals, elderly pastors, and irrelevant sermons so boring you’re fighting to stay awake. You’re probably asking yourself, “Why not just go to a college ministry’s weekly meeting? It’s got all the same stuff: music, a speaker, maybe a little Bible study thrown in. Oh, and free pizza! Who needs church when you can get the same truth and community right on campus, and you get to sleep in on Sundays?” These campus ministries are part of a broader category of organizations formally known as parachurch organizations, and although they can have great impact on college students, they have their limits. If some of these thoughts have crossed your mind, I’m here to give you three good reasons why church should still be a part of your life in college:

Biblical Basis Parachurch ministries (i.e. groups independent of church oversight) didn’t exist until the 19th century, so they aren’t mentioned in the Bible. However the Bible does have some things to say about the importance of church.

In Timothy 3:15, Paul calls the church

the “pillar and buttress of truth,” and Hebrews 10:25 commands us to “not [neglect] to meet together…but [encourage] one another.” The Bible is very clear: a unified body of believers (not just college students) is the healthiest environment for spiritual growth.

LIFE AFTER College PSA: you won’t be in college forever. This means that when you graduate, all the community and familiarity you had in your college ministry will be gone. Being actively involved in a local church prepares you for

what real life outside of college will be like.

It provides you with spiritual structure and ensures that you will create good habits that will last after you graduate.

old people As much as this might seem like a reason not to go to church, this is one thing that college parachurch organizations cannot offer you. As Job says in Job 12:12: “Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days.” People who are older than you have probably wrestled with similar doubts, problems, or faced similar decisions to the ones you may have or may encounter and will have advice

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that can help you.

Beyond these three reasons, there are a lot more advantages to getting involved in a local church that you can find out for yourself when you get involved. To help you to check out options, we created a list of churches along with campus ministries in the Evanston area in our previous mini-publication. Check it out on our website for more info.

by Marcus Stemple

3 Things to Consider In Looking for A Church

By Tiffany Fang Looking for a new church can be daunting. Whether you are a freshman searching for a new church or a senior starting a new chapter soon, here are some things to keep in mind while exploring churches:

Is the church grounded in the Word?

Find a church that uses the Bible as the foremost basis for its sermons. It is important that you’re learning from the source rather than opinions.

Is there room for growth?

Find a church that brings you closer to God and flourishes your personal relationship with Him. You should find yourself understanding more fully His character and love.

Is there fellowship?

Find a church where you have opportunities to fellowship with other believers.

They are the ones who will counsel you, encourage you, pray for you, and help you live out your convictions. They are the ones who will spur you on when times get rough.

Bottom line, remember that no church is perfect because it is full of imperfect sinners. There are many things to consider while looking for a church; but in the end, they all fade in light of a church firmly centered on the Gospel.

JOURNEY

How well do you know denominations?

Your guide to the main Christian denominations

BY Ashley Gilmore, Austin McCredie & Bethany Mueller When talking about Christianity, we know there are multiple denominations but we don’t always know what makes them different from each other. All believe in the teachings of the Bible, the Holy Trinity, and Gospel message—that God sent His son to die on the cross for our sins and salvation. So what sets them apart from each other? We are here to help you out with short descriptors of some of the major denominations of Christianity.

• Founded by Martin Luther in Germany in 1597 • Believes in only two religious ceremonies: Holy Communion and Baptism • Heavy importance on each Christian reading the Bible for him or herself in order to have a personal relationship with Christ

Lutheran

Presbyterian

• Begun in the British Isles in the 1800s • Services are confessional worship; believe that faith and theology are carried out by the community as a whole • Presbyterian churches take much influence from Calvinism, and are beautiful places of worship without lavish or decadent decoration

Evangelical • Derives its name from the Greek word for “good news” • Focus on the mission described in Paul’s New Testament letters to bring the gospel message of Jesus Christ to all tongues and nations • Evangelical Christians lend themselves to traditional and contemporary worship and focus on the Bible as being the sole source for spiritual teachings

Episcopalian • The American branch of the Anglican church founded

by King Henry VIII • Feels like an equal mix of Protestant and Catholic traditions • One of the most liberal denominations in American church traditions, the Episcopal Church supports gay rights, human rights activism and a more nuanced approach to women’s rights in the church

• Roots in Russia and Eastern Europe • Services follow a similar mass pattern to the Roman Catholic Service but include icons for worship in connection to the saints • The Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church actively guides the congregation in interpreting scripture

Eastern Orthodox

Baptist • Baptism is a personal decision that must be professed: no one can profess it for you and promise to raise you in the faith • While Baptists believe a baptism to be a command, they do not believe it necessary to salvation, since it does not give saving grace • They believe that salvation comes from faith through the grace of Christ dying on the cross for the world’s sins

Methodist

• A flavor of Calvinism • Special emphasis on reaching out to those often ignored by organized religion • Focused on helping the less-fortunate through concrete measures (or methods) such as soup kitchens, hospitals, schools or other charitable acts

Catholicism • Associated with the Roman Catholic Church led by the Pope • Catholics practice tradition services, worship, and observation of the sacraments • Unlike other denominations, Catholics believe in having many other sources for spiritual doctrine including the Bible, the Pope, the Vatican, church fathers, and other catholic council

FALL 2014 // VERACITY

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JOURNEY

S

THE DAY OF

TH

Taking time to enjoy God and His glory.

BY HANNAH LIN

W

hat if someone told you, in the midst of tests, papers, and extracurricular activities, to take a day off from your responsibilities? How would you spend it? Would you even know what to do with yourself?

The Bible tells us just that. It encourages a day of Sabbath, in order for us to rest and not fall (Hebrews 4:9-11). Often times, at Northwestern, we run around with too much on our plates, our shoulders, and our minds. Taking a break and truly resting seems counterintuitive and counterproductive.

Students who do try to make it a priority in their weeks wrestle with similar questions: What does it mean to keep the Sabbath? How do I balance it with schoolwork and other commitments? What exactly does this look like for me? How will I use my time?

Will Weber, a current Feinberg student, started to observe the Sabbath a few years ago. Through his experiences, he was constantly reminded of the broader perspective, and that it wasn’t about the need to be efficient all the time.

“It lets you zoom out and see that God is so much bigger,” Weber said. “It took physically limiting my output to really engage with His grace.”

Treating the Sabbath as yet another task to check off the to-do list, or just going through the motions, defeats the purpose. After all, and Jesus said it best, the Sabbath serves our legitimate physical and spiritual needs. It doesn’t work the other way around. People are at the heart of the Sabbath.

Christina du Breuil (NU ’13) was challenged during her junior year to practice the Sabbath as a spiritual discipline. She used the time to draw or paint, go on walks, reflect and pray, and spend time in spiritual community.

At the end of the day, God calls us to love Him with all our heart, soul,

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mind, and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). He encourages us to cast our fears and worries on Him (1 Peter 5:7). He beckons the weary and burdened, and promises to give us rest (Matthew 11:28).

All these things are important and possible in our day-to-day lives, but sacrificing a portion of week to dedicate to the Lord will help us bask in God’s goodness and glory, and enjoy His blessings in our lives.

“It’s self-care,” du Breuil said. “It’s about taking that gift and accepting it, and doing something refreshing.”

Easier said than done, they acknowledged, so here are some practical things to keep in mind: It doesn’t have to be a Sunday, particularly in the unique routines of college life. Pick a day that makes sense, and don’t feel constrained to time conventions. For example, consider the time between sunsets on Saturday and Sunday. It breaks up the Sabbath with physical rest, and leaves room for getting things done on Sunday night.

“Ease into it,” said Weber. “Even if you just get one extra hour a week with God.” Acclimating to a full day of rest takes time. Persistence is also important, du Breuil said, because alongside others who are always busy, slowing down can seem lazy.

Avoid being legalistic. Jesus frees us from worrying about what is or isn’t allowed, as He demonstrated in His own life. Be intentional to “do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).” To minimize distractions, finding a restful space was helpful for du Breuil, and Weber recommends staying away from electronics and social media.

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T

he title of famed televangelist and megachurch pastor, Joel Olsteen’s new video series is “Blessed for Success.”

Though we may not want to admit it, for many of us that is all that we want to be.

Christians in America have Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ” plastered on everything from sports jerseys to bumper stickers. We love Jeremiah 29:11, “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil.”

While these verses are definitely applicable in certain circumstances, too often we assume Jesus is there simply to back us up when times get tough, or to help us get that high-paying job, or to guarantee us happiness in the future. All we have to do on our end of this bargain is go to church every once in a while (every Sunday for extra blessings), pray before meals, and God will grant us everything we could wish for.

But that is not what God wants for us.

Because God is infinitely wise, He knows what is really best for us, and that is not always what we think is best for us.

As the title of Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s powerful book The Cost of Discipleship implies, there is a “cost” to following Jesus, in the sense that we may not get what we expect. In Matthew 16:24-25 Jesus says: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his

life for my sake will find it.” Here, Jesus isn’t necessarily talking about literally dying for your beliefs, but talking about giving our lives up to Him and His purposes. When we do that, He promises us we will find true life, a life more meaningful

"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose."

-Jim Elliot and more fulfilling than we ever thought.

When Jesus calls his disciples in the Gospels, He never promises them health, wealth, or prosperity. His call is simple: “Follow me” (which is repeated 21 times in the Gospels), and the disciples dropped everything and followed him.

God wants more for us than to be saved from our sin and live a life of complacency, following the American dream. God wants us to be people who live in reckless abandonment to Him, trusting him through every circumstance and knowing that He is all we need. He wants us to acknowledge and trust that He is Lord over not just Sunday mornings, but that He is Lord over all our lives.

But here’s the best part: when we turn everything over to God and give up all we have and are to Him, He promises us that we will bear fruit, and that He will use us for a greater purpose.

Jesus says “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit,” and “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19) These passages are essentially telling us that the more we give our lives up to God, the more fulfilling and purposeful our lives will be, and the more we will be satisfied not by temporal things, but by God Himself and all that He has for us. By giving everything up, ultimately we get something even better.

If you have already put your faith in the saving grace of Jesus, you have a choice: to be content with salvation and live life as if not much else has changed, or you can give up everything to get even more. If you haven’t trusted Jesus with your salvation yet, I challenge you to consider it, but beware, it might just cost you everything.

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JOURNEY

Photo by Marcus Stemple

In the Bible there are some books that are most popular and better known than others. Below are some books that don’t get the credit they are due, but are worth checking out if you want something more refreshing than the mainstream books everyone studies.

(Oh, and we rated their hipster-ness. You’re welcome.)

BY ASHLEY GILMORE, BETHANY MUELLER, JORDAN VILLANUEVA & ALICE ZHANG

nehemiah

1 john

Started from the bottom, now Nehemiah’s at the top. Nehemiah served as a cupbearer for the king of Persia, and he used his position to persuade the king to allow him to preserve the Jewish lifestyle. He rebuilt the walls around the city of Jerusalem and restored the nation of Israel while being promoted to governor. This book shows how love for God and His word leads to obedience and honoring God.

There’s a reason why John is referred to as the “poet” of the four gospels. In his gospel, the beautiful language mimics the Old Testament and tells of Christ as Messiah and Man, reassuring Christians that Jesus is light and restoring faith through words of comfort and certainty. Unlike some of the other letters addressed to specific churches, John’s first letter reads as a reminder to all Christians about the most important message of all: Love.

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malachi philemon Malachi means “messenger” and refers to both the prophets of the Old Testament and God’s greatest messenger, Jesus.

Malachi is a warning of the ways people fail to follow God’s law and the consequences of those actions, calling out every Christian who reads it. The last book of the Old Testament, Malachi makes it clear why we need a savior, and helps us appreciate the gift of grace offered in the New Testament when Jesus Christ died on the cross.

Pronounced “fi-LAYmoan” (instead of like the tender piece of beef: filet mignon), this book is a letter written by Paul addressed to Philemon, telling him not only to accept his runaway slave, Onesimus, but to consider him a brother. This book shows how we are supposed to extend grace and love to brothers and sisters in Christ, exhibiting forgiveness no matter the wrong because we are all the same under Christ.

jonah

Hosea

So you heard the story of Jonah and the whale when you were younger, then you were done, right?

A second glance will show this book is not merely about a whale vomiting up a man unharmed, but juxtaposes God’s sovereignty with His compassion. Even when Jonah totally disregarded God’s instructions, through prayer God still kept him safe. And it is through more prayer that God relents the fate of the Assyrians for their wickedness.

Be careful what you wish for, the next time you’re wishing for divine intervention in meeting the girl of your dreams.

In Hosea, God instructs the prophet to marry a promiscuous woman (think: Satine in Moulin Rouge) who will betray him over and over again. Crazy as that sounds, the book of Hosea is a perfect metaphor for God’s love, a redeeming love that never gives up and never abandons us.

JOURNEY

!""#$%&!'&() )*+,- Beauty

BY ALICE ZHANG

S

ay “beauty,” and what do you think of? I think about God handcrafting each and every I think of peonies adorned in green- unique star, putting a little of himself in each so ery, the swift agility of a basketball game, we can look up in the sky and see His glory. And the view of the Chicago skyline from regardless of if you consider yourself outdoorsy, the Lakefill, and if I think hard: God. nature is pinpointed as a divine way God’s Whether we’re conscious or not, we all have beauty is revealed to mankind (aesthetically our favorite characteristics of God that keep us or biologically). In Romans 1:20, Paul writes: in awe of Him. We remember His faithfulness “For ever since the world was created, people when we feel like we love God some days more have seen the earth and sky. Through everything than others, His universal love when we think God made, they can clearly see his invisible of the global congregation of Christians, and qualities--his eternal power and divine nature.

His healing when He brings us out of heart- So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” break. All of these traits comprise His beauty as For me, there’s something about the night a reigning God. Unlike the fading beauty of hu- sky lit up so extravagantly, the constellations mans or the material beauty of objects, God’s like the Morton girl’s scattering of salt twinbeauty comes in the spirit of His character, kling across the sky that always brings me back which is manifested in His unwavering attri- to God. And though stargazing gets a cheesy butes as a loving, holy, and just God. It is eternal. rep, it’s hard to look at the sky and not think In Psalm 50:2, David accounts: “From of God’s rich extravagance too as the Creator Mount Zion, the perfection of beau- of the universe. After all, He is the one Creator ty, God shines in glorious radiance.” who truly makes new things from nothing, unBeauty is said to be in the eye of the behold- like humans who merely recombine old things. er, a subjective and intimately personal opinSo whether it takes Coldplay to remind you ion, but too often God’s beauty and me of the sky full of stars, is overlooked. In truth, the wonor a light bulb moment walking “beauty is that derful thing about knowing such ponder God’s beauty. which captivates home—do a big, multi-faceted God is that Maybe for you it’s the stars too, there are so many glints of beau- the mind” and it’s a fall leaves changing colors, snowty reflected in His heart for the joy to be in wonder fall’s first chill, or the dirt path’s world. As C.S. Lewis once wrote: simple allure. Whatever it is, don’t of our God. “We do not want merely to see forget to look beyond nature, and beauty, we want to be united with if you haven’t found your slice of the beauty we see, to pass into it, to receive it nature yet, find it in people, for we are God’s into ourselves, to bathe in it, to become part of creation too. You may never wrap your mind it.” God’s beauty spurs us to beautiful things. fully around it, but as a friend put it best: When I hear Coldplay sing on the radio: “beauty is that which captivates the mind” “Look at the stars, look how they shine for you,” and it’s a joy to be in wonder of our God.

FALL 2014 // VERACITY

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L I F E & C U LT U R E

CHRISTIAN

USIC

What do Ariana Grande, the cast of Frozen, and Lecrae all have in common? They’ve all had the top album on the Billboard 200 chart in 2014. What don’t they share?

The message of their music.

BY JACOB JONES

D

espite what some people might believe, there’s a long history of mainstream artists and bands confessing Christianity. Elvis put out an album of hymns, during his heyday Bob Dylan became a born again Christian, and Bono, the lead singer of U2, wrote the song “40,” in reference to Psalm 40, and has talked about his faith many times. However, it seems now more than ever that there are more and more Christians and people searching for God in mainstream music.

In his song “Faith,” Kendrick Lamar, who is considered to be one of the best rappers around right now, talks about struggling to figure out what he believes. He raps about his wavering belief from difficult circumstances, but ultimately says: “But what I do know, is that He’s real and He lives forever.”

Of course, Kendrick isn’t usually this forward in his songs, and some would say his words don’t sound as Christ-like as they might want. Making music about where he’s really at in life, however, seems vastly more honest than if he made “family friendly” music, which already exists anyway.

Another figure in Rap that has gained popularity is Lecrae. For a long time he was a fairly unknown artist, honing his craft. Recently he became popular in Christian communities as a rapper who knew the Gospel well, was clean enough for a youth group, and made excellent music. Suddenly, with the release of his latest album, Anomaly, he took off. Hitting the top album on the Billboard 200 list for the week of September 27th, Lecrae suddenly got thrust into the spotlight. Lecrae refuses to be known as a “Christian rapper” and instead insists he’s a Christian in rap. This distinction of strictly a Christian musician versus Christians in music is a common topic.

Jon Foreman, the lead singer of Switchfoot, has spoken extensively on the matter, causing a bit of distress. To some, not explicitly saying God or Jesus in every song is an issue; these artists seem to be too concerned with popular opinion, or are not following Romans 12:2, which says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.”

J.S. Bach, one of the most famous composers ever, was a devout Christian,

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VERACITY // FALL 2014

yet most people don’t call him a Christian composer. Forever 21 prints “John 3:16,” on the bottom of their bags, yet most people don’t call it a Christian clothing store. Many Presidents have been devout Christians, yet they were never deemed the Christian President of the United States. Simply put, this distinction doesn’t make their religion, their work or their impact any less important.

Christian music is simply music that explicitly sings about some facet of Christianity. Christians in music may allude to it, or might sing about it occasionally, but don’t necessarily put it in every song. Both types of music have their function. Christian music contains the worship music we sing on Sunday, the simple, but uplifting songs that can help cheer you up in the car, and other similar songs, but can’t reach certain people who are turned off by the label of “Christian music.”

Christians in music provide a wider range of songs that are more relatable to our everyday life. It reaches a broader audience than Christian music can.

Twenty One Pilots, a group well-known for their songs “Holding On To You” and “House of Gold,” are another good example of Christians in music who reach a large audience.

In one of their songs, “Ode to Sleep” it says, “I asked forgiveness three times, same amount that I denied,” referencing the moment from the Gospel when Peter denies he knows Christ. Their other songs also contain themes of forgiveness and faith, showing the strong faith of the duo.

There are numerous other groups and artists who show some semblance of faith.

Mumford and Sons, the Avett Brothers, Lenny Kravitz, and Paramore, just to name a few, all have varying levels of faith that show up in their music.

This increase in messages and themes contained in God’s word spreading out to all sorts of people should be an amazingly heartening fact. It gives more options to Christians with broad musical tastes, along with reaching all corners of the earth to spread God in ways other people might not be able.

L I F E & C U LT U R E

To Frat Party or Not to Frat Party?

(That is the question) Partying

BY AUSTIN MCCREDIE & ZACH ZARUBA “Thou shalt not kill.”

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.”

“Thou shalt not steal.”

Sometimes God is pretty blunt in His Word on what we as humans should and shouldn’t do. As Christians, we regularly turn to the Bible for advice and general pointers on how to live lives that glorify God and make us more like Jesus.

Unfortunately the Bible isn’t always so explicit. This can be hard when you’re looking for straight answers about what you should and shouldn’t do.

Parties, for example. They are common within a college campus and have occupied this “gray area” in the Christian life. Is it so wrong for Christians to take part in a college tradition as old as beer pong itself?

If you’re asking yourself this question, you won’t find a passage in the Bible that directly speaks on the matter, sadly. However, there is Scripture that refers to the things that parties usually portray.

One of these things is excessive drinking, which God explicitly condemns: “Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery.

Instead, be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Sexual activity, better known as “hookup culture”, is also associated with parties. God tells us to turn away from this: “Flee from sexual immorality…You were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies” (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). The

Photo by Austin McCredie

word for “sexual immorality” comes from the Greek, “porneia,” which can broadly refer to sex outside of marriage or even acting on lustful thoughts in this context. God is pretty explicit in His word about these two areas.

So are parties out for Christians? Not necessarily. There’s nothing wrong with hanging out and dancing with a group of friends.

And if you’re not drinking excessively or trying to casually hook up with someone, you’re not displeasing God, right? Absolutely.

However, while “everything is permissible… not everything is beneficial” (1 Corinthians 6:12). First and foremost you should make sure you’re not causing yourself to stumble.

Matthew 5:30 says “And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell”. Obviously we aren’t advocating for people to go around cutting off body parts that cause them to sin; however, it is important to remove yourself from situations and circumstances that cause you to sin. If drinking and falling into “hookup culture” have been issues for you in the past, perhaps it would be best to avoid them until you feel able to overcome those temptations.

The “party question” has been a constant struggle and debate for college Christians.

We hope that this short article can help outline the issue with some Biblical wisdom.

Whatever you decide about parties, we can only hope it is not a “stumbling block” to your relationship with God.

FALL 2014 // VERACITY

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L I F E & C U LT U R E

A Modern Perspective on Christian

“In my phase of being single,” Lauren said, “what was important for me to discover, before I was able to be in a relationship, was to be OK with not being in a relationship.”

There is an image presented by Christian culture of a fairy tale boyfriend that God has given to you. Lauren thinks that the real process involves more than lying

Love

BY Denise Zou

Garrett grad shares her take on relationships

L

Photo courtesy of Danielle Glut Photography

auren met Adam, a quirky fellow who went against the grain, and she knew this was a guy she wanted to pursue.

After a few years of attending his parent’s church camp to mentor local kids, she felt that he was someone--strong in his faith and infuriating at times--worth waiting for.

Even after some long months of uncertainty, which consisted of his graduation, a long disappearance to Latin America, and times of waning communication, Lauren held her faith; she was serious about Adam and allowing their romance to blossom with time.

Lauren Rheingan, 25, is a Rockford, Ill. native who recently earned her Masters of Divinity from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary. She now uses her degree Lauren, recent Garret grad, and her hustband, Adam as the Director of Congregational Care at Community United Methodist Church, located coincidentally at in wait for a “magical Chrisher alma mater. unicorn boyfriend” to fall “what was important tian Lauren met her husinto your lap (as idyllic as that for me to discover, sounds). band, a fellow student, during their undergrad before I was able to be As an undergraduate, Lauyears at North Central in a relationship, was to ren described how she needed College in Naperville. to surpass this cultural expecLauren recalls following be OK with not being in a tation, but says, “Yes, prayer relationship.” him into the engineering is a great thing to be in. It was computer lab and makhelping me figure out what I ing up excuses for why she was there. am, and being OK with myself during this Adam and Lauren have been married process.” since January 2013.

The mentality of the “perfect Christian Lauren, in an attempt to give the readers relationship” was imposed onto Lauren, of Veracity magazine a look into her own as a youngster in Rockford. A common path to Christian romance, recalls singleattitude in her church consisted of, “I have dom and how meaningful that time was a boyfriend, it’s on Facebook, and I get for her. to be the good, Christian boyfriend girl.”

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VERACITY // NOVEMBER 2014

This mindset is perpetuated by eHarmony and ChristianMingle advertisements that present romance as an idealization, far from reality. While one’s life discernment can involve a relationship, it is best to not focus on the “It is easy to fall relationship as prey to the thinking the main part God’s calling. that God wants of There are other you to be with components to someone perfect.” partnership that need to be taken into consideration, and “you don’t get a heavenly stamp of approval that you’re never going to have issues,” Lauren warns.

There are plenty of common problems that can befall even a faith-based romance.

“You’re still going to have issues of communication like any other couples,” Lauren says, “and for some people that is devastating.”

It is easy to fall prey to the thinking that God wants you to be with someone perfect, so if this partner is not Jesus-like, the partner is unacceptable. The pitfalls caused by expecting perfection include never dating anyone, because they are not as good as Jesus, and underestimating compatibility beyond faith-based values.

While perfectly contented with Adam, Lauren maintains that “there is no such thing as a perfect match.”

Theological issues are more than likely to arise in the scope of a healthy relationship, and these differences are best when discussed between the two partners.

Lauren suggests not running away from a date just because he or she has an opinion that wasn’t taught in your home church. Adam and Lauren, as strong-minded individuals, butt heads on a regular basis. The couple finds it perfectly helpful to struggle, pray, and talk about it together.

Beyond coupledom, there is a lot in the Bible about singleness. It might be helpful to think about singleness in terms of what Paul said. Paul didn’t see the use of pairing up as he was expecting Jesus to arrive any day. At the same time, Lauren reminds us, Jesus was single and look at what he did.

We don’t have to judge ourselves, and how faithful we are, based on whether we’re in a relationship.

L I F E & C U LT U R E

hap•py adjective \’ha-pē\

: pleased or glad about a particular situation, event, etc. joy noun \’joi\ : the state of great delight caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying

A

t Northwestern, I hear more often than I would like that people are looking for happiness. The right internship, the right job, the right salary; that’s all it takes. But, are we far too easily pleased by these?

Don’t get me wrong, I frequently worry about money, think and plan for the future, and stress out about how much I want to achieve in life. But I think the problem with the “American Dream”, pursuing happiness and wealth, is that it is completely dependent on our position in life.

What if that job isn’t what we expected? What if a family member dies? What if we suffer in our health, or our relationships, while everything else in our life seems to be going “right”?

What we have to keep in mind is that

happiness will fade temporarily and we will never be fully certain when it will return.

Now, you may be asking, what is it we should search for then?

Though my parents always told me to pursue happiness, I’ve learned that joy is what I really want in life.

When happiness seems inconsistent and shallow, joy is satisfying. The difference is pretty simple: happiness is a thirst that is never fully quenched, while joy is an everlasting stream, leaving you fully fulfilled.

Though suffering can cause our happiness to disappear, joy gives us hope.

Happiness grows and falls, and joy is a constant upward trajectory. It can never be less than what it once was because the source of it does not come from anything of this world.

"when happiness seems inconsistent and shallow, joy is

How do we get joy?

As a typical Northwestern student, you may want a list of tasks that need to be done so you can achieve joy. But honestly, finding joy will probably not look like the same process for everyone.

What I can say is that if joy is a satisfying emotion, then it probably needs to be found in a source that doesn’t change. That

satisfying."

means, you won’t find joy in your job, your car, or your bank account. You may find joy in something spiritual, in something that has a forever. For me, that has been God.

How do we find joy in God?

Joy can be found in God because of his promises for us. And rest assured, my God keeps His word. In Ephesians 2:4-5, Paul, the author, says, “But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions-it is by grace you have been saved.”

You see, Jesus Christ died on the cross for us, our sins, and all of our ugliness that we try to hide. He did it for our past, present, and future sins. For everyone. No exceptions. There is no “except you because you didn’t get an internship this summer,” or “except you because you got drunk last night,” or “except you because you are the furthest thing from being a Christian.”

God’s love for us is everlasting.

While the circumstances of our life may seem to go completely wrong or unplanned, I believe this is the one thing that is constant, and I find joy in that. To me, happiness doesn’t reach God’s level. Happiness is weak, it feels temporary, it feels circumstantial.

Joy though, joy is hope, it is logical, and it is something that could change your life if you decide to find it in God.

FALL 2014 // VERACITY

17

5 TIPS TO SURVIVE

Christmas Materialism

By Breanna Kazmierczak

M

ost of us have felt it. Mom, Dad, relatives, and friends start asking the question: “What do you want for Christmas?” You look at your feet, while items spin around in your brain, and you sort through things you really want. But then, you ask yourself if you really need them. And you come to the conclusion that you don’t. However, it’s hard not to feel as if receiving the gifts is justified, since, after all, someone does want to buy them for you.

Accepting presents at Christmas is absolutely not a bad thing, don’t get me wrong; but sometimes, our culture can cause us to develop expectations as to what Christmas truly represents. So, with a whirlwind of shopping trips, brand-name merchandise, and the misconception of “things” being the focal point, how do we keep the real meaning of Christmas as the center-point?

1.

Focus on the true meaning of Christmas: Jesus’ birth. Read the Christmas story for the first 25 days of December. Switch it up everyday so it feels fresh. Look at both the books of Matthew and Luke in the Bible, and you can also look into other media. Find creative writing pieces of the Christmas story, videos on YouTube, or children’s books. Remind yourself everyday of the significance of Jesus’ birth, and this should help in keeping you grounded.

2.

Instead of asking for things, ask that your parents or relatives to support you in an experience. Whether it is a summer mission trip, a conference, or even a half marathon, I’ve found that my parents love it so much more when they can provide me with experiences rather than items.

3.

Change your perspective. Instead of focusing on what you can get, concentrate on what you can give. Services, time, or baked goods can lift people’s spirits more than you think.

4.

Have a positive outlook when shopping with friends and family. This one may be the hardest. Looking around at all the things you “shouldn’t” want while secretly envying the people buying them can be pretty discouraging. The key is to not look forward to the goal of shopping, but more so the experience of shopping and spending time with loved ones.

5.

Know that God calls us to not love the world or anything in the world (1 John 2:15-17). If we choose to love human creations, they will ultimately fail us.

Clothes become dirty, technology becomes out-of-date, and rust destroys. But God’s love for us never becomes obsolete, and when we recognize that unfailing love acted out in the sacrifice of Jesus, his birth is that much more significant.

Photo by Anna Baran & Austin McCredie

L I F E & C U LT U R E Photo by Anna Baran

Tr a d i t i o n s t o Celebrate a Christ-Centered Christmas

BY Bethany MUELLER

L

ooking for the perfect activity to let out all your pent-up Christmas cheer?

Christians all around the world come together during this season to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Try these new traditions from across the globe, as well as a few from your own hometown, to welcome Jesus in a whole new way!

Lit Candles as Christmas at a Soup Kitchen 1. Use Tree Decorations 3. orVolunteer Homeless Shelter Some of the first Christmas trees in Germany were decorated only with small, lit candles.

Present-day Christmas tree ornaments come in all shapes and sizes, but there is still something beautiful about this early tradition. This year, try decorating your tree with electric fakeflame candles (to ensure fire safety!) These jolly flames brighten our homes like the light of the world coming down to Earth.

2.

Watch the Children’s Christmas Pageant

Yes, “Mary” and “Joseph” might drop the baby Jesus doll, the carols will be sung out of tune, and there is the constant risk of some small “Wise Man” hilariously butchering the word “frankincense.” But a Christmas pageant can still be one of the most poignant reminders of Christ’s place in this holiday. So sit back, chuckle softly at the inevitable mishaps, and enjoy the look of wonder on the kids’ faces as they recount for you the best Christmas Story of all time.

The Christmas season is already the most popular time of the year for charitable acts in America, but other countries take the giving nature of the holiday to another level. Christians in the Philippines and much of South America provide a huge Christmas Eve dinner for all those less fortunate in their hometown.

This year, you can do the same! Give your time, or talents, to serve a Christmas meal to those in your community that can’t afford to take part in the festivities we usually take for granted.

a Delicious King’s 4.Bake Cake

Once you get tired of the tempting array of gingerbread and Christmas cookies, switch things up with a King’s cake. This delicious blend of cinnamon bread and sugared Danish is eaten on January 6 in Spain, France and certain Latin American countries to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Men at the stable. The best part about this dessert is the small Christ child toy hidden in one of the pieces. Bake this with friends, but be careful before you bite in!

Christmas Music You Should Be Listening To: Sufjan Stevens, Songs for Christmas

David Crowder Band, Oh For Joy

Up Your Advent 5. Spice Calendar

While most Advent calendars have a tasty treat hidden behind each door, there are several online that walk you through the Christmas story as it counts down the month. Others outline a specific servant project to accomplish each day in December to prepare for the birth of Christ, the Servant King. You can also make your own Advent calendar with either Bible verses or small acts of kindness behind each door. Try this to add some personalized merry-making to the entire month of December!

a Traditional 6. Learn Christmas Carol

In the words of Buddy The Elf: “The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!” But aside from the classic favorites like “Frosty the Snowman” or “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the more traditional Christian Christmas Carols can also add a joyful note to your Christmas playlist. Many of these hymns actually tell the full story of Christ, rather than just ringing in his birth. Adding a few older Christmas carols to your repertoire can tie in the full circle of Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection.

Looking for something else to listen to this season besides Michael Bublé’s Christmas? Add these albums to your holiday playlist!

She & Him, A Very She & Him Christmas

Shane & Shane, Glory in the Highest

BY ANNa Baran Kings Kaleidoscope, Joy Has Dawned

FALL 2014 // VERACITY

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CAMPUS

Let’s Make Christian Movies Better Christian movies are the latest trend, but what the films are actually about needs change

BY DAVID LEE & CHELSEA SHERLOCK

I

f you film it, they will come. That seems to be the thought process behind many of the Christian movies that are made. If you make a movie that can be labeled Christian or biblically based, Christians will spend money to see it.

Alongside the superhero movie trend, a slew of Christian movies have been released in the past year, including Christian Mingle, Heaven is for Real, Left Behind, God’s Not Dead and Noah. The next major film is Exodus: Gods and Kings, which is set to be released Dec. 12. Exodus, like Noah, is looking promising as an action packed, Old Testament film.

There is a demand for these films, and despite lackluster reviews, people come out to see them, but why aren’t they better? Dallas Jenkins, the director of media for Harvest Bible Chapel in Chicago and son of executive director Jerry Jenkins, explained the main issue with Christian media in an article on Breitbart.com entitled “Why are Christian Movies so Bad?” “The problem is that everyone knows good art

should always put story and character above message. Message films are rarely exciting. So by their very nature, most Christian films aren’t going to be very good because they have to fall within certain message-based parameters,” Jenkins wrote. “And because the Christian audience is so glad to get a “safe, redeeming, faith-based message,” even at the expense of great art, they don’t demand higher artistic standards. So aspiring filmmakers who are Christians have little need to perfect their craft, and Christian investors have little need to spend a lot of money because the message is going to be most important anyway.”

Essentially, most Christians aren’t encouraged to make great art, but instead are encouraged to stay away from Hollywood. For those who are making media, there isn’t much of an incentive to make it a strong film outside of having a clear message. According to John Snowden (BS’88), who worked as a biblical consultant on Noah, writer and director Darren Aronofsky was focused on the story of Noah.

“He just loves the story of Noah and wants to tell it. His beliefs are irrelevant,” Snowden said in an in-

terview with Veracity.

That focus often doesn’t apply to the lower budget Christian films. Where many Christians do get outraged with all types of Christian/biblical movies is inaccuracy. Snowden, a former youth pastor and current vice-president of CloudFactory, had a role in ensuring the accuracy of Noah. He read through multiple versions of the script and watched film of what was shot each day, looking for errors and giving feedback.

Even a mainstream Hollywood film can contain deeper philosophical and theological messages and questions.

“This is a story that looks into the depths of human sin and asks the question ‘should we be saved at all?’” Snowden said on Noah.“That’s a win-win situation when secular artists are asking theological questions,” Snowden said.

As Snowden agreed, the increase in demand for films related to Christianity is positive. However, the demand needs to stop having a double standard in what is expected of them in terms of quality and story.

Scenes from two popular recent Christian films, God’s Not Dead and Noah.

FOUR CHRISTIAN MOVIES YOU WON’T REGRET 20 VERACITY // FALL 2014

1. To Save a Life

3. Films by the Kendrick brothers

While Northwestern students were in high school, this was the movie that all the youth groups were talking about. It features a popular high school struggling to deal with the role he played in his former best friends suicide, his parent’s divorce and his girlfriend becoming pregnant.

Their films aren’t groundbreaking, but the Kendrick brothers have demonstrated a focus on telling a strong story that most Christian movies don’t. Courageous is probably their most exciting film.

2. The Ten Commandments

4. Passion of the Christ

A classic Biblical epic shown by ABC every Easter, this film is the original major motion picture based on the story of Moses

An incredibly powerful portrayal of Jesus’ life, that stays true to the Bible and evokes a wide-range of emotions and questions in the viewer.

CAMPUS

living under

GRACE.

By Lydia Fern those laws. The standard of spiritual and physical cleanliness the priests had to attain before they could offer sacrifices was near impossible.

Northwestern tends to attract students who overachieve and strive for perfection. Christian students here perform for God, hoping He’ll give them a nod of approval that week. Evangelicals often feel compelled to get involved in campus ministries, read their Bibles, follow a moral code and then feel like failures after slipping up.

Why does this happen? Intellectually, Christians know that Jesus’ death has provided incredible freedom from trying to earn salvation, but how easy is it to forget that His grace is sufficient? Living under performance only leads to guilt and burnt-out resignation. So how is it possible to fight these lies with the truth of the gospel?

LIE: I need to repay God for what He’s done for me.

TRUTH: God asks believers not to repay Him, but instead, to admit that they are unable to do anything outside of His grace. This confession of weakness is so much more glorifying to God than our attempts to be good.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. (Psalm 51:17)

LIE: It’s up to me to maintain my relationship with Him. TRUTH: God brings people into relationship with Him while they

are still running away as fast as they can – and this unconditional, love is unending through every screw-up and failure.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

LIE: I need to earn God’s favor.

TRUTH: God chose to save people, and continues to choose to love

I

’d like to make case for Leviticus as the book of the Bible that is most relevant to Christian Northwestern students today. Hear me out.

Leviticus is mostly a long list of rules the Israelites should keep, followed by an exhaustive account of how to make sacrifices when they inevitably break

believers out of His own perfect will, not because of anything humans have done.

He chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will. (Ephesians 1: 4-5)

FALL 2014 // VERACITY

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InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF) is officially “derecognized” by all 23 schools in the California State University school system.

BY DAVID LEE & AUSTIN MCCREDIE

I

n the name of anti-discrimination, the California State University system has retracted club recognition for InterVarsity Christian Fellowship on all 23 of its campuses.

InterVarsity’s National Field Director, Greg Jao, said derecognition can cripple the long-term health of affected campus student groups.

Firstly, groups lose their free access to campus rooms. The development forces clubs, like InterVarsity at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, to pay up to $30,000 to have an on-campus space to hold meetings. Others, like Cru at CSU, Chico cannot attain the necessary funds and are forced to ask nearby churches for meeting space.

Second, deregonized clubs can’t set up booths on campus or at activity fairs, where they would normally

22 VERACITY // FALL 2014

have an opportunity to connect with large numbers of prospective members.

Lastly, derecognition gives a club a sort of second-class standing on campus, trying to capture a more intangible side of the story.

“You lose some function because people treat you kind of as pariahs, like second-class,” Jao says. “There was a Baptist group on campus at one of the schools that was telling people we were derecognized trying to recruit for their own group. And if other Christian groups are doing that to us, who knows what other groups are doing.”

This all began in 2011, when former CSU chancellor Charles B. Reed passed Executive Order 1068, which states that, “No campus shall recognize any fraternity, sorority, living group, honor society, or other

student organization unless its membership and leadership are open to all currently enrolled students at that campus.”

Many religious groups, such as InterVarsity, require their leaders to sign a statement of faith before assuming any position. After allowing a couple years as a grace period for existing clubs, CSU legislators begun cracking down on groups they believe are in violation of the bill this past fall.

Students involved in affected student groups are trying to deal with the difficult transition. Evan Roberts, a member of Cru at CSU Chico, is trying to put a positive spin on a trying year.

“We are saying ‘We chose to move off campus’ instead of ‘Oh, they kicked us off campus,’” Roberts says.

“For now, we have been meeting at

churches downtown, but we have yet to find a permanent place.”

Roberts says the club is trying its hardest to maintain a semblance of normalcy. They were still able to host a Fall Retreat, as usual, with TK students in attendance. He credits the club’s early success to the impact they were able to have in the short time they were still recognized in the beginning of the year. Things only seem to be looking downward.

“We were still able to do all our normal events at the beginning of the year,” Roberts says. “Next year though, we won’t be able to table and start off meeting on campus.”

Jao has seen firsthand the negative impact derecognition can have on clubs. He says he believes “Very well-intentioned people who have a goal for non-discrimination crafted the law. They chose to interpret the law in a way where they haven’t thought through the implication of their decision.”

That implementation of Executive Order 1068 and the subsequent derecognition of many clubs have left many Christians baffled.

“To say the characteristic which is the defining mark of an organization cannot use that mark simply makes no sense,” says Steven Monsma, a po-

8 of 23 schools that derecognized InterVarsity

litical science professor at Pepperdine University in Malibu, Ca, who has written extensively on the history of faith-based organizations. He says he believes the bill dangerously threatens campus diversity and offers an alternative perspective.

“We should have a pluralistic public realm where a persons of differing beliefs still respect each other and learn to live together,” Monsma added.

Although membership at affected clubs tends to rise in the first and second years after derecognition due to increased press coverage and student motivation, Jao says the gains are unsustainable.

“In years three and four, you usually begin to see the impact, because it’s just so much harder to do everything and it costs so much more. That’s when groups tend to shrink a little bit,” Jao warns. “Students have reported qualitatively that they often begin to feel marginalized on campus because they’ve been told your religious beliefs are unacceptable on campus.”

The new bill might just be a significant portion of an even more disturbing trend. Christian fellowships have also been derecognized at Vanderbilt University, SUNY Buffalo, Rowland College, Bowdoin College, Tufts University and a number of others.

The According to Jao, IV members at Grinnell College in Iowa are having their Facebook profiles monitored to ensure they remain off-campus.

“Can we all just agree this is just a bad law?” Jao pleads. “A change in law would cost taxpayers nothing. We’re just asking for a return to the status quo.”

Many non-religious clubs at CSU are also in a compromising position: open up leadership positions or endure derecognition. With the notable exception of fraternities and sororities, clubs can no longer limit leadership positions. Men can now lead discussion groups for female victims of sexual violence. Civilians can now lead student groups of armed forces veterans. You get the point.

“The issue is really not whether Christian groups should be recognized,” Monsma says, “but whether a diversity of student organizations should be welcome on a university campus.”

FALL 2014 // VERACITY

23

VER T I CA L CO NFEREN CE

a closer look at the birth of a new conference for students in Chicago

BY ANNA BARAN

H

ave you ever had a really incredible experience and later found that you had absolutely no pictures to document it or post on social media? It’s a rare occurrence. Today, every concert and conference, every visit to a museum, every delicious meal—it’s all mindlessly thrown onto social media. We settle for filtered, touched-up, blurry versions of what was truly incredible in the moment, and we focus on favorites and likes rather than the meaning of the experience itself.

Vertical Conference, taking place January 1-3 for the first time at Harvest Cathedral in the heart of downtown Chicago, is aimed to bring young adults together to worship Jesus, and the entire event has been centered around the question: "What will it take to get all of us to put our phones down?” Many of us are aware that there is no shortage of distractions in today’s society that pull us away from complete surrender, but what would it take to see victory over those distractions? What would it take for every single soul in that church to be so enraptured, so enamored, so in awe of Jesus’s presence that no one would even think to Instagram it?

The inspiration for Vertical Conference comes from Luke MacDonald, pastor at Harvest Bible Chapel. He says the purpose of the conference is simple: “For my friends, for my city, for my generation, and for my savior.”

MacDonald’s deep love for

24 VERACITY // FALL 2014

students who have moved on from high school ministry, drove him to action during the summer of 2014 when he asked himself, “What do I do to get those people back together again?”

During that same summer, Chicago was one of many cities experiencing unprecedented acts of violence and injustice unlike ever before.

Consequently, MacDonald saw the need for Jesus to move in the city, starting in the hearts of a generation to which he feels passionately

connected. His vision grew to include students from outside of Harvest’s high school ministry, so that students from all over Chicago and beyond could experience fellowship in the same city together.

Fast-forward a couple months later, and MacDonald had brought in speakers like author Jefferson Bethke and artists such as Vertical Church Band and Meredith Andrews. The church has seats for up to 1,000 people, and MacDonald’s prayer is

to have that church filled with students who are completely present in the moment, with music, prayer, and fellowship, ready for Jesus to move in their hearts and their city—and not a single person checking their phone or playing with Instagram filters.

So what’s the point? How can a conference be more than just a “spiritual high”? MacDonald pointed out that in Scripture, God tells us that we grow spiritually in two ways: moments of crisis and seasons of process.

Moses had a moment of crisis at the burning bush, and then God gave him 40 years in the wilderness—a season of process. I know that the school year brings me to many, many moments of crisis, but I cannot say that I get to spend prolonged periods of time to process. Times of process help us to put Jesus at the utmost center of our lives, and that is when truly great things can happen—when Jesus Christ is in his rightful place, with our eyes fixed on him and our outstretched hands open wide, ready for him to move in our lives and in our city. // For more information on Vertical Conference, including a full list of speakers and artists, schedule of events, and registration details, check out: verticalconference.org The three arrows of the logo point upwards, illustrating the God-centered focus of Harvest Bible Chapel, Vertical Church Band, and Vertical Conference.

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Photo by Austin McCredie

whSn twF wFrlds cFllide Experiencing spiritual growth through Greek life BY CHELSEA SHERLOCK

M

usic blares out of speakers and people stand in clumps chatting.

In the middle of the room are tables set up for beer pong. Jungle juice and natty light flow abundantly. Near the wall, a guy and a girl are in the beginning stages of romance.

As a Christian, that scenario can pose temptation, danger, excitement and a lot of fun. It would be a lie to say that the partying, drinking and hookup culture isn’t part of Greek life. It’s also a lie to say there isn’t room for a Christian in that culture and inaccurate to limit Greek life to only parties.

Here are four things to remember and tips for handling being part of Greek life and a Christian.

1) Think through why you want to join Greek life Ministry shouldn’t be the only reason. You need to desire to build relationships with other members and be involved in their events. It poses a problem when being in a fraternity or a sorority becomes your identity, and you use your involvement to fulfill a part of yourself that you should be getting from God. “If you go into fraternity life as a Christian with the right mindset that really wants to seek brotherhood and community, you’re not going to find much resistance,” said Tyler Daswick (BSJ16), a bible study leader through Greek Intervarsity.

Joining is also a time commitment, and it’s harder to find the time for it if you don’t enjoy the people you’re with.

2) Know yourself social events provides more opportuniPeople react differently to situations ties to build relationships and to have and have different convictions. Some spiritual conversations. can be at a party and not experience “You are there with a bunch of peotemptation. Others go to the same par- ple that you get to know very well, esty and struggle. Before being put into pecially living at the house,” Delong, a that type of situation, think through former pledge educator, said. “That can your beliefs and how you would handle be a great platform to get to share the it. If going to a mixer and seeing people gospel with them.” from your chapter drinking is going to Kelsey Maki (SESP16) had a similar make it hard for you to say no, either experience with getting to know her sodon’t go or find someone to hold you rority sisters. accountable while you’re there, which “Pregames were really one of the best ties into the next point. opportunities to meet 3) Get to know other people when I first joined Christians involved in “But after really my chapter, but meeting Greek life through that congetting to know people, people “Get really plugged text just seemed to highin and really grounded. I felt lots of love and light how different my Find a bible study. Find a acceptance for who I lifestyle was,” Maki said. group who can help you after really getting was and what choices I “But deal with those challengto know people, I felt lots made.” es. Find other Christians of love and acceptance in your chapter,” suggests for who I was and what Daswick. “Those are people you can go choices I made.” to.”

Christina Spaeth (SOC16) has been Other Christians in your chapter involved with ministry in her chapter can offer guidance, support and ac- since she joined her freshman year. Her countability among other things. Older chapter bible study helped her to bond members who were Christian influ- with other members. It also showed her enced Adam Delong’s (WCAS’16) de- the need for being consistent in her accision to join his fraternity and helped tions. him navigate building relationships “You can’t just say you’re Christian and becoming more involved. and just kind of float and expect some4) Be involved in your chapter & con- thing to change,” Spaeth said. “You sistently represent Christ through it already have to put in work to have a In general, the more time you spend relationship with God. You can’t just on something the more you get out of give those up and expect to stay a really it. Going to both official and unofficial strong Christian.”

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I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119:11

BY jacob jones

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Northwestern is a hectic community of stressed-out students. It’s easy for Christians to get caught up in this stress and not give time to God beyond church or a fellowship. While these things are amazing, we need to make sure that we connect on a personal level with a god who wants to spend time with us. Because of this, it is important to take time to sit down with God’s word and simply rest in his presence, but finding the right spot isn’t always easy.

Erickson- Koch Memorial Garden Walking between University Library and Deering Library, I happened to notice a statue. When I went to check it out, I was suddenly surrounded by nature. The garden feels like it’s the most secluded place in the world, despite its location right next to the library. When it’s warm, it is a perfect place to listen to God in the stillness.

Howes Memorial Chapel Walking towards Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary from Sheridan Road, it’s pretty easy to miss, but on your left, there’s a tiny little chapel. It is relatively simple and has just a few rows of pews, but it’s a great place to meditate on God’s word. It’s open from 7a.m. to 6p.m. Monday through Friday, and very few people know about it, so there are no distractions.

Corner of Library The library is generally just that ugly looming building that exudes stress. It’s easy to enter and forget entirely about anything outside of the four finals you have tomorrow. But if you go and find a lonely little corner of the library, it’s a great place to pray for all of the work you have going on, and get a little spiritual studying done.

Rocks at the Lakefill During the brief time when it’s nice enough to spend time on the lake, the rocks on the Lakefill are perfect. While a bit more distracting than other places, it also provides the great expanse of Lake Michigan to look out on. Spending time taking in the majesty of God is an amazing experience. The sunrise there is also astounding, showing off the beauty of God’s design.

Einstein Bros. Bagels Some people like quiet times with food, so they’ll do it in the dining hall. However, dining halls are too frenzied to really get into the Word. Instead, searching for, and eventually finding the Einstein Bros. Bagels in Pancoe provides a great space to have great food and be focused. Anyone who wants to do a breakfast/quiet time hybrid and has class on north campus should try this out.

26 VERACITY // FALL 2014

Photos by Anna Baran & Austin McCredie

Jones and fiancée, Amber Schleifer, after one of his games. you may not understand what’s going on, but He does. Realizing God has my back no matter the ups and downs was big. I had put football as an idol. I put all my hope in playing football. Football was everything for me. And that’s wrong because God tells us to not equate to or put anything above Him. And that was a lesson that I realized.

That changed my mentality towards sports and everything I did. I realized everything I do comes second. It was a reminder that everything I do in my life is second to Him.” “Along the way of my recovery I just knew something’s going to work out for me, it’s going to happen, and it did. I didn’t play all my junior year but I’m still here.”

It was during this hard yet pivotal time that Joseph learned he must follow his faith no matter what situation he undergoes. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds him of this. “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Joseph continued on to play his senior year and was recruited to play for the Wildcats. He began his redshirt freshman year in the fall of 2012.

December 1, 2013 Joseph’s life began to change forever “It was my girlfriend’s birthday and that day she went from being my girlfriend to my fiancée.”

He proposed to his now fiancée, Amber Schleifer, in front of all of their closest family members as they celebrated one of the happiest days of his life thus far.

“The biggest thing was knowing that God was a part of this relationship and that we didn’t do everything perfectly. We’re humans but I had constant prayer about it.”

Joseph experienced a lot of hesitation and disagreements from his family and friends about his decision to marry Amber so young.

“Not everyone supported me, a majority of people were actually against me, but all those

Jones doing drills during his practice.

Jones is a linebacker on the team.

worries that everyone came up with went out the window. Most importantly because I know God has our back. God will help us. We may not be the richest people in the world and we’re going to fight, but that’s part of relationships and growing.

We’ll make it.”

Joseph is a living testimony that a love between a husband and his wife is an embodiment of God’s love.

“Based off the love that God has shown me, she

“

Football was everything for me. And that’s wrong because God tells us to not equate or put anything above Him. That changed my mentality towards sports and everything I did. It was a reminder that everything I do in my life is second to HIM.

is the one I want to give that love back to. Love is a big thing for me. Romance love is not love. God is love. What He did for us is love. It’s the idea that you gave your all for a person. Now, with Amber, I’m okay with it not just being about me anymore.”

Despite the difficulties they may face, the happiness that Joseph feels about his soon to be wife cannot be denied. He is overwhelmed with the love that He has given him.

“I’m excited! People think my life is over, but for me it’s just the beginning. It’s a gift and a privilege.

It’s a responsibility, but it’s definitely a privilege.

Second to giving my life to Christ, it was the greatest decision I’ve made, and the greatest moment

will be when I’m officially married to her.”

Joseph places his relationship with his fiancée as his top priority but ensures himself to not get confused amidst doing so.

“She’s someone in my life that if my life continued without her, it wouldn’t be the same. She is a gift from Christ. She’s not an idol and I don’t want to idolize her, but He has placed her in my life and I have chosen the job to be the best husband I can be to her. She is the greatest gift I will ever receive on this earth.”

Unfortunately, similar to his junior year in high school, Joseph got injured during the 2014 football season. He is currently out with a hamstring injury and is unaware of when he may officially be cleared to practice again. Yet, he still depends on God to guide him through this as well.

“This time it’s totally different. Literally the first thing I say to myself after finally realizing I was hurt was: God you got me. That was it. My moment of being upset was literally 5 minutes. I wasn’t the first guy on the team or in the world to hurt their hamstring. But I know that God has my back. I was fine with it. I accepted it and moved on. I was like alright, what’s the next step for me to get back?”

Joseph’s faith in God is just a reflection on how much he’s grown over the years.

“I’m just a totally different guy than I was in high school. Understanding the importance of my relationship with God and how He is the one that gave me the gift to play football. Without any of that I wouldn’t be able to play. The reason I’m able to learn plays and to perform is because of Him. So I think understanding that and not taking for granted everyday life. Waking up going to practice, meetings, lifting, and rehab, you take for granted the things you have. I don’t do that anymore. I realize that these are gifts to glorify God not myself. My intent is not to bring myself glory but to use what I have to bring Him glory.”

Veracity Magazine strives to be a relevant publication that represents the college generation of Christian viewpoints, challenging them to rethink faith in life and culture, build campus-wide community, and serve as a resource for those seeking to learn more about the Christian faith.

Above all, we recognize that a personal relationship with Jesus Christ is the foremost motivating foundation for all dialogue.