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For immediate release: January 5, 2008
Riveting! Relevant! Remarkable! These are just a few of the single-adjective comments used to describe the Student Apologetics Training Conference held this past weekend on the West Bank of the University of Minnesota. Nearly 400 students and student workers from the Twin Cities and beyond gathered in Willey Hall Friday evening and all day Saturday to sharpen their skills for presenting and defending the Gospel in the classroom, coffee shop or university commons. As the first of its kind here at the U, the conference attracted a vibrant mix of students ranging from high school to grad school--and even a few possessing only distant memories of school. But all shared a single-eyed passion to communicate the claims of Christ to this generation with compassion and credibility.
The weekend began Friday night with presentations by two of the three dynamic plenary speakers invited to this year's conference. Tim Muehlhoff, a communications specialist and professor at Biola University, challenged attendees to recognize that an effective apologetic requires more than orthodox theology (though this is essential), spiritual passion (though this is vital) and intellectual rigor (though this is helpful). It also demands, he argued, a practical communications strategy informed by a sensitivity to the role of stories, images and illustrations like those employed by Jesus in his masterful use of parables. Then Joe Boot, an apologist with Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Canada, followed up with a passionate appeal for students to "do apologetics to the glory of God" in the context of campuses (and broader cultures) that have largely abandoned the theistic presuppositional starting-point of earlier generations in the West. This will require, he claimed, a methodological shift in our apologetic approach from an "Acts 2 mindset" (where the Biblical worldview is assumed) to an "Acts 17 mindset" (in which our audience's unfamiliarity with that worldview must be assumed) if we expect to honor God by helping the current generation grasp the claims of Christ.
The Friday evening plenary sessions were complemented by two additional presentations on Saturday. Randy Newman, former campus minister with Campus Crusade for Christ, began the day's activities with an engaging demonstration of the value of questions in apologetic dialogue with seekers and skeptics. Taking his lead from the "questioning strategy" of Jesus (in which he often answered a question with a question), Newman convincingly argued that the straightest path to "an answer" in an apologetic conversation is sometimes the seemingly circuitous (but always compassionate) route through "another question." Joe Boot rounded out the main plenary presentations later that evening with a forceful yet winsome demonstration of the utterly unique status of Jesus Christ as a claimant for the religious allegiance of this generation. With rousing rhetoric and a charming British accent, Boot set forth the evidence that sets Jesus apart from the gods of the Greco-Roman myths, the wise man behind Confucian thought, the prophet of Islam, the Buddha of Eastern philosophy, the gods of Hindu mysticism and even the scholarly reconstructions of a "legendary" Jesus coming out of the controversial Jesus Seminar.
Between Newman's Saturday morning address and Boot's closing presentation, students were treated to a number of breakout workshops, each designed to take a concentrated look at one specific apologetic challenge often encountered on today's campuses. Among others, topics addressed in the breakouts included: answering contemporary arguments against theism; making sense of suffering; engaging postmodernism; thinking clearly about moral relativism; and recognizing the worldview claims packaged in today's popular media. Added to these were two unique breakouts allowing students to engage directly (in the first) with the plenary speakers and (in the second) with a panel of U of MN students. Structured as extended Q&A sessions, these two (popular) tracks enabled students to air their real world struggles and seek practical help with defending the Gospel on their campuses. And this was topped off with a fifth plenary session framed as a panel discussion between the three conference speakers in which student-generated questions set the agenda.
The conference also allowed students to take away more than memories of outstanding presentations and engaging breakout experiences. A book table filled with apologetic-rich resources and a handful of campus ministry representatives were available for students looking for either. And for many, the conference became a crucible for forming new friendships and partnerships in the apologetic task on campus. As a result, over 70% of those responding to the conference indicated their hope that this past weekend's event might become an annual occurrence here at the U. So who knows? Perhaps this year's conference was more than riveting, relevant and remarkable; it might eventually prove to be repeatable!
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Jan. 23 - 7th Annual Faith & Bioethics Lecture
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The Tale of Three Ossuaries
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April 21, 2008 |
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Legal Scholar Compares Modern Political Practice to the “Gelasian Thesis”
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Deconstructing Secular Economic Guilt
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February 26, 2008 |
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Is Charity Without Faith Dead?
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February 26, 2008 |
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Budget Reduction Forces Staff Cutback
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January 25, 2008 |
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Mayo Bioethicist Offers Bracing Challenge to Churches
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January 25, 2008 |
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November 27, 2007 |
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Is Tolerance Still Tolerable in the West?
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November 16, 2007 |
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Lecture Addresses Question of Unbelief
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November 16, 2007 |
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Does Theology Belong in the University?
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November 9, 2007 |
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Can a Defeated Messiah Save Hollywood Celebrities?
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November 8, 2007 |
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Is God Innocent?
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November 5, 2007 |
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Are America’s Moral Levees Breached?
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November 1, 2007 |
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Does Washington Know the West's Recipe for Freedom?
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October 25, 2007 |
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Whatever Happened to Human Dignity?
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October 15, 2007 |
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Forgiveness Therapy Offers Hope to Abused Spouses
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October 7, 2007 |
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Spiderman Over Science? The Western Embrace of Magic
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October 4, 2007 |
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A Dramatic Wag Challenges Darwin's Worldview
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October 1, 2007 |
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From Reason to Skepticism to Mysticism: Must the West Continue Down This Path?
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September 27, 2007 |
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What Made the West a Uniquely Musical Civilization?
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September 20, 2007 |
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Minnesota Daily Covers First Lecture in Mangalwadi Series
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September 20, 2007 |
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10-part Series to Examine the Soul of Western Civilization
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September 18, 2007 |
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Institute Expresses Condolences to Those Affected by Bridge Tragedy
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August 2, 2007 |
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Three University of Minnesota Veritas Conversations Planned for Fall
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July 27, 2007 |
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Bob Osburn Discusses World Religions on the Radio
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July 24, 2007 |
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Forum to Address Charitable Choice Issue
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July 18, 2007 |
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Institute's New Campus Minister Discusses Student Group
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June 5, 2007 |
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Institute Is Planning 2007-2008 Event Schedule
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June 5, 2007 |
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Os Guinness Is Featured Speaker at the Institute's 25th Anniversary
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April 30, 2007 |
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Trade, Claims Dean, is Critical for the Poor
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April 20, 2007 |
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New Testament Scholar Unfolds Counter-Cultural Implications of Luke and Acts
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April 13, 2007 |
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Dr. Theo Stavrou to Receive Mentoring Award
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April 9, 2007 |
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Christianity Has a “Strange” Understanding of Truth, Says Sweet
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April 2, 2007 |
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Our Modern Understanding of Freedom is Nihilistic, Says Hart
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March 27, 2007 |
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Institute's Library Catalog Now Accessible Online
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March 6, 2007 |
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Religious Persecution is Worsening Globally, Says Marshall
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February 26, 2007 |
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Dialogue Is Essential in Cultivating Civic Engagement, say Wolterstorff and Bernstein
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February 21, 2007 |
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Theo Stavrou to Receive Christian Faculty Mentoring Award
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February 12, 2007 |
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Biblical Feminism Inspired by 19th Century Missionary Movements, Says Haddad
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February 2, 2007 |
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Symposium to Address Civic Engagement
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January 30, 2007 |
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Institute to Offer Recommended Books Through Amazon.com
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January 24, 2007 |
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Palliative Care, Not Physician Assisted Suicide, Says Dr. Robert Orr
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January 24, 2007 |
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Campus Minister Joins Institute Staff
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January 22, 2007 |
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Christian Medical and Dental Personnel Potluck
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January 11, 2007 |
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Cal DeWitt on Speaking of Faith Program
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January 11, 2007 |
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In Search of a Theology of the Soul
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December 27, 2006 |
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Writer Challenges Assumptions of Public Debate
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December 22, 2006 |
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Intelligent Design Proponent Declares State-Mandated Materialism Is Impermissible
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December 7, 2006 |
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Church and State: The Debate at Tate
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December 4, 2006 |
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Flannery and the Fundamentalist South: Opponents of a Nihilistic Church
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November 20, 2006 |
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Oxford Philosopher Offers 2007 Holmer Lecture
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November 13, 2006 |
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Article Claims Jesus' Forgiveness was as Political as it was Religious
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November 9, 2006 |
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Institute Board Member Receives Award
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November 6, 2006 |
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Europe Better Demonstrates the Christian Ideal, Says Middelmann
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November 2, 2006 |
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Turkish Journalist Addresses the Pope's September 12 Lecture
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October 22, 2006 |
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International Journalists Question Media Treatment of Intelligent Design
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October 20, 2006 |
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Minnesota Daily Editorializes for Religion Requirement
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October 11, 2006 |
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“Recover the Wonder,” Declares Esolen
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October 11, 2006 |
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Elaine Pagels Leaves Questions Unanswered
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October 6, 2006 |
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Professor Argues That Modern Education Is “Debunking” Wonder
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October 3, 2006 |
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Conference Stresses Strength of Christian Vision for the Environment
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September 25, 2006 |
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Conference to Address Balance Between the Human, Engineered and Natural Worlds
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June 28, 2006 |
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Institute Fellow Discusses Da Vinci and the Authority of Scripture
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June 26, 2006 |
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Consumerism Conferences Ends With Call for Green Martyrs
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May 3, 2006 |
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Michael Novak Lectures on Clash of Civilizations
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April 28, 2006 |
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Lecture to Address Clash of Civilizations
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April 18, 2006 |
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David Shenk Offers Response to Lecture Report
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April 17, 2006 |
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Institute Lectures Span Economics, Education, and Ethics
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April 7, 2006 |
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Conference to Challenge Consumerism’s Grip on American Christianity
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April 4, 2006 |
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Muslim-Christian Dialogue at the University of Minnesota Is Strategic
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March 24, 2006 |
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Philosopher Peter Singer Speaks at the University of Minnesota
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March 24, 2006 |
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Institute Welcomes Two New Staff Members
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March 22, 2006 |
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Institute Board Chair Wades Into Intelligent Design Debate
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March 20, 2006 |
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Freedom of Conscience Is Central to Religious Liberty, Says Faith and Law Lecturer
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March 8, 2006 |
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Lecture to Address How to End the Culture War Honorably
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February 23, 2006 |
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Veritas Forum Concludes with Lecture on the Resurrection
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February 4, 2006 |
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Krister Sairsingh Defends Truth in Opening Veritas Forum Lecture
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February 2, 2006 |
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Father Neuhaus Addresses Culture Wars
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December 26, 2005 |
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Richard Winter Addresses Desire for Perfection
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December 21, 2005 |
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U Student Named Rhodes Scholar
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November 29, 2005 |
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Ganssle Addresses Reason and the Knowledge of God
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October 11, 2005 |
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Michael Behe Spoke to Packed Crowd of 500
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October 4, 2005 |
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Online Christian Studies Library Now Available
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August 5, 2005 |
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Writer Criticizes Embryonic Stem Cell Fairy Tales
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July 29, 2005 |
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Nancy Pearcey Book Wins Award
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July 14, 2005 |
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Conference to Honor Former U of M Professor Rutherford Aris
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July 7, 2005 |
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"The Bench" Promotes Worldview Understanding
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April 22, 2005 |
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Professor Reedy Lectures on Christian Faith and Economics
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March 23, 2005 |
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Author Makes Case for Preserving the Life of Terri Schiavo
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March 23, 2005 |
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Udo Middelmann Addresses Issue of Being Human
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March 9, 2005 |
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Dallas Willard Lecture on TV
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January 4, 2005 |
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Dallas Willard Challenges the Academy
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November 9, 2004 |
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How Do We Achieve Cultural Authority?
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November 3, 2004 |
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Overflow Crowd Hears Author of The Question of God
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October 27, 2004 |
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New Article Challenges Some of Our Allegiances
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October 15, 2004 |
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John Angus Campbell Delivers Challenging Lecture
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October 1, 2004 |
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Gay Marriage Debate Draws Overflow Crowd
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September 17, 2004 |
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Institute Lectures to be on Cable Access TV
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August 23, 2004 |
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Institute Releases Exclusive Interview With Nancy Pearcey
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August 12, 2004 |
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Professors Challenge Stem Cell Research
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August 6, 2004 |
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Institute Announces New Giving Opportunities
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August 4, 2004 |
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Institute Announces New Class
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July 22, 2004 |
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L'Abri Celebrates 50 Years This Month
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June 17, 2004 |
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Institute Concludes 2003-2004 Lecture Season
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April 27, 2004 |
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God and the Global Marketplace
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March 24, 2004 |
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Dramatic Price Reduction for Christian Studies Courses
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March 15, 2004 |
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Deconstructing The Da Vinci Code
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March 10, 2004 |
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Nancy Pearcey to Lecture on Christian Mind
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March 10, 2004 |
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New Book Looks at Missions and Entrepreneurial Strategies
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March 2, 2004 |
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Institute Involved in Public Debate
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February 13, 2004 |
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Business Ethics and Faith
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February 11, 2004 |
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Institute-related Faculty to Lecture on Religion and Science
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February 11, 2004 |
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O'Connor Examines Udo Middelmann's Critique of the American Church
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February 6, 2004 |
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How Do We Distribute Our Wealth?
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February 6, 2004 |
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Business Lecture Series Resumes on February 2
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January 28, 2004 |
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Dr. John Patrick to Deliver Annual Pro-Life Lecture
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January 14, 2004 |
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Has Society Disconnected Sex From Marriage?
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January 14, 2004 |
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Biblical Reliability Conference to Address Challenges to Scripture
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January 5, 2004 |
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Intelligent Design Symposium Held at the U of Minnesota on November 15
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November 18, 2003 |
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What Role Does Art Play in Our Daily Lives?"
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October 17, 2003 |
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Did Chief Justice Moore Go Too Far?
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October 17, 2003 |
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Are Christians Suffering Persecution at the Hands of Liberals?
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October 14, 2003 |
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Michael Paulsen Lecture Will Tackle Conventional View of Religion in the University
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October 2, 2003 |
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J. Richard Pearcey Challenges Madonna
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September 26, 2003 |
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Business Lecture Series Begins Monday
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September 25, 2003 |
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Vishal Mangalwadi Receives Honorary Doctorate
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September 19, 2003 |
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Thought-provoking New Article on the Message of Media
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September 16, 2003 |
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New Testament Survey Course to Begin in January
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November 29, 2002 |
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Dr. Jeffrey Polet Highlights the "Monstrous Logic of Terror"
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Rutherford Aris Passes Away
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5th Annual Faith and Law Lecture, March 9
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Faculty Mentoring Conference Brought Together Scholars From Around the Country
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Bob Osburn speaks March 9 at 3:30 pm
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Two U of M Professors Debate Intelligent Design
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Dr. Kent Talked About Role of Ideology in Shaping Scientific Thought
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Does Proselytizing Make Enemies or Disciples?
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Wheaton Scholar Finds Value in Judeo-Christian Values for Biodiversity Conservation
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Narnia on Tour Comes to Twin Cities
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Nancy Pearcey to speak on C-SPAN
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Nigel Cameron Addresses Cloning Issue
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More Than 600 People Attended Biblical Reliability Conference
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Schapp Sees Hope for the Future of Literature
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Gay Marriage Debate on TV
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University Professor Discusses 'Axiomatic Christianity'
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