Penn Faculty_Staff Christian Forum Past

Past Speakers

Veritas Speakers and Other Guests
FSCF Weekly Presenters & Topics

Veritas Speakers and Other Guests:
1990 to Present

2009
Dr. Lucas Morel, Professor of Politics, Washington & Lee University
Lincoln: Pragmatic Politician or Inspired Prophet?

2008
First Annual New Faculty Welcome Luncheon
(in lieu of a speaker event)

2007
Hon. Mark Siljander, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N.
Countering Terrorism by Bridging the Muslim/West Divide
(Veritas Keynote Luncheon)

2006
Andy Crouch, M.Div. , Author and contributing editor to Christianity Today
Christians and Cultural Power: Where is America Headed?

2005
Drew Trotter, PhD, Center for Christian Study, Charlottesville, VA
Meaning and the Movies: What the 5 Academy Award Nominees for Best Picture Tell Us About Ourselves
(Veritas Keynote Luncheon)

2004
Ed Welch, PhD, Christian Counseling & Education Foundation
When People are Big and God is Small

2003
John Patrick, M.D., Augustine College, Ottawa
Ethical Decisions in a Society Without Consensus
Manipulating Human Society Through Molecular Biology
(Medical Ethics Seminar)

2002
Tom Key, Emory University; Theatrical Outfit, Atlanta
C.S. Lewis On Stage (one-man drama)

2001
Matthew Conolly, M.D., Prof. of Anesthesiology; UCLA Medical Center
The Medical Alternative to Assisted Suicide (Medical Ethics Seminar)
Euthanasia, Pain and Suffering: A Physician Speaks From Experience

2000
John Patrick, M.D., University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine
The Myth of Moral Neutrality
What Hippocrates Knew and We Have Forgotten (Medical Ethics Seminar)
Dr. William Edgar, Prof. of Apologetics; Westminster Theological Seminary
Heaven in a Night Club: The Spiritual Roots of Jazz (Black History Month concert)

1999
Dr. William Edgar, Prof. of Apologetics; Westminster Theological Seminary
The Great Reversal: The Power of the Powerless

1998
Dr. Michael Behe, Prof. of Biochemistry; Lehigh University
Darwin's Black Box

1997
Dr. David Aikman, Senior foreign correspondent for TIME; The Trinity Forum
Injustice, Human Rights and Hope
China and the World: Do Human Rights Matter?

1996
Dr. Hugh Ross, Astrophysicist; Reasons To Believe, Pasadena
Beyond the Cosmos: God's Extra-dimensional Metaphysics

1995
Dr. Phillip Johnson, Prof. of Law; University of California, Berkeley;
Can Science Know the Mind of God?
Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Scientific Naturalism

1994
Dr. Paul Vitz, Prof. of Psychology; New York University
The Psychology of Atheism: Psychological Reasons for Rejecting God
Dr. Boris Gontarev, President, World Academy of Civilizations, Moscow
Russia: The Current Political, Economic and Spiritual Condition

1993
Dr. Henry "Fritz" Schaefer, Computational Quantum Chemistry; University of Georgia
Stephen Hawking, the Big Bang, and God

1992
Udo Middelmann, Philosophy; Francis A. Schaeffer Foundation, Gryon, Switzerland
Culture, Christianity, Education and Reality

1991
Dr. Otto Helweg, Dean of Architecture & Engineering; North Dakota State University
Are Science and Theism Incompatible?
Dr. Phillip Johnson, Prof. of Law; University of California, Berkeley;
Darwin on Trial

1990
Dr. Alvin Plantinga, Prof. of Philosophy; University of Notre Dame
Christianity and the University

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FSCF Weekly Presenters & Topics

Spring 2009
Abraham Lincoln & Abolition
(Steve Kocher, William Singleton & Lucas Morel)
Being a Lighthouse in Life's Storms, Bob Snyder, M.D.
After the Fall: An Insider Look at the Global Recession, David Skeel, Robert Burns, Marty Asher

Fall 2008
Loving God with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind, & Strength (various presenters)
A Visit with the New Chaplain, Rev. Chaz Howard

Spring 2008
Understanding Judaism
(Rabbi Aaron Feuer & other guest presenters)
Parables for Professors (various presenters)

Fall 2007
The Hard Sayings of Jesus (various presenters)
Dr. John Patrick (with Medical students)
Roundtable on The Penn Veritas Forum

Spring 2007
“God’s Calling to _________ [various disciplines]”
Reviews of “The Language of God” by Francis Collins

Fall 2006
Understanding Islam
(Imam Amin Aziz & other guest presenters)

Spring 2006
The Dover Ruling on I.D.
Living with Cancer (colleagues and survivors)
Spiritual Journeys, Hiro Nakagawa and Aisha Shah
The Da Vinci Code, David Moles

Fall 2005
To Forgive Is Human, Timothy Pretz
Meaning and the Movies - Roundtable

Spring 2005

WHY? Finding Purpose in Suffering, Gina Barrett (School of Medicine) and William Singleton (ULAR)
Christian Reflections of a Criminal Investigator, Jack Aduddell, Federal Agent/EPA
The Church & State Debate: Another View, (a response to campus debate), David Skeel (Penn Law)
Worldviews and The Lord of the Rings, Paul Axelsen
(Pharmacology) and Reuben Wetherbee (School of Medicine)

Fall 2004

The Question of God, discussion series on Dr. Armand Nicholi's book on Freud and C.S. Lewis.
When People Are Big and God is Small, Dr. Ed Welch (CCEF and
Westminster Theological Seminary).
Bible Passages Series, FSCF participants sharing passages of scripture, in passages of their lives.

Spring 2004

Thoughts on Jay Budziszewski & Natural Law, David Skeel (Penn Law)
The Passion of the Christ, (film review/discussion) sessions led by Steve Dunning (Relig. Studies) and Mike Moore (HUP/HIV Care)
Retelling the Story of Science, guest lecture by Stephen Barr, U. of Delaware (Physics)
Science as Christian Vocation: The Case of Robert Boyle, guest lecture by Ted Davis, Messiah College, (History of Science)
Bible Passages Series, FSCF participants sharing passages of scripture, in passages of their lives.

2003

Fall
Bible Passages Series, FSCF participants sharing passages of scripture, in passages of their lives.
Bioethics: What does it mean to be human?, Discussions of Dr. John Partick's Veritas lectures.

Spring
Bible Passages Series, FSCF participants sharing passages of scripture, in passages of their lives.

2002

The years 1995-2002 were characterized by book discussions and presenters of talks, integrating our faith with academic issues.

Fall
Reflections on the Fall of Enron, talk by Dr. David Skeel (Penn Law)
A Christian Critique of the University, book by Dr. Charles Habib Malik, (Philosophy, American University/Beirut; President of the U.N. General Assembly)
Spring
The Case for Faith: the Toughest Objections to Christianity, book by Lee Strobel
The Liberated Imagination: Thinking Christianly About the Arts, book by Dr. Leland Ryken (English Literature, Wheaton College)

2001

Fall
The Case for Faith: the Toughest Objections to Christianity, book by Lee Strobel
Spring
The HIV Epidemic: Reflections of a Christian Physician, talk by Dr. Rob Roy MacGregor (Infectious Diseases, HUP)
The Abolition of Man, book on Eugenics by C.S. Lewis
Christian Perspectives on Bioethics
My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, reflections by Dr. Steve Dunning (Religious Studies)
Bible Translations: Literary Criteria and Issues, talk by Dr. Leland Ryken (English Literature, Wheaton College)

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2000

Fall
Finding Common Ground: How to Communicate With Those Outside the Body of Christ…While We Still Can, book by Tim Downs (Cultural Apologist, CCC)
Sowing to the Culture (material from Tim Downs & Dr. John Patrick)
Spring
The Vision of CRRUCS, explained by Dr. Byron Johnson (Sociology, Penn)
Out of the Mouth of a Devil, talk on Screwtape Letters, by Dr. Carolyn Keefe (Lewis Scholar)
The Screwtape Letters, book by C.S. Lewis
Prometheus: Saint or Demon? talk by Dr. Jerry Culley (Greek & Latin Classics, University of Delaware)
Visiting Scholars to Bulgaria, report by Dr. Mike Atchison on his short term missions trip with Christian Leadership Ministries

1999

Fall
The Weight of Glory, essay by C.S. Lewis
Spiritual Life at Penn, a conversation with Rev. Will Gipson (University Chaplain)
Pragmatic Prophets, in Christianity Today (on John DiIulio, Millard Fuller, Jim Wallis)
Spring
Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians- book by Kelly Monroe, Co-founder of the Veritas Forum
Finding Messiah at Penn, talk by Randy Newman, Jewish follower of Jesus
Ethics of Genetic Testing, talk by Dr. Michael Atchison (Biochemistry, PennVet)
Christians and Markets, talk by Dr. Tom Dunfee (Legal Studies, Wharton)
Mother Theresa of Calcutta, video shown by Dr. Steve Dunning (Religious Studies)
Cultural Apologetics & the Arts, talk by Dr. Bill Edgar, Westminster Theological Seminary

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1998

Fall
Essays from God in the Dock and selected works (100th Anniversary of C.S. Lewis' Birthday)
Darwin's Black Box - book by Dr. Michael Behe (Biochemistry, Lehigh Univ.)
Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians book by Kelly Monroe, Co-founder of the Veritas Forum
Spring
Redeeming the Time - book by Dr. Leland Ryken (English Literature, Wheaton College)

1997

Fall
Making Sense Out of Suffering - book by Dr. Peter Kreeft (Philosophy, Boston College)
Spring
Spiritual Awakening and the 1994 Election in South Africa
Spiritual Awakening and Culture in India
Christians and the Media (series)

1996

Fall
The History of Prayer & Spiritual Awakening on Campuses
Prayer & Spiritual Awakening on Campuses Today
Spring
Conflicting Worldviews series (Christian and Pantheist)
Worldviews Case Study: Animal Rights Issues
Ministering in the Secular University, seminar by Dr. Rae Mellichamp (Christian Leadership)

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1995

The years 1991-1995 were focused on:

Integrating our faith with academic issues
Spiritual journeys of FSCF members
Applying the Scriptures to our lives in academia (Acts, Daniel, Romans 8)

Fall
Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Scientific Naturalism, book by Dr. Phillip Johnson,
(Law, University of California, Berkeley)
Spring
Romans 8

1994

Spring
The Book of Acts
Fall
The Book of Daniel

1993

Spring
Spiritual Journeys
Fall
Your Work Matters to God, book by Doug Sherman & William Hendricks

April 3, 1991
First regular meeting of the Penn FSCF

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contact us	Past Speakers Veritas Speakers and Other Guests FSCF Weekly Presenters & Topics Veritas Speakers and Other Guests: 1990 to Present 2009 Dr. Lucas Morel, Professor of Politics, Washington & Lee University Lincoln: Pragmatic Politician or Inspired Prophet? 2008 First Annual New Faculty Welcome Luncheon (in lieu of a speaker event) 2007 Hon. Mark Siljander, former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Countering Terrorism by Bridging the Muslim/West Divide (Veritas Keynote Luncheon) 2006 Andy Crouch, M.Div. , Author and contributing editor to Christianity Today Christians and Cultural Power: Where is America Headed? 2005 Drew Trotter, PhD, Center for Christian Study, Charlottesville, VA Meaning and the Movies: What the 5 Academy Award Nominees for Best Picture Tell Us About Ourselves (Veritas Keynote Luncheon) 2004 Ed Welch, PhD, Christian Counseling & Education Foundation When People are Big and God is Small 2003 John Patrick, M.D., Augustine College, Ottawa Ethical Decisions in a Society Without Consensus Manipulating Human Society Through Molecular Biology (Medical Ethics Seminar) 2002 Tom Key, Emory University; Theatrical Outfit, Atlanta C.S. Lewis On Stage (one-man drama) 2001 Matthew Conolly, M.D., Prof. of Anesthesiology; UCLA Medical Center The Medical Alternative to Assisted Suicide (Medical Ethics Seminar) Euthanasia, Pain and Suffering: A Physician Speaks From Experience 2000 John Patrick, M.D., University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine The Myth of Moral Neutrality What Hippocrates Knew and We Have Forgotten (Medical Ethics Seminar) Dr. William Edgar, Prof. of Apologetics; Westminster Theological Seminary Heaven in a Night Club: The Spiritual Roots of Jazz (Black History Month concert) 1999 Dr. William Edgar, Prof. of Apologetics; Westminster Theological Seminary The Great Reversal: The Power of the Powerless 1998 Dr. Michael Behe, Prof. of Biochemistry; Lehigh University Darwin's Black Box 1997 Dr. David Aikman, Senior foreign correspondent for TIME; The Trinity Forum Injustice, Human Rights and Hope China and the World: Do Human Rights Matter? 1996 Dr. Hugh Ross, Astrophysicist; Reasons To Believe, Pasadena Beyond the Cosmos: God's Extra-dimensional Metaphysics 1995 Dr. Phillip Johnson, Prof. of Law; University of California, Berkeley; Can Science Know the Mind of God? Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Scientific Naturalism 1994 Dr. Paul Vitz, Prof. of Psychology; New York University The Psychology of Atheism: Psychological Reasons for Rejecting God Dr. Boris Gontarev, President, World Academy of Civilizations, Moscow Russia: The Current Political, Economic and Spiritual Condition 1993 Dr. Henry "Fritz" Schaefer, Computational Quantum Chemistry; University of Georgia Stephen Hawking, the Big Bang, and God 1992 Udo Middelmann, Philosophy; Francis A. Schaeffer Foundation, Gryon, Switzerland Culture, Christianity, Education and Reality 1991 Dr. Otto Helweg, Dean of Architecture & Engineering; North Dakota State University Are Science and Theism Incompatible? Dr. Phillip Johnson, Prof. of Law; University of California, Berkeley; Darwin on Trial 1990 Dr. Alvin Plantinga, Prof. of Philosophy; University of Notre Dame Christianity and the University Return to Top FSCF Weekly Presenters & Topics Spring 2009 *Abraham Lincoln & Abolition* (Steve Kocher, William Singleton & Lucas Morel) *Being a Lighthouse in Life's Storms,* Bob Snyder, M.D. *After the Fall: An Insider Look at the Global Recession, David Skeel, Robert Burns, Marty Asher Fall 2008* *Loving God with All Your Heart, Soul, Mind, & Strength* (various presenters) *A Visit with the New Chaplain, Rev. Chaz Howard Spring 2008* *Understanding Judaism* (Rabbi Aaron Feuer & other guest presenters) *Parables for Professors* (various presenters) Fall 2007 *The Hard Sayings of Jesus* (various presenters) *Dr. John Patrick* (with Medical students) *Roundtable on The Penn Veritas Forum* Spring 2007 *“God’s Calling to _________ [various disciplines]”* *Reviews of “The Language of God”* by Francis Collins Fall 2006 *Understanding Islam* (Imam Amin Aziz & other guest presenters) Spring 2006 *The Dover Ruling on I.D.* *Living with Cancer* (colleagues and survivors) *Spiritual Journeys, Hiro Nakagawa and Aisha Shah The Da Vinci Code, David Moles Fall 2005* *To Forgive Is Human, Timothy Pretz Meaning and the Movies* - Roundtable Spring 2005 *WHY? Finding Purpose in Suffering, Gina Barrett (School of Medicine) and William Singleton (ULAR) Christian Reflections of a Criminal Investigator, Jack Aduddell, Federal Agent/EPA The Church & State Debate: Another View, (a response to campus debate), David Skeel (Penn Law) Worldviews and The Lord of the Rings, Paul Axelsen (Pharmacology) and Reuben Wetherbee (School of Medicine) Fall 2004* *The Question of God,* discussion series on Dr. Armand Nicholi's book on Freud and C.S. Lewis. When People Are Big and God is Small, Dr. Ed Welch (CCEF and Westminster Theological Seminary). Bible Passages Series, FSCF participants sharing passages of scripture, in passages of their lives. Spring 2004 *Thoughts on Jay Budziszewski & Natural Law,* David Skeel (Penn Law) *The Passion of the Christ,* (film review/discussion) sessions led by Steve Dunning (Relig. Studies) and Mike Moore (HUP/HIV Care) Retelling the Story of Science, guest lecture by Stephen Barr, U. of Delaware (Physics) *Science as Christian Vocation: The Case of Robert Boyle,* guest lecture by Ted Davis, Messiah College, (History of Science) Bible Passages Series, FSCF participants sharing passages of scripture, in passages of their lives. 2003 Fall Bible Passages Series, FSCF participants sharing passages of scripture, in passages of their lives. Bioethics: What does it mean to be human?, Discussions of Dr. John Partick's Veritas lectures. Spring Bible Passages Series, FSCF participants sharing passages of scripture, in passages of their lives. 2002 The years 1995-2002* were characterized by book discussions and presenters of talks, integrating our faith with academic issues.* Fall Reflections on the Fall of Enron, talk by Dr. David Skeel (Penn Law) A Christian Critique of the University, book by Dr. Charles Habib Malik, (Philosophy, American University/Beirut; President of the U.N. General Assembly) Spring The Case for Faith: the Toughest Objections to Christianity, book by Lee Strobel The Liberated Imagination: Thinking Christianly About the Arts, book by Dr. Leland Ryken (English Literature, Wheaton College) 2001 Fall The Case for Faith: the Toughest Objections to Christianity, book by Lee Strobel Spring The HIV Epidemic: Reflections of a Christian Physician, talk by Dr. Rob Roy MacGregor (Infectious Diseases, HUP) The Abolition of Man, book on Eugenics by C.S. Lewis Christian Perspectives on Bioethics My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, reflections by Dr. Steve Dunning (Religious Studies) Bible Translations: Literary Criteria and Issues, talk by Dr. Leland Ryken (English Literature, Wheaton College) Return to Top 2000 Fall Finding Common Ground: How to Communicate With Those Outside the Body of Christ…While We Still Can, book by Tim Downs (Cultural Apologist, CCC) Sowing to the Culture (material from Tim Downs & Dr. John Patrick) Spring The Vision of CRRUCS, explained by Dr. Byron Johnson (Sociology, Penn) Out of the Mouth of a Devil, talk on Screwtape Letters, by Dr. Carolyn Keefe (Lewis Scholar) The Screwtape Letters, book by C.S. Lewis Prometheus: Saint or Demon? talk by Dr. Jerry Culley (Greek & Latin Classics, University of Delaware) Visiting Scholars to Bulgaria, report by Dr. Mike Atchison on his short term missions trip with Christian Leadership Ministries 1999 Fall The Weight of Glory, essay by C.S. Lewis Spiritual Life at Penn, a conversation with Rev. Will Gipson (University Chaplain) Pragmatic Prophets, in Christianity Today (on John DiIulio, Millard Fuller, Jim Wallis) Spring Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians- book by Kelly Monroe, Co-founder of the Veritas Forum Finding Messiah at Penn, talk by Randy Newman, Jewish follower of Jesus Ethics of Genetic Testing, talk by Dr. Michael Atchison (Biochemistry, PennVet) Christians and Markets, talk by Dr. Tom Dunfee (Legal Studies, Wharton) Mother Theresa of Calcutta, video shown by Dr. Steve Dunning (Religious Studies) Cultural Apologetics & the Arts, talk by Dr. Bill Edgar, Westminster Theological Seminary Return to Top 1998 Fall *Essays from God in the Dock and selected works* (100th Anniversary of C.S. Lewis' Birthday) Darwin's Black Box - book by Dr. Michael Behe (Biochemistry, Lehigh Univ.) Finding God at Harvard: Spiritual Journeys of Thinking Christians book by Kelly Monroe, Co-founder of the Veritas Forum Spring Redeeming the Time - book by Dr. Leland Ryken (English Literature, Wheaton College) 1997 Fall Making Sense Out of Suffering - book by Dr. Peter Kreeft (Philosophy, Boston College) Spring *Spiritual Awakening* and the 1994 Election in South Africa Spiritual Awakening and Culture in India *Christians and the Media* (series) 1996 Fall *The History of Prayer & Spiritual Awakening on Campuses* Prayer & Spiritual Awakening on Campuses Today Spring Conflicting Worldviews series (Christian and Pantheist) *Worldviews Case Study: Animal Rights Issues* Ministering in the Secular University, seminar by Dr. Rae Mellichamp (Christian Leadership) Return to Top 1995 The years 1991-1995* were focused on:* Integrating our faith with academic issues Spiritual journeys of FSCF members Applying the Scriptures to our lives in academia (Acts, Daniel, Romans 8) Fall Reason in the Balance: The Case Against Scientific Naturalism, book by Dr. Phillip Johnson, (Law, University of California, Berkeley) Spring *Romans 8* 1994 Spring *The Book of Acts* Fall The Book of Daniel 1993 Spring *Spiritual Journeys* Fall Your Work Matters to God, book by Doug Sherman & William Hendricks April 3, 1991 *First regular meeting of the Penn FSCF* Return to Top