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The most recent articles, videos, blog entries, and more that have been added to ChristianUnion.org.
The Nature of Christian Scholarship; Preparing for Public Service; A Matter of Identity; Aspects of a Christian Worldview, Part 2; Having Your Smartphone Nearby Takes a Toll on Your Thinking and more, in this issue of Christian Union's bi-monthly email brief.
And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”
— Luke 10:27
Christian Union is completely dependent on God to provide needed resources through its financial partners. While annual gifts are the lifeblood of this growing ministry, many partners also have a desire to include Christian Union in their family legacy. These “legacy gifts” can provide important tax-saving benefits and income for life to the giver and their loved ones and help to ensure that generations of men and women will continue to be trained and discipled with the Gospel, with the ultimate goal of equipping leaders who have submitted their lives and vocations to Christ.
by James M. Garretson
Read part one of this post here.
Formation of a Christian worldview is ultimately rooted in a Christian’s relationship with Christ. The bible teaches that our nature, by virtue of physical birth, is one of spiritual death and alienation from God. Any parent knows that they do not need to teach their children to do wrong; even the youngest child can act in a sinful manner by instinct and disposition. Sinful behavior only multiplies throughout our lives.
Sin is both a condition and an activity. In the words of a sixteenth century Protestant catechism, “sin is any want of conformity to, or transgression of, the law of God.” Every part of our nature has been infected by sin; our minds are described by scripture as darkened and our consciences hardened in our natural state. Mankind, scripture announces, is dead in sin and trespasses.
Read part one of this post here.
Formation of a Christian worldview is ultimately rooted in a Christian’s relationship with Christ. The bible teaches that our nature, by virtue of physical birth, is one of spiritual death and alienation from God. Any parent knows that they do not need to teach their children to do wrong; even the youngest child can act in a sinful manner by instinct and disposition. Sinful behavior only multiplies throughout our lives.
Sin is both a condition and an activity. In the words of a sixteenth century Protestant catechism, “sin is any want of conformity to, or transgression of, the law of God.” Every part of our nature has been infected by sin; our minds are described by scripture as darkened and our consciences hardened in our natural state. Mankind, scripture announces, is dead in sin and trespasses.
Care Net CEO Honored at Nexus Conference
By Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer
At the Nexus Student Conference this winter, plenary speaker Roland Warren talked about servant leadership and Christianity’s counterintuitive pathway to true success.
“You are meant for greatness – true greatness,” said Warren (Princeton ’83, Penn MBA ’96), chief executive officer of Care Net. “I’m hoping to inspire you to live truly great, in the upside-down way we find in the Bible.”
Christian Union New York Hosts Os Guinness
by catherine elvy, staff writer
Throughout 2017, in conjunction with the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, many churches, universities, and institutions explored its far-reaching significance, especially the way it reshaped Christendom and the stream of Western history.
In February, Os Guinness contributed to this ongoing conversation when the prolific author and social critic appeared on behalf of Christian Union New York, a ministry to emerging leaders and professionals. More than 115 people attended the Forum, held in February at The Union League Club.
Conference Is Refreshing for Dartmouth Students
by catherine elvy, staff writer
A winter conference for Christian Union at Dartmouth featured a teaching that helped students better absorb the Word of God.
In January at Singing Hills Christian Camp in Plainfield, New Hampshire, Ministry Fellow Julia Carlisle introduced the multi-step, contemplative prayer activity known as Lectio Divina, or divine reading.
“It’s an ancient practice of slowing down while reading Scripture and meditating on it several times, paying attention to what the Holy Spirit calls your heart to and then praying into that,” she said.
Carlisle’s exercise focused on Romans 5 and its themes of justification by faith and peace with God.
Hein ’20 Is Persistent in Pursuing God
by tom campisi, managing editor
Adrienne Hein is a leader with the Seeking God Team for Christian Union at Cornell.
During the 40 days of Lent, Hein ’20 led by example. The Hotel Administration and French major joined Christians from various campus ministries at 10 p.m. for 45 minutes of prayer each evening. Hein made the uphill trek from her dorm to the Cornell House of Prayer to intercede on behalf of the campus community with approximately 20-30 other students. The Cornell House of Prayer is a place near campus where Christians gather “to glorify God and establish His Presence at Cornell University through intercession and worship.”
Climbing the “Cornell Slope” every night was quite a mountaintop experience that changed Hein’s outlook on prayer.
“She kept going. And the Lord met her there every time,” said Carrie Jussely, a Christian Union ministry fellow at Cornell.
Beck and Curtis Are Interns in Washington, D.C.
by catherine elvy, staff writer
A pair of Harvard Law School students are widening their professional horizons and skill sets while exploring careers within the public sector.
Kaitlyn Beck ’19 and Kelsey Curtis ’18 are spending the spring semester in Washington, D.C., where they are completing internships with the U.S. Department of Justice. The pair view such experiences as foundational to careers that will involve government service.
Beck and Curtis, who are participants in Christian Union’s ministry to Harvard law students, aspire to use their intellectual talents to reflect their faith in professional spheres.
Retreat Has Special Meaning for Christian Union at Brown
by tom campisi, managing editor
Christian Union at Brown hosted a historic and joyous senior retreat this spring.
Ministry fellows gathered on Cape Cod with the 12 students who comprise the first graduating class since the organization was launched four years ago.
“It was a really great time to celebrate all they have done here at Brown in the last four years,” said Matt Woodard, Christian Union’s ministry director at Brown. “These 12 students were instrumental in getting this ministry started. It was great to see how God is working in their lives, to hear their stories, and reflect together.”
Kao ’18 Reflects on Stellar Swimming Season, Spiritual Growth
By catherine elvy, staff writer
As a student athlete, Derek Kao readily has embraced the importance of teamwork and brotherhood, priorities the Yale College senior hopes to take into the medical field.
As a member of the men’s swimming team, the California native was proud to make a splash for the Bulldogs at meets across the region, including the 2018 Ivy League Championships. Likewise, Kao also sports a growing passion for reflecting his faith, both in and out of the pool.
“Yale swimming has taught me what it means to be part of a greater cause and purpose,” said Kao.
Notably, the pre-med student has flourished spiritually since arriving at Yale, especially via the mentorship he has received from Christian Union’s ministry.
