Yale Paper Identifies Religious Trends
By Eileen Scott, Senior Writer
A Yale Daily News survey of the class of 2019 revealed that, while a majority of students identify with some form of religious belief, a large portion of the incoming class has no spiritual moorings.
NYCU Hosts Lecture by Anthony Bradley
by Catherine Elvy, Staff Writer
Laboring in the marketplace is part of a divine calling.That was the message from scholar and theologian Anthony Bradley when he spoke to a crowd of professionals at a New York City Christian Union Forum this summer in Midtown Manhattan.
Q & A with Caitlin La Ruffa
Christian Union: The Magazine interviewed Caitlin La Ruffa, the director of the Love and Fidelity Network in Princeton, New Jersey. The mission of the Love and Fidelity Network (LFN) is "to equip college students with the resources, support, and arguments they need to uphold the institution of marriage, the special role of the family, and sexual integrity within their university communities."
On October 30-31, the LFN hosted the Sexuality, Integrity, and the University Conference at Princeton University. Over 300 students attended the event, and nearly 300 more watched via live video stream.
Conference Audio is Now Available
Did you miss the New York City Christian Union Conference on Spiritual Warfare? Conference audio is now available for listening and learning about this thought-provoking issue in Christian life. Click on "Continue Reading" to find audio links.Cause and Effect
by Nick Nowalk, Christian Union Teaching FellowSooner or later, all thoughtful and sensitive Christians who are immersed in the stunning biblical vision for the flourishing of human sexuality must ask a simple yet pressing question: What went wrong?"A soul that turns away from You therefore lapses into sexual immorality when it seeks apart from You what it can never find in pure and serene form except by returning to You. All those who wander far away and set themselves up against You are imitating You, but in a perverse way; yet by this very mimicry they proclaim that you are the Creator of the whole of nature, and that in consequence there is no place whatever where we can hide from Your presence." − Augustine
Panel Discussion Features Princeton Alumni, Civic Leaders
by Catherine Elvy, Staff WriterRhinold Ponder is using his skills as an attorney, talk show host, and artist to advance dialogues about race in Princeton, New Jersey.
"My major focus is how we talk to each other to facilitate the conversation," said Ponder, Princeton '81. "We have a difficult time speaking to each other about race because we don't have a public language we all understand."
On September 20, Ponder appeared in a panel discussion entitled Getting Beyond Racism on behalf of the Princeton Community Democratic Organization inside the Suzanne Patterson Center.
His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence...
— 2 Peter 1:3
Measuring Life by Love
By Barrett Block
From ChristianUnion.org
Meet Barrett Block, Class of 2017. He is studying at The University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. Studying Scripture in depth, and spending regular one-on-one time going deeper with a Christian Union ministry fellow, prompted Barrett to consider how his life could better reflect his faith in Christ...
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Kayla & Andrew Ferguson, Harvard Law School '17
"We had only recently become engaged when we both applied and were admitted to Harvard Law School—and still only newlyweds when we began our studies.We were inspired by the rich Christian legacy at Harvard, and we felt called to rekindle spiritual passion at this historic law school while training to live out our faith in the legal field.
From Aesop’s animals seeking the wise owl to the people of Israel soliciting Solomon, the value of good advice has not diminished. However, one might argue that it can be harder to come by in a close-minded culture that silences dissent with the constant refrain of “do not judge me.” Nonetheless, one of the most brilliant scholars in academia – and Christian Union’s 2014 Christian Leader of the Year Award recipient – is regularly sought out by several major presidential candidates for his guidance, instruction, and wise counsel. Gifts Must be Postmarked by Dec. 31, 2015
Good news: for those age 70 ½ and older, it is once again possible to make tax-favored charitable gifts from IRA accounts.
On Friday, December 18, 2015, President Obama signed into law legislation that retroactively extends the charitable IRA rollover for 2015 and makes this provision permanent for future years. A total of up to $100,000 can be transferred directly from traditional or Roth IRAs to one or more qualified charities, such as Christian Union, free from federal income tax. These gifts count toward the mandatory drawdown of IRA holders 70 1/2 or older. There may also be state income tax savings.
An important note: To make such gifts,
The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. So He became as much superior to the angels as the name He has inherited is superior to theirs.
— Hebrews 1:3-4
An Interview with Pat Gelsinger
By Pat Gelsinger/Christian Union
From ChristianUnion.org
In December 2015, Christian Union presented the Christian Leader of the Year Award to a pioneer in the technology sector, Pat Gelsinger. In this video, Gelsinger talks about his experiences as a Christian leader and how he balances his faith and work as the head of a family and of a multibillion-dollar technology company...
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Advice & Inspiration from a Tech Leader
Gelsinger has made extraordinary contributions to his field, and his accomplishments are ones that affect many. But the ministry is especially pleased to commend his example as a faithful Christian leader.
Read more about Pat Gelsinger...
In December 2015, Christian Union presented the Christian Leader of the Year Award to a pioneer in the technology sector, Pat Gelsinger. Gelsinger provided advice and inspiration:
Ah Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm! Nothing is too difficult for You...
— Jeremiah 32:17
Leadership: Think Different
By John Cunningham
From YouTube
A leader can be characterized as capable and competent. They are the one "making things happen." But these are not the only distinguishing characteristics of a Christian leader. Using Matthew 20, John Cunningham, Christian Union ministry fellow at Penn, addresses students at Dartmouth to unpack the mode, motivation and model of distinctively "Christian" leadership...
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A recent article in the Columbia Spectator, the university’s newspaper, explores spirituality in the lives of athletes at Columbia. Christian Union’s ministry at Columbia is highlighted: Senior Joshua Foster, a wide receiver on the football team, grew up in the Methodist church as the son of a pastor. For him, that meant finding time for church every Sunday in between his practices and games. At Columbia he continued to attend church on his own.
Soon thereafter, he was introduced to Jim Black, the director of undergraduate ministry for Columbia Faith and Action.
Since its inception, CFA has been tightly linked to Columbia’s athletic community. Black estimates that 30-40 student-athletes are involved with CFA today—and the ministry now offers athlete specific Bible studies to fit their demanding schedules.
After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice:
“Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."
— Revelation 7:9-10
What Happened to Harvard?
By Peter Greer and Chris Horst
From Q Ideas
"Harvard was founded to prepare ministers of upright character," Derek Bok, president at Harvard University (1971–1991), penned these words in his annual letter to the Harvard Board in 1987. Candidly, he examined the storied history of America’s most prestigious university...
Read More Here >
To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, & Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World
By James Davison HunterHow does real culture change happen? Dr. James Davison Hunter, a sociologist who is the LaBrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture, and Social Theory at the University of Virginia and a Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum, addresses Christian assumptions about power, culture, culture change, and public engagement in a 30-minute lecture followed by 30 minutes of Q&A...
This link will take you to the website of the Trinity Forum, which hosted this fascinating lecture:
Listen Now >
“We need to be reminded of God’s provision. God’s grace. God’s goodness. Not always in eliminating the difficulties that we’re in. Rather in meeting us and sustaining us in the middle of situations. Growing us in those situations that are places of affliction, frustration and need and brokenness.”
Whom have I in heaven but you?
And earth has nothing I desire besides you.
My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.
— Psalm 73:25-26
To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, & Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World
By James Davison Hunter
From The Trinity Forum
How does real culture change happen? Dr. James Davison Hunter, a sociologist who is the LaBrosse-Levinson Distinguished Professor of Religion, Culture, and Social Theory at the University of Virginia and a Senior Fellow at the Trinity Forum, addresses Christian assumptions about power, culture, culture change, and public engagement in a 30-minute lecture followed by 30 minutes of Q&A...
Listen Now >
Christian leaders have been influencing the world for millennia. While the full impact of their work can never be truly measured, many leaders have already made their mark in history, bequeathing the ensuing generations with wisdom and examples to inspire and guide them. One such figure is 18th century British abolitionist William Wilberforce. Known and noted for his devout Christian faith, William Wilberforce led the anti-slave trade movement in Britain during the 18th century. Just three days before his death on July 29, 1833, Wilberforce learned that the Slavery Abolition Act – which would free almost all the slaves in the British Empire – would pass through parliament.
