College Faith

Welcome to another edition of the College Faith podcast, sponsored by Global Scholars. My guest today is Dr. Perry Glanzer, Professor of Education at Baylor University. In this episode we discuss the ins and outs of being an excellent student, which goes far beyond just earning good grades.   Perry earned his Ph.D. from the University of Southern California, and is Baylor’s Professor of Educational Foundations, as well as a Resident Scholar with Baylor’s Institute for Studies in Religion. He has authored, co-authored, or edited a number of important books on the integration of biblical truth and academic studies, including Christianity and Scholarship in Higher Education. In addition, he has published over 75 journal articles and book chapters on topics related to moral education, faith-based higher education, and the relationship between faith and scholarship. Perry is also the current Editor-in-Chief of Christian Scholar’s Review. In this podcast we discuss: Why it is important for Christian students to focus on excellence, rather than rules   How Christian students will benefit by reading his book Identity in Action: Christian Excellence in All of Life  What being a good student involves (beyond just getting good grades) Unique challenges Christian students face in being good students  The relationship between pursuing excellence and understanding one’s calling What steps a student can take to become excellence (beyond just “following the rules”) Learning how to really read–the three levels of reading How to think well and biblically about the issues discussed in classes and textbooks–”Christian critical thinking” A Case Study: Christian critical thinking and Critical Race Theory A Case Study: Christian critical thinking and Economic theory  How Christian critical thinking is contrary to modern educational philosophy, and how Christian students can swim against this tide   Ways to find mentors among Christian professors in one’s major  Why Christian students should consider joining a Christian professional society   Is the cost of college worth it? Perry’s experience teaching in Russia The role of our identity in Christ and his grace in the journey toward excellence  Resources mentioned during our conversation: Perry Glanzer, Identity in Action: Christian Excellence in All of Life Mortimer Adler and Charles VanDoren, How to Read a Book: The Classic Guide to Intelligent Reading Ron Blue, Master Your Money: A Step-by-Step Plan for Experiencing Financial Contentment “How To Get Better Grades and Have More Fun,” College Faith Episode #9 with Dr. Philip Bishop Christian Scholar’s Review Christian professional societies  Christian Scholar’s Review Bibliography on integrating faith and academic disciplines Christian Scholar’s Review Blog on integrating faith and academic disciplines  Mike Metzger, Sequencing: Deciphering Your Company’s DNA (“Ought-Is-Can-Will”) Global Scholars  Christian Legal Society Christian Medical and Dental Associations Nurses Christian Fellowship Alasdair MacIntyre, After Virtue: A Study in Moral Theory 

In this episode I talk with Dr. Randy Newman about the importance of asking good questions. Whether it be in class, in relationships, or in conversations about our faith, the ability to ask the right questions is often the key to great conversations, learning, and growth.  Randy is one of the best “question-askers” I know. He has shared some of his wisdom on this topic as it relates to sharing the good news of the gospel with others in his popular book Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts The Way Jesus Did. We begin with the principles he shares in this book and broaden the conversation to the many other types of conversations we often have. Randy and I have been friends for over 30 years. Though we no longer serve together in the same ministry, we remain close friends. I am always a better person after our conversations, due largely to Randy’s ability to ask me good questions! Randy currently serves the Senior Fellow for Apologetics and Evangelism at the C.S. Lewis Institute.   In this podcast we discuss: What happens when we ask others questions How Randy’s Jewish background helped him learn to ask good questions How his failures in sharing the gospel lead him to begin asking questions The starting assumption that causes us to not ask questions in evangelism   Examples of how his questions led to good conversations with skeptics of the Christian faith Tips to help us all get better at asking good questions The importance of how we ask questions, in addition to the questions we ask The value of “asking permission” to have a conversation about spiritual matters How we can respond well when a non-believer asks us questions about our faith How Jesus modeled for us how to ask good questions to get to the real issues When we should not answer questions we are asked by non-believers How students can excel academically by asking their professors good questions Why and how to respond with questions when a professor is openly hostile to your faith How a student’s respect and questions helped an atheistic professor come to faith in Christ Accomplishing more by accomplishing less in conversations How asking good questions helps us develop deeper friendships  Why asking questions serves others and is a tangible way to show love  The importance of asking good questions when on a date, and what to listen for in his or her answers Some questions to ask when searching for a good church, and the right people to ask  Questions to ask when choosing a major, and the right people to ask How to have great summers by asking the right questions Errors to avoid when asking others questions The important role of asking God hard questions, and asking others our hard questions about God Examples in media of those who ask good questions, and those who don’t  Randy’s newest book, coming out in September!  Resources mentioned during our conversation: Books by Randy: Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts the Way Jesus Did  Corner Conversations: Engaging Dialogues About God and Life Bringing the Gospel Home: Witnessing to Family Members, Close Friends, and Others Who Know You Well Unlikely Converts: Improbable Stories of Faith and What They Teach Us About Evangelism Mere Evangelism: 10 Insights from C.S. Lewis to Help You Share Your Faith Lyle Dorsett Orthodoxy by G.K. Chesterton Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis The “On Being” podcast by Christian Tippit