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 Taking on the Spaghetti Monster Ratio ChristiFolks, do your college kids know that when it comes to faith, reason is on their side? Listen Now | Download
On March 24th, the masses are expected to descend on the Washington Mall for what is being labeled as “largest secular event in world history.” The ill-named “Reason Rally” will celebrate atheism, complete with live music, food, comedians, and a speaker line-up that includes famed atheists like Richard Dawkins and PZ Myers. I don’t know about you, but it strikes me as strange that people — like the members of Missouri State University’s atheist club known as the “Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster” — are gathering to revel in their shared bond of not believing in something. It might sound like nonsense to you or me, but maybe not too many Americans in the under-30 crowd. While there are no hard facts on how many young Americans don’t believe in God, we do know that atheist — or non-theist — groups are on the rise on college campuses, filled with kids who grew up in Christian homes. According to the Barna Research Group, three in five “Christian” kids abandon the church after the age of 15. Eighty-four percent of 18- to 29- year olds who call themselves “Christians” admit that they have no idea how the Bible applies to their occupation. It’s no understatement that the church has done a poor job in teaching our young people that reason and faith are not opposites, and that atheists are far from being on the side of reason. You can find on our website a chart which I use to demonstrate the various worldviews work out, and which one, Christianity, is rational. Many kids, however, who grow up huddled in a Christian environment find themselves in the university setting completely unequipped to defend the rationality of the Christian faith against the secular humanist worldview so prevalent on college campuses. Well, there are several Christian groups doing something about it. Last September, I heard about a new group called “Ratio Christi” — Latin for “The Reason for Christ” — that is starting up student apologetics clubs to reclaim the intellectual battleground on college campuses. The first club began at Appalachian State University in 2008; it has since grown to 65 chapters, including one in South Africa that draws over 200 students. By coming alongside campus ministries, not starting their own, these grassroots groups are filling a very obvious need. At weekly meetings, students can interact with trained apologists who give them with credible answers and deal with the crucial questions of life, like “Does God really exist?” and “Is Christianity consistent with science?” Let me share what one student said after participating in a Ratio Christi club at North Carolina State: “Ratio Christi has given me something that I did not know exists — a rational and logical defense for my faith. When I dialogue with atheists, they are shocked I have a defense. When I run into skeptics, they are overwhelmed by the amount of evidence supporting creation. Last but not least, when I talk to Christians with questions about this, they find that their belief has a strong, historical foundation that cannot be shaken.” Folks, this is music to my ears. A young, bright, college kid who gets it — and who is willing to defend the faith and make the case that Christianity is truly the only reasonable worldview there is. Come to BreakPoint.org to learn more about Ratio Christi and other organizations like Veritas. We’ll link you to them.Further Reading and Information
Answering Four Questions Worldview Grid |
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I was disappointed in the grid as it didn't exactly clarify things for anyone not already firmly entrenched in a Christ centered worldview. Today's youth will not be so easily persuaded. 60% is very encouraging, hopefully that number will increase and offer even more opportunity for apologetics on campus.
I have met (via telephone) some of RC's administrative and recruiting staff. They are a God-send to His church. If you are a trained Christian apologist (whether self-taught intensively or formally credentialed) Ratio Christi would like to hear from you regarding your interest in working as a full-time apologetics missionary assisting existing Christian ministries on and around a university campus.
I, too, would like to answer what I would like to believe is the Lord's call on my own life in this capacity (i.e. become Ratio Christi campus or regional apologist), but employment (actually unemployment) circumstances are currently prohibiting the pursuit of that desire.
If anyone would like to visit a multidisciplinary apologetics blog (i.e. not limited to Christian faith issues) citing literally of hundreds of scholarly papers and news articles on a wide variety of worldview topics (yes, politics are included), feel free to visit Another Slow News Day (http://anotherslownewsday.wordpress.com/).
And may God bless both Prison Fellowship and Ratio Christi, whether or not He calls me to work for either one of them.
@ His feet,
Nobody Important
(You can find on our website a chart which I use to demonstrate the various worldviews work out...)