Discussion Groups

Friday Conversations is a relaxed venue to watch films on various topics, hear professors reflect on their vocation, and discuss the implications of Christian faith for all aspects of life and learning. Pizza at 6.

Friday Conversations is a relaxed venue to watch films on various topics, hear professors reflect on their vocation, and discuss the implications of Christian faith for all aspects of life and learning. Pizza at 6.

With the recent recession and Wall Street receiving lots of attention (and blame), the question arises - What does Christian faithfulness look like in the business world? For this week's conversation, we will talk with Steven Calk about this sort of question. Join us for conversation at 5 and pizza at 6.

One of the key questions surrounding the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan was "Is this a just war?" What are the criteria for a just war? Or, can Christians endorse war? These are key questions that have long been discussed in Christian history. This week for Friday Conversations, these question will be explored by Dr. and Major Ryan O'Dowd of the US Air Force and Capt. Larry Olsen of the US Navy.

Since his book The Good News About Injustice came out in 1999, Gary Haugen and International Justice Mission (IJM) reinvigorated evangelicals' interest in justice and also received some attention from Dateline NBC, CNN, and other major news sources. Still, the often unrecognized reality that there are millions of slaves in the world is only beginning to receive proper attention. We will watch IJM's film At the End of Slavery and discuss it with James Bor, a Cornell student who interned with IJM this past summer. Join us for the film, conversation and pizza.

Offering reflections on race and faith, Cornell alumnus David Moriah will speak on his experiences as the only white man at the historic, 130 year old Shiloh Baptist Church in Trenton, NJ.  David Moriah is a husband, father, and founder of Cornell Outdoor Education.  He is a friend of Chesterton House and CH Director Karl Johnson, and looks forward to making new friends on Friday evening, September 24th.

As always, Pizza at 6.

n a small South Carolina town, one man's garden is touching the hearts and lives of a community. The film, A Man Named Pearl, draws out the inspiring reality of one man's creative labor and how it blesses his neighbors (some who were enemies). It sparks innumerable questions touching on creativity, work, leisure, race, stewardship, love and more. Find out why some are saying this movie paints a picture of the kingdom of God! Join us for the film, conversation and then pizza at 6.

God loves the world -- that's why he gave us the gift of Jesus. Do we love the world the way our heavenly Father does? Jesus wept over the city of Jerusalem. Are we touched by the plight of our city and the people of the world? How is it that we keep from becoming hard and indifferent to men and women as they are in the world?

Rev. Steve Froehlich will share some thoughts on these questions based on article he wrote, Why Bother with Culture? Please join us for conversation and questions. Pizza following at 6.

As we begin another school year, how do we make the most of it? What role does Christian faith play in guiding our choices in and out of the classroom? Is there a basis for bringing together studies and the Christian life? Dr. Ryan O'Dowd will begin to help us biblically answer some of these questions and more as kick off the academic year of 2010-11. Join us for discussion and pizza.

Frequently, we look for signs of life and revival in our lives, communities, and countries. What does revival and renewal look like, at Cornell in particular? Does college study have a place in it? We will look for some answers to questions like these from the wisdom literature and Robin Williams and also talk about the point of Friday Conversations. Justin McGeary will be tackling this week's topic, and there will be time for dialogue and questions as well as pizza. Please join us.