2005 Miracle Yearbook

The Staley Lectureship consistently promises to be an engaging time of fresh perspectives and intellectual dialogue at Cedarville University. This year's series was no exception, Dr. Francis Beckwith challenged Cedarville faculty, staff, and students with the power of the Christian worldview and the urgency to become involved in the integration of Biblical values with contemporary society. Dr. Beckwith is Associate Director of the J.M. Dawson Institute of Church-State Studies and Associate Professor of Church-State Studies at Baylor University. A member in good standing of the James Madison Society at Princeton University, Beckwith shared his extensive research and vocational experience with the Cedarville family. The first of three chapel messages dealt with worldview and social polity in general; day two featured a lecture on abortion and the pro-life movement; and on day three Beckwith addressed the clash of evolution and creation in the context of America's public schools Joe Holecko,a sophomore, noted,"These lectures affected me and brought me more in touch with the worldviews around us every day." As always, the Staley lectures evoked thoughtful dialogue on campus Some students agreed strongly with Beckwith's positions Keith Sider, a Junior, said, "Dr. Beckwith's lectures were right-on-target, he knows the difference between just talking and actually acting." Others had some reservations Joe Dugan ('07) mused, "Although Dr. Beckwith is well-respected in the evangelical community, his claims are based largely on dated material and fallacies A good diploma and strong speaking skills do not guarantee credibility; Dr. Beckwith needs to get some of his facts straight Regardless of their opinions concerning Beckwith's actual argumentation, it is clear from cafeteria conversations and exceptionally high chapel attendance that the Staley lectures made the Cedarville family think In a twenty- first century university environment, the value of such discourse could not be overestimated Staley lecturer Dr.Francis Beckwith addresses the chapel on the topics of worldvieW, abortion, and evolution—all from an evangelical Christian perspective Dr. Brown commented:"Frank is such a scholar that he's scary. But he sees the practical side of deep issues and communicates it so well that he was a big hit with all of us.'' The Jubilate worship team leads the chapel insong. Katie Polovich (far left) said,; "I thought that Dr. Beckwith was very informative in his knowledge of religion anti politics, and he did a superb job in explaining to us students the linkage between the two 246 spring