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The Veritas Forum launched in New York City on February 7, 2005. The Forum provides a venue to challenge the university community to wrestle witht he toughest questions of the university, society, and the human heart in the light of the truth claims of Jesus Christ.
Over 650 stuents and alumni showed up for the Forum's first night at Columbia University and were treated to a front row seat as leading scholars articulated their worldviews and the implications for their lives and society. Kevin Oro-Hahn, director of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in NYC, opened with an invitation to those students who "are seeking something deeper" to engage with the ideas of the week--to do the hard work of building a framework for understanding all of life.
Dr. Randall Balmer, Olin Professor of Religion, moderated a panel of distinguished scholars. Dr. Robert Thurman, cited as one of the 25 most influential people in America by Time Magazine, represented the Buddhist worldview. Dr. Philip Kitcher, Philosopher of Science, represented the secular humanist perspective. Dr. Finny Kiruvilla, M.D. and Ph.D., represented the Christian worldview.
Dr. Thurman pointed to the problems of dogmatic religion. He recounted a story where the Buddha visits God in heaven, and asks about the problem of evil. God answers that he loves people and wishes them well, but doesn't have very much power. He pointed to karmic evolution as a "middle way" between dogmatic religion and atheism.
The Forum was quite lively, and elicited many questions from the audience. Dr. Kitcher claimed that the universe is not an inherently kind place, and there is a cruel logic built into the system. Therefore, we can find causal explanations but cannot look for any meaning.
Dr. Kiruvilla argued that there is a personal God in whose image we are created. We fell because of human choice, and yet God still shows mercy. Receiving God's grace yields restoration.
Many alumni and students stayed around for a coffeehouse and music immediately following, and the discussion continued. Follow-up groups will begin meeting next week for students to explore these issues further.
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