| The first morning session was "Campus Christianity" with Ray Bohlin, where the students were encouraged to
think Christianly, realize that the job of a student is to learn, pursue excellence, and be faithful to the task even if it
doesn't look like one's efforts are achieving success outwardly.
Rick Wade taught the second session on "World Views," where the students learned the three basic world views that will be addressed all week: naturalism, pantheism, and Christian theism. After lunch, we gathered to hear the four major speakers present the readings we are working on this week. The instructors chose readings guaranteed to make the students think, mostly from outside a Christian world view. We will discuss the presuppositions of each author and what they are saying, in addition to analyzing the validity (or invalidity) of their arguments. The students divided into four groups and will rotate among the different teachers on Tuesday through Friday. Ray Bohlin's reading is about an evolutionary basis for music; Rick Wade's reading is about whether robots have rights; Todd Kappelman chose a couple of short stories by Flannery O'Connor, who was a provocative Christian author; and Sue Bohlin printed several of the questions from our web site's "Probe Answers Our E-Mail" section along with a New Age chapter from Chicken Soup for the Soul. |
Chris Compton, Brett Wait and Aaron Little Click on thumbnails for larger picture |
Emily Miles and Hannah Hodges, with Kyle Cochran dropping into the picture at the last minute. |
Leah Anders, Chelsey Meeks, and Natalie Anders |
Patrick Riehecky and Matt Wiese |
J.T. Miner and Jordan Singleton |
Sue Bohlin and Joni James |
Pool Volleyball |
Our students from the northern states were amazed to discover that
outdoor pools in the South can resemble baths more than cool, refreshing swimming pools. At breakfast, one asked,
"Is that why you can't get cold water out of the showers, either?" Yep. The pipes don't get buried so deep in the
ground here, and the air temperature just doesn't get very low either!
|
Sara Colter showing excellent form in the air |
Hannah Bakke also showing excellent form |
Probe Staffers Rick Wade and Kris Samons enjoying hanging out at the pool with the students |
Students ready for the evening sessions and grateful to be in a fully air-conditioned building. One of the units broke down during the morning, and we were SO grateful that the AC repair angels were able to come out and fix it during the afternoon! |
Students in listening and learning mode |
In the first evening session, Sue Bohlin presented explanations for "Human Nature" from naturalistic, pantheistic and Christian perspectives.
Ray Bohlin role-played the naturalistic Prof. E.O. Wilson, who argued that the only purpose in life is to reproduce. "Dr. Wilson" had lots of students waving their hands in the air wanting to grapple with him philosophically! |
Todd Kappleman role-played another naturalist, existential philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, who informed Sue as moderator
that the only thing that mattered was to authenticate oneself by choosing to act. NOT to act was the only bad thing. And
he could just as soon kill her as hug her, but ultimately it didn't make any difference. "Jean-Paul" got the dander of a few
students up, as well!
Todd taught a very well-received second evening session on "Introduction to Ethics." As an ethics professor at Dallas Baptist University, he knows how to communicate with examples and humor that engages his audience. |
Kris Samons role-played the Mahareshi Mahesh Yogi, asserting that the purpose of life is to achieve oneness with the universe, and assuring the students that the concepts of good and evil are meaningless since good and evil are both parts of the "great oneness." |