Ratio Christi hosts speaker

Dr. Fowler spoke to students about the issue of genocide in the Old Testament

Liberty University’s chapter of Ratio Christi hosted Dr. Donald Fowler Tuesday, Nov. 5, who spoke to the students about the issue of genocide in the Old Testament.

Ratio Christi, which is Latin for “The Reason of Christ,” is an international organization that, according to their website, “equips university students and faculty to give historical, philosophical and scientific reasons for following Jesus Christ.”

According to Dr. Mark Foreman, director of the Liberty Ratio Christi chapter, the Ratio Christi event brought out a crowd of about 180 students who filled all the seats in the room and even spilled out into the halls.

“I thought it was really good,” junior Ben Bechtal said. “I thought it was insightful. I liked how he was just very honest about what he thought. I really enjoyed how he tied it all back to the gospel.”

Senior Ryan Lanning said he really enjoyed the event and hopes to see a panel discussion at some point in the future with some of the undergraduate professors.

According to Fowler, he has been a professor of biblical studies at Liberty since 1998 and focuses on both present and past issues regarding the Bible and Israel.

The Liberty chapter of Ratio Christi was established the beginning of the 2012 fall semester and has already gained significant support from the student body. Foreman said student reaction and involvement with the club has been progressing well so far.

“(Liberty’s chapter of Ratio Christi) is doing pretty good for its second year,” Foreman said. “It’s coming along well. We’re excited about things that are happening.”

According to Foreman, the purpose of Ratio Christi is generally directed more at establishing chapters on secular college campuses when students typically have their faith challenged more often. The chapter at Liberty is aimed more at preparing students with the answer to questions that they may encounter by family at home, friends and peers.

“We offer training classes in answering the main questions that are usually asked: How do you know God exists?” Foreman said. “How do you know the Bible is really true? How do you know Jesus Christ really was God? And we give (students) training sessions on how to be able to answer those questions so that they can go out then and talk to other people and help them answer them as well.”

Ratio Christi offers many activities throughout the year, according to Foreman.

“In the fall, we do a book study, and any members that want to come are welcome to join,” Foreman said. “Our book study this fall is on Paul Cohan’s book, ‘Is God a Moral Monster?’”

According to Foreman, Ratio Christi will also travel out and minister to churches in the area.

“This summer, for example, we did a 10-week kind of Sunday evening class at a church over in Richmond where we went out, and different members of the club actually went out, and spoke on different
issues.”
Ratio Christi is an active and growing apologetics club that is seeking to expand with new members and more involvement within the community, according to their website.

“We’re always welcome to invite people in,” Foreman said. “You don’t have to do anything to be a member any more than just come to the meetings.”

According to their website, for students who want “No more blind faith,” Ratio Christi is always seeking to answer the questions that arise against Christianity.

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