MIT: Independent Activities Period: IAP

IAP 2013 Activities by Sponsor - Campus Crusade for Christ

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Does God Exist? - Building the Scientific Case

Chris Swanson

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

Is there evidence for a Creator? This series provides facts and insights from philosophy, cosmology and biology to show that belief in God is rational.  We will survey recent findings in the physical and biological sciences, as well as mathematical probabilities, which provide a compelling case for the existence of God. These lessons also show how God's existence offers a coherent explanation for objective and meaningful morality.  This is a 5 part series, including lecture and discussion.  Optional free dinner before at 5pm.  If you want to come for the dinner email fanqig@mit.edu.  

Sponsor(s): Campus Crusade for Christ
Contact: Chris Swanson, W11-004, 515-451-9542, cswanson@mit.edu


Does God Exist? - Session 1

Jan/08 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

This session will examine how faith and reason are in harmony and start examining the evidence of God's existence from cosmology - is there evidence for a designed universe?  


Does God Exist? - Session 2

Jan/10 Thu 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

We will continue to examine the evidence from cosmology - looking at the design, beginnings, and fine tuning of the universe.  


Does God exist? - Session 3

Jan/15 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

This session will look for evidence for God through biology...DNA, life's origin, and more.  


Does God Exist? - Session 4

Jan/17 Thu 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

This session will continue our look at evidence from biology.  


Does God Exist? - Session 5

Jan/22 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-145

Our last session will look more to philisophical ideas that point to God's existence - specifically human morality.  Does our moral experience as humans point to the existence of God?  Is the existence of God the best explanation of human morality?


Is the Bible Reliable? Building the Historical Case

Chris Swanson

Enrollment: Unlimited: No advance sign-up
Attendance: Participants welcome at individual sessions

Is the Bible a book of myths and fairy tales, or is it a book of history and truth?  Come for a compelling and intellectually stimulating defense of the reliability of the Bible, presented by Dr. Stephen Meyer.  This is a 5 part series, including lecture and discussion.  Optional free dinner before at 5pm.  RSVP for dinner to fanqig@mit.edu.  

Sponsor(s): Campus Crusade for Christ
Contact: Chris Swanson, CSWANSON@MIT.EDU


Is the Bible Reliable? - Session 1

Jan/08 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

This session will look at the Patriarchal Narratives (found in Genesis) and the Documentary Hypothesis, as well as examine the Biblical accounts of the Exodus (the Israelite journey from Egypt to Canaan).  Are these accounts mere religious propaganda or is there evidence that supports their historical accuracy?  Free Dinner available before at 5pm.  Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for the dinner.  


Is the Bible Reliable? - Session 2

Jan/10 Thu 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

This session will examine the Biblical records of the Israeliste conquest of Canaan and the time period under King David and King Solomon.  Archaeological evidence will be presented to support the accounts recorded in the Bible.   Free Dinner available before at 5pm.  Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for the dinner.  She will let you know the location of the meal.  


Is the Bible Reliable - Session 3

Jan/15 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

This session will examine the Biblical records of the Assyrian and Babylonia conquests over the Jewish people and the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem.  You will learn the astonishing amount of agreement between the Bible and archaeology. Free Dinner available before at 5pm.  Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for the dinner.  She will let you know the location of the meal.


Is the Bible Reliable - Session 4

Jan/17 Thu 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

The New Testament, although often maligned by critics, is actually the best attested and most reliable document from antiquity. This lesson examines the marks of historicity for the text of the New Testament - the early composition, internal consistency, and reliability of transmission - all of which outdo any other ancient work. Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for free dinner before at 5pm. Location will be emailed.


Is the Bible Reliable? - Session 5

Jan/22 Tue 05:30PM-07:00PM 4-159

This final session will look at the external corroboration of the New Testament as well as the events recording during the trial of Jesus.  Free Dinner available before at 5pm.  Email fanqig@mit if you want to come for the dinner.  She will let you know the location of the meal.