This summer’s reading assignment for entering freshmen was the student edition of The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. As an atheist, Stroble viewed Christianity as “nothing but superstition and wishful thinking” until his wife, Leslie, announced she had become a Christian. The positive changes in Leslie’s life intrigued and motivated Strobel, a Harvard law graduate and legal editor of the Chicago Tribune. For almost two years, he committed himself to researching the case for and against Christ and chronicled his evidence and the outcome in the book, The Case for Christ.

According to Dr. Rick Brewer, vice president for planning and student affairs, recent studies from the Barna Group reveal that less than one-half percent of young people today have a Christian worldview. “The foundation for understanding Christian worldview and faith integration is understanding who Jesus is,” said Brewer. “This book will help students who may not come with a good context and understanding of Christ and Christianity, …and for others, it will reinforce what they already believe.”

For incoming freshmen the book will be the focal point in New Student Orientation, freshman seminar classes and also in the residence halls’ Bible studies. It’s not unusual for schools to require summer reading, but the model that will be used at CSU offers the opportunity to engage not only incoming students, but all resident students and campus leadership including faculty, staff and residential staff.

Campus Minister Clark Carter is creating online training for residence halls staff, engaging them in dialog as they walk through the book together. Also, lunchtime book discussions will be offered several times during the summer and will be available for faculty and staff.

Then on Nov. 11, Strobel, currently a teaching pastor at Saddleback Valley Community Church, will be on campus to speak at convocation and will spend the day in a variety of seminars.

*

Photos by Sherry Atkinson