P.1 One Nation Under Whatever P.2 See Spot Rock 1st copy of BeaconOU is P.1 Max Barnett to Retire P.7 Island Party FREE extra copies $1 each P.5 Evolution and Science P.8 A Letter to a Dark Place May 2004 Edition 19 BeaconOUJohn 12:46 “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” web-site: www.ou.edu/beaconou contact: [email protected] “One Nation Under Whatever?” Jesus Week Missed the Boat! Ricky Thomas James Wickett Jesus Week missed the boat! It is unbelievable how many students are interested in evangelism Philip Johnson spoke at the University of Oklahoma Law School and sharing their faith. “Have they not heard of separation of Church and State? Don’t they on Thursday, April 15th. The topic was “One nation under what- know that faith is a private matter? They can practice their faith freely within the four walls of ever?” their church buildings.”, many would say. I find it strange how each year Jesus Week seems to EVEN At the lecture, he argued heavily that evolution is more philoso- stir up the onslaught of ‘opinions’ about how faith in Christ should be practiced from people who phy than science, and that schools should “Teach the Contro- do not know Jesus personally. Be- versy.” He discussed the im- fore I came to know Christ, I portance of looking at science Who is Philip Johnson? would’ve shared some of their opin- without a priori naturalistic He is one of the ions. The group of organizers that philosophy. During his talk, founders of the Intelli- came together this year was differ- he discussed the importance ent from any others that I have seen of teaching students the dif- gent Design movement. in past years. They were in agree- ference between observable, (For more information ment and they fasted and prayed testable science and philoso- on Intelligent Design constantly. They certainly missed phy. check out these sites: Phillip Johnson explained the boat. The boat of complacency that he wrote a two-sentence www.ouidea.com and traveling mainstream-lukewarm, ODD amendment for Senator Rick www.arn.org.) watered down Christianity was not Santorum. This is commonly meant for followers of Christ. referred to as the Santorum Amendment. It states, “(1) I believe Jesus Week was as good science education should prepare students to distinguish the much for those who follow Christ data or testable theories of science from philosophical or religious as for those who do not. Purpose, passion, and prayer should be the pursuit of us all. Oh yes, claims that are made in the name of science; (2) where biological Jesus was considered to be an extreme radical as well, because He took the gospel of the love of evolution is taught, the curriculum should help students to under- God to the streets. This is good news that sets the captives free. Continued pg. 7 stand why this subject generates so much continuing controversy, and should prepare the students to be informed participants in pub- lic discussions regarding the subject.” Max Barnett to Retire from the BSU Phillip Johnson did not address the issues about Evolution or Intelligent Design during Ricky Thomas & Holly Kimbrough his lecture but received many questions Max Barnett has been the Director of the BSU since January 1967. For the past 37 about these issues in the question and an- years, he has grown the ministry here into one of world influence. Thousands of men and swer period. Several faculty and staff from women who have come to OU have been directly and indirectly influenced by this man of the University of Oklahoma were present single passion and vision for the Lord. CYAN and asked many emotionally charged ques- Max & Sandra Barnett He is simply obeying what God has told him to tions. do and doesn’t think it is any more special than YELLOW One question was particularly important to you or I doing the same. the discussion. A professor of evolutionary On June 1st, he will be handing over the reigns biology asked a question about the lecture to John Kelsey, OU BSU alum and associate di- and made a reference to the people of the Middle-Ages believing in MAGENTA a flat earth. This was shocking because it is well known in edu- rector for the past five years. cated circles that people in the Middle-Ages knew that the earth Max will be honored in a major retirement cel- was round. The Flat Earth argument is a farce that was created by ebration on the weekend of June 26th at the Okla- two historians of science. Phillip Johnson was a little shocked that homa Memorial Ballroom on the campus of the an academic still believed such a statement to be true. Hopefully, University of Oklahoma. His life is truly one that BLACK this is not to the discredit of the educational staff at the University can say, “Follow my example as I follow the ex- of Oklahoma. Johnson then reemphasized Continued pg. 5 Continued pg. 7 P2 Lloyd Noble Center Thur. April 29th, 2004 7PM EVEN $19.50 T ODD I C K E BLACK MAGENTA MAGENTA T YELLOW CYAN CYAN S P 3 Editor’s choice Websites Letters to the Editor Do you have a desire to know more about God, grow in your relationship with Christ, or learn more about what Christians believe? The Bible is the primary source to turn to. Here are some favorite internet links of mine that may help in your personal studies. I may not agree with the full content of the web-sites, but they have some awesome free resources Okay, if you haven’t been to our web-site, you need attorney fees. This should greatly benefit student that I believe would benefit everyone. I know that you will be to check it out. It has a ton of resources to campus organizations in the future. I would encourage all amazed by the content of www.christiananswers.com which ministries and more information about us, organizations to apply for funding through the has more resources than I could ever list and they include a lot www.ou.edu/beaconou . All of the past issues of the UOSA. This fund is made up of part of the stu- of videos on-line. BeaconOU are there plus some information about dent activity fee, which is not a government fund, future events we plan to have on campus. We have but is taken directly from the students, placed into www.icr.org , www.ou.edu/css , and www.drdino.com include just added our new link on the web-site to a com- a special account and distributed to student orga- a lot of evolution and creation research. parison of plagiarisms within the Book of Mormon nizations by a student committee. Apply each www.biblegateway.com is a searchable Bible on-line with a taken directly from the King James Version of the year. If your organization needs more, apply dur- concordance and many translations available. Bible. We have recruited some world news provid- ing the appeals process of the Spring semester or ers, Agapepress and Worthy news, which we are to an emergency committee. If you receive some www.crossministry.org is a ministry that reaches out to those using for the first time in this edition. Send us your ridiculous amount due to a bias opinion of dis- struggling with temptations of homosexuality. letters. We invite the good and the bad comments. crimination, contact the President’s action line at We love to hear from our readers. Remember, all 325-1212. If there is still no resolve, then get some www.cbn.com www.agapepress.org www.worthynews.com letters to the Editor may be reprinted in a latter legal advice. Alliance Defense Fund handled our are Christian Perspective world news web-sites. editon of the BeaconOU unless specific request is case and they did a great job. made by the sender not to publish their letter. If I am not good with lengthy goodbyes. It has been EVEN www.worshipguitarclass.com www.waterdeep.com great you believe there are contradictions in the Bible or a joy to serve you and I know those who come to guitar music. have questions about it, send them to us. We will take over will do even better than I have. I will try to provide some answers. Let your opinion be graduate this May and then I am headed to Law www.livingwaters.com includes Kirk Cameron and Ray heard. We are currently looking for people to help School. I leave you with quotes to remember me Comfort, ministry stuff, videos, and audio links. with funding, writing, distribution, web-site design by: Exiting Editor: Ricky Thomas quotes. and advertising. We get an information table in the “Victory is sweet.…and sweat.” www.wallbuilders.com , www.reclaimamerica.org , and Union twice a week. If you would like to speak with “I’m a crazy man with a crazy plan, but it just may www.presidentialprayerteam.org someone personally, we are there or send your work.” has some great stuff about America’s Godly heritage. letters to [email protected] “When in doubt, get the Word out.” Ricky Thomas, Editor. “When in doubt, think of the words of Zechariah, www.higherpraise.com has early church writings for free on- the father of John the Baptist. There weren’t any.” line. You can get a free CD with church reformers writings at Here is a summary of all of the letters received.