Calvin Forum 1999-2000
Episode Descriptions (long)
F99-01
MILLENIALISMS
Dr. Robert Clouse of Indiana State University describes millenialist theories
through the ages and his recommended reaction to current excitement.
F99-02
MODESTY VS. FREEDOM IN FASHION
Helen Sterk and Ruth Groenhout are joined by students Nicholas Dekker,
Danielle VandeZande, and Jim Oppenhuizen to discuss whether people have
the right to dress however they want. When a person "stumbles"
because of someone's clothing (or lack thereof), whose fault is it?
F99-03
TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION IN SOUTH AFRICA
Dr. Randal Jelks interviews Dr. Pieter Miering of University of Pretoria
about his service on the Truth & Reconciliation Commission at the
invitation of Desmond Tutu. They consider the goals and outcomes of the
Commission.
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F99-04
CHRISTIANS IN BUSINESS
President/CEO of Butterball Farms Mark Peters and Calvin's Shirley Roels
convey how many opportunities there are for Christian businesspeople to
set themselves apart simply by practicing honesty and trustworthiness.
They also discuss the sensitive issue of witnessing in the workplace.
F99-05
CHRISTIAN TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Education prof Gloria Goris Stronks is joined by Byron Middle School principal
Bob Noordeloos to discuss three common approaches to religious opportunities
in public school settings. They talk about the legal options and constraints,
and offer creative ways teachers can get students thinking about God.
F99-06
CARING WHAT'S AIRING: RESPONSIBLE TV AND FILM
Ken Wales, producer of the Christy television series and dozens of films,
talks about what viewers can do to influence what's being aired and shown
in theaters. He highlights the need for Christians to not only condemn,
but to also commend what is valuable in the industry.
F99-07
MORE THAN TWO: COMMUNITY SUPPORT FOR MARRIAGE
Over 80 communities around the country have gotten their clergy to unite
in requiring premarital counseling before marriage. Ours is the first
to take this agreement beyond the clergy, to include people from the medical,
judicial, and business contingents as well. All are asked to find ways
to encourage counseling before both marriage and divorce. Ours is also
the first such organization to be chaired by a mayor. Mayor Bill Hardiman
and steering committee member Susan Radecky, M.D., tell host June Hamersma
(another steering committee member) about the successes and challenges
of the "Greater Grand Rapids Community Marriage Policy."
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F99-08
Public, Christian, or Home Schooling?
Guests: Ed Liebenthal, Justin Barrett, John Bolt
Three fathers describe the criteria they considered in choosing schooling
for their preschool to high school aged children. The guests consider
each other's choices and offer challenges to some of the assumptions and
goals offered for choosing public, Christian, or home schooling.
F99-09
The Powerful Language of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Dr. Elizabeth Vander Lei of Calvin College's English department has been
studying the powerful rhetoric of Martin Luther King, Jr. for years. She
explains how a deeper understanding of African American language traditions
reveals all the groundwork that was laid to prepare the country for King's
messages. Calvin College history professor Randal Jelks agrees that King
was part of a team that allowed him to reach more people than he would
have dreamed possible.
F99-10
Domestic Violence Treatment Programs
Extensive research has not produced a profile of a typical domestic violence
victim. That's because there is none. Many victims and perpetrators had
assumed this issue would never touch their lives. Calvin Forum invites
three guests to clarify how these situations happen, what is being done
to help the people involved, and what challenges these programs face.
Guests are Fred DeJong of the sociology department, Jennifer Marcum of
Safe Haven Ministries, and Jim Vander May, facilitator of a men's group
for abusers.
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F99-11
MISUNDERSTANDING THE BALKANS
Although America finds itself involved in Balkan conflicts repeatedly,
very few Americans would be able to describe in any terms what is going
on there. Why not? Why can't we grasp the history, the culture, the problems
of this complex, influential region of the world? Dr. Steven Meyer of
National Defense University in Washington D.C. was manager of the Balkan
Task Force for the CIA for three years. He explains what he has learned
about the Balkans and what stands in the way of lasting peace in that
region.
F99-12
DEATH: ENEMY OR FRIEND?
As doctors become more efficient at fighting death, new questions are
arising. Why aren't they as committed to fighting pain? Who is best equipped
to handle decisions about when a struggle against death should be ended?
Is death ever to be considered a friend? Dr. Gilbert Meilaender, professor
of Christian ethics at Valparaiso University in Indiana, shares his perspective
on these concerns.
F99-13
HOW DID THE SLAVE TRADE HAPPEN?
It's hard to fathom how people in Africa, Europe, and America could ignore
their consciences enough to allow the capture, sale, and enslavement of
thousands of human beings. Dr. Robert Harms of Yale University and Dr.
Steven Buckridge of Grand Valley State University share their research
on how the trade worked, who was involved, how they justified it, and
how the legacy of this horror effects us today.
F99-14
SHOULD SCHOOLS BE MORE CARING?
What should be the purpose of schools? To develop people who can read
and write? Citizenship, moral development, and overall health used to
be considered important components as well. What changes could recreate
our educational system into one centered on caring-administrators caring
for teachers, teachers caring for students, and students caring for each
other? Educational theorist Nel Noddings discusses these values with Clarence
Joldersma and Randy Buursma of Calvin College.
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F99-15
QUESTIONING SCHOOL SPORTS
Athletic programs in colleges, high schools, and even middle schools are
becoming more rigorous and competitive all the time. Should this be considered
an evolution or devolution? Should someone be monitoring the effects of
these changes? Sports commentator Frank DeFord discusses the national
trends, his hopes for change, and what he considers to be the rightful
place of sports in children's lives.
F99-16
WHEN FAITH AND SCIENCE COLLIDE
When scientists make claims that seem to contradict the Bible, some Christians
can be quick to shut their ears. Although science is not committed to
upholding scriptural claims, this clearly can't disqualify everything.
But how do we discern the conclusions made, and how skeptical should we
really be? Dr. Alvin Plantinga of Notre Dame's philosophy department has
written much about this topic and shares his perspective on how Christians
can reconcile their beliefs with those of the scientific community.
F99-17
HOW CHURCHES TREAT HOMOSEXUALS
The church is known for its poor treatment of those struggling with homosexuality.
On one side, people are afraid of condoning something that God seems to
condemn. On the other side, Christian love seems to require tolerance
and cultural relevance. What is the appropriate response for the Christian
church? How much does the answer depend on whether the person is a practicing
or non-practicing homosexual? And how can the church move from debate
to ministry? Guests Rev. Gerald Zandstra and Rose Alons served on a subcommittee
for the Christian Reformed Church synod. Alons is acquainted with these
issues personally as the mother of a homosexual son who died of AIDS.
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F99-18
PHILANTHROPY IN AMERICA
When Andrew Carnegie set up one of the first philanthropic foundations
in 1911, he told his wealthy colleagues they would be disgraced if they
died without donating to social causes. Through the years people of all
incomes have joined the ranks of those who give of their money and time
to help society. Rebecca Rimel, president and chief executive officer
of the Pew Charitable Trusts, describes giving in America and how organizations
like hers invest in education, the environment, human services, and religious
growth.
F99-19
APPROACHES TO INFERTILITY
When couples are faced with infertility and options for trying to overcome
it-medicine, surgery, adoption-their decisions are often clouded by desperation
and financial strain. They may not even be presented with all the choices,
nor are they likely to be in a position to consider the ethical aspects
patiently and objectively. Host Shirley Hoogstra interviews Dr. Bill Dodds,
a fertility specialist known for his high success rates and conscientious
treatment programs, and Heather Skop, who helps to run an infertility
support group.
F99-20
SHOULD POLITICS BE MORE CARING?
How would the American political landscape change if it were guided by
an ethic of caring for others? Would there still be room for diehard American
virtues like individualism and opportunism? What would change in our country
if jobs involving caring for others were esteemed and paid the most? Our
guest Joan Tronto of the political science department at City University
of New York's Hunter College has studied and written much about this topic.
F99-21
ETHICAL CHOICES IN FUNDRAISING
A look into the little-known world of fundraising reveals that the work
is not all that predictable. Ethical choices are confronted on a daily
basis, leaving fundraisers to figure out where to draw the lines. Today's
guests tell about standard guidelines that do exist in the industry, and
temptations that sometimes present themselves.
A look into the little-known world of fundraising reveals that the work
is filled with ethical choices. What if a potential donor asks about a
"soft spot" in the institution? What if a donor asks for a favor?
Should you put the donor's needs above your own? How do you avoid exaggeration?
Calvin's VP of Development Robert Berkhof and David Bast of Words of Hope
radio ministry tell about issues that arise, guidelines they use, and
temptations that can present themselves.
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F99-22
CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT THEN & NOW
From 1963 to 1966, John Lewis served as Chairman of the Student Nonviolent
Coordinating Committee, known as SNCC. An active participant in the Freedom
Rides, the Mississippi Freedom Summer, and Bloody Sunday, he also presented
a controversial speech at the March on Washington, along with Martin Luther
King, Jr. and others. John Lewis now serves as Congressman for the Fifth
District of Georgia. Dr. Garth Pauley of Calvin's communication department
and Dr. Randal Jelks of the history department ask how Lewis sees the
Civil Rights movement today as compared with the turbulent years in which
he began his activism.
F99-23
DATING VS. COURTSHIP
Is dating just a leisure activity, or should it be considered a final
step before engagement? Does it depend on whether couples are focussing
on their own needs or those of their dates? How do young people decide
which type of premarital relationship is best? Four Calvin students (Jessie
Hazen, Becky DeJager, Luke Moore, and Tony Aumann) share their convictions
about casual dating, courtship and betrothal.
F99-24
GENETICALLY MODIFIED CROPS
Genetic engineering is a relatively new technology, which scientists hope
may someday be able to solve all of the world's food shortage problems.
However, it also raises serious ethical questions. Is it acceptable to
tamper with an organism's DNA? Should consumers be warned when they vegetables
they buy have been genetically altered? Critics of genetic engineering
also question its usefulness, wondering whether it only presents a new,
equally large set of problems.
Today's guests are David Koetje, professor of Biology at Calvin College,
and Ruth Groenhout, professor of Ethics in Calvin College's philosophy
department.
F99-25
TEASING IN SCHOOLS
So often stories in the news about school shootings present sketchy portraits
of angry kids gone haywire. But what makes them go haywire? Is it a factor
that wasn't in children's lives twenty years ago, when this kind of violence
was unheard of? Some point to working parents, or the breakdown of school
authority, or our decaying sense of what community is supposed to mean.
But lately we've been hearing more about the teasing and bullying that
many of these kids endure. Today we have three guests who have spent a
lot of time researching the causes and factors we should all be aware
of before making our conclusions about what causes violence in schools.
So often stories about school shootings present sketchy portraits of angry
kids gone haywire. But what makes them go haywire? Is it a factor that
wasn't in children's lives twenty years ago, when this kind of violence
was unheard of? Lately the teasing and bullying that many of these kids
endure has been getting more attention. For this season's final episode
of Calvin Forum, we have three guests who explain the factors we should
all be aware of before making our conclusions about what causes violence
in schools.
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