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December 2003:

Movies, for better or worse, are markers of our culture’s spiritual questions and emotional struggles. This Monday, we will explore the themes of several modern films and discuss what is being said about social problems and how Scripture addresses these issues.

Dr. Peter Fraser will lead “The Christian Answer to Modern Despair.” Dr. Fraser is professor of English and chair of the department of modern languages at Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, Wis. He has written two books and several articles on Christian film and modern culture.

November 2003:

What’s my purpose in life? 

If you’ve ever asked that question, you’re not alone. In fact, countless self-help books are devoted to the topic. Without purpose, life can feel empty and meaningless. 

The good news is that you were created for a reason. November’s Bible Study will help you understand what that reason is. 

Knowing God’s purpose for you will have a powerful and positive impact on your life. Whether you’re just exploring Christianity or are a regular church attendee, you’re welcome to join us as we explore, “Fulfilling Your/God’s Purpose.”

This month’s Bible study will be led by Paul Kelm, a church consultant within the Parish Services division of the Wisconsin Synod. 

October 2003:

Evangelism. What kinds of feelings does that word evoke? Anxiety? Dread? That’s what the majority of Christians say.

If you’ve ever felt intimidated about talking to others about Jesus, you won’t want to miss the next Quest Bible Study at Crossroads.

Learn how to identify your strengths and to start conversations that have a meaningful impact.

Through powerful stories and practical guidelines, you will leave feeling empowered to begin reaching people in your community with the lead of the Holy Spirit.

“How to talk about Jesus without freaking out” will be led by Mark Jeske, a pastor with more than 20 years of urban outreach experience. Pastor Jeske serves St. Marcus, an inner-city church in Milwaukee. He also delivers the weekly message for a Christian broadcast ministry called "Time of Grace." You can check out TOG at http://www.timeofgrace.org.

September 2003:

Is the earth thousands, millions or billions of years old? And, does the age of the earth matter for Bible-believing Christians?

During this month's Bible study, we will address these questions while examining how the age of the earth is arrived at from current scientific understanding. Specifically, we'll learn about the dating of rocks, fossils and living systems using carbon dating and other methods from a layperson's perspective. We'll also discuss some of the good and bad directions of the "creation science" movement.

The discussion will be led by Keith Beyer, professor of chemistry and chair of the department of chemistry and physics at Wisconsin Lutheran College, where he has taught chemistry courses for the last nine years.

Dr. Beyer received a bachelor of science degree in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 1989. He earned a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in physical chemistry with Nobel Laureate Mario Molina in 1994. He was a postdoctoral associate with A. R. Ravishankara at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Aeronomy Lab in Boulder, Colo. 

His current research is supported by the National Science Foundation and is in the area of phase transitions in aqueous systems that compose cirrus clouds in the earth's upper troposphere. He is the author or co-author of 26 publications and presentations in national and international journals and scientific meetings. 

Dr. Beyer has taught a six-part Bible study on "Creation & Science" in the Milwaukee area at St. John's Ev. Lutheran Church (Wauwatosa), Atonement Lutheran Church (Milwaukee), and at Wisconsin Lutheran College. He is the author of a soon-to-be published article "Athens vs. Jerusalem: Christian Instruction vs. Nurture" in the journal Lutheran Education (LCMS).

August 2003:

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus . . . Tobit?, Judith?, Susannah? 

Until the 1600s, all Christian Bibles contained books now referred to as the Apocrypha. Even Luther’s German Bible included them in a specially marked appendix. Today, they are excluded from protestant editions of the Bible.

Find out what happened to the books between Malachi and Matthew at Crossroads’ Aug. 4 Bible study. The discussion, led by Pastor Nathan Cordes, also will cover who decided which books would be included in the Bible. 

Pastor Cordes serves St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Niles and is the interim pastor at Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Morton Grove. He also has been serving as a resource for Crossroads’ planning committee.

July 2003:

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven . . . a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3: 1, 8)

Last September, President Bush declared that the United States would use preemptive strikes against anyone who threatened national security. This position has been hotly debated around the world.

For Christians, the issue is of particular interest since the church has traditionally subscribed to Augustine’s "just war" theory, developed 1700 years ago. The theory requires a just cause before going to war. Historically, this has been interpreted as responding to an attack. But, has terrorism changed the rules?

Come learn about Augustine’s just war theory, and find out if preemptive strikes can be morally justified, according to biblical principles.

“When is War Justified: Augustine's Just War Theory” will be presented by Mark Braun, Ph.D. Pastor Braun is associate professor of theology at Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, Wis. 

June 2003:

The crash course on Islam offered by the media during the last several months has left many Christians with more questions than answers. Come learn about the world's second-largest religion, and meet other Chicagoans who share your values and interests.

"Loving Your Muslim Neighbor" will be presented by Pastor Dennis Kleist. Pastor Kleist has served Jerusalem Lutheran Church in Morton Grove for the past 19 years. Pastor Kleist has a heart for missions, having served as a mission planter in Florida, seminary teacher in India and as an administrator for WELS home missions for 14 years.