THE INSTITUTE FOR CHRISTIAN LEGAL STUDIES
NOVEMBER E-NEWSLETTER

The National Student Leadership Conference was a great success, thanks to your participation. I'm sending out this short newsletter to those who attended-just to follow up and to encourage you as you close out the semester.

I hope to send a short email like this once a month throughout the year. Please let me know if you have suggestions for future newsletters.

Mike Schutt, Director
Institute for Christian Legal Studies
ICLS@clsnet.org
(903) 575-0775

In this, the inaugural issue, we'll cover:

1. Josh and J: A Brief Word on Confronting the Culture on Your Campus
2. Materials Available from ICLS
3. Plans for Spring 2002

**JOSH AND J. - CONFRONTING THE CULTURE ON YOUR CAMPUS**

I'm sure that you agree that two highlights of the conference were the presentations by J. Budziszewski and Josh McDowell. While the tone (!) and length (!) of the talks were vastly different, I think that together they present a pretty complete picture of the challenges facing the 21st century Christian law student. I want to encourage you to build on what they told us at the conference.

Dr. Budziszewski spoke of the difficulties caused by "beating people over the head with the Bible, appealing to concepts that pagans either don't know or don't believe." He then spoke at length about how the concepts of the natural law eventually point to the Creator. His charge was to engage the culture on terms that address pagan self-deception.

Josh's discourse is a bit more difficult to describe, but I see it as a two-part challenge. First, he confronts us with this generation's unwillingness-perhaps inability-to make moral judgments. "Tolerance" is valued above all values, including any commitment to the existence of truth. Second, he suggests that the way to reach this generation is through community, compassion, relationships, personal testimony, caring relationships, Christ-like marriages, and convictions. In other words, living out the gospel in power and in love.

Taken together, Josh and J have given us all we need to confront our culture: The Truth (reality-based philosophy), communicated in genuine love for others in the context of real life. One without the other won't wash.

So here's my challenge to you: Seek God's truth as you study the law, and rely on God's power to allow you to live out your faith compassionately in the face of those who hate the gospel. You will change the world.

**MATERIALS AVAILABLE FROM ICLS**

If you'd like any of these resources, let me know.

References

Law and the Biblical Tradition: Select Bibliography for Christian Law Students (A 45-page bibliography, annotated with law students in mind).

More Than a "Simple" Checklist: What Should I Do After Law School? (A three-page primer to help you keep your focus as you make decisions in your third year).

Preparing For Law School - An Incomplete and Random List (Although it's too late for you, this is will help pre-law students "get their minds right.")

What's A Nice Christian Like You Doing in a Profession Like This? (A short essay about whether a Christian can practice law, with some biblical principles of moral civil procedure thrown in for good measure).

Bible Study/Discussion Tools

Readings on the Biblical Foundations of the Criminal Law (First Study Booklet in the Biblical Tradition and the Law Study Series) (A selection of readings designed to spur your study group or CLS chapter on to discussion and further study).

Course Supplements

Torts and the Biblical Tradition (A Course Outline on Select Biblical Principles) (Available February 2002) (An outline, in the traditional style, pointing you to resources and principles to consider as you study Torts.)

**SPRING 2002**

In the spring semester, I plan to visit a number of law schools, and I'd love to catch up with you if I'm in your area. If your school is not on the schedule for the spring, and you'd like me to visit your campus or if you need suggestions for a speaker for an event, please call or email.

January 2002
Houston, South Texas, Texas Southern Law Schools

February
Texas, St. Mary's, Baylor Law Schools

March
Atlanta area Schools

The Institute for Christian Legal Studies is a Joint Ministry of Regent University School of Law and the Christian Legal Society