Evangelist sparks panel talk

Whether you have heard him loudly profess his beliefs on religion on College Green or have engaged in a conversation about him with your friends, evangelist Stephen White -- also known as "Brother Stephen" -- is currently one of the more controversial figures at Penn. Thursday night, the Office of the Chaplain and the Campus Crusade for Christ co-sponsored a panel discussion to address the issues that have been brought up in the recent religious discussion sparked by White's presence on campus. About 15 people attended the event at the Quadrangle's McClelland Hall. University Chaplain William Gipson, who was among those present, welcomed the discussion as an opportunity for students to "talk about religious issues that they agree or disagree with, and to share their opinions with each other." The panel consisted of five students and a moderator, three of whom, including College junior J.J. Ivaska, represented Campus Crusade for Christ. Ivaska, who helped to organize the discussion, said he was "intrigued by the responses on campus to Brother Stephen." Ivaska said White is "unique in the sense that I have seen him go from yelling and screaming at people, and not letting them get a word in edge-wise, to asking people what they think their own thoughts and beliefs are." He summarized the essence of White's message to the audience, saying, "you are falling short and must repent." The majority of the people on the panel, as well as those in attendance, shared Kristina Rencic's sentiments. Rencic, a College sophomore on the panel representing the Newman Center, the University-affiliated Catholic student center, explained that "some of the things Brother Stephen might be saying are good, but others are taken to the extreme." Engineering senior Nick Angert, another panelist, added that he is "interested in what [White] is saying but am not sure if he does it in the right way." Some people in the audience noted that they were fearful that White's radical views would lead to an even greater perception by the public that Christians are intolerant. Another panelist, College junior Grace Chiang, said she is turned off by White because of his harsh tactics, even though she may empathize with the warnings he gives. "People are saved not by what they do but by their grace," said Wharton senior Jason Hsu, a panel member representing the Intervarsity Christian Fellowship. White, Hsu explained, does not believe in original sin, a view that was opposed by the panel. Angert added that White "concentrates on the sinful aspects of our lives and of our shortcomings." Hsu said White attracts such large crowds because he interacts well with his audience. While some are there for the deeper meaning behind his words, Hsu added, many come simply to appreciate White's entertainment value. Regardless, Ivaska said that "Brother Stephen presents an opportunity for Christians to engage in conversation that otherwise would not have been there." Steve Baker, a Campus Crusade for Christ staff member, said the panel discussion was very appropriate, but he wished that "it had centered more on people's understanding of what Christianity is," rather than on just what White is preaching. Ivaska added that he "would like the discussion sparked by Brother Stephen to be continued. There is a lot of discussion centering on [Brother Stephen and Christianity] going around campus and we were just trying to tap into that."