Past Forums

Below are a list of dates, titles, proponents, and moderators:
(Note: All career titles are as they were at that point in history.)

October 29, 1999
Are Baha’i and Christian Faith Compatible?
Proponents:
Veronica Dickey, local Baha’I spokesperson
John David Geib, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Malone
Moderator: Steve Moroney, Associate Professor of Theology, Malone

November 1999
The Christian and Pagan Worldview: Differences and Distinctions
Proponents:
Marx Stead, Local Pagan-Wicca Activist and Spokesperson, owner of “Book of Shadows” bookstore
Rev. Russ Dizdar, Akron Christian Minister
Moderator: Rhonda Aiello, Malone Alumna

February 2, 2000
Celebrating Christian Traditions:  Catholicism, Eastern Orthodoxy, and the Protestant Faith
Proponents:
Father David Tillman, Priest, Holy Assumption Eastern Orthodox Church
Moderator: Alumnus Kevin Rohr 

April 5, 2000
Christianity and Atheism, What’s the Difference?
Proponents:
John Geib, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Malone
Frank Zindler, Editor, American Atheist Press
Moderator: Jeff Goff, Associate Professor of Chemistry, Malone

February 12, 2001
Do All Roads Lead to God?
Proponents:
Gerald McDermott, Associate Professor of Religion, Roanoke College
Kim Justice, Dedicated minister, through the Universal Life Church
Moderator: Kevin Rohr, Director of Campus Outreach, First Friends Church

November 12, 2001
Just-War & Pacifism: Is There a Christian Answer?
Proponents:
Dr. John David Geib, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Malone
William Devlin, President of Urban Family Council in Philadelphia and New York City
Moderator: Pastor L. Randall Heckert, College Pastor and Former Brigade Chaplain for the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division

January 28, 2002
Christianity and Homosexuality:  Are They Compatible?
Proponents:
Charles Kammer, Professor of Religion, The College of Wooster
Rev. David Cornwell, United Methodist Pastor
Steve Moroney, Associate Professor of Theology, Malone
Mary Heathman, Founder and Director of Where Grace Abounds and an ordained Minister
Moderator: Jane Hoyt-Oliver, Chair, Department of Social Work, Malone 

March 18, 2002
The Cosmological Conundrum:  Non-Theistic Evolution vs. Theistic Intelligent Design
Proponents:
Ruth Miles, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences, Malone and students from Malone
Lawrence Krauss, Chair, The Physics Department, Case Western Reserve University, and students from CWRU;
Moderator: Richard Stewart, Assistant Professor of Biology, Malone College

September 23, 2002
The Moral Implications of Embryonic Stem Cell Research
Proponents:
John Kilner, President and CEO of The Center for Bioethics and Human Dignity
Brendan Minogue, Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies, Youngstown State University and Professor of Clinical Bioethics at NEOUCOM
Moderator: William B. McVaugh, Associate Professor of Biology, Malone 

November 11, 2002
Islam & Christianity:  Agreements and Disagreements
Proponents:
Greg Miller, Chair of the Department of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences, Malone
Islam Ibrahim, Chief of Staff at Regency Hospital; Instructor of Islamic Center of Akron and Kent; Moderator: Scott Waalkes, Assistant Professor of International Studies, Malone 

January 27, 2003
The Israeli Palestinian Conflict: Is Peace Possible?
Proponents:
Raymond Nakley, Jr., The Israeli Emissary to The Canton Jewish Community Federation
Tamir Porter, Physical Education Teacher for Youngstown City Schools; Chair, Youngstown Chapter of the Coalition for Peace in the Middle East
Moderator: John Geib, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Malone

March 17, 2003
Women in The Church:  Egalitarian vs. Complementarian
Proponents:
Duane Watson, Professor of New Testament Studies, Malone
Carl Bogue, Founding Pastor of Faith Presbyterian Church (PCA)
Moderator: Sarah Sumner, Chair of the Department of Ministry, and Associate Professor of Ministry and Theology, Azusa Pacific University

September 22, 2003
Let’s Get Physical: The Epicurean and Christian Views of Pleasure
Proponents:
Mark Yarhouse, Associate Professor, Doctoral Program in Clinical Psychology, Regent University
Chris Santilli, Freelance Writer, Editor and Publisher of Nudist Travel Books
Moderator: David Entwistle, Associate Professor of Psychology and Counselor Education, Malone

November 10, 2003
Who is Jesus?
Proponents:
Robert Milet, Professor of Religious Understandings, Brigham Young University
Chester Harris, Pastor, Dueber United Methodist Church
Daniel Hazuka, Minister, Jehovah’s Witness
Moderator: Thomas C.Young Jr., Dean of Student Development, Malone College

December 1, 2003 (Student Forum)
Just War, Preventative War and Pacifism
Proponents: Students from Dr. Geib’s course “War, Peace and Revolution in Christian Tradition” presenting the biblical and historic reasons for the Just War, Preemptive War and Pacifism positions. Facilitated by Dr. J. David Geib

January 26, 2004
A Matter of Choice: Fetal Life, Abortion and Choice?
Proponents:
Jill Taylor, Director, Pregnancy Support Center of Stark County
The Rev. Dr. Doyle Luckenbaugh, Member of the Board of Planned Parenthood of Stark County; 
Moderator: Deb Robinson, Director, Alumni Relations, Malone

March 15, 2004
Atheism and Christian Theism: Is Belief in God Rational?
Proponents:
Shawn Floyd, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Malone
Frank Zindler, Editor, American Atheist Press
Moderator: Aaron Preston, Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Malone College

September 20, 2004
The Christian’s Role in Politics: Separation, Engagement, and Transformation
Proponents:
Dave Zanotti, President and CEO of The Ohio Roundtable
Geoff Bowden, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Malone
Moderator: Robert Zwier, Provost, Malone 

November 8, 2004
East Meets West:  A Buddhist and Christian Dialogue
Proponents:
Greg Miller, Associate Professor of History, Malone
The Venerable Shih Ying-Fa, Abbot of CloudWater Zendo, Cleveland
Moderator: Jacci Welling, Associate Professor of History, Malone 

January 24, 2005
Capital Punishment: What Should a Christian Response Be?
Proponents:
Jane Hoyt-Oliver, Chair, Department of Social Work, Associate Professor of Social Work, Malone
Frank Forchione, Prosecutor, Stark County
Moderator: Steve Moroney, Associate Professor of Theology, Malone 

March 14, 2005
Thy Will be Done: Christian Perspective on Prosperity
Proponents: Pastor Weinzierl, Pastor, Grace Christian Church, Ron Sider, President and Founder of Evangelicals For Social Action; Moderator: Rev. L. Randall Heckert, College Pastor, Malone 

Thursday, September 15, 2005
The Marriage Bill and Gay Rights — Legislative Options
Proponents:
Tony Campolo, Professor Emeritus of Sociology at Eastern University
Peter Sprigg, Senior Director of Policy Studies at the Family Research Council
Moderator: Malcolm Gold, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Malone 

Monday, November 7, 2005
Christian and Hindu Understandings of The Cosmos
Proponents:
Paul Mayle, Professor of History, Chair, History Department, Mt. Vernon Nazarene University
V. Ramaswamy Sharma, Temple Priest Manager, Shiva Vishnu Temple
Moderator: Chris Abrams, Dean of Student Development, Malone

Monday, January 30, 2006
Faith & Family Planning: Christian Views on Contraception
Proponents: Jenell Williams Paris, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Bethel University and James Paris
Peter Koritansky, Professor of Philosophy, Walsh University and Pam Koritansky
Moderator: Shawn Floyd, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Malone

Monday, March 20, 2006
The Separation of Church and State:  How High a Wall?
Proponents:
Mike Newdow, Minister, Attorney, Physician and Activist in Constitutional Law
Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice
Moderator: Robert Zwier, Provost, Malone 

September 25, 2006
Biblical Inspiration and Authority:  Inerrant or Infallible?
Proponents: Buist M. Fanning III, D.Phil., Professor and Chairman of the Department of New Testament Studies Dallas Theological Seminary
Duane Watson, Ph. D., Professor of New Testament Studies, Malone
Moderator: Suzanne Nicholson, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies, Malone

November 6, 2006
The Role of Religion in American Culture:  Jewish and Evangelical Perspectives
Proponents: Rabbi John Spitzer, D.Min, Temple Israel
Jay Case, Ph.D., Chair, Department of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences, Malone
Moderator: Ron Johnson, Ph.D., President, Malone

January 29, 2007
The Right to Die: Who Should Decide?
Proponents:
Bill Saunders, Esq., Director and Senior Fellow of The Center For Human Life and Bioethics at The Family Research Council; Roland Halpern, Director of community Relations at Compassion & Choices; Moderator: Pam Hoalt, Ph.D., Professor of Health Education, Malone 

March 26, 2007
Global Corporations and Consumerism: What to do With Companies Like Wal-Mart?
Proponents:
Don Soderquist, Former Chief Operating Officer for Wal-Mart
Jon deGraaf, Filmmaker, Author and Advocate of Taking Back Your Time
Moderator: Julie Szendrey, Instructor of Business Administration, Malone 

September 24, 2007
War on Terror
Proponents:
Dinesh D’Souza, author, speaker and former senior analyst at the Reagan White House
Phillip J. Crowley, senior fellow and director of Homeland Security at the Center for American Progress
Scott Waalkes, Associate Professor of International Politics
Julianna Smith, senior political science major.

November 19, 2007
Grace or Law? Faithful Responses to Illegal Immigration in the United States
Proponents:
Helene Slessarev-Jamir, The Mildred M. Hutchinson Associate Professor of Urban Ministries at Claremont School of Theology
James Edwards, Principal and Co-Founder of Olive, Edwards, & Brinkmann
Moderator: Jane Hoyt-Oliver, Chair, Department of Social Work, Professor of Social Work

January 31, 2008
Abortion: Legal Right or Moral Wrong?
Proponents:
Nadine Strossen, National President ACLU, Professor of Law, New York Law School
Scott Klusendorf, President of Life Training Institute
Moderator: Kathleen Flaherty,  Associate Professor Malone

March 31, 2008
Faith, Film and Society: This Forum is Not Yet Rated.
Proponents:
Jack Hafer, President, Boulevard Pictures
Rev. Rebecca VerStraten-McSparran, Director, Los Angeles Film Studies Center
Andrew Rudd, Associate Professor of Communications Arts
Joe Siebert, Senior Communication Arts Major

Thursday, September 25, 20008
Being Christian: Being Citizen
Proponents:
David Gushee, Distinguished University Professor of Christian Ethics, Mercer University, McAfee School of Theology;
Michael Baxter, Assistant Professor of Theology, The University of Notre Dame
John Roth, Professor of History, Goshen College
Moderator: Geoffrey Bowden, Assistant Professor of Political Science

Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Why Didn’t Canton Riot in 1968? It’s More Than Black and White; A discussion on race relations
Proponents:
Arvis V. Averette, Professor of Economics at Columbia College
Ron Ponder, Owner, Ponder Systems media and marketing
Lori Stokes, Director of the Canton Fair Housing Commission, Malone College Alumna
Robert Fisher, Owner and President of Fisher and Associates
Moderator: Jacci Welling, Ph. D, Associate Professor of History, Malone

Monday, January 26, 2009
Paths to Peace
Proponents:
Matt Chandler, Christian Peacemaker Team Member
Staff Sergeant Thomas Hersman, U.S. Air Force
Moderator: John David Geib, Ph. D, Dean, The Logos Institute;

Monday, March 23, 2009
Emerging or Diverging: In What Direction if the Emerging Church Movement Headed?
Proponents:
Brian McLaren, author, speaker and activist
Bryan Hollon,Ph. D, Assistant Professor of Theology, Malone
Moderator: Suzanne Nicholson, Ph. D, Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies

Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Censor This? Defining Boundaries in a Christian Academic Setting
Proponents:
David Hoekema, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, Calvin College
David Mills, Ph.D., professor of philosophy, Cedarville University
Thomas C. Young, Jr., Ed.D., Great Lakes regional coordinator, The Navigators
Moderator: Tammie McKenzie, M.F.A., professor of communication arts, director of theatre, Malone

November 17, 2009
The Future of Oil
Proponents:
John Felmy, Ph.D., chief economist, American Petroleum Institute
Kent Moors, Ph.D., professor, Political Science Department, Duquesne University
Moderator: Scott Waalkes, professor of international politics, Malone 

Tuesday, February 2, 2010
In the Beginning: Interpreting Creation in Genesis
Proponents:
John H. Walton, Ph.D.  Professor of Old Testament, Wheaton College
David W. Hall is Senior Pastor of Midway Presbyterian Church
Moderator: Nate Phinney, Ph. D, Interim Dean of the School of Theology, associate professor of Biblical Studies at Malone 

Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Getting a Life: The Emerging Adult and the Culture of Extended Adolescents
Proponents:
Jeffrey Jensen Arnett, Ph.D., Research Professor, Department of Psychology, Clark University Editor, Journal of Adolescent Research
Jennifer Tanner, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Research Professor, at The Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research at Rutgers University
Christian Smith,  William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Society at the University of Notre Dame
Moderator: Bill Quigley, Instructor of Youth Ministry, Malone 

September 28, 2010
Peacemaking Through Mutual Understanding: Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Scripture, Clothing, Democracy, and the Afterlife
Proponents:
Iman Nader Taha, Imam, Islamic Society of Akron and Kent
Greg Miller, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, Malone
Moderator: Scott Waalkes, Ph.D., Professor of International Politics, Malone

November 9, 2010
You are What you Grow: Food Systems and the Human Soul
Proponents: Joel Salatin, Farmer, Author and Speaker; Laura Yordy, PhD. ,Assistant Professor of Philosophy and Religion, Bridgewater College: author; Moderator: Joel Soza, D. Th., Associate Professor of Old Testament, Malone, author

March 22, 2011
Civil Disobedience: Should Christians Break the Law? 
Proponents:
Shane Claiborne, Christian activist
Steven Brown, Radio Broadcaster, Seminary Professor and Author
Moderator: Ken Stoltzfus, PhD, Associate Professor and Chair, Social Work Department, Malone University

September 26, 2011
There's an App for That: The Impact of Social Media on Relationships
Proponents:
Doreen Dodgen-Magee, Ph.D, psychologist
Brett McCracken, author of Hipster Christianity
Jesse Rice, author of The Church of Facebook
Moderator: David Gramlich

November 8, 2011
(Un)Popular Culture: Destroying Our Character or Bringing Culture to Millions
Proponents:
Charles Coletta, Ph.D., instructor of culture, Bowling Green State University
Craig Detweiler, Ph.D., associate professor of communication, Pepperdine University
Andy Crouch, M.Div., author, senior editor at Christianity Today International
Moderator: Andrew Rudd, Ph.D., professor of communication arts, Malone University

January 24, 2012
The Morality of Debt
Proponents:
Ryan Messmore, D.Phil., of the Heritage Foundation
Ron Sider, Ph.D., of Evangelicals for Social Action
Moderator: Albert Smith, CPA, CMA, associate professor of business at Malone University

March 12, 2012
Can a Christian be a Democrat? Can a Christian be a Republican?
Proponents:
Jennifer Brunner, J.D., Ohio's 52nd Secretary of State, partner at Brunner Quinn Law Firm, founder of Courage PAC;
David P. Murray, J.D., partner, Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP
Moderator: Jane Hoyt-Oliver, Ph.D., Professor of Social Work, Malone University 

September 24, 2012
Persuasion or Propaganda? The Effects of Public Relations on Elections
Proponents:
Jonathan Miller, former two-term elected Kentucky State Treasurer, author
Ben Porritt, political adviser, president of Outside Eyes
Moderator: Ann Lawson, Instructor of Communication Arts, Director of Forensics team

November 12, 2012
Go to Hell?! A Debate about the Eternal State of the Wicked
Proponents:
Thomas Talbott, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Willamette University
Jerry Walls, Professor of Philosophy at Houston Baptist University
Duane Watson, Professor of New Testament Studies at Malone University
Moderator: Allen Plug, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at Malone University.

January 14, 2013
Unions: Friend or Foe of the Worker
Proponents: Greg Lawson of the Buckeye Institute and Brian Rothenberg of ProgressOhio with Moderator: Patty Long, professor of education.

Monday, March 18, 2013
Capital Punishment: How Should a Christian Respond?
Proponents:
Richard Land, Ph.D., President of The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
Stephen Dear, Executive Director of People of Faith Against the Death Penalty
Moderator: Malcolm Gold, Ph.D., Professor of Sociology at Malone University.

October 3, 2013
Gay and Christian: A Dialogue on a Faith-Driven Life
Proponents:
Justin Lee, founder and executive director of the Gay Christian Network
Christopher Yuan, teacher at Moody Bible Institute
Moderator: Jason Moyer, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Communication Arts.

November 12, 2013
A Conversation about the United States' Mission in the World
Speakers:
David Beer, assistant professor of political science
Joel Soza, professor of biblical studies
Jacalynn Stuckey Welling, professor of history
Scott Waalkes, professor of international politics
Moderator: Malcolm Gold, professor of sociology; chair, Department of History, Philosophy, and Social Sciences.

January 14, 2014
Family Planning: Ethical Options
Proponents:
Kellie Johnson, M.D., Executive Director of Access Health
Thomas and Chiquita Seesan, certified Natural Family Planning instructors
Moderator: Robin Adams-Weber, Assistant Professor of Nursing

September 8, 2014
Christian Perspectives on Mary
Proponents:
Stephen Moroney, Ph.D., chair, Department of Bible, Theology, and Ministry; professor of theology, Malone University
Patrick Manning, Ph.D. chair, Division of Philosophy and Theology; associate professor of theology, Walsh University
Father Anastasy (Stacey) Richter, Holy Assumption Orthodox Church.

April 21, 2015
Black Lives, Blue Lives: Race, Law Enforcement, and the Christian Response
Panel: 
Andrea Perry, Safety Director for the City of Canton
Bruce Lawver, Police Chief for the City of Canton
Sandhya Jha, Founder and Director of the Oakland Peace Center
Bishop Joey Johnson, Organizer and Senior Pastor at The House of the Lord
Moderator: Brenda Stevens, Director of Multicultural Services at Malone University.

April 18, 2016
Thoughtful conversations Christians should have about Islam
Panelists:
Scott Waalkes, professor of international politics at Malone University
Gregory Miller, professor of history at Malone University
Jacob Waldenmaier, lecturer at Baldwin Wallace University
Moderator: Jason Moyer, assistant professor of communication arts at Malone University

April 4, 2017
Women in Leadership: Christian Perspectives
Proponents:
Rev. Scott Wright, Ph.D., pastor of Redeemer Church (PCA)
Suzanne Nicholson, Ph.D., professor of Biblical Studies at Malone University
Moderator: Laura Foote, Ed.D., assistant professor of Management Studies at Malone University

October 24, 2018
Why I left\Why I stayed
Proponents:
Rev. Dr. Tony Campolo
Bart Campolo.
Moderator: Jason Moyer, Associate Professor of Communication Arts. Learn more.

View Livestreamed RecordiNG of Tony & Bart Campolo

April 1, 2020
Unpacking Evangelical Support for Donald Trump
Cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic shut-down

March 23, 2022
Christianity and the American Founding
Proponents:
John Fea, Professor of History at Messiah University
Mark David Hall, the Herbert Hoover Distinguished Professor of Politics at George Fox University
Moderator: Jay Case, professor of history