Who We Are

Mere Christianity Forum (MCF) is a collegiate ministry at Furman University promoting the thoughtful exploration of the Christian faith through powerful conversations and authentic community. College students are in the process of determining who they are and who they want to be, discerning personal identity and vocational calling alongside moral, ethical, and spiritual convictions. At Mere Christianity Forum, we are passionate about introducing students to the depth and breadth of the Christian tradition, equipping them to discern a vision and a version of Christian faithfulness they can live into with integrity.

We are a proud member of Furman University’s Religious Council.

What We Do

1) Facilitate Theological Discussion & Reflection though our CLP forum events, weekly small groups, and "Evening With" dinner dialogues with Furman professors.

2) Support our Intentional Christian Community at the Vista House, which houses a residential community of Furman juniors and seniors during the academic year. Vista House also hosts hospitality events like game nights and study day brunches (when COVID restrictions are lifted).

3) Encourage the Embodied Christian Practice of students, serving classmates during the academic year and serving the greater Greenville community through our summer program: Servant Scholars.

Our History

MCF began in 2000 with a group of students at Furman University reading books (including C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity) and inviting faculty to speak about the political, philosophical, cultural, and religious implications of their readings. It quickly gained momentum. These students envisioned a Christian organization for intellectual questioning, honest conversation, tomfoolery, and, of course, lots of food. Their quest to create a community focused on these elements resulted in the birth of Mere Christianity Forum.

In 2001, MCF became a recognized campus organization and part of Furman's Religious Council. In 2003, MCF became a registered non-profit 501c3 organization and launched Vista House, an experiment in Christian community.

What We Believe

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.

For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.