Recently, John Loftus (former preacher turned atheist) spoke at Indiana State University. The Christian Post (CP) and Indiana Daily Student (IDS) both cover the story. Let’s compare and contrast.

First the titles:
CP: Atheists ‘Evangelize’ on College Campuses
IDS: Ex-preacher speaks to students about atheism

The intros:
CP:

At least one Christian club or group can be found on most public college and university campuses today.

One prominent Christian campus ministry, InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, has staff working on 580 U.S. college campuses alone. InterVarsity President Alec Hill calls the college campus “the strategic point where you can impact the world by connecting with students, because of who the students will become.”

It seems now that militant atheists are catching on. Atheists can now be found nearby Christians on college campuses “evangelizing” new adherents.

This new generation of atheists – typically more aggressive and outspoken than their predecessors – includes bestselling authors Richard Dawkins and also ex-Christians.

Just over the weekend, John Loftus, a former Church of Christ preacher, took his crusade to debunk evangelical Christianity to Indiana State University, where he promoted his new book, Why I Became an Atheist.

IDS:

John Loftus, an ex-evangelical preacher and author of the book “Why I Became an Atheist,” told both believers and non-believers why he considers Christianity to be a false system of beliefs Saturday.

His lecture, received by a diverse crowd, summarized his life’s journey from preacher to atheist in Ballantine Hall.

Perhaps for ‘objective reporting’ CP brings in comments from Lee Strobel (’atheist’ turned preacher), not from Strobel, but from a video of his:

Loftus’ story contrasts with that of Lee Strobel, a former atheist who accepted Christ and is now a popular Christian apologist.

Strobel has encouraged Christians and pastors to arm themselves against attacks on Christianity, which were in part fueled by an increase in best-selling atheist books.

A best-selling author himself, Strobel just released “The Case for Christ” DVD, which answers two of the biggest objections to Christianity: “Why is Jesus the only way to God?” and “How could a loving God exist if there is evil and suffering in the world?”

In his latest work, Strobel interviews scholars, theologians, and ministry leaders who provide intellectual arguments to questions skeptics might ask.

“The questions can be brutally difficult and the answers are not quick – they’re not easy,” says Strobel in the DVD.

How do they finish the articles?
CP:

[Strobel:] “But if we come to God in faith, I believe he gives us legitimate reasons for hope that carry us through the most difficult circumstances for our lives.”

IDS:

No matter what their beliefs, Loftus left the audience with one final thought.

“I want people to think for themselves,” Loftus said.