{"id":156584,"date":"2023-06-22T14:53:08","date_gmt":"2023-06-22T12:53:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/?p=156584"},"modified":"2025-12-19T11:26:51","modified_gmt":"2025-12-19T10:26:51","slug":"bible-and-drinks-with-nsr-everyone-is-looking-for-good-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2023\/06\/22\/bible-and-drinks-with-nsr-everyone-is-looking-for-good-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"Bible and beers with NSR: \u2018Everyone is looking for good conversation\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

When the Bibles are closed, NSR is just like any other student association. Before drinks, during the Bible study, fascinating and in-depth conversations arise about friendship and forgiveness.<\/p>\n

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On the menu is a vegetarian lasagne. "This year we have really been lucky with the committee that cooks."<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTara Lewis<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>

The home of the Navigators Student Association Rotterdam (NSR) is a heritage building on Eendrachtsplein, right in the heart of Rotterdam. The building is in a rough shape, so a portable toilet is right outside the door. On this warm summer evening, a group of students is chatting outside. On the programme is the Beta course, a Bible study evening for people from outside the association. This will be followed by the association\u2019s weekly drinks.<\/p>\n

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Onno (left) joined NSR through Bart (right).<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTara Lewis<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

One of the participants is Onno (Econometrics), a member of SSR, another student association, who was brought to the NSR by Bart Wilschut, the External Assessor<\/em>. \u201cI met Bart on a night out at Vrienden Van\u201d, Onno explains. \u201cI was actually just there to get drunk, but we started talking.\u201d The pair have talked a lot since then, and have become friends. Bart told him about NSR\u2019s Alpha course, an introduction to the Christian faith. Onno says, \u201cI was christened and raised as a Catholic, but I\u2019ve never had much to do with it since.\u201d Beta is the follow-up course to Alpha, taking a more in-depth look at the Bible.<\/p>\n

Delicious lasagne<\/h2>

Before the Bibles are opened, it\u2019s time to eat. On fine evenings, participants eat outside in the square, at a long table. Marilyn (23, Medicine) says, \u201cThis season, we\u2019ve been really lucky to have a committee that cooks. This is the best food I\u2019ve ever eaten.\u201d Dana (23, Sociology) agrees: \u201cThey\u2019re really committed.\u201d Dana is religious, but not a member of any church. \u201cI\u2019m from Rotterdam, so why would I want to join a student association?\u201d But the words on the Alpha poster resonated with her: \u2018Is there more between heaven and exams?\u2019. \u201cTalking about faith with other young people was completely new for me.\u201d Marilyn says, \u201cThe great thing about the Alpha course is that there\u2019s a place for everyone: Christians, non-Christians, Muslims, people from all different backgrounds. They\u2019re all looking for good conversation.\u201d<\/p>\n

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On the menu is a vegetarian lasagne. "This year we have really been lucky with the committee that cooks."<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTara Lewis<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

Meanwhile, the vegetarian lasagne is ready. Everyone goes inside to get a piece. There\u2019s a short prayer and a collective \u2018amen\u2019. The high expectations are met: the food is delicious. Sophie (23, Medicine) suggests that a homeless man walking past should be given a plate. A short time later, he\u2019s sitting on a nearby bench eating lasagne. Sophie is a member of the SSR. \u201cWhat I like about the NSR is that everyone is so open. There\u2019s none of this, \u2018You look nice, so I\u2019m going to talk to you\u2019.\u201d<\/p>\n

24 hours together in a lift<\/h2>

Every now and then, NSR members take the conversation in a deeper direction by presenting a dilemma, such as: who would you want to spend 24 hours in a lift with? Joas (19, Fiscal Economics) thinks for a moment. \u201cKierkegaard, or Karl Jung. I could have interesting conversations with them.\u201d Is he perhaps doing the wrong degree? \u201cI sometimes wonder that too, but it\u2019s the safe choice. And it\u2019s interesting too, you know.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Madeleine and Dana<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTessa Hofland<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

After long consideration (Putin: pointless, Jesus: too clich\u00e9), Marilyn ends up choosing theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer. \u201cI\u2019ve just been reading his biography\u201d, says Joas. He likes the fact that these kinds of conversations take place at NSR gatherings, including over drinks. Marilyn says, \u201cI sometimes hear from other students that the atmosphere at other club nights can get a bit grim, late in the night. That doesn\u2019t happen here.\u201d Binge drinking is not appreciated, nor is getting drunk.<\/p>\n

A bizarre story<\/h2>

After a dessert of vanilla ice cream, Oreos and coffee, everyone takes a seat in a room behind the bar and the Beta course begins. \u201cLet\u2019s sing first\u201d, suggests Marilyn, picking up a guitar. She chooses the song 10.000 Reasons (Bless the Lord)<\/em>. Everyone brings up the words on their phones. The singing is rather restrained, but the atmosphere is special.<\/p>\n

Marilyn then gives an introductory speech on the purpose of Beta. \u201cIn this course, you\u2019ll learn more about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus. About the word of God, and what you can do with it.\u201d Former member Maurice (23, Psychology) gave the talk this evening. \u201cThe central question is: what was God trying to tell us through the story of Jonah?\u201d He says he personally finds the story of Jonah, who at one point spent three days inside a fish, \u2018bizarre\u2019. \u201cBut we believe other things that seem bizarre. Like the resurrection of Jesus, which is supported by reliable historical evidence. If you believe that, it\u2019s reason enough to believe that this story happened too.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Former member Maurice gives a talk on the story of Jonah and the whale.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTara Lewis<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

He proceeds to give us a detailed analysis of the story, what it means and the parallels between Jonah and Jesus. It seems to go down reasonably well, although interactions with the audience are a bit awkward. The participants only really start to loosen up during circle time, when we break into small groups to delve deeper into the subject.<\/p>\n

The discussion follows a set format: what does this story say about God, about people and about you, and how can you spread this message? I join a group that includes Louise (19, Medicine, \u2018I\u2019m very excited about God\u2019) and Madeleine (23, Sociology, \u2018Alpha deepened my spiritual life\u2019).<\/p>\n

Friendship and forgiveness<\/h2>

Sitting in a circle, with an assortment of snacks (chocolate biscuits and crisps) in the centre, we end up talking, not about Jonah, but about the story of the prodigal son. It\u2019s a fascinating, deep, almost therapeutic conversation about friendship and forgiveness. It\u2019s cathartic to be able to speak your mind and reflect on your own shortcomings, while everyone contributes their thoughts. By the time we wrap up, the other circle has been at the bar for a while. Joas prays: \u201cLord, we thank you for the fantastic evening we\u2019re going to have. Amen.\u201d<\/p>\n

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When the bibles are put away, NSR looks like a society like any other.<\/span><\/p>

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tTara Lewis<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>

At the bar, drinks are in full swing. Some members of SSR are also there. Now that the Bibles have been put away, the NSR is just like any other student association. Bart is curious to hear how I\u2019ve found the experience. I explain that I\u2019m quite sensitive to the moral contemplations in the Bible study, the idea of love as a starting point and letting go of resentment. I ask, \u201cOn the whole, God is probably happy with that too right, without me being a Christian?\u201d He looks dubious. \u201cUnfortunately, that\u2019s not how it works\u201d, he explains. \u201cThe only way we can get to God is by believing in Jesus. Only with His help is it possible to resist temptation, for example.\u201d The place is teeming with bright young people, laughing and drinking. It\u2019s a sweltering evening. I wave goodbye. As I\u2019m cycling home, I hum \u201810,000 Reasons\u2019. I can\u2019t get it out of my head.<\/p>\n\t

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Would you like EM to drop by in your bubble? Send an email and invite us!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
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