Martin Luther King Jr. is more than a name from the past. The vision he expressed in the speech "Beyond Vietnam" reached beyond the issues of 1967 to—and beyond—the issues of today. Larry Dunn, Fresno Pacific University professor and member of the Center for Peacemaking and Conflict Studies, looks at King's words and their echoes for 2008 in this week's Scholars Speak.

Valley Episcopalians made a difficult decision earlier this month. In Scholars Speak this week, two Fresno Pacific University faculty—Eleanor Nickel and W. Marshall Johnston—who were on differing sides of the debate, provide a thought-provoking look at the issues, emotions and history behind the vote.

A young couple in town to be taxed stops at an inn, tired and footsore. Though he can plainly see the woman is about to give birth, the innkeeper forces them to the stables, earning a lasting place in the People You Love to Hate Hall of Fame. Had the innkeeper known who the child would grow up to be, might he have been a better host? Maybe. Or maybe the poor guy wasn't just a hard-hearted businessman, and maybe clearing his reputation is important at this time of peace on earth. That's Brian Schultz's point in this week's Scholars Speak.

This week Scholars Speak offers a two-for-one offer on school dress codes from faculty of the Fresno Pacific University School of Education.

Thanksgiving is coming, which means Christmas sales loom on the horizon. This week Scholars Speak offers a two-for-one offer on school dress codes from faculty of the Fresno Pacific University School of Education:

When it comes to global warning, most scientists say "yea" but a few stay with "nay." Is scientific unanimity possible? How much certainty is necessary to justify nonscientists taking action? These are the questions Michael Kunz, AIMS science professor at Fresno Pacific University, addresses this week in Scholars Speak.

If Sigmund Freud had the countries of Turkey and the United States on adjoining couches, what would he say about Armenia, admitting past mistakes, tough love and healing? That's what Jay Pope, Fresno Pacific University psychology professor, analyzes—sort of—in this week's Scholars Speak.

Television, movies, books, the Internet, newspapers and radio—each contains news, information and entertainment. Back when Lou Grant ran the newsroom, he made sure readers, listeners and viewers knew their real-life meat and vegetables from their fictional dessert. Today, has Fox Mulder taken over as editor?

That's what W. Marshall Johnston, Fresno Pacific University history professor, wonders in this week's Scholars Speak. Looks to him like journalists have lost their skepticism of the paranormal and ESP and voices from beyond aren't just for Halloween anymore.

Halloween is coming. For some a time to dress up for a little good-natured extortion in quest of candy. For others a time to fight the forces of darkness. Some schools have Halloween parties, others have harvest festivals. But is Halloween, like a costumed kiddie, hiding something? And are the secrets of the night even what we think they are? Pamela Johnston, history and classics professor at Fresno Pacific University, looks at Halloween's backstory and comes up with some surprising answers in this week's spooky Scholars Speak.

School counselors deal with students in a way no other educator does. In a job that's more than testing and filing results, counselors works with children and young people individually to see what makes them tick. At least, that's what school counselors do in a well-designed program that's supported by administrators.