Reflective Essay: The BA Religion Program

The one idea that drew me to a liberal arts college was the ability to take a wide breadth of classes from all disciplines. I hope to receive not just facts and memorization out of my education, but applications to other subjects and even daily activities. A prominent example of this is my potential major, physics. To prepare for an eventual career in the scientific field, this semester I am pursuing research in physical oceanography. Also, I joined the physics club in order to extend my learning outside the classroom, in addition to using this club as an opportunity to seek out like-minded individuals who also share a passion for science.

I can see Texas Christian University as a great fit for me because it offers so much for me to grow as a students. I can see myself attending the Academic Services offered by TCU in order for me to become a better students and go for help. At Haverford I would find myself using their academic help services, asking teachers questions and go for extra help. TCU also offers its students a wide variety of major and minors to choose from. Business is an interest of mine and TCU offers a great business program. But if I was not to go down that path TCU would allow me to find a new major or minor to choose.

Theology 104 has really changed my outlook and views regarding systematic theology. I now understand more clearly that as Christians, in order to be able to accurately share our faith that we must all be a theologian to some extent. Looking at the totality of it all, the four religion courses I have taken since January 2015 have really expanded my views and understanding of what it is to be a Christian. Between Philosophy and Contemporary Ideas (PHIL201), Contemporary Worldviews (APOL 104), Survey of Biblical Literature (BIBL 104), and Introduction to Christian Thought (THEO 104), my understanding of the Bible and Christianity in general has increased exponentially. While my overall belief system has not been impacted, I now have a better

Over the past two years, Oklahoma Baptist University has proven to be a life-changing place for me. I have learned not just about studying and preparing myself for a future career, but also invaluable truths and life lessons that I will never forget.

Jesus Christ! God damn it! Both are common phrases whispered to ones self or shouted aloud to the masses by both believers and unbelievers. Day after day people turn to religion and God to find answers and to seek help with there problems or for other various reasons. People turn to religion to try and make sense of a world that can often seem too stressful and meaningless, to rise above however with faith; it gives the impression of meaning. It is said He can inspire souls and compel one to engage in acts of justice and mercy in addition to promising eternal life with Him (Bahr vi). One can doubt the chances most believers know of the origin and history of there own

In a world where information can be found at our finger tips, there is still a large deficit in understanding when it comes to literacy. Although possessing the ability to read and write is valuable, it is simply not enough. The truth of the matter is that having the ability to read and write is worth nothing if one does not understand what he or she is reading and writing. As a result of my childhood experiences, religious literacy is possessing a basic understanding of one’s individual religion, and having the capacity to internalize what certain teachings and beliefs means to them. In a narrative of my literary experiences, these moments regarding religion shaped my capacity to read, write, and comprehend. I simply want to share my Catholic faith. Not to convince you or to convert you, but simply to share what the Catholic traditions and beliefs mean to me.

Being completely honest, I wasn't really fond of the study until grade 9. From grades 1-8, I honestly don’t really recall what I learned. I understood grade 9 as more of an “Introduction to Religion” course and remember going through the key components of the catholic religion—how to read The Bible, learning The Ten Commandments, what the religion believes in, how to live a catholic life, and plenty more. For me, grade 9 was the turning point for the religion study where I felt I was learning meaningful lessons that could actually play in my daily life. The positive aspect of the course was everything that could relate to my daily life—the scenarios, right and wrong, and so on. In regards to the negatives, I only had one and it was memorizing the stories and characters. I would much rather focus on the meaning and significance rather than every tiny little detail. However, the positives definitely outweighed the negatives and I look forward to what’s next in store for the religion

I met a few cheerleader or supporters that shared a lot of positive insight with me about Bethel University. They are people that graduated from Bethel. Therefore, I decided to check the curriculum out for myself. I spoke to the enrollment team and decided to become apart of the Bethel University Success Undergraduate Program.

Fasting is abstaining from food, drink, sleep or sex to focus on a period of spiritual

"Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important" (C.S. Lewis). Christianity is a religion based on the life and teaching, in the New Testament, of Jesus. It is a type of religion that only believes in one God. People who follow this religion are called Christians. Most Christians believe that God is one eternal being who exists as three distinct, eternal, and indivisible persons: the Father, the Son (Jesus Christ the eternal Word), and the Holy Spirit. Most Christians says that the work of the "Spirit of God", the Holy Spirit, is truly important.

Christianity is defined as, “A major religion, stemming from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus of Nazareth (the Christ, or the Anointed One of God) in the 1st century AD.” (Shelton) It has become the largest of the world’s religions. Yet in Ancient Rome in the first century A.D. they were not welcome. Christians were burned and tortured, and persecuted for just over three hundred years because of their beliefs. Why? We may never fully know, but I believe it was mostly out of fear. Fear of the new, and fear of change.

Christianity is the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. Most followers of Christianity, called Christians, are members of one of three major groups--Roman Catholic, Protestant, or Eastern Orthodox. These groups have different beliefs about Jesus and His teachings. But all consider Jesus central to their religion. Most Christians believe God sent Jesus into the world as the Savior. Christianity teaches that humanity can achieve salvation through Jesus.

Religion: the best thing to ever happen to humanity or the one thing that is holding us back? While there are many arguments and testimonies that support either side, there is a clear answer. Religion, specifically judeo-christianity, in the western world has an array of disastrous issues ranging from bias teachings to abuse and hate crimes. There are countless examples of ways in which religion has, and is continuing to regress society’s views and morals. Ignorance and disdain from scientific fact, fear to act upon natural human impulse, innumerable human rights violations and of course wars on religion, are topics rarely discussed due to the concern of offending those who have a relationship with the creator. I will not be discussing the

There are few people that I know who believe God is real and you can see it through the person they are. It is not determined by the way they dress or the music they listen to. How loudly one sings during church does not mean they love God, although it can be. One may say God loves everyone, yet why does he send many to Hell? Others could say God was caucasian or he was colored or he was an alien. Not one person believes in exactly the same thing as the next person. I definitely have my own belief on who God is just like how I believe in my own philosophy that surrounds him, love. Love is what destroys, encourages, and creates the things in our lives and constructs the way we are. The way one chooses to express it can make everything and everyone around them become a symbol of their love, or it can make everything collapse around them. That choice defines a person's life.

Well my faith is indeed a faith – completely trusting in something, God. I direct my life towards what I have complete trust in. That faith is secured through choosing everyday to constantly put my trust in God. I personally believe that practicing the spiritual disciplines, like Bible readings, prayer, worship, fasting, etc., helps to further my faith and learn different aspects of God to further my love for him.