As a Religion major, I do enjoy studying the Bible. My Bible classes are my favorite part of the day. But contrary to popular belief, students within the Religion Hall aren’t completely without humor. In fact, I have more fun in my Acts, John, and Theology classes than in Biology and GNED put together (Although combining a study of the human anatomy in Bio with a discussion of relationships in GNED, one right after another, proved interesting).
I love all my professors, but currently my favorite is Dr. David Croteau, my bright-eyed Acts professor. Just for giggles, I decided to give you all a look at some of Dr. C’s memorable quotes, along with those of his energetic class:
Dr.C: ”I put the praise music on and — alright! I got goosebumps — God’s back.”
Dr. C: “They told the poor children to put their hearts in the ‘Jesus’ bucket or burn them in the fire to their left, in Hell.
James: ”Where do people get these ideas?!”
Alex: ”The Bible.”
Dr.C (to Calvinist student): ”Alex says no to praying. If everything is predetermined, why pray, right? Sorry Alex, you were asking for it.”
Dr. C: ”If you don’t listen to your wife, you’ll end up committing suicide four years later in Gaul.”
What is very interesting is the difference between COMS students and Bible students. COMS students tend to be edgier, either more fast-paced and motivated in their career path or very, very apathetic. In contrast, Bible students are either extreme nerds who will one day write many books in leather offices and change Christianity as we know it, or they are youth majors with hilarious senses of humor (though perhaps a little less depth). Sometimes you find a perfect combo of both, and I kind of hope that’s how I turn out to be.
Theological humor tends to be the theme of my Bible classes (Surprise!). Impersonations of campus pastors like Johnnie Moore and Elmer Towns are frequently present, as well as animated discussions/satirical commentaries on guest speakers that come to convo during the week. Arguments to prove that Gandalf the Grey was a Calvinist have arisen (“A wizard is neither early nor late; he arrives precisely when he means to”), along with a heated debate over whether Frodo held to the five points of Arminianism.
We also have a fair share of diversity: we have one Calvinist and one Pentecostal in our Acts class. ’Charismatic Dan’, as our professor christened our spiritually-gifted friend, enjoys the Holy Spirit references of Acts. Alex, predestined to disagree with the professor, emphasizes the arguments of Peter and Paul. The commentaries of two female religion majors on ‘women in leadership’ have added a feminine flavor too. It’s a regular crock pot of denominations and beliefs.
So, to conclude with another memorable quote:
“You may wish to be some sort of Baptist monk eating chickpeas, dripping incense and rocking back and forth, but you can’t. You have to get up and get in the battle.”
Biblical Foundations of Prayer, Dr. Henderson
It’s been a happy day for me. I can hardly believe it is actually happening.
I spent the last four days enjoying one of the best schooling experiences I have had since I started college two years ago. It all started with one of the other best experiences — my journalism class — in which my professor suggested I sign up for the C.S. Lewis Writing Workshop at the end of July. “C.S. Lewis?” I thought. “I like him and all, but how could there be an entire workshop about writing like him?” I didn’t realize how long it had been since I read Lewis until I started the workshop (only made possible by Professor Winter’s informing me of an available scholarship!) and then I realized what I was missing.
