I learned a new word last week.
Somewhat before class, a student asked if we could have a "Yahweh" class.
Here is an approximation of my stream of consciousness:
Did she just say, "Yahweh"? Does she want a religion class; a Christianity class? What has she heard about me? Am I expected to discuss religion? This is a Christian university.uh, uh, what do I do? What do I do?
Turns out, the Korean word for 'outdoor' sounds similar to to the Christian word for God. It was a beautiful day and she wanted to slack off. Not willing to ask for the hour off, she did the next best thing and asked to go outside for class.
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I am an atheist but that doesn't affect anything I teach. I have never bad mouthed religion, of any sort, in class.
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Has anyone ever had a successful outdoor class - not one based on sports or relevant material, but simply generic material with the class held outside? If so, please give me advice on how to do that. I suspect I could give a good class outside but to do so takes a lot prep and good weather days are unpredictable -except this year when it is easiest to predict bad weather.
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8 comments:
You DO have a soul, and it needs Christ!
All you have to do is prove or give evidence for that claim. Since you can't, I have to doubt any assertion you make.
I believe I have a soul but it is just belief, not fact. Believing (suspecting?) that I might be reborn as a beggar or a plant (what does the soul learn from being a leaf?) might steer me towards being a slightly better person but I base major life decisions and behaviour on ethics and philosophy, not religion. I prefer to ask someone to not park in the handicap space rather than tell them to believe in Jesus.
the Bible
the conscience
archaeology
theology
the fact that creation 'began'
the endurance and spread of the church
the testimony of 'changed' lives from all parts of the planet and of all different intelligence levels
Interesting excerpt by John MacArthur about the nature of 'truth' in our postmodern world system...
www.gty.org/files/pdf/TheTruthWar.pdf
Very relevant to the questions of metaphysical doubt and cultural relativity which currently form our mindsets through the agenda of media and education of today. We're living in unique and strange times.
I've seen classes that involved a walkabout with a quiz on vocabulary or a lesson expanding vocabulary - talking about bushes, lawns, different kinds of buildings, etc. It is kind of a slack-off class, but you could make it work.
Glad to hear that you are not completely without a fear of God--it's a start! :)
anonymous,
An interesting list - it is the sort of thing I expect from incoherent evangelists as if there were some obvious logic involved. Said logic is completely absent, by the way. Please, explain how archaeology, for example, supports the evidence for a soul.
Oh, if you are the same person who posted first, I would like you to make up a web identity so I know whether I am talking to one person or more than one. You don't need to use your name, just some consistent pseudonym, even in the body of your comment.
Skinleshanks,
Thanks. Unfortunately, I have a co-teacher and, well, it complicated because the book is arranged in a mysterious order (and written by a co-worker so I won't say more). Anyway, I think I need to teach specific content each week so I cannot easily change the material. Well, I should plan ahead for September's classes.
I saw nothing of value at the MacArthur site. He's clearly preaching to the choir as his logic falls apart if you don't accept his brand of Christianity.
Your appreciation of what's relevant is, well, interesting.
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