My comments of the Introduction to Biblical Studies course so far is that it has a lot of information to present but probably will not because we only have 4 four months to learn and comprehend several thousands of years of information that has been passed down from generation to generation, from oral to written form and according to some Biblical Researchers - has been misinterpreted and therefore has been passed down in this unfocused sloth of stories, characters, thoughts and ideas in which we call the Bible. Another thoughts is that this class is that since there is such variety of blends as far as religious backgrounds and some with a non-religious background, it should be interesting to find out how people in our class will respond to the different scenarios and philosophies presented by the instructor, Dr. Homan. My expectations of this course would be several things; 1) to gain a different point of view as it relates to how different people view the bible.

The reason I took this particular class was because 1) It’s an A&S requirement. 2) It deals with my religious views of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 3.) The instructor of this course co-wrote one of the text books that we are using, called The Bible for Dummies. I felt that this professor would have some common sense and a sense of awareness of what people know and generally believe to be true, so that he should not say something that would shatter someone’s faith and cause them to commit suicide. Referring to Number one, Xavier University is the only Historic Black Catholic University founded by a canonized saint named Katherine Drexel. I assume that it’s motto about religious studies is to make it mandatory as to make sure that Xavier University continues to operate under the principles in which it was founded. Referring to number 2, because I believe that everything in the Bible is divinely inspired, it has made a tremendous different in how I think, act, and communicate with others. It shapes the very idea that I don’t even belong to myself. Just a minor note, I’ve done and been through a lot of things that I could not even tell my own parents. The Bible, not family, not friends, not philosophy, not religion (occult like beliefs) could help me to accomplish and overcome what the world said would destroy me. But it was the Bible and its contents in present form that helped me to become and continue to become who I am suppose to be.

My thoughts about the Biblical Studies are of a fragmented stigma. There is a saying that my sense, is says, B I B L E Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth. I believe that this is truth because the basic philosophy of the Bible or Bibles in general are to create a better and more humane society between various peoples, cultures, societies, philosophies, trends, and areas of misunderstanding and misinterpretation. Most people do not realize how important understanding the bible can be and how it plays a major part in everybody’s everyday life. Most people just treat the bible as a disease that could kill them. I don’t understand why people who don’t understand scriptures misinterpret ate people who understand it. The reason I study the Bible is to get a more personal understanding about who God is and what Jesus means to me and those around me. Biblical Studies are about understanding the historical aspects of the Bible. Some people question whether any of the miracles and amazing works ever took place. Some recent studies prove that many wonders explained in the Bible actually happened because Biological evidence proves its case.

The Background that I have had in Bible comes from attending Sunday school as a child through my youth and into my adult life. Even from my earliest remembrance, there has been someone who was older and wiser with a strong hope, and solid foundation in the Bible. I used to the go to Full Gospel Baptist Church on Claiborne Street and while there, I would attend youth Sunday school. At first, it started out as just having somewhere to go on a Sunday, but later turned into something more that would become apart of my life and change me forever. As I moved around to different locations in the city, I would ask to go to church. As usual, I would go to Sunday school before church started. As I got older, I stop going to Sunday school because it seemed like the instructor would teach the same thing over and over and over again. After awhile, I got disinterested, and decided to just go to church. Years later, I notice that there was something missing in my life, I started to go to church with my grandmother at Greater Saint Stephen Full Gospel Baptist Church and started going to the adult bible study because there was no one to watch me at home. Again, the process that proceeded from my youth matriculated into a narrower version of impatience and incompetence. I move around and stop going to church with her and decided that It was time for my to find this personal Jesus that everyone was studying. I made it to my present home church, Elijah Christian Ministries where I began in the music ministry and later on various other tasks, jobs, and duties that were assigned to me. One Sunday, I decided to go to Sunday school at my new church. I would sometimes study the text but wouldn’t really be interested in it. Until one day, we were in Sunday School, all five of us and the teacher asked us to identify ourselves with someone and some situation that happened in our lesson text and when I answer to the statement, I realized that understanding was missing from the equation. I knew the stories, I knew why they happen the way they did, but did not understanding fully the purpose behind them that would bring fulfillment to the generations to come. As I continued to get a hold of the Bible, the Bible got a stronger hold on me. One day, the opportunity was presented to me to join the teaching staff at my church. I felt confident enough to take the job and take on the challenge. From a child that needed something to occupy his time to an adult who tries to speak a plain vision of love, hope, and light to the dark blind world, the Bible in its present form has Saved and Changed my life forever.

Comment on Course Commitments.

As far as attendance goes, I do intend on attending all classes unless directed otherwise. I basically on time to every class I attend unless there was some unforeseen situation that would cause me to miss or be exceptionally late to any class. In order for me to be prepared for class, I must understand what is assigned. Most of the time, I’m ready to participate in class unless I did not study my information and was not prepared to participate in class. As far as the cell phones and beepers go, my cell phone stays on the setting Silent as longs as I am in class and as well when traveling class to class. It only rings aloud during after hours because there are other classes going on when I am on academic breaks between classes. I tend to think that I have a positive attitude when it comes down to others opinion unless it makes no academic sense. Even after that, I respect their opinion and hope that they come to a better understanding of what is being presented. I respect others thoughts because I want them to respect mine. Academic honesty means to be true to one’s self and others as far as written documents are concerned. I desire that I should gain knowledge through viewing others comments on various subject and come to the conclusion that it is their comments and not my own. I chose not to cheat on anything because God gave me a mind to use just like everybody else. It would not be fair to plagiarize or steal the ideas of someone who has worked hard to come up with their conclusions and comments. I would not want someone to do that to me, so I don’t do it so others.

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