Theology is an amazing course that allows student to learn so much information about Biblical Studies.  Before taking Theology, I was not very knowledgeable on religion.  As funny as it is, I didn’t even know how to look up a verse or chapter in the Bible.  After taking this course, I have learned so much information.  I have learned how to find information in the Bible, and I have also learned how to understand the information I am reading.  Throughout the course we learned many different types of criticism that helped me to understand various readings.  I learned many books of the Bible, and I feel that after taking this course I am now capable of holding a real conversation about the Bible. 

When provided with a biblical writing, a person needs to analyze and truly understand the reading.  There are many different criticisms including: source, textual, feminism, and African american criticisms.  Each criticism analyzes a different aspect of the story, and it looks at the story from different perspectives.  Dr. Homan also taught us how to analyze two different pieces of literature, and he also taught us how to determine which one is more truthful.  When reading two different pieces of literature, the one that is more likely to be true is the one that is shorter and more difficult.  The reasoning for this is because a story is more likely to be altered as time progresses making the information in the story longer and more simplified; therefore, when analyzing two stories, remember to pay more attention to the one that is shorter and more complex.

Throughout the course of Theology, the main thing I feel I learned is how to write and communicate effectively.  We were assigned to write 15 blogs each containing 1000 words.  When I first read about this assignment, I thought it was going to be impossible for me to write all of those words.  As time went on, I realized that not only did I accomplish this goal, but I also learned how to improve my writing style in the process.  In order for someone to become a good writer it takes a serious amount of practice.  This course has provided me with a large amount of practice, which in turn resulted in me becoming a better writer.  Writing is an important aspect of communication.  I have learned to communicate on a higher educational level based on this course.  I can communicate more effectively through writings and also through verbal communication.

Theology course has improved the world one student at a time.  Throughout the course of Theology, we were assigned a particular project to carry out.  By carrying out the project, I know that I have truly made a difference in the world.  Not only has Theology influenced me to help improve the world, but Theology has motivated each student in the class to make a difference.  This is an amazing course that has taught the students many things about life and religion.

As I think about the conflict between Paul and James, I can’t help but think that both aspects are important.  I feel that a religion should be made up of both faith and works.  Without faith a religion would not be able to survive and continue on.  Faith is extremely important because it is what relates individuals to a particular religion.  Works is also very important because if an individual only has faith, they will not better society.  In order for a religion to truly mean something, works must be a major aspect of that religion.  By incorporating both works and faith, I feel that a religion has reached its ultimate potential for bettering the world.  These are the two major qualities that make Catholic religion what it is today, and what God had intended it to be.

I think the best part of Theology was the project.  I truly enjoyed implementing the project, and I would not change the outcome for anything in the world.  I had a lot of fun carrying out the project, and I know that I truly improved the world.  Volunteering at Second Harvesters Food Bank has provided me with a better outlook on life.  I realize now how fortunate I am to be able to live a comfortable life.  Before taking this course I took for granite all of the luxuries in my life.  After taking the course I now realize how important it is spend time thinking about other people and not just oneself.  The project has also taught me to be responsible and organized.  By setting up a canned food drive, I learned how important organization can be.  Without organization, my project would not have been successful.  I think the worst part of the Theology course was the “Who said what” on the midterm, and shortly in the future on the final.  I truly struggled understanding this part of the course, and I do not feel as though memorizing quotes is very helpful.  If I could change that aspect of the tests, I would provide a quote and ask the student to interpret what the author was trying to get across to the reader.  I feel that this method is more effective than just memorizing where the quote came from and who said it.

I absolutely think Theology should be a part of Xavier’s core curriculum.  Most students that attend Xavier have plans of becoming some kind of professional in their lifetime.  Many students strive to become doctors, pharmacists, lawyers, teachers, and many other important job holders in society.  By making Theology a part of the core curriculum it will benefit all of the students working hard to fulfill their goals.  Theology will better the lives of these individuals, and the course will make them all around better human beings.  The course teaches students many traits that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

By contributing all of these things Theology directly relates to my career choice.  Theology has helped me to grow into a better person throughout the course.  I have learned to build relationships with other students.  This trait will directly relate to my career.  Throughout my career, I will be forced to build strong relationships with others, and this course has taught me how to perform this task.  This course has also taught me better communication methods.  Before this course I thought I was the worst writer on the planet; after taking this course I have developed strong confidence in my writing abilities.  I am no longer full of anxiety anytime I have to communicate through writings.  This is a trait that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

 After writing 16,097 words in this blog, excluding my comments, I now believe that anything is possible, I just simply have to take the time to develop the confidence to accomplish it.  Thank you so much Dr. Homan for everything you have taught me.  YAY I AM FINISHED!!

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