Karma and Backpacks
5/3/2007
Oh the bad karma of it all! I'm sitting as I write this in Lewis 332 watching my students take their final exam in Theology 251. It was a scintillating romp though such questions as: Does reason contradict faith or are these things complementary? Are there some "revealed" truths, like in sacred scriptures, that are higher than those humans can discover on their own, or did people just write those scriptures? Is some sort of church necessary or is the focus in religion more personal and individual? Does God exist or is God just a projection of human desires? Are miracles real or merely superstition? Are people basically evil or good? Why have so many intelligent people rejected religion in general and Christianity in particular? Why have so many viewed Christianity as a compelling and beautiful religion well worth practicing and devoting one's life to? Is Christianity the only valid religion or one of many? Has Christianity developed in fascinating ways as it has spread across the globe and moved across time, interacting creatively with many different cultures and religions? Or has it changed too much, threatening to lose its essential qualities by mixing with other worldviews or watering down its basic beliefs and laws? Has it damaged or destroyed the cultures of indigenous peoples across the globe? Are there uniquely modern and even postmodern issues that Christianity must address if it is to be relevant in the 21st century?
But they're glaring at me now because I'm making them explain Barth's claim that religion is unbelief, King's rationale for breaking laws, Rahner's understanding of mystery, Vatican II's take on the dignity of the human person, Ross's view of the theology of the body, etc. All that glaring, all that bad karma. Wait—Andre just looked up and gave me one of those "it's not so bad" looks. Nikki is actually smiling as she writes—or is that a grimace? I think they'll be OK.
Meanwhile I have a moment to reflect on how delinquent I've been in my blogupation. I'm not a slacker—I've just been prebloggupied. Sitting here now, I vow (I vow) to do better. Right.
Come on Arnes, don't look into space. You remember we talked about Whitehead. There he goes—h ead down and writing again. Primordial and consequent natures—you got it.
So many things to celebrate at the end of the academic year. Seniors making incredible honors presentations, like Fran Mazzei's mathematical analysis "Exploring the Decathlon Bias," Allison Quinn's novella "The Garbage Men," and Maks Derylo's research on "Electrocommunication of the Pig-Duck Knifefish." So many others. I love going to these superb student presentations at the end of the year. It's so refreshing to see what they can do when they tackle a research or creative project in such depth.
The students voted Jean Bevier, a professor of graphic design, as this year's winner of the excellence in teaching award. Her department chair told me yesterday that she walks on water and I believe it. Her talk at our honors convocation was a show-stopper. A couple of excerpts:
Well, only about a third of the students are still writing their exams up here in Lewis Hall. They also turn in papers today. Seniors' final grades are due tomorrow and the rest on Tuesday. I know what I'll be doing the next few days. In the papers they get to pick one question that interests them personally and really run with it. Those are always fun to read.
Lots of our study abroad programs are about to head out of town this summer—to Ghana, China, Venezuela, France and Italy. While most of these are open to any student, the Paris program is especially for Apparel Design or Apparel Merchandising majors. The students are so excited about all these programs, as are the faculty directors. Hmm. I may need to do some site inspections. You know—quality control. Let's see—where's my backpack? Come on Ewelina, hurry up. Beijing is calling!"
Oh the bad karma of it all! I'm sitting as I write this in Lewis 332 watching my students take their final exam in Theology 251. It was a scintillating romp though such questions as: Does reason contradict faith or are these things complementary? Are there some "revealed" truths, like in sacred scriptures, that are higher than those humans can discover on their own, or did people just write those scriptures? Is some sort of church necessary or is the focus in religion more personal and individual? Does God exist or is God just a projection of human desires? Are miracles real or merely superstition? Are people basically evil or good? Why have so many intelligent people rejected religion in general and Christianity in particular? Why have so many viewed Christianity as a compelling and beautiful religion well worth practicing and devoting one's life to? Is Christianity the only valid religion or one of many? Has Christianity developed in fascinating ways as it has spread across the globe and moved across time, interacting creatively with many different cultures and religions? Or has it changed too much, threatening to lose its essential qualities by mixing with other worldviews or watering down its basic beliefs and laws? Has it damaged or destroyed the cultures of indigenous peoples across the globe? Are there uniquely modern and even postmodern issues that Christianity must address if it is to be relevant in the 21st century?
But they're glaring at me now because I'm making them explain Barth's claim that religion is unbelief, King's rationale for breaking laws, Rahner's understanding of mystery, Vatican II's take on the dignity of the human person, Ross's view of the theology of the body, etc. All that glaring, all that bad karma. Wait—Andre just looked up and gave me one of those "it's not so bad" looks. Nikki is actually smiling as she writes—or is that a grimace? I think they'll be OK.
Meanwhile I have a moment to reflect on how delinquent I've been in my blogupation. I'm not a slacker—I've just been prebloggupied. Sitting here now, I vow (I vow) to do better. Right.
Come on Arnes, don't look into space. You remember we talked about Whitehead. There he goes—h ead down and writing again. Primordial and consequent natures—you got it.
So many things to celebrate at the end of the academic year. Seniors making incredible honors presentations, like Fran Mazzei's mathematical analysis "Exploring the Decathlon Bias," Allison Quinn's novella "The Garbage Men," and Maks Derylo's research on "Electrocommunication of the Pig-Duck Knifefish." So many others. I love going to these superb student presentations at the end of the year. It's so refreshing to see what they can do when they tackle a research or creative project in such depth.
The students voted Jean Bevier, a professor of graphic design, as this year's winner of the excellence in teaching award. Her department chair told me yesterday that she walks on water and I believe it. Her talk at our honors convocation was a show-stopper. A couple of excerpts:
Unplug. Every so often, pull out the earbuds, turn off your cell phone, push away from your computer— even if it's a Mac, and go outside. Go to a nature preserve and walk through the woods— this is a great time of year to see the amazing wildflowers that cover the forest floor in spring. Learn the migratory path of Sandhill Cranes, and how to listen and look for them when they come through. Take a camping trip to a place that allows you to get out of your tent at night, look up and see a sky so deep with stars it takes your breath away. It's useful to have the experience of living out of a backpack, because backpacking is a great metaphor for life. There are two valuable lessons involved in preparing for any camping trip. (1), you have to think about what's essential. What do you absolutely need, and what you can live without? And (2), whatever it is you think you need, you'll have to carry on your back. It really helps you cut to the chase….And then, some advice to the graduating seniors:
PROMISE ME YOU WILL NOT ALLOW YOURSELF TO FALL INTO CYNICISM OR DESPAIR! Cynicism and despair are two sides of the same coin and neither of them generates any positive action. Discernment, yes. Questioning, yes. Challenging the way things have always been done, absolutely! If ever there was a moment in history that calls for new ways of envisioning the world, this is it. You've got what it takes to succeed at this task. You can analyze the problem and visualize the solution. You can organize and take action. You can do it with energy, humor and compassion. The future is going to need community builders. People who know how to gather people into caring communities of action-oriented citizens. And I believe you're going out into the world with something that really gives you an advantage. You've experienced that already. You've helped to create that here. You've made it happen; it's not just a theoretical possibility for you. You're carrying it with you now, and that is a very cool thing to have in your backpacks.
Well, only about a third of the students are still writing their exams up here in Lewis Hall. They also turn in papers today. Seniors' final grades are due tomorrow and the rest on Tuesday. I know what I'll be doing the next few days. In the papers they get to pick one question that interests them personally and really run with it. Those are always fun to read.
Lots of our study abroad programs are about to head out of town this summer—to Ghana, China, Venezuela, France and Italy. While most of these are open to any student, the Paris program is especially for Apparel Design or Apparel Merchandising majors. The students are so excited about all these programs, as are the faculty directors. Hmm. I may need to do some site inspections. You know—quality control. Let's see—where's my backpack? Come on Ewelina, hurry up. Beijing is calling!"
