I will provide a brief narrative for six pieces of work that I have done so far in this course. These six pieces represent a culmination of my deepest thoughts and most flourishing works. Each piece plays a significant part in my overall learning so far this semester. I will begin with the most stimulating assignment we were given, and will reveal how each piece builds upon the other. I will present my illustrations based on what I learned from each assignment.
Friday, January 29, 2010 “Living Life”
I wrote this assignment after reading Walden, and Thoreau. I felt their passion for nature and was moved to write about my own thoughts on nature. For me being in touch with nature allows me to delve deep into my soul and discover the things that make me who I am. In this post I discussed a time in my life when my local river had a dramatic influence on the way I was living. As I wrote, I felt a deep connection to Thoreau. Though I had struggled to master his literary style, after writing this piece I went back and re-read his works. I had a much more clear understanding of the message he was trying to convey.
Sunday, January 24, 2010 “Sublime”
This piece on the sublime was assigned after having read some of the bone chilling works by Poe. My impression of Poe was that he must have been mad maybe insane. I decided to visit The Poe Museum downtown to learn more about this crazy man. What I learned there about Poe’s life and upbringing taught me that you do not have to be a monster or a mad man to have a sublime experience. Events that words cannot describe happen to ordinary people every day. I wrote of my surgery and the awe-inspiring, no word can describe experience, which happened to me.
Monday, February 8, 2010 “My Ideal me”
Again influenced by Thoreau, I found that part of the ideal me was being a non conformist. I do not follow rules very well. I am extremely independent. I prefer the company of ME. This assignment also taught me that everything I just wrote was not entirely true today. Today I am a hard working family first kind of guy. I still have my rebellious moments. Unfortunately those wild thoughts of protest and revolt usually never make it to reality.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 “these are my ten rules for living a good and virtuous life”
Franklin’s virtues were a bit difficult to read the first time through. I had to read through it again to fully grasp the impact it had on me. Once I seized the main concepts I was more than prepared to write my own virtues. I try to read this post once in a while and remind myself of my own virtue.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010 “How to improve upon one of my weakest virtues”
Well it should come as no surprise that this piece would naturally follow the former. Thinking about and writing about my weakest virtue has taught me a great deal in understanding my flaws. One thing thought that this class has taught me is people will argue. Fellow classmates have made several attempts e by way of the discussion board to lure me into argument instead of a discussion. I have had to restrain myself since giving in is not one of my strongest virtues. On a lighter note, my wife tells me that I am improving.
Sunday, April 18, 2010 “Major Themes and lessons”
To conclude this post on what I have learned about reading, writing, and understanding literature I felt it only appropriate to revisit last week’s post on Major Themes and Lessons. I believe that this piece truly summarizes the impact that this course has had on my life as a critical thinker and reader. To quote myself;
“So far in this course I have discovered several major points that I feel Professor Brandon is attempting to convey. First I feel that we have been given a chance to think critically about the written text that we have examined. All of the blogging that we have done has increased our ability to write clearly, effectively, and concisely.”
Learning of our not too pretty past has opened my eyes to my questioning of so called authority and experts. Through the writings and reading in this course I truly feel more aware of my suspicious nature. I don’t believe that I will ever fall into the trap of going with the flow ever again.
Monday, April 26, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Learning Reflection April 25
This post will be my explanation of my participation in this course. I feel that my performance in this class has been satisfactory. I have kept up with my reading, blog posts, and I have been active in the discussion board.
I have tried to have my reading done within two days of being given the assignment. This is mainly so that I can spend the remaining effort in completing the writing assignments. The reading has been thrilling and educational. I almost cannot wait each week to find out what comes next. The political literature has by far been my favorite reading.
The blog posts are an awesome way to release my feelings. It has been quite rewarding. I plan to continue with my blog postings when this course is over. I also will be putting a link on my face book page so thatr I can share the power of blogging with my friends who do not know blogging yet.
I have mixed feelings about discussion boards. I feel that some people do not put much effort into this area. I can definitely smell the BS when someone is writing a response just to earn credit for participation.
I have learned that I am rather opinionated. I always felt that I was a non conformist. This class has helped me see that I follow the beat of my own drum and that I question authority frequently. I will never again believe something without doing my own research into the subject.
I have tried to have my reading done within two days of being given the assignment. This is mainly so that I can spend the remaining effort in completing the writing assignments. The reading has been thrilling and educational. I almost cannot wait each week to find out what comes next. The political literature has by far been my favorite reading.
The blog posts are an awesome way to release my feelings. It has been quite rewarding. I plan to continue with my blog postings when this course is over. I also will be putting a link on my face book page so thatr I can share the power of blogging with my friends who do not know blogging yet.
I have mixed feelings about discussion boards. I feel that some people do not put much effort into this area. I can definitely smell the BS when someone is writing a response just to earn credit for participation.
I have learned that I am rather opinionated. I always felt that I was a non conformist. This class has helped me see that I follow the beat of my own drum and that I question authority frequently. I will never again believe something without doing my own research into the subject.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
My take on Calvinism’s Five Points
I do agree with much of what the five points of Calvinism say, such as irresistible grace and perseverance of the saints, but I do not think that all of these points are strictly biblical.
One thing that really surprised me was how much the Calvin’s borrowed from sources such as Dante Allegheny and John Milton. The whole concept of the fall was never so much minutely detailed in the Bible as it was In Paradise Lost. Some of their five points seem to be heavily influenced by literature and not the “divine” word. In particular I believe that the concept of total depravity comes directly from Paradise Lost.
The Calvinist concept of unconditional election seems a lot like The Inferno. In the inferno Dante’s guide through the underworld explains to him that God chose to take some of the souls who lived before the resurrection up to Heaven with him. I did not necessarily see this in the Bible except in an abstract way when Jesus is speaking with Moses and another spirit.
One thing that really surprised me was how much the Calvin’s borrowed from sources such as Dante Allegheny and John Milton. The whole concept of the fall was never so much minutely detailed in the Bible as it was In Paradise Lost. Some of their five points seem to be heavily influenced by literature and not the “divine” word. In particular I believe that the concept of total depravity comes directly from Paradise Lost.
The Calvinist concept of unconditional election seems a lot like The Inferno. In the inferno Dante’s guide through the underworld explains to him that God chose to take some of the souls who lived before the resurrection up to Heaven with him. I did not necessarily see this in the Bible except in an abstract way when Jesus is speaking with Moses and another spirit.
Major Themes and lessons
Major Themes and lessons
So far in this course I have discovered several major points that I feel Professor Brandon is attempting to convey. First I feel that we have been given a chance to think critically about the written text that we have examined. All of the blogging that we have done has increased our ability to write clearly, effectively, and concisely.
Second we have witnessed the growth of American Literature in reverse chronological order. We started with Poe, Walden, and the transcendentalist movement and how it compared to the enlightenment. Once we learned of the enlightenment we discovered more on politics and the views that our founding fathers had on the subject. We then moved into the Great Awakening and discovered religion and revival.
Third we have been presented with contributions that America writers made to the overall literature world. Our own writings of our struggles with tyranny helped other European nations reform their own governments. Our revolution helped to fuel the French revolution.
We definitely have seen how culture and times have affected American writing. For example, we discussed Romanticism and the abolitionist movement. Slavery played a significant role in the shaping of our nation. We read arguments from both sides of this cultural subject.
So far in this course I have discovered several major points that I feel Professor Brandon is attempting to convey. First I feel that we have been given a chance to think critically about the written text that we have examined. All of the blogging that we have done has increased our ability to write clearly, effectively, and concisely.
Second we have witnessed the growth of American Literature in reverse chronological order. We started with Poe, Walden, and the transcendentalist movement and how it compared to the enlightenment. Once we learned of the enlightenment we discovered more on politics and the views that our founding fathers had on the subject. We then moved into the Great Awakening and discovered religion and revival.
Third we have been presented with contributions that America writers made to the overall literature world. Our own writings of our struggles with tyranny helped other European nations reform their own governments. Our revolution helped to fuel the French revolution.
We definitely have seen how culture and times have affected American writing. For example, we discussed Romanticism and the abolitionist movement. Slavery played a significant role in the shaping of our nation. We read arguments from both sides of this cultural subject.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Learning Reflection for Week 12
Top Ten Things I’ve Learned in this Course
First I have learned to become a better writer. I have definitely acquired a better means of expressing myself and my opinions through the use of blogs and discussion boards.
Second, I have learned more about how our nation was founded and the many different opinions that our founders had in regards to how the country should be established.
Third, I have learned to read faster.
Fourth, I have learned to more skeptical of what I hear and read.
Fifth, along that line I feel that I have learned to think more for myself and to look at things from different perspectives.
Sixth, I have learned that not everyone shares the same opinions as me and that is okay.
Seventh, I have learned to take constructive criticism from others.
Eight, I have learned that field trips such as the one I took to the Poe Museum, can help to appreciate the writer and their works.
Ninth, I have learned how to manage time better.
Tenth, I learned a little bit more about using the internet for research.
This week I was amazed to learn of the many different religious views that went into making our country what it is today.
First I have learned to become a better writer. I have definitely acquired a better means of expressing myself and my opinions through the use of blogs and discussion boards.
Second, I have learned more about how our nation was founded and the many different opinions that our founders had in regards to how the country should be established.
Third, I have learned to read faster.
Fourth, I have learned to more skeptical of what I hear and read.
Fifth, along that line I feel that I have learned to think more for myself and to look at things from different perspectives.
Sixth, I have learned that not everyone shares the same opinions as me and that is okay.
Seventh, I have learned to take constructive criticism from others.
Eight, I have learned that field trips such as the one I took to the Poe Museum, can help to appreciate the writer and their works.
Ninth, I have learned how to manage time better.
Tenth, I learned a little bit more about using the internet for research.
This week I was amazed to learn of the many different religious views that went into making our country what it is today.
On Faith
On Faith
I am what most consider a Christian. I believe in one God who exists in three parts. The first part is God; the second was his human form Jesus also known as his son. The third part is the Holy Spirit which is God in each individual. Of these three parts each plays an important role and each part depends on the other. I believe that when I die I will join God in eternity. I believe that Jesus was real and that my belief in Him is what will lead to my eternal reward. I believe that the Holy Spirit is God's way of guiding me and keeping on my path.
Now I will discuss some of the more controversial views that I have in regards to God. First, the reason that I keep referring to myself and God and not mankind and God is because I believe in a personal relationship with God that is different for each individual. There is a myriad of Christian denominations. Each one has a different view of how your relationship with the godhead should be. I have been a part of three major denominations. I have come to the decision that no denomination has it right.
Second, the Bible is not the infallible word written by the hand of God. Man wrote the Bible. These imperfect men were probably inspired by what they knew of God. Along those lines, I feel that much of the writers of the Bible were also influenced by the customs, politics, and culture of their day (by the way the bible was not written until well after the time of Jesus).
Third, according to the New Testament the written word in the Bible is too be the final say so. Nothing is supposed to be added. This leads me to doubt any creed, method, or denominational rules since the Bible is rather vague on these issues. If you believe that the Bible is infallible then one must obey the rules and not add to it.
Fourth, is my view concerning the Bible is the letters written by Paul. Paul, formally Saul, was a nonbeliever and a dis-creditor of the Jesus believing Jews until his miraculous conversion. Paul was not one of the original disciples and had never met the human form of God (Jesus). Paul did know some of the disciples but disagreed with them on most everything. Yet despite these strikes against Paul, most denominations base their methods, sermons, and ways of worship on the teachings of Paul.
Fifth, and here is my most controversial view, I believe that God speaks to different cultures in different ways. My view on this is that all forms of religion may be right in their view of God. I reiterate that I feel that human relationships with God are personal. God spoke to my hearth through Christianity. As a Christian I am taught that the Christian belief is the only correct belief. What if I had been born somewhere like Iran? I would believe that the Muslim belief of God was true and all other beliefs were false. The same holds true for Hindu, Shinto, Buddhism, Jews, and anyone else who believes in a higher power. Obviously if you do not believe in some form of higher power than that is your choice.
Now that I have stated my feelings on religion and faith I feel that the issue of church and state needs to be addressed.
If God made his presence know through multiple forms of religious belief, then can any nation state rule by religion? I believe that they can and should not. Government should be open and flexible to religious beliefs (or non beliefs). I believe that this is part of what deists such as Paine were trying to convey. Also other non deists such as Jefferson seemed to think that religion and state do not mesh well together. Today we live in a country that is supposed to be separating religion from state. At times I question this.
First it is widely know that the Republican Party has become heavily influenced by the Christian Right. Second, most of the western world including the United States bases their laws off of a Christian influenced base. God is still incorporated in our pledge of allegiance. Most Americans whether they believe in God or not still seem to follow a mostly Christian influenced set of ethics and morals.
There is no doubt how much Constantine’s adoption of Christianity for the Roman Empire has shaped the way western governments work to this day. Then there are other parts of the world where religion is the law. We see this mostly with Islamic governed Nation States. Nations such as Somalia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, and others are completely dominated by their religious belief.
In conclusion I wish to stress my views. A relationship with God is personal and different for everyone. God speaks to people of different cultures in different ways, so who is to say which religion is the right one. Lastly, governments are run by humans and should not be run by God or any other higher power.
Billy
I am what most consider a Christian. I believe in one God who exists in three parts. The first part is God; the second was his human form Jesus also known as his son. The third part is the Holy Spirit which is God in each individual. Of these three parts each plays an important role and each part depends on the other. I believe that when I die I will join God in eternity. I believe that Jesus was real and that my belief in Him is what will lead to my eternal reward. I believe that the Holy Spirit is God's way of guiding me and keeping on my path.
Now I will discuss some of the more controversial views that I have in regards to God. First, the reason that I keep referring to myself and God and not mankind and God is because I believe in a personal relationship with God that is different for each individual. There is a myriad of Christian denominations. Each one has a different view of how your relationship with the godhead should be. I have been a part of three major denominations. I have come to the decision that no denomination has it right.
Second, the Bible is not the infallible word written by the hand of God. Man wrote the Bible. These imperfect men were probably inspired by what they knew of God. Along those lines, I feel that much of the writers of the Bible were also influenced by the customs, politics, and culture of their day (by the way the bible was not written until well after the time of Jesus).
Third, according to the New Testament the written word in the Bible is too be the final say so. Nothing is supposed to be added. This leads me to doubt any creed, method, or denominational rules since the Bible is rather vague on these issues. If you believe that the Bible is infallible then one must obey the rules and not add to it.
Fourth, is my view concerning the Bible is the letters written by Paul. Paul, formally Saul, was a nonbeliever and a dis-creditor of the Jesus believing Jews until his miraculous conversion. Paul was not one of the original disciples and had never met the human form of God (Jesus). Paul did know some of the disciples but disagreed with them on most everything. Yet despite these strikes against Paul, most denominations base their methods, sermons, and ways of worship on the teachings of Paul.
Fifth, and here is my most controversial view, I believe that God speaks to different cultures in different ways. My view on this is that all forms of religion may be right in their view of God. I reiterate that I feel that human relationships with God are personal. God spoke to my hearth through Christianity. As a Christian I am taught that the Christian belief is the only correct belief. What if I had been born somewhere like Iran? I would believe that the Muslim belief of God was true and all other beliefs were false. The same holds true for Hindu, Shinto, Buddhism, Jews, and anyone else who believes in a higher power. Obviously if you do not believe in some form of higher power than that is your choice.
Now that I have stated my feelings on religion and faith I feel that the issue of church and state needs to be addressed.
If God made his presence know through multiple forms of religious belief, then can any nation state rule by religion? I believe that they can and should not. Government should be open and flexible to religious beliefs (or non beliefs). I believe that this is part of what deists such as Paine were trying to convey. Also other non deists such as Jefferson seemed to think that religion and state do not mesh well together. Today we live in a country that is supposed to be separating religion from state. At times I question this.
First it is widely know that the Republican Party has become heavily influenced by the Christian Right. Second, most of the western world including the United States bases their laws off of a Christian influenced base. God is still incorporated in our pledge of allegiance. Most Americans whether they believe in God or not still seem to follow a mostly Christian influenced set of ethics and morals.
There is no doubt how much Constantine’s adoption of Christianity for the Roman Empire has shaped the way western governments work to this day. Then there are other parts of the world where religion is the law. We see this mostly with Islamic governed Nation States. Nations such as Somalia, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Indonesia, and others are completely dominated by their religious belief.
In conclusion I wish to stress my views. A relationship with God is personal and different for everyone. God speaks to people of different cultures in different ways, so who is to say which religion is the right one. Lastly, governments are run by humans and should not be run by God or any other higher power.
Billy
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
