Cheyenne Parke
Dr. Wade Cox
THEO 104-D12
May 18, 2018
Reflection Essay
1 How has your view of theology changed over the duration of this course?
At the beginning of this class I did not know what Theology was. I had very little
knowledge about the ideas and concepts that went into Theology. I understand how every person
is a theologian. Everyone has their own view about God. I now know that there are different
studies of theology. I know more about God's love for us and how important it is that we were
created in his image. An important thing to remember is that the Bible is not just about the
authors, but that it is God's story.
Theology is all around us. It is in our laws and our nations constitution. Our founding
fathers built this country with God's help and based it off of what is said in the Bible. The Bible
is also in our everyday lives because of the standards it sets for how we should treat others. I
now have a better understanding of how religion, God, and the teachings in the Bible are all
around us. Even the non-believers experience it.
2 How have you been able to practice the principles you learned from the course in your
own life?
Having learned about the sacred and secular divide, I have realized the Christianity really
has become oppressed. I have realized that I should be finding a way to combine the two. My
religious view should not just have to be confined to my private life. All these people who live
their lives as gay, transgendered or one of the many other things, are allowed to be open and
express themselves, but when it comes to sharing my faith with others it is wrong. God's
message should not be restricted. It is important to recognize what God had made and what God
has done for us, and we should remember to thank him for it.
It has also influenced me to be more Christlike in my everyday life. How we treat others
is very important because as Christians we are setting an example and we must be sure that we
are showing everyone the best side of us. I have also learned the better my relationship is with
God the happier I will be. Living a righteous life helps me to be a better person and life is much
more positive and not as lonely.
3 How will you pass on the information you have learned in this course to those within
your circle of influence?
My relationship with God and my religious views should not be kept to my private life.
With my group of friends, I can be honest and open without feeling judged for my views. When
religion does come up in conversation I make sure to tell my friends my point of view on the
matter. Even though they are non-believers they listen and have questions. This class has helped
me to be better prepared for their questions and also to be able to answer them. I let my friends
know that they are always welcome to come to with their questions about God. They are also
always invited to join me on Sundays when I go to church.
The study of religion is not hard. God has provided us with so many tools to help us
better understand what he means and what he needs for us to do. Religion is not just about
following what the church says, it is about what God wants for us, which is to be the best person
we can be on earth and to live righteously so that we may live with him. I want my friends to
better understand that the you can't just ask God for help when you are in need, but that you need
to build a relationship with him. I also want to teach them that the Bible is about so many things,
such as the creation, the fall, redemption, and the new creation, and how they all come together
to make one important story.
