Experience with Theology
By Madison Wooten
THEO 104 Essay 1
When I hear the word “theology” I think of the study of different religions or systematic
beliefs of a single or many high power(s). I actually have not looked up the definition, and I have
not looked at this course description in so long that I truly have no idea what this course is
exactly about. When I think of someone who studies theology, I think of a professor who knows
all about the different religions and beliefs from around the world. I also think that many
religious leaders such as pastors, reverends and priests would have extensive education in
theology as well; At least I would certainly hope so! I also think that for one to truly study
theology and become a master at it, one would need to travel the world and be immersed in the
people who follow different beliefs. I think the only way one could become truly educated in this
subject is by studying it up close and personal, setting aside (but always remembering) their own
personal beliefs and allowing themselves to deeply consider other beliefs. I also think that in
doing so, one would see differences, but also many similarities between the different systems of
beliefs all around the globe. I also think all Christians should expose themselves to this at some
point in their lives in order to understand our religion better and from a different perspective.
I personally have not had any formal education exclusively labeled theology, but in my
time here at Liberty I have taken courses specifically on religion. My favorite was Survey of the
Old and New Testament. I learned more in that 8-week class than all my years going to church
and Sunday school combined. I greatly enjoyed having an in depth, analytical and academic
approach to the Bible in a way I never would have even thought to consider it. I have also taken
a Western Civilization class that covered the histories of ancient civilizations and expansionism,
all while also learning about their different methods of learning, including religion. I really
enjoyed learning about the Greeks and Romans, since they have so much impact on our society
today, even though most people have no idea about that! In another class, I specifically enjoyed
learning about the differences between religion and philosophy, and the civilizations’ different
beliefs and foundations being built on one or the other, and sometimes an incorporation of both.
Religion has so much to do with the rise of mankind, and I think studying it further can benefit
everyone.
I hope to learn as much as possible during this course and truly give it my all in hopes of
learning all I can about the overview of Theology. I have many questions, and I am hoping this
class will be able to answer most of them. I was raised Southern Baptist, and a majority of my
beliefs and preferences for worship still fall under that denomination. However, my fiancé and
father of my child is Mexican and was raised and Baptized as a traditional Catholic. I am very
naïve and ignorant of what exactly Catholicism teaches, besides what I was raised hearing the
pastors warn about in many sermons. I truly wish to dedicate my daughter in the Baptist church,
but I also really want to have her baptized in the Catholic Church as well so that she will grow up
having the same traditions, culture and heritage as her father’s side of the family. I hope that one
day she will make her own decision as to what she believes, but that at least she has those
ceremonies done and will be at an advantage in whichever church she chooses. It will also aid in
her marriage process if she ends up marrying a Catholic man. However, I have been receiving
mixed information about me not being Catholic making her unable to be Baptized in their
church. I have also been wondering what the main differences are between Baptists and
Catholics, along with what all it would take for me to be converted if I choose and also the pros
and cons of doing so. I am hoping to find guidance about that in this course.
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