Living Theology Log

Class discussions keep applying theology — putting doctrines from our sources (lectures, books) in conversation with Bible passages, aspects of college and culture, and the lives of people around you, including yourself.

In this assignment, you keep a running log where you reflect on instances where applying doctrines is not only interesting but fruitful.

Before you begin, create the file in which all of your work will go, if possible on the cloud. Make sure it's regularly backed up! Then, in that file, begin a log in which you record the following kinds of observations:

In a paragraph, how does doctrinal material you have learned from lectures or books apply to something in another course (preferably outside RS), elsewhere in college, or in your broader life (preferably beyond church so as to (a) improve your understanding of one or the other and (b) make it more practically fruitful? Explain, appealing of course to the course concepts and materials in question.

Do not just process or "journal" your thoughts on something from class. Instead, articulate fruitful connections between the course material and something other than the course material — preferably from another course in another discipline.

(What does 'fruitful' mean? It means producing something tangible that is of practical benefit to someone.)

Aim for seven or so entries.

Near the end of the semester, conclude your log (and submit it for good) with this assessment:

a. Are these connections generally constructive, mutually reinforcing and enriching in a way that suggests that "Christian liberal arts" might be a coherent and helpful category after all? Or are they destructive, qualifying or even contradicting the claims we make about our curriculum and campus life?

b. How has this course (and your RS GE courses in general) been informing your overall Westmont curriculum? Where are strengths and/or weaknesses emerging?