Reflection Paper

Reflection Paper

BIL 102, New Testament Survey, turned out to be a wonderful class that I would not have had the opportunity to experience if I would have chosen to go to a “traditional” four-year university. Indiana Wesleyan University has done a wonderful job with teaching me, along with other students, how to respect religions that I would not have been as open to a few years ago.

Living inside of a “totally Catholic” world all of my life has not been a 100% great experience. I have seen first-hand for myself, through meeting new friends at work and college that the Catholic religion does not really stress the need to get to know and understand the bible. It’s sad to admit, but the Catholic religion does not offer bible study courses. Protestant churches do offer bible study classes, and to be honest, I am tempted to go to one of those churches to get a better understanding of the bible.

New Testament Survey has done what I have needed all of my life; it gave me a reason to study the bible. This course has increased my knowledge of the New Testament on a scale that I cannot really measure, but let me say that what I have learned is a heck of a lot more than what I had known all of my life. I had stated in one of the message forums that even though I had attended Catholic grade school, I felt like there was something I had missed. I’m not sure if not learning what I should have was my fault or the teachers’ fault, but either way, I graduated from Catholic grade school feeling like I had missed the point of a Catholic education.

This course has provided a better understanding for me about the lives and works of Peter and Paul. I can say that in the book of Romans when Paul wrote about behavior, I do tend agree with most of what was written. I think most people will admit that even though we know this is how we “should” live, there are times when “doing the right thing” can be a challenge.

This course has also improved my understanding of not only Christ’s work while he was here on earth but also the Holy Spirit’s work, mainly in Acts. When friends have asked which I relate to most, the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit, I will always say the Holy Spirit. Ever since I was a teenager I have heard a man’s whisper voice praying along with me. When I was eighteen or nineteen years old and on a retreat, I had mentioned this voice praying along with me to an Indian priest. I was honestly at the point of being afraid of what this voice was because it was not anyone’s voice I would have recognized. The priest told me not to worry, to consider this a gift of knowing the Holy Spirit is praying along with me. I have had other experiences since then, some of which have involved