The Cost of a Christian College

There are a few times while here at Harding I wonder why I’m here.  Usually these instances deal with the infamous Bible Department.  There are people in the Bible Department I love dearly, Dr. Cox, Scott Adair, Dr. Stockstill, and a few others.  But on the whole the entire idea of the Bible Dept. makes me cringe.  For those who don’t know, at Harding, one is required to take Bible every semester, up to 8 semesters.  Let me make this clear it is a requirement.  (Keep this in mind for later use)  Unless you’re a Bible major, most of these classes are something that the students just put up with because they go to Harding.

Today was one of those days in Bible class that made my blood boil.  My Professor, DA, gave us a packet of material to read a few class periods ago.  When he wanted to discuss it today, practically no one in the class- including myself-had read the articles.  He then proceeded to give us a lecture.  He reminded us that we are not to be doing other class’ work during his class.  Fine.  He said we were supposed to read the material. Fine. The part that got my blood to boil was when he started telling us that we weren’t taking his class seriously and being “thoughtful” about the material. 

I’m sorry, sir, I don’t care about the material.  It is my requirement to graduate to be in your class.  I don’t work on other class’ work during your class, I doodle.  Why? Because I can’t stay wake otherwise.  You did not keep your promise not to preach at us like you said you wouldn’t.  You have.  That’s why your class is sedated when they leave.  Our salvation is our responsibility, not yours, stop trying to shove Jesus down our throats.  It only makes us gag.  The reason I picked your class sir?  Because I had to have a Bible class.  This was one of only two classes that fit into my schedule.  You want to know why I picked yours?  Because it was on the first floor.

I’m sick and tired of the Bible Dept. thinking that just because this is a Christian University they have the authority, nay, obligation to control every other department on campus as well as our minds and feelings toward their classes.  Get a clue DA.  We’re there because we have to be, not because we want to be.  You can’t guilt us into wanting to try in your class.  If I can half listen to what you’re blabbing on about in class doodle and still get a 96% in your class.  It can’t be me, ’cause I’ve got the grade.  By the way, it’s taken us five weeks to get through a chapter and a half.  Yeah… now can you see why there’s a problem.  At this rate we will only finish 4.5 chapters in one book of the 7 books we’re supposed to review this semester.

My challenge to Harding is: Stop hiring old preachers as teachers.  They are not academic teachers, send them to a church somewhere else where we don’t have to listen to them shove religion down our throats.  Learn the difference.  This is a school, not a Four-Year Long Sunday School Class.

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