Blog (0) Carli Marcello

Although I am in this course because it fulfills my advanced common curriculum, I chose this particular class because I am truly interested in the New Testament. My past experiences with the study of Christianity has geared me toward being interested in the New Testament. Also, I became interested in the study of the New Testament because I hear passages from the New Testament every Sunday in Mass, and I always wonder the greater meaning beyond the words.

For thirteen years before attending Loyola in the Fall of 2009, I was exposed to Catholic Religion courses. When I look back at my elementary and high school education, I realize that I only learned one view of religious views and beliefs. My past experience with the New Testament mainly was an overview of the Gospels, rather than a critical analysis of the readings. While I am very appreciative of my education, I do wish that I would have been exposed to a more unfiltered view of different religions, beliefs on certain subjects, and a more critical analysis of the Bible.

Throughout my education, I always wanted to ask why when information was given to me. I do not find that that was acceptable in some of my classes. I also ask why after hearing passages in Mass. While sometimes my questions are answered, other times, I remain confused. Also during Mass, I get lost in the literal translation of the passages. I knew this course would help me analyze the passages I hear every Sunday on a moral critical basis.

Throughout my 3 years at Loyola, I have gained so much more knowledge on other religions and views of certain moral and ethical situations. This knowledge has not discouraged my own beliefs, but rather has allowed me to be able to back up my beliefs with facts, which in essence, has made my beliefs stronger. I know this course will help me support and establish my religious and moral beliefs because I will develop the skill of critical thinking. I want to be able to "carefully reflect on the good principles of reasoning [within the New Testament] and make a conscious effort to internalize them and apply them in daily life." Studying the New Testament critically, therefore, will not only help me understand what the authors wanted to portray, but also allow me to apply the New Testament messages in my life. This is why I chose this course.

Lau, Joe, and Jonathon Chan. "What is critical thinking." Creative Commons Attribution (2012): Accessed January 11, 2012. http://philosophy.hku.hk/think/critical/ct.php