Lady's Night Regent Style

Meet Dr. A.

Excuse me, Dr. Attanasi, Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy in Regent's Undergraduate Religious Studies program, for those who like ornate titles.

Dr. A is on the left-hand side of the table, one person away from the wall. Just to be vain and let everyone know, I am the one sitting directly to Dr. A's left (which would technically be her right) in the white sweater.

The female students who have had Dr. A in class were all invited to dinner at CiCi's Pizza, off of Kempsville Road and Centerville Turnpike and this night was ladies night. There was no particular reason for the event, just for some good conversation outside of Regent's own four walls. We discussed future plans, academics, everyone held the baby in the stroller and ate as much pizza as an all-you-can eat buffet will supply for just over $7.

Girls from all academic studies attended, anything from English to Communications to Religion majors attended. I might add it was a good night of discussion and fellowship and good food! Good food seems to accompany all good Regent Events. It is nice when you are a broke and starving college student.

Dr. Attanasi is a Harvard grad finished her Ph. D. at Vanderbuilt University in Tennessee. She has travelled extensively and spent one year working as a journalist. I think this explains why I enjoyed her teaching style so much, I can identify with her stress on strict observations from the texts we would read. Learning (and good journalism) is all about learning to observe, and in Dr. A's class observations of all kinds were welcome.

It was a good night and I think just about everyone in the picture could agree.

World Religions and the Great Commission Symposium

On February 27, 2010, I attended the World Religions and the Great Commission Symposium. Regent University's own, Katy Attanasi Ph.D., undergraduate professor of religious studies, moderated the morning presentation of papers. The papers presented discussed the question, how should charismatic Christianity respond to other word religions? and included four speakers.

The first presenter was Dr. Tony Richie, pastor of Church of God in Knoxville, Tennessee and Adjunct Professor at Pentecostal Theological seminary. He discussed inclusivism and the responding perspectives. He mentioned that the Spirit, or the move of the Holy Spirit as evidenced at Pentecost, should never be limited by the Word and is exhibited by “a close work between the Spirit’s work in our hearts and the Spirit’s work in creation.” In closing, he left the audience with the acronym NEWS which suggests that Christianity should (N) nuance our understanding of humanity’s spiritual experience, (E) emphasize evangelism and proclamation dialogue, (W) welcome fresh visionary venues and be open to what God is doing today.

Following Dr. Richie was Dr. Stevens Studebaker, Assistant professor of Systematic and Historical Theology and Howard and Shirley Bentall Chair in Evangelical Thought at McMaster Divinity College. He discussed the problem that Pentecostal theology often maintains a negative theology of other religions in its commitment to missionary ventures. He said that it is natural for humans to want to segregate the Holy Spirit is into residing in one location but not another. He also mentioned that religion is a “mixed bag” of the work of the Holy Spirit (as exhibited at Pentecost) and the way human response to the move of the Spirit.

Kirsteen Kim, lecturer at Leeds Trinity University College, spoke on theologies of religious pluralism. She discussed a case study of the Dalit in India who are stratified at the bottom of the Indian caste system as they pursue jobs in sweeping and tanning leather. Among the Dalit, a new religion is developing which academics are studying. Kim discussed that India has been the main scenery for inter-religious dialogue and the classification of “spirits” or spiritual forces has been a topic of much discussion. Kim argued that Christians must affirm “life” as a spiritual force as emerging from a Christological nature. She also discussed how Pentecostalism has the flexibility to embrace plurality but not necessarily pluralism. A pluralist correctly understands each and every manifestation of the Holy Spirit.

The final morning presenter was Veli-Matti Karkkainen, who discussed notions of suffering in Buddhism and Christianity. The conclusion was that suffering between these two religions differ. One such difference is that in Buddhism suffering is a result of individual activity. In Christianity, suffering can be a result of the wrong doing of others. Another difference is that Buddhists often refrain from intervening in human suffering whereas Christians are urged to intervene. Karkkainen also mentioned that Pentecostalism fails to often communicate the loving-kindness and compassionate picture of Jesus Christ and should improve in this area.

The symposium was enjoyable and dense. The approach to Pentecostal Christianity in the 21^st century is different than ever before. As Kristeen Kim said, “Uniformity is imperialist.” The attempt to conform the world to Christianity is becoming out-dated. A mutual respect of similarities and differences among world religions is necessary and the best attitude possible. This was a unique discussion to attend especially considering the religious roots and pentecostal nature of Pat Robertson, the founder of Regent University.

"I Don't Know What I Want To Do"

I am hearing it all over campus from various different people in various different studies.

“I don’t know what I want to do.”

College has a way of pressurizing people. I think somewhere along the line we all thought that we were supposed to know what we want to do. Like knowing what you want to do for the next 50 years when you are eighteen years old is a normal thing.

I don’t think it is normal. I don’t think it is normal one bit. When I first started college as an 19 year old, I applied to Regent Undergrad as a psychology major. After being accepted and rejecting the acceptance, I reopened the application two years later as an English major.

Will I be reading books, analyzing philosophy and writing essays two years from now? Maybe. Is it more likely that I will be doing something completely different than I ever thought? Absolutely. Sometimes the open-ended, answer-less questions in our lives like What do I want to do with my life? Are the ones that leave the most room for God to work.

If you don’t know what you want to do with your life, wait. Give it time. These things come to us. After all, its not like your parents are still wallowing in front of the television with a bowl of popcorn, a nose ring and 4-5 friends saying I don’t know what I want to do with my life.

These things have a way of working themselves out.

Things They Don't Say in Orientation

I am already beginning to hear whispers around my classrooms. Its about the time when school gets tough and the sound of tears from the room over are not rare. The first year students are missing home…alot. The work load is starting to pile up as the realities of college life set in for all students. Here are five things that helped me get through freshman year and my years as a transfer student that they don't tell you in orientation:

1. Give it Time. Many freshman students leave after the first two weeks. Then some leave at Christmas. College life is a huge adjustment that can take up to a year to be comfortable with. When home-sickness is strong, reach out to others. The best places I have found to meet people are the laundry room, the fitness center, class, clubs and through just being a charming and out-going individual not afraid to shake a hand or smile. Friendships will come. Whatever you do, get your mind off of the fact that this huge life-change has thrown your life into a frenzy. Part of college is learning to be outward and intentional about social life. Its ok to take a time to adjust. In the long-term, you won’t regret it.

2. Decorate Your Room. If where you are living does not feel like home, it is likely that you won’t stay there. Try putting up some posters, or my personal favorite – curtains. The little things like funky cups, homey blankets, sweet smelling scents make a world of difference to how comfortable you feel. Its worth the splurge at Target or Walmart to make sure that you feel at home and are living in an environment that is comfortable enough to allow focus to be on studies.

3. Reward Yourself. College studies are grueling. They possibly equate to the most reading you will ever do in your life. According to the book Light on the Path, an undergraduate student typically reads as many as 150 pages every week or more! When the week is over and you have finally finished all the reading, discussion posts and papers, don’t forget to reward yourself. It can mean buying a candy bar the size of your arm or planning the world’s largest all-floor sleepover in the hallway. Just don’t forget that you matter and taking care of you is as important as reading is to college success.

4. Buy Good Food. Ultimately we are what we eat. If you fill your stomach with sugar and processed food, it will make the brain foggy and confused. If you fill it with foods that are part of a balanced diet, it will provide for more energy and mental function. If you are having trouble studying, try cutting out sugar, it will change how you feel. Good food is worth the splurge at the grocery store. Sugar will always be a staple in the college student’s diet but don’t forget about fruits and veggies, meats and dairy. It will make a world of difference.

5. Visit the Profs. Professors can seem so intelligent and intimidating even though they are paid to help students. When a professor holds office hours, don’t hesitate to visit. If you need help with an area in the class, go seek advice. Go and talk to them about why they chose to be a professor and what super-cool reason led them to Regent. This is supposedly the nation’s pre-eminent Christian university. The professors here did not come because no one else was hiring. College professors have great stories too. You never know, it could turn out to be a smart networking move for your future.

I hope these all help. They helped me. Best of luck this week J