Saturday, June 26, 2010

“Christian Philosophy Lite: Become aware, appreciate God's creation” plus 1 more

“Christian Philosophy Lite: Become aware, appreciate God's creation” plus 1 more


Christian Philosophy Lite: Become aware, appreciate God's creation

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 03:32 PM PDT

By Raymond SmithBY RAYMOND F. SMITH

Advanced age is often a time for deeper reflection on the mysteries of life.

Because we are less preoccupied with making a living and raising a family, we become more observant and introspective. That is not to say that a working person cannot think deep thoughts and appreciate the wonders of God's creation. Sometimes God brings us to a critical stage in life that causes us to start thinking more deeply. Said Abraham Maslow after his third heart attack, "The confrontation with death ... makes everything so precious, so sacred, so beautiful, that I feel more strongly than ever to live it, to embrace it and to let myself be overwhelmed by it. My river has never looked so beautiful."

It is human nature to take the things of God for granted without considering the reason that lies behind them or fully appreciating what a plethora of provisions God has made for our welfare. To view a flower from a distance is one thing, but to examine it closely and marvel at its coloration and construction is another. We brush away many a spider web before we stop to examine the intricacies, the wonder and the purpose of that web.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning writes, "Earth's crammed with heaven, And every common bush afire with God, But only he who sees takes off his shoes; The rest sit round and pick blackberries."

I wrote recently about poetry. The poet is attuned to beauty and the wonders of life that many fail to observe, and he brings them to our mind. The poet Wordsworth writes, "My heart leaps up when I behold A rainbow in the sky ... The same goes for the philosopher who searches for the deeper meanings of life. Observation and appreciation are learned values. We are blessed if our parents or teachers gave us this valuable asset."

A writer develops his story with many details. He might say the bride's dress was beautiful, but that would not stir the imagination of the reader. Instead, he describes the color, the frills, the adornments, the train, etc.

Jules Renard said, "If I were to begin life again, I should want it as it was. I would only open my eyes a little more." Robertson Davies said that the eye sees only what the mind is prepared to comprehend.

Those who do not acknowledge God are missing out on the great blessing of exalted and inspiring thoughts. By taking the time to ponder some of God's creative skill, you will soon be, as John Wesley writes, "Lost in wonder, love and praise."

We must see with both our eyes and our hearts. Getting in tune with the wonders of creation will do wonders for your attitude toward God and toward your own self.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

Raymond F. Smith is a deacon at Fellowship Bible Church in Victoria and President of Strong Fami- lies of Victoria.


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Belmont Abbey cuts majors, cites finances

Posted: 25 Jun 2010 04:35 PM PDT

Students seeking majors in philosophy, sociology, economics and computer studies won't find them at Belmont Abbey College anymore.

Philosophy and sociology majors were eliminated. Economics and computer studies will become concentrations for business majors and a possible minor for students with other majors. The changes go into effect for the 2011-2012 school year.

Vice President of Academic Affairs Carson Daly wrote in an e-mail that financial constraints prompted the decision.

"As you know, as a result of the global economic downturn in October of 2009, colleges and universities across the country recognized the necessity of scrutinizing their resources and of examining how those resources were employed," Daly responded in a prepared statement to questions from The Gazette. A committee of faculty and administrators made recommendations to the Academic Affairs Committee, which includes faculty, administrators and students, Daly wrote. The Academic Affairs Committee gave its recommendations to the board of trustees, which made the final decision on what majors would be dropped.

Cutting four majors means the college now has 16 majors.

"I do not know what they are thinking. Do I think their thinking is correct? Absolutely not," said philosophy professor John Plecnik, adding that he was speaking simply for himself and not his department or the college.

The majors that were eliminated had the smallest enrollments and numbers of students declaring those majors, Daly wrote.

What happens to students and faculty?

Students who have already declared a major in one of those areas cut as of June 3 will be able to complete their majors, Daly wrote. Students who have already taken some classes in their major field might be able to take enough classes in that area to earn that major.

"No colleges — even the largest — can possibly offer every major. Inevitably, some students elect to go to one college rather than another because of the majors and/or courses of study that a particular school offers," Daly wrote. "Typically, students are attracted to the Abbey because of the kind of education and the opportunities that the college offers."

Belmont Abbey has total student enrollment of about 1,500 and prides itself on offering small class sizes.

The faculty that teach philosophy, sociology, economics and computer studies have received one-year contracts for the upcoming school year, Daly said.

"The college will continue to employ the number of faculty members necessary to teach the classes required in each discipline until all students who have already declared majors in those areas have fulfilled all the requirements for their majors," Daly wrote in her e-mail.

Computer information systems and economics faculty will continue teaching classes for students who want to minor or choose a concentration in those areas, Daly said. Sociology faculty will teach a variety of courses.

The college will also keep hiring the number of philosophy professors needed to teach classes until all declared philosophy majors meet their requirements, but the department will be eliminated afterward.

Abbot Placid Solari, the chancellor of the college, was out of town Friday and could not be reached for comment. Phone messages left for Board of Trustees Chairman Paul Polking Friday were not returned.

Philosophy may not have as many majors as other departments, but lower level classes averaged 30 to 40 students, Plecnik said.

"It doesn't make sense to do away with the classes because they were always filled up," Plecnik said. "Philosophy is a way of getting ready for life. They enroll in these classes because they see it as valuable in life."

Students would be able to major in political philosophy and courses would be taught by the political science department, Plecnik said.

"I think that philosophy is critical to a liberal arts education. I think that people in philosophy are educated in a way that no one else is," Plecnik said. "Political philosophy, which will take the place of the philosophy department, is a part of philosophy, and should not be confused with the whole discipline."

'A lot is being lost'

Former assistant professor of sociology Steve Arxer resigned from the college because of the uncertainty of a long-term teaching position.

"I think they're making a mistake," said Arxer, who received a tenure-track position at the University of North Texas at Dallas. "I think a lot is being lost. I think a lot of very good professors are being lost."

Sociology tends to go in cycles, Arxer said, with the number of students majoring in the field going up and down from year to year.

Economics professor William Van Lear said cutting economics now might not be wise with the current interest sparked by the economic climate.

"Economics is always very high profile and now it's No. 1 because of all the problems the [economic] system has gone through since 2007," Van Lear said. "Because it's rigorous it tends to attract very good students. It was always a very good classroom environment."

Van Lear said that the school has been going through a transformation these past few years. That means those in charge are aiming for a different and focused image.

The classroom teaching, student life and interacting with students still make the school a good place to work, he said.

"The intellectual life is still pretty vibrant and appealing," Van Lear said. "It's not as if it's highly deplorable."

You can reach Amanda Memrick at 704-869-1839.

 

By the numbers:

Number of Belmont Abbey College students majoring and taking upper level courses in the college's eight smallest majors.

The college committee in charge of revising majors looked at the eight smallest majors to see how many students were taking classes in those fields and how many were majoring in those areas

 

Number of student majors in 2009

Department Number of majors

Philosophy 3

Sociology 9

History 16

Economics 16

Political science 18

English 20

Theology 24

Computer studies 24

Average upper level enrollment

Average number of students enrolled in upper level classes from the 2004-05 school year to 2008-09 school year

Department Number in upper level classes

Theology 13

Computer studies 4

English 7

Political science 10

History 11

Economics 9

Philosophy 11

Sociology 10

Source: Belmont Abbey College

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