Theology I - "Searching for God in the World Today"
Code Number: TH111E
Course Title: Theology I - "Searching for God in the World Today"
Chapter I: GOD’S Revelation in and through Everyday Experiences
1.1 The “Everyday” or the “Ordinary
Introduction
Topic 1.1 The “Everyday” or “Ordinary”
Objective: After this lesson, the student will be able to reflect on one’s experience of everyday life, especially on a “depth experience”
“SEE”
LET US “SEE”
A. The “Everyday” or “Ordinary” B. “Depth Experiences” in the Everyday or Ordinary
A. The “Everyday” or “Ordinary”
A religious educator by the name of John Hall wrote:
“If we think theology has nothing to do with everyday life, then we do not know theology at all.” (John Hall)
John Hall’s statement is a provocative (or challenging), don’t you think you so? Let’s look at his words again, and ponder on what he wants to say. What do you think is he trying to say to us? The first time I read Hall’s statement, about 10 years ago, it shook me a bit. Why, you may ask. Well, I burned my eyebrows studying theology to earn a Master of Arts in four years, and then I went to Belgium to earn a doctoral degree for six years from the Catholic University of Louvain. I read so many books, which I had to read over and over again just to understand it, and many times I failed. I wrote so many papers, which my professors returned back to me full of red ink of corrections, and I rewrote them again, and again, and again, till my professors were satisfied. And now, Hall would say those words? Gosh, what did I study in those ten years? It is as if a part of my life is being thrown out of the window! On the other hand, the words of Hall seem consoling. You know, I was not a seminarian; I did not plan to become a priest. I am a “lay person” like all of you. I got married at quite a late age to a beautiful and brilliant woman, who I met in Belgium, and with
Course Title: Theology I - "Searching for God in the World Today"
Chapter I: GOD’S Revelation in and through Everyday Experiences
1.1 The “Everyday” or the “Ordinary
Introduction
Topic 1.1 The “Everyday” or “Ordinary”
Objective: After this lesson, the student will be able to reflect on one’s experience of everyday life, especially on a “depth experience”
“SEE”
LET US “SEE”
A. The “Everyday” or “Ordinary” B. “Depth Experiences” in the Everyday or Ordinary
A. The “Everyday” or “Ordinary”
A religious educator by the name of John Hall wrote:
“If we think theology has nothing to do with everyday life, then we do not know theology at all.” (John Hall)
John Hall’s statement is a provocative (or challenging), don’t you think you so? Let’s look at his words again, and ponder on what he wants to say. What do you think is he trying to say to us? The first time I read Hall’s statement, about 10 years ago, it shook me a bit. Why, you may ask. Well, I burned my eyebrows studying theology to earn a Master of Arts in four years, and then I went to Belgium to earn a doctoral degree for six years from the Catholic University of Louvain. I read so many books, which I had to read over and over again just to understand it, and many times I failed. I wrote so many papers, which my professors returned back to me full of red ink of corrections, and I rewrote them again, and again, and again, till my professors were satisfied. And now, Hall would say those words? Gosh, what did I study in those ten years? It is as if a part of my life is being thrown out of the window! On the other hand, the words of Hall seem consoling. You know, I was not a seminarian; I did not plan to become a priest. I am a “lay person” like all of you. I got married at quite a late age to a beautiful and brilliant woman, who I met in Belgium, and with