The Last Blog of Lit 240... :'-(

So...I made it. I finished Revelation today. It wasn't easy, with finals looming overhead, but it was a very, very slow week at work, so I had some extra reading time there...although I bet most of you know by now how awkward it is to be approached while you're reading the HOLY BIBLE. People always take you for some sort of crazy Bible thumper!

Before I begin my analysis of the last books of the Bible, I just wanted to say how great a class this has been and how much I've enjoyed being in it. The great thing about it was that not only did Dr. Sexson provide countless genius insights, but so did all of my classmates. It was so much fun reading all the blogs because you don't usually get to read the papers of your classmates and really get to know what they're thinking. But I think in a setup like this, it inspires, well, inspiration to take place. Anyway, I was amazed at how smart and insightful all of my classmates were, and I'm really going to miss this class, because I think I've learned more in this class than any other class I've ever taken.

I have to say that even though I've read some cool things in the Old Testament, Lazarus is a close second to my favorite story in the Bible. I like it so much, that if I ever have a baby boy, I think that's what I'll name him! It's always been so reassuring to me that when Jesus messed up, he fixed it. He didn't get to heal Lazarus on time, so he brought him back from the dead. I've heard a lot of nay-sayers say that Lazarus wasn't really bed, and it brings up another question: why certain people feel the need to constantly try and disprove the Bible. It's just cruel, if you think about it. Trying to disprove the whole life base of millions of people. What makes people do that? I don't believe in Buddhism or Hinuism, but I don't go through their holy books and try to pick out things that are "impossible." "Impossible" seems to be the word of choice for some people. Maybe we all need to go back to our childish thoughts and remember "Impossible things are happening every day" (Courtesy of Ms. Whitney Houston, and Rodgers and Hammerstein...). Because nothing is really impossible. I know it sounds cheesy, but if people are brought back to life after being legally dead for a number of minutes, then why couldn't Jesus have brought Lazarus back to life? Why can people accept the "miracle of science" but not just a "miracle?"

I must admit that the New Testament, after reading about Jesus, is no where near as interesting as the Old Testament. I've heard countless church-goers say that the Old Testament is really boring. But reading Paul preaching to different churches over and over again is not a roller coaster ride of fun, if you ask me. Reading about scandal and war and prophecies; that's what's great in the Bible! The stuff no one ever thinks to read!

My mother always says that her favorite part of the Bible was the part in Ephesians, where it says to "put on the full armor of God." I guess that fits. It's funny that you can judge a person's character by what parts of the Bible they find memorable. Ephesians fits my mother because she's a strong, assertive person. "Putting on armor" would obviously appeal to her. I'm kind of an optimist and an idealist, so I love Esther and the story of Lazarus, because they have happy endings. I'm also a writer, so the stories are what really appeal to me.

I admit that I didn't really read Romans. I have some bad memories of Romans. When I was in 5th grade, right around when puberty hit, I went to a Christian school for a year. They obsessed on Romans, even using it to prove that women couldn't pray (I still don't know how they got that out of Romans) and that we were all bad little sinners and would go to hell no matter what. Yeah. So I don't much care for Romans.

I think it's funny that Paul had to write 2nd Thessalonians because they didn't get the message the first letter. Don't tell my pastor this, but I never really liked Paul. He just seems like one of those holier-than-thou fire-and-brimstone kind of guys. Everyone knows people like that; my brother's friend's father was like that. He was always preaching at people, telling them what they could and could not do. It just seems like Paul missed the whole "don't focus on the speck in your brother's eye before you get the plank out of your own" speech. Perhaps he was just overcompensating for killing Christians.

James, on the other hand, I do like. You can tell from his writing style that he had a kind soul. While Paul talks about sin and damnation, James talks about love and acceptance. You catch more flies with honey than vinegar, if you ask me.

John is my other favorite New Testament author. 2nd John is kind of a guide to life; short and sweet. 1st John talks about the antichrist. My parents swear Obama is the antichrist, but I'm pretty sure people have said that about every president...I used to have my money on Pat Robertson being the antichrist (he just has that evil gleam in his eye...) but he's getting up there so I just don't know...

And of course we talked about Revelation in class quite a bit. There's not much more I can say about it than what's already been said. When I was young, I struggled with depression quite a bit, from the age of 7 to about 17. Whenever I would get really depressed, my dad would tell me to go read out of Revelation. I think that's his favorite book. Anyway, I would be so overwhelmed with the imagery and power of the book that I would forget all about being depressed. My mom would always say that life is hard, but someday it will be worth it when Jesus comes back to get us.

In closing, I'd like to recommend some further reading to my classmates. If you get the chance, pick up the DC Talk book Jesus Freak. It's filled with true, amazing stories of martyrdom, bravery, and hope. It's always been one of my favorite things to read, and I did correspondence work for Voice of the Martyrs for a long time, and I think now that I have a better backround in the Bible, I will start doing things for them again (which consists of writing encouraging letters to persecuted Christians in other countries, and to the government officials who persecute them). It's always good, especially in college where it's sometimes hard to think of things other than class, to get outside of yourself and think about others.

Plotz was definitely right when he said that the less you believe, the more you should read. I think God wants us to believe because we know his Word and trust it, not just because our parents and pastors told us to. I came into this class confused about how I felt about God, but after reading the Bible I feel like I can now honestly call myself "Christian."

And no one has a right to judge until they have read.