Integrating Faith and Learning - Essay Example

Learning deepens faith; learning does not take one away from faith or God. At the same time, to be able to give the best, to be able to derive the best from learning, faith is essential. Learning starts at a very tender age and one is unsure of oneself. Students reel under fear and uncertainty. Faith brings about a change within oneself, which enhances the process of learning. Statistics requires a great deal of concentration, application of theory, and attention. Without faith it would be difficult to get the right concentration and adopt the right method to learn.

Faith in God automatically gives faith in the self and only then, one learns the right things at the right time in the right way. Hence, learning and faith have to be integrated to reduce the gap between faith and learning. Jesus said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." This is the first and greatest commandment. --Matt. 22:37-38 We can pour into a vessel only when it is empty. When the mind and soul are focused on God, it is free from negative thoughts and distractions.

It is then easy to conceive what one learns; fear and anxiety do not haunt the mind. The mind becomes strong and a strong mind can concentrate and learn anything with ease. Therefore, I would start my day with intense prayers to the lord in the first place. We have or make a life-long commitment to Jesus; a lifetime commitment keeps the mind focused. Statistics too would require a life long commitment. This has to be borne in the mind. As during prayers, we open the heart to the lord, while learning statistics we should open our heart so that research is perfect and learning is intense.

Relational Evangelism teaches us to share knowledge. When we share knowledge, when we teach others what we have learned the knowledge becomes firm. Statistics is a subject where the foundation has to be firm and the application of theory has to be done at the right place. If I share, if I teach others what I have understood, I would never forget what I have learnt. Statistics requires a lot of research and planning. A constant reflection on and search on God’s ideas leads us closer to God; a constant search, an in-depth research to get to the truth, will help me to integrate statistics in my life.

To understand the taste and feel of water we have to take a dip in the water. Standing on the banks we can only talk theory. Similarly, to understand God we have to become one with him; to understand statistics we have to get to the roots, do intense research and learning; become one with it. Christianity is not a viewpoint imposed on world knowledge; it provides a clarifying platform for engaging all knowledge (Robert Harris 2000). Integrating knowledge and faith helps to keep the mind free and focused; it dispels darkness and banishes fear.

It deepens faith and strengthens learning. Integration involves the understanding of human nature, human value, and human potential through the Light of Biblical Truth. Christianity is not an emotion; it has to be a way of Life. An integrated mind can endure stress and strain. Without integration faith can be compartmentalized; it remains an emotional outlet. We tend to rely on blessings than on fulfilling our role of learning. A single failure can even shatter faith. Hence, I would integrate faith and learning as per the methodology as above.

References:Harris R (2000), The Integration of Faith and Learning, < http://www.virtualsalt.com/integrat.htm> 5th January 2006Nine Models of Faith Integration (2006). Regent University, < http://www.regent.edu/admin/ctl/resources/tools/ifl/models.cfm#professional> 5th January 2006