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Posted At: 11:53am by FemLem2
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Who knew?! In my speech class we have to give an "informative" speech. The topic could be absolutely anything we wanted, as long as it was appropriate. (Did i mention that this is a Christian-Lutheran college?) Being me, i couldnt decide on a topic, so i decided to ask Padre for topic suggestions (i know... silly me for asking a pastor for topics). He suggested The Lord's Supper or Baptism. I kept thinking and when i couldnt come up with a topic, i just decided on baptism. Easy enough... i have a "general knowledge" on the subject, and can research it when and where needed. I figure this should be good enough; at least i know what im talking about.
To begin with, our informative speech, as a general rule, should be something that is relevant to the class (which is about 15 people in my case) and it has to last about 5 minutes. Then, when i go to class today, to discuss our topics, and how we would present them, i am informed that my topic could raise ethical issues. And that it might not be relevant to the class. Once agian, did i mention that this is a CHRISTIAN college? Lord only knows, i understand that not everyone at Concordia is Lutheran, or even christian. I get that. But, if anyone can explain to me why explaining something such as baptism is not relevant to students at a christian college, i would love to know. If the salvation, spiritual well being of the students here cannot even be discussed in a class, where we were given free reign of topic choices, why do they have a school motto of "Developing Christian Leaders"? He also tried to point out that this topic is very doctrinal. Duh? We are supposed to research whatever we were to choose, and it would be nice to have prior knowledge. I have the resources for research, which i can limit my Luther usage, and simply use scripture.
My profs case with the denominational issues, is about the only thing that i can agree with him on. There is the chance that i could offend someone by speaking about such a thing as baptism. I know that as Lutherans, we see it as something different then say, a baptist. Ive been to baptists baptisms before, and i KNOW that there are innumerable differences. But to simply inform my "audience" of what baptism is to me or to what we as Lutherans believe that baptism is, i see no problem in.
As i plan to go and talk to him about class today, and to further discuss why he doesnt think my topic is "appropriate" i have questions to ask him. Such as, if giving a speech about baptism is so controversial, then what about praying before class? Before each class, he himself, begins with a prayer. I also have a couple of other profs that do that same. Is there ever thought that there are athiest or pagans among the students in thier classes. Despite this being a Christian campus, i know that there are nonbelievers here. I can only say this becuase i have met some of them and we have discussed religion before. SO how can praying before EVERY class be any different than giving a one time speech on baptism?
While at first i considered backing down and simply choosing something else, upon futher questioning and thought, im pretty sure that im sticking wth my topic. I wouid be really interested to hear what anyone else has to say about this.
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Posted On: September 27th, 2006 at 1:54pm by luvable lutheran |
Ahh memories of speech class. Is it one of those required gen eds? Your informative speech description sounds similar to what I did at a public university. I wouldn't let controversial topics scare you or others away as long as you handle it tactfully (ie. address the assignment at hand and approach it in an academic manner.) It seems that since you are at a "Christian" school, it would seem to be easier to approach some topics of interest to Christians and that seems to be your approach form what you wrote.
I'll preface my comments below with that I cannot speak as to how courses are taught in the Concordia system, other than what I hear from others. I have been educated in the public school and university system and I've also desired to address religious topics as part of my assignments. I usually discuss my idea with the professor first to make sure we both understand that I am completing the assignment as they asked, but palnning on utilizing a religious "theory," "method," "reference," etc. One course was a huge paper analyzing two ethical theories applied to a topic. I verified that we could use the "Christocentric" view for one of the theories, since we didnt' study that one. It was applied to embryonic stem cell research, which you know is quite a controversial topic these days. Another instance involved a take home final exam worth half of my grade. One essay question asked to us to discuss the concept of deception. First I had to answer the question based on the article that we studies which presented deception as an evolutionary trait as with scarce resources the fittest (most deceptive) will survive. Secondaly, I utilized Scripture to show that another view is that deception is caused by sin and it will actually shorten your life. After the fall by Adam and Eve, live spans are much shorter and due to other aspects of sin (sickness, crime, etc) some do not survive to have future generations. Anyhow, feel free to say that your public school colleagues would allow religious topics to be handled academically in their classrooms.
"if anyone can explain to me why explaining something such as baptism is not relevant to students at a christian college, i would love to know."
Baptism is a relevant (and evangelicals use that word relevant quite a bit) topic, especially to Christians. You wouldn't be called Christian, if you hadn't been baptized, with Christ's name on your forehead and heart and washed by His very Blood. DUH! Then again, maybe some folks who call themselves Christian don't really know what that means. God only knows! (It's sad, but true in this day and age.)
Even more the reason for you to present the topic as you might teach people a thing or two, especially the nonchristians. Another reason to teach the topic is that the University of which you attend is affiilated with the LCMS and prepares church workers, correct? Wouldn't it be a service to your fellow classmates that might not be Lutheran or the professors (if they aren't LCMS) to present a topic that presents an important tenet of the faith and beliefs of the church body sponsoring the university and in which many of the church workers study? (I hope that came out right.) Perhaps there are some in your class that are not aware of the LCMS beliefs in baptism and what makes it similar or different to other church bodies and why baptism is even important in the first place. Yes it is doctrinal since it is what aspects of LCMS doctrine hinges upon as explained in Scripture. I don't think you would offend someone if you cover Baptism in an objective, academic manner. Just present the material is this is wha tthe LCMS believe about baptism, this is what the baptists believe about baptism, etc. Heck if you were a non Lutheran and discussed the Lutheran beliefs about Baptism, I'd be impressed 
Hopefully this helps. Please let us know what you decide to do and how it works out. God's Blessings on your Endeavours!
PS. It was a pleasure meeting you in the van as you tried to get closer to heaven at The Feast
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Posted On: September 27th, 2006 at 4:41pm by FemLem2 |
Unfortunately it is one those stupid required classes. *sigh*
"Then again, maybe some folks who call themselves Christian don't really know what that means."
If this is the case, then i would think that my topic would be even more relevant to the class. Because unfortunately, this school wants to try to teach the Lutheran doctrine, and the christian religion, but we get profs that dont want to bring in the Lutheran faith (even though they are ordained LCMS pastors) because it might offend someone. And when it comes to certain things even just around campus, the profs dont seem to understand what it really means to be Lutheran.
"Another reason to teach the topic is that the University of which you attend is affiilated with the LCMS and prepares church workers, correct? Wouldn't it be a service to your fellow classmates that might not be Lutheran or the professors (if they aren't LCMS) to present a topic that presents an important tenet of the faith and beliefs of the church body sponsoring the university and in which many of the church workers study? (I hope that came out right.)"
Exactly. Chapel services are... unbelieveable. Except for every other Wednesday, the "service" is just a praise service, led by bands and sing songs that are all about "what can we do for Jesus" and nevermind everything that HE has done for us. Oh yeah, and having woman lead the "message." This school is becoming a huge DCE school. So far in my "experience" which includes talking to people and what i find on the schools website, they dont draw lines for anything in the program. Woman go into it as training for becoming pastors because there is nothing here to say otherwise.
I now fully plan to stick with my topic. I see no reason why speaking about it is a problem. Im sure that i can find some effective way to do it. Ill be sure to let you know how it goes.
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Posted On: September 27th, 2006 at 6:01pm by FemLem1 |
time for the mouthy femlem to weigh in...
That is just STUPID. first of all, regardless of it being "sensitive" material, was the instructions not to give a 5 minute speech on any topic? were their more restrictions than that? were you told not to pick something that might be controversial? If I wanted to talk about abortion or suicide or the death penalty, would i be turned away (since i remember those were the "controversial" topics that came up when i took speech in high school and we were allowed to talk on them)?
Second, that IS a reliously offiliated school, regardless of the student body's particular beliefs. There is NO reason a religious issue should be labled controversial and tossed aside. CUA Pres. Cedel has this to say on the website: "If you are looking for an environment that is academically challenging, has a caring community, and is undergirded by Christian values, Concordia may be the place for you." If your education is supposed to be "undergirded by christian values," then i see no reason that topic is not "relevent" to the class.and if these christian values exclude Christ name being put on us in the waters of our baptism, like previously said, then they aren't really christian values.
Third, that was very presumptuous of you prof to think that you were going to use this time as a soap box. That you were going to "offend" people by stating this and that and quote directly from LITERATURE written by some dead ex-monk (thank God). To suggest you were going to treat this in some way other than academically was not right of him. Plus, it is an INFORMATIVE speech, meaning you are supposed to be giving information. just because someone doesn't believe in the information you give, doesn't make it controversial. If that were the case, ever biology class i've ever taken would be controversial. I sit there and hear that the world is 4 billion years old. the infgormation is given to me, but it isn't challenging what i believe to be true. Nowhere did your instructions tell you that you are to teach them something new, nor to convince them that what you are saying is true. you are simply informing them of something. same as hanging up a flyer that says "Worship tonight in the chappel" - informative.
OK... I'm thru...Valete~FL1
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Posted On: September 27th, 2006 at 8:14pm by Stan Lemon [ + ] |
Hannah,
You could not possibly have chosen a more controversial topic, even within the walls of a Concordia. An informative speech says exactly what a thing is. By that count it is not persuasive, so the idea is not that you are swaying someone to your confession of the substance of baptism - rather you are simply stating what baptism is.
What could be more troubling! Give this topic, and you will stand up and convict your whole audience that they are a sinful people, destined for hell and in need of a Saviour - you will call a thing what it is, and diagnose a great and grievous illness! Speaking of relevancy, what could be more relevant? Who is not in need of a savior, a physician to provide a heavenly remedy??? That there, my dear Texan friend, is where the ethical issue is raised! You have to call them sinners to provide the context for baptism - and that bothers people! In fact, rarely does being a sinner fit into their comfortable little world view. To say what baptism is, is to first diagnose the need for baptism. The substance cannot be spoken apart from its context.
If I were you I would expect to stir up lots of trouble with such a topic! I would even expect to be cast out by your peers and professors! Expect to suffer! You will, that much is promised to you. Your suffering for His names sake was promised to you at the very same time your redemption was promised to you! So says the Lord, "I will suffer for you - and the world will make you suffer for me."
Take great comfort though, that whatever offense you cause by raising these "ethical issues" is the offense of the Gospel - and that's worthy causing offense over. What gifts you have to share with your neighbors at Concordia!!! That, for certain, is something to rejoice over.
Pax Christi,
- Stan
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Posted On: September 27th, 2006 at 9:53pm by luvable lutheran |
The previous posts were well stated :)
you are simply stating what baptism is.
Way to be Luther-an and call a thing what it is (as written in Forde's text), as Stan mentioned.
Also as Stan mentioned, prepare to bear the cross. I've had friends that have attended other Concordias and speaking the truth has had various consequences for them. This very assignment is how he's having you do His Will and also serve your neighbor.
it is not persuasive
So will you have to do a persuasive speech later in the semester? If so, do you have any topic ideas yet? ;)
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Posted On: September 27th, 2006 at 11:12pm by CSchellenbach |
*Hugs* Tough times. I remember the same fight at my Concordia. I won't lie, it cost me a lot, praise be to God! As a graduate student, I used to come into Christian Teacher's Ministry with every book I could that would support my position (and would read Anatomy of an Exposion before an after class) so that I could not be blown off as just being my "opinion". My father was a great resource for me at the time, and I learned more about my faith and became more Confessional than I ever thought I would be. Stay true to your God and true to your faith. This isn't the first bump you will hit there, there will be more. Don't give up. Give your speech on baptism to his specifications, compare and contrast the different ideals of baptism, but end with the one that is right, because that is the last impression you will give your audience. Be prepared for a reputation with your profs and/ or fellow students. My little brother still hears about the way his sister was when she attended there. 
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Posted On: September 27th, 2006 at 11:24pm by FemLem2 |
I would have responded sooner... but the Astros took 15 innings to win. :D
My whole point to all of this, is that if someone wanted to talk about abortion, or the death penalty, im sure that it would be allowed. Even if it was some Indian religious ritual... it would be fine. I do not want to call anyone out. I do not want to push my "religion" on anyone.
Yeah... this is a religious affiliated school. My mistake for thinking that i could talk about a religious subject. They want to "develop christian leaders" but yet, can do nothing of the sort at the school. Its simply a matter of not practicing what they preach... even though they dont preach it either.
It was suggested to me, that maybe the only reason my prof made a big deal out of it was because he was on the spot in class. I give him that much. I also give my prof that he did call baptism a sacrament during class today too. Hes from Brazil... so trying to figure out whether or not hes lutheran is kinda hard.
My goal in this is not to cause trouble. I dont want to come off arrogant. I simply just want to state what i believe and what baptism is to me as a Lutheran. It saddens me more than you could imagine that this is such a big deal at a school in the Concordia system. Im completely willing to take whatever... poop i get from all this.
And thank yall for letting me know that this is everywhere, especially in the Concordia system. Im not gonna lie... it still blows. :)
And yeah... there is a persuasive speech in the future... and yes, i did think of a topic. Maybe something on closed communion. Which im SURE will just, be unheard of. *rolls eyes*
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Posted On: October 12th, 2006 at 4:41pm by luvable lutheran |
Did you have your speech yet? How did it go? I hope it went well and you have a groovy weekend. God's Blessings on your semester
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