First Day Thoughts - May 21

First Day Thoughts

　

　

     While signing up for classes I was eager to pick a history class as I have a passion for history, especially US history.  The counselor told me that the professor has a certain style about him and that some people love him or some people are overwhelmed by his methods of teaching.  Upon hearing this the first thoughts that entered my head was from the movie "Back To School" with Rodney Dangerfield.  As Rodney Dangerfield's character goes back to school as a mature adult, well over the average college freshman age, he enters into a history class where the teacher is played by Sam Kinison.  Sam's character starts out nice and sincere when he asks a college student about the Vietnam Conflict.  Her reply is that of a textbook answer and she was proud to know it.  He asks the class if she is right and they mumble in agreement.  Then Sam's character goes off on a tanget screaming about how he served over in Vietnam.  He gets her in face shouting, "SAY IT! SAY IT! ARGUHHHHHH!"  Rodney Dangerfield's character breaks up the shouting and gives his imput where he raises his voice for his answer in a anger type of tone and the professor nods his head and smiles, "Good answer. Good answer."

     Students start to file into the classroom not knowing what to expect.  Dr. Mehler enters the room and he has our complete attention.  He takes the remote control in his hand and tries to turn on the media device hanging from the ceiling.  It doesn't work.  A negative comment to God escapes from his lips.  He walks out of the room and comes back with another remote.  That doesn't work.  Colorful language spews out of his mouth.  The class is wide-eyed and flabbergasted over what we are witnessing.  We knew at that point that we need to expect the unexpected.  Dr. Mehler will tell us how it is in whatever language he needs to use.

     Dr. Mehler compared his grading style to that of the Calvin Doctrine - Predestination.  Instead of a class lecture it was like we were sitting in a Sunday service listening to a very good preacher.  At some points I wanted to shout out, "Amen" but refrained.  He went on to explain how the Catholic's pray for their dead for their souls to be saved.  Calvin's predestination is about God predetermining who will go to Heaven and who will go to Hell.  Good works does not get you into the kingdom of Heaven.  It is only through God's good graces.  Only God can have us enter into His kingdom.  Who are we to question God's judgement? God's judgement is what it is.  Just like Dr. Mehler's grading system.  It is what it is.  We cannot argue our way to an A.  We cannot be perfect in our eyes and get an A because we think we deserve it.  It is only through Dr. Mehler's good grace that we pass this course.

     If our grades are predestined then why continue to take this course?  Does it matter to me if I pass this course?  Absolutely.  But it matters more what I learn from it, whether I pass or fail.  I want to learn American History for MY enjoyment and to enrich my knowledge of history.  To me, my grade is secondary.  Yes, I can memorize facts, figures and dates like most people just to regurgitate it out for an exam but that is only surface level learning.  I want to hear the stories and feel the history for it all to become a deeper meaning to me.