Thanks everyone for their thoughts! (Could use some thoughts?)

I am having such a hard time with my classes this semester. I have been having to read a large number of historical novel(written by all women) for my woman's literature class(required class). The one we are quickly progressing through right now is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte. It has been a difficult read for me especially because of all the commentary from my professor, a very feminist woman who is also very anti christian. Let me begin by saying I do not really like this book, its depressing, but I have to write a paper on this book and my professor will want all the feminist views explored to an extreme. She has stated clearly her belief that Charlotte Bronte was not a christian and that Jane Eyre was merely a moral character and nothing else. I am so irritated because there are some wonderful well thought out examinations of both the authors life and work that shows other wise. I have share this with my professor but she will not listen to any other point of view but hers. I know if I write my paper based on themes of the authors true religion, faith, and views on work and marriage, I am going to get a poor grade for it. If I write the paper how the professor wants I feel like I am being dishonest. I talked this over with two friends who are Christians and they told me to just write the paper as the professor wants it written. They said it does not mean that I agree or believe what I am writing, that I should just say what she wants to hear so I can pass the class??? I was shocked(and still am) I told them I feel like I am lying if I do that. They told me I am making things to complicated and that its just one paper and doesn't mean anything. That is the problem though, for me it does mean something, my name will be attached to it. One friend told me that when she has to do an assignment that she may not agree with, she just separates her personal beliefs for a time and writes what she knows the professor wants to hear. It doesn't mean she believes it just that she is giving the answer they want. Isn't this the same as compromise though?? They are right in one thing though if I keep getting low grades I won't pass the course. I have already had several discussion with this professor(she does not like me) At this point I am thinking of quitting school altogether, I am feeling very disillusioned this morning...
am I wrong about this?

in Him
ellie

Honestly it seems that most if not all my professors believe that historical figures all had no faith or belief in God. They seem bent to push that view no matter what history really tells us. Everything is subjective and open to being rewritten. Makes me very frustrated!!!

Everything is subjective and open to being rewritten.

The biggest problem is that the above comment isn't true at all. It's all been rewritten but is no longer subjective. There is a very rigid structure in academia and if you don't fit that..well you just better fit in.

It is a tough decision. It's one that would require much prayer. If you turn in a paper she doesn't agree with and you get a poor grade you can always challenge her on it. You can take your paper to another professor and have them grade it to prove she is being unfair. But that would turn you into a crusader and that is not something you just want to jump into.

You really have to follow the leading of the Lord and trust Him. Keep in mind Proverbs 21:1. If God can turn the heart of a king, He can direct a professor. I'll be praying for you.

Hi, Mark Cahill tells a story of a female student at Purdue University who decided not to participate in a professors assignment which would have caused her to write a paper based on the idea of who she would toss out of a sinking boat in orded to save others, ( someting like that )as a Christian this idea conflicted with her beliefs. She was told to leave the class, but returned the next day anyway, and when the professor saw her he ridiculed her in front of the class and then told her to come up front and explain to the class why she believed what she did. So she came down and with Bible open for the next 20 minutes or so she shared the gospel. So I say be bold with what Christ has given and let the chips fall where they may.

With prayer read the book and ask the LORD to read it with you. Strange as that may sound but He may just put some life into it as you read it.

Greetings snufalapagus

I am just curious about something would you offer Ellie the same advice to read this book if she had said, I have a friend who wants me to read this book even though I think the book conflicts with my christian values? If she wanted to read it for entertainment would that still be ok? Why does reading it for a college class assignment make it ok? I am not trying to say that you were implying that but wonder if you would have a different view of reading the book for entertainment purposes and what the difference would be in regards to ones christian walk? (this is just my curiosity in asking:)
__________________________________________________
Ellie I do realize that you have already read the book and that its your professor who is trying to push her views unto you, the class, and even the book itself that is the issue for you. I have read the book and I do tend to share your view of it. Jane is more then just a moral character, she chooses to follow her conviction when she leaves Edward. She is tempted to put her love for him above God but does not give into that temptation, instead she chooses to follow God's law. She leaves Edward and recognizes that if she were to put her love for him above God then she would be making him and idol in her life. In another scene Jane tells Edward that she is no angel and that she can do nothing to save him. He must work out his own salvation, she is not his redeemer. In that dialog you clearly see that Jane sees that both men and woman are equally sinful and in need of a Savior. There are feminist views in this book for the time it was written in, however they are written from a christian point of view and not from the anti christian view your professor is pushing. Write you paper on these themes and trust the Lord for your grade, do not be fearful of the professor.

I do think your friends are telling you to compromise and once you go down that path you will find yourself on a very slippery slop. I think pray over this and seek first the Kingdom of God. He will not lead you in the wrong way.

God Bless
maryjane

Ellie:

When I was in college, I chose the topic of the creation / evolution debate for a paper. I turned in a brief proposal paper with my intended topic and stance. My professor pulled me aside and strongly suggested I choose another topic. I did not. I felt it the topic I should write about and I did. He did not agree with many of the points I made in the paper and said so in his notes as he graded the paper. But because of the way I had presented my arguments and phrased my statements I still received an A on the paper. If you believe you should write the paper a certain way, I think you should. Pray about it and ask the Lord to guide your mind and pen as you write. The Holy Spirit can inspire you to write even such a seemingly mundane paper in a way that captures the attention of your professor.

Travis

Hey
Thank guys for your responses. I am really grateful for what you have shared. This particular professor and I have already had a couple of go around this semester. I know that quitting is not the answer but I am beginning to think that changing my major may be. Lately I am loosing my love for writing and appreciation for some of my favorite fictional works has faded or been tainted by others warped views. Honestly the more I look at what I am "being taught" as required to get a degree the more I wonder what or how is this suppose to help me in my career choice anyway? Maybe I am just being short sited and not looking at the big picture...or maybe for me Jesus has changed that picture so entirely that things that use to be important to me just aren't any more? I don't know.

I do plan to pray about this more. I have until Monday to work it all out. Thank you mj for affirming for me that what I was seeing is there in the book. I think it amazing that I can read this book and see Gods influence in the authors life and my professor wants to take these same passages of the story and turn them into inappropriate scenes and demonstrations of a rebellious and defiant woman fighting against christian men.

in Him
Ellie

Oh I did have some fun today though, my first cooking class. I really enjoyed it and I really had a blast. The teacher let us get right into cooking and I helped prepare a lovely Mango, Shrimp, an Avocado Salad. It was actually really good too:)

Greetings snufalapagus

Actually I was of the impression that this is the book that the Prof wanted to be read.

Ellie did say that the professor wanted her to read this book for her class. I was just wondering, some Christians find historical fiction offensive's and sinful if they are read for entertainment reasons. (not saying you feel this way) But these same Christians will say that it is ok to read the exact same books if it is for a college class. I was just wondering what the difference would be or if you had any thoughts about that? It was just me being curious really:)

You did not come off wrong in you post I was just wondering is all.

God Bless you
mj

Wind_blows,

I am giving quite a different response from all the others but one in which I feel is the right one. Its the right one although not easy to do so and you may be offended initially. However, I do feel its very true as "head hanging down--I'm in the same boat although my situations does not involve studies".

Have you prayed how you can glorify God through this situation, instead of getting upset/irritated that you are faced with this situation?

We grow the most when we choose to glorify God ESPECIALLY through DIFFICULT and UNFAIR situations. When we become a Christian, its the beginning of a journey, not the end. Thus, when a difficult time like this arise, what should our response be. If our aim is to glorify God instead of wanting things to be fair (eg: the professor should allow me to write my own thoughts etc so that I will not need to lie etc), then our prayer will be right and we will have joy in the midst of a difficult situation.

Why not pray something like this...God, first of all you mentioned to give thanks in all situations. I believe that through this situation you are molding me to be more like You if I will listen to you. You mentioned in the bible that we are supposed to respect authority and to live peaceably with our neighbours and through our conduct glorify you so that even those that oppose us cannot say bad things about You. Teach me through this circumstance. My irritability etc is not a Christlike response and maybe I'm thinking too much about myself here even though I may not be fully aware of it. Please forgive me and change my heart. Yes, to me she seems to be somewhat an unreasonable person to talk to but this is not to be my focus. Please change my heart and change me foremost instead of me asking You to change her. Let my focus be on your Glory and not on an easy life for me. You said "those that loseth their lives will save them" while "those that save their lives will lose them". Let me not be one of those that want to save their lives only to find out that I loseth it at the end. You give mercy to all the undeserving ones. I love it when You give mercy to me, so its not right for me to say "I love that You give me mercy but I do not want to give mercy (but want justice instead) to others because what they do is unfair.". The situation may be unfair, but isn't this one of the ways that you use to mold us. My focus is to be to glorify you and I know that when You are glorified, that is when I find myself changing to be more and more like You. In Jesus's name, amen.

Continue to pray like this. I'm sure God will act--maybe through changing your professor's heart but most of all yours.

Edit to include:
You are understandly concern with this particular circumstance and how to overcome it BUT GOD has a bigger and longer plan for you. This is just a small bump in your journey where He molds and shapes you.

Double edit:
Ok, found the webpage on Watchman Nee's testimony which may help you.
http://www.watchmannee.org/testimonies.html
LEARNING THE LESSON OF SUBMISSION
In 1923 seven of us worked together as co-workers. Two of us took the lead, a co-worker who was five years my senior and myself. We had a co-workers’ meeting every Friday in which the other five were often forced to listen to the arguing between the leading two. We were all young then, and each had his own way of thinking. I often charged the elder co-worker with being wrong, and vice versa. Since my temperament had not been dealt with, I frequently lost my temper. Today in 1936 I do sometimes laugh, but I seldom laughed at that time. In our controversies I admit that many times I was wrong, but he was also at times in the wrong. It was easy for me to forgive my own faults, but not easy to forgive others. After having a dispute on Friday, I would go to Sister Barber on Saturday and accuse the other co-worker. I would say, “I told that co-worker that he should act in a certain way, but he would not listen. You should speak to him.” Sister Barber replied, “He is five years older than you; you should listen to him and obey him.” I answered, “Am I to listen to him whether he is reasonable or not?” She said, “Yes! The Scriptures say that the younger should obey the elder.” I replied, “I cannot possibly do this. A Christian should act according to reason.” She answered, “Whether there is reason or not, you need not care. The Scriptures say that the younger should obey the elder.” I was angry at heart that the Bible would say such a thing. I wanted to give vent to my indignation, but I could not.

Each time following the controversy on Friday, I would go to her to state my grievances, but she would again quote the Scriptures, demanding that I obey the elder. Sometimes I wept Friday evening after the dispute on Friday afternoon. Then I would go to Sister Barber the next day to state my grievances, hoping that she would vindicate me. But I would weep again after coming home Saturday evening. I wished I had been born a few years earlier. In one controversy I had very good arguments. I felt that when I pointed them out, she would see how my co-worker was wrong and would support me. But she said, “Whether that co-worker is wrong or not is another matter. While you are accusing your brother before me, are you like one who is bearing the cross? Are you like a lamb?” When she questioned me in this way, I felt very ashamed and I could never forget it. My speech and my attitude that day revealed that I was indeed not like one bearing the cross, nor like a lamb.

In such circumstances I learned to obey an elder co-worker. In that year and a half, I learned the most precious lesson in my life. My head was filled with ideas, but God wanted to see me enter into spiritual reality. In that year and a half, I came to realize what it is to bear the cross. Today in 1936 we have some fifty co-workers. Had it not been for the lesson of obedience which I learned in that year and a half, I fear that I could not work together with anyone. God put me in those circumstances that I might learn to be under the restraint of the Holy Spirit. In those eighteen months I had no opportunity to put forward my proposals. I could only weep and painfully suffer. But had it not been for this, I would never have realized how difficult it was for me to be dealt with. God wanted to polish me and to remove all my sharp, projecting edges. This has been a difficult thing to accomplish. How I thank and praise God, whose grace has brought me through!

Now I must speak a word to the young co-workers. If you cannot stand the trials of the cross, you cannot become a useful instrument. It is only the spirit of a lamb that God takes delight in: the gentleness, the humility, and the peace. Your ambition, lofty purpose, and ability are all useless in the sight of God. I have been down this path and must often confess my shortcomings. All that pertains to me is in the hand of God. It is not a question of right or wrong; it is a question of whether or not one is like the bearer of the cross. In the church, right and wrong have no place; all that counts is bearing the cross and accepting its breaking. This produces the overflowing of God’s life and accomplishes His will.

Attached are 3 video clips.
Frances Chan on temptation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IIgLOGlELnw&feature=related

Tim Conway--bless those who persecute you
(the short clip which I watched and is very good has been replaced by the full sermon which I have not watched yet)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HDqlh1dtoCg

Francis Chan - Balance Beam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA_uwWPE6lQ&feature=related

Hi there learn

Thank you for sharing your heart so openly with me. I have been praying about this for a while now and I know the Lord has given me His answer. I quit:) I went and spoke with my professor and shared with her that I was sorry if I had ever made things difficult in her class, or if I caused her any frustrations. She said that I have not done anything to cause her any frustration per say just that she would like to see me open up my mind to a more broad world view then just my personal faith beliefs. I explained to her that I did not need to do that because for me Jesus was the answer, all the answer I will ever have need of. We talked for a while and I wanted her to know that my decision to walk away had nothing to do with her personally. After much prayer I realize this has been more about me then anything. She listened very calmly and politely. She thanked me for taking the time to come in and speak with her and then she said, "You know Ellie there are days when I wish I was as sure about things in life as you always seem to be. I may not agree with your beliefs or understand them, but I am jealous of the depth of your conviction." I told her if she ever liked to chat over coffee or just ask some questions to call me.(she had my number)

So now I have a little more time on my hands to do...whatever He has for me to do:)

in Him
ellie

Hi Ellie (wind_blows),

I'm glad that you are at peace now and that a good outcome between yourself and your professor was attained.

You just quit one of the class and not the whole school right?

You just quit one of the class and not the whole school right?

Hi learn and everyone
Yes I am meeting with my adviser on Wednesday and I am planing to withdraw from my classes at that time. All but one, I am going to finish the cooking class that I just started.

in Him
ellie

Edit: I edited my post it was brought to my attention that part of what I wrote may have been taken as being a bit rude and I did not mean that at all. Sorry.

I think you made the right choice. I know it was a difficult decision but one that I know you made in wanting to be obedient to the Lord.

God Bless
mj

Hi Ellie,

Thanks for responding. Maybe something will come up from the talk with your advisor. A different set of class that is more suitable perhaps. Take care.

Hi Learn

I am just meeting with my advisor out of curtsy. I really only plan to finish the one cooking class. I just have been struggling to much with these other classes. SO many of them that are required have little to do with career choice or major yet you have to take them. Human Diversity, is another class that I just do not want to be apart of any more. They tell you it is all about learning to communicate with others but honestly if your a christian all they want you to do is listen to their views on everything and then adopt them for yourselves(I know this is not everyone experience but it has been mine) I am not the kind of person who likes to debate, I will stand by what the Lord is showing me but I am not going to argue with people. (unfortunately you can not get up and walk away when the professor goes off on a rant about gay marriage) I know that not all college classes are so worldly in their instructions or their instructors but for me this is what has been my experience.

Anyway that's not my only reason for quitting school. Jase(my husband) was down this past weekend and we talked some more. He shared with me his desire for us to have a baby. In June when I move back in with him he wants us to start a family and he feels very strongly that I should be at home with our children. It would be hard to try and finish school and honor him as my husband so I have been praying about this. Jase will be finished this year with his degree and I still have two years left. So I think this is the answer to my prayers and what the Lord has been showing me.

Thanks again for everyone willingness to share with me. It has really been helpful in getting at the heart of the issue and seeking God on this.

in Him
Ellie

Hi Ellie,

Hope you and your husband have beautiful babies.:)