English Lessons

1. Faith is a journey of growth, not a destination

"Growing up, no matter when growing up happens, requires shedding layers."

Shedding preconceptions. Andrea's year in Oxford forced her to confront and shed many of her long-held beliefs and assumptions about faith. This process, while uncomfortable, was ultimately necessary for her spiritual growth. She learned that faith is not a static set of beliefs to be defended, but a dynamic journey of discovery and transformation.

Embracing change. Throughout her time abroad, Andrea encountered new ideas and perspectives that challenged her understanding of Christianity. Rather than resisting this change, she gradually learned to embrace it as an opportunity for growth. This openness allowed her to develop a more nuanced and mature faith that could withstand intellectual scrutiny and real-world challenges.

Continuous evolution. The author's experience illustrates that spiritual growth is an ongoing process. Even after returning home, Andrea continued to wrestle with questions and doubts, recognizing that her faith would continue to evolve throughout her life.

2. Embracing doubt can lead to deeper understanding

"Doubt is painful…but its pain is active rather than passive, purifying rather than stultifying."

Questioning as strength. Andrea initially viewed her doubts as a weakness or failure of faith. However, she gradually came to see that honest questioning could actually strengthen her beliefs. By confronting her doubts head-on, she was able to develop a more robust and authentic faith.

Intellectual honesty. The author's willingness to engage with difficult questions about her beliefs demonstrated a commitment to intellectual honesty. This approach allowed her to move beyond simplistic or dogmatic understandings of Christianity and develop a more nuanced perspective.

Growth through discomfort. Andrea's experience shows that spiritual growth often requires embracing discomfort and uncertainty. By leaning into her doubts rather than avoiding them, she was able to deepen her understanding of her faith and herself.

3. Cultural immersion challenges and reshapes beliefs

"I had been looking for God in my church and in my Bible studies. I had expected to encounter him there, but I had not expected to encounter him here, writing my thesis based on heathen-authored novels."

Expanded worldview. Andrea's immersion in Oxford's diverse academic and cultural environment forced her to confront perspectives vastly different from her Texas Christian upbringing. This exposure challenged her assumptions and broadened her understanding of faith and spirituality.

Unexpected insights. The author discovered profound spiritual truths in unexpected places, such as "heathen-authored novels" and conversations with non-Christian friends. This experience taught her that God's presence and wisdom could be found beyond the confines of her familiar religious context.

Redefining faith. Through her cultural immersion, Andrea learned to distinguish between the core of her faith and the cultural trappings she had associated with it. This process allowed her to develop a more universal and adaptable understanding of Christianity.

4. Authentic relationships transcend religious differences

"I like to think if we knew and believed in the complicated layering that is each and every one of us, more Christians would befriend atheists, and more atheists would befriend Christians."

Breaking barriers. Andrea's friendships with people of different beliefs, such as her atheist friend Ben, taught her the value of authentic connection beyond religious labels. These relationships challenged her preconceptions and humanized those she had previously seen as "other."

Shared humanity. Through her diverse friendships, the author discovered that people of all beliefs share common struggles, joys, and questions about life. This realization helped her move beyond simplistic categorizations and appreciate the complexity of human experience.

Growth through diversity. Andrea's willingness to form genuine relationships with people of different beliefs ultimately enriched her own faith. These friendships provided new perspectives and challenged her to articulate her beliefs more clearly and compassionately.

5. The power of vulnerability in spiritual conversations

"Sometimes faith comes very naturally, and sometimes everything we've ever believed is suddenly thrust under a microscope and we are forced to examine it. It's okay to look. In fact, please look."

Honesty breeds connection. Andrea learned that being vulnerable about her doubts and struggles often led to deeper, more meaningful conversations about faith. This openness allowed others to share their own questions and experiences more freely.

Strength in weakness. Initially, the author felt that admitting her doubts would make her faith appear weak. However, she discovered that acknowledging her uncertainties actually made her beliefs more relatable and authentic to others.

Creating safe spaces. By being vulnerable herself, Andrea created an environment where others felt safe to explore their own spiritual questions. This approach fostered more genuine and impactful discussions about faith than defensive or dogmatic postures.

6. Balancing inherited faith with personal conviction

"Is it okay to be a Christian because I was raised in a Christian home?"

Examining assumptions. Andrea grappled with the realization that much of her faith was inherited from her upbringing. This prompted her to critically examine her beliefs and determine which ones she truly owned for herself.

Finding personal authenticity. The author's journey involved distinguishing between the faith she had inherited and the convictions she had developed through personal experience and reflection. This process was essential for developing a more mature and authentic spirituality.

Appreciating roots. While questioning her inherited beliefs, Andrea also came to appreciate the foundation her upbringing had provided. She learned to balance gratitude for her religious heritage with the need to develop her own personal faith.

7. Embracing imperfection in the pursuit of truth

"The crooked way is not the bad way. In fact, I think the crooked way is the only way."

Beauty in struggle. Andrea's experience taught her that the messy, imperfect journey of faith is often more valuable than a neat, unquestioning acceptance of beliefs. She learned to embrace the challenges and setbacks as essential parts of her spiritual growth.

Letting go of ideals. The author had to abandon her preconceptions of what a "perfect" faith journey should look like. This allowed her to appreciate the unique twists and turns of her own spiritual path.

Growth through adversity. Andrea discovered that her moments of doubt and struggle often led to the most significant breakthroughs in her understanding of faith. This realization helped her view difficulties as opportunities for growth rather than failures.

8. The importance of community in sustaining faith

"Sometimes faith comes very naturally, and sometimes everything we've ever believed is suddenly thrust under a microscope and we are forced to examine it. It's okay to look. In fact, please look. Because if you don't, what are you looking at instead?"

Shared journey. Andrea learned the value of having a supportive community during times of doubt and questioning. Her relationships with other Christians, both at home and in Oxford, provided encouragement and perspective when her faith was challenged.

Diverse perspectives. The author benefited from engaging with a variety of Christian traditions and viewpoints. This exposure helped her develop a more nuanced and resilient faith that could withstand intellectual scrutiny.

Mutual support. Andrea discovered that being open about her struggles allowed her to both receive and offer support within her faith community. This mutual vulnerability fostered deeper connections and a sense of shared purpose.

9. Reconciling academic knowledge with spiritual beliefs

"Art is so often better at theology than theology is."

Integrating knowledge. Andrea grappled with reconciling her academic studies, particularly in literature, with her religious beliefs. She learned to see truth and beauty in both secular and religious sources, integrating these insights into a more holistic worldview.

Challenging assumptions. The author's academic pursuits forced her to confront challenging ideas that sometimes conflicted with her faith. This process, while difficult, ultimately led to a more intellectually rigorous and personally authentic spirituality.

Finding unexpected connections. Andrea discovered profound spiritual insights in unexpected places, such as postcolonial literature. This experience taught her to look for truth and meaning beyond traditional religious boundaries.

10. Finding peace in uncertainty and unanswered questions

"I think if we knew and believed in the complicated layering that is each and every one of us, more Christians would befriend atheists, and more atheists would befriend Christians."

Embracing mystery. Andrea learned to find peace in the face of unanswered questions and uncertainties about her faith. She discovered that accepting mystery could be a form of spiritual maturity rather than a lack of conviction.

Living with tension. The author developed the ability to hold seemingly contradictory ideas in tension, recognizing that faith often involves paradoxes and complexities that defy simple resolution.

Ongoing journey. Andrea came to see her faith as an ongoing process of discovery rather than a fixed set of beliefs. This perspective allowed her to remain open to new insights and experiences while maintaining her core convictions.

Last updated: November 21, 2024