THEO 104 – Introduction to Christian Thought

Experience with Theology Essay (Spring Semester)

Assessment Overview

Many first year students arrive with strong opinions about God and faith, yet have rarely paused to ask where those views have come from or how they might change through formal theological study. The Experience with Theology Essay gives you space to name your starting point, reflect on past influences, and describe what you hope to gain from this course. Instructors in theology and religious studies programs use similar early semester essays to help students connect personal experience with academic learning, and to gauge how classroom content may support spiritual and intellectual growth.

• Course code/title: THEO 104 – Introduction to Christian Thought

• Assessment label: Experience with Theology Essay (Assignment 1 / Week 2)

• Type: Individual reflective essay

• Length: 600–800 words

• Format: Word document (.docx), double spaced, 12 pt font

• Referencing: Turabian or APA 7, as required by your program

• Weighting: 10% of final grade

• Submission: Upload to the LMS under “Assignment 1: Experience with Theology Essay”

Learning Outcomes

• Describe your current understanding of theology and its place in the Christian life.

• Identify key experiences, people, and sources that have shaped your view of God.

• Articulate specific expectations and goals for studying theology at university level.

• Write a clear, focused reflective essay that uses everyday language and follows academic conventions.

Essay Instructions

Students prepare a short reflective essay that answers three prompts. The tone should be honest and thoughtful, with enough detail to let your instructor understand how you currently think about God, Scripture, and theology. First person language is appropriate, but the writing should remain clear, organised, and respectful.

Prompt 1: What do you think when you hear the word “theology”? (approximately 200–250 words)

1. Describe your immediate thoughts, feelings, or images when you hear the word “theology”.

2. Explain whether the term has sounded positive, negative, confusing, or distant in your past experience.

3. Mention any assumptions you have carried, such as theology being only for pastors or theology being arguments about doctrine.

Prompt 2: What experiences have shaped your view of God and faith so far? (approximately 200–250 words)

1. Summarise two or three significant influences on your beliefs about God, for example family, church, school, books, media, or personal events.

2. Comment briefly on how Scripture has, or has not, played a central role in your view of God to this point.

3. Explain any tension you have felt between what you have been taught and what you have observed in the world around you.

Prompt 3: What do you hope to gain from studying theology in this course? (approximately 200–300 words)

1. Identify two or three specific hopes for the semester, such as gaining clearer language for what you believe, learning to read the Bible more carefully, or being able to talk with others who disagree with you.

2. Explain how you think a more intentional study of theology could affect your daily life, relationships, or future vocation.

3. Mention any concerns or questions you carry as you begin the course, and how you hope those might be addressed.

Formal Requirements

• Write 600–800 words in total, answering all three prompts in a single, coherent essay.

• Use clear paragraphing with short headings if helpful such as “What I Think about Theology”, “Experiences That Shaped Me”, and “Hopes for This Course”.

• Use first person voice appropriately while keeping an academic tone and avoiding informal language.

• Include your name, course code, instructor name, and word count on the first page.

• References are not required, but you may cite Scripture or course readings if you wish. Follow the required style for any citations.

Marking Rubric (Experience with Theology Essay – 100 points)

Additional Academic Insight

Early reflective writing in theology functions as a bridge between lived experience and disciplined academic inquiry, enabling students to recognise how personal narratives shape their understanding of God while also opening those narratives to critical examination in light of Scripture and tradition. This process supports deeper learning because students become aware of their assumptions and are better prepared to engage theological concepts with intellectual humility and clarity (Astley, 2020).

References

McGrath, A. E. (2018). Christian theology: An introduction (6th ed.). Wiley Blackwell. https://doi.org/10.1002/9781119158080

• Grenz, S. J., Guretzki, D., & Nordling, C. F. (2019). Pocket dictionary of theological terms (2nd ed.). InterVarsity Press.

• Froese, P., & Bader, C. (2010). America’s four gods: What we say about God and what that says about us. Oxford University Press.

• Astley, J. (2020). Ordinary theology and the learning church. In J. Astley & L. J. Francis (Eds.), Exploring ordinary theology (pp. 1–18). Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315246597

• Smith, J. K. A. (2016). You are what you love: The spiritual power of habit. Brazos Press.

Assignment 2

Course: THEO 104 – Introduction to Christian Thought
Upcoming Assessment: Assessment 2: Scripture and Interpretation Discussion Post

Description:
In the coming weeks, students will typically engage in an online discussion post that introduces foundational principles of biblical interpretation. This task will require students to read a short passage of Scripture and reflect on how context, genre, and personal perspective influence interpretation. Students will also respond to peers, demonstrating respectful dialogue and critical engagement. The assignment builds on the initial reflective essay by shifting focus from personal experience to shared academic exploration of Scripture.