Monday, March 4, 2024

Last English Class Done

 



I recently finished my last English class, which covered Biblical literature. I also have completed two creative writing classes this semester. For graduation, I need to complete three more creative writing classes. 

I have one last semester left, and then I'm done with my bachelor's of English. This has been a relief in itself, and I expect to feel even more relieved once my degree is finally done. A lot of the reason that I ever majored in English was (1) because I wanted this major to improve me as a writer, (2) to learn about the process of publication, (3) because some of my heroes majored in English, such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, (4) and I love the study of English literature. 

Sometimes, people today make fun of humanities majors, but there has been a lot of research demonstrating that majors in humanities do better than most say. And most importantly, the same college major is not for everyone. Majoring in English has developed my writing skills and advanced my literary knowledge. 

Right now, I'm trying to discern what master's degree I intend to pursue. Since I have some ministry interests, I am conflicted between Biblical Studies, Apologetics, and Theological Studies.  However, I'm also open to continuing studies in either history or English. Please keep me in your prayers, and I ask that you invoke God on my behalf. 


Saturday, February 17, 2024

Christianity: A Faith Like None Other

 



My passions are studying theology, reading history and literature, writing, and watching movies. The latter four interest me because I enjoy them. Theology, though, is essential for knowing how God views view, how I should view Him, and what my purpose is within His glorious creation. I've often said that even people not aspiring to become theologians or pastors should study theology. In general, theology should concern every Christian, as what we believe about eternity, salvation, and sin will affect our everyday life and whether or not we are conforming to the image of Christ. 

Recently, I have been investigating the claims of the Eastern Orthodox Church. Eastern Orthodox Christianity retains many aspects of the ancient church lost in Western Christianity. For example, the Orthodox Church doesn't have many of the liberal ''woke'' issues of the Western church. Likewise, the Orthodox Christian emphasis on Christ as the great physician (Mark 2: 17) is a Biblical one, though often forgotten by Westerners. Perhaps most importantly, I am drawn to the Eastern understanding of salvation, that salvation is not simply about God rescuing us from damnation but saving us from sin, even from ourselves, as we become more like His Son, Jesus Christ. 

Tragically, many Christians need to become more familiar with their distinct traditions. Many Roman Catholics tend to be unaware of John Wycliffe's attempt to translate the Bible for the common man. Likewise, many Evangelicals know nothing about the church fathers and the early church councils. 

Not knowing church history has led to further ignorance of theology. Meanwhile, the grand divisions of Christendom still continue. Protestants and Evangelicals now comprise 38,000 denominations in the United States. Evangelicals add more denominations every year due to their frequent splits over doctrine. Perhaps most worrying is of the 38,000 Evangelical denominations, whether Reformed Baptist, Presbyterian, or Church of the Brethren, each thinks they are right (even though they never existed before the sixteenth century). Considering that there was essentially only one church before 1054, it's hard to believe the many existing barriers that prevent Christians from visible unity (and formal communion). And while some of the blame is on Evangelicals and Protestants for adding to current divisions, some of it is also on Catholics and Orthodox for ever having split the church in the Middle Ages. 

Still, despite all the theological differences between Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox, C. S. Lewis was right about the importance of Mere Christianity. Although theological differences are often prioritized between Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox, the three traditions of Christianity agree more than they disagree. Whereas Western Christians occasionally disagree when discussing topics like Purgatory and justification, they agree that Jesus was Incarnate, that God is eternal, that there are Three Persons of God, and that Christ saves man from his sins (and eternal damnation). Although there are significant differences between mainstream Evangelicals (especially Baptists) and Eastern Orthodox on topics ranging from baptism to the Eucharist, both uphold belief in the Heavenly realm that someday, God will make all things new. 

Often, we hear more about the differences in Christendom than where the great traditions of Christianity agree. We should emphasize the differences and challenge each other in light of Scripture. However, it is unfortunate that many forget there is more that the three traditions agree on than where they disagree. 

For context, I am not speaking about ''liberal Christians'' in this post who deny the Virgin birth, defend homosexuality and abortion, and claim that Christ was not incarnate. Instead, I wish the reader to be reminded that the traditional Protestants, Orthodox, and Catholics agree with the teachings of the Nicene Creed. I am also not speaking of Independent Baptists and various fundamentalist and restorationist sects, who preach heresy by asserting that the creeds have no purpose, that the church held heresy for two thousand years, and accuse our Lord of lying when Jesus said in Matthew 16 that the gates of hell would never overtake the church. 

Thursday, February 8, 2024

Learn Literature as You are Learning Writing

 Today, many aspiring writers major in creative writing. They want to learn about publishing, editing, and the process of becoming a recognized author. 

I support the creative writing field. Indeed, taking these classes has benefited me as a writer. One can read books from the English Department all day, yet being corrected by other writers enhances one's ability to improve their own compositions. Furthermore, in the complicated world of literary agents, editors, publishing hours, etc, it can be beneficial for aspiring writers to learn about the process of publishing a novel or play from experts in the field. 

I have some concerns, however. Some modern aspiring writers think that they can delve into creative writing, without having read the great classics of the past. In many ways, all writers should have to read several books of Classical literature before seeking publication of their works. Homer, Virgil, and Ovid remain among the greatest writers to ever have lived. While I encourage a new generation of writers to seek the creative writing field, I also encourage them to study the literature of the past. 

As an English and Writing: Christian literature major, I have had the benefits of studying both old literature (English classes) and how to make new works of literature (creative writing classes). I think every novelist should attempt to be familiar with both the literature of the past as well as how to make a good story for the present. 

Take what you will from my post. It is my opinion that aspiring writers should familiarize themselves with Chaucer, Shakespeare, and Austen, while also gaining helpful feedback on their writings from peers and professors. 

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

A Creative Writer

Business is practical, though art is beautiful. Aspiring writers should not focus just on the mathematical side of composing a book but give their heart to their literary piece. 

Lately, I've been learning more about editing writing, as well as the process of getting literature published. The Karen Kinsbury Center for Creative Writing at Liberty University has been an invaluable source. 

As a writer, I find my current classes on Creative Writing essential for my own aspirations. While it's important to write well, it's also important to know about what's in demand within the literary market. Likewise, while it's important to be talented, it's essential to understand the process of getting a work published. 

It was inspiring to join Zeta Tau Delta, Liberty University's regional chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. Now, I'm near graduation. However, I am also enjoying my classes. 

I was recently included in several pictures in the Liberty University Champion. You can check them out here:

https://www.liberty.edu/champion/2024/01/the-english-honor-society-now-has-a-total-of-77-active-members/

Sunday, January 28, 2024

A Changing Experience

  I'm a writer. I'm also a novelist. Generally, I write novels, although I have also written plays and poems. I've been a writer for many years. In fact, I love to write. Writing is a stress relief for me. But more recently, I am something else. 

When approaching the first draft of my nineteenth-century novel, I was primarily a storyteller. A good book often begins with a strong plotline. But it does not end there. Almost always, a novel must be revised several times before reaching perfection. 

I am a writer, but increasingly, I am also an editor. Having written several drafts of a story set in nineteenth-century England, I am also the editor of my piece. In many ways, being an editor for one's work is very different than being a writer. I shouldn't just keep passages because I wrote them. Rather, I need to look at what is best for the book, the reader, and the publishing industry. 

Liberty University's creative writing classes along with Scott Amis's suggestions, have also helped improve my writing. Indeed, I am undergoing a changing experience. I don't just want to merely write good stories. I want to edit them until they read well. Although I've edited some of my novels in the past, I am learning more about the art of editing as well as the process of finding a literary agent, an editor, and getting a book published. 

Writers ought not to rely on the literary agent or professional editor to only edit. Before seeking publication, the writer should seek to perfect their work as much as possible. 

Tuesday, January 23, 2024

New Experiences

Recently, I decided to attend the Zeta Tau Delta chapter at Liberty University. I wanted to experience the fill of being in a room with other English majors. 

It was the longest drive that us Dotsons made in five years. Of course, Ashley had to stay behind due to her ESL classes. Once we reached Lynchburg, however, we felt more rested. I enjoyed a short amount of time swimming in the pool with Whitney. 

Tonight, I joined Zeta Tau Delta. I'm officially a member of Liberty University's chapter of Sigma Tau Delta. Earlier today, I traveled up to Lynchburg, Virginia from Knoxville Tennessee to attend the meeting. It was an interesting experience. I had the chance to meet several English professors face-to-face for the first time. 

It was interesting to see the Liberty University campus for the first time. Having gone into a few buildings on the campus today, I also was graced to witness the residence of the university for the first time. 

The study of beloved literature nature makes for a great discipline. Of course, no English language and literature major should forget that essentially all British literature before the Enlightenment was written by professing Christians. Chaucer, Shakespeare, Milton, Austen, the Brontës, etc., were all devout Christians, who wove their theological views into their works. Elizabeth Kantor discusses this in her book, The Politically Innocent Gide to English and American Literature

Hopefully, English majors will not forget the Christian heritage of Western Civilization. Certainly, they have the potential to change the world through a new era of Christian literature. 

This May, I will be graduating with a Bachelor of Science in English and Writing: Christian Literature. In the meantime, I'm trying to learn everything about writing that I need to know. 



Sunday, January 21, 2024

Another Work in the Works




Generally, I have focused this blog on my composition of novels set during the Crusades/Medieval era. However, far more recently, I've also been writing a novel set during early nineteenth century England (the Regency Era). 

In many ways, it is significantly a different work than my medieval era novels, in plotline, setting, style, and literary approach. 

I have not said much about it yet on this blog but I have had this novel in the works since January 2022 (though I began writing the plotline in December 2021). It is a novel set during the Regency Era. Lately, I've been editing more of it. I hope to get it published soon. I am still revising it (though the first draft was finished in November 2022). 

I appreciate all the prayers ahead as I proceed to finish this work. 

Last English Class Done

  I recently finished my last English class, which covered Biblical literature. I also have completed two creative writing classes this seme...