The document provides an experiential learning essay template for a student to complete an essay on the history of Christianity. It includes subtopics on the theoretical perspectives and development of Christian theology, mysticism, the organization and sacred literature of Christianity, significant events and history of Christianity, and rites and practices of Christianity. For each subtopic, the template instructs the student to describe a relevant experience, reflect on that experience, explain generalizations and principles learned, and apply those takeaways. The document provides examples for the student to follow for completing each section of the template.

1. Experiential Learning Essay
Experiential Learning Essay Template
Name:
Kellee D. Salas
Date:
March 18, 2018
Individual Record Number:
200227230
Approved Essay Title:
History of Christianity
Enter your name, the date, your IRN, and the approved essay
title of the essay topic you have chosen from the
PLA website. When you are ready to begin writing the essay,
type out the essay subtopics as they appear in the essay course
description, and follow the four steps of Kolb’s model.
Describe the experiences that taught you about the subtopic,
reflect on that experience, explain the principles learned, and
then explain how those principles were tested and applied. You
are then ready to move on to the next subtopic. Follow this
process until you meet the length requirement, and have
addressed all required subtopics. *Word count begins at the first
subtopic.
Subtopic (1): Theoretical perspectives and development of the
theology
Description of Concrete Experience: Christian theology has a
history of philosophy being seen as an essential aspect of
theological reflection. However, there are other practitioners in
the two disciplines that the two are mortal enemies. To these

2. group, even in cases where the religious claims seem to be
supported by philosophical reasoning, theologians were not to
flinch to such. However, there are people who took a middle
approach to the issue of logical rationale complimenting
theology. For example, St. Augustine of Hippo was of the view
that in cases where philosophical reflections commended belief,
there were only to be accepted if such thoughts were firmly
based in a prior intellectually grounded truth of the Christian
faith. This means that the faith commitments derived their
legitimacy from the philosophical theories.
Reflections: During the Middle Ages, St. Augustine’s view was
popularly accepted. St. Thomas Aquinas highlighted his
connection concerning theology versus philosophy. In regards to
the model by St. Thomas Aquinas, the two that is theology and
philosophy are distinct areas, which differs mainly at the point
where intellectual reasoning starts. Thomistic model, explains a
theory that relates to data of natural senses: what we taste,
touch, smell, and see. Theology on a different angle is viewed
by this model as the beginning point for divine interventions as
provided for in the Bible. This means that these data are
acquired through philosophy can only be accepted through
divine authority.
Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: The deliverance of
the two areas tend to coincide, and when that happens
philosophy can be at the service of theology. This is because
there are ways in which theory can play a complementary role
to belief. One of how philosophy plays an integral part is when
such reasoning can be used to convince those who do not accept
the authority of the believed divine revelations of the arguments
that are contained in the texts. For example, an atheist who is
unwilling to take the body of religious writings might come to
believe that God exists based purely on philosophical
arguments. Through rational arguments, atheists can agree to
the authority of religious literature about the existence of God.
Another way in which philosophy can play a complementary
role is when philosophical techniques are brought into context

3. to help the theologians bring about clarity to theological claims.
A good example is that theology has provided people with
information enough to reach a conclusion that Jesus Christ as a
single person was of two natures, one divine, and one human,
but all other aspects about how this relationship between human
and divine characters and how it can to be understood is still all
in the dark.
One of the reasons for lack of interaction was as a result of the
widespread opinion among philosophers of the English language
throughout that century. Another argument is that philosophers
in the 20th century took theological language as either of no
meaning or a subject of scrutiny only as far as such a style had
practices that were considered to be religious.
Testing and Application: In the late 20th century to this point in
time, however, philosophers that are concern mostly with
religion have gone back to the activity of theorizing the many
forms of the traditional Christian doctrines and have started to
use tools of contemporary philosophy in different ways as
envisioned by the Augustinian or Thomistic models.
Philosophers of religion in the modern setup are reluctant to
maintain distinctions that exist between the theology and
philosophy. This has made various theories to be developed to
help explain the development of faith.
Subtopic (2): Mysticism
Description of Concrete: Experience Mysticism can be defined
to mean any meditation, which is given a religious and spiritual
meaning. Mysticism is also known as the absolute or becoming
one with God. In my spiritual development as a Christian, there
are times that one felt closer and connected to God that before.
For example, when am praying, there is a point during the
prayer that I find myself in deep conversation with God to the
extent that I can say that I am have become one with God.
Reflections: There are times that people have altered the state
of consciousness. For philosophers, this is referred to as
meditation, where one is in deep thought about various things
that have been in his or her mind and that particular time.

4. However, for Christians, this is the time that an individual gets
into personal communication with God as he and God become
the same thing. For example, in contemplative prayer, people
tend to get the divine connection they need for them and God to
be the same thing. There are also sometimes when Christians
engage in worship and end up having an altered state of
consciousness, where they start to talk in tongues as was the
case when the disciples of Jesus Christ were receiving the Holy
Spirit.
Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: Christianity in the
early times defined the term mysticism to mean three
dimensions that become linked, namely, the liturgical, the
spiritual or contemplative, and the biblical. The ritual aspect
referred to a mystery that existed about the Eucharist, that is,
how Jesus Christ presence can be seen in the Eucharist. The
relationship between the divine vision and mysticism was used
by the early church fathers, to show the relationship between
mystical theology and mystical contemplation.
Testing and Application: In conclusion, Christian mysticism can
be applied today in very many ways. One is through the
centering prayer that helps people have the divine and personal
connection with God. Centering prayer as part of contemplative
prayer ensures that people have the deep relationship with God.
Mysticism can also explain the moments during worship that
people become deeply connected with God to the extent that
they start to talk in tongues.
Subtopic (3): Organization and sacred literature
Description of Concrete Experience: One of the things that a
practicing Christian will quickly notice is the organization of
Christianity and the existence of so many holy literature
materials talking about different Christian issues. Across the
world, the world there is the various organization of
Christianity that have come across with and personally engaged
in their religious activities.
Reflections: Jesus Christ did not visibly organize the church
during His ministry. It is His disciples created the visible

5. church that exists up to the present times. The good thing is that
the all these different organizations have engaged in giving
God’s unique message. However, there are those that will argue
that Jesus Christ organized the church during his existence on
earth. These groups believe that through His 12 disciples, and
apostles, the organization was already laid out for the Christian
fraternity. However, I think that Christ never organized the
Christian church during His life and ministry. The organization
came at a later stage during the development of the Church. In
regards to sacred literature, the primary literature materials for
Christians is the Bible. This is the reference point to all
Christian arguments and concepts. All other literature materials
are just to explain and bring an understanding of the ideas and
concepts of the Bible.
Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: There are two main
theories about the organization of Christianity. According to
this group, the organization of Christianity as currently
constituted came a result of the development of Christianity was
being realized. This realization of the organization of
Christianity to this group was through the activities of the
disciples and apostles of Jesus Christ after He had returned to
heaven after the resurrection. However, there is also another
theoretical reasoning that argues that through the selection of
His 12 disciples and 72 apostles Jesus Christ had already
brought about the organization of the Church.
Testing and Application: Sacred literature today, not only
continue to be the foundation of civilizations across the world,
but also the contemporary interpretation influences societal
values, social hierarchies, and world politics. The critical study
of the sacred literature and organization of Christianity is
irreplaceable for modern societies to enable be analyze the
arguments rising for the interpretations. The investigation of the
historical process of both the organization and sacred literature
has contributed to the comprehension of their present influence,
which is continuously in a state of uncertainty.
Subtopic (4): Significant events and history

6. Description of Concrete Experience: Throughout my life as a
Christian and in an understanding of theology I can say that
there are a lot of significant events that have taken place in the
history of Christianity. In fact, the important games are so many
to the extent that noting them down in a single text means that
some will have to be left without being discussed. This is
because as late as in the twenty-first century significant events
have been taking place in Christianity. However, theologically
it can be said that the significant events that shaped the current
Christianity took place many years ago and these will be the
focus of this section.
Reflections: Development of Christianity meant that there were
events that have been taken place before, the time of Jesus
Christ, during the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, and after the
resurrection and ascension of Him. This is the best way in
which the significant events in regards to Christianity can be
looked at for better and natural understanding of such
significant events, as some of the events are confusing
regarding timelines.
The calling of Abraham sets the stage for Christianity. As the
father of the Jewish nation, all things can be said to start at this
point. This all led to the many stories of the Old Testament
when God was setting the path for the coming of Jesus Christ
through His prophets. The significant event is the ministry of
Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the point of origin and the central
figure of the Christian faith. Through His life story and
teachings, Jesus Christ laid the foundations in which His
disciples and apostles continued with His Christian ministries
across the world as He had ordered them.
Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: The apostle age is
another significant event in the history of Christianity. After the
resurrection of Jesus Christ, He commissions his disciples and
apostles to continue with His ministry before ascension to
heaven. The early Christian church is another significant event
in the history of Christianity. This particular church was tasked
with making all nations aware the teachings of Jesus Christ.

7. This was done by the Apostles through the Roman Empire at a
time where Christians were being killed and persecuted.
Testing and Application: The tenets of the New Testament are
also very significant in the development of Christianity. After
the ministry of Jesus and the oral traditions of the Apostles,
there came the phase of the word in the written form. The
authors of the books of the New Testament are same people who
took part in the establishment of the early church. Another
significant event is the publishing of the Latin Vulgate Bible by
St. Jerome. Through his education in linguist in Greek and
Latin, and being a student of Hebrew, he was given the mandate
by Pope of Damasus to create a new Latin translation of the
Bible. He settled in Bethlehem and completed the conversion of
both Old and New Testament from the original languages into
Latin.
Subtopic (5): Rites and practices
Description of Concrete Experience: As a practicing Christian,
it is true that there are rites and practices in the Christian faith.
However, through interactions with different Christians from
different denominations it is clear that rites of passages or what
can be referred to as the stages of Christianity are the same
across the denominations, but in regards to practices, there a
significant variation from one faith to another. My experience
with the rites of traditions in Christianity can be exemplified by
reading of scriptures and attending church services as part of
the practices and baptism as part of the sacraments.
Reflections: Rites and practices are the very important aspect of
Christianity as a religion. This is because there are billions of
Christians across the world. However, there are only a few of
this population that can be said to be practicing Christians as a
result of the rites and practices. Therefore, through the rituals
and traditions in Christianity different types of Christians can
be given. For example, there are those that believe in the
existence of God and His teaching as provided in the sacred
literature but does not live according to such instructions. There
is another group that does not only believe in the existence of

8. God and His education but also lives and practices His
teachings through rites and practices.
Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: The rites in
Christianity can also be referred as the stages of life in
Christianity. One of such rituals is baptism. Confirmation is
another rite in Christianity. The rise of infant baptism created
this rite. The baptism at birth is done when a Christian knows
nothing; this one is the one that brings the commitment as such
a person is an adult and can make decisions. Marriage is another
rite of passage for Christians. This is to help continue the
creative work of God. Ordination is another rite. This rite
involved the process of becoming church official.
Apart from the rites, there are Christian practices that vary from
one denomination to another. This means that methods are
unique from one faith to another. For example, Catholics
celebrate Christmas as the day when Jesus Christ was born, but
for Adventists’ this day is not observed. However, it should be
noted that there are some common elements such as studying
and reading of the scriptures and private and corporate prayer
among many others.
Testing and Application: The practices and rites in the
contemporary Christianity are essential as it helps people to not
only just be Christians, but also ensure they practice it. For
example, one who be considered to be a practicing Christian
when he or she is engaging in the rites and practices that are
believed to be engaged in by Christians. This means that things
like baptism are necessary for one to be considered in today
world to be a Christian.
Subtopic (6): Persons contributing to the contemporary
expression of the religion
Description of Concrete Experience: Just like there are people
who influence others, there are personalities with the Christian
fraternity that affect the extent that they have brought about the
contemporary expression of Christianity as a religion.
Personally, there are many people at my local church that I
believe influence a lot how people express themselves as the

9. member of the Church. From an experience point of view, I
think there are people within the church that have influenced
how I show myself in a member of the Christian faith.
Reflections: Jesus Christ is one person that has contributed so
much to contemporary expression of Christianity. Christians
have taken Christ teaching and use them as the benchmark on
how Christians should behave and related with people within
the society. The concept of sharing and praying are mostly
derived from the teachings of the Jesus Christ. Saint Paul is
another person that has influenced the contemporary expression
of Christianity. Saint Paul wrote so many books in the New
Testament, which have become a reference point on how
Christians should be engaging in the worship of God. Saint.
Paul continues to be celebrated and mention by Christians when
talking about various issues and concepts of Christianity.
Generalizations, Principles, and Theories: Religious leaders
such as priests, pastors, bishops, and the pope. This is a group
of religious personalities that on day-to-day basis minister the
word to the Christian believers. They influence how people
should behave and interact with one another. They have also
changed so many things concerning how Christian worship is
being conducted in the today’s Christian society. Various issues
have been facing the practice of the Christian faith. In
particular, about how Christians should be behaving and
interacting with the rest of the society. These groups of
religious leaders are the ones tasked with the mandate of giving
direction such issues.
Testing and Application: Christianity has been faced with a lot
of issues such as gay-related issues, and dress code among other
topics. It is the group mentioned above of personalities that are
always used as references point to help give guidance. Some of
the mannerisms and behaviors that are today taking place in the
contemporary churches are a result of the influence that these
group of people has had on the Christian believers. This means
that the modern Christian church relies heavily on the opinion
of these leaders as guidance on how they should be facing

10. various issues of life. For example, the Catholic is influenced a
lot by the decisions and opinions of the Pope in how they
interact and relate to each other as Catholic Christians.
Pentecostals also had people like Charles Harrison Mason that
established the doctrine of holiness and sanctification and how
they should conduct themselves.
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