Peter's Blog - Providence Christian College

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Peter's Blog

Name: Peter
Position: Resident Assistant
Hometown: Diamond Bar

Entries:

2/3/08: Discourse vs. Debate

2/29/08: Domestic Mission

3/29/08: So Cal Scenery

2/3/08: Discourse vs. Debate

I am sure many, if not all, of you will agree with the fact that the mealtime is one of the most sociable events in any culture. Interacting with one another at the table is inevitable, and tonight a few students and I shared some thoughts. Although I cannot recall how the conversation began, the topics of choice revolved around what you would usually hear in the political arena (you can probably guess what these issues were since politicians advocate the same handful of agendas). Nevertheless, our discourse carried on with intensity at times and reminded me of the days when I was in college. Many would describe our scenario tonight as a debate where we argued our perspectives. I would rather use the term “discourse” to accurately portray our interactions.

What is the difference? A debate carries the notion of hostility and antagonism. Oppositions approach the platform with the motivation to destroy their adversary through verbal warfare. This mentality breeds close-mindedness and kills the opportunity for learning and growth. The participants leave the battlefield without any intellectual gain or progress. I would not categorize our discussion as a debate because I know the students did not leave the table thinking less of each other.

A discourse, on the other hand, provides a playground where ideas are freely exchanged without conflict. Even though our ideas may disagree, we have a common goal and that is to find the truth. In this pursuit we take different perspectives into consideration to shape our own paradigm. I cannot think of a better place for a discourse other than at an institution for higher education. The college classroom is a sanctuary for this kind of social interaction and I had the privilege to experience this right at my dinner table. I only hope that they continue to engage in discourses, not in debates.

2/29/08: Domestic Mission

Coq au vin, pozole, sukiyaki, pho, hummus, pad thai, ossobucco, tapas, borscht, dim sum, bulgogi, churrascaria… (What is this guy talking about?) If you are a foodie like me, you have probably figured out that I have listed dishes and styles of cuisine from various cultures. This is one of the great advantages of Southern California. The metropolis attracts people from all over the world and creates an epicenter of diversity. You can get a glimpse of the world without leaving your city.

Recently I had a discussion with a student about missions and evangelism. The Great Commission commands us to go out to the world and “make disciples of all the nations.” However, the dynamics of the mission fields are evolving as time goes by. In fact, the arena for mission work now takes place domestically. Instead of traveling to a foreign land, the world has now come to our neighborhoods.

I think the students here can benefit greatly from the location of this college. They have the chance to engage with another culture in ethnic enclaves such as Little Tokyo, Chinatown, Little Saigon, K-Town, Olvera Street, Little Armenia, Little Ethiopia and many more. All of these places are just a short drive away from the campus. The accessibility of these neighborhoods provides the opportunity for a learning experience that is uncomparable. God has given us a more convenient way to work towards a kingdom that is made up of “every tribe and tongue and people and nation.”

3/29/08: So Cal Scenery

If you walk into a gift shop in Southern California to buy a postcard you will most likely find one of these three pictures on the front: beaches with palm trees, girls in bikinis, or surfers riding the waves. I have never (and I repeat… NEVER) seen a postcard proudly displaying what Southern California has been the leader of for more than a decade: Traffic. This sounds silly but it is a fact that cannot be denied. Southern California has the worst traffic in the nation and it is only getting worse.

So why do so many people want to move to this area where the traffic is unbearable? Many people may not realize this but I think accessibility is perhaps one of the biggest attractions of Southern California. Where else can you have breakfast on the beach, lunch on a mountaintop at over 10,000 feet, and dinner under the stars while listening to the philharmonic? (I have not attempted to do all this in a single day but it is definitely possible… perhaps I should try it?)

This past month I had the opportunity to go on a few hikes with a group from Providence. Our adventures consisted of an unsuccessful climb up a snowcapped Mt. Baldy, lunch in a cave on top of a King Kong-sized boulder, whale watching in the Santa Monica Bay (yes we saw one), and a panoramic view of the Coachella Valley out in the desert. Each trip contains stories that will never be duplicated.

Although they say “a picture is worth a thousand words,” there is something ineffable about being removed from the city and basking in God’s creation. It is just one of those “you had to be there” experiences. Since I cannot put the actual experience on the internet, I have created a photo gallery to finish up this blog. Hopefully it will suffice…

“The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament shows His handiwork.

Day unto day utters speech,

And night unto night reveals knowledge.”

Southern California

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Mt. Baldy after a rainstorm

This is a view of Mt. Baldy from our campus a few months prior to our hike. Contrary to popular belief it really does snow in Southern California. A huge rainstorm left the entire mountain range snowcapped.