Current mood:	overworked
Current music:	(the sound of papers needing to be written)

if someone had given Paul a 22-25-page limit, we'd be here all night.
Up to my neck in papers now, but I feel the need to share this beautiful letter my New Testament professor, Leticia Guardiola-Saenz, sent the class.


The Letter of Leticia to the Seminarians in BibSt111-2:

Leticia, a servant/NT instructor of Christ Jesus at the Theo School by the will of God, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who took the evening NT intro class this semester. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and Mother and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I want you to know, beloved that what has happened to me lately. I am astonished that some of you who have received the syllabus from the beginning, and have listened to the instructions on the final paper from my mouth are so quickly deserting the message. Those of you who have received false teachings and are turning to a different syllabus--not that there is another syllabus-- have been emailing me asking, "Where can I find sources for the final paper?"

As we have said before, so now I repeat, if anyone proclaims to you a syllabus contrary to what you received from me, let that one flunk the course.

For I want you to know, sisters and brothers, that the content of the final paper should be your own work, your own interpretation, thoughts, ideas, insights on the topic you selected. I do not want to read quotes or paraphrases of someone else's work. I want to know what you think. You need to interpret the text through your own eyes, using your own approach or using the insights from feminist and postcolonial views as we did in class, when I was present among you.

Who has bewitched you? This paper is about YOUR OWN INTERPRETATION and ideas on the New Testament, is not about what the scholars think. They have already developed their own thoughts and have received their degrees; it is now your turn to work on developing your own ideas and getting your degrees.

My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression (plagiarism), you who have received the instructions from me and the syllabus should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted.

SEE WHAT LARGE LETTERS I MAKE WHEN I AM WRITTING IN MY OWN COMPUTER, hoping you will understand the message.

Therefore, If you are having difficulties writing 10 to 12 pages of your own ideas, and you are feeling tempted to use external sources, please do not do that, resist the evil one. I rather have you writing fewer pages with exclusively your own thoughts, than having less of your thoughts in a longer paper filled with "false teachings." The syllabus says that the paper should be at least 3300 words and not more than 4100 words, around 10-12 pp d/s. You may write as little as 2500 words if that will help you to be honest and write only your thoughts in the final paper. Do not copy material from the internet and paste it into your papers either.

As for those who will follow this rule—peace be upon them, and mercy. As for those who will write the 3300 to 4100 words, do not think that your efforts will not be acknowledge, for you have already received your reward.

So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us write good, honest papers, especially when they are requirements in our Seminary courses.

From now on, let no one make trouble for me. I pray that all what you have learned this semester settles in you hearts and brains for the rest of your life and help you in your ministries. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, sisters and brothers. Amen


Of course, this letter doesn't apply to me, as I negotiated with her at the beginning of the year to do a different, much more scholastic-exegetical final paper. However, she did note specially at the top of the version she sent to me that instead of having a 5000-6750 word limit, the minimum for my final is now 4800. If I didn't love her for her sense of humour, I love her for that particular mercy.

Also, in other news that has been eating every inch of my life and consciousness, General Conference is over now, and to tell you the truth, I'm amazingly relieved -- not even just because it means I can actually concentrate on my schoolwork now. And there was a Unity Resolution made, which makes me feel a little better about everything. There's a great wrap-up here, which deals with all the things that got decided, not just the gay ones, and I intend to grill my delegate friends as soon as they get home.

So, can anyone name that epistle she's filking in twenty words or less?