Erin Lately

Tithe .  [ tahy th ] noun.     T he tenth part of agricultural produce or personal income set apart as an offering to God or for works of mercy, or the same amount regarded as an obligation or tax for the support of the church, priesthood, or the like. As a college student the last thing I want or need to do is spend the little bit of money I do have for "charitable" purposes.  Personally, I'm already looking at nearly $70,000 of debt from my undergraduate career staring me straight in the face after I walk across a stage, grab a leather folder, and shake a man's hand this next May.  This reality drives me to keep any spare cash tightly within the grasp of my fingers and not let it go...until I need to buy the inevitable next textbook. Since being offered an amazing PAID internship with my employer this fall semester, blessings have been pouring out: the internship, living at home with no rent, not having to pay for a meal plan, not worrying if I will...

Since having attended a Christian university (which mandates a Bible minor) for nearly three years, I can confidently say my belief in God has been challenged.  Not necessarily in a positive way.  Having so much theology thrown at a person often does the reverse of what is intended: doubt, bitterness, and cynicism seep into the very fabric of one's existence.  My faith has taken a royal beating.  While there is a reasonably justified demand for academically viewing God's Word for (a) evangelizing to to that woman on the street corner, (b) your co-worker facing crisis, or (c) to "work out" your own times of trial, I find it quite terrifying how easy it has become for me to dissect, contextualize, and simply over analyze. Every time I sit in church I find myself critiquing the song lyrics, the sermon, the style of praying, the words used in prayers, the pastor's  hermeneutics, and the list goes on...and on...and on. Over Spring Break, I was visiting ...