Inspire, Summer 2004

W h a t ’ s t h e W o r d ? C omprehensive Bible major Karen Judith Mowrer ’04 “broke the mold” for her senior seminar class by writing and presenting the story of Ruth as a musical stage production rather than as a standard research paper. The senior seminar course is a capstone course required of Bible majors whose studies do not involve an internship. The objective of Karen’s musical project, then, was to fulfill the requirements for the course, but Karen wanted it to be much more than that. It was her desire to fulfill the requirement by blending several personal “loves” into one unique creation. Motivated by a love for Broadway musicals, Karen determined to use her skills in music and lyric composition, dramatic presentation, and Bible knowledge to present the beloved story of Ruth from the Old Testament. Karen credits her “inspiration” to a week of insomnia last year when she used the hours awake to think about how she could make a quality difference in the arts. She felt a strong desire to use her skills to present the power and excitement of the story of Ruth in an unusual format. She wanted to use that venue to communicate her love for the stage with a love for God and His Word. When Karen returned to Cedarville in the fall, she sought the counsel of advisors and professors regarding her dream. Observing that she was breaking new ground in the senior seminar course, her advisors encouraged her to pursue her dream. And the rest, as they say, is history. Ruth: The Musical was presented in six performances including two command performances. Karen wrote the musical’s script, which was revised with the help of director Donna Paulsen ’03. Karen and musical director Steven Frey ’04 strengthened the original music and words that she had already written and wrote several more songs to complete the musical. Karen says, “I had many talented people helping me, like Donna and Steve and my wonderful cast. But we all agree that it was God who brought it together. None of us expected to receive such a positive response. God was good to us. We hope that at the end of all this, He gets the glory.” Ruth: The Musical 16 Summer 2004 On a more personal note, Karen’s music has been both a source of fun and a stress-reliever from class work. She said, “Some people go running when they’re stressed. Some people eat chocolate. I write songs.” She generally writes a song a week, expressing her love for God and her interpretation of life. Karen is planning to teach high school math in the public schools of the Bronx or Brooklyn this fall as a teaching fellow. There in New York City she will have a chance to learn more about composing musical theatre and to explore opportunities for Christians in the arts. Cedarville’s production of Ruth: The Musical is available on DVD and audio CD. For more information, contact Donna Paulsen at dpaulsen@cedarville.edu . New Bible Major T he department of biblical education has announced the availability of a new major designed to equip men and women to teach Bible in Christian schools. The major was designed in cooperation with the education department at Cedarville to provide both content and skills for teaching Bible in elementary and secondary Christian schools. Since states do not certify teachers of Bible or religion, there is no state certification available. However, the degree program has received the approval of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). The need for the degree has been recognized for some time. Since many Cedarville alumni are asked to teach Bible in Christian schools, there was a desire in both the Bible and education departments to equip students with pedagogical skills as well as a knowledge of the Scripture. The objective is to raise the level of how Bible is taught. Students enrolled in the program will participate in the same pedagogical and field education experiences required of secondary education majors who are seeking certification by the State of Ohio. In addition to providing essential pedagogical courses for teaching Bible in a school setting, the major also includes Christian education courses, thus qualifying students to serve local churches effectively in Christian education or youth ministries. Since the major also includes courses required in the preseminary major, the graduate is well prepared to pursue graduate school or seminary. Dr. Duane Wood, academic vice president at Cedarville University, adds his endorsement of the major by stating that students who pursue this major and then go on to graduate school are well equipped for returning to teach Bible at the University. Details of the degree are available in the current catalog.