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The Bible Major | Letter to My Freshman Self

Dear Freshman Josh,

Do you remember that one time in Mr. Campbell’s Chemistry class when he told you that, in college, all your classmates will be cutthroat, the teachers won’t care about you, and you and everyone else will be drowning in an endless sea of homework? Well, I am happy to report after four years that this was mostly untrue (sometimes you will feel like you’re drowning, but you’ll learn to swim soon enough!).

To be honest, it’s hard for me to even begin explaining to you all that is going to happen over the next four years. Your time at MBU is not just going to make you smarter; God is going to use it to make you a changed person. I know you’re worried about all the unknowns. That’s always how you’ve been, and let me give you a spoiler alert, you’re still going to be tempted to be that way in four years. Yet when I reflect on all the worries I had and the way the last four years went, it humbles me to consider how great our God is.

First off, I know the secular worldview of your public school has left you hungering for Bible classes. You have so many questions, and you’re passionate about learning. I can’t wait until you find out that your degree at MBU will be better than you expected! You’re going to have your theological worldview expanded because you won’t just get told what to believe but you’ll learn to search the Bible for answers yourself. By the way, when you look at the syllabus and see all the reading you need to do for that class, keep an open mind. Yeah, it’ll be a lot. But whether you believe it or not, in four years, books are going to be at the top of your Christmas list. I know, what a nerd.

Second, I know you’re worried about making friends. At this point, you’ve never really had any close guy friends. College is going to allow you to meet the closest friends you have ever had. You’re going to get such great joy from living alongside guys who are passionate about Jesus. Not only will they be fun, but they are going to inspire you to be more like Jesus. You’re going to feel comfortable being transparent with them. I can’t wait until you meet them all!

Third, your college experience will lead to blessings that you never could have expected. Some Wednesdays you’re going to be brought to tears by the children’s ministry leader’s passionate teaching about how Joseph forgave his brothers. Another Thursday night you’ll find yourself helping a teenager repent of his sins at a camp in the Mojave Desert of California. There will be a Monday night when you are singing with a group of almost 50 super-talented singers in a rural church in Pennsylvania.

Unknowns make you nervous because you’re not in control. But when you are weak and dependent on God, He can do great things! Some great days are ahead Josh; I am so excited for you! Oh, and I would spend some time with that redhead Christy. I think you might have a promising future with her.

_______________________

Joshua Bunger graduated in May 2021 with a BA in Pastoral Studies and a minor in Greek.

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