Abby Dorman

Anders Rotto
Alex Kollar
Tim Holland
Mikey Swider
Liberal Arts and Character Formation

When speaking about Christian character, one must consider Christs own character
and how we as believers and learners reflect those characteristics in every area we study.
Throughout Jesus time on earth, he showed numerous sides of his glory through all kinds of
communicative techniques, whether verbal or nonverbal. He showed a remarkable adaptability
to places and people he appeared to, while at the same time also standing out in a noticeable
way. Whether he was in the fields talking with dirty shepherds, in the temple courts talking to the
high priests, or simply walking around the streets and talking to common, everyday people,
Jesus was consistently able to put himself into the metaphorical shoes of his audience. This
sincerity and ability to relate and understand the marginalized was part of what made Jesus so
impactful. In a similar way, God calls Christians to have an identical attitude in our own lives.
Regardless of whether we are dealing with our own character or the character of others, the
diversity and adaptability of a liberal arts education shapes and molds our Christian character in
ways that allow us understand and fulfill Gods call for our lives.
On a deeper, personal level, communication allows one to build and cross bridges within
his/her own faith walk. Having the practical skills and abilities to understand and interpret Jesus
teaches allows for a genuine relationship and belief in the faith to form. Within the Scriptures, lie
multiple genres, metaphors, and other communication techniques that with even a basic
background in communication theory can be unpacked to reveal a rich mosaic of theology. With
an even wider understanding of communication, one can dive deeper into the complexities and
implications of the Scriptures and how they relate to our modern lives.
Specifically, the study of communication in liberal arts reveals the common ground that
all people share. While liberal arts as a whole helps us to see the world through the lens of a
variety of disciplines, our focus on communication teaches us universal truths about people. We
are all driven by similar needs and desires although we are shaped differently by the cultures
and communities that we live in. Our Communication major gives us the ability to coherently
affirm what we know is true about all people; that they are created and valued by God.
Some have argued against a liberal arts education on the basis that it is unable to
provide the student with specific knowledge and devolved skill in a focused area of study. This
would imply that as an education method, the liberal arts does not even educate. However, it is
important to remember the spirit of the liberal arts as a whole, and the ultimate aim, which is
character formation, and then to ask what character implies. It is inaccurate to assume that
liberal arts fails to provide a focused education. On the other hand, it is very focused on slowly
and methodically providing a foundation to expertise in multiple areas, which can, coupled with
instilling in students a lifelong pursuit of learning, lead towards an even higher level of specific
and general education in the student's life after school. Last, we must also remember how
liberal arts character formation is aimed towards learning, and so the goal of developing
character implies the goal of developing the habit of lifelong rigor.
 Overall, it is not inaccurate to view communication as the most liberal art of the liberal
arts. Essentially, this means that included in the study of communication is not only how
different people interact and relate, but also the broader methods and techniques necessary to
face any potential roadblocks or challenges that undoubtedly arise within each of our lives. As a
whole, liberal arts teaches you how to think, not what to think, and prepares you to articulate
your faith in all situations.