There has not been a time that I can recall when I was unaware of Jesus, sin, and forgiveness. I was born to \u201cbush missionary\u201d parents in rural Alaska and am the youngest of three siblings. Though we moved from Alaska to Montana shortly after I was born, my earliest recollections are still of my dad as a pastor of a small rural church. I attended public school for the first three years. Before fourth grade started, we moved to Oregon, and my parents placed me in a private Christian school. From that school, I graduated as the sole graduate of the class of 1997. Following that awkward experience, I attended a Christian college to obtain my undergraduate and MBA degrees. \u00a0It is fair to say that I \u201cgrew up Christian,\u201d and most of my adult employment has been with Christian organizations.<\/p>\n
This personal history left me heartbroken and confused after a particular conversation with a man named \u201cFrank\u201d who lives halfway around the world. Frank is a follower of a different religion. It is a relatively small and obscure religion that believes in the forthcoming immaculate birth of a messiah and reincarnation. Frank and his wife lived alone as their children were older and had left home. \u00a0He was, and to the best of my knowledge still is, a kind and gentle man. \u00a0I was part of a small group of four that had the privilege of visiting his home. Many of the homes in the area needed simple repairs and a coat of paint. After hearing of Frank’s specific needs, we were happy to assist with his small project. Within an hour or two, we finished painting the rusty metal fence with a fresh coat of the neon green paint he had requested.<\/p>\n
Upon finishing, he invited us to his front lawn for an opulent lunch at a table overflowing with hospitality. Frank invited us inside for coffee after a customary dessert of dried fruits.
\nAs we sat in his living room, we shared pleasantries through an interpreter, and eventually, he said, \u201cMy new friends, you have traveled far. \u00a0What brought you here today?\u201d. I shared with Frank that we were followers of Jesus the Messiah, and His teachings and actions make it clear that He loves people. Through the interpreter, I went on to share, \u201cWe are here today to show that love to you in any way we can, even if it is as simple as painting your fence\u201d. You could see the tears start to swell in his eyes. He paused as he contemplated his words and spoke softly through the interpreter. \u201cI believe your words and your kindness helps restore my hope in humanity. I have heard of your Messiah before. I want to believe that he embodies all I could hope for in a messiah. \u00a0But my adult son was a follower of our religion. He was killed in an act of violence before hearing of your Messiah.\u201d Holding back the tears, he continued, \u201cThank you for coming here today, but I cannot accept your Messiah. If I were to do that, I would be sentencing my own son to hell\u201d. At that moment, I was heartbroken and confused. Having grown up in the Christian faith, I struggled to reconcile his reality and the implications of his statement.<\/p>\n
My mind continually returned to this experience as I read the book Meyer and Lund edited, Overcoming Barriers to Student Understanding<\/em>. Frank had run head-on into a wall of troublesome knowledge constructed by a threshold concept.[1]<\/a> In this situation, Frank’s gain would have become his son’s loss.[2]<\/a> The core concept of a god was perfectly acceptable to Frank. Still, the expanded understanding that Meyer and Lund associate with troublesome knowledge related to a threshold concept was too much for him. Accepting the knowledge of an alternative messiah would have been transformative, irreversible, integrative, and troublesome.[3]<\/a><\/p>\n As I contemplate threshold concepts, I can’t help but begin applying the framework and the ramifications to my doctoral adventure. In doing so, a multitude of emotions swirl in my head. I am anxious regarding the unknown. What troublesome knowledge will I encounter? Do I see myself on the other side of this threshold?[4]<\/a> What if my articulation and writing don\u2019t improve?[5]<\/a> What if the persistent curiosity necessary to progress out of liminality moves me into pessimism and pushes me farther from who I want to be?[6]<\/a> \u00a0Leaving me stuck, knowingly or unknowingly, in perpetual liminality. \u00a0[7]<\/a><\/p>\n Ultimately, I must choose to rely on and trust Jesus. I must seek His wisdom to discern what healthy questioning looks like, accept an accurate self-image through who I am in Jesus, and depend on Him to cope with difficult knowledge.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n [1]<\/a> \u00a0Meyer, J., & Land, R. Threshold Concepts in Practice<\/em>. Educational Futures: Rethinking Theory and Practice. Vol. 68. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Sense Publishers, 2016. 6.<\/p>\n [2]<\/a> Meyer, J., & Lund, R. Overcoming Barriers to Student Understanding: Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge.<\/em> New York: Routledge, 2006. xiv.<\/p>\n [3]<\/a> \u00a0Meyer, Lund. Overcoming Barriers<\/em>. 7.<\/p>\n [4]<\/a> Meyer, Lund. Threshold Concepts.<\/em> xiv.<\/p>\n [5]<\/a> Meyer, Lund. Threshold Concepts. <\/em>167.<\/p>\n