Nurturing Communities Through Research: Three Religion Students Share Their Passion Projects

By Nina Dube

In the world of academia, religion often yields profound insights into the past, present, and future of our societies. It is within this dynamic context that three dedicated religion students, armed with a passion for their respective research interests, embarked on a journey to shed light on fundamental issues in our communities. Their research projects, while distinct in focus, share a common thread of understanding, preservation, and transformation. In this article, we explore the inspiring work of David Lawson ‘24, whose Capstone project explores “The Decline of the Stone-Campbell Movement and How to Preserve it for Future Generations;” Maia Sable ‘24, who is working on a project on “Measures of Wellness and Awe in the SEEd Garden;” and Christina Romero ‘23, whose Capstone research focused on “Paul’s Strategy for Unity: Navigating Freedom, Humility, and Service in the Corinthian Community.” These scholars, working under the guidance of Dr. Julia Fogg in the Religion Department, are contributing to our understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing distinct communities.

David's Journey: Preserving the Stone-Campbell Movement for Future Generations

David Lawson ‘24 embarked on a compelling research journey over the summer, investigating the decline of the Stone-Campbell Movement and contemplating ways to preserve its essence for future generations. Originating in America, the Stone-Campbell Movement expresses a rich tradition of Christian restorationism, and David's work centers on examining its founding theology and its impact on young adults today.

His concern for the future, especially for the coming generations, is palpable. David sees the Stone-Campbell Movement not just as a subject of academic inquiry, but as an integral part of his community, a tradition he wants to ensure thrives for his children and others to come. With a keen eye on the barriers young adults face within the tradition, he first worked on crafting a program for future leaders in the movement, but he has since shifted his focus to figuring out how to bring reform to the church as a whole. “David’s work has far reaching implications for youth ministry, not just in his own Christian tradition, but also for other denominations and Church youth programs,” Dr. Fogg says. “He hopes to be able to establish the manuscript and historical work, and then develop a theological rationale or hermeneutic for his tradition that will empower youth leaders and young people for the coming generations.”

Maia's Exploration: Wellness, Indigenous Knowledge, and the CLU SEEd Garden

Maia Sable ‘24 shares an equally dynamic academic journey. Her project investigates how the SEEd Project Garden (Sustainable Edible Education) at CLU impacts student wellness. Dr. Fogg commented that “She hypothesizes, from her lit review work, that the garden can be a source of experiences for students that foster well-being simply by visiting, working, or studying there, spending time in the nature community. She is now gathering that data from surveys of students and she will present her work this spring at Festival of Scholars.” Through the lens of the concept of "awe," she aims to measure levels of wellness and choose other topics that align with the needs of everyone in the community. Her motivation is clear: a genuine concern for the struggles students face, particularly during challenging academic seasons like midterms. Maia is quickly becoming a seasoned researcher, having also completed a psychology project on “Late Adulthood Ageism in the Fitness Industry.” The multidisciplinary approach of both these projects, encompassing environmental psychology, community building, and indigenous knowledge, reflects Maia’s eclectic curiosity.

Both David and Maia look forward to presenting their projects at the Festival of Scholars in the spring semester. Their projects transcend traditional academic boundaries, seeking to bridge the gap between research and community impact. As they continue their respective journeys, we anticipate a wealth of insights and transformative contributions that will shape not only their academic paths but also the communities they are dedicated to serving. Their stories remind us of the power that research holds when fueled by a genuine desire to create positive change.

Christina’s Offering: Navigating Freedom, Humility, and Service in the Corinthian Community

Christina Romero ‘23 begins her Capstone project by contextualizing Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, focusing on their community struggle with divisions arising from the misuse of freedom, particularly in matters related to food offered to idols. The community members, possessing knowledge about the oneness of God, were using their freedom in ways that created stumbling blocks for others.

Examining 1 Corinthians 7:22, Christina explores how Paul redefines the concepts of slave and free, placing both in the context of serving Christ. This shift diminishes boasting and highlights humility in the service of Christ, urging the community to reconsider their status in the pursuit of a more unified and humble approach. “Christina’s senior Capstone is a rich interdisciplinary project,” Dr. Fogg says. “She examines communication in first century Corinth using a primary epistolary text written by a man named Paul and many Corinthian Christian leaders. By understanding Paul’s strategies for uniting those leaders across many disagreements and divisions, Christina argues that people today can develop an ethic that would also address disagreements and divisions we experience, particularly when Christians are involved.”

Christina applies Paul's teachings to contemporary case studies, such as the Masterpiece Cakeshop case. She emphasizes the delicate balance between individual rights and community harmony, showcasing how Paul's principles can guide solutions to modern-day challenges, promoting humility and understanding.

As part of her Capstone project, Christina created a video imagining how Paul would advise contemporary Christian TikTokers. “In essence, Christina brings Paul’s first century Christian ethic of humility and love forward for us to think about how we might consider building each other up, rather than polemicizing our views in public,” Dr. Fogg says. 

To Future Religion Research Students

David, Maia, and Christina all offered encouraging messages to students aspiring to do research in the future. David advises other students that “The questions being asked in that department are important, and sometimes they may not seem so because they are not science-based questions. They are about things that we can’t measure necessarily, but they are important questions to be asked. We need more people who are willing to ask those questions and look for answers, so if you have the opportunity to do research, don't be afraid to do so.” 

As a Psychology major, Maia said that “Your project doesn't necessarily have to be about Religion. I would just say that if you're a Religion minor as I am, my advice is that if you're passionate about something whether or not it's related to religions then you should pursue it because the Religion Department is extremely supportive.” 

Passion was a common driving factor for these students. “I believe that people who are passionate about a certain theological topic will thrive [doing a Capstone project] because you get to choose whichever topic you're interested in which is amazing!” Christina says. “Many other departments don't offer this like the Religion Department does. I chose my topic because I see so much division in our society and nobody ever tries to find a solution.”