There is no harder task in teaching than grading and assessing student work. One would think it would be straight forward and objective, but it is not. Some instructors use multiple choice questions because they seemingly have only one answer; however, those answers were derived by one particular individual, and unless the question is a simple fact, multiple choice answers leave many nuances unexplored.
Because of the limitations of a multiple choice exam, other instructors bite the bullet and give an essay exam, which allows students to provide as much information and explanation as they want to demonstrate their knowledge, but creates a more lengthy grading process. However again, the question and the envisioned answer were created by one individual and so can still be rather subjective.
Right about now students are in the middle of mid-terms, that half way point in the semester where instructors test them on the knowledge they should have acquired so far. Some instructors who feel their test is extremely difficult and want to be sure that students are not unduly penalized will use a Grading Curve. The idea here is that the percentage for the top score will be the max for the class, thereby reducing the number of points a student needs to earn to receive a high grade.
However, a grading curve is a catch 22. It is great if all of the students did lousy but not much good at all if Mr. or Miss Hotshot blew the test out of the water. Not much will have changed and those top students will be the only ones to benefit from it.
Many believe God works off of a grading curve. That a person’s worth or salvation is determined in light of someone else’s behavior or performance, and so a person only has to be better than the next guy. Fortunately, this is not the case.
First, God’s standard is not ambiguous. It is straight forward: perfection--complete sinlessness, and Romans 8:28 tells us that none of us have achieved that: “For all have sinned and fall short or the Glory of God.” As unfair as some people believe this is (I am on the same level as a murderer?), it is actually the most secure position we can be in. It takes all the guessing out of the equation.
Second, if we have all sinned, then we all need a savior. Fortunately, we have one. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Finally, God’s love for us is not conditional. It does not hinge on how good we are or how many wonderful things we have achieved. Romans 5:8 reminds us “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Such love provides the ultimate security, for as 1 John 4:18 says: “Perfect love casts out fear.”
Therefore, in the test for eternity, the grading is very simple. Saved by accepting God’s free gift of salvation or not saved for rejecting it.
Because of the limitations of a multiple choice exam, other instructors bite the bullet and give an essay exam, which allows students to provide as much information and explanation as they want to demonstrate their knowledge, but creates a more lengthy grading process. However again, the question and the envisioned answer were created by one individual and so can still be rather subjective.
Right about now students are in the middle of mid-terms, that half way point in the semester where instructors test them on the knowledge they should have acquired so far. Some instructors who feel their test is extremely difficult and want to be sure that students are not unduly penalized will use a Grading Curve. The idea here is that the percentage for the top score will be the max for the class, thereby reducing the number of points a student needs to earn to receive a high grade.
However, a grading curve is a catch 22. It is great if all of the students did lousy but not much good at all if Mr. or Miss Hotshot blew the test out of the water. Not much will have changed and those top students will be the only ones to benefit from it.
Many believe God works off of a grading curve. That a person’s worth or salvation is determined in light of someone else’s behavior or performance, and so a person only has to be better than the next guy. Fortunately, this is not the case.
First, God’s standard is not ambiguous. It is straight forward: perfection--complete sinlessness, and Romans 8:28 tells us that none of us have achieved that: “For all have sinned and fall short or the Glory of God.” As unfair as some people believe this is (I am on the same level as a murderer?), it is actually the most secure position we can be in. It takes all the guessing out of the equation.
Second, if we have all sinned, then we all need a savior. Fortunately, we have one. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
Finally, God’s love for us is not conditional. It does not hinge on how good we are or how many wonderful things we have achieved. Romans 5:8 reminds us “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in while we were still sinners Christ died for us.” Such love provides the ultimate security, for as 1 John 4:18 says: “Perfect love casts out fear.”
Therefore, in the test for eternity, the grading is very simple. Saved by accepting God’s free gift of salvation or not saved for rejecting it.
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