LIVED ACADEMIC AND SPIRITUAL LIFE EXPERIENCES THROUGH SONGS OF THEOLOGY STUDENTS

Abstract

Songs are believed to contribute to the success of students not only in their academic
life (Alisaari & Heikkola, 2016; Ashtiani & Zafarghani, 2015; & Rafiee, Kassaian,
& Dastjerdi, 2010) but spiritual life (White, 2014) as well. The purpose of this study
was to examine the lived academic and spiritual life experiences through songs of
theology students. This phenomenological study, with 35 theology students from a
private university in West Indonesia as participants, generated four themes which
include God’s presence, God’s love, self-disposition, and positive learning. It is
therefore recommended that tertiary teachers employ spiritual-uplifting songs for the
enhancement of both academic and spiritual life aspects of the learners