Pre-Reflections on Text and Experience

At the end of this quarter, my first quarter of divinity school, I will be asked to communicate my thoughts on the relationship between text and experience. Specifically, as I engage in theological thinking, I am asking myself how experience, writing, and thinking in terms of theology inter-relate, inter-situate, and inter-change. All of this is profoundly challenging, and yet, curiously provocative.

I thought it might be best to pre-reflect on text and experience. These pre-reflections are "pre" in the sense that they are my initial attempts to capture--in words--how I understand that interrelationship of text and experience, and "reflections" in the sense that I am looking again or looking anew on these categories.

I have found writing to be incredibly therapeutic. Not simply in the cathartic sense, but in the formative one. Writing, for me, is an opportunity to solidify my thoughts. However, the solidification is not one of permanence, but of reference. Only when I solidify my thoughts can I come to terms with myself: I can affirm or resist my initial descriptions and conceptions. This is an interesting process for several reasons:

First, the very act of writing shapes previous experience and current thought in unique ways. It takes content and molds it in the form of novel words, phrases, paragraphs, and entire narratives or texts. In a sense, I admit, this is a modification of experience. It is the act of selecting from experience certain things for certain purposes which then re-impose themselves on the unselected material.

Second, the act of re-reading one's writing is an opportunity for revision; literally a seeing again. We can choose to see that experience through the lens of that writing or resist that writing altogether for a better, fuller, or alternative formulation.

Third, the process of (re)formulating experience is an act of emergence. It is the emergence of ideas which might otherwise not exist. The ideas are caught up in the words themselves, and it is only in working and reworking these words that such ideas can ever be embraced or denied.

Finally, the interplay between vision and revision, writing and rewriting is a dialogical trajectory which builds upon itself. It is dialogue with oneself while simultaneously constructing oneself.

Thus, much of my writing is not permanent assertion--although it may initially be an assertion--but reference. It is a point of reference which I can revisit and reassess. But it is a necessary starting point from which to continue and build. I believe that with my time spent at the university I will be wrestling with the theological process of self-formation. I hope that what I construct will be helpful and meaningful for others as they journey alongside me.

First Quarter Reflections

The first quarter has flown by so quickly. Midterms have come and gone. Papers are being formulated for finals, and books are coming to completion (by coming to completion I mean I am scrambling to catch up on all the readings which I have not done...). Amidst the fury of the finale, I must say that life here is good. Good people, good food, good conversations, good classes, and good sleep (I think that has been the most helpful lately).

Good People:
I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet, learn about, and come to know many, many good people. People with good hearts, sharp minds, and strong wills. People who care for the oppressed, down-trodden, and marginalized in theory, and, as it seems, in practice. People who want to devote themselves to justice and the up-building of those around them. I have met social workers, future church leaders, future public-policy makers, and the probable campaign manager of our next generation politician. Whatsmore, it appears that these whom I have met are not just good people presently, but will continue to be so. For that I am thankful to be a part of such a community.

Good Food:
My dad recently came to Chicago and he was so kind as to take Rebecca and I out to eat. We visited a Brazilian resturaunt downtown, Fogo-de-Chao, which "made me want to be a better person." It was nice to change up my diet from canned soups and pb&j sandwiches to fresh fruit, vegetables and the most incredible selection of meats. It was a beautiful experience. Truly. I don't normally name my eating experiences "Beautiful"... but this definately deserves that description. The whole dining experience made me so appreciative to be in the city of Chicago where such opportunities are possible (although more for the financially privileged). Chicago is a cool place with cool stuff--good food being one such cool thing.

Good Conversations:
Whether its public church (at times) or the DDH basement, there are wonderful conversations which take place here at uChicago. Reflections on identity, God, meaning, purpose, freedom, destiny, culture, social responsibility, economics, and sports, along with the occasional silliness of sarcastic exchanges, all make the experience here so rich. I am fortunate to be in dialogue with a variety of different perspectives, backgrounds, theologies, ethnicities, concerns, and lives. There is much to discover, much to appreciate, and, as always, much to learn.

Good Classes:
Although some may disagree, I have found all my classes (for the most part) intellectually engaging. Public Church has reshaped my approach to ministry, Hebrew Bible has amplified my attention to the detail and constructedness of the Christian "1st Testament", Concepts of Religion in Modern Theology has introduced me to a number of new thinkers with provocative perspectives, and Greek is just plain cool. I think I love language. All this to say, I'm looking forward to next quarter when I can have a new smattering of classes to enjoy.

Good Sleep:
Thank goodness for good sleep. I don't know what I would do without it. Of course, its not good sleep all the time, but its good sleep enough to keep me going. I must say, I have yet to turn on my heater, which makes my room frigid as the season moves toward winter. But, the cozy comfort of my bed is a warm haven for deep sleep. It reminds me of growing up in Oregon. No heating except for a wood stove (which we huddled around to thaw out when we woke up in the dead of winter). Good memories. Good sleep.