According to Robert Capon, Episcopal theologian and New York Times food critic, “the main job of the theologian is to make God interesting.” Of course, this work is not the exclusive domain of the intellectually gifted. Nor is it the sphere of the academically well-credentialed. The theologian’s task of “making God interesting” is about the easiest job of all – for there is not much to do. God, being infinite, invites us into the endlessly interesting mystery of God’s grace and love through the good counsel of his only son – all we must do is sit back and enjoy!
Since graduating from the University of Kansas in May, with the prayers and support of my home parish, St. Margaret’s in Lawrence, I have been on the journey to sit back and do just that; I have moved to Durham, North Carolina to pursue seminary education at Duke Divinity School. In addition to my more traditional seminary classes this semester, Greek and Old Testament, I have also had the privilege to participate in a Doctrine of God seminary with Dr. Reinhard Hütter. In the seminar, we have closely read the work of Bonaventure, Augustine, and Thomas Aquinas, all the way up to more modern theologians like Karl Barth and beyond.
As a postulant in our diocese, someone on track for ordination to the priesthood, I am a member of Duke Divinity School’s Anglican Episcopal House of Studies. Think of this program like a major – as a student of Duke Divinity, I study the entire Christian tradition with a “major” in how our faith is expressed as Episcopalians. Classes I will take as a member of the Anglican-Episcopal house will include the Book of Common Prayer, the Anglican Tradition, English Church History, and Parish Ministry, to name a few. I was also recently nominated by Duke’s Anglican Episcopal House of Studies to be recognized as an Episcopal Preaching Foundation’s up-and-coming preacher.
Beyond the walls of the Divinity School, I sing as a member of Duke Chapel’s Evensong Choir. Evensong, coming from the English Church tradition, is merely the sung version of the Book of Common Prayer’s Evening Prayer. This choir allows me to sing some of the most glorious pieces of music written in the Anglican tradition as well as end my day worshiping God in the beauty of holiness.
Though seminary thus far has been a time of numerous new friends, exciting classes, and powerful artistic and spiritual experiences, the most important thing that has happened at seminary has been my falling deeper into the mystery and love of God. It is amazing what spending everyday dwelling on the precious Word of God will do for your person. Each week, the Anglican-Episcopal house invited a guest speaker to spend Tuesday’ with our cohort, giving advice, speaking about their time in ministry, and concluding with a celebration of Holy Communion. A few months ago, Bishop John Bauershmidt of Tennessee came to spend the day with us. In an afternoon coffee between the two of us, the bishop offhandedly mentioned how funny it is that so many priests fall in love with Jesus for the first time during seminary. Though I instinctively laughed the remark off, I now see the wisdom of the bishop. Whatever faith I thought I had before seminary was and is very real, do not get me wrong, but now, as my first semester comes to a close, I am so thankful that God has led me and continues to lead me deeper and deeper into the Good News of his love.
by Weston Curnow
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