In regards to the academic endeavor, Simone Weil (noted philosopher and Christian mystic) once wrote, "The solution of a geometry problem does not in itself constitute a precious gift, but the same law applies to it because it is the image of something precious. Being a little fragment of particular truth, it is a pure image of the unique, eternal, and living Truth, the very Truth that once in a human voice declared: 'I am the Truth.' Every school exercise, thought of in this way, is like a sacrament."("Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the Love of God").
When I heard these words quoted in chapel this morning, I found myself renewed in my desire and decision to attend grad school. Over the past seven weeks, while I enjoyed far too much solitude, I found myself wondering why I was continuing my education. What exactly was I trying to accomplish? As I have said before, the original reason that prompted my coming to seminary have changed. I no longer wish to go into PhD work (for the time being at least) and I am becoming more inclined toward pastoral ministry of some type. Given that, I often wonder what purpose does a masters-level education serve (apart from being required for ordination in the Presbyterian Church)? I have not learned anything about doing ministry that I couldn't have learned by trial and error or through reading. Why am I here? Why do I feel called to be here at Princeton? Once Hebrew began last week, those questions only grew more intense as I became more and more overwhelmed by the task of learning a dead language (Biblical Hebrew is apparently different enough from Modern Hebrew to be considered dead).
However, as I sat in chapel this morning and listened to one of the Hebrew teaching assistants list off four reasons for studying a dead language, employing Weil as her support, I was reminded of the nobility of academic pursuit. Being here at seminary is preparation, in more ways than simply the formal education in the classroom, for what comes next. What I am learning here is shaping me and preparing me for serving and equipping the saints for the work God has prepared for them. Furthermore, seminary is one of many ways to learn more about God and as a result, draw into a closer and deeper relationship with the Creator of the universe. I love the second half of the above quote. "Being a little fragment of particular truth, it is a pure image of the unique, eternal, and living Truth, the very Truth that once in a human voice declared: 'I am the Truth.'" Think about that for a second. The more truth we learn, the more we learn about God. If I were to keep that as a constant thought on my mind as I continue my education, how would that change the way I study? It really does make studying akin to a sacrament. Grace is bestowed through study, the grace of the knowledge of our Creator and Savior. As I go deeper in my study of Hebrew, I hope I can keep this thought ever before me. Maybe, just maybe, I will be filled with gratitude rather than frustration and anxiety.
Somehow, I have not heard much about Simone Weil up to this point in my years of theological education. For that I am sad. I think I would really like her. Especially because of her views on academics and the reminders her writings give. That being said, I'll leave you with one last quote from her that I think says it all.
"Academic work is one of those fields containing a pearl so precious that it is worth while to sell all of our possessions, keeping nothing for ourselves, in order to be able to acquire it."
Amen.
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