I’ve come to the recent realization that I get star struck around the most unlikely people. It’s not that I don’t get star struck around celebrities or something. Last month on my way home from my History of Christian Doctrine class taught by Dr. McCormick I happened across Barack Obama in Brookside. As you can imagine, I was certainly in awe to see the presidential candidate up close and in person. But what I mean by the most unlikely people is that I tend to get really star struck around people that are only relatively famous by most standards. To be more precise, I get really giddy when I get the opportunity to meet either comedians or theologians.
Like I said, these are not the most likely of people for everyone to get star struck around, but I can’t help it. When I shook Brian Regan’s hand at a comedy show a few years ago, I smiled for at least 3 hours straight. A mediocre psychologist would probably tell you it has to do with my aspirations to be both funny and wise, but that analysis is for a completely different blog. The cool thing is that on more than several occasions a year I get the opportunity to meet some of my theologian heroes given the wide variety of speakers NTS invites to lecture.
So, when I found out Geoffrey Wainwright was going to speak at the Mercer Lectures on Christian Holiness at NTS, I made sure to mark it on my calendar. I came to know Dr. Wainwright a few years ago through his book, Eucharist and Eschatology, while I was working on a paper in my undergrad on the celebration of the Eucharist. The reasons for writing the paper were mostly selfish since I personally wanted to gain a better understanding of the practice of communion, and his book has been very influential in the way I now treasure the opportunity to participate in the sacrament.
Even with my high expectations, Dr. Wainwright did not disappoint. His lecture on holiness, focusing on the categories of works of piety and works of mercy, was particular challenging to me as I continue to dwell on the idea of communal holiness versus individual holiness and the relationship between the two. Afterwards I was able to introduce myself and have a quick conversation with the man. I guess you could call it a dream come true.
Now if only I could have a conversation with Jerry Seinfeld.
Posted on
Sun, September 28, 2008
by Gerard Brown