sitting...moving...thinking...
reflections from a cross country roadtrip
I spent hours curating a podcast playlist that would make a half-country road trip from New Jersey to Wisconsin fly by. The Batman Unburied, Bundyville, Dissect’s breakdown of Bo Burnham’s INSIDE, and more were scheduled to fill 12+ hours alone in a UHaul. Knowing that the UHaul would likely not have a line-in for my phone, I planned ahead and brought a speaker.
But the 15’ truck was loud. Very loud. The clever back-and-forth between Winston Duke’s Batman and Hasan Minaj’ Riddler was drowned out by the sound of the truck struggling to make it up and down the rolling Pennsylvania hills.
For the remainder of the trip, I cued up a few of my favorite playlists and decided to think through the past three years in Princeton.
I was (and still am) overwhelmingly filled with gratitude for the opportunity to study at Princeton Seminary in this cultural moment. As America reckons with a long history of racism, violence, oppression, and more, it was not difficult to bring the history I was learning in the classroom to the public sector. Whether I was studying the Missouri Bootheel in the 1930s, Asian immigration to San Francisco in 1853, indigenous practices of Christianity during the revivals of 1730, or evangelical action following World War II, there were always throughlines that lead to our world today. Those of you who have been following my writing over the past few years have likely seen the fruition of this.
I’m also thankful for the colleagues and peers at PTS who encouraged, challenged, and genuinely loved both Emily and me. It is one of the great privileges of a residential seminary program to journey alongside those interested in matters of faith, preparing for ministry, seeking to advance their work in the academy, and change the world for the better. The conversations that took place at Ivy Inn, Meeting House, the Dinky, and in our homes will continue and deepen as folks continue on to MPA programs in New York, doctoral studies at Princeton University, missionary work in Africa, pastoral ministry on the West Coast, and more.
While I can only speak for myself, I don’t think my seminary experience is unique. Much of this is what organically happens as folks come together across lines of difference with a common goal and shared vision in mind. For this reason (and many more), I’d encourage all folks interested in further studies to find a seminary that is suited well for them. Not all seminaries and programs are created equal—but no matter where you situate yourself on the political or theological spectrum, if you are eager to learn with charity and humility, I can’t recommend Princeton Seminary enough.
More thoughts on graduation next week.
Reading:
Cloud Cuckoo Land - Anthony Doerr
Watching:
Stranger Things (Season 4) - Netflix
Listening:
A Bar About a Bar - Chance the Rapper
Churchill Downs - Jack Harlow feat. Drake