Seminary, A Creative Writer’s Nightmare?

Becky Wilson

Looking back on the Spring 2011 semester, my first as a full time M.Div. student at Garrett-Evangelical, many things stand out. Although writing about my experiences during the snow storm of the century that occurred in late January is tempting, I want to tell you about my classes.

Enrolled in both Introduction to Old Testament and Introduction to New Testament, along with Spiritual Direction and Companionship, I knew that I had my work cut out for me.  My biggest fear about the work load was not the work load itself, but rather that in keeping up with the assigned readings and reflections and in exegetical researching and writing that I would have no time or desire to write creatively.

I began writing poetry, stories and essays as a child. At the risk of sounding incredibly cheesy, words are my passion and being able to express myself on paper is as essential to me as breathing. As I first looked over course syllabi, I saw the assignment listings as a sign that my fear of seminary was coming true; that academics had overtaken creativity.

What happened over the course of the next few months was shocking and amazing. All of my fears were unfounded. Academics did not squash creativity, but rather enhanced it. Coursework was both challenging and inspiring. What I discovered during this semester is that Garrett-Evangelical is not only committed to creating bold leaders for the world, but that they are committed to doing so creatively as well. In all three of my courses, there was opportunity for creative expression and thought.

My Old Testament professor often incorporated movie clips into class lectures and discussions. On one occasion, students were given the opportunity to write a psalm based on the death of one of the movie’s characters. My New Testament professor offered students extra credit for creative expressions of material covered in class. In my Spiritual Direction and Companionship course, the final project had an optional component consisting of reading a novel and then creating a piece of art or a poem that captured one’s reaction. At the time that I read the novel, a friend of mine was in the final stages of a courageous battle with lung cancer. As the novel’s main character reminded me of my friend, I was able to write a poem about our miraculous friendship and get credit for it. Surely, this was a writer’s dream.

The classroom is not the only place where creativity is valued at Garrett-Evangelical. In March of this year, as the Chapel celebrated Woman’s History, I was honored to read an original poem during one of the week’s services. The lectionary text for the week was John 4:5-42, the story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well. This poem was originally written several years ago, but was reshaped and reworked for not only the service, but for my New Testament extra credit assignment as well.

Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary, a creative writer’s dream come true.

you see for me

there was a time when the world was only dark
no matter the color of the glasses I wore

I could not see the light that others swore to me existed
after years of shame and pain it all became unbearable
living with open eyes
and so I chose deliberately to close them 

and just as I wished I did not see a thing

not hunger, not hatred
not homelessness, not heartache
no injustice, no prejudice, no war

then one day unexpected yet right on time she came 

speaking hope proclaiming something more

just because it’s easy doesn’t mean that it’s right
your eyes closed to darkness are also closed to light
bathe in this fountain, drink from this well, and then tell me what you see

despite the fear that filled me
I did and then I said

where there is hunger I see the multitudes all being fed
where there is hatred I see lovers, champions for women & children & men
where there is heartache I see joy-filled faces
rivers of justice are flowing 
equality vibrant and growing
I see peace inside all people
peace within all places

I wonder
 will you too bathe in this fountain, drink from this well
will you go and tell the world what God can do
will you embrace the life-giving light
will you pray to see fully everyday?

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Becky Wilson is from Detroit, Michigan and is a second year MDiv student at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary.