Today, I am all alone in the office. My boss out of the office, one colleague is on vacation and the other is out sick. With a lot less paperwork coming my way, I am left with a little down time. I decided to continue a search of my recent favorite writer and biblical scholar, Leonard Sweet. He also happens to be one of my professors at Drew. I often think back to the first time I met him. It was during the Theological School's Orientation in August of 2006. I was standing in line for some purpose or another and I saw this man in his jeans, gleaming white hair and sandals, kind of standing against the wall maybe waiting or observing, I really don't know which. But I noticed him right away and I asked him if he was a teacher here. He says yes. I thought pretty interesting teacher. Drew began to take on a very cool aura.
Since that time, I have had him for 3 courses each of which absolutely blew my mind. Now if you know anything about me, you will understand that I have been a Christian since I was 12, I have in church since I was nine months old and I spent the 7th through 12th grade in Catholic school. Add to that a BA in Religious Studies and a Masters in Theology in the process. So, as far as I am concerned, I know faith.
But the faith I knew was nothing like the faith he opened my mind and heart to. His faith is in your face, practical, bold, convicting, comforting, provoking... We had one class, where we split up into small groups and Len Sweet asked this question, "Imagine that Jesus came back and he was sitting in the back row of your church observing the service. You approach him and ask him to address the congregation. What would he say?" Now I tell you, this was our Social Gospel class so a lot of the answers were things like take care of the poor, admonishment for our sin, disbelief, etc. Each group gave their various answers and we waited to see who was right or remotely close. Dr. Sweet pulled out the most simple, un-thought-of answer -- I LOVE YOU. We all sat there stunned, ashamed, loved, impressed. The emotions (at least for me) ran the gamut. This was just one particular class session in my first semester. I have been in awe every since.
So he is my favorite professor. He makes us read (at least 7 books per course), he stirs our spirits and he truly challenges us to live a life (and faith) worthy of our callings. To date, he has 29 publications to his credit. Sadly, I have only read 2. Nonetheless, as I am honored to have been taught by such a man of God as Leonard Sweet. As my seminary days are winding down, I am looking forward to one last class with him, where I know I will grow beyond all that I have ever imagined to all that God has planned.
