My First Seminar

There are few things I can think of that are more exhausting than a Johnnie-style seminar. But how much fun! My seminar group discussed anything Iliad for about two hours in class last night. At ten o’clock, one of tutors dismissed us, and some split off into smaller groups, wandering around campus, to discuss various aspects of the work, the evening, life, and to explore each other a little bit. I sat outside with three of my new classmates—friends, I’d like to think—until after eleven. So, in a simplistic way, I entered into an intellectual conversation lasting over three hours. And this is the core of the St. John’s education.
That was too much fun to be school. Praise the Lord. I can also see a ministry developing before me.
I’d write about all the things we discussed, but that would take too long. One of the topics we touched upon repeatedly was the argument of determinism versus choice (whatever the philosophers call it, I don’t know). The issue of responsibility and choice in Iliad is contrasted by the intervention of the gods and, more mystifyingly, the almighty and ambiguous influence of the Fates. It directly paralleled the conversation I had with my sister over a week ago. From the poet’s examples, the conversation traveled into our own reality, where some suggested that we have no choice and are eternally victims of circumstance, and others suggested that there is choice regardless of what has already been. Truly I believe the greatest choice a person has is this: either be ruled by circumstances or be free—free, that is, from the bondages found in birthplace, heritage, financial situation, “luck,” etc.; a freedom only found in God. And the reason I met up with that certain group after seminar was initially for this very discussion.
Too much fun! I’m off to my Greek and maths tutorials. They should be interesting also.