Fortunate and the Intro to Theology Seminar

Logically, I should have started with the actual class, Introduction to Theology, but I consider Fortunate too important to put second. To resolve any confusion, Fortunate is the name of the seminar leader. He is African, or at least I think he is.

The first day we had seminar was interesting. I vividly remember Fortunate introducing himself to us, and, to me, he seemed to paint himself like a divine being. ((Interesting and coincidental because in theology we engage in discourse of a divine being.)) He said, and I paraphrase, that he is all ethnicities, knows all languages, is all of the world’s religions, and is both man and woman. It was freaky, but he said it in such a collective and assertive manner that one felt that if you challenged his claims, he would whip out a manifesto to prove you wrong.

Regardless, I thought he was a very inspiring man. He is an inspiring man. From one question, he could diverge and turn it into a lecture. His knowledge of theology, especially the patriarchs, is so deep. In reflection, I think he seemed more intelligent than he actually is. I don’t mean that he isn’t genius, but I’d like to see him lecture physics or chemistry before I declare him my personal Einstein (or da Vinci for those who do not really think Einstein was brilliant).

Fortunate liked his chalk and his acronyms. He would list off subjects and topics and abbreviate them with a capital letter. And then he would circle the letter to emphasize the point. Then he would box off different subject areas and continue his lecture. It really didn’t make sense, but it did hammer ideas into my head — somehow. You wouldn’t think that his teaching style would work, but if you were paying attention it did something for you.

He started to teach us Greek, but stopped after our class failed at memorizing it. The transliteration from Greek to English was easily learned, but I never received the memo that we had to memorize the Greek script too. Nonetheless, this very brief introduction to Greek sparked my interest for it; instead of German, I’m looking to learn Greek — and maybe Latin.

No matter what, he was always wearing a hat. At first I thought it was because he had a medical problem, and so I was a little scared to ask him if he would take his hat off. He is probably bald.

If it weren’t for the seminar, I don’t think I would have done as well in Theology as I did. The seminar served as reinforcement for what I learned in class that day. I’m hoping that is what the discussion components of any class will serve as too.

In testimony to Fortunate’s teaching style, I never understood how he planned for what he was going to go over in class. Everyday it seemed he started off impromptu. Perhaps he had a plan, but I would believe the fact that he just winged it. He seems the type of guy who could wing a presentation and still look brilliant.

Disparate notes: Fortunate liked his Burger King fries. The Black Eyed Peas, according to Fortunate, are the best band ever. He thoroughly enjoys checkers. He worked at the library (doing his work, not working for the library) for 18 hours straight once.

• College
• EOP
• Inspiration