John Marson Dunaway,
French & Interdisciplinary Studies,
Mercer University, Macon, GA
[Jan 31, 2010]—
As a student, I was inspired by the example of a Christian professor who became like a second father to me.
Wallace Fowlie was a master lecturer and a prolific publishing scholar. But most importantly, he was a man of faith who was dedicated to mentoring his students.
The Wise Advisor
Fowlie was a constant source of support and encouragement and a wise advisor. His recommendations counted heavily in getting me a good start in the profession.
Throughout my own career, I’ve concentrated my research and writing efforts on religious writers of modern France, introduced to me by Fowlie. The philosophers and writers Jacques Maritain and Simone Weil, deeply devout Christians, devoted their lives to examining the most urgent social and philosophical issues of their time in the light of faith. They especially have fed me intellectually and spiritually for many years.
A few years ago, a senior French major (call him Brad) was returning from a semester in France with great enthusiasm for French philosophers. He asked me to be his instructor for an independent reading course on a recent French philosopher, suggesting perhaps Albert Camus or Jean-Paul Sartre. I told him that I would be happy to direct his course but suggested he also consider Maritain or Weil.
His Spiritual And Intellectual Quest
Brad did some research on Maritain and was eager to get started. He wrote that he was inspired by reading about Maritain’s spiritual and intellectual quest during his student days.
In the prevailing skepticism of the Sorbonne of the early twentieth century, Maritain and his young wife Raïssa were so discouraged that they made a pact to commit suicide if they were unable to find genuine meaning in life within a year’s time. The following year, they discovered the work of St.Thomas Aquinas, who became their guide for life.
Brad said he related completely to the young Maritains’ desperate search for meaning.So I was able to spend an entire semester discussing one of my favorite writers with a very bright student who was genuinely motivated, not only to study the material but also to use it in his own faith journey.
Good Friends
We became very good friends, and I was able to do a few of the things for him that Wallace Fowlie had done for me when I was his age. I knew Fowlie was smiling down from heaven.
Brad went on to do a Master’s program, studying in Paris for a year; his thesis was an application of Maritain’s aesthetics to the poetry of Charles Baudelaire.
Though Brad is not yet ready to make a commitment, he knows that I’m praying for his salvation. I feel gratified to have his friendship. And I trust God to bring Brad into a full relationship with Christ in His good time. The Holy Spirit works in unexpected ways when we commit our lives—including our careers—to Him.