A Tribute to John A. McGuckin

Dr. McGuckin is one of those rare figures in the history of Christian theology that can distill the historical contours of the ancient world and its ancient faith while also gleaning the more potent aspects that continue to influence the lives of both countless Christians around the world and those who know him most intimately. He has the exceptional talent of both preserving and communicating an ancient faith, rather than an ancient mind. This ability to communicate the beauties and mysteries of the ancient faith of Orthodox Christianity for a new generation, without requiring the adoption of an ancient mind, is what makes him so accessible to both students and friends alike. For those who frequent the halls of Union Theological Seminary, it is not uncommon to find students hurrying behind Dr. McGuckin trying to catch up with him, just to hear another word of witty wisdom. Indeed, I too, as a student of Dr. Mc- Guckin, found myself on numerous occasions trying to have yet another word with him as he left the lecture hall. While I’m sure he would have preferred to go home for lunch, he always took the time to listen to his students and entertain their ideas and further inquiries. This inability to ‘just leave’ the lecture-hall after class was, of course, Dr. McGuckin’s own fault, for it was his uncanny ability to deliver wisdom with great wit that drew students like myself to ask him further questions