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A theologian reflects on his conversion to the Faith

A theologian reflects on his conversion to the Faith

A theologian reflects on his conversion to the Faith

JEFFREY MORROW
Jeffrey Morrow, a professor of Theology at Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology in South Orange, N.J., is pictured in an undated photo. (OSV News photo/courtesy Jeffrey Morrow)

Each individual’s journey to the Catholic faith is distinct, and some arrive at the Church via more intricate routes than others. Jeffrey L. Morrow, who is presently a theology professor at Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST) recently discussed his path from Judaism to Christianity to Catholicism and what he has noticed during his time instructing at a Catholic seminary. He has penned multiple books such as “A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament,” “Murmuring Against Moses,” and “Modern Biblical Criticism as a Tool of Statecraft.”

Charlie Camosy: Could you share with us some details about your journey of conversion?

Jeffrey Morrow: For those who are curious, my narrative is elaborated upon in an EWTN interview I conducted with Marcus Grodi for his series, “The Journey Home,” as well as in an essay I wrote for the 2022 publication, “By Strange Ways: Theologians and Their Paths to the Catholic Church.”

I grew up in a predominantly secular family, but started to connect with my father’s Jewish heritage during my middle school years, and I enrolled in Hebrew school following my day school, which led to my bar mitzvah.

Upon starting college, I viewed myself as a Jewish agnostic, despite my disbelief in God, which tilted me towards atheism. I was fortunate enough to attend Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, where I encountered several bright evangelicals associated with Campus Crusade for Christ (currently known as Cru). At that time, Miami’s Cru claimed the largest weekly parachurch gathering on any college campus globally, with over 1,000 attendees.

Two of these individuals prompted me to explore the assertions of Christianity. I started to examine the historical context of the Bible, philosophical reasoning for the existence of a Creator God, and the historical occurrences related to Jesus’ resurrection.

Ultimately, I became certain that God exists, the Bible holds remarkable historical credibility, and that the resurrection of Jesus provided the most compelling explanation for the historical occurrences. As a result, I naturally became an evangelical Protestant. In exploring the vast array of Christian traditions, communities, and denominations, I sought to discover how to ascertain what kind of Christian I should become and how to practice my newly embraced Christian faith.

I examined the Bible, researched the early Church Fathers, Protestant Reformers, and modern Catholic and Protestant theologians and authors. I was particularly captivated by the papal encyclicals of Pope St. John Paul II. Ultimately, I arrived at the realization that the Catholic Church represents the Church established by Jesus.

Camosy: In what way does that transformation narrative relate to your 2017 publication regarding the Resurrection and your recent online program with the Emmaus Academy?

Morrow: My latest online course, “The Resurrection,” offered by the Emmaus Academy, was inspired by my book from 2017, “Jesus’ Resurrection: A Jewish Convert Examines the Evidence.” Both of these elements are deeply connected to my individual conversion. The matter of Jesus’ resurrection was a key component of my conversion journey, and indeed, my struggle with that matter marked the crucial turning point in the initial stage of my transformation to Christianity, before I joined the Catholic Church. The online course and the book present a thorough examination of the historical evidence that enabled me to view the Resurrection as the most probable occurrence, and the only explanation that sufficiently accounts for the historical data.

Camosy: You are relocating to Ohio to begin a new role at Franciscan University. What motivates you to join this new institution?

Morrow: I am thrilled to embark on this new chapter in my professional journey at Franciscan University of Steubenville. They possibly possess the undergraduate theology curriculum with the highest enrollment of majors at a Catholic college, and I am thrilled to be part of such a fantastic faculty. Furthermore, they are launching a new theology doctoral program, which I am eager to help during its initial stages as it begins to take shape.

Based on my previous experiences collaborating with faculty at Franciscan University, I recognize it will be an educational setting that aligns perfectly with professors who share my convictions and dedication, as we aim to convey the Catholic faith from the core of the Church. Another appealing aspect is the initiatives of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology, which partners closely with the university and with which I have been involved for several years now. Collaborating with my peers at the St. Paul Center will be significantly more straightforward than it has been before, since I will be present there in person.

Camosy: Prior to your transition to Franciscan, you dedicated numerous years teaching at the seminary linked to Seton Hall in New Jersey. Do you believe Catholic seminaries might fill the gap left by many Catholic colleges and universities that are abandoning, shutting down, and frequently — in a related context — rejecting the specificity of a Catholic mission and identity?

Morrow: Indeed, I have dedicated 15 years to educating at Seton Hall University’s Immaculate Conception Seminary School of Theology (ICSST), which will always hold a special significance for me. I developed in countless ways during my tenure at ICSST and remain deeply appreciative of my experiences there. I believe that Catholic seminaries have the potential to contribute positively to the Catholic mission and identity, and I recognize that ICSST has played a vital role in shaping Seton Hall University’s Catholic mission and identity.

Some Catholic seminaries are undoubtedly positioned to fill the void left by numerous Catholic colleges and universities that are closing, abandoning, and rejecting the distinctiveness of a Catholic mission and identity. However, this is a highly intricate issue, and each institution faces its own unique challenges.

Several Catholic seminaries have shut down, similar to certain Catholic colleges. The majority of seminaries are independent of universities, in contrast to ICSST, which is integrated within Seton Hall University and acts as its affiliated School of Theology. Seminaries that boast a strong and highly capable faculty, such as ICSST, are ideally suited to meet this demand, having around 13 outstanding full-time faculty members. A crucial element for many of these institutions is student enrollment — a challenge that also confronts non-Catholic institutions.

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