John Lee Wagas
Writer / Chaplain / Nerd
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Human fragility is oftentimes most evident in the lives of persons who wield considerable authority and power—for when one seems to be at the height of apparent success, there is no way but down. This fragility primarily lies in the folly of pride—for while a healthy self-confidence can propel oneself into opportunity and growth, a…
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Have faith in yourself. I have faith in you. Because you’ve gotta have faith. Faith, trust, and pixie dust. For many, faith is nearly-synonymous with religion—a defined set of teachings and practices tied to particular texts, figures, regions, and historical developments. No one is to blame for this, for the assumption that faith is strictly…
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The earliest memory I have of using a computer was back in kindergarten. Positioned across a long table in my school’s computer lab were boxy desktops spread equally apart, each with their own set of headphones, keyboard, mice, and a colorful mousepad. Among the websites we were first introduced to was Starfall—a site geared to…
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Eat. Work. Sleep. Repeat. When framed like this, life seems monotonous at best and dreadful at worst. But in reality, life is far, far more complicated, chaotic, and busy than that distillation. It’s the things in between—impromptu hangouts chance encounters, deep conversations, and leisurely activities—that give life its flavor, although sometimes it can taste more…
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There is a fine line between will and control. A person may will something to be, desiring that it ‘be the case’ or become reality, but that will is rarely paired with control. As much as I would like—or will—my sibling to not eat the last slice of pizza in the fridge, I cannot control…
“When love chooses, it chooses with a perfect sensitivity for the unique beauty of the chosen one, and it chooses without making anyone else feel excluded.”
— Henri Nouwen, The Life of the Beloved
10th
May ’22
Philosophy & Religion
Truly God, Truly Man: An Application of the Yin-Yang and Hegelian Models to the Christological Theories of Chalcedon and Monophysitism
An examination of the Yin-yang and Hegelian dialectic models followed by an exploration of their relation to the contrasting Christological approaches of Chalcedon and Monophysitism from early patristic Christianity.
8th
Dec ’23
Religion & Theology
Radical, Ravishing, Holy Love: Eroticism, God, and Divine Love in Christian Mysticism
A contextualization of the erotic and sexual ethics in the broad Christian tradition paired with an examination of erotic spirituality in Christian mysticism through the medieval monastic figures Bernard of Clairvaux and Teresa of Avila.
7th
July ’23
Religion & Theology
Bridging Divinity & Humanity: Personhood in Eastern Orthodox Theology
Drawing from the works of numerous contemporary theologians in order to analyze Eastern Othrodoxy’s approach to personhood, particularly regarding the subjects of relationship, identity, and purpose.
2025
March 17
Earth & Altar
From the Shire to the Altar
In this article reflecting on the eucharist, .
Between the vibrant hardcover spines bearing the names of familiar authors and the thick binders of my teacher’s lesson plans lay an unassuming black paperback. Its title, The Hobbit, rendered in a humble typeface, seemed almost hidden amid the vivid hues of nearby books. I was in third grade then, entranced by stories of time travel and talking animals penned by Mary Pope Osborne and Lemony Snicket…: You’re Not Alone2023
October 26
Spartan Media Group
Faculty focus on human connection
This article from my time as an undergraduate at San Jose State University.
Religious studies senior John Wagas is currently enrolled in Zárate’s Middle Eastern Traditions asynchronous course. “For me, at the heart of it, is engaging in religious conversation in the first place,” Wagas said…: You’re Not Alone
John Lee Wagas 