Student Tributes to Stan Grenz

The following were taken from Et Cetera, the Regent College student paper, published Tuesday, March 15, 2005

In Memoriam, With Much Gratitude

by Noel Bullock

I was worshipping on Sunday morning when I learned that Stanley Grenz had died this weekend. Most of us will know Stan as a professor at Carey Theological College and a frequent lecturer at Regent. But my admiration for Stan began years earlier, over the phone.

I had resigned from my position as assistant pastor, as I planned to come to Regent. As I lived in a small town I continued to worship at the church. Following my resignation, an issue arose at the church and I was asked to address the board of elders. As I prepared to do so, the waters grew rough. Suffice it to say that personally and pastorally I was drowning. I ended up on the phone with Stan Grenz, which is remarkable in itself. We were complete strangers. And he was a busy scholar. Yet what time he had, he freely gave to me. I have often said afterwards that that conversation was worth its weight in gold. I received his advice with the gratitude that a drowning man receives a life preserver. If God providentially oversees even the smallest of details, then I can’t help but see God as the one who connected me with this complete stranger at a time when I needed help. I vowed that when I got to Vancouver I would make a point of thanking Stan personally.

However, my departure for Vancouver was delayed. I began reading and got to know Stan better through his writings. They revealed a sharp intellect combined with genuine character. The spitefulness that too often characterizes Christian scholarship was conspicuously absent. Instead, an irenic spirit pervaded his writing. Last November Stan gave a lecture on his latest book, Rediscovering the Triune God. And I was given my opportunity to thank him. I pulled him aside and introduced myself. Even after two years he remembered our conversation. I was able to tell him about the journey I had been on since then, and what part his scholarship had played. I haven’t asked for an autograph since I was a kid, but I quickly got him to sign my copy of Rediscovering the Triune God. In Stan I had found a model worth imitating, even if my schedule required that I do so at a distance. His scholarship and character had a defining impact on my life. I am so grateful that God gave me this chance to tell him how much I appreciated him.

While waiting to come to Vancouver, I did “Systematic Theology C” by audio correspondence, which was taught by Stan. In it he made clear that the Christian hope extends beyond the promise of being present with Christ upon dying. It is greater. It is a full blown hope in the resurrection of the body. The Lord called Stan to be with Him at a time when we are preparing ourselves for Easter. I can’t help but see God’s providence here too. Stan died in the season that anticipates resurrection. I would like to think that in the timing of Stan’s death, the Lord has added his own ‘amen,’ not just to Stan’s teaching, but to the rest of his life and work as well.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11:25-26

 

Dr. Stanley J. Grenz, 1950-2005

by Santosh Ninan

My friend died today. Stan Grenz suffered a brain aneurism and died within 24 hours. Stan was one of the pre-eminent theologians of our time. He was a professor at Carey College. We worshipped at the same church where his wife, Edna was also the worship pastor. He was a sought-after speaker. He has written some of the most cutting edge books on the challenge of postmodernism for the church. He was also my friend and I miss him.

Stan was so humble and endearing. He was always accessible to students. I remember when I was struggling with criticism I had received from someone. Stan advised me to look at the source of the criticism, evaluate what has been said and then learn from it and move on. I always thought that was such wise counsel.

My Dad had read Stan’s book on postfoundationalism and Stan was quite thrilled at that fact, commenting, “He’s probably the only person in North America who has finished it!” When I heard the final news of his demise I sat on the couch in our apartment and felt my stomach just sink. I was, and still am, in shock. I had seen Stan at school just hours before the aneurism. He looked fine. How was I to know that that was the last time I would ever seen him? We usually exchange greetings but that day I was chatting with someone else when he walked by me.

The obvious question of “Why?” comes lurking out from wherever I keep it buried. Why did God take Stan when he was contributing so much to the global church? Stan was a mentor and guide to many young pastors in the Emergent church movement in North America. He was sought after for his insightful thoughts on how the church should respond to the challenges of post modernism. In the academy he was publishing books and journal articles that were causing waves and provoking discussion.

Why did God take such an asset to His kingdom here on earth? I have no answers, just difficult questions that gnaw at me. I count it a privilege to have known him over the last few years. It will take me some time to truly integrate this loss into my life. I pray that Stan’s family will find the comfort that they need not just from the God of all comfort but also the community of faith to which they belong.

Bruce Cockburn is one of the greatest lyricists of our time. When his friend Mark Heard died he wrote a song called “Closer to the Light.” Cockburn captures how I feel about Stan’s passing.

Death’s no stranger / No stranger than the life
I’ve seen / Still I cry / Still I begged to get you back again
Gone from mystery into mystery / Gone from
daylight into night / Another step deeper into
darkness / Closer to the light

Stan has stepped into the light of Christ’s presence. We remain on the other side longing to join him. Those of us who love the same God that Stan loved will join him someday. The tears we shed now will be wiped away for all eternity. But this in-between time is difficult. I guess that’s why Christ made such comments as “blessed are they who mourn” and “in this world you will have trouble.” C.S. Lewis wrote, “It is hard to see clearly when your eyes are blurred with tears.” I am still waiting for my eyes to clear so I can see again.

We do mourn and we feel hurt and we get angry and we are confused. We question God’s wisdom and God’s timing and God’s goodness. And then we stumble into his mercy and the pain we feel is redeemed into something better.

Stan, we miss you. Your legacy will live on in the hearts and minds of your students and colleagues and all those who were impacted by your lectures, sermons and books. You are now where we will be someday, and then we will meet again. See you then.