"Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment" (Jn 7:24).
Clark Pinnock died on Sunday.
What some folks have said about Pinnock:
I just heard about my friend Clark Pinnock’s death on Sunday, August 15 at age 73. My heart is heavy for his family but full of joy for him. He was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and is no doubt now in the joy of the Lord’s presence without pain or loss...He was a gentle soul who was deeply wounded by harsh and often unfair criticisms of him and his work...I believe the evangelical and ecumenical worlds have lost a great thinker in Clark. He was a mentor and friend to many of us.
http://www.rogereolson.com/2010/08/17/remembering-clark-pinnock-postconservative-evangelical-par-excellence/
Clark was an absolutely brilliant thinker, a humble and gracious kingdom servant, a loving husband and father, and a dear friend. Through his writings, teachings and personal relationships, Clark impacted more lives than he could have imagined. I’m certain his work will continue to impact lives and bear fruit until the Lord returns. What I appreciated most about Clark was his epistemological humility and intellectual integrity. While he held fast to the faith, Clark was always acutely aware that he was a fallible pilgrim “on the way.”...While I happen to agree with Clark on many (but not all) of the particular theological conclusions he arrived at, it was the humble and gracious way Clark thought and conducted himself that most impressed me. I and multitudes of others are deeply indebted to this humble scholar. We will miss him, and I personally look forward to our upcoming reunion.
http://www.gregboyd.org/blog/clark-pinnock-has-finished-the-race/
What Pinnock said about God:
If the "outrageous doctrine" of the traditionalists were true, God would be a "cruel" and "vindictive" deity. In fact, He would be "more nearly like Satan than like God, at least by any ordinary moral standards...." Indeed, the traditionalist's God is a "bloodthirsty monster who maintains an everlasting Auschwitz for victims whom he does not even allow to die."
http://www.bible-researcher.com/hell5.html
Clark Pinnock affected many, many lives. My undergraduate school suffered as a direct result of his influence (though "suffer" wouldn't be the word they would choose). He is dead but I'm afraid his influence lives on.
ReplyDeleteI don't glory in his death, but neither do I glory in his life's work.
"I will welcome constructive criticisms of Clark’s work after 30 days from the 15th." -roger olson
ReplyDeleteI think this is good, if this is his conviction.
Greg Boyd, well, they were two peas in the same pod. And they were very bold with their Openness; unashamed, and that's fine. We should surely be able to say that, even though Clark has passed on, and is probably with our Father and Lord.
I do pray for his family to be comforted at this time. Death always has an ugly side.
However:
"“Death is swallowed up in victory.”
“O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
"Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”"
Heh, "ecumenical" alright.
ReplyDeleteA proposal in 2003 was made to expel Pinnock from the EVANGELICAL THEOLOGICAL SOCIETY. The proposal received 212 yes votes and 432 no votes, thus failing to reach the necessary two-thirds majority by a wide margin.
ReplyDeleteI guess that Society isn't truly Christian enough for you guys. Too much diversity.
Open theism isn't Christian enough.
ReplyDelete