This commentary was written at the end of seventeen wonderful years as a faculty member at North Park University, where I was honored to be the Karl Olsson Professor in Religious Studies. In my last few years at North Park we were led by one of Olsson’s successors, President David Parkyn. David and Linda became friends to Kris and me, in part no doubt because we were the same age with similar experiences in life, not the least of which are grandchildren and aging parents. Alongside those experiences was David’s leadership at North Park. David and I can’t neglect mentioning Linda and her infectious joy each time we met, which exemplifies Christian leadership at a university—theologically alert, economically wise, and an exceptional communicator. But most of all I simply enjoyed David and Linda for how they followed Christ with grace and kindness. Not only are they fellow anabaptists with a love for liturgy, but they knew that the way to lead was cruciform. David was the first person at North Park I told when Northern Seminary knocked on my door and David opened his home to me not long after his surgery to discuss my final decision to leave. I miss David and Linda immensely.
Others were involved in this book by offering suggestions. Thanks especially belongs to my close colleague at North Park, Joel Willitts, and to fellow editors Lynn Cohick, Mike Bird, and Katya Covrett. At Zondervan, Verlyn Verbrugge’s attention to details along with theology continues to amaze me. Seventeen years at North Park meant seventeen years of conversations with Greg Clark, a fellow anabaptist of whom I seemed to bounce all my big ideas, some of which were blown into the memories of things I’m glad to have forgotten. Also I thank Jeff Greenman, now at Regent College, for detailed comments on the introduction, and also to Jeff Cook for the same.
Never dare I sign off on a preface without expressing my love for Kris. As we have aged, we have learned that her more introverted personality and my need for quiet to write have become a match made in providence. As this book comes into the light of day, we are beginning to celebrate our fortieth year of splendid marriage.