I reflected lots on Clark since hearing the news two days ago upon our return from a wilderness camping trip to South Barriere Lake near Kamloops. I felt compelled to share a bit of this reflection with a few of you.
During two of the three years Clark was at Regent College, I lived in his basement. The first year the Mack and Joan Goldsmith clan also lived in the house owned by the Pinnock's. (Mack was Regent College's first visiting scholar). They just celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in August. For me 1974 - 1976 were a wonderful two years of theological/spiritual growth and healing. I had just returned from two years as a short-term evangelist with (then) Literature Crusades (now International Teams) in West Berlin, was "raw" from that experience and in need of healing. (My novel was based upon this time in my life, though it is a work of fiction. Clark and Dorothy both read and endorsed it! Clark's blurb is part of the publication.) Their house was a haven for me, including their Bible Study group I loved attending.
Clark back then would phone to say he was going skiing and did I want to come? I was usually too busy cramming - a regret.... Fellow student Will Soll (I love his CD) used to say of appointments with Clark: "You knew you had all the time you needed, but you knew you only needed five minutes!" Dorothy Pinnock told of the time Clark and Dorothy brought their daughter Sarah home from the hospital, and as soon as they entered the house, Clark went off to his study! Clark was incredibly dedicated to his studies, but he exuded as well an exuberance to draw one in to anything he was passionate about. One indeed needed only five minutes with Clark, and one was hooked! Before I went to Regent, I was forewarned by a fellow Plymouth Brethren assembly-man who had attended Trinity Evangelical Divinity School where Clark taught for five years, that Clark would challenge about every theological notion I ever had! There was truth to that. (Though back then my theological notions were few and half-baked at best... still are, many tell me!) Linda Mercadante was delighted that Clark and Dorothy attended her wedding a few years ago, and speaks warmly of his influence in her life. Ron Dart while critical of Clark's republican politics (as am I) wrote recently and positively of Clark. I could go on...
After hearing of Clark's Alzheimer's, I finally ordered some of Clark's work on open theism. While on our just completed wilderness camping trip, I read with appreciation Clark's contribution in The Openness of God. I'll be reading more.
Twice since Regent College days I challenged Clark on his views of violence: once about the death penalty after a published exchange between Clark and Mennonite political scientist John Redekop, another about his support of the first Iraq War in juxtaposition with an article by Mennonite missiologist Jon Bonk in Christian Week. Both times Clark and I met and talked. (He was out to Regent College each time as a Summer School lecturer.) He was ever so gracious in both exchanges.
I sent the e-mail below to Clark and Dorothy upon hearing the news of Clark's Alzheimer's.
Thanks for letting me share! Clark retains a formative warm place in my heart. He is greatly missed.
Wayne
***
Dear Clark and Dorothy.
We just read about the emergence of Alzheimer's. Our hearts go out to you.
Clark, at the beginning of my directed academic study of the faith, you were the dominant influence. As I expressed with gratitude once in the context of our differences on capital punishment, you occasioned two conversions in me with staying power: 1) that our faith addressed the social and political realms as much as the spiritual; 2) that the nonviolent way of the cross was the way to do politics.
You also introduced my friend Jim Alimena and me to a small organization known as M2/W2. You provided our transportation to Oakalla prison in your Volkswagen to visit our matches, that you, a gifted professor, also humbly did. That was hugely impactful. You launched, unbeknownst then, for me a whole life ministry in criminal justice. And as you know, I came full circle to be these last several years Director of M2/W2. Plus I've held many positions in this field over the years. Our website (www.m2w2.com) with its page on Restorative Justice reflects your profound influence on me while I was at Regent College, Clark. The 40+ essays in the papers and other materials sections of our website have a direct line to your Galatians and Amos courses, to your personal interactions while I was a renter in your basement, and much more. Thanks also for your enthusiastic endorsement of my novel!
You have shown a sense of integrity throughout your career that I always appreciated.
A heartfelt thanks to you.
Dorothy, our thoughts are with you, Clark and Sarah, in the days ahead. You were always so warm and generous to me. You also embraced my novel enthusiastically!
In sum: I have a wonderful glow about my interactions with you, first at Regent (1974 - 1976), now and then since.
Wayne - and Esther.
Thank you Wayne for sharing your thoughts an memories of Clark Pinnock. He has served as my favorite and most influential theological mentor over the years. His utter creativity, openness to the new thoughts and new paths, openness to the Holy Spirit, humility, almost whimsical spirit at times... He was a gift to many of us. Thanks.
Posted by: Joe Beach | August 31, 2010 at 07:09 PM