3/14/2005 09:36:00 AM|||Joel VandenBrink|||

I, my school, my friends, the theological world, the kingdom, and the world is now different.

Stanley J. Grenz (go here to read about him) had a massive brain hemmorrage and died early Saturday morning.

Stan was a brilliant man, he taught me so much about the God I serve and I will always remember him as one of the original theological voices that started to shape me. I only got to take a class and a half from the man but his teachings, his writings, and his smile will always be remembered. Whenever I speak of the Trinitarian God I will be reminded about Stan.

I sit here on monday morning not really knowing what to do with his loss. I feel as though he was a victim to a great unseen battle that is going on. I feel as though his life ended in the first half of the sentence. I feel as though his greatest work was yet to come. I feel as though I don't understand a damn thing. He had so many more books to write and so much more work to do for the kingdom. My only source of smiling is when I think about Stan playing the guitar and singing 'Amazing Grace' in front of God, just like he did in front of class only a few short days before his death. He is dancing, and most likely still writing his next book ( i can't wait to read it when i get to heaven).

Stan changed me, and for this the world is changed. Stan changed the way I approach writing, Stan changed how I view God. Stan changed how I view the church.

Thank you Stan for a life that is worth honoring with my life. You are a saint in my book, and will be honored as one.

I already miss you brother and can't wait to see you again -- Lord come quickly
joel

|||111082305745982104|||In Memory of Stanley J. Grenz (January 7, 1950-March 12, 2005)