Walking with the Gentle Giant Clark Pinnock

The theologian Clark Pinnock is known for many things in the Religious Community, but I wonder how many know of his gentleness. Clark was a very tall lean man, well over 6 feet in stature. He is best known for his concept of 'Open Theism', which talks about things like God not knowing everything--meaning that we as human beings have a part to play in the interchange with God. If this were not so then why should one pray at all. Another concept of Open Theism is that God's mind can be changed--and Clark had many scriptures to back this theory up with.

These concepts and others connected to Open Theism, I am still not really clear about in my mind even though I studied in 5 classes that Clark taught during the last 3 years at McMaster Divinity College. What I am absolutely clear about though is that Clark Pinnock deeply loved God. He was moved by the tenderness of the Holy Spirit, and was not ashamed to show this in the class. During his class on 'The Theology of the Holy Spirit' equal time was given to experience the Holy Spirit as well as studying the theology of the Holy Spirit. On occasions Clark would lay prostrate before the Lord during the first hour of class, uncaring of what the students thought of him, for he wanted to receive from God.

He was passionate about what he believed and expressed this passion in the classroom, but he was also gentle in his response to the students. There was a tenderness there, almost fatherly towards the students, which was truly genuine. I recall with fondness at the end of one class many of us students were getting our pictures taken with Clark, and when it came my turn after the picture was taken Clark gave me a hug and kissed me on the top of my head, which was so fatherly.

He truly was a giant, in stature and in the theology world. Yet, he was gentle and compassionate towards everyone he came in contact with. As I stated earlier I am not sure where I stand in regards to 'Open Theism' but I do know that his concepts have stirred me to go back to my bible and to wrestle with what do I believe and why. Any theologian who can do that is worth his weight in gold in my estimation for each one of us should know why we believe what we believe. Far too many of us accept what others tell us simply because they tell us it is this way, proving that we truly are sheep. As followers of Christ we need to search the scriptures and dig into the original meaning of the text.

After having walked with this gentle giant Clark Pinnock for the last 3 years at McMaster Divinity College I feel that my spiritual life has been enriched for I have been given some concepts that challenge me to go below the surface in my faith. For that I will be forever thankful to Clark Pinnock--a gentle giant, who now is walking with his Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.