Remembering Stanley J. Grenz
Stan Grenz (1950-2005) passed away this morning around 4:00am. He went to bed on Thursday night and never woke up. Stan was so much more than a brilliant theological mind; from his goofy jokes and his legendary love of Star Trek; to his in-class guitar playing, prolific pen and his love for Christ's church; he was a really beautiful man. He never missed an opportunity to celebrate his wife, Edna, their children; Joel and Corina or his new granddaughter, Anika. If you ever had the privilege of talking with Stan about a recent area of research then you saw the child-like joy a person alive God's Spirit, and his delight in discovery was not only infectious it also created space for others to explore. I rejoice in Stan's life and grieve his death.
Stan once wrote: "In the face of the meaninglessness of our existence which apparently ends in death, we declare the good news that we will one day share in Christ's resurrection. This event which marks the culmination of personal life in the great eschatological community is not an isolated, individual experience. Rather, the resurrection is also a corporate or social event that will occur when our risen Lord returns in glory to bring human history to its climax." (Grenz, Theology for the Community of God, 1994, p. 598)
Stan, I loved you, and I will always carry you with me. Edna, my heart aches with you and for you.
Tributes by: Brian McLaren, Rachelle Mee-Chapman, Wes Roberts, Mike Todd, Vaunghn Thompson, Paul Fromont, Len Hjalmarson, Jan Bros, Bob Robinson, Doug Pagitt, Sivin Kit, Will Samson . . . And be sure to visit the www.StanleyJGrenz.com guest book.
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