MESSAGES, TRIBUTES AND COMMENTS

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Elliott Larson, Kabul, Afghanistan
My wife, Marty, and I extend our sympathies to the Clowney family and especially, to Paul and Tessa, whom we know the best. Although we had the opportunity to hear Dr. Clowney preach only a few times and personal interview on a couple of occasions, what we did know of him has had a large influence on our lives. He helped me especially on understanding baptism. His respect for the text of the Bible and how it leads us to Christ has proved a guiding principle during a time of scepticism. We grieve with them in their loss, but celebrate their father's life and work and faith.

Anthony Kim, Sherman Oaks, CA
May the Lord's abundant grace and peace be upon the Clowney family at this time.

I still remember witnessing when he was asked if he was a real doctor, he simply replied, "No, not a real doctor!"

May Dr. Clowney's zeal and love for Christ and His Gospel exemplified by him and impressed in so many continue to prosper for the Lamb's glory. Thank you for your kindness and humility.

Samuel Choi, Federal Way, Washington
I still remember Dr. Clowney's lectures that often left students stirred both in their minds and hearts at Westminster Seminary in California.

I am truly indebted to Dr. Clowney's teachings on preaching, church, and pastoral ministry that provide shape and structure to my own ministry at Agape Presbyterian Church in Washington.

I pray and hope that his legacy will continue to be an effective and encouraging witness of Christ Jesus our Lord.

Marilyn (DeLise) Segraves, 9043 Harmony Grove Road, Escondido, CA 92029
Oh Jean, my heart goes out to your for your loss! 63 years of companionship is a very long time to suddenly be without. I will be in prayer for the transition time ahead. I know you will be surrounded by your ample and loving family, but I also know that when all the well-deserved tribute and funeral fuss is over there will be a deep loneliness. I am confident that the Lord will shower you with His comfort and His grace. I will be in prayer that you will glide through the difficult times in His care. I will pray for joy. I know from experience that one of your joys will be the deep inner sigh of relief as you picture Ed face to face with the One he loved so deeply and served so faithfully while he still graced all of us with his presence. Knowing the two of you and sitting under your leadership in the choir and Ed's wonderful tutelage has brought me face to face with reflections of Christ and His love.

Michael C. Quintero '79, Lynchburg, Virginia
I and my wife, Melody, thank God for the generousity of Dr. Clowney. He taught a number of courses I took while at Westminster between 1974-1979. On one occasion he offered to help us out, financially, as a struggling seminary couple.
But most of all I recall how he was able to keep us focussed on the intent of Scripture, the glory of Christ. Biblical Theology and Redemptive-historical preaching seemed to be new to most of us as seminary students, yet Dr. Clowney guided us without compromising our Reformed convictions.
I am thankful for God's witness through Dr. Clowney.
We will keep you, Mrs. Clowney, in our prayers.

James K. Kim, Irvine, CA
Dr. Clowney's preaching always brought me to tears. I remember hearing him speak from the gospel of John at a retreat in Orange County and I wept openly with joy at the glory of Christ.

At a retreat, at which Mrs. Clowney was in attendance also, my family had the great priviledge of meeting the Clowneys. I'm especially happy that Dr. Clowney met my daughter Deborah Ann. At one of the lunches, he presented Debi with a sketch of a bunny rabbit he had seen outside of his cabin. She loved it and kept it in her room. She is now in heaven having passed in October 2004 at the tender age of 11. Though I'm very sad that Dr. Clowney is not with us, I am happy that he is with my daughter in the presence of our Lord.

I'm sorry that I won't be able to attend the services, but our prayers and thoughts are with you all.

Keith Conley, Escondido, CA
I know that Dr. Clowney will be missed, but I rejoice that he is with the Lord! I've never met Dr. Clowney, but I've loved his sermons and writings that I've been exposed to.

Robert C. (Ric) Cannada, Jr., Reformed Theological Seminary
Ed Clowney was a giant on our side! As we like Joshua seek to cross the river and spread the kingdom of Christ among the giants of this world, we can easily be overwhelmed and feel like grasshoppers. There are some of our leaders, however, whose faithfulness and impact make us feel that we have a few giants on our side, too. Ed Clowney is one of those who helped many of us stand stronger for the faith, encouraged by his example.

On behalf of all of us at Reformed Theological Seminary, I would like to express to the family and friends of Ed Clowney, how much we feel his loss because of the positive impact and influence he had on us. There are many RTS faculty who were students under Ed or colleagues with him in theological education at Westminster Seminary. In addition Ed taught courses at RTS on a number of occasions. All in the Reformed movement in our day, even those who did not study under Ed directly or know him personally, have been influenced at least indirectly by Ed’s faithful commitment to the inerrancy of Scripture, to the Reformed confessional standards, and to the centrality of Christ.

We rejoice that Ed has finished the race faithfully and is experiencing even more deeply the fullness of the grace of our Lord. May that same grace strengthen others to become giants of the faith in our day.

Robert C. (Ric) Cannada, Jr., Chancellor and CEO
Reformed Theological Seminary

Sam Wheatley, Salt Lake City, UT
The most useful tool in my pastoral toolkit is the "Clowney Triangle." But as I explain it to people, I have to say "its really a square." Paul, Ed's son, saw this post on one of my seminarian's blog as I was explaining to one of his readers what the "square triangle" is. Usually, this explanation is accompanied by a hand-drawn diagram on a paper napkin over a sizable cup of coffee -- the kind of environment that I think Ed would enjoy knowing his work continues on in.

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I learned the “Clowney Triangle” when I was at Westminster Seminary. Essentially, it’s a Hermenutical grid – "How do I understand the text in front of me?"

Step one: Answer the question as best you can “What did the text mean to it’s original audience?” This gets to immediate context and the sitz im leben issues. This first question puts us into a place where we hear the text speaking clearly to its readers. This is the reason for understanding orginal languages and cultural background, not so that we can impress others, but so we can hear.

Step two: "How is this text understood in the flow of redemptive history?" Now we move the context question to encompass all of scripture and redemptive history with the eye on how this text advances the story of grace. This keeps us from isolating a text from the whole story or from narrowing the grand story of redemption down too narrowly.

Step three is “How does this text tell me about Jesus – the cross and resurrection?” This is the gospel question – how is this good news? No exegesis is complete without it being focused on the person and work of Christ (Luke 24:13-35).

Step four is finally the "us" question “How then does this text speak to us?” This question is often asked too early. It needs to wait until the other three steps have been completed.

This is the reason I call it a square is because of the 4 points that must be made to move to the application. Most aberrant exegesis can be traced to skipping one or more of the four steps (e.g. To move from step 1 to step 4 is moralism – just do it. To move from 1 to 3 is mysticism – Jesus without a context, etc.).

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While I never met Dr. Clowney, he influences me every week as I preach, talk and seek to embody the amazingly good news of a holy and merciful God in a city far from a knowledge of such Grace.

Bill Green, Costa Rica - missionary
A great saint, a dedicated churchman, wonderful theologian, and passionate preacher of the gospel has been taken from us. We grieve his absence with you. Yet his legacy of trained men and women, books and writings will long influence Christ's Church for good. In this we rejoice with you. And in hope we await the wonderful day of reunion. May God's grace cover all your hurts and fill you with His hope as only He can. Our prayers are with you. Bill Green