MESSAGES, TRIBUTES AND COMMENTS

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John Nicholls, London, England
I met Dr Clowney fairly late in his ministry, but could not have found a kinder, more humble or more perceptive teacher and friend. He came and spoke at the first "London Presbyterian Conference" in 1989 - advocating a sound and firm yet gentle approach to church-government and church-planting. I was also privileged to meet him for a number of years when he lectured at the Institute of Contemporary Christianity here in London. His most famous dictum on the UK - "Is it cold in England, Dr Clowney? - Only indoors" is, of course, undeniably true! But we'll cherish his memory for his whole Christ-centred and Christ-like personality and ministry.

Anne Clowney Foreman, Montreat, North Carolina
If I had to sum up (which of course is limiting) the essence of Dad’s impact in my life, I would have to say that it was the literal presence of God in his life that flowed through every pore of his being. It’s something I haven’t seen in anyone else. Being in the presence of my father led me into the presence of our Father and affected my outlook on everything. I had a desire to be with him, sometimes with many words, sometimes with no words but only to hold his hand. The warm look in his face was compelling, comforting, encouraging, expectant and loving, joyful that I too loved his Lord. He was a true friend.
It never ceased to amaze me after all the years that he had studied the Bible, that it was always new, exciting and glorious. Even in his later years he would excitedly tell me about new things that God had shown him from His word.

Truly he was the most humble and godly man that I have ever known. I will always consider it to have been a great privilege and honor to have been his child, and pray that by God’s grace my life may be a witness to the God he introduced me to and that the twinkle that was in his eye might be in mine.

I want to thank all of you for the many wonderful things you have said and the experiences you have shared.

Bob and Dora DeMoss, 7895 Spring Creek, West Palm Beach Fl 33411
Dear Jean and family,

Dora and I want you to know that we are beseeching the Lord for His presence to be so overwhelmingly obvious in your lives during these days, that the pain will be muted enough for you to bear it. We have great memories of Ed and you Jean in our lives; we can still visualize driving by your home at 520 Grant Ave. in Willow Grove, knowing that we were always welcome to drop by. We love you and will keep you in our hearts always.
In Jesus' love
Bob and Dora DeMoss

God will redeem my life from the grave; He will surely take me to Himself
(Psalm 49:15)
He who believes in me will live even though he dies. And he who lives and believes in Me shall never die (John 12 25)

Marilynn and Evan Bottomley, Cuernavaca, Mexico
Dear Mrs. Clowney and Family. We were sorry to hear of Dr. Clowney's passing but know that the Jesus whom he loved to preach has warmly received him into His Presence. What a privilege and pleasure to have studied under, and then many years later, to befriend Dr. Clowney. Having him in our home, preaching in our church, having him spend time with each of our boys and then to have Michael study under him gave us great pleasure. Please accept our love and prayers. God's blessings to you all as you continue to live for the King of Kings.
Sincerely in Christ, Marilynn and Evan Bottomley

Bill Brindley, Washington DC
Ed Clowney was for a me a model of godliness, professionalism, consistency, completeness and most of all passion for our holy and loving Lord. I will never forget him as long as I live.

Tim J. R. Trumper,
Dear Mrs. Clowney and family,

May God bless to you richly your many memories, and may He uphold you by His love and that of your many friends.

I first heard of Ed Clowney back in Wales in the mid '80s. I wanted to go to a seminary where one could see demonstrated authoritative preaching: "Oh, go to Westminster and hear Ed Clowney!"

I didn't go, not as a student at any rate, but years later was privileged to spend two days looking after him during his visit to Westminster, Philadelphia.

As we walked one afternoon along what he could recall of the 'Murray mile', he spoke of the history of his life; notably of those he'd known (Murray, Young, Van Til etc.). The C20th history of the Reformed tradition in North America really came alive that afternoon. And yet he was too taken up with the ongoing work of God to live in the past he'd been privileged to witness. The past he saw as a tool to render effective the opportunities to serve Christ in the present.

This was the sermon of Ed Clowney I got to hear. His life was his pulpit and his text that day was the faithfulness of God. God continues to bless the precious memory of those days together. I cannot read his writings without thinking of him or his God.

Myriam Hertzog, grandaughter, Philadelphia, PA
Reading the entries on these pages has been one of the most remarkable experiences for me. As Dr. Clowney's granddaugter, I have frequently received a kind of "red-carpet" treatment. I never perhaps completely understood why. Of course I knew of his many books and accomplishments but to me he was merely Pop-Pop, the tender, gentle and quiet grandfather. His silence was mysterious and almost intimidating. He never monopolized conversation or spoke to impress. He listened. Only when asked for his opinion would he interject the most wise and thoughtful tidbit and the room fell quiet.
I remember most of all singing in my grandparents' house. My grandmother and I shared a passion for music and she played for me while I sang. He sat in the back room working and every so often would poke his head in the room to encourage me in my singing and tell me that I needed to use this gift for the Kingdom. He took the time to sit with me when I had questions of a theological nature. Most of all, he gave me the best advice regarding my future interests. He knew I wanted to work with people doing counseling. He seriously urged me to become a good listener. I heeded that advice I think (since unlike him, I do have a tendency to dominate conversation) and have been learning what it is to truly listen and love people where they are.
Being at his bedside as he died singing him into glory was the most wonderful and touching privilege. We miss him so much already and rejoice at his life lived in all things for the glory of God and the furtherance of His Church.

Wayne Grudem, Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, AZ
Dr. Edmund Clowney had a very significant impact on my life. I still remember the first time I heard him preach -- on the story of Peter falling down in awe before Jesus in the middle of a boat filled with fish. It was the spring of 1967 and Dr. Clowney had come to speak to the Harvard-Radcliffe Christian Fellowship. What amazing preaching! What love for God and His Word! What tremendous ability to draw us all into worship as we saw the greatness and glory of God unfold in the themes of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation!

During my sophomore year of college, I went to a retreat where Dr. Clowney was the speaker, and he got several of us started on using the Englishman’s Greek Concordance and Englishman’s Hebrew Concordance to do original language words studies in the Bible. This opened up an entirely new world to me and gave me a new method for understanding Scripture more precisely, a method that has stayed with me for the rest of my life (though now done with sophisticated computer programs.

I took several courses from Dr. Clowney when I went to Westminster Seminary as a student. Week after week my mind was challenged and my heart was stirred up to adoration and praise. He seemed to have an encyclopedic knowledge of Scripture and an amazing ability to trace themes of Scripture from Genesis to Revelation at the drop of a hat, entirely from memory.

He seemed always to be filled with such evident joy in the Lord, that he often gave the impression of being ready to spill over into joyous laughter at any moment.

It is hard to single out one specific thing that most influenced me from Dr. Clowney’s life, since his influence was complex and lasted over more than 30 years. (Still this semester I have required my beginning theology students at Phoenix Seminary to read The Unfolding Mystery.) But I think what comes to mind first of all is his repeated emphasis on seeing Christ in all of Scripture and understanding how the entire Old Testament points toward Christ in so many different ways. This has profoundly affected the way I understand the entire Old Testament, ever since I took his classes a Westminster Seminary from 1971-1973.

After I graduated from Westminster, and for many years to follow, Dr. Clowney was one of the primary people I would phone from time to time when I had a particularly difficult question or needed especially wise counsel. He was always ready to talk, and always gave me excellent advice.

It was very fitting, therefore, that Edmund Clowney was one of the eight people to whom I dedicated my book Systematic Theology, eight people who had the greatest influence in my life and thinking (and he also had a profound influence on John Frame and Vern Poythress, two of the other eight on that list).

I felt sad when I heard of his passing, but far more than the sadness was a feeling of great joy: joy that he had lived such a long and full and productive life, joy that he had remained faithful to the Lord until the very end, and joy that he was now part of the great assembly in the heavens of which he had spoken so often, the assembly of joyful worship lead by Jesus Christ, the great Choirmaster of heaven, who promised the Father during his last moments on earth, “I will tell of your name to my brothers; in the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise” (Hebrews 2:12).

Wayne Grudem, Ph.D.
Research Professor of Bible and Theology
Phoenix Seminary, Scottsdale, AZ

John P. Clark, 9621 Silverbend Drive, Dade City, FL, 33525
From my first seminary class with Ed Clowney I was enthralled by his enthusiasm, love, and knowledge. And so, I learned some Biblical theology. In his homiletics classes I did not fare so well, but he taught me patiently in spite of my stubborn self. I joined the OPC, New Jersey Prebytery and Ed examined me in philosophy and apologetics. After two years in a disapponting situation in Burlington, NJ, in an independent church, I had the opportunity to candidate at the old RPCNA church in Lansdale, PA. (Now PCA) Ed Clowney recommended me and I stayed there 36 years. Thanks Ed! I loved you then and I love you now. You were a brother, professor and friend.
Love,
JOHN P. CLARK
WTS '59

Monty Ledford, Aberdeen, Idaho USA
I first met Ed Clowney in 1970 when I was a sophomore at Michigan State University. I attended the Intervarsity bienniel missionary conference that December in Urbana, Illinois. Ed was in the large exhibition hall manning the Westminster Seminary display booth. I knew that I wanted to go on to seminary after college, and I stopped at the booth and asked, "Does Westminster teach covenant theology?" I had been reared in dispensationalism and knew the rival approach by name. When he replied, that, Yes, Westminster taught covenant theology, I turned and began to walk away. I had been warned about covenant theology by my pastor. As I started away, Ed said, "Wait!" and with his low-key courtesy drew me into conversation. Three years later I enrolled at WTS and have never regretted it. I treasure my acquaintance with this fine scholar and Christian gentleman and wish God's blessings on his loved ones and his life work.
Monty Ledford '76