Open Letter to My Professors

There were many days, when I deeply resented you because of the monsterous amount of homework you have put me through. And there were many days, when I was ready to call it quits. Sometimes you reminded me of my somewhat sadistic martial arts instuctors who would order 50 push-ups and 50 crunches at the end of practices just for "fun." But, looking back on this long journey, no regrets come to mind. It was time well spent, and I am glad that I spent it with you.

I already forgot 90% of what you taught me because of the last semester's reading assignments in Dr. Hannah's class on Jonathan Edwards, but I will never forget your love for God and the Church. Each one of you left a deep impression on me, because of your piety, humility, and patience with us dummies. I love God more, because I have seen you love him with all your hearts and minds. I love people more, because I have seen your love people and show compassion to them.

In alphabetical order by last name ;-), I want to be that leper to thank each one of you for what you have left in us, students, after this time.

Dr. Allman, thank you for your transparency in sharing your stories about your seminary life, I didn't think I had it as hard as you, which made it easier :-)
Dr. Anderson, I never worked so hard for a grade and I learned to state the point up front, thank you :-).
Dr. Bailey, thank you for your unwaivering and inspiring example of leadership even in the face of difficulties and setbacks.
Dr. Baker, thank you for your kindness to students on our assignments.
Dr. Barnes, thank you for teaching us how to ask questions and listen.
Dr. Bingham, thank you for preaching history. Statue of David, magic potion, suprizing conversions, Isa 63! I will never forget. Also, you had the least homework of all professors (oops, secret is out), but I learned the most in your classes.
Dr. Bramer, thank you for pushing the limits of our memory recall ability.
Chaplain Bill Bryan, I thought I was in a Harry Potter movie when I came to DTS orientation with you there as the master mage! :-) I think of worship differently because of you.
Dr. Bock, thank you for teaching historical Jesus so well! Entry into Jerusalem on a donkey!
Dr. Burns, thank you for giving us the best exposition of the doctrine of depravity (Ayn Rand).
Dr. Constable, thank you for your availability and openess to questions about faith and ministry.
Dr. Fanning, thank you for your presentation of NT background, I will never forget Alexander's assault on Persian army at Issus.
Dr. Fantin, thank you for your ability to make Greek understandable to us.
Dr. Grassmick, I am still working on integrity, but I learned where to be from you.
Dr. Hannah, thank you for teaching us about Edwards so well, I wouldn't forget it if I tried! :-)
Dr. Hendricks, thank you for your storytelling, I remember some of them better than Greek paradigms.
Dr. Heinemann, thank you for your expertise in teaching methods and exposition of Ezekiel relating to that. It changed me.
Dr. Hillman, thank you for your welcoming always positive attitude, I try to do it like you every day.
Dr. Holsteen, thank you for making Schliermacher funny! I try to imitate you when I teach.
Dr. Jagers, thank you for your humble and gentle spirit that you modeled for us.
Dr. Johnson, thank you for teaching us great overarching themes in the Bible so well.
Dr. Gordon Johnston, thank you for teach me Abrahamic covenant, editions of Jeremiah, and Ruth! I won't forget.
Dr. Kreider, thank you for teaching us "and to your seed." I am still confused about Ecclesiology, but at least I have a place to start because of you.
Dr. Kuruvilla, clarity! Yes I remember! Thank you :-)
Dr. Grant, thank you for showing me how to tell so much more in story using your eyes.
Dr. Lawson, thank you for teaching me grace in grading, I was a different student grader for 2 years because of you.
Dr. Litfin, thank you for your introduction to church history. We are midgets on the shoulders of giants, I still remember.
Dr. Neely, thank you for giving me confidence in preaching - there is hope for me learning how to do it.
Dr. McDuffee, thank you for teaching me how to walk with Christ. I still write goads on twitter :-)
Dr. Park, thank you for helping me understand world missions, I am a missionary today :-).
Dr. Pocock, thank you for so many enlightening and encouraging conversations about world missions.
Dr. Pond, now I love chronology charts, thank you.
Dr. Quiggle, European Reformations are still with me with your particular take on them, thank you, I love history more because of you.
Dr. Rosalie de Rosset (couldn't find your email), thank you for teaching me about violence and grace through Flannery O'Connor.
Dr. Rydelnik, your reading of the history of Arab-Israeli conflict is still in my head, and I've kept with the news. Thank you.
Dr. Sigler, you gave me a deep appreciation for Bible backgrounds and wisdom literature, thank you.
Dr. Strauss, thank you for your encouragement and many great talks about missions.
Dr. Svigel, thank you for the best exposition of Revelation. I always think about you when I open that book.
Dr. Vanlaningham, I still remember your exposition of Romans 5 and your Greek class. I read Bible in Greek almost every day.
Dr. Walker, thank you so much for teaching me martial arts. I was certified for 2nd dan this summer. Most importantly, you were a great and inspiring friend.
Dr. Wallace, I don't read the Bible the same after you, now I read it almost every day in Greek often remembering you. John 1-4, Romans 3-5, Eph 2, 1 Cor 13. :-) Thank you.
Dr. Waters, thank you for helping me with my missionary fundraising, all your advice was golden.
Dr. Webster, thank you for bring OT stories to life, I will read my Hebrew Bible because of you.

And there are others with whom I haven't taken classes, but had many interactions outside of class. All of you helped me so much! Thank you!