As a kid I was consumed by sports – football, basketball, track,

and baseball took up all my time. Playing, watching, and devising all sorts of

games to play on the living room floor with spinners and dice. I even managed to

play some high school football, city league basketball, and win the state long-jump

championship. I do believe that these experiences in “fantasy land” was fruit full

in the development of my imagination. While in high school I was converted to

born-again Christianity and then I went off to a fundamentalist college in

California to study for the Christian ministry as a Bible major.

While there I heard two chapel speakers that moved me greatly. One was

the President of Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, a scholar with two

doctorate degrees named Carl F.H. Henry. He was very eloquent and learned, but

also down to earth, with a good sense of humor. I was inspired to think by his talk.  

Another chapel speaker was the president of a small college in Hawaii who asked

us to think about the possibility of serving God as a college professor. For the first

time I took such a challenge seriously.

            Then, my psychology of religion professor asked me to lead the class

discussions for three days while he was away. I did not think much of it until we

got started, but ln connection with the two chapel talks I mentioned above those

three days changed the entire direction of my life. Not only did my classmates

show enthusiasm for the way I did this assignment, but I felt myself over flowing

with joy and competency during those classes. I realized that I could be a teacher

and I was excited by the challenge. I began to make plans for graduate school

within a few days.

            This new challenge fit hand-and-glove with my growing interest in shaping

my own perspective on theological and philosophical by expanding my horizons.

During my four years of graduate school, earning a Master’s degree in philosophy

and another in theology, I grew both intellectually and spiritually a great deal. I

took a broader view of the Bible and dove deep into the philosophy of religion,

and began to develop some theories of my own. I even managed to publish

several journal articles in academic journals as well as a few books.

            But the real joy of my ideological and spiritual life came through the lively

interaction with both ideas and students in the classroom. Over my sixty years in

the classroom I was constantly challenged to find ways to help students grow in

their ability to think and express their ideas. As I went along I developed theories

of my own about the major philosophical and theological issues as well. But

through all the years what kept me enthused and animated was the interaction

with my students, many of whom have become good and lasting friends. Back in

my youngster days I never would have imagined such a rich and fulfilling life. I am

forever grateful.