One of the prominent gifts listed in the Bible can be identified as the gift of teaching. In the Word of God, the word teach appears about twice as often as the word preach,1 and although numbers alone do not tell the complete story, they do give us a hint as to the importance of teaching. Since Scripture also presents teaching and preaching as closely related (Eph. 4:11), we can reasonably assume that the two words describe the same, or at least similar, ministry or function. In 1 Corinthians 12:28, Paul lists teachers as third in his hierarchy of those appointed by God.
This month’s issue of Ministry features an interview with a teacher. Most of the world today does not seem to appreciate the full significance of the word teacher, and as a result we have developed other words to describe the same function. We may call them professors, senior lecturers, instructors, and similar more important-sounding words, but essentially these words indicate teaching functions. Though there are many teachers in the world, their profession and calling are often overshadowed by other professions.
Appreciation to teachers
Good teachers change our lives; I know because I was blessed with many good teachers during my school days. Who are some of these good teachers? I have debated whether I should mention names or not; for if I mention some, I will no doubt leave out others. But such possible omissions should not prevent me from honoring some of those who have made a positive impact on my life and the lives of others. I will limit this to only those in my college and graduate studies. And so, I give tribute to some of them.
I thank my first speech professor at Hunter College, New York, who insisted that all speeches should be given without any notes. His nearly impossible demand has been a blessing in sermon delivery. At Andrews University (college and seminary), many professors have been a blessing to me. For instance, my first professor of preaching, Steven P. Vitrano, introduced me to the sacred task of preaching and later helped me realize the importance of focus in a dissertation. The Greek text of the book of Romans gave new direction to my spiritual life, and for that I am thankful to Sakae Kubo. And who says that studying Old Testament archaeology is boring—not if you did it as I did, in classes taught by Siegfried H. Horn. Church history professor C. Mervyn Maxwell brought history into the present by his storytelling skills, and Gottfried Oosterwal gave new meaning to the Great Commission in his mission classes. Leif Kr. Tobiassen made me realize that a research project should not be measured by its length, but rather by the thoroughness of the research. Kenneth A. Strand was not only a world-class researcher but unselfishly went beyond his job description in helping students.
The list goes on: Walter F. Specht, Fritz Guy, Wilber Alexander, Hans K. LaRondelle, Leona Running, Gerhard F. Hasel—and the list is still not complete, but these are some of the teachers who have positively influenced me.
This issue of Ministry features an interview with a minister, teacher, and theologian, Raoul Dederen, who has made long-lasting contributions with his theological scholarship. I believe your faith will be strengthened as you read his interview. And I urge you to give special attention to the section where he discusses his approach to Bible study.
The importance of teachers
How important are teachers? According to prevailing standards in the secular world, they are not all that important. All too often the world honors individuals such as chief executive officers of corporations—that is, with pay as a barometer of importance. This year, one particular corporate head was paid an amount equal to about what 1,500 seminary professors receive in pay each year.2 In the eyes of the world, teachers are not very valuable.
Long after we have forgotten the names of overpaid business executives, we will still remember the teachers who have made a positive impact on our lives. But we will not only remember them, their lives, and that which they taught us; this inspiration will continue to be with us.
My appeal to you
I have expressed my appreciation to some of my teachers, and now I am asking you to do the same. Contact one of your teachers and express your appreciation. If you do that, both you and your teacher will be blessed. But please don’t wait. Do it now.
And while you are expressing appreciation to a teacher, why not take another moment and express your appreciation to one more teacher—Jesus Christ, the Master Teacher.
1 Or a form of the word.
2 Excessive pay to executives seems to have become a routine rather than an exception. This year several excessive pay examples have been reported in the press.
