Our good friend Dr. Ed Cook fell asleep in the Lord on February 20th... Although I can't quite remember exactly when I first met Ed, perhaps in the early 90's shortly after meeting Shayna for the first time, I will never forget him and what he has come to mean to me over the years. Most recently, Ed served as the master of ceremonies at our farewell celebration in June of 2008. Over the past few years Ed represented stability and God's Grace as our family lived through the stress of career changes, seminary, and the prospect of relocation. Ed was always concerned for the welfare of our family and always had an encouraging word in our times of need. While Ed challenged all who surrounded him with well crafted questions, he also freely offered answers and solutions to questions, struggles, and problems that I pushed his way. I spent some time tonight sifting through Dr. Ed emails and word documents that date as far back a 2002... in each of them was a consistency that seems unparalleled in my experience of communication and friendship.
As I look over the subject headings of some of Ed's emails, I am reminded of the Ed that I know and of the Ed that transformed the way that I view the world, God, and life: 'thoughts on purpose', 'postmodernism paper', 'survey results procedure', 'pomo book', evangelism', 'church', 'did I help', 'my thoughts', 'evaluation', 'excellent description of sin and grace', 'borg', 'teilhard', and 'divine luring'... just to list a few. Barrymentioned Ed's fondness for Gandhi and a quote that he frequently ended emails with, but before Gandhi was this... "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has". And one of my favorite Ed quotes in response to one of my many ecclesial struggles... "I certainly understand your concerns. However, I believe we need to proceed with a paradigm based on the basic teachings of the NT (particularly the gospels) -- justice, peace, courage, mercy, love, and practical wisdom. However, we DO need to proceed. In other words, proceed using a virtuous approach." Ed is one virtuous dude that I shall never forget...
Dear Ed,
"...but I have called you friend, because [you] have made known to [me] everything that [you] have heard from God"
God Speed...
Other thoughts on Ed here and here
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