Grabbe left AC, if memory serves, shortly after the putsch of 1978 when anyone with active brain cells, integrity and intellect was purged in the wake of Garner Ted Armstrong's final ouster. He has gone on to carve out a formidable academic reputation in the field of biblical studies.
While I doubt Grabbe would be pleased to be reminded of the "Ambassador years," his example has certainly been an inspiration for others. Many happy returns Professor!
"Lester Grabbe is probably the most distinguished, and certainly the most prolific of historians of ancient Judaism, the author of several standard treatments and the founder of the European Seminar on Historical methodology. He has continued to set the bar for Hebrew Bible scholarship.
ReplyDeleteIn this collection some thirty of his distinguished colleagues and friends offer their reflections on the practice and theory of history writing, on the current controversies and topics of major interest. This collection provides an opportunity for scholars of high caliber to consider groundbreaking ideas in light of Grabbe's scholarship and influence."
Thank God he got out of it when he did.
I found this interesting comment about him tonight:
ReplyDelete"CGU Alum and student of WH Brownlee Lester L. Grabbe is head of the Department of Theology at the University of Hull, UK, where he is also Professor of Hebrew Bible and Early Judaism. Grabbe has authored numerous texts, including, Priests, Prophets, Diviners, Sages: A Socio-historical Study of Religious Specialists in Ancient Israel (1995) and the recent Ancient Israel: What Do We Know and How Do We Know It? (2007). A frequent guest on both Viking Radio and Radio Humberside to discuss such topics as: the Ten Commandments, the Jewish festivals, the 4th of July, and Nostradamus and the millennium, Grabbe has also lectured at both York and Lincoln Cathedrals."
Gavin said...
ReplyDelete>He has gone on to carve out a formidable academic reputation in the field of biblical studies.<
But will he be able to echo the words of the Chosen Vessel, when he says: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them that love his appearing?"(2 Tim.4:7-8).
If the answer is yes, then, keep up the good work, Lester.
he's an awesome guy in person. really nice, personable, and witty. i like him.
ReplyDeleteThe Grabbe brothers were all very gifted. Lester's younger brother Orlin was my dorm mate during our freshman year at AC.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, they seemed very humble as well, and that is such a rare quality these days.
BB