Comments on: Three Questions with John Hannah on Dallas Theological Seminary

By: Edmund

Edmund — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 01:44:42 +0000

Would like to get some reactions to “Edward Irving is Unnerving” which recently sprang out of the mist on Google (and I also saw it on the Nov. 12th segment of Joe Ortiz’ “Our Daily Bread”).

By: Peter G.

Peter G. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 20:41:03 +0000

Dr. Hannah quotes (or “Hannahisms” as we call them) are the best. Here’s a website full of ‘em: http://www.djchuang.com/hannah/.

I remember telling my wife last year after one of his classes that it seems like the most tender-hearted people I’ve known are those with the lowest view of humanity. Dr. Hannah fits that category. If there are two things he knows, it’s that people are great sinners but Christ is a great savior.

By: Danny

Danny — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 02:48:06 +0000

I am entering DTS in the Fall ’10 in the ThM program. Are there certain professors that seem to personally embrace Reformed theology, at least in their soteriology? I expect nothing less than an incredible time of learning and growth during my stay at DTS regardless of who I take, but are there certain professors anyone most strongly recommends taking? Thank you.

By: Mike

Mike — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:17:13 +0000

Interestingly, Swindoll has what seems to be an anti-dispensational quote in the preface to “Pretrib Rapture Diehards” which I found on Google. Mike

By: Bruce

Bruce — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:53:42 +0000

Thanks for the follow-up, Justin.

By: Justin Taylor

Justin Taylor — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:22:09 +0000

According to Hannah’s intro, Swindoll key objective was “seminary as a community, not expansion of programs, buildings, or the student population. In fact, he seems to have felt that the seminary’s size could prove detrimental. . . . He wanted a ‘leaner,’ more focused school. The evidence would suggest that in the latter regard, he did not succeed” (p. 25).

By: John

John — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 22:18:06 +0000

Bruce,

I was wondering the same thing. Progressive dispensationalism was introduced when Walvoord was the president though, not Swindoll. From what I know of Swindoll, I would think he would attempt to make it LESS narrowly focused and MORE diversified since he is so grace-centered and tolerant.

I recall speaking with a professor there who said Swindoll lightened the mood around campus to a very high degree. It used to be an ivory tower institution, had a suit & tie dress code, everybody was serious all the time, it was all about academics and very demanding. To my knowledge, Swindoll lightened the load, got a new dress code introduced (business casual), attracted a less rigid group, etc. The professor I was speaking about told me he recalls walking on campus and seeing Swindoll throwing football with a group of students and he accidentally broke a window.

I’m thankful for his former presence here. If it were not for him, I would have never given it the time of day. It is tough to introduce change to conservative institutions, but he was successful. As times change, so must our methods, programs, dress codes, policies, structures, etc. DTS was stuck in the 1930s before he came along and caught it up to date.

By: Bruce

Bruce — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:41:05 +0000

Could somebody more familiar with DTS and its history elaborate on this statement regarding Swindoll and his presidency? “He was not successful in making the seminary more narrowly focused and less diversified.”

Is this referring to Progressive Dispensationalism or something else?

By: Stephen Denton

Stephen Denton — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:02:24 +0000

Let’s not forget…”I’m going to go home now and kick the dog”.

By: John Dyer

John Dyer — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:28:03 +0000

Some favorite in-class quotes from the ever realistic, yet interminably hopeful Dr. Hannah:

* Our identity is often in what we oppose, not in what we affirm. That confuses God’s people.
* The first thing you owe to any person is understanding. After understanding, you owe them your compassion. Then, after understanding and compassion, you owe them criticism. Let your criticism be tempered by understanding and compassion.
* People today think Christianity is about “How to Be a Better Husband” and “Jesus Was a Great CEO.” That’s crap. He was the Son of God.
* The goal of life is to find a good master to be a slave to.
* Having your own beliefs means you don’t really fit anywhere. That’s the price of conviction … or stupidity – they usually go together.
* Anything I have, I’ll give to you – except my wife and my kids.
* History is like kissing your sister. It not all that pleasant, but you learn a few things.
* Did Christ see himself in me today?