Journal: Journal of Ministry and Theology
Volume: JMAT 22:2 (Fall 2018)
Article: From The Editor’s Desk
Author: Mark McGinniss

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JMAT 22:2 (Fall 2018) p. 2

From The Editor’s Desk

Mark McGinniss

This issue of JMAT is dedicated to the memory of our dear friend, colleague, and NT professor, Dr. Bill Arp. Bill entered into his Savior’s presence on July 2, 2017. Bill served faithfully and with distinction at Clarks Summit University for over 45 years. Since 1988 he taught Greek and NT courses at Baptist Bible Seminary (BBS). There has not been a week that has gone by since his passing that something has not triggered a remembrance of him. Everything from baseball season, to beach vacations, to wearing no socks in the summer and rarely a heavy coat in winter, to alliterated sermons all these things and more reminds us so fondly of Bill (1 Tim 1:12).

Instead of the introductory abstracts that summarize JMAT articles, I have asked each contributor to share a remembrance of Bill. I pray these memorials and articles provide a glimpse of the man who counted it a privilege and an honor to serve his Savior at BBS.

I had the privilege to minister alongside Bill for the past 11 school years. Never in that time did I ever hear him utter a complaint about life, church, or working at Baptist Bible Seminary. He was the humblest of men who counted it a joy and privilege to be put in this ministry by his Lord and Savior.

Bill had an open door policy on his office library. Any book needed we were free to come in and borrow at any time even without his being there and without asking. Bill rarely locked his office, so many of us took advantage of his kind offer since he held a number of quality commentary sets.

He counted those he ministered with as his friends, mentioning it numerous times. Every Christmas he had the BBS team and their wives over to his house to meditate on the Christmas story, eat, fellowship, and play silly games such as “what can I bring to grandma’s house?” The grand finale of the night was playing Christmas carols on kazoos! Christmas will never be the same.

JMAT 22:2 (Fall 2018) p. 3

Bill cared about each one of us faculty. When I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease soon after I joined the faculty, he expressed his care and concern for me when I shared it at a faculty meeting. Two weeks later with a straight face, he gave me a coupon he found for gluten-free beer! He always expressed care for my unsaved dad and my dad’s love for the NY Giants and Yankees, always asking me how my dad faired after a certain football or baseball loss.

Bill and I shared a love for the beach—especially North Carolina’s Outer Banks. Almost any time off would have Bill asking me if I were going to the beach for vacation.

I will miss Bill. I ment...

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