From the Inspirational Teacher's series:
Dr. Horrell, a long term missionary and professor of Theological Studies at Dallas Theological Seminary, anchored a passion in me for theology. He obliterates the sense that theology lingers as a stale, lifeless, and desolate seminarian discipline of the brain. Large or small class sizes, Dr. Horrell engages learning students with clear lectures, reflective questions, thoughtful discussion, experiential wisdom, engaging life stories, crazy missionary testimonies, insightful counseling tips, and worthy assignments. He confronts world-views with truth and in a loving manner that blesses the heart.
DTS's faculty profile write up accurately describes him as one who "loves to orient students to a global understanding of Christian faith and the implications of the triune God for all of life." He has been greatly affected by the gospel and the remainder of God's word. The effects are real and authentic, showing up in the classroom and in the testimonies of those who know him. He loves Jesus. He loves God. He loves the local church. He loves people. He loves God's mission. He loves theology. He loves teaching. He loves reading. He loves writing. He loves DTS. He loves students. He loves student's families. Thank you Dr. Horrell!
Here's the Q and A:
- What inspired you to teach?
When studying the Bible to learn for myself, I loved to pass it on to others who in turn seemed to grow in their faith in our Lord. Ruth and I were church planters in southern Brazil when the people we were training said I needed to teach wider audiences. I sensed the strong presence of the Lord in teaching about him. - Why do you teach the way you teach?
First, I love to teach Bible doctrine in a plain way that makes sense (not that I do it very well). Second, in missions I learned that people listen with their heart as much as their mind. If you are not passionate, then your listeners aren't sure you believe what you are saying. Much of the world comes to church to encounter God. So I pray, study hard, use handouts, illustrations, and I use a lot of physical gestures (as good Latins and Africans do!). - What teacher has had the greatest influence on you (parent, elementary teacher, pastor, professor, friend, colleague, etc.)?
Francis Schaeffer and Charles Ryrie - Why was the teacher so influential?
Schaeffer was passionate, intelligent, and took on the world. His community L'Abri lived by faith (not asking for donations), yet the Lord would repeatedly provide sometimes just right. His fiery preaching followed none of the homiletic rules, but through the sheer power of his faith the greatness of our Lord was manifest. Many were coming to Christ. Charles Ryrie was honest with the text, careful, and he could simplify sound doctrine for all of us to understand. He cared about us as well. Once in Senior Theology, when each student was asked questions around the room, he stopped for a moment with me. He said, "Do you know why I do this? It is because I love you and I want you to be able to answer hard questions here where it is safe before you go out into the world and are tested by your opponents.
