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During an open forum panel discussion, Bruce Metzger stood up in the crowded room to boldly and unapologetically decry the use of the Bible for inclusion of homosexuals in the Christian church. Dr. Metzger shared his interpretation of a Scripture that
was unbending and clear on this divisive topic.

It occurred to me then—in my own marvel at this renowned scholar, this pillar in biblical scholarship—that I must learn ways to proclaim God’s love and justice even if in opposition to admirable, respected individuals.

Unwittingly, Dr. Metzger taught me that to defer authority to individuals who have traditionally wielded it could mean, for me and others, continuing to stand at the margins, accepting that God’s grace extends only to those who have traditionally dominated the interpretation and movement of history.

Dr. Metzger taught me to speak boldly and unapologetically about justice and love. He taught me to search for the voice of the silenced in and through Scripture.
Ruth de Jesus (M.Div., 2001)
Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

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During my years as a student at PTS I had the honor of meeting Dr. Metzger for lunch several times. While I wanted to ask him theological questions, he often steered our conversations to the field I had left—law. He explained that his father had wanted him to become an attorney. He mused over what direction life would have taken him had he chosen law over seminary. He spoke like a glowing father over his son, who had entered the legal profession. He also shared his great love for his wife. Each morning before eating breakfast, they would sit around their table and read the Bible, sharing a devotion. Rarely have I met such a polite, kind, humble human being.
Stan Irvin (M.Div., 2003; M.R.E., 2005)
Bloomington, Illinois

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My first experience meeting Dr. Bruce Metzger was in the late 1980s when he patiently excited an entire classroom with clear, convicting lessons wrapped in the compassion of a scholar in love with Jesus. I’ll never forget him challenging us about the meaning of “eternal salvation,” found only in Hebrews 5:9, and meditating on the meaning in the context of the entire book. He taught me that faith and reason are not exclusive to my pilgrimage with Christ. I once heard him speak with amazement about another scholar who is prodigious in writing. “How does he do that?” he asked, then he turned and told the class that we, too, could become more than what most of us imagined ourselves to be. It is the mark of a truly great person to inspire life, love, and light to those who wrestle otherwise. I will miss the man, and I’ll continue to study his writings.
Mark Johnston (Th.M., 2005)
Fort Bliss, Texas

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“...Fall of a Huge Tree...End of an Era...”
Dr. Metzger indeed was an exceptionally acclaimed New Testament scholar. His demise meant for me a lot, like the “fall of a huge tree” or the “end of an era.” Since 1993, as a student of theology in Serampore University in India, I started working with his outstanding contributions to the New Testament background, textual apparatus and commentary, textual criticism, the canon, and early versions. I always consider his classical contributions, like UBS Fourth Edition Greek New Testament and the RSV and NRSV versions of the Bible, as ultimate secondary sources to develop my comprehension, preaching, spirituality, mission, and theology both in India and in the U.S. context. During my PTS education, I initiated the development of an interactive relationship with Dr. Metzger, and I remained successful in keeping that. In our interactions, he greatly encouraged me by saying, “Work hard, don’t give up.” Dr. Metzger, as a scholar, a hard-working genius, and a true disciple of Jesus, generated in me copious insights to increase my faith and to target it exclusively on Jesus. Finally, let me be frank in stating that there is only one who can be a substitute for him, who is none other than himself.
Johnson Thomaskutty (Th.M., 2005)
Kerala, India