Comments on: Robert Webber is Gone

By: dumb ox

dumb ox — Sun, 04 May 2008 03:26:49 +0000

I didn’t know. I really, really feel ashamed.

I just bought a used copy of his Prymer (out of print but available on Amazon). It is a God-send. I was hoping to find a way to thank him and send encouragement to get it reprinted when I discovered he had died of cancer over a year ago. I’m happy that He’s with the Lord, but this is a breath-taking loss.

Death really ticks me off.

By: Jim Hart

Jim Hart — Fri, 04 May 2007 03:37:07 +0000

Well done, thou good and faithful servant!

By: Jim Hart

Jim Hart — Fri, 04 May 2007 03:35:24 +0000

Bob was a dear freind, brother, mentor and father in the faith. He hated it when I called him “father.” He only wanted to be a brother–no accolades or special honors. But the reality is that he WAS a father in the faith to a great number of us in this generation and in the generations to come through his writings, his schools at the Robert E. Webber Institute for Worship Studies and the Center for an Ancient Evangelical Future at Northern Seminary, and his years of teaching at Wheaton and Northern. He taught us that theology is not about the “what,” but the “so what.” And he lived the “so what” even as he showed us how to live and die in Christ. We love you, Bob, and pray for comfort for Joanne and the family (Steph, Lexy, John and Jeremy).

By: Monty

Monty — Thu, 03 May 2007 02:40:35 +0000

The Psalmist said it best: “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Ps. 116:15

By: Mike Adkins

Mike Adkins — Tue, 01 May 2007 17:38:52 +0000

I was at lunch only an hour ago when I heard that Bob was dead. I took a few classes at Wheaton with him and his influence has stayed with me. I remember walking into class for the first time having just become a christian, and wondering where this new road was going to lead me. Terrified. Insecure. Unsure. These were only a few of the feelings I had until Bob walked in and asked us to rearrange the chairs in a circle so he could stand in the middle and teach. It was at that moment, I knew that I was sitting at the feet of the Master. God spoke through Bob in ways that made me feel Jesus was right in the room with us. I came to know Jesus through Bob in ways that I never could have on my own. Years later, I am the pastor of a great church in Orlando and my staff knows his words and works. In a transitioning culture and church Bob has reminded us of our roots and our heritage. I will miss him greatly.

Glory be to God, his servant is home.

By: Al Hsu

Al Hsu — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 20:20:40 +0000

Both I and my wife studied under Bob (at Wheaton and at Northern Seminary, respectively). Both of us are worship leaders and are indebted to Bob for helping us have a better understanding and practice of worship. The fact we’re Anglicans now is due in large part to his influence and pointing us back to the riches of liturgy, history and tradition. As a recovering fundamentalist, Bob was always somewhat conflicted about the evangelical world, but evangelicalism is the better for having had him with us. He will be missed.

By: Randy

Randy — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 00:11:29 +0000

So Sad. Dr. Webber had a great influence on the way I look at worship. I will also say that I emailed Dr. Webber twice and both times he wrote me back. I was stunned that he would respond with personal email to a rural pastor like myself. That is very rare for people in his position. He will be great missed.

By: Tom Huguenot

Tom Huguenot — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 20:43:34 +0000

That makes me very sad. I have read Ancient Future Faith years ago, at the begining of my journey out of evangelicalism.I remain very grateful for the ministry of Prof. Webber.

By: Rick Capezza

Rick Capezza — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 13:50:28 +0000

Bob was my first professor at the doctoral level (Institute for Worship Studies). He fell so quickly. He was strong as an ox one semester and too sick too come to school the next. It happened so quickly, even though it was a lot slower than the doctors predicted. I have been trying to balance my sadness with joy for the the last three days; he will be missed very much.

By: Gregory Pittman

Gregory Pittman — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:09:28 +0000

Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Michael. I had been watching Dr. Webber’s health since the with the AEF started sending out e-mail updates. I saw TSK’s post last night, so today’s e-mail wasn’t a surprise. But it was nonetheless sad. There are plenty of folks who study worship, but I don’t know of anyone who can fill the void of scholarship and leadership Dr. Webber left.