Page 11 - Daniel

Preface

r. John F. Walvoord was a giant of a man—physically, spiritually,

Dand theologically. I had him as a professor during my very first
year at Dallas Seminary, and I remember him as an imposing, almost
intimidating, instructor in that large lecture class. He seemed almost
austere, but that’s because I hadn’t yet had an opportunity to get to
know him.

Later, during my twenty years of faculty and administrative service at
Dallas, I got to know Dr. Walvoord in a more personal way. And the
view up close was just as awe-inspiring as it had been from the
classroom. Even after I became executive vice president at Dallas

Theological Seminary, he was still “Dr. Walvoord” to me. But don’t get
me wrong. This was not a title he demanded. It was given to him out of
great respect and admiration. He had earned it!

During my last few years at Dallas a small group of us had the
privilege of taking Dr. Walvoord to lunch on a regular basis. Those visits
to the Dixie House restaurant were truly special, though the journey was
sometimes a little too exciting because he insisted on driving! (We
rushed to his car to claim the backseat. The last one there had to sit in
front!)

During those informal times together we talked about theology—and
about life. And that’s when I truly came to know and appreciate Dr.

Walvoord as a person—a man without guile who loved his God and his
family, and who was unswerving in his commitment to God’s Word and
the ministry God had set before him. He put his hand to the plow to
serve the Lord, and he never looked back.

When I was asked if I would be willing to revise Dr. Walvoord’s
commentary on the book of Daniel, I immediately said yes. I love the
Old Testament prophets and have taught them for over thirty years. But
more significantly, I was motivated by my appreciation for the great
contribution Dr. Walvoord gave to the church over forty years ago when
he first penned this commentary. I saw this as an opportunity to share