On the passing of a friend

Roger Nicole died Saturday at the age of 95. Allow me to tell you just a little bit about him.

Dr. Nicole was the professor of Systematic Theology at Gordon-Conwell when I attended there in the 80′s. Educated at the Sorbonne, Gordon Divinity School (the predecessor of Gordon-Conwell), Harvard and Wheaton College, he spoke and read in numerous languages. J.I. Packer described him this way; “Awesome for brain power, learning and wisdom, endlessly patient and courteous in his gentle geniality, and beloved by a multitude as pastor, mentor and friend.”

I remember his salutations, in a heavy Swiss accent, “Hello, good brother!” as he would pass you on the seminary grounds. But what really made an impact on me was when he selected me to be his “Byington Fellow” or teaching assistant. When he chose me, he said, “You know, Mark, I am the senior faculty member here and as such, I have the chance to choose the finest students on campus as my teaching fellows. I am choosing you.” Just writing those words bring tears to my eyes as I recall the deep care and interest he showed in me as an emerging young student of theology.

As his teaching assistant, I graded tests, had access to his office, but perhaps more memorably, shared dinner at his home with his beloved wife. I walked with him in his basement surveying his vast (almost 30,000 volume) library which now comprises half of the library of Reformed Theological Seminary in Orlando where I am enrolled in the Doctor of Ministry Program.

When I started taking classes at RTS Orlando, I got Dr. Nicole’s address at the care facility where he lived. I would make it part of my week there to go visit him on the occasion of each class. I would wake him up when I arrived, try to remind him of who I was, then we would talk theology again.

In my last visit, I asked him about women elders. He told me about a chapter he had written in a new book which I just received last week, “Why I Changed My Mind About Women in Leadership.” I believe it was my first chapel at Gordon-Conwell when Dr. Nicole stood up and announced, “Over the summer I have come to a new view on women in leadership. I am now a biblical feminist.” The audience was stunned!

I have a photo of myself with him last January.

The world has lost not only one of the greatest Christian minds, but also a man who could look into a young man’s heart and make him know he was special. I will always be grateful to my friend, Roger Nicole, for the investment he poured into my life.

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