A Seminarian and Mentee Remembers His Late Professor
Dr. Paul Siu
by David Smith, M.Div. Candidate
Monday, November 8, 2010 at 1:31am
I am sitting here thinking about my first day in seminary. It was just under four years ago.
I showed up at my first class with a mixture of anticipation, excitement, fear, and
apprehension. I couldn't help but wonder what this experience would be like. I imagined
that I would learn so much about the Bible, so much about philosophy, theology,
languages, and things I could not as of yet even imagine.
My first class was Systematic Theology with Dr. Paul Siu. I walked in and sat at the
back as I tend to do in strange environments, and began to observe. Pretty soon a small
Chinese man walked into the room and introduced himself as Dr. Siu. He then asked us
each to share our names and some brief details about our lives. I was surprised
considering the size of the class and figured it was simply a formality, a nicety. But
somehow, out of that packed class from that moment on Dr. Siu knew my name, and
everything else I had said. That was the first of many times that I would have
opportunities to be surprised by Dr. Siu.
I think the thing I loved most about Dr. Siu was simply hearing him say the name of
Jesus. He could take those two simple syllables and stretch them out into umpteen
syllables. Each syllable filled with passion. Every time he said that name it was like he
was encountering again for the first time the most amazing word he had ever heard. As a
student it made me sit up and take notice. As a human being it stirred something deep in
my soul every single time. It was as if there was a little voice calling out from somewhere
in my chest yearning to break free and be able to live with that kind of passion. It was
like my soul all of a sudden stood at attention waiting to hear what was next.
I don't know how many times I heard students try to imitate saying Jeeeeeeeessssus!! the
way Dr. Siu did. We all always laughed and went about our business when someone
would imitate him, but we also knew that at least in this case imitation truly was the
sincerest form of flattery. I don't think I have met an ATS student that did not long to be
able to live with the kind of passion for Jesus that Dr. Siu found expressed every single
day.
As I think about his passion for Jesus I am reminded of what, besides simply hearing him
say the name of Jesus, was probably the thing about Dr. Siu that will stick with me the
longest. It was a quote I heard him say in so many classes often as a student would begin
to get upset about having their theological points challenged, or before he would dive into
one of the more contentious points of theology. He would look at us and with great
passion say these words: "You do not die for your theology! No! You die for
Jeeeeeesus!!"
Today that quote seems particularly appropriate as I consider the life of a man who has so
inspired and challenged me. At times Dr. Siu would challenge my theological positions,
but the thing he challenged me most was to love Jesus more, to live for Jesus, and yes, if
necessary, die for Jesus.
Today when I got the news that Dr. Siu had passed away, at first I was shocked. A few
minutes later I began to laugh out loud. I couldn't help it. Because in my mind I just had
this vivid picture of Dr. Siu standing before Jesus bursting with passion and excitement to
finally get to see the one to whom he had dedicated his entire being. Not only did I
imagine Dr. Siu, but also I imagined seeing Jesus and He was every bit as excited and
passionate about greeting Dr. Siu. It was beautiful to think of Jesus and Dr. Siu bursting
with exuberance as they greeted one another.
The more I think about it, the more I realize Dr. Siu died many years ago. He chose to
live a life with one great focus, and one great passion and that was for the moment he
would be able to stand before his King. Today I know without a doubt that Dr. Siu heard
the word "Well done my good and faithful servant." Because without a doubt I know that
Dr. Paul Siu served and loved Jesus with greater passion than any other person I have yet
to have the privilege of meeting.
I can only hope that I and the many, many people, who have had the great honor and
privilege of knowing Dr. Siu, and being taught how to love Jesus with greater passion,
can serve as faithfully, passionately, and with as much love. I know that years from now I
will still count it among the great honors of my life to have been able to study under Dr.
Paul Siu. Not because he was a great thinker, scholar, or theologian. Dr. Siu was all those
things, but it was my honor to study under him because he was a great lover of Jesus. He
made me want to love Jesus more, and I cannot think of anything greater that anyone
could ever teach me.