I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4: 7-8
This past Wednesday professor Archibald Mulford Woodruff died. He and his wife Linnis were missionaries of the PCUSA and dedicated their lives to make Brazil a better place. Linnis studied Law once again in Brazil and was always on the side of the poor and destituted. She defended city homeless people. She now lost her beloved husband who was a brilliant thinker, a great professor with a very compassionate heart. They left an apt to the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil where now theology students live. Prof Archibald taught me Greek and Introduction to the Old Testament. It was through him that I first read Norman Gottwald and Jorge Pixley. Prof. Archibald spoke 7 languages fluently and knew so much about the world of the Bible. He became a fascinating liberation biblical scholar and helped educate at least 3 generations of students in Brazil. He and Linnis came to visit me and Esther when we lived in Massachusetts and offered their house in Maine for vacation. Now, we don’t have his company. Brazil will never be the same without him. Neither will we. I deeply honor my professor and friend.