A Christian elder statesman you ought to know about

Have you ever heard of Vernon Grounds? Probably not, but you owe him more than you realize. Grounds, now 90, was the president of Denver Seminary, a pioneer in Christian counseling and education. He’s a beloved man of prayer, faith, and especially love. Grounds played a large part in healing the rifts of evangelical Christianity two generations ago.

Philip Yancey has a good article about Vernon Grounds at Christianity Today, but it’s too short. I’d like to read (or better, listen) to a couple hours of this man talking. David Osborn, who now serves on staff at Denver Seminary and is a regular prayer partner of Dr. Grounds (and who happens to be my father-in-law) says that Vernon Grounds has a photographic memory, that he essentially reads books not a word at a time but a page at a time, practically photographing the book and being able to recall years later on what page a given topic is found.

I met Vernon Grounds in 1987 (he was the Prayer Chairman of the Denver Billy Graham Crusade that summer). A friend took me to his office at Denver Seminary and introduced me to him. He was gracious and kind and showed me his library of 18,000 books. I wonder if he remembers me? With a mind like his, who knows?

Read Yancey’s article, based on a recent interview, and learn about this giant upon whose shoulders we all stand.

P. S. His comments about marital love and faith are needed in this passion-addicted age.

May 24, 2006 · Filed Under The Church

Comments

Leave a Reply