Dr. Christopher W. Mitchell, longtime director of The Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College and recently professor of theology at the Torrey Honors Institute at Biola University, died last Thursday evening, July 10. Chris was a dear friend of mine, and I have written a remembrance of him that’s been posted over at Books & Culture.
Chris was a fine scholar, teacher, mentor, and friend to many. More than that, he was a believing Christian who trusted in the hope of the resurrection. I remember talking once with Chris about C. S. Lewis’ belief that he had been visited by the departed spirit of Charles Williams. Chris had no trouble sharing that belief, and he even asked a dear friend of his who was dying of cancer to make such a visit to him, if possible. He often talked in vivid terms about the resurrection. Sometimes, at the end of our conversations, he would say, “To be continued next time we’re together—and at the New Jerusalem Starbucks,” and he wasn’t joking.
May he rest in peace and rise in glory.
