In this episode, Dr. Garry Friesen shares personal memories of Dr. Ed Goodrick, one of Multnomah's most influential and intellectually challenging professors. Known for his sharp mind, deep knowledge of Greek, and willingness to question accepted assumptions, Ed had a unique ability to push students and colleagues beyond superficial thinking. Dr. G affectionately describes him as an "iconoclast"—someone who loved finding cherished ideas and testing them rigorously against Scripture and evidence. The stories in this episode reveal both Ed's adventurous spirit and his passion for learning. Whether traveling through Israel with a donkey to better understand the biblical world or engaging in spirited theological debates over lunch, Ed was driven by a desire to discover truth firsthand. His teaching philosophy emphasized immersion rather than mere memorization, encouraging students to truly read and experience the biblical languages rather than simply mastering grammatical rules. Dr. G also reflects on the personal impact Ed had on his own development as a scholar and teacher. Though their discussions were often intense and sometimes uncomfortable, they sharpened one another through years of thoughtful interaction. Looking back, Dr. G recognizes that few colleagues shaped his approach to teaching and the study of Scripture more than Ed Goodrick, making it a special honor to serve as one of his pallbearers and to be present during his final moments before entering the presence of Christ.

In This Video
• Dr. G's memories of Dr. Ed Goodrick as Multnomah's resident "iconoclast"
• How Ed challenged assumptions and encouraged deeper thinking about Scripture
• The story of Ed's journey through Israel with a donkey from Dan to Beersheba
• Faculty lunch debates that became opportunities for theological sharpening
• Why some faculty members avoided sitting next to Ed at lunch
• Ed's philosophy for learning Greek through reading and immersion
• The memorable conference exchange about "the grammar of a language you can't read"
• Dr. G's experience defending ideas during a rigorous public questioning by Ed
• The profound influence Ed had on Dr. G's teaching and scholarship
• Reflections on friendship, intellectual growth, and a life devoted to biblical study

About This Series
This video is part of a collection celebrating the story, ministry, and legacy of Dr. Garry Friesen (Dr. G), honoring the heritage of Multnomah School of the Bible / Multnomah University and the continuing work God is doing through new ministries around the world.

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The production of these videos was provided by the Multnomah Family Team, if you would like to help sponsor more videos like this, please contact us here.