Two more giants gone

There were giants in our land. Two more have died.

 Pope Francis died on Easter Monday at age 88.

 Retired United Methodist Bishop Richard Wilke died on Easter morning in Winfield, Kansas. He was 94.

 Francis will be mourned throughout the world by all Christians and by followers of other faith traditions as well.

 Papal electors probably didn’t know what they were in for when they elected a Jesuit pope from Latin America.

 Francis proved to be (at least publicly) a gentle pastoral spirit who embodied the love of God for all. He also was a fearless voice for social justice and a tenacious opponent of ingrown Vatican politics and “conservative” Catholics who worship tradition rather than Jesus.

We shudder to think who will be chosen to follow him – or, more likely, replace him.

Wilke was best known for the pioneering Disciple Bible Study series, which he developed with his wife, Julia.

More than 3 million people around the world have taken part in a Disciple Bible Study 

The Wilkes’ daughter, Susan Wilke Fuquay, created Disciple Fast Track, a streamlined version of the original that has proved popular among churches.

Disciple grew out of a longtime frustration with the scriptural illiteracy of many in the pews. That frustration was embodied in a 1986 book, And Are We Yet Alive? The title came from a hymn frequently sung at the start of each year’s annual conference. The answer was supposed to be yes. Wilke wasn’t sure that was always true – and one remedy he suggested was deeper engagement with scripture.

In recent months I’ve marked the passing of President Jimmy Carter and theologians John B. Cobb and Richard B. Hays. There are surely a few other giants left out there. To paraphrase the hymn, if we ever needed them before, we sure do need them now.