Before I Forget: An Illustrated Autobiography of Murray J. Harris

by Murray J Harris

Who would ever imagine that an eighteen-year-old who began his career teaching thirty-two eight-year-olds in a state school in an insignificant city in the remote South Pacific would end up on the world stage as the writer of definitive technical volumes in the field of biblical studies and as the only scholar from Australia/New Zealand on the Committee on Bible Translation that produced the New International Version? This autobiography is the account of the surprising stages that led Murray Harris from his humble beginnings to ending his teaching career as a professor emeritus at a leading United States theological institution. These stages are here attributed to the gracious guiding hand of a God who delights in providing serendipities while achieving his purposes. All this is recorded with humor and with many photos and illustrations.

116 pages, Paperback

Published March 22, 2019

Reviews

[Michael Mudlaff · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not review books often but this particular volume is dear to my heart as I am one of the many students over his years of teaching ministry who count Murray Harris a beloved figure. I graduated from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1997, the year of his retirement and subsequent return to New Zealand. As an Advisee, I had the distinct privilege of being a part of his weekly advisor group and knowing the tender, pastoral heart of this lion of a Greek teacher and New Testament scholar. I am witness to many of his observations and memories including the campus wide grief over the death of Prof. McComiskey, the repercussions of the Geisler affair and the diagnosis of Dr. Harris’ beloved wife Jennifer’s multiple sclerosis - all of which he recounts in some detail in this memoir (including, when appropriate, the Greek language origins of associated terminology!!). I was also a part of the student-led effort to establish a scholarship in his name. “Before I Forget” is brief and not an autobiography in the usual sense, but more a collection of reflections on various subjects of keen importance to Dr. Harris over the years of his ministry life. His humility is evident yet he manages to include most of the vital elements and experiences of what can only be regarded as a remarkable journey. While his students and those who knew him may be the most interested readers (and honestly, then, a relatively small collection), this book will also be an encouragement to Christians who are interested in academia, are called to ministry apart from pastoral work, or who simply enjoy or need the encouragement to persevere in their calling. Despite my personal connection to the author, this book was all of that to me and I commend it to you. The only thing missing? Dr. Harris’ loving thoughts on the use of minced oaths. Volume 2?