CIU Today Fall 2016

McQuilkin’s

Student becomes his Co-Author

Very few students find themselves later in life publishing a book with their former professor. But Christian apologist Dr. Paul Copan did

just that.

Copan earned his bachelor’s degree from CIU in 1984. Today he is the Pledger Family Chair of Philosophy and Ethics at Palm Beach

Atlantic University. In 2014, he collaborated with Robertson McQuilkin on the third edition of McQuilkin’s book, “An Introduction to

Biblical Ethics – Walking in the Way of Wisdom.”

When Copan first heard the news of McQuilkin’s death, his thoughts brought him back to CIU and “sitting on (Robertson’s) back porch

on faculty row,” Copan recalled referring to a row of houses that used to line the road to The Pointe, CIU’s scenic overlook.

“His wife Muriel said, ‘Come anytime if you want to get away and sit on the back porch.’ I did that on a regular basis,” Copan said.

“That would often lead to conversations with her and with Robertson.”

But little did Copan know then, he would later collaborate on a book with Robertson.

“It was a high honor, certainly a great privilege, to work together with Robertson McQuilkin,” Copan said. “(He was) well-regarded

worldwide and had a marvelous reputation as a Christian statesman. Yet someone who was humble and gracious.”

Copan says there were a few ethical issues that he and McQuilkin disagreed upon. But McQuilkin wanted to include their differing

viewpoints in the book. Copan remembers McQuilkin saying:

“We can have differing viewpoints. Rather than that being a detraction from the book, I think that can actually benefit the book. You

have two authors committed to the same evangelical faith, and yet don’t always see eye to eye. It actually shows a spirit of graciousness

to disagree agreeably, and to support one another in this endeavor.”

Copan says that once they finished the book, McQuilkin bequeathed the project to him.

“I was very, very heartened by the fact that he trusted me with this, and that he used the term ‘bequeathing’ this book to you,” Copan

said. “That was very, very gratifying.”

It was a professional and personal relationship that began on the McQuilkin back porch.

I’m grateful for all the memories of that sweet friendship and the partnership in the gospel over the years,” Copan said.

It was a high honor, certainly a great privilege,

to work together with Robertson McQuilkin.

“

–Paul Copan

Matti Korhonen/Uusi Tie

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