Acknowledgements
This book is a revised version of my Ph.D. dissertation, which I wrote under the mentorship of Dr. Stanley E. Porter and Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall at McMaster Divinity College, Hamilton, ON, Canada. I successfully defended the dissertation in the spring of 2012. I wish to thank Stanley E. Porter, Jesús Peláez, and Jonathan M. Watt for inviting me to submit my research to such an erudite series as LBS.
It is impossible in this limited space to thank everyone who helped this work come to be; so many of my family and friends prayed on my behalf, encouraged me, and, in those moments when I was nearly consumed by doubt, gave me the âpep talksâ I needed to see the project to its completion. Yet, there are a number of people who, because of their intimate involvement with this project, I must thank here.
I offer my sincerest gratitude to Dr. Stanley E. Porter, my doctoral supervisor, mentor, and friend during my studies at McMaster Divinity College. His mastery and passion for Biblical Greek and Linguistics, his expert teaching, his emphasis on excellence in scholarship, and his graciousness made my learning experience both worthwhile and extremely fulfilling. Dr. Cynthia Long Westfall, also at McMaster Divinity College (and the second reader on my dissertation committee) played a pivotal role in helping me complete this project. Her expertise in Greek and Linguistics as well as her keen biblical-theological insights made my work better. I am very grateful to her for giving me excellent advice leading up to my defense. I also wish to thank Dr. Mark J. Boda, Dr. Michael P. Knowles, Dr. Gordon L. Heath, and Dr. Lois K. Fuller Dow.
I absolutely could not have completed this task without the unwavering support of my family. My parents, Phil and Ellen, have been a constant source of love, support, and encouragement for all of my endeavors, especially this one. My brother, Jeff, and my sister, Susan, made sure that I worked hard but also took time to have some fun. My in-laws, Bob and Janet, Travis and Kelly, and Kelsey and Lisa often rearranged their familiesâ lives to accommodate my writing schedule. I am, however, most grateful to my immediate family. My daughter and son, Sydney and Hagan, showed amazing flexibility, patience, and grace through the whole experience of moving from Oklahoma to Ontario and back, as well as during my intense times of research and writing (which required me to âhideâ). Finally and most importantly, I am forever grateful to my lovely and loving wife, Celeste Joy, who held our family togetherâindeed, held me togetherâfrom the beginning of this journey to its end. I cannot thank you enough, Celeste. I love you so very much!