Alumni Link

A Tribute to Dr. Mulholland

Published Date: January 26, 2016

By Rev. Katie Grover, M.Div. 2013

“As long as necessary; as short as possible.” These were Dr. Mulholland’s words to his students in regard to their assignments in SF505 Scripture and Spiritual Formation. This class was the inaugural class of the newly instituted Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation. When asked for better parameters, he noted Einstein’s thesis was one sentence. With this in mind, I believe a tribute to the life and ministry of Dr. Robert Mulholland should follow those same instructions.

Dr. Mulholland had transforming encounters with God through the Word which became “text” allowing that same Word to become flesh in him for the sake of the world.

(The tribute could stop at this point and fulfill the parameters of the assignment, but I will expound.)

A Bible buried in the recesses of couch cushions propelled a young doubting Bob Mulholland towards a life of transforming encounters with God through Scripture. He then allowed the Word to live in him and through him as a husband, father, Naval officer, pastor, evangelist, professor, and friend.

It would be foolish for me to believe I could craft a tribute to Dr. Mulholland which could incorporate all of his attributes or the means and ways his life and work had an impact on the kingdom of God. So,
I have decided to speak for myself and pray it rings true for others.kg

I registered for SF505 with Dr. Mulholland for much the same reason people would register for a preaching course with Dr. J. Ellsworth Kalas -these men were legends, each in their own right. I did not want to miss the opportunity to sit under the teaching of Dr. Mulholland, a man I had only previously met as a “talking head” through Disciple Bible Study. This course was not one I needed to complete my degree, but it was definitely a much needed course for myself and the ministry to which God has called me.

Dr. Mulholland was a paradox of sorts. Standing before you, he was the towering Naval officer and yet, tears would form in his eyes and his voice would crack as he shared about his transforming encounters with God. Standing before you, he was this man steeped in academia and yet, he had found the place where head and heart could go hand in hand, and he made it his mission to help others do likewise. Standing before you, he was a man with a list of accomplishments, and yet, he was not so prideful he could not show up at a little church just outside of Baltimore for their 50th anniversary or pick up some trash on his daily walk. Dr. Mulholland shared how a woman observing him picking up trash, trash he considered leaving, helped her deduce he was a “real” Christian and thus was willing to listen to him share the gospel.

For as much as Dr. Mulholland taught me as a professor, I am most thankful for one sentence he shared in an email. Dr. Mulholland wrote, “Glad to hear Lodge Forest is in such capable hands.” You see, Dr. Mulholland had been one of my predecessors at my first appointment, an appointment which was not so ready to receive me. His words were an encouragement to me (a student I was not sure he remembered) and also gave me some real “street cred” in my appointment only three weeks old.

This world is a better place; this seminary is a better institution of learning; this pastor is a better person for having known Dr. M. Robert Mulholland and experienced God’s Word having become flesh in him for the sake of the world.

See all articles


7 responses to “A Tribute to Dr. Mulholland”

  1. Amen. I never had the opportunity to sit with this “standing man of God” but his words in his book “Shaped by the Word” shaped my life and continues to do so. Being a retired master chief in the Navy and a pastor, I have greater respect when I discovered Dr. Mulholland was a Naval Officer. Aye Aye, Sir!

  2. Nancy E. Cornell says:

    Nice tribute, he was the best and his loss saddens me greatly.

  3. Katie Fansler says:

    If I were asked for the top 10 people in my 61 years of life, who influenced my journey with God the most, Dr. Mulholland would be near the top. Whether it was participating in his ATS Colossians exegesis class or reading/rereading all his spiritual formation books – writing a companion study guide while teaching them, the Holy Spirit continues to speak through them to guide me in walking with Jesus. He is sorely missed.

  4. Külli Tõniste says:

    The opening line is what I use with my student papers. I did not remember until now where I first heard these. Thank you for sharing your memories of Dr. Mulholland, it evoked memories of my own encounters. Him being a naval officer explains why he so reminded me of my father in law. A great and kind professor. He is greatly missed!

  5. Gary Olsen says:

    Grateful am I that Dr. Mulholland chose to take me on as the mentor for my DocMin dissertation; I was so nebulous in that first appointment, and then totally changed my “Problem” to tackle at the 11th hour — he was truly a man of Grace to this struggling student! His dictum on length yet brevity came to the fore when he counseled to cut a significant portion of the “Methodology” chapter, yet urged a whole new section on qualitative research — including the very personal side of the project for the participants, the addition of which made all the difference when it was all said and done. I recall groaning at first, but I gave glory to God after… Especially because I was undeservedly given the opportunity to experience Dr. Mulholland’s abundant crop of the fruit of the Spirit!

  6. SAMSON LAZARUS says:

    I am Alumni of Asbury. I have studied under Dr. Mullholland. He is spiritual, scholarly and sensitive to others need. I was deeply touched by his life, teachings and ministry. He is missed very dearly.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *