Donald Barnhouse

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Donald Grey Barnhouse (March 28, 1895November 5, 1960) was an American Christian preacher, radio minister, and writer.

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[edit] Career

Barnhouse pastored the Tenth Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 1927 until his death in 1960. He was a pioneer in preaching over the radio, on a program known as "The Bible Study Hour".[1] In 1949, his program began a weekly study of the Book of Romans, which lasted until his death. The program is still broadcast as "Dr. Barnhouse and the Bible". He also wrote many articles and books.

Donald Grey Barnhouse on the cover of Eternity magazine's memorial issue tribute to the magazine's founder, March 1961
Donald Grey Barnhouse on the cover of Eternity magazine's memorial issue tribute to the magazine's founder, March 1961

Barnhouse founded Eternity magazine in 1931 and was editor-in-chief of the monthly publication.[1] He wrote a "Window on the World" column for each issue of Eternity between 1931–1960, discussing contemporary concerns in the light of his theological views. [2] In September 1956, Eternity magazine published an article, "Are the Seventh-day Adventists Christians?", in which Barnhouse concluded affirmatively. Described as a "blockbuster" by Margaret Barnhouse in her book, That Man Barnhouse, the "reaction was immediate: outraged canceling of subscriptions or grateful commendation because [he] had the courage to ... admit he had been wrong in the past about the Adventists," she wrote.[2] Along with fellow evangelical Walter Martin, Barnhouse argued that the "Adventists hold all the basic doctrines of Christianity", albeit with some heterodox teachings.[3] Eternity published a cover story memorial tribute to Barnhouse shortly after his death.

Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop, who attended the Tenth Presbyterian Church for more than twenty years, said of Barnhouse: "His authoritative voice held my attention, his physical appearance was arresting, and his preaching was teaching of the highest intellectual order ... I always marveled at the simplicity of the faith of this very intelligent and learned man."[2]

[edit] Personal life

Barnhouse was twice married. Several years after his first wife Ruth died of cancer, he married his second wife Margaret (née Nuckols), widow of Douglas Bell. They made their home on an 82-acre (33 ha) farm near Doylestown, Pennsylvania. Donald and Ruth Barnhouse had four children: sons Donald Jr. and David and daughters Ruth and Dorothy.[2] Donald Grey Barnhouse died in a Philadelphia hospital one month after being diagnosed with a large, malignant brain tumor.

[edit] Works

Many of the books authored by Donald Grey Barnhouse have been re-published since his death, some in their tenth or more printing.[2] His works include:

  • Acts (1979), Zondervan
  • Bible Truth Illustrated (1979), Keats
  • The Cross Through the Open Tomb (1961), Eerdmans Publishing
  • Genesis (1970), Zondervan, 2 vols.
  • God's Methods for Holy Living (1949), Revelation Publications
  • Guaranteed Deposits (1949), Revelation Publications
  • The Invisible War (1981), Zondervan
  • Let Me Illustrate (1967), Revell
  • Revelation (1971), Zondervan
  • Romans (1982), Eerdmans Publishing, 4 vols.
  • Teaching the Word of Truth (1982), Eerdmans Publishing
  • Thessalonians (1977), Zondervan
  • Words Fitly Spoken (1969), Tyndale House Publishers
  • Your Right to Heaven (1977), Baker Book House

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Donald Grey Barnhouse (biography), Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals
  2. ^ a b c d e Margaret N. Barnhouse (1983). That Man Barnhouse. Wheaton, Illinois: Tyndale House. ISBN 0-8423-7033-1. 
  3. ^ Richard Mouw (November 2006). "Shoot-First Apologetics: What a dead bluebird taught Walter Martin about defending the faith". Christianity Today. 

[edit] External links