Renowned Christian apologist and philosopher Norman Geisler will retire from his teaching position at Southern Evangelical Seminary, which he helped found, due to undisclosed health issues.
The Charlotte, North Carolina-based seminary issued a press release Monday announcing the 86-year-old Geisler’s retirement, saying it was “due to health reasons.”
SES President Richard Land, who is also editor-in-chief of the Christian Post, said in the press release that Geisler was “the most prominent Christian apologist of the last half century.”
“If they were ever building a Mount Rushmore for Christian apologists, they would undoubtedly start with Dr. Geisler’s face. He has truly been one of God’s greatest gifts to his Church,” Land said.
“Southern Evangelical Seminary would not exist without the vision and dedicated service of Dr. Geisler over the past 27 years. Dr. Geisler assured me that he wants to continue to support SES in any way possible, as his health allows.
Born July 21, 1932, in Warren, Michigan, Geisler graduated cum laude from Wheaton College in 1958 with a Bachelor of Arts in philosophy, a master of divinity degree from Wheaton Graduate School in 1960, and a Ph.D. in philosophy from Loyola University Chicago in 1970.
Geisler has frequently participated in academic debates on topics such as creation and evolution, humanist ethics, sexual morality, and the existence of God. He is also a prolific author.
“Norm is the author or co-author of more than 100 books and hundreds of articles. He has taught theology, philosophy, and apologetics at the college or graduate level for over 50 years. » noted an entry on its website.
“He has served as a professor at some of the finest seminaries in the United States, including Trinity Evangelical Seminary, Dallas Seminary, and Southern Evangelical Seminary.”
Geisler was one of approximately 300 signatories to the influential 1978 document “The Chicago Declaration on Biblical Inerrancy.”
“The authority of Scripture is a key issue for the Christian Church in our time and in all ages. Those who profess faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior are called to demonstrate the reality of their discipleship by humbly and faithfully obeying the written Word of God. read the preface to the declaration.
“To depart from the Scriptures in faith or conduct is disloyalty to our Master. Recognition of the complete truth and reliability of the Holy Scriptures is essential to a full understanding and adequate confession of their authority.
In 1992, Geisler co-founded Southern Evangelical Seminary with evangelist and former Calvary Church pastor Ross Rhoads, who died in 2017.
“Pastor Rhoads’ burden of evangelism and Professor Geisler’s concern to defend the historic Christian faith combine in the seminary’s dual vision to evangelize the world and defend the historic Christian faith” noted SES.
“The seminary grew rapidly, attracting students from across the United States and several other countries; from the beginning, he attracted national attention with his unique program in evangelism and classical apologetics. In 1995, the first graduate graduated.
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