Lewis Sperry Chafer
Encyclopedia
Lewis Sperry Chafer was an American
theologian. He founded and served as the first president of Dallas Theological Seminary
, and was an influential founding member of modern Christian
Dispensationalism
.
, Ohio
to Thomas and Lomira Chafer and was the second of three children. His father, a parson
, died when he was 11 years old from tuberculosis, and his mother supported the family by teaching school and keeping boarders in the family home. Chafer attended the Rock Creek Public School as a young boy, and the New Lyme Institution in New Lyme, Ohio from 1885 to 1888. Here he discovered a talent for music and choir.
From 1889 to 1891, Chafer attended Oberlin College
, where he met Ella Loraine Case. They were married April 22, 1896 and formed a traveling evangelistic music ministry, he singing or preaching and she playing the organ. Their marriage lasted until she died in 1944.
and became associated with the ministry of Cyrus Scofield
, who became his mentor.
During this early period, Chafer began writing and developing his theology. He taught bible classes and music at the Mount Hermon School for Boys from 1906 to 1910. He joined the Orange Presbytery in 1912 due to the increasing influence of his ministry in the south. He aided Scofield in establishing the Philadelphia School of the Bible in 1913. From 1923 to 1925, he served as general secretary of the Central American Mission.
When Scofield died in 1921, Chafer moved to Dallas, Texas
to pastor the First Congregational Church of Dallas where Scofield had ministered. Then, in 1924, Chafer and his friend William Henry Griffith Thomas
realized their vision of a simple, Bible
‐teaching theological seminary
and founded Dallas Theological Seminary
(originally Evangelical Theological College). Chafer served as president of the seminary and professor of Systematic Theology
from 1924 until his death. He died with friends while away at a conference in Seattle, Washington in August 1952.
In 1953, the newly‐built chapel was designated the Lewis Sperry Chafer Chapel after the recently passed leader.
During his life, Chafer received his Litt.D.
from Dallas in 1924, D.D.
from Wheaton
in 1926, and Th.D.
from the Aix‐en‐Province, France, Protestant Seminary in 1946.
Chafer had a tremendous influence on the evangelical movement. Among his students were Jim Rayburn
, founder of Young Life
(as well as many of Young Life's first staff members), Kenneth N. Taylor, author of The Living Bible
translation, and numerous future Christian educators and pastors, including Howard Hendricks
, J. Dwight Pentecost
, Charles Caldwell Ryrie
, J. Vernon McGee
, R. B. Thieme, Jr.
, and John Walvoord
, who succeeded him as president of DTS.
preacher. Chafer believed the basic truths for Christian living are found in , a chapter which teaches about peace, Grace, weakness, hope, sacrifice, love, and joy.
In recognition of this, Dallas Theological Seminary offers a commencement award, the Lewis Sperry Chafer Award, every year to the graduating master's student who: "in the judgment of the faculty because of his well‐balanced Christian character, scholarship, and spiritual leadership, best embodies and portrays the ideals of Dallas Theological Seminary." An additional award, the Lorrain Chafer Award, is awarded to the graduating international master's student who: "in the judgment of the faculty, best evidences well‐balanced Christian character, scholarship, and spiritual leadership."
The Dallas Seminary Foundation has also set up a charitable giving program called the Lewis Sperry Chafer Legacy, recognizing the graciousness in Chafer's life.
and was vehemently opposed to covenant theology
. Strictly speaking, he was a premillennial
, pretribulational
dispensationalist. Other aspects of his overall theology could be generally described as rooted in aspects of the Plymouth Brethren
, Calvinism
, a mild form of Keswick Theology on Sanctification, and Presbyterianism
, all of these tempered with a focus on spirituality based on simple Bible study and living.
Chafer's theology has been the subject of much study and debate in and out of the theological community since his death, especially on the two larger topics of dispensationalism and Christian Zionism
, specifically that the Jews are a people called unto God with a separate historical purpose and plan from Christians.
In 1933, Dallas acquired the periodical Bibliotheca Sacra
and began publishing it in 1934. Chafer wrote many hundreds of articles for this journal (see external links below).
In 1947, after ten years of work, he completed his Systematic Theology in eight volumes. This was the first time that a premillennial, dispensational framework of Christian theology had been systematized into a single format. The books were so popular that it sold out the first printing in six months and needed a third printing within two years. The series has been printed many times since by a number of publishing houses.
Chafer's Systematic Theology has become the standard theological explanation of classic dispensationalism. Those desiring to understand just exactly what classic dispensationalism believes have been told to start (and finish) here. "This is the definitive work to use in understanding what Dispensationalism teaches and believes. If you are going to use “straw men” to defeat dispensational theorists, make sure your scarecrow favors Lewis Sperry Chafer."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
theologian. He founded and served as the first president of Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas Theological Seminary is an evangelical theological seminary located in Dallas, Texas. It is known for popularizing the theological system known as Dispensationalism...
, and was an influential founding member of modern Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
Dispensationalism
Dispensationalism
Dispensationalism is a nineteenth-century evangelical development based on a futurist biblical hermeneutic that sees a series of chronologically successive "dispensations" or periods in history in which God relates to human beings in different ways under different Biblical covenants.As a system,...
.
Early life
Chafer was born in Rock CreekRock Creek, Ohio
Rock Creek is a village in Ashtabula County, Ohio, United States. The population was 584 at the 2000 census.The principal village festival is the Ox Roast...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
to Thomas and Lomira Chafer and was the second of three children. His father, a parson
Parson
In the pre-Reformation church, a parson was the priest of an independent parish church, that is, a parish church not under the control of a larger ecclesiastical or monastic organization...
, died when he was 11 years old from tuberculosis, and his mother supported the family by teaching school and keeping boarders in the family home. Chafer attended the Rock Creek Public School as a young boy, and the New Lyme Institution in New Lyme, Ohio from 1885 to 1888. Here he discovered a talent for music and choir.
From 1889 to 1891, Chafer attended Oberlin College
Oberlin College
Oberlin College is a private liberal arts college in Oberlin, Ohio, noteworthy for having been the first American institution of higher learning to regularly admit female and black students. Connected to the college is the Oberlin Conservatory of Music, the oldest continuously operating...
, where he met Ella Loraine Case. They were married April 22, 1896 and formed a traveling evangelistic music ministry, he singing or preaching and she playing the organ. Their marriage lasted until she died in 1944.
Ministry
Ordained in 1900 by a Council of Congregational Ministers in the First Congregational Church in Buffalo and in 1903 he ministered as an evangelist in the Presbytery of Troy in MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
and became associated with the ministry of Cyrus Scofield
Cyrus Scofield
Cyrus Ingerson Scofield was an American theologian, minister, and writer whose best-selling annotated Bible popularized dispensationalism among fundamentalist Christians.-Youth:...
, who became his mentor.
During this early period, Chafer began writing and developing his theology. He taught bible classes and music at the Mount Hermon School for Boys from 1906 to 1910. He joined the Orange Presbytery in 1912 due to the increasing influence of his ministry in the south. He aided Scofield in establishing the Philadelphia School of the Bible in 1913. From 1923 to 1925, he served as general secretary of the Central American Mission.
When Scofield died in 1921, Chafer moved to Dallas, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
to pastor the First Congregational Church of Dallas where Scofield had ministered. Then, in 1924, Chafer and his friend William Henry Griffith Thomas
William Henry Griffith Thomas
William Henry Griffith Thomas was an Anglican clergyman and scholar from the English-Welsh border country. He has been quoted by theologian Alister McGrath in the science-versus-religion debate.-Life and work:...
realized their vision of a simple, Bible
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
‐teaching theological seminary
Seminary
A seminary, theological college, or divinity school is an institution of secondary or post-secondary education for educating students in theology, generally to prepare them for ordination as clergy or for other ministry...
and founded Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas Theological Seminary
Dallas Theological Seminary is an evangelical theological seminary located in Dallas, Texas. It is known for popularizing the theological system known as Dispensationalism...
(originally Evangelical Theological College). Chafer served as president of the seminary and professor of Systematic Theology
Systematic theology
In the context of Christianity, systematic theology is a discipline of Christian theology that attempts to formulate an orderly, rational, and coherent account of the Christian faith and beliefs...
from 1924 until his death. He died with friends while away at a conference in Seattle, Washington in August 1952.
In 1953, the newly‐built chapel was designated the Lewis Sperry Chafer Chapel after the recently passed leader.
During his life, Chafer received his Litt.D.
Doctor of Letters
Doctor of Letters is a university academic degree, often a higher doctorate which is frequently awarded as an honorary degree in recognition of outstanding scholarship or other merits.-Commonwealth:...
from Dallas in 1924, D.D.
Doctor of Divinity
Doctor of Divinity is an advanced academic degree in divinity. Historically, it identified one who had been licensed by a university to teach Christian theology or related religious subjects....
from Wheaton
Wheaton College (Illinois)
Wheaton College is a private, evangelical Protestant liberal arts college in Wheaton, Illinois, a suburb west of Chicago in the United States...
in 1926, and Th.D.
Doctor of Theology
Doctor of Theology is a terminal academic degree in theology. It is a research degree that is considered by the U.S. National Science Foundation to be the equivalent of a Doctor of Philosophy....
from the Aix‐en‐Province, France, Protestant Seminary in 1946.
Chafer had a tremendous influence on the evangelical movement. Among his students were Jim Rayburn
Jim Rayburn
Jim Rayburn, Jr was an ordained Presbyterian minister and the founder of Young Life. He was born in Marshalltown, Iowa, on July 21, 1909, to James Chalmers Rayburn, Sr. , and Elna Beck Rayburn. Rayburn was the oldest of four sons, and grew up in Newton, Kansas...
, founder of Young Life
Young Life
YoungLife is a worldwide, non-profit, Evangelical Christian organization. YoungLife consists of many branches of ministry , but most commonly the name "YoungLife" refers to the outreach arm of the organization directed toward high school students...
(as well as many of Young Life's first staff members), Kenneth N. Taylor, author of The Living Bible
The Living Bible
The Living Bible is an English version of the Bible created by Kenneth N. Taylor. It was first published in 1971. Unlike most English Bibles, The Living Bible is a paraphrase. Mr...
translation, and numerous future Christian educators and pastors, including Howard Hendricks
Howard Hendricks
Howard G. Hendricks is a longtime professor at Dallas Theological Seminary and speaker for Promise Keepers. Upon his graduation from Dallas, Hendricks accepted the pastorate at Calvary Independent Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth, Texas. An opening on the seminary staff led Hendricks to begin...
, J. Dwight Pentecost
J. Dwight Pentecost
J. Dwight Pentecost is a Christian theologian best known for his book Things to Come.He currently is Distinguished Professor of Bible Exposition, Emeritus, at Dallas Theological Seminary, one of only two so honored. He holds a B.A. from Hampden-Sydney College and Th.M. and Th.D. degrees from...
, Charles Caldwell Ryrie
Charles Caldwell Ryrie
Charles Caldwell Ryrie is a Christian writer and theologian who served as professor of systematic theology and dean of doctoral studies at Dallas Theological Seminary and as president and professor at what is now Philadelphia Biblical University...
, J. Vernon McGee
J. Vernon McGee
John Vernon McGee, Th.D., LL.D, was an ordained Presbyterian minister who later pastored an interdenominational church, a Bible teacher, theologian, and was also a radio minister.-Early Years and Education:...
, R. B. Thieme, Jr.
Robert Thieme
Robert Bunger Thieme, Jr. was pastor of Berachah Church, a nondenominational Christian church in Houston, Texas, from 1950-2003...
, and John Walvoord
John Walvoord
John F. Walvoord was a Christian theologian, pastor, and president of Dallas Theological Seminary from 1952 to 1986. He was the author of over 30 books, focusing primarily on eschatology and theology including The Rapture Question, and was co-editor of The Bible Knowledge Commentary with Roy B....
, who succeeded him as president of DTS.
Personality
Chafer was recognized among his friends and peers for his balanced, simple life. He was a well‐spoken and relaxed leader and was not a fire and brimstoneFire and brimstone
Fire and brimstone is an idiomatic expression of signs of God's wrath in the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament. In the Bible, they often appear in reference to the fate of the unfaithful. "Brimstone," possibly the ancient name for sulfur, evokes the acrid odor of volcanic activity...
preacher. Chafer believed the basic truths for Christian living are found in , a chapter which teaches about peace, Grace, weakness, hope, sacrifice, love, and joy.
In recognition of this, Dallas Theological Seminary offers a commencement award, the Lewis Sperry Chafer Award, every year to the graduating master's student who: "in the judgment of the faculty because of his well‐balanced Christian character, scholarship, and spiritual leadership, best embodies and portrays the ideals of Dallas Theological Seminary." An additional award, the Lorrain Chafer Award, is awarded to the graduating international master's student who: "in the judgment of the faculty, best evidences well‐balanced Christian character, scholarship, and spiritual leadership."
The Dallas Seminary Foundation has also set up a charitable giving program called the Lewis Sperry Chafer Legacy, recognizing the graciousness in Chafer's life.
Theology
Chafer is widely recognized as one of the founders of modern DispensationalismDispensationalism
Dispensationalism is a nineteenth-century evangelical development based on a futurist biblical hermeneutic that sees a series of chronologically successive "dispensations" or periods in history in which God relates to human beings in different ways under different Biblical covenants.As a system,...
and was vehemently opposed to covenant theology
Covenant Theology
Covenant theology is a conceptual overview and interpretive framework for understanding the overall flow of the Bible...
. Strictly speaking, he was a premillennial
Premillennialism
Premillennialism in Christian end-times theology is the belief that Jesus will literally and physically be on the earth for his millennial reign, at his second coming. The doctrine is called premillennialism because it holds that Jesus’ physical return to earth will occur prior to the inauguration...
, pretribulational
Rapture
The rapture is a reference to the "being caught up" referred to in 1 Thessalonians 4:17, when the "dead in Christ" and "we who are alive and remain" will be caught up in the clouds to meet "the Lord"....
dispensationalist. Other aspects of his overall theology could be generally described as rooted in aspects of the Plymouth Brethren
Plymouth Brethren
The Plymouth Brethren is a conservative, Evangelical Christian movement, whose history can be traced to Dublin, Ireland, in the late 1820s. Although the group is notable for not taking any official "church name" to itself, and not having an official clergy or liturgy, the title "The Brethren," is...
, Calvinism
Calvinism
Calvinism is a Protestant theological system and an approach to the Christian life...
, a mild form of Keswick Theology on Sanctification, and Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism
Presbyterianism refers to a number of Christian churches adhering to the Calvinist theological tradition within Protestantism, which are organized according to a characteristic Presbyterian polity. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures,...
, all of these tempered with a focus on spirituality based on simple Bible study and living.
Chafer's theology has been the subject of much study and debate in and out of the theological community since his death, especially on the two larger topics of dispensationalism and Christian Zionism
Christian Zionism
Christian Zionism is a belief among some Christians that the return of the Jews to the Holy Land, and the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, is in accordance with Biblical prophecy. It overlaps with, but is distinct from, the nineteenth century movement for the Restoration of the Jews...
, specifically that the Jews are a people called unto God with a separate historical purpose and plan from Christians.
Writings
Bibliotheca Sacra
Bibliotheca Sacra is the theological journal published by Dallas Theological Seminary. First published in 1844, it is the oldest theological journal in the United States. It originally was published by Union Theological Seminary in 1843, moved to Andover Theological Seminary in 1844, to Oberlin...
and began publishing it in 1934. Chafer wrote many hundreds of articles for this journal (see external links below).
In 1947, after ten years of work, he completed his Systematic Theology in eight volumes. This was the first time that a premillennial, dispensational framework of Christian theology had been systematized into a single format. The books were so popular that it sold out the first printing in six months and needed a third printing within two years. The series has been printed many times since by a number of publishing houses.
Chafer's Systematic Theology has become the standard theological explanation of classic dispensationalism. Those desiring to understand just exactly what classic dispensationalism believes have been told to start (and finish) here. "This is the definitive work to use in understanding what Dispensationalism teaches and believes. If you are going to use “straw men” to defeat dispensational theorists, make sure your scarecrow favors Lewis Sperry Chafer."
Selected publications
Many of Chafer's books have been reprinted multiple times by several different publishing houses. Some of these include:- The Kingdom in History and Prophecy, 1915.
- Salvation: A Clear Doctrinal Analysis, 1917. Reprint, 1955. ISBN 0-310-22351-2
- He That is Spiritual, 1918. Reprint, 1967. ISBN 0-310-22341-5
- True Evangelism: Winning Souls by Prayer, 1919. Reprint, 1978. ISBN 0-310-22381-4
- Satan: His Motive and Methods, 1919. Reprint, 1964. ISBN 0-310-22361-X
- Grace: The Glorious Theme, 1922. Reprint, 1950. ISBN 0-310-22331-8
- Major Bible Themes, 1926. Reprint, 1974. ISBN 0-310-22390-3
- The Epistle to the Ephesians, 1935. Reprint, 1991. ISBN 0-8254-2342-2
- Systematic Theology, 1947. Reprint, 1993. ISBN 0-8254-2340-6
Biographical
- Celebrating 80 Years: Highlights from the History of Dallas Theological Seminary, 1924-2004 Dallas Theological Seminary exhibit, 2005.
Chafer material online
- Lewis Sperry Chafer written lectures and readable books online.
- The Fundamentals of Grace by Lewis Sperry Chafer. Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society, Autumn 1994.
- The Terms of Salvation by Lewis Sperry Chafer. Journal of the Grace Evangelical Society, Autumn 1988.
- The Church Which Is His Body by Lewis Sperry Chafer. Excerpt from The Kingdom in History and Prophecy, 1915.
- Lewis Sperry Chafer links to various writings.