Dallas Theological seminarian leaves behind a strong spiritual legacy

Howard Hendricks, a longtime faculty member at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and prolific author, died Feb. 20 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 88.

Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Christian Education and Leadership at DTS, where he taught for 60 years, Hendricks was known to his students as “Prof,” and he mentored numerous well-known pastors, including Tony Evans, Robert Jeffress, David Jeremiah, Erwin Lutzer, Joseph Stowell and Chuck Swindoll. He also influenced authors such as Bruce Wilkinson, best-selling author of The Prayer of Jabez.

“Professor Hendricks will always be remembered as a legend and great leader at DTS, who has impacted countless lives for the kingdom,” Evans wrote on DTS’ Facebook page.

Hendricks wrote 23 books, including As Iron Sharpens Iron and Living by the Book (both Moody Publishers); A Life of Integrity and Teaching to Change Lives (both Multnomah Publishers); The Christian Educator’s Handbook on Teaching (Baker Books/Baker Publishing Group); and Color Outside the Lines (Thomas Nelson). His 1991 best-seller Living by the Book taught students of the Bible the inductive method of studying the Scriptures.

“Moody Publishers, along with the family and friends of Howard Hendricks, are saddened by the news of his passing,” said Greg Thornton, senior vice president of media. “We will greatly miss him, his humor, and especially his tremendous ability to communicate truth through his speaking, teaching, and writing.  We mourn his loss but rejoice in knowing he’s with our Savior.”

Hendricks earned a master’s degree from DTS in 1950, as well as bachelor’s (1946) and doctoral (1967) degrees from Wheaton College. He was on the DTS faculty from 1951 until 2011, when, at age 86, Hendricks said his body would no longer work with his mind.

He served as chaplain for the Dallas Cowboys from 1976 to 1984, and he was a frequent speaker at Promise Keepers events during the 1990s. He also preached in more than 80 countries. 

Additionally, Hendricks played an important role in the development of the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove in Asheville, N.C., where he was a frequent speaker. 

In a 2009 interview with Billy Graham’s Decision magazine, Hendricks said: “I’m not what everybody in the world says is great. I’m just a servant of Christ, that’s all. Once a believer really gets to see what the Lord can do through him or her, at whatever stage in life, they’re going to get excited about getting out there in the battle. It’s all about being a servant of Christ.”

Hendricks is survived by his wife of more than 66 years, Jeanne, four children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A memorial service is scheduled for March 2 at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas.

• Prev
• Next