Christian Retailing

Harvest House Publishers author John Weldon dies at 66 Print Email
Written by Christine D. Johnson   
Tuesday, 07 October 2014 04:10 PM America/New_York

More than 20 years of research and writing with John Ankerberg extended readership of apologetics books

JohnWeldonHarvest House Publishers author John Weldon died Aug. 30 after a lengthy battle with cancer. He was 66.

Weldon was born Feb. 6, 1948, in Chicago and became a Christian as an adult. He earned multiple graduate-level degrees, including a Ph.D. in comparative religion and a D.Min. with an emphasis on contemporary religious movements. He employed his expertise for more than 20 years as a researcher for The John Ankerberg Show. Weldon authored or co-authored more than 100 books, including the “Facts On” series that has sold more than 2.5 million copies in 16 languages.

Weldon was a part of the Harvest House family of authors for nearly 30 years.

“Working with John, as an author and a friend, was always a great blessing,” said Bob Hawkins Jr., president of Harvest House. “His books and his life have left a lasting legacy, and we feel very honored to have known and worked alongside him in ministry.”

Weldon authored and co-authored more than 65 of his Harvest House books with sales of nearly 3 million copies.

“Every single one of these books clearly proclaimed his deep and abounding love for God’s truth,” the company said.

Harvest House also noted that Weldon was “exceptionally knowledgeable and yet exceedingly humble,” traits that were “clearly evident in his many written defenses of the Christian faith, in which he spoke God’s truth with love (Eph. 4:15). Even in the face of tremendous opposition—such as when it was necessary to respond to a lengthy and unwarranted lawsuit—he was able to take a strong stand and do it with grace.”

Weldon was also known to have “enormous compassion” for the lost, the statement said, observing that it was appropriate that Weldon’s last book was How to Know You’re Going to Heaven.

Weldon’s life and ministry influenced many people.

“John’s life and work have touched countless others seeking to grow spiritually and better understand the Bible,” said a statement on the Ankerberg show’s website. “His friends describe him as genuine, humble and passionate to share the hope of eternal life with everyone he met. His work will continue through his many books, his online writings at The John Ankerberg Show website (JAshow.org), as well as through the many people John has personally influenced through his ministry.” —Johnson