Pastor, biblical scholar and author D. James Kennedy died in his sleep yesterday, following complications from a cardiac condition in December. Kennedy, founder and senior pastor for 48 years of 10,000-member Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., was 76.

He authored more than 65 books, including How Would Jesus Vote: A Christian Perspective on the Issues (WaterBrook Press, January 2008), Cross Purposes: Discovering the Great Love of God for You (Multnomah Books, February 2007) and What If Jesus Had Never Been Born? (Thomas Nelson, April 2005).

WaterBrook Multnomah President Stephen Cobb said Kennedy was "a prolific writer, famous for revealing foundational truths about the Bible and the Christian faith."

As an integral part of the WaterBrook Multnomah publishing program, Kennedy "brought to the table a depth of knowledge, moral clarity and intellectual strength unmatched among many evangelical writers today," Cobb added. "He will certainly have a lasting legacy."

Multnomah Books is to release Kennedy's The Presence of a Hidden God in May 2008.

Kennedy founded Evangelism Explosion International, and was founder and president of Coral Ridge Ministries (CRM), which produces his radio program "Truths That Transform" and TV outreach, The Coral Ridge Hour.

He preached his last sermon on Christmas Eve. Four days later, Kennedy suffered a cardiac arrest and had been unable to return to the pulpit since. Coral Ridge announced Kennedy's retirement as senior pastor Aug. 26, and had planned a tribute worship service honoring his ministry Sept. 23.

Kennedy is survived by his wife of 51 years, Anne, and daughter Jennifer Kennedy Cassidy. Funeral arrangements were not yet finalized.

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