LOUISVILLE, Ky. —A longtime Southern Baptist Theological Seminary professor known for his mastery of biblical languages as well as his nickname has passed away.
John Joseph Owens, known simply as “Red Top” to friends because of his hair color, died July 8. Owens, 83, was professor of Old Testament for more than four decades at Southern Seminary, teaching from 1942 until his retirement in 1984. He continued teaching as a senior professor and emeritus professor years after his retirement.
He was proficient in at least 10 foreign languages, but his specialty was the Semitic languages, especially Hebrew. After retirement he wrote “Analytical Key to the Old Testament,” a massive four-volume set still used by Southern Seminary students. In it he parses every Hebrew word in the Old Testament. He also wrote the Broadman Bible Commentaries on Numbers, Daniel and Job.
Owens received his bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Baptist University and his master’s and doctorate degrees from Southern Seminary. Owens’ friends knew at an early age he was brilliant. He entered Oklahoma Baptist University at age 13 and Southern Seminary at age 18. Incredibly, he earned his doctor of theology at age 24.
He was a member at Louisville’s Crescent Hill Baptist Church and is survived by his wife, Mary Frances Owens; two daughters, Kay Healey and Sue McGeary; and a son, Tim Owens.
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