Baptist theologian, author John Phillips dies at 83

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Theologian and author John Phillips, of Winston-Salem, N.C., died July 25. He was 83.

Phillips was born in Newport, South Wales, in the United Kingdom and wrote and taught about the Bible most of his life. One of his last public appearances before Alzheimer’s began to progress was at Deerfoot Baptist Church, Trussville, in 2005.

Roger Willmore, pastor of Deerfoot Baptist, said, “Dr. John Phillips, a friend and colleague of Dr. Stephen Olford’s from his childhood in England, was one of Southern Baptist’s favorite preachers and authors. … He was one of my longtime friends and mentors.”

Phillips served in the British Army in Palestine during the closing years of the British Mandate for Palestine and witnessed the events that led up to the rebirth of the state of Israel. He moved to Canada after World War II, where he worked for a British bank, married and in time founded a small church.

Later he joined the staff of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago, where he served as assistant director of its correspondence school. He also taught in the evening extension school and spoke regularly over the Moody Radio Network. He also served as director of the Emmaus Correspondence School.

Phillips held a doctor of ministry degree from Luther Rice Seminary. He is best known for authorship of more than 50 books about the Bible, including a complete set of New Testament commentaries, “Exploring the Scriptures” series and his “Introducing People of the Bible” series. His books continue to be best sellers among Bible teachers in America and around the world.

Phillips was preceded in death by his first wife, Jean Phillips.

Survivors include his wife, Betty Jean Ferrell Phillips; four children; four stepchildren; 12 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.