Howard Hendricks, who taught at Dallas Theological Seminary for more than 60 years, died today at age 88, leaving behind a legacy of Bible lessons and Christian leaders across generations.
The seminary posted an obituary and tribute page in honor of Hendricks, known to the community by the nickname “Prof”:
…he taught more than 10,000 students. He also ministered in person in more than 80 countries. Through speaking engagements, radio, tapes, films, the 16 books he authored and coauthored, countless journal and popular-market articles, his service on numerous boards, and his work as a chaplain to the Dallas Cowboys (1976–1984), his reach was and is worldwide.
A graduate of Wheaton College and Dallas Theological Seminary, Hendricks served as a pastor at Calvary Presbyterian in Fort Worth and a keynote speaker for Promise Keepers. He mentored Chuck Swindoll, Tony Evans, and others.
“The best stuff I learned from him I couldn’t take from my notes—there’s no course in wisdom,” said Swindoll in a Q&A with Hendricks in CT’s sister publication Leadership Journal. “The best stuff is not in a curriculum. I had no idea there would be someone on this campus who would believe in me before I ever believed in myself.”
Following news of his death, Rick Warren called him a “friend and mentor to so many of us.”
Though Hendricks served many roles in the evangelical community, including authoring dozens of articles and bestselling books on Bible study, he had a special call to Christian education.
“I am convinced that Christian education, my field of ministry, is one of the highest of all callings,” Hendricks wrote in a piece for CT’s Christian Bible Studies. “In Christian education we deal with the transcendent. Secular education deals only with the human. Christian education discusses the eternal, secular education the here and now.”
According to his obituary, Hendricks leaves his wife Jeanne, four children, six grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
