Legacy of a legend

Dr. Jack P. Lewis achieved legendary status among faculty, staff and students at Harding School of Theology. His legacy at HST includes his status as a scholar for the church, his reputation as a demanding professor, and his unique combination of a humble lifestyle and giving spirit.

Dr. Lewis’ training and work as a scholar are awe inspiring. Born in 1919, he learned hard work and perseverance growing up on a family farm during the Great Depression. At the age of 25 he attended Harvard Divinity School, from which he received a Ph.D. in history and philosophy of religion in 1953. In 1962 he received a Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible from Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati. Having a Ph.D. in each Testament and both from prestigious institutions was part of his legendary status.

As a scholar, Dr. Lewis published more than 25 books (a three-volume set on the minor prophets is yet to come) and hundreds of articles. All of his scholarship was done for the church as a part of what he called the Ministry of Study. He wrote articles and books that impacted the broad world of biblical scholarship, but much of what he wrote was directed at providing guidance for churches of Christ. He would even take the time to write lengthy letters to respond to biblical theological questions from those whom he had never met.

As a professor Dr. Lewis placed high demands on himself (writing transcripts for his classes) and on his students. Accepting a teaching position at Harding in 1954, he moved to Memphis, Tennessee, four years later to become a charter faculty member of Harding’s Graduate School of Religion (now HST). Following his lectures was like the proverbial “drinking from a fire hose.” If you dropped your pen during his class, you missed a paragraph of notes. It is quite arguable that he was HST’s most influential professor, setting a rigorous tone for all who have taught there throughout the years. As John Wilson of Pepperdine University wrote in tribute to Dr. Lewis, “His expectations were high because he believed that the stakes were high. The ministry of the Word is a serious business, he seemed to be saying, and there is no room in it for the shirker.”

As a disciple of Christ, Dr. Lewis lived a life of fundamental integrity. Among his extraordinary qualities was what Randy Harris, speaking at his funeral, described as a unique combination of frugality and generosity. He lived a very modest lifestyle: dwelling in the same small house throughout his 60 years in Memphis, driving what most would consider to be old clunkers and never wearing anything that could be considered stylish. His humble lifestyle was obvious to all who knew him. Fewer knew (because he did not blow trumpets) that he gave remarkably generously to HST (especially its library) and to the church. He pinched pennies to turn around and give them away.

Dr. Lewis set the tone for HST. For all who knew him, and many who only heard, he is a legend. I have emphasized his phenomenal scholarship, his demanding teaching style and his frugal yet generous lifestyle. Much more could be said about other matters like his years of service as an elder and Bible school teacher, his labors to help missions and missionaries, and his work in the Holy Land including leading more than 30 tours. Thanks be to God that he gave us Jack P. Lewis for 99 years.

Jack P. Lewis , 99, died July 24, 2018. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Lynell Carpenter, and his second wife, Annie May Alston (’39). He is survived by two sons, John (’69) and Jerry (’75); and two grandchildren.