OT: Any scholars or church leaders who started studying later in life?

I'm doing a talk this week about being used of God in terms of Biblical studies and theology. One of the things I wanted to highlight is that it is never to late to start studying the Bible and being used by God in building His kingdom through the pastorate, as a leader, etc.

An example that I thought I had was A.W. Tozer. I thought I had read somewhere that he didn't really start studying until he was in his 40s, but in reading his bio today this was not the case. I'm pretty sure I read an example somewhere at some point, but it obviously was not Tozer.

I wondered if anyone knew who that might be? I have been trolling around in my Logos library and even done some internet searching, but come up with nothing. Any ideas of who I might investigate as a potential example?

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Comments

BillS

I'm not a scholar or a church "leader" (at least beyond the Presbytery level, where I have served as moderator &, later, moderator of its council).

But at age 44, I accepted God's call to begin the process of preparing for a full time pastorate. In my denomination, that means a 3-year (4 quarters/yr) seminary degree--which while employed full time to support wife/family would turn out to take me 8 years to complete. At that point, I was so close being eligible for early retirement, that I worked on as a tentmaking associate pastor ($1 pastoral compensation while employed full time in a secular job) while gaining the skills I'd need as a solo pastor. At age 55, I retired early & took a full time pastorate in a small church in tiny town USA, (pop. 3,000; nearest towns no bigger, but 25 & 35 mi away; nearest towns 40,000+, 108 & 137 mi away).

I asked God for 20 years of service, & this April I suddenly realized He's brought me half-way there.

elnwood

Just a couple come to mind. Vern Poythress briefly was a math professor (PhD Harvard).
http://www.frame-poythress.org/about/vern-poythress-full-bio/

Karen Jobes was a computer scientist.
http://www.wheaton.edu/Academics/Faculty/J/Karen-Jobes

Rosie Perera

C.S. Lewis was never a pastor or formally trained theologian, but he did start his writing of Christian books later in life, around age 40. He'd been a medieval scholar, an atheist. His conversion came in his mid-30's after he'd already established himself in the academic world at Oxford.

D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was a medical doctor before sensing a call to the preaching ministry.

Mark Barnes

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/491093#Comment_491093

Karen Jobes was a computer scientist.
http://www.wheaton.edu/Academics/Faculty/J/Karen-Jobes

So that explains why I like her writing so much!

Bruce Roth

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/491113#Comment_491113

I saw this the other day in Christianity Today.

Apparently some folks in the United Methodist Church feel the need to put an age restriction on those that might want to become pastors.

Methodists May Discourage Those Over 45 from Becoming Pastors

Texas Conference of United Methodists is proposing new age guidelines that encourage recruiting younger clergy.

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/05/methodists_may.html

Donnie Hale

I've been in the software field for 25 years. Two years ago (age 46) I started seminary, working toward an M.Div. It's looking like I'm going to accept a pastor call in the near future (meaning I'll be a platform architect, a seminary student, and a pastor - yikes!).

It's never too late, as God knows to what He has called you.

Donnie

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/491230#Comment_491230

Apparently some folks in the United Methodist Church feel the need to put an age restriction on those that might want to become pastors.

Methodists May Discourage Those Over 45 from Becoming Pastors

Texas Conference of United Methodists is proposing new age guidelines that encourage recruiting younger clergy.

http://blog.christianitytoday.com/ctliveblog/archives/2013/05/methodists_may.html

That sounds deeply misguided. People over 45 have more of a quality that younger folks don't have as much of that is a major qualification for being a good pastor: wisdom. That's a generalization, of course, but on the whole they're cutting off some of the best possible soul carers by denying ordination to those over 45. Yes, there are other ways (lay ministry) that they can use those gifts. But what a pity, when there's such a need for qualified pastors, to arbitrarily restrict the pool like that.

David Thomas

Reading here in For the Love of God I took off on a Logos search on Num 8:23-26 and found some interesting comments on the "retirement" of priests at the age of 50. Mind you, this was written when the Levites physically carried the Tabernacle and the physical demands were much different than today's pastors. Those over 50 were charged with the task of guarding what was sacred from becoming profane.

Rosie Perera

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/491955#Comment_491955

Reading here in For the Love of God I took off on a Logos search on Num 8:23-26 and found some interesting comments on the "retirement" of priests at the age of 50. Mind you, this was written when the Levites physically carried the Tabernacle and the physical demands were much different than today's pastors. Those over 50 were charged with the task of guarding what was sacred from becoming profane.

I was about to say "Also, it was written when people didn't live as long as we do now due to advances in nutrition and health care" but then I remembered Abraham and Methuselah and others.... And many of our over 50 types (in America anyway) are not all that physically fit, actually. But you're right, the job doesn't demand much physically these days, though it is demanding mentally and emotionally.

David Thomas

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/491958#Comment_491958

the job doesn't demand much physically these days, though it is demanding mentally and emotionally.

As a 48 year old pastor who has been in full-time local church ministry for 25 years. I AGREE.

Also, the task of guarding orthodoxy requires a maturity that I did not always demonstrate in my younger years. In Paul's letter to Titus he wrote different admonitions to the young and the old; but he wrote to both that they had a contribution to make!

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/491230#Comment_491230

Apparently some folks in the United Methodist Church feel the need to put an age restriction on those that might want to become pastors.

Methodists May Discourage Those Over 45 from Becoming Pastors

Most Baptist Churches in this area—SBC and Independent—refuse to call a candidate who is over 45. They all want a man 35 years old with 2 doctorates, and 40 years experience [:D] They then cry that they can't find anyone qualified.

Paul Yeager

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/491960#Comment_491960

A woman in my congregation recently told me that when she turned 50, she realized that she wanted to know the Bible better and decided to make studying the Bible a very high priority in her life. Over the years since then, she has led various studies in her home both for church members as well as her neighbors.

This woman, a dear friend, is now 101 years old. At the end of nearly every visit together, she will tell me, "Paul, I have so much to learn. God is still teaching me." It goes without saying that I've learned that it's never too late to make a fresh beginning.

Edwin Bowden

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/491974#Comment_491974

This woman, a dear friend, is now 101 years old. At the end of nearly every visit together, she will tell me, "Paul, I have so much to learn. God is still teaching me." It goes without saying that I've learned that it's never too late to make a fresh beginning.

[Y][Y]

Jack Caviness

https://community.logos.com/discussion/comment/491974#Comment_491974

It goes without saying that I've learned that it's never too late to make a fresh beginning.

I agree with that. It is often churches that are short-sighted and caught up in our culture's worship of youth.

JoshInRI

Donovan considering adding in the late ages of many in the OT who were used of God like Moses.

I am soon 52 and think I may be Moses age before I am ever ordained (with so much to catch up on and learn) but isn't it amazing how God can use us anyway?

With God no one is past their prime!

Rosie Perera

There was an article in the Wall Street Journal recently about exactly this:

For Second Careers, A Leap of Faith

Growing numbers of people see retirement as a chance to "do good" and are turning to divinity schools and a more spiritual life