David Pawson

J. David Pawson (25 February 1930 – 21 May 2020)[1] was an evangelical minister, writer and prominent Bible teacher based in the United Kingdom.

David Pawson
Born(1930-02-25)25 February 1930
Northeast England
Died21 May 2020(2020-05-21) (aged 90)
OccupationInternational bible expositor, theologian, pastor, previously chaplain
NationalityBritish
Alma materDurham University & Cambridge University
GenreChristian apologetics, Evangelist
SubjectBible study (Christian)
Website
www.davidpawson.org

Biography

According to his autobiography,[1] Pawson's immediate ancestors were all farmers, Methodist preachers or both, dating back to John Pawson, a friend and follower of John Wesley. His father, Henry Cecil Pawson FRSE (1897–1978), was head of Agriculture at Durham University and Vice President of the Methodist conference.[2] From his childhood in the north of England David Pawson had wanted to be a farmer, but by the time he had completed his studies for a BSc in Agriculture at Durham University, he felt God was calling him into full-time Christian ministry. He then studied for an M.A. in theology at Wesley House, Cambridge, and subsequently joined the Royal Air Force as a chaplain, serving in Aden.

After leaving the RAF he served as a Methodist minister[1], but became increasingly uncomfortable with the idea of infant baptism. After appearing before a doctrinal committee of the Methodist church, he volunteered to leave the denomination, and did so. Shortly thereafter he accepted an invitation to become the pastor of Gold Hill Baptist Church in Buckinghamshire[1].

Later, as pastor of Guildford Baptist Church ('Millmead', which he helped to design),[3] he established a reputation among both evangelicals and charismatics as a Bible teacher. From here his teaching tapes – originally made for the church's sick and elderly members – became popular worldwide. Under his ministry, Millmead became one of the largest Baptist churches in the United Kingdom.

Pawson left Millmead in 1979 and engaged in an itinerant worldwide Bible teaching ministry predominantly through seminars for church leaders in Asia, Australia[4], Africa, England, Europe, and the United States. Millions of copies of his teachings have been distributed in more than 120 countries. He was a writer and speaker with a reputation of urgency, clarity, and uncompromising faithfulness to the Scriptures. His extensive and very accessible overviews of the books of the Bible have been published and recorded in Unlocking the Bible, available on CDs, DVDs, and YouTube. He is widely considered to be one of the world's finest biblical expositors. Pawson passed away on Ascension Day, 21 May, 2020 at the age of 90.

Teachings

In The Normal Christian Birth, Pawson argued that a biblical initiation into Christianity should involve more than the simple "Sinner's Prayer". Whilst accepting the fundamental basis of salvation by faith, he argued that the Biblical model of a person's "birth" into God's kingdom included aspects which are frequently ignored or forgotten today. He proposed four principal steps: repentance towards God; believing in Jesus; baptism in water; and receiving the Holy Spirit. This, according to Pawson, is the biblical pattern for a "normal Christian birth". According to the book itself, "David Pawson advocates a synthesis of the 'liberal' emphasis on repentance, the 'evangelical' on faith, the 'sacramental' on baptism and the 'pentecostal' on the Spirit." This book has been influential and is taught at a number of theological seminaries and mission stations.

In Leadership is Male, he teaches that leadership is a role given by God to men. In so doing, he criticizes men for not taking proper responsibility in important aspects of family and church life. He argues that modern men too often neglect their social obligations and should return to the Biblical model of manhood. This book's foreword was written by a woman, Elisabeth Elliot.

In The Road to Hell, Pawson is critical of Annihilationism, the teaching that the punishment of hell is not eternal. He teaches that people who go to hell experience eternal suffering. According to the book itself, by "challenging the modern alternatives of liberal 'universalism' and evangelical 'annihilationism', David Pawson presents the traditional concept of endless torment as soundly biblical."

In Unlocking the Bible, Pawson presents a book by book study of the whole Bible. The book is based on his belief that the Bible should be studied, as it was written, "a book at a time" (certainly not a verse, or even a chapter at a time), and that each book is best understood by discovering why and for whom it was written. It is based on an arranged series of talks in which he set out the background, purpose, meaning and relevance of each book of the Bible, and was transcribed into written form by Andy Peck. The groundwork for this study was laid in the 1960s and 70s, when Pawson took his congregation through nearly half of the Old Testament and all of the New Testament line by line (recordings of those studies are still distributed).

In When Jesus Returns, he critically considers in the light of scripture the major views on eschatology popular in the church today, specifically the preterist, historicist, futurist and idealist schools of interpreting the Book of Revelation. He rejects postmillennialism in favour of a premillennial understanding of the Second Coming, so that Jesus will return bodily in power immediately before his reign over the world for a millennium from Jerusalem. He asserts that the supernatural taking up of believers alive at this time (following the 'tribulation' period of persecution), so as to join the returning Christ, fulfils the Rapture prophecies; he argues against a pre-tribulation timing of the rapture. He further argues that the return of the Jews to the Holy Land is a fulfilment of scriptural prophecy, and that prophecies spoken about Israel relate specifically to Israel (not to the church), so that the outstanding prophecies about Israel will be fulfilled before the end of the age.

In Jesus Baptises in One Holy Spirit, Pawson discusses the evidence for the Baptism in the Holy Spirit as a separate event from believing, repentance and water baptism. He argues that a believer does not receive the indwelling Holy Spirit until s/he is baptized in the Spirit, a distinct experience evidenced by charismatic gifts such as prophecy or tongues. This differs from the evangelical view that the Spirit is automatically received when a person believes, and the Pentecostal view that receiving the indwelling Spirit (at conversion) and receiving the Baptism in the Spirit are two experiences with different purposes.

In The Challenge of Islam to Christians, Pawson documents the present rapid rise of Islam in the West. He explains what Islam is, arguing that its rejection of Jesus Christ's divinity mean the two faiths cannot be reconciled, and he proposes a Christian response, based on the church purifying itself. The book details Pawson's testing of his premonition that Britain would become Islamic. In comparing the situation to that portrayed by the Hebrew prophet Habakkuk, Pawson implies that the rise of Islam could be impending judgement for the immorality into which Western churches and secular humanist society has sunk.

In Once Saved, Always Saved?, Pawson uses scripture to question the frequent evangelical claim that someone who has once believed in Jesus Christ will end up with Christ in heaven whatever that person subsequently believes or does. (Twelve years earlier, another evangelical, RT Kendall, summed up this claim in a book having the same title without a question mark.) Pawson points to the need to persevere in faith, and to the repeated exhortations in scripture to do so.

In Word and Spirit Together: Uniting Charismatics and Evangelicals (a revision of Fourth Wave), Pawson calls for an end to the division between charismatic and Evangelical Christians over the issue of Spiritual Baptism and charismatic gifts. He argues that the charismatic gifts are for the church today but that their practice should be built on a solid scriptural basis. He therefore argues that the two groups should learn from each other, to the benefit of both.

In Defending Christian Zionism, Pawson puts the case that the return of the Jews to the Holy Land is a fulfilment of scriptural prophecy, and that Christians should support the existence of the Jewish State (although not unconditionally its actions) on theological grounds. He also argues that prophecies spoken about Israel relate specifically to Israel (not to the church, as in "replacement theology"). However he criticises Dispensationalism, a largely American movement holding similar views about Israel. Pawson's book Israel in the New Testament continues the Christian Zionist theme.

Pawson wrote a number of Commentaries where he went through an entire book of the Bible in detail. This series is based on the preaching of David Pawson to his congregation back in the 60s and 70s. This series, which includes almost all of the books of the New Testament Books and selected books of the Old Testament, was added to on a regular basis.

Works

Pawson was the author of more than 80 books, produced more than 300 teaching videos and more than 1500 audio recordings.

  • Pawson, David; Buchanan, Colin O. (1976). Infant baptism under cross-examination. Grove booklets on ministry and worship. 24. Bramcote, UK: Grove Books. ISBN 9780901710895. OCLC 2875351.
  • ——— (1977). Truth to tell. Hodder Christian paperbacks. London: Hodder and Stoughton. ISBN 9780340212912. OCLC 14561915.
  • ——— (1988). Leadership is Male. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978-1-909886-67-4.
  • ——— (1989). The Normal Christian Birth. Hodder. ISBN 978 0 340489 72 7.
  • ——— (1992). The Road to Hell. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 59 9.
  • ——— (1993). Understanding Water Baptism. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 24 3.
  • ——— (1993). Fourth wave: charismatics and evangelicals, are we ready to come together?. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 9780340580424. OCLC 28114208. - later published as Word and spirit together : uniting Charismatics and Evangelicals
  • ——— (1993). Explaining the Resurrection: The Heart of Christianity. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 30 4.
  • ——— (1995). Is the blessing Biblical? : thinking through the Toronto phenomenon. London: Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 9780340661475. OCLC 34788723.
  • ——— (1995). When Jesus Returns. Hodder. ISBN 978 0 340612 11 8.
  • ——— (1996). Once Saved, Always Saved?. Hodder. ISBN 978 0 340610 66 4.
  • ——— (1997). Jesus Baptises in One Holy Spirit: Who? How? When? Why?. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 66 7.
  • ——— (2003). Unlocking the Bible. Harper Collins. ISBN 978 0 007166 66 4.
  • ——— (2003). The Challenge of Islam to Christians. Hodder. ISBN 978 0 340861 89 9.
  • ——— (2008). Defending Christian Zionism. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 31 5.
  • ——— (2008). Living in Hope. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 65 0.
  • ——— (2009). Israel in the New Testament. Bradford on Avon, UK: Terra Nova. ISBN 9781901949643. OCLC 352935544.
  • ——— (2009). Why does God allow Natural Disasters?. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 58 2.
  • ——— (2006). Christianity Explained. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 64 3.
  • ——— (2010). Come with me through Isaiah. Bradford on Avon, UK: Terra Nova. ISBN 9781901949681. OCLC 670190108.
  • ——— (2017). Unlocking the Bible - Charts, Diagrams and Images. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 17 5.
  • ——— (n.d.). Not as bad as the truth. Hodder. ISBN 978 0 340864 27 2.
  • ——— (n.d.). Angels. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 02 5.
  • ——— (n.d.). ‘By God, I Will’ – The Biblical Covenants. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 21 6.
  • ——— (n.d.). The Character of God. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 34 6.
  • ——— (n.d.). Completing Luther's Reformation. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 26 7.
  • ——— (n.d.). The God and the Gospel of Righteousness. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 68 1.
  • ——— (n.d.). Is John3:16 the Gospel?. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 62 9.
  • ——— (n.d.). Jesus: the Seven Wonders of HIStory. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 24 7.
  • ——— (n.d.). Kingdoms in conflict. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 04 9.
  • ——— (n.d.). Loose Leaves from my Bible. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 55 1.
  • ——— (n.d.). The Lord's Prayer. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 71 1.
  • ——— (n.d.). The Maker's Instructions. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 30 8.
  • ——— (n.d.). Practising the Principles of Prayer. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 63 6.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Preacher's Legacy. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 27 4.
  • ——— (n.d.). Remarriage is Adultery Unless…. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 22 3.
  • ——— (n.d.). Simon Peter – the Reed and the Rock. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 23 0.
  • ——— (n.d.). What the Bible says about the Holy Spirit. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 54 4.
  • ——— (n.d.). Where is Jesus Now? And what is he doing?. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 78 6.
  • ——— (n.d.). Where has the Body been for 2000 Years?. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 20 9.
  • ——— (n.d.). Understanding the Second Coming. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 23 6.
  • ——— (n.d.). Understanding the Resurrection. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 22 9.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on the Gospel of MARK. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 26 1.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on the Gospel of Luke. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 21 2.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on the Gospel of John. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 27 8.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on ACTS. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 38 4.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on ROMANS. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 78 0.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on 1 & 2 CORINTHIANS. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 95 7.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on GALATIANS. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 29 2.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on EPHESIANS. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 98 8.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on PHILIPPIANS. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 74 2.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on 1 & 2 THESSALONIANS. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978-1-909886-73-5.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on The Personal Letters: 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978-1-909886-70-4.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on HEBREWS. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978-1-909886-33-9.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on JAMES. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978-1-909886-72-8.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on 1 & 2 PETER. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 79 7.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on the LETTERS OF JOHN. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978-1-909886-69-8.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on JUDE. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 28 5.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on the BOOK OF REVELATION. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978-1-909886-25-4.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on GENESIS 1–25. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978-1-911173-82-3.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on EXODUS. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 85 4.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on DANIEL. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 06 9.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on ZECHARIAH. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 38 0.
  • ——— (n.d.). A Commentary on JEREMIAH. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 76 2.
  • ——— (n.d.). Come with me through ISAIAH. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 61 2.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining Building a New Testament Church. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 69 4.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining the Key Steps to Becoming a Christian – Second Edition. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 87 8.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining the Amazing Story of Jesus. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 29 8.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining Being Anointed and Filled with the Holy Spirit. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 18 2.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining De-Greecing the Church. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 20 5.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining End Times. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 46 5.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining Eternally Secure?. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 19 9.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining Grace. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 84 1.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining How to Study a Book of the Bible: Jude. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 34 2.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining New Testament Baptism Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 33 5.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining Studying the Bible. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 31 1.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining the Trinity. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 07 6.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining the Truth about Christmas – Revised Edition. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 77 9.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining Three texts often taken out of context. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 909886 85 8.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining What the Bible says about money. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 35 9.
  • ——— (n.d.). Explaining What the Bible says about work. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 36 6.
  • ——— (n.d.). Introducing Genesis. Anchor Recordings Ltd. ISBN 978 1 911173 80 9.      
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References

Citations
  1. Pawson 2006.
  2. Pawson 1973.
  3. Guildford Baptist Church 2012.
  4. Mullaly 1985.

Sources
  • Guildford Baptist Church (2012). "A history of Guildford Baptist Church". Guildford Baptist Church. Retrieved 4 September 2019.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Mullaly, Rosemary (1985). "Visiting English minister says Australians are ignoring God". The Age.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Pawson, H Cecil (1973). Hand to the Plough: A Personal Record. Denholm House. ISBN 0-85213-066-X.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  • Pawson, David (2006). Not as Bad as the Truth: Memoirs of an Unorthodox Evangelical. Hodder Headline. ISBN 0-340-86427-3.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
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