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JOHN HERBERT SAILHAMER
1946 - 2017
JOHN HERBERT SAILHAMER
1946 - 2017
Obituary
Guest Book
BORN
1946
DIED
2017
JOHN SAILHAMER Obituary
Dr. John Herbert Sailhamer, lion of the Word and faithful follower of Jesus, is safely Home. He passed away January 9, 2017, after a long battle with Parkinson's and Lewy Body Dementia. Loved by his family and revered by his students, John was an evangelical Old Testament scholar and theologian. His work was characterized by a consistent focus on the canonical text of the Hebrew Bible and the compositional strategies of the biblical authors. The author of over 15 books, various articles and essays, John's writing has centered on reading the Bible, the Pentateuch in particular, as a unified, coherent whole.
Born in Moline, IL on October 17, 1946, John graduated from Lakewood High School in Lakewood, CA and continued on to receive a BA from California State University, Long Beach; ThM from Dallas Theological Seminary; MA and PhD from the University of California at Los Angeles. Over his 36 year career in the classroom, John taught at Biola University, Bethel Seminary, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, Western Seminary, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary. He served his country in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970.
John was married to Patty Sailhamer (nee Engdahl) on June 12, 1971. He is survived by his wife Patty; his children David Sailhamer, Dr. Elizabeth Sailhamer Soukup (Jason), John Christian Sailhamer (Kelly), Peter Sailhamer (Angela); grandchildren Joshua Sailhamer, Sadie Soukup, Allyn Sailhamer, Samuel Soukup, John David Sailhamer, Troy Sailhamer, Simeon Soukup and Evangeline Sailhamer; brother Paul Sailhamer and sister Claudette Miller. John is preceded in death by his parents Claude and Belva Sailhamer.
A memorial service and celebration of his life will be held Friday, January 13 at 4:00 PM, First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton, north campus, at 2904 N. Brea Blvd. in Fullerton. Rev Todd Chapman of Richfield Community Church will deliver a short message. A private burial will take place near John's birthplace of Moline, IL at Kingsbury Country Cemetery. In lieu of flowers please send donations to First Evangelical Free Church (FEFC): Compassion Fund or Disability Family Fund.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Deborah Gordon
January 25, 2023
I just learned of Dr. Sailhamer's illness and death. What a loss to Biblical scholarship and the cause of Christ. John had such an ease in teaching such profound concepts: the text, and only the text; and how could the New Testament make such bold claims of Christ from the Old Testament. He made it look so simple and so obvious. We sat mesmerized in our chairs -- and entertained. I remember John would always wear polo shirts and ride to class every day on a bicycle. I asked him at one point how he ever survived Dallas Seminary, where students had to wear suits and ties. He winked and said, "I never buttoned my top button." What a treasure. How deeply sad for the church to have lost him so early. How undeservedly fortunate for us in class to have looked through the lens of his scholarship, as he opened the pages of the Hebrew Scriptures, from the first verses of Genesis on, and show us the Messiah.
Douglas Ettenborough
July 4, 2021
John was our small group teacher, at Deerfield EV Free Church in Deerfield IL, just down the way from Trinity Evangelical Seminary where he taught.
Dr Saihammer was a Blessing to everyone he taught, and we valued him very much.
God Bless You John, in His Ever Loving Arms.
Doug and Myra
[email protected]
October 24, 2018
You are not alone during this time of sorrow and pain. May God give your family strength and comfort to help you endure this loss. As you remember your beloved one, the God of peace give you comfort and peace in every way. May you find Strength from the love and care that surrounds you and comfort in the memories that you shared. Please accept my sincere condolences. 2 Thessalonians 2 15,16
Danny Phillips
December 7, 2017
Dr. Sailhamer was a gracious, humble and godly professor. I sat under his teaching while I was a student at Trinity and I am a richer person for having him as a professor.
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John Easterwood
November 12, 2017
I just came across this notice, with sorrow. When Professor Sailhamer arrive at Trinity Divinity School, I was into my second year. I appreciated my other Old Testament professors, but John fired my zeal to understand the text in exquisite detail and to see one text as part of the whole canonical gift. All the while, he showed us what the compleat Christian scholar looked like. I never saw him read an English Bible, neither old testament (his phrase of the NT) nor the older testament (his phrase for the OT). He drove us, surely but gently, to ask the right questions time and again. He taught me two great interpretive rules, "if you don't understand it, read it again." And, "Words have meaning by the company they keep." All the while, Dr. Sailhamer exuded humility and gentleness. Over the course of 16 years as pastor, I used what John taught me to attempt to preach the Scriptures. I am now working in business, but when I pick up my Hebrew Bible from time to time and work out a few lines, I know that if I make any sense of it for my good and the good of others, it is because in God's goodly providence John Sailhamer came to Trinity Divinity School. Hope for blessings and comfort to his family.
Dru Dodson
July 15, 2017
Always wanted to have tee shirts made that said "I'm a Hamer-head!" Not only was he a great prof in the classroom, he was generous with his time while I was at Trinity. We read Hans Frei together after hours . . . actually we tried to read it than Dr. Sailhamer explained it. I remember a book buying excursion to downtown Chicago with him. He was burning up a credit card buying stuff in Ugaritic . . . to read. I'm sad at his passing, praying for the family, and looking forward to the resurrection.
July 12, 2017
Blessed to have a copy of one of Dr. Sailhamer's books at home.
Praying for God's comfort for Dr. Sailhamer's family.
m.b.
Canada
Danny Camp, Jr.
May 4, 2017
Dr. Sailhamer was the most humble seminary professor that I have ever known. I speak of him frequently with the highest of respect to my friends and church. He exemplified the pursuit of biblically sound doctrine--doctrine that begins and ends with the Scripture. I will always remember his common response when one of his students would ask him a question: "Well, I don't know much about that; but . . . ." Dr. Sailhamer's "not much" was always carefully insightful and incredibly in depth; we students hung on his every word and insight. Dr. Sailhamer did not have any cute, catchy, trendy teachings or theories. Sound biblical exposition and humble application was his concern. His incredible biblical knowledge was enhanced by his genuine humility; he was always in awe of God's word and the saving message it contains. Not only did Dr. Sailhamer's life example of a sound approach to interpreting Scripture transform my own approach to understanding Scripture; his life example of genuine humility continues to influence and change me as I very often think of him in my biblical studies and personal devotional pursuits. He was a wonderful, loving husband to his very kind wife (who helped in the SEBTS Business Office when I was a student); and I saw the love he had for his children. Dr. Sailhamer was a genuine, humble believer whose biblical studies enhanced his close walk and fellowship with his Lord Jesus Christ. I am heartbroken to have just learned that Dr. Sailhamer has passed on to be with his heavenly Father. My family, church, and I will be in prayer for Mrs. Sailhamer and all of the family.
Mark Drinnenberg
April 24, 2017
Dr. Sailhamer taught me Hebrew and some OT courses at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in the late 80s. His creative and picturesque system of teaching Hebrew was amazing and very student-friendly. He was one of the best teachers I've ever had, and he seemed like he was a good man of God. Just last week, I used one of the things he taught me to frame a discussion question I had to write for a doctoral seminar I'm currently taking. I'm very glad to have had him as a prof a few times, and I'm so sorry to hear that he has passed. Yet, at the same time, I rejoice in his home-going.
April 12, 2017
John was my favorite teacher of all time. He gave clarity to difficult subjects. My wife Kathy and I babysat for John and Patti's kids when he was teaching at Bethel.
He changed the way I read Scripture.
Rick Pals
Donald Marshall
March 17, 2017
Dr. Sailhamer was such a wonderful teacher and person. He probably had a genius level I.Q. He had a quick wit. He had a tremendous grasp of the Old Testament. He was a man of God. It was a joy and privilege to take his classes and I took as many as I could at Trinity. May God enable us, his former students, to teach with the fervor and knowledge and skill that marked Dr. Sailhamer's teaching.
I volunteered to be an AWANA leader at North Suburban E. Free while I was in seminary. One year, I led a group of second graders and Dr. Sailhamer's daughter was in my group. I had announced that I was taking the kids out for pizza on the last night of AWANA. On that day, I found $20 in my student mailbox in an unmarked envelope. I always knew that the money came from Dr. Sailhamer knowing that $20 was a sacrifice for a seminary student.
May God give peace to his family.
Jason Swift
February 26, 2017
Sorry to hear about Mr. Sailhamer's passing. His family were my next door neighbors in Deerfield, IL. I grew up with his kids from Kindergarten through High School.
DON ARNOLD
January 17, 2017
John was so special in being able to convey Biblical truth in such an understandable way to those of us who were "non-academics." I loved his quirky sense of humor that I identified with so often. One of my favorite quotes from him came as a result of someone asking him what they should get out of the book of Leviticus. His classic response was: "Get out as fast as you can." A theological gem of his I still quote is the following: "God's perfect intention for man was summed up in the first two -- and last two -- chapters of the Bible. Everything in-between was a detour."
January 14, 2017
We feel personal loss because knowing John and being taught by him was such a wonderful blessing. What a good and fun man. Such a scholar who taught so students could understand. And he made us laugh--such a good sense of humor. Very sorry he suffered illness for so long. A loss to our world. Our deep sympathy to his loved ones. We are grateful to God for his life and that he is with the Lord he loves.
Roger & Roxanne Owen
North Suburban Evangelical Free Church
Gloria Grell
January 14, 2017
Dr. Sailhamer had a profound influence on my appreciation for, understanding and awe of God's Word. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity to sit under his teaching at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. I will never forget the day in a class on Psalms when he looked at us and said, "Isn't Christ enough?" Now he is in the presence of Christ, His Lord, knowing He is enough. My prayers are with his family.
Donald Coder
January 14, 2017
He was my friend and mentor. I Iook forward to being with him again.
Gregg Heinsch
January 14, 2017
My confidence in the Bible and in understanding its message grew exponentially under John's instruction. I think of him often as I work in a text of Scripture. But, I also remember how clearly his life displayed the fruit of the Spirit. Thanks be to God for the life of John Sailhamer!
Jon Peacy
January 13, 2017
I rather enjoyed the Sunday School classes in the Gym at North Sub E. Free church in Deerfield,IL - that he taught they were fresh and stimulating to this old engineer. Hope to see him soon? Jon Peacy
Don/Joyce Nelson
January 13, 2017
Dear long time friend...
Our hearts hurt for your loss of your loved one, John.. He was such a warm and gifted man of God.
We send our love and prayers on your families behalf. Due to physical issues we were sadly unable to attend service today.
Warmly,
Don and Joyce Nelson
TEDS graduation, 1988
Michael Mercer
January 13, 2017
No one taught me more about the Bible or how to study the Bible. And he always did so with grace, humility, and humor. One of my greatest heroes. May he rest in God's care, and may you, his family, find comfort and peace.
Stephen Frary
January 12, 2017
My heartfelt condolences to the Sailhamer family. Dr. Sailhamer set the standard for Evangelical scholarship. He was dedicated to knowing the mind of God by knowing the Word of God, and it was a privilege to have been one of his students.
Stephen Frary
Youngsville, NC
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