Castle Church Discussion on D. James Kennedy Dies at 76

Al Mohler's Tribute to Dr. D. James Kennedy

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 19:05:27 GMT

As many of you may already know, Dr. D. James Kennedy, well-known pastor, teacher, and evangelist died September 5th at his home in Florida after having suffered a cardiac arrest last December.

Many Christians world-wide have been influenced by Dr. Kennedy, not the least of whom is Dr. Albert Mohler, who remembered Kennedy in this personal tribute titled "Excellency in All Things, and All Things to God's Glory—The Legacy of Dr. D. James Kennedy," Here is a portion of that tribute:

"My indebtedness to Dr. Kennedy is very personal. I was a young Southern Baptist who as a teenager had serious questions about the big issues of the Christian faith. Dr. Kennedy's ministry at Coral Ridge addressed those big questions. He was unafraid to take on the intellectual challenges of the faith. He was kind to a Baptist teenager, introducing me to Francis Schaeffer and dignifying my questions. He clearly enjoyed talking theology and he was the first person I had ever met who demonstrated this joy. He was kind. I was hooked. In no small way my own calling as a theologian can be traced to Dr. Kennedy's influence. I was inspired by his intellectual engagement and motivated by his vision of excellence for God's glory."

Mohler Remembers James Kennedy

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 08:35:13 GMT

(Author: John Piper)

The death of James Kennedy on September 5 is marked by Al Mohler with more than the usual recollections about a leader's great achievements. There is the personal touch on Dr. Mohler's life that adds the kind of thing we love to hear about a great leader:

My indebtedness to Dr. Kennedy is very personal. I was a young Southern Baptist who as a teenager had serious questions about the big issues of the Christian faith. Dr. Kennedy's ministry at Coral Ridge addressed those big questions. He was unafraid to take on the intellectual challenges of the faith. He was kind to a Baptist teenager, introducing me to Francis Schaeffer and dignifying my questions. He clearly enjoyed talking theology and he was the first person I had ever met who demonstrated this joy. He was kind. I was hooked. In no small way my own calling as a theologian can be traced to Dr. Kennedy's influence. I was inspired by his intellectual engagement and motivated by his vision of excellence for God's glory.

On the Homegoing of D. James Kennedy

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 06:05:13 GMT

(By John MacArthur)

On behalf of Patricia and our family, together with all the families of Grace Community Church and our extended ministries, let me take an opportunity to express our profound sadness at the news that D. James Kennedy died this morning. Our mourning is mingled with gladness and gratitude for the continuing influence of Dr. Kennedy’s life and teaching, for the privilege of having known him and learned from him, and for the assurance that he is in the presence of Christ even now, worshiping his Savior and enjoying the glories of heaven. The church of Christ worldwide will feel the loss of his leadership. So we stand in quiet sorrow alongside Dr. Kennedy’s family and the people of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church, and we pray for God’s comforting grace.

We remember Dr. Kennedy with deep gratitude for his clear voice, for his courage in the defense of truth, and for his relentless energy. But we remember him most fondly for his work in the ministry of evangelism. Dr. Kennedy was remarkably effective in training people how to present the gospel clearly and persuasively. He was therefore uniquely blessed as the human instrument though which countless souls have heard the gospel and multitudes of Christians have been trained to share it with others. The rippling effects of that ministry will surely extend beyond anything Dr. Kennedy himself could ever have imagined. Christ taught us that all heaven rejoices whenever one soul repents. Jim Kennedy’s earthly work must have contributed immeasurably to heaven’s joy, and I have every confidence that as he entered into that joy this morning, he heard the Master’s words: “Well Done.”

Dr. D. James Kennedy Dead at 76…

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 01:05:16 GMT

An official with the American Family Association says Dr. D. James Kennedy will be remembered as a champion of God’s truth. The 76-year-old pastor died this morning in his sleep at his home in Fort Lauderdale with his wife by his side. The voice of the man known as “most listened-to Presbyterian minister in the [...]

"Excellence in All Things and All Things to God's Glory" -- The Legacy of Dr. D. James Kennedy

Thu, 06 Sep 2007 00:05:20 GMT

The death of Dr. D. James Kennedy is yet another reminder of what the hymn writer Isaac Watts saw when he wrote that "time, like an ever rolling stream, bears all its sons away." Dr. Kennedy died this morning at his home in Ft. Lauderdale. He had been out of the public eye since suffering a significant cardiac arrest in January.

James Kennedy founded the Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church in 1959, the year I was born. Within just a few short years the church became one of the nation's largest Presbyterian congregations. Along the way he established a host of affiliated ministries. He taught thousands of Christians how to share their faith, one on one, through Evangelism Explosion. He reached millions through his television ministry, "The Coral Ridge Hour." He educated generations of children and youth through Westminster Academy and trained ministers through Knox Theological Seminary.

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D. James Kennedy (1930-2007)

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 21:19:38 GMT

First thing I saw when I logged on this AM was a notice about the death of Dr Kennedy. This isn't the time to begin evaluating his life and ministry. That will come later. Today we grieve and rejoice with his family and congregation. We grieve with them for their loss. We rejoice with them in the hope of the gospel and the resurrection.

Kennedy taught millions to ask the question, "Suppose you were to die today and stand before God and He were to say to you, 'Why should I let you into My heaven?' what would you say?" We know, of course, what Dr Kennedy's answer was. He made that abundantly clear from the pulpit: I am resting on Christ and his finished work for me.

Today Dr Kennedy knows what it is to stand glorified before his glorious Savior clothed in that perfect righteousness .

The pilgrimage is over. Welcome home Jim Kennedy.

D. James Kennedy With The Lord

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 19:05:14 GMT

Read here.

Please Pray for the Kennedy Family

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:57:02 GMT

The Rev. Dr. D. James Kennedy passed into glory early this morning. Please pray for the immediate and the church family.

D. James Kennedy Dies at 76

Wed, 05 Sep 2007 16:05:27 GMT

Influential conservative leader Dr. D. James Kennedy died Wednesday morning, church officials ...