Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
The Baptist Paper
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • SBC 2025
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds

SWBTS Old Testament research professor dies at 79

  • March 24, 2023
  • Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary
  • Latest News, Obituaries, Texas
(Photo courtesy of SWBTS)

SWBTS Old Testament research professor dies at 79

Helmuth Pehlke, senior research professor of Old Testament at Bibelseminar Bonn, the German-based partnering seminary of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, died March 22. He was 79 years old.

“We are indeed grateful for Dr. Pehlke’s years of faithful service to our Lord and his longtime efforts to bring the Old Testament to life for students,” said David S. Dockery, interim president of Southwestern Seminary. “We celebrate his life and influence even as we offer our prayers and sympathy for his family and friends during this time of loss.”

Leaving ‘a good trail’

Heinrich Derksen, president of Biebelseminar Bonn, recalled Pehlke as a colleague and a teacher.

“He was a gifted preacher and teacher and a role model for many,” Derksen said. Derksen, who studied under Pehlke at Freie Theologische Akademie in Giessen, Germany, said he would always remember Pehlke’s words to his students: “My greatest fear in preaching is that I will speak and God will be silent!” He added that Pehlke “leaves a good trail and we pray for comfort for his dear wife and children.”

Pehlke, who served at Southwestern Seminary and Bibelseminar Bonn beginning in 2005 until he retired in 2017, held a doctor of theology and a master of theology both from Dallas Theological Seminary. Before serving at Southwestern, Pehlke was the co-promoter of the Old Testament Department at the University Kampen in Holland from 2000-2005. Additionally, he served 17 years as the chair of the Semitics and Old Testament at Freie Theologische Akademie, in addition to his faculty role as professor of Semitics and Old Testament. He served in the latter position for 22 years.

A prolific author, Pehlke penned numerous academic textbooks in the German language, and contributed articles and chapters to Begründung ethischer Normen, Jahrbuch für Evangelikale, Bibel und Gemeinde, and the Southwestern Journal of Theology, among others.

In addition to his theological academic experience, Pehlke served as a chaplain for tourist groups in Israel, a counselor for youth camps and tent missions, and served as a summer missionary to the former communist countries of Czechoslovakia and Yugoslavia.

Pehlke also holds diplomas from the Royal Society of Arts in London, the University of Cambridge extension, the Theological Division of Bibelschule Bergstrasse, and Bibelschule Brake.

Pehlke is survived by his wife of 52 years, Lore, and their children.


EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Ashley Allen and originally published by Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

Share with others:

Facebook
X/Twitter
LinkedIn
Email
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • Providing more than meals, meeting ‘critical’ need
    Providing more than meals, meeting ‘critical’ need
    July 14, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for July 20
    Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for July 20
    July 14, 2025/
    0 Comments
  • Fulani herdsmen kill, kidnap Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria
    Fulani herdsmen kill, kidnap Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria
    July 14, 2025/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Providing more than meals, meeting ‘critical’ need

For nine years, First Baptist Church in Portland has run a summer feeding program that does more than fill empty stomachs.

Bible Studies for Life Sunday School Lesson for July 20

Here’s the Bible Studies for Life Sunday School lesson commentary for July 20, written by Bobby McKay, pastor of New Liberty Baptist Church in Morton, Mississippi.

Fulani herdsmen kill, kidnap Christians in Kaduna State, Nigeria

Fulani herdsmen attacked two villages in Kaduna state, Nigeria, July 7, killing two Christians and wounding three others, after terrorizing villagers in another area in June, International-Morning Star News reported.

Texas flooding update: Baptist relief teams, churches continue to ‘walk alongside’ hurting

Baptist relief teams hit the ground running Monday (July 14) after a rough weekend of  heavy rains and flash flood warnings in Central Texas that

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2025 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

About

  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church
  • Our Team
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Donate
  • Photo Galleries
  • Contact us
  • Hosted Church

Explore

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Your State News
  • Persecuted Church
  • Editorials
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Archive
  • Submit your news

Subscribe

  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel