by Doug Kutilek
I suppose some present-day believers may have never heard the name of Warren W. Wiersbe, but such must be few and far between. Wiersbe, noted pastor, Bible teacher, and voluminous author, has been on the radio more or less continuously for over 50 years, first during his pastorate in Covington, KY, then at Moody Church in Chicago, and later as the chief Bible teacher of “Back to the Bible” broadcast. Though long since retired from these ministries, his messages are still rebroadcast regularly, and are decidedly worth hearing. His messages are chiefly clear and plain expositions of Bible passages, with a strong emphasis on practical application, and seasoned with a touch of humor.
Warren Wiersbe was born in East Chicago, IN, in 1929. He was always an avid reader of books in his public school years. He attended Indiana University and Roosevelt University and graduated from Northern Baptist Theological Seminary (Th. B.), a strongly conservative seminary in a theologically eroding denomination. He pastored Central Baptist Church in Chicago (1951-1957), was on the staff of Youth for Christ (1957-1961), pastored Calvary Baptist Church in Covington, KY (across the river from Cincinnati; 1961-1971), then Moody Memorial Church in Chicago (1971-1978), and finally was Bible teacher and general director at “Back to the Bible” in Lincoln, NE (1980-1990).
When the Wiersbes were moving from Chicago to Lincoln, NE, Mrs. Wiersbe informed the real estate agent they were looking for “a library with a house attached.” And that is what they found. The basement — the entire basement — of the Wiersbe home in Lincoln is now a vast sea of books, hundreds, no, thousands, and in fact many thousands of them (I would guess at least 12,000; Wiersbe admits to buying himself books for Christmas!). They are not showpieces, but well-used tools, the resources for thousands of sermons and Bible lessons, and Wiersbe’s numerous publications. Of these, we will note only a few of those we have found most valuable.
The most famous and most extensive production in Wiersbe’s voluminous writings (over 150 individual books) is his “Be” Series of commentaries on all the New Testament (Be Loyal on Matthew; Be Diligent on Mark; etc.) and parts of the Old Testament. The individual volumes have sold more than four million copies. The whole New Testament series was consolidated into two hard-back volumes, The Bible Exposition Commentary. He also produced expository outlines on the whole Bible, published in two volumes.
While at Moody Memorial Church, for six years Wiersbe wrote a regular column, “Insight for the Pastor” for the now defunct Moody Monthly magazine. These columns dealt with various practical aspects of the ministry, but especially biographical sketches — with bibliographies — of a broad spectrum of notable preachers and Christian authors. These columns (with some additional material) were compiled into two volumes — Listening to the Giants (1976), and Walking with the Giants (1980). To me, these are far and away the most informative and valuable volumes of Wiersbe’s immense output. Just get and read them.
Why Us? When Bad Things Happen to God’s People (1984) does a better job of addressing the issue of Christian suffering than any other book on the topic known to me. It is a must-read.
With the late Howard Sugden, Wiersbe co-authored Confident Pastoral Ministry (1973; original title: When Pastors Wonder How), revised and retitled as Answers to Pastors’ FAQs (2005). This is an immensely practical and helpful book of advice for pastors about the ministry.
I would be remiss if I failed to mention The Integrity Crisis (1988) and Real Worship (1986), both dealing with important issues in contemporary American Christianity.
When Mr. Wiersbe came to write his autobiography, he couldn’t help himself and ended up with the title Be Myself (1997). It is well written, informative, candid, and often funny. He doesn’t golf or follow any sports teams or have any hobbies (other than collecting books) — study, teaching, and ministry have been his life. In a 14-page appendix, he gives an annotated and candid account of most of his published works through 1997.
In the spectrum of theological beliefs and practices, Wiersbe is decidedly and thoroughly conservative and fundamental in theology. In practice, he would be properly characterized as evangelical.
As of this writing, Mr. Wiersbe is still with us in “the land of the living,” though in his mid-80s; his health is fragile, which necessitates very limited activity. When three others and I had the privilege a couple of years ago of spending two or three hours with him, he was warm, witty, informative, and clear-minded. Much of the wisdom and knowledge gained by him through decades of study, ministry, and teaching are preserved for our use and benefit in Wiersbe’s recorded spoken and written words. “The writing that men do lives after them.”