Lewis Sperry Chafer

Lewis Sperry Chafer (February 27, 1871 – August 22, 1952) was an American Theologian who married Ella Loraine Case on April 22, 1896. They formed a traveling evangelistic music ministry, he singing or preaching and she playing the organ. He became active in Congregational ministry in Buffalo NY, where he became associated with CI Scofield, his mentor. When Scofield died in 1921, Chafer moved to Dallas to minister at the local church where Scofield had ministered before him.

While there, Chafer and WH Griffith Thomas felt a need for a simple Bible-teaching school and founded Evangelical Theological College (later Dallas Theol. Seminary), where he was president and professor of Systematic Theology until his death in 1952.

Chafer was a champion of Dispensational Theology, and influenced future generations of men such as J Dwight Pentecost, Charles Ryrie, J Vernon McGee, and John Walvoord (the latter his successor at DTS). Chafer was recognized among his friends and peers for his balanced, simple life. He was a well-spoken and relaxed leader and not a fire & brimstone preacher. Chafer believed the basic truths for Christian living are found in Romans 5. His most well known writings include the 8 volume Systematic Theology finished in 1947.