THOMAS SCHULTZ

Condolences & Memories (11 entries)

• Faith Reasons: Theologians Of Note Thomas Schultz Rev. Dr. Thomas Schultz (he said many times that the title Reverend comes before Doctor because it is the more important title) was a professor of Theology and a longtime pastor. He was not a famous theologian and never published any books (although he wrote quite a few which my family is considering having published). Still, he has had a significant impact on many, particularly including myself and my family. He was born on January 31, 1931 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Thomas Samuel and Mary Schultz. They moved to Newark, Delaware, when he was young which is where he was raised. He rose as an athlete, gaining a football scholarship at the University of Delaware but shifting later to wrestling (and becomming the East Coast US wrestling champion). He pursued a business degree and also tracked in ROTC. While in college, he was a strong and driven student desiring to make money but all that changed when he was invited to an evangelistic service led by Hays Henry. During a service he recognized his own inadequacy and weakness and his need for God's grace. While preparing to go into the Military as an officer, he realized that he was being called to the ministry. He was advised by his mentor, Presbyterian scholar and pastor John Sanderson, to avoid the conflict embroiled Presbyterian seminaries and go to Dallas Theological Seminary after his military service. While on base in El Paso, Texas, he met the woman who became his wife, Barbara Brown. They had two children, Thomas Allen Schultz who has served as a Professor of Theology and of Philosophy in Fontbonne University and St. Petersburg Theological Seminary and Tammy Schultz, a Professor of Psychology and Counseling at Grace college and now at Wheaton College. After his military service, he went on to DTS and earned his Th. D. (his M.Th. thesis under Charles Ryrie was Saving Faith In The Old Testament which showed the unity of the Gospel throughout salvation history and his dissertation under John Walvoord was The Doctrine Of The Person Of Jesus Christ With Emphasis On The Hypostatic Union (reviewed on this page) which focused on the Biblical and Theological arguments for the deity of Jesus Christ). After a pastoral position in an RPCES church (which soon merged with the PCA) he took a pastoral position at a prominent church, Elim Chapel, in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada as well as a position at Providence College and Theological Seminary teaching Systematic Theology. After years of service and some personal tragedy (within a years time, Elim was burned down by an arsonist (it was later rebuilt), his parents died of an illness, and he was divorced from his wife which he later recognized as a great personal sin), he left the ministry for a time and served as Director two of Big Brothers/Big Sisters organizations ending up in Florida again where he remarried to his 2nd wife Betty, and returned to the ministry. He ended up returning to Winnipeg where he wrote and served in pastoral ministry until he passed away from a brain tumor on January 11, 2012, just weeks before his 81st birthday, having just worked out with his weights the day before and having his sermon for the next Sunday sitting on his desk (it was a uncharacteristic topical sermon on What Heaven Will Be Like as he usually presented exegetical sermons). I present this bio on this page for a few reasons. 1st, we are featuring his Doctoral Dissertation here. 2ndly, he was my father and a great influence on both my sister and I as well as his grandchildren, Thom B.W (in grad school for Literature and considering a life in academics and missions), Benjamin E.S. (in ROTC and persuing a military career in the Champlaincy), and Shawnessey I. Schultz (a dancer and dual major in Dance and Philosophy in college). 3rdly, his struggles in his life and ministry did not stop him from continuing to serve God with his life (although he did need to pull from the ministry for a time of confession and repentance). 4thly, sometimes the not so famous can still be used greatly for the Kingdom of God and that was certainly the case with this man of God. #FRbestintheologybooks #FRtheologiansofnotebio #thomasschultz #FRapologistsbio #FRsystematictheologybookreview #FRtoptenbookreviews #FRapologeticbookreviews #counterpoints FR/TE promo FaithReasons (an Apologetic or Reasons for the Xn Faith page) or FR address: https://www.facebook.com/FaithReasons Faith Reasons II (a page that offers commentary on Xn Theology and Ethics) or FRII address: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Faith-Reasons-II/119578241577554 Copyright © 2014 Thom A. Schultz and/or FaithReasons-All rights reserved - Posted by: Thom A. Schultz (Son) on: Jun 22, 2014

• Dr Schultz had just been called to be our minister and I believe we were his first couple to be married by him at Calvary. We also had Rev. David Martin officiate with him. He was a missionary on leave from Japan. We have been married for more than 51 years now. We have two children, our oldest, Dr. Julie Nash, and her husband, Alex with her two boys, David, who will be on his way to the University of Fla. And Christopher in his final year of H.S. Our son, Herbert, just recently adopted two children along with his wife, Melanie and their daughter, Katie, and their two adopted children, praise God all biological grands are saved, hopefully the other two will soon be saved. Dr. Schultz has always been very special to us. We admire his work ethic and his study habits. He was a very learned minister of the Bible. He had set aside a certain amount of study time and prayer time. He seemed well organized and a very wise man, guided by the Holy Spirit and very thorough in his study and preaching of the Word of GOD. I'm sorry we never touched base again with him. But we will one day meet him in heaven and we will be able to thank him for his faithfulness to the leadership and preaching of the Word. God bless you all and keep you close to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, The Way, the Truth and the Life.... Because of Jesus, those who trust in Him, will be able to see the Father who gave His precious Son To pay our penalty for all our sins. Praise be to God for His unspeakable gift. - Posted by: Byron and Ellen Walls (We were married by Dr Schultz in 1962 at Calvary Presbyterian Church in Fort Lauderdale.) on: Jun 17, 2014

• I loved him so very much. We grew up together, and loved, fought, and sincerely loved each other. My brother. I could never forget him. - Posted by: Barb Bacchus (sister to Thom) on: Jan 16, 2012

• Tom Schulz had a great mind, a great heart and courage. I was blessed to have known him and remember one incident that brought out these three traits. In 1972 Dr. Shultz visited our "commune" on Spence Street. He respectfully dialogued with many who did not agree with him but were convinced of his love and compassion as he sat cross legged on the floor explaining the gospel. I am one of those who became convinced by the truth and integrity of his message and most of all by his loving intellect. - Posted by: Paul Patterson (ex-congregant Elim Chapel) on: Jan 16, 2012

• DR. SCHULTZ ALWAYS HAD TIME FOR EACH OF US IN YOUNG PEOPLES. HIS TEACHING HAD A LASTING EFFECT IN MY LIFE. MY SYMPATHY TO BETTY, TOM AND FAMILY AND TAMMY. HE WILL BE MISSED BUT IS IN THE PLACE WE ALL WILL MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY. THE LORD BE WITH ALL THE FAMILY. - Posted by: GAIL SPARK (FRIEND AND LONG TIME MEMBER OF ELIM CHAPEL) on: Jan 16, 2012

• Dr. Schultz will truly be missed by both of us. He married us, baptized both our children and help disciple us as people of God. Thom was a true man's man of God and I know he is in a better and glorious place. Now he can truly know if angels really do sing. All that theology will now become clear. We will pray for Betty and the family as they go through this difficult time. - Posted by: Cliff and Clarissa Brown (Brother and Sister in Chirst) on: Jan 15, 2012

• While I was a student at Winnipeg Bible College, Dr. Schultz taught Personal Evangelism and organized the Fishermen's Club at Elim Chapel. I was not a part of the class or the club, but our College and Elim were abuzz with the excitement of effective outreach. He was a powerful preacher and noted as a gentle and strong leader. He had a long shadow. - Posted by: David L. Robbins () on: Jan 15, 2012

• I am so sorry to hear of the passing of "Dr. Shultz". He was pastor of Elim Chapel when I made my committment to Christ in 1972. I became part of the College and Career and he baptized "sprinkled" me. I have a fond memory of playing football during a church picnic. I had to block him from getting to our quarterback. The ball was hiked and Dr. Shultz took me by the shoulders and gently laid me down to the ground and stepped over me to get to our qb. I thought that was very gentlemanly of him. I shared that story with him years later. I also was one of the people who found (during the cleanup) some of his charred books from his office that had fallen into the basement after the 1974 fire. I recall how sad I felt for him. He conducted my mother's funeral in 2004. He was a giant of a man both in stature and in Bible teaching. I still have notes from his sermons in the 70's. Tammy, Thom, Betty and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. - Posted by: Judy Lewadny (member of Elim Chapel) on: Jan 15, 2012

• Dr. Thom is going to be missed by us all. I am sure that his final judgement was truly 'academic'. - Posted by: Jon & Sheila Loose () on: Jan 14, 2012

• Betty, We offer our condolences to you in this time of grief and loss. We have never met Tom but heard so many good things about him. I'll (Anita) never forget when you came to look after our young family when my Father passed away - I never forgot that and want to let you know, how grateful I was and am for this wonderful gesture at the time of my loss. What goes around, comes around, and no doubt , you will be rewarded a thousand folds. Our sympathy to you and Tom's family - Posted by: Curt and Anita Wold (acquaintance and friend to Betty) on: Jan 13, 2012

• Dr. Schultz's memory will long be celebrated here at West Coast Church of the Cross in Sarasota, Florida. He left a wonderful legacy with us, in that he was the catalyst for the merger of a small body of believers called West Coast Community Church and a dwindling but faithful RCA Church of the Cross four years ago. Those who call this church their home have Dr. Schultz to thank for his efforts to save the little church on the circle. Thanks to Dr. Schultz's efforts, the body of Christ is growing and thriving. The earth has been left poorer, but heaven is richer for his passing. - Posted by: Pastor Kevin J. O'Hara () on: Jan 13, 2012