Dr. Robert Sumner passed away in December 2016. The Biblical Evangelist newspaper is no longer being published and the ministry of Biblical Evangelism has ceased operation.

The remaining inventory of his books and gospel tracts was transferred to The Baptist Tabernacle of Los Angeles and may be ordered here.

Letters We Love
Dr. Robert L. Sumner

For our first letter this time here is one from the pastor of one of our supporting churches. He was writing not only for himself, personally, but for his people:

How we praise the Lord for you and the great ministry God has entrusted to you through these many years! You have been a great example to many, many of us.

Thank you for your recent Biblical Evangelist. I especially appreciate the inspiring messages. Of course, ‘Off the Cuff’ is my favorite. Your keen insights are of great value to all of us. Enclosed is our gift for this month.

Thank you for your sweet friendship and your excellent work. With much, much gratefulness for you.

Obviously, many would not agree with those sentiments, but the fact that these people do is a great encouragement to the editor’s heart. May their number be multiplied.

And, by the way, we sure could use some more supporting churches to help with the load we carry.

Dan Buda sent the happy/sad kind of information we don’t especially like to receive. He wrote about his dad, Bob Buda:

My father went to Glory on October 13th and enjoyed reading The Biblical Evangelist for many, many years.  And he saved and clipped many articles, and used material in many of his messages.  Mom still is with us.  They had been married for 64 years. 

Mom says she wants to continue to receive The Biblical Evangelist and will continue to share it with my brother whom she lives with, as well as myself and their pastor.

Thanks for your many years of ministry which we have enjoyed in person, and by means of The Biblical Evangelist.

If my information is correct, he is not only survived by his wife, Pauline Alvena Buda, but sons Matthew David, Mark A., David Paul and Robert B., along with daughters Christi and Pauline.

He ministered in several states both as an educator and a pastor during his long and fruitful service for Christ.

We received a handwritten note from a fellow preacher almost as old as your editor – wait, no one could be that old, could they? – that warmed our heart. He penned:

“Thanks for a great paper! Keep it coming. Poor Moody Bible Institute. You represent Fundamentalism as I knew it. God bless you for it.”

While it makes me sad to say it, there are not many old-time Fundamentalists left, are there? We are raising a crop of kinder, gentler – and less militant – preachers. Perhaps their new, modern versions don’t have I Timothy 6:12; I Timothy 1:18, 19; Ephesians 6:10-18; Jude 3, 4, and such kindred passages in them. ’Tis a pity!

A pastor in North Carolina wrote: “I recently obtained a copy of your helpful booklet entitled Bible Translations. It is exactly the kind of concise treatment of the subject that I have been looking for.
I am writing to see if the booklet is available for purchase at a volume discount. I will be leading our church through a series on ‘How We Got Our Bible’ and would like to make your booklet available. I am interested in purchasing at least 20 copies – perhaps more depending on the cost.”

A longtime subscriber and friend who concurs with most of our positions, but not all, wrote: “Thank you for keeping me on the Biblical Evangelist mailing list. I always read every issue cover to cover, and then save all issues for future reference.” He went on to discuss a local church problem that is becoming more and more prevalent in our day. Even some Baptist churches have congregational government in name only, with all the decisions made by the leadership. Even where voting is still practiced, it is to vote yes or no on what the leadership has decided.

From the Tennessee border: “Can’t remember when we contributed last, or if we even responded that we do want to continue receiving The Biblical Evangelist. It has been part of our lives for many years now – not as old as you, but pushing that way. We’re glad you’re still publishing.”

Another North Carolina pastor wrote to tell of the physical problems he and his wife are passing through. His wife just had hip replacement and he just had two tumors removed from his bladder, one proving to be precancerous. Pray for them and others like them in days when there is such uncertainty in medical realms. For the Christian, His God is the Great Physician, not some bureaucrat or politician in Washington.

Longtime friends wrote kindly: “It amazes me when I read The Biblical Evangelist and your articles, how much you are in tune with the worldly events. It opened my thoughts to the truth of the happenings. We don’t always get both sides in the media today and other events we’re not even aware of. Thank you! I pray that God will continue giving you a clear and open mind till the day He calls you Home – or He returns. Our best to you and Mrs. Sumner.”

That’s all for this time, folks, but, remember, it is always right to write. We love hearing from you.