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
Evangelist Robert L. Sumner

A brother in Iowa, joking about one of my critics calling me “the devil himself,” wrote: “I see that you are going through a financial valley so I felt led to send along a little help [and] it does seem odd for me to be giving money to the devil, but I guess I’ll have to risk it …

“By the way, I was saved out of being raised a Jehovah’s Witness. When I went off to electrical engineering school I could not attend JW meetings due to distance so I started to read the Bible with the intention of proving to myself that this whole religion thing was a waste of time and I would eliminate it from my life from then on … I am one of many examples that shows that reading the Bible alone will change a person as it did with me.

“Take care my brother and I am praying for your health that you will have many more years of good service for our King and Savior.”

And he put feet to his prayers with a gracious gift of $200.

An Indiana preacher sent me, at his wife’s request, the obituary of Harry Ironside’s daughter (see ‘Memorial’ section) and chatted about other mutual acquaintances. He wrote, in part:

“I appreciate your publication The Biblical Evangelist and look forward to receiving it. I wish it were published more often. [Editor: have some millionaire give us $500,000 and we’ll publish weekly! In fact, since this is ‘theoretical,’ have him give us a million!]

“Some time ago you mentioned an Aunt Hazel in connection with Berea Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida. This reminded me that I also knew Aunt Hazel and her husband. I was led to Christ by Bob Ezell while stationed at the NAS Jacksonville. After Bob led me to Christ, he influenced me to begin attending the Berea Baptist Church where I was subsequently immersed by Brother Bob Ingle. This all occurred in February and March of 1952. [Editor: I held meetings there with Ingle January 16-30, 1955.]

“I went on to finish my enlistment and graduate from Tennessee Temple College and Seminary in 1962. I have many fond memories of Aunt Hazel and the brethren of Berea. These kind folks would often have us sailors over for Sunday dinner and sometimes we would spend a Saturday night with them.

“You and I also know another person in common, Bob Fleming … he was my pastor when I was stationed at the Naval Auxiliary Air Station in Sanford, Florida. At that time he pastored the Orlando Baptist Temple. Some years later he had a part in my wedding in Tampa. After a very brief honeymoon, my wife and I stopped off to visit Bob on our way back to Chattanooga where I was attending Temple College. At the time, you were involved in a revival at Bob’s church and it was then we had the privilege of meeting you.

“I have appreciated your ministry over the years and have read your sermons in The Sword of the Lord and The Biblical Evangelist …

“I am 76, retired, and live in Plainfield not far from Bethesda Baptist Church which is very dear to your heart, along with Pastor Don Tyler, who is now with the Lord.” Amen!

Wasn’t that a nice letter?

A couple in the same state sent a note: “This is to let you know how much we enjoy reading The Biblical Evangelist. It brings encouragement and we are blessed with each issue we receive. Please continue to send the magazine to us.” And they enclosed an offering to help with expenses.

From Michigan came an appreciation: “Thank you for continuing to print the paper The Biblical Evangelist. I appreciate your effort in preaching the true Word and keeping your reader up-to-date on what is happening in the Christian world.

“At times I am glad at what I read, however, there are times that I am saddened at what is happening to [he mentioned Cornerstone College in Grand Rapids in particular okaying social drinking for faculty and staff] …

“Thank you for still printing the truth and for the book [Fights I Didn’t Start … and some I did]. It was very enlightening and answered a lot of questions about what had happened to preachers I had lost track of.”

He also enclosed a very nice offering.

From Ghana, West Africa, a Baptist pastor wrote, among other nice things, “As the year comes to a close I wish to thank you for the gifts of your books and The Biblical Evangelist which uplifts our Lord so high and also expounds His Word so truthfully. Thank you for your impact of your ministry upon my life through your generosity. Amen and Amen.

“I wish you all God’s richest blessing.” He also sent Mrs. Sumner and me a nice Christmas card wishing “Your vessels will be filled to the brim and your jar of oil will never run dry.” Amen to that.

A preacher in West Virginia, experiencing physical and shut-in difficulties, wrote, among other things: “I forgot to send in a letter of how much I love your paper and it is a help especially now. We had 50 inches of snow since December 18. No church because of snow for 2 weeks. I missed a third because of a leg injury. So it is a help to me. I will say normally my favorites are the book reviews and Off the Cuff.”

A brother in Florida wrote: “Either in your publication or in a letter please give me clear definitions of soul, spirit and body as found in I Thessalonians 5:23. I especially need clear, separate definitions on soul and body.

“I appreciate everything published in The Biblical Evangelist. I pass each issue on for others to read. Keep sending it.”

We could renew an age-old controversy here, namely, is man a dichotomous or trichotomous being? My favorite theologian leaned to the former; I have always held the latter, based partly on this text and partly on the fact that man was made in the image of God, who is a Trinity. In short, good men can differ.

The body is easiest to explain. That is our physical being – bone, flesh and blood. It is the ‘home,’ the dwelling place – Paul called it the tabernacle – for soul and spirit. When the latter leave that home, the person is dead.

The soul is the real person, the real you. It has to do with our mind (intellect), our will and our emotions. Animals have souls, but theirs react mostly on instinct and training. It is the soul of man that gives him a conscience and the ability to discern right from wrong.

The spirit, as is the soul, the opposite of body, is not flesh or physical substance of any kind. God considers His creation of man’s spirit in the same vein as His creation of the world, as Zechariah 12:1 makes clear: “The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.” This is the part of man unique to humanity, different from animals and all the beasts of the earth, the part that makes him God-conscious. It is created by God in each individual at conception.

That the spirit is different from the soul seems clear to me from the text about the Bible in Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” The soul and spirit can be divided.

Admittedly, not all evangelicals see the above the same, but you asked for my explanation. I trust it helps.

From Georgia came a note from a retired preacher: “I hope this will help. I preached at a little church and they gave me $50. I am sending you $20. I’ve been retired for thirteen years, but never from preaching when I’m able. I have cancer and need your prayers. I would like to have the book. I’m thankful for the good fights you have fought. I am in your corner.”

Wasn’t that nice? We are glad to have a man like him in our corner. And pray with him about the cancer.

Dear friends in Florida wrote: “I pray this note will find The Biblical Evangelist in BETTER financial shape than last month. Once again I say, ‘I just want to receive your paper.’ It means so much to us. We look forward to receiving it and reading every news item plus. Keep up the good work.”

A former Navy chaplain, missionary, and faithful missionary leader in Alabama wrote: “Enclosed is a check for $100 for the paper. Your editorial about closing down the B.E. brought me much personal concern. I have always appreciated your honesty and boldness in reporting the issues of the day, and am grateful to the Lord for giving you health and years. Keep it going if at all possible, and continue to report it as it is.”

Is there another way and still be faithful to Christ? The same brother and his wife sent a follow-up after receiving the Fights book, “Your book is most helpful. The facts are the facts. Great. May His grace continue to meet your every need.”

A couple of the Lord’s servants in Ohio wrote: “We are responding to the article in The Biblical Evangelist and the uncertainty as to whether you will be able to continue publishing the paper. We, like so many others, are praying that the needed funds to continue publishing will come in. If not and you must discontinue publishing, we simply would like to thank you for the blessing this paper is and has been to us over the years. It is an encouragement to us to see a man of your years, not to speak of the health problems, bear the burden of publishing this paper almost single-handed and to invest your own personal funds to support this paper.

“We thank God for enabling you to continue this ministry for this long and are praying that He will give you the physical, and spiritual strength, and provide the needed funds to continue. I thank you for your integrity, your fairness and determination to take a stand against apostate religion, and religious leaders, regardless of the personal stress you must have endured.

“Thank you for the books you have written. I have a number of them and I enjoy reading them and am edified by them. Please find enclosed a check for $100 that we are hoping will be of help.”

Boy, was it!

Have you written lately? As we’ve often said, ‘It’s right to write!’