R.I.P. Gordon D. Fee

Word has just reached me through Facebook that Gordon Fee has just passed away. Faithful readers of the blog will need no introduction to Fee’s work. He was a rare biblical scholar who made significant contributions in both textual criticism and in Pauline studies. It’s probably fair to say that he is more widely known for his commentary writing, but his text-critical work helped define the field. 

Right now, I have his book of essays on method with Eldon Epp sitting just a few feet from me on the shelf. I bought my first copy just after college and I learned a great deal from it. The most recent piece of Fee’s that I read, in fact, was from that book. It was his critique of thoroughgoing eclecticism and it provides a fitting taste of his work. It is incisive, direct, well-informed, punchy, and, to my mind, convincing. He had a reputation for not shirking from an argument and this particular essay displays that fully. It was published in a Festschrift for none other than G. D. Kilpatrick! 

I only met him once in person and it was a few years ago at a tribute session at SBL. The room was full of those who knew and admired him. I was glad I could be there. I will try to post tributes as they come, but for now, here is a summary from Regent College where he taught for many years.

Gordon Fee is Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Regent College, where he taught for sixteen years. His teaching experience also includes serving schools in Washington, California, Kentucky, as well as Wheaton College in Illinois (five years) and Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in Massachusetts (twelve years). 

Gordon Fee is a noted New Testament scholar, having published several books and articles in his field of specialization, New Testament textual criticism. He also published a textbook on New Testament interpretation, co-authored two books for lay people on biblical interpretation, as well as scholarly-popular commentaries on 1 and 2 Timothy and Titus and on Galatians, and major commentaries on 1 Corinthians and Philippians. He is also the author of a major work on the Holy Spirit and the Person of Christ in the letters of Paul. 

Gordon Fee served as the general editor of the New International Commentary series until 2012, and was on the NIV revision committee that produced the TNIV. Besides his ability as a biblical scholar, he is a noted teacher and conference speaker. He has given the Staley Distinguished Christian Scholar lectures on fifteen college campuses as well as the annual NT lectures at Southwestern Baptist Seminary, North Park Seminary, the Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary, the Canadian Theological Seminary, Duke Divinity School, Golden Gate Baptist, Anderson School of Theology, Asbury Seminary, and Chrichton College. An ordained minister with the Assemblies of God, Gordon Fee is well known for his manifest concern for the renewal of the church. 

Gordon Fee was married to Maudine, who passed away in 2014. Together they have four married children.

Please do share any personal reminiscences in the comments.

Tributes

• A lovely one from Regent College. Interesting that Fee attended Tim Keller’s church in retirement (assuming it’s the same Redeemer Presbyterian Church).
• Nijay Gupta