The Life Of Dr. Robert L. Thomas -- By: Robert L. Thomas, Jr.

Journal: Masters Seminary Journal
Volume: TMSJ 10:1 (Spring 1999)
Article: The Life Of Dr. Robert L. Thomas
Author: Robert L. Thomas, Jr.


The Life Of Dr. Robert L. Thomas

Robert L. Thomas, Jr.

Senior Pastor
Christ Church
Lake Forest, IL

Robert Lewis Thomas was born on June 4, 1928 at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. He is the third of four children born to Thelma Hopkins Thomas and Frank Garret Thomas. They were of Welsh descent, and raised their children Frances, Frank, Robert, and Ruth in Decatur, Georgia while living in the same house for 22 years.

Dr. Thomas grew up enjoying all sports - particularly basketball. Neighborhood boys formed a team called the Hampton Lane Celtics, named for the alley behind their house. He was known for his speed and given the nickname “Rabbit,” which some friends and family still call him today. He attended Decatur Boys’ High School (1941–1945) and participated on the school basketball team, which was runner up in Georgia during his junior year.

His other interests in high school included R.O.T.C. where he served as Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel. Upon graduation from high school, Dr. Thomas enrolled in Georgia Institute of Technology where in 1949 he received his B.M.E. While in college, he became Lieutenant Colonel, Commanding Officer of the Ordnance Corps which placed him on call as an officer in the Army.

Upon completion of his college degree, Dr. Thomas moved to Chicago, Illinois where he worked at the Wilson meat packing plant while attending Moody Bible Institute evening school. In 1950, he was called into active duty in the Army and served as a First Lieutenant in Korea and in Japan.

After two years of active service, Dr. Thomas returned home and enrolled in Faith Seminary in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He taught himself Greek and did well enough on the entrance exam to be placed in a refresher course. He attended Faith Seminary from September, 1952 to January, 1953 before moving to Dallas, Texas and enrolling at Dallas Theological Seminary, where in 1956 he completed his Th.M. degree and his Th.D. degree in 1959.

Upon graduation, Dr. Thomas was hired by Talbot Theological Seminary in LaMirada, California as Professor of New Testament Literature and Exegesis. He was the first full-time faculty member hired by the Dean,

Dr. Charles Lee Feinberg, and soon became Chairman of the New Testament Department, in which capacity he served for 28 years (1959–1987). In 1987, he became Professor of New Testament at The Master’s Seminary, where he presently teaches. Dr. Thomas also serves as the Executive Editor of The Master’s Seminary Journal (1990 - present).

As a child, he attended First Methodist Church of Decatur with his family. ...

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