Honoring Dr. Earl D. Edwards (13 April 1933 – 13 September 2025)

For ninety-two treasured years the Lord has richly blessed the world through his godly servant Earl D. Edwards. Missionary, gospel preacher, Bible teacher, evangelist, elder, professor, scholar, author, mentor; Christian husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather. This gallant man of God departed from this temporal life following a day of door-knocking to set up Bible studies and less than a week after his last sermon. He kept a record of the sermons he preached over the years, from 2nd June 1952 to 7th September 2025, totaling 7,629.

Impact on My Life (and Countless Others!)

Bro. Edwards started teaching at Freed-Hardeman College when I was an undergraduate student in the Social Work program and developing an interest in missions. He invited me to participate in a Spring Break campaign to Toronto, Canada, working mainly in an Italian community. This was the first time I had ever been outside the United States, and it significantly broadened my horizons. We learned basic Italian phrases for door-knocking, inviting people to study the Bible and to attend a gospel meeting, which bro. Edwards preached in Italian. He asked me to lead the singing, in Italian, which I reluctantly did, strictly following the words on the page!

My interest in missions continued to grow, so my final semester I enrolled in bro. Edwards’ “World Missions” class, which I think was the only missions class offered at the time. My research project focused on the Lord’s work in New Zealand, and the things I learned coupled with bro. Edwards’ influence led me to make the decision on the last day of class to devote my life to full-time evangelistic work in New Zealand.

Years later bro. Edwards brought the first Freed-Hardeman campaign group to NZ while I was working with the church in Wellington, which instilled in me the inspiration to organize and coordinate future FHU-NZ campaigns. He then invited me to serve as Freed-Hardeman’s missionary-in-residence and offered a scholarship to study in the Graduate School of Theology. I got to take some of his classes and still treasure his class notes. When my thesis advisor got sick, bro. Edwards stepped in for a time to offer critiques and then served on the oral comps panel. He didn’t make it easy but was gracious!

Worthy of Honor

For years bro. Edwards has been affectionately referred to as the fifteenth apostle. Although spoken in jest, and I’m pretty sure he didn’t like the comparison, the admiration and respect he has earned from all who knew him made the comparison somewhat legitimate. He never seemed to slow down. He was always busy in the Lord’s work. Like the apostle Paul, he “labored more abundantly than they all” and would be the first to admit, “yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:10).

While we are eternally grateful for his life, service, and the incredible impact he has made, we are also thankful that he has now entered his long-anticipated and well-deserved rest, joining Ms. Gwen, Ms. Lora, and a host of heroes and heroines of faith who have gone on before him. In fact, if the eleventh chapter of Hebrews were written today, I’m pretty sure Earl D. Edwards would be included.

--Kevin L. Moore

Related: Obituary: Earl D. Edwards 

 

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Faith Exemplified (Hebrews 11:1-40): Part 2

The Faith of Abraham and Sarah

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore” (Hebrews 11:8-12, NKJV).

“By faith Abraham¹ obeyed …” (v. 8a), affirming that biblical faith is working, active, obedient (cf. Jas. 2:14-26; Gal. 5:6; 1 Thess. 1:3; 2 Thess. 1:11; etc.). Abraham’s faith did not rest on what he had personally seen or experienced (cf. vv. 1, 3, 6) but on what God had promised (vv. 8b-9),² though his faith made him just as sure and certain as if he had actually seen and experienced the fulfilled promise. And Abraham’s faith was so strong, impactful, and influential that it passed on to his son and grandson (v. 9b; cf. vv. 18-21).

Abraham expectantly waited [ekdechomai] for a habitation having foundations, whose architect/builder/maker is God (v. 10; cf. 8:2); “the city,” as opposed to the many fortified cities of the land of Canaan at the time, having “foundations” (plural) – large, immovable, and in contrast to Abraham’s temporary tent-dwellings (cf. 13:14). It is planned, prepared, and built by God. In Hebrews that which is God-made in contrast to what is man-made is “heaven itself” (cf. v. 16; 8:2; 9:11, 24). Abraham apparently had some realization and expectation of a reward beyond this life.

By faith Sarah herself conceived and bore a child in her old age (v. 11). She initially disbelieved (Gen. 18:9-15), but eventually her faith developed and conquered her doubts. The reason she was able to have a child was because she trusted in God to do what he promised to do (v. 11b). “Therefore” [dió], because of Abraham and Sarah’s faith, in the face of what appeared to be insurmountable odds God was able to accomplish great things through them; multitudes came from this once-barren couple (v. 12; cf. Gen. 15:5; 22:17; 32:12).

Knowing Beyond Seeing

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16).

Faith sees beyond present, physical circumstances (vv. 13-16). Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and Jacob all died without actually inheriting the promised land. But their faith enabled them to look beyond this temporal life, and even beyond any temporal promise; they were content to be strangers, pilgrims, and exiles on the earth (v. 13). Their faith kept them patiently marching forward through life (vv. 14-15):³ looking for something better and determined not to return from whence they came (cf. 3:8-12; 4:1-11; 6:6; 10:25-26, 35). Their ultimate goal was heaven (v. 16).

Demonstrated Faith

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, of whom it was said, ‘In Isaac your seed shall be called,’ concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense” (Hebrews 11:17-19).

Because of Abraham’s faith (vv. 17-19), he knew that God would keep his promises (Gen. 12:1-3) despite the inexplicable command to sacrifice his son. God was not asking Abraham to do anything that he was not willing to do himself! (cf. John 3:16; Rom. 8:32). This was a test of Abraham’s faith (v. 17), and Abraham believed in God’s power to raise the dead (v. 19; cf. Gen. 22:5). Note the parallels:

o   Isaac was Abraham’s monogenēs (“unique, one of a kind”),⁴ as Jesus was God’s monogenēs (John 1:14; 3:16, 18).

o   Abraham was to offer his son as a sacrifice, as Jesus was offered as a sacrifice (cf. 7:27; 9:12, 14; 10:10).

o   God had the power to raise Isaac from the dead (which he did figuratively, v. 19), as Jesus was raised from the dead (Mark 16:9; Acts 1:3; 2:24, 30-32; 3:15; etc.).

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ Cf. Gen. 15:6; Neh. 9:7-8; Rom. 4:1-3; Gal. 3:6-9; Jas. 2:21-23.

     ² “He tore himself loose from his own country, his family and his friends, venturing out on the call of God. ‘It was, therefore, no attractive account of Canaan which induced him to forsake Mesopotamia, no ordinary emigrant’s motive which moved him, but mere faith in God’s promise’ [Dods 355]. That he went out not knowing his destination – his faith was tested by the unknown – underscores the magnitude of his trust” (N. Lightfoot, Jesus Christ Today 209-10).

     ³ Great example of endurance, perseverance, steadfastness (cf. 2:1; 3:14; 4:11; 6:11; 10:23, 36).

     ⁴ Compare Gen. 16:15; 25:1-6.

Related Posts: Faith Exemplified Part 1

 

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Faith Exemplified (Hebrews 11:1-40): Part 1

Faith Defined

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible” (Hebrews 11:1-3, NKJV).

The word “faith” [pistis] occurs twenty-four times in this chapter, with forty-one occurrences of the pistis word-group in Hebrews. Faith is the hupóstasis,¹ “assurance” (ASV, NASB, N/RSV), “being sure” (NIV); or “substance” (NKJV, ASVmg), “makes real” (McCord); or “realization” (NKJVmg)? While the precise nuance may be debatable, the idea is evident here of the certainty of something real, viz. “of things being hoped” [vb. elpízō].² James Moffatt comments: “not the reality of these unseen ends of God – he assumes these – but the fact and force of believing in them with absolute confidence.”³

Faith is the élegchos,⁴ “conviction” (ASV, NASB, N/RSV), “confidence” (NKJVmg); or “evidence” (NKJV), “proof” (McCord)? Faith is being convinced by sufficient evidence of the reality “of things not seen.” Faith is not a blind leap in the dark; it is to know beyond seeing. By faith the elders [presbúteroi] (or “men of old” NASB) obtained a testimony or “gained approval,” including the heroes of faith discussed in the rest of the chapter.

“By faith we understand that the worlds” [aiōnas – “ages”] “were prepared [katartízō]⁵ by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible” (cf. 1:2, 10). We did not witness the beginning of the physical universe, but the evidence of the world around us (cf. Psa. 19:1; Rom. 1:20) coupled with the testimony of God’s revelation (cf. Gen. 1:1; Psa. 33:6) establishes our understanding of creation, which constitutes “faith.”⁶

In the rest of the chapter faith is described as trusting in God to do what he said he would do when we do what he asks us to do (cf. 10:35-36).  Notice that faith is actioned:

o   “By faith Abel offered …” (v. 4)

o   “By faith Enoch … pleased God” (v. 5) in that he “walked with God” (Gen. 5:24)

o   “By faith Noah … prepared an ark” (v. 7)

o   “By faith Abraham obeyed …” (v. 8)

o   “By faith Abraham … offered …” (v. 17); see also vv. 23, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33.

The Faith of Abel

“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks” (Hebrews 11:4).

Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain (cf. Gen. 4:2-7), not necessarily better in quality but better in kind. Cain’s offering was of the fruit of the ground, and “Abel also⁷ brought of the firstborn [prōtotókōn LXX]⁸ of his flock” (Gen. 4:3, 4). The implication of “also” is that Cain had brought the first (possibly the best) of his harvest. If this inference is correct, then Cain gave the same quality of offering as Abel, but it was of a different kind. Abel offered a blood sacrifice; Cain did not.

Since Abel’s sacrifice was “by faith,” and faith comes by hearing God’s word (Rom. 10:17), it follows that God must have given instructions about the kind of sacrifice he expected, viz. a blood offering (cf. Lev. 17:11; Heb. 9:22). Apparently Cain’s sacrifice was unacceptable because it was not a blood sacrifice, i.e., it was not authorized by God and therefore could not be offered “by faith.” Abel, through his offering, obtained a righteous testimony from God. Through his obedient faith, though he is dead, Abel still speaks (cf. 12:24).

The Faith of Enoch

“By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, ‘and was not found, because God had taken him’; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:5-6).

The biblical account alluded to here is Genesis 5:21-24. It was “by faith” that Enoch was taken up/away so that he did not see death, because “God took him” (Gen. 5:24; cf. 2 Kings 2:11). According to the LXX reading, he “pleased God,” and according to the Hebrew text, he “walked with God” (Gen. 5:22, 24). Enoch lived a life of faithful obedience that was pleasing to God (cf. Gen. 6:9; 17:1; 24:40; 48:15; 2 Cor. 5:9; 1 Thess. 4:1).

But [dé] without faith it is impossible to be well-pleasing (to him/God), for the one approaching God must [dei] have faith that he is and that he becomes a rewarder to those seeking him. What this statement reveals about faith:

o   The essentiality of faith – we cannot please God without it.

o   Faith enables us to approach God (cf. 4:16; 6:19; 7:25; 10:19, 22).

o   Those who seek God can find him (cf. Acts 17:27; Rom. 1:20; Matt. 7:7).

o   Though God cannot be seen with our physical eyes, faith enables us to “see” (comprehend) and have confidence, assurance, certainty that he is real (cf. 11:1, 3); to know beyond seeing.

o   Faith ultimately leads to great reward (cf. 6:12; 10:35).

The faith of Noah

“By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith” (Hebrews 11:7)

By faith Noah, although he had never seen a flood or even rain (cf. Gen. 2:5-6), took God at his word, being driven by godly fear/reverence. A respectful regard for God and his word naturally produces an obedient faith. Noah’s faith compelled him to obey God and build the ark according to God’s directives and specifications (cf. Gen. 6:22; 7:5).

Noah was also motivated to do this “for the saving of his household.” He was not only a man of God, he was the spiritual leader of his family, a responsible family man, and looked after the interests of his wife, sons, and daughters-in-law (cf. Gen. 8:18; 1 Pet. 3:20).

By his obedient faith “he condemned the world.” Noah’s faith stood out in stark contrast to the unbelieving world and his very actions condemned theirs (cf. Matt. 12:41; 1 Cor. 6:2). Noah “became heir” (possessor, cf. 1:2, 4, 14; 6:12, 17; 11:9; 12:17) “of the righteousness which is according to faith.”

--Kevin L. Moore

Endnotes:

     ¹ Confidence, assurance; substance, essence (1:3; 3:14; 11:1; 2 Cor. 9:4; 11:17).

     ² Cf. Matt. 12:21; Rom. 8:24-25; 15:12; 1 Cor. 13:7; 15:19; 2 Cor. 1:10; 1 Tim. 4:10; 5:5; 1 Pet. 1:13; 3:5; consider also the noun elpís in Heb. 3:6; 6:11, 18; 7:19; 10:23; Rom. 4:18; 5:2-5; 8:20, 24; 12:12; 15:4, 13; 1 Cor. 13:13; 2 Cor. 3:12; Gal. 5:5; Eph. 1:18; 2:12; 4:4; Phil. 1:20; Col. 1:5, 23, 27; 1 Thess. 1:3; 4:13; 5:8; 1 Tim. 1:1; Tit. 1:2; 2:13; 3:7; 1 Pet. 1:3, 21; 3:15; 1 John 3:3.

     ³ A Critical and Exegetical Commentary on the Epistle to the Hebrews (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1924) 160.

     ⁴ Proof, conviction (11:1; 2 Tim. 3:16).

     ⁵ To make complete (cf. 10:5; 11:3; 13:21; Rom. 9:22; 1 Cor. 1:10; 1 Thess. 3:10; 1 Pet. 5:10). “What the author states here, however, is not so much that the world was created out of nothing but that creation cannot be explained by material means” (N. Lightfoot, Jesus Christ Today 206 n. 9).

     ⁶ “The existence of the world is a fact substantiated by experience, and that it has been ‘fashioned’ or ‘created’ in some inexplicable way is a natural deduction of the human mind. But that it has all come into being by the word of God is a theory unsupported by empirical evidence…. It is because of faith and by means of faith that a true understanding of the created order is gained. Behind everything there is an unseen force that is not subject to the investigations of science” (N. Lightfoot, Jesus Christ Today 206).

     ⁷ LXX: kaí ... kaí = “And ... also”

     ⁸ Cf. 1:6; 12:23; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15, 18; Rev. 1:5.

Related Posts: Parents of Faith, Faith's Hall of Shame, Faith Exemplified Part 2

 

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