About the Late Dr. Charles L. Holman
(March 30, 1935 — January 18, 2006)
Dr. Charles L. Holman was born in 1935 in Santa Barbara, California. A gifted musician, during his early life he trained for a career as a concert violinist. Following a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, his vocational vision changed, allowing him to pursue a life of Christian ecclesial ministry, seminary teaching, and scholarly research and writing.
Dr. Holman’s formal studies achievements include a B.A, in Psychology from Westmont College; a B. D. from Fuller Theological Seminary; a Th.M. from Fuller Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. from the University of Nottingham, England, with the dissertation topic: “Eschatological Delay in Jewish and Early Christian Apocalyptic.”
Dr. Holman’s service in Christian educational institutions began at Jamaica Theological Seminary, Jamaica, West Indies, where he met his wife, Rose. Later he served as dean and instructor with Trinity Christian Training Institute in Gulf Coast, Mississippi, followed by his position as assistant, associate and then full Professor of Biblical Interpretation and New Testament from 1982 to January, 2006 for the Regent University School of Divinity. His published works include Till Jesus Comes: Origins of Christian Apocalyptic Expectation and additional scholarly articles and papers. He was a member of the Society of Biblical Literature; the Society for Pentecostal Studies; the Tyndale Fellowship for Biblical and Theological Research, and The Institute for Biblical Research.
Charles Holman served throughout his adult life in pastoral and teaching ministries. First, as an associate pastor of the Marquette Michigan Missionary Church and then as founding pastor of the Upland Indiana Evangelical Church. He was later ordained with the Missionary Church and participated as an active member of First Baptist Church of Norfolk where he taught the Berean Sunday School Class and played violin in the church orchestra.
Dr. Charles and Mrs. Rose Holman, married over 39 years, are the parents of two daughters: Annette Holman, now deceased, and Mrs. Emily Holman Morris, wife of Bruce Morris and mother to Stephen and Katherine Rose Morris.
Dr. Holman was often described by colleagues and students as a “scholar’s scholar” and as “the conscience of the Divinity faculty”; a man of profound, abiding, and deeply loving faith in God; a man known for the grace, substance and passion of his prayer life. His joyful commitment to his beloved wife Rose, to his daughters, grandchildren, son-in-law, church family, and neighbors was well-known. He was appreciated by the Regent community as a model for those serving in Christian academic life. He gave generously of his time and substance to the people and needs of the Regent and the wider community, always vitally concerned with the mission of the gospel and the furtherance of excellent standards in Christian scholarship. Perhaps his own words, which appeared on his web site, so clearly explain the heart, the mission, and passion of Charles Holman:
I am growing in the grace of God. I am more impressed than ever with the wonder of God’s glory, love, sovereignty, and presence. Surely the mystery of His providential ways will never be fathomed by humankind. I am grateful beyond words for His grace in my life. What more can we do than cry ‘Holy, Holy, Holy’ as we are caught up with love and wonder in His Presence.
Also, you may wish read the article on Dr. Holman from the Spring/Summer 2006 edition of Regent University's "Christian Leader" — Article (168K, PDF).
The phone number at the end of the article is no longer current. If you would like to contribute to the scholarship being established in honor of Dr. Holman please complete this online form. Thank you!
