Vance Havner
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Vance Havner (October 17, 1901 – August 12, 1986) was an American
Southern Baptist The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), alternatively the Great Commission Baptists (GCB), is a Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptist organization, the largest Protestantism in the United States, Pr ...
minister,
evangelist Evangelist(s) may refer to: Religion * Four Evangelists, the authors of the canonical Christian Gospels * Evangelism, publicly preaching the Gospel with the intention of spreading the teachings of Jesus Christ * Evangelist (Anglican Church), a ...
, and author. Over a ministry career spanning more than seven decades, he became widely recognized for his concise preaching style, commitment to biblical authority, and focus on revivalism. He initially served as a pastor before transitioning to a career in itinerant evangelism.
Billy Graham William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...
referred to him as "the most quoted preacher in America," and he remains influential in conservative Protestant circles.


Early life and initial ministry

Havner was born on October 17, 1901, in
Vale A vale is a type of valley. Vale may also refer to: Places Georgia * Vale, Georgia, a town in the Samtskhe-Javakheti region Norway * Våle, a historic municipality Portugal * Vale (Santa Maria da Feira), a former civil parish in the municip ...
, North Carolina. He displayed an aptitude for preaching from a young age, delivering his first sermon at 12 years old. By the age of 15, he had been
ordained Ordination is the process by which individuals are Consecration in Christianity, consecrated, that is, set apart and elevated from the laity class to the clergy, who are thus then authorized (usually by the religious denomination, denominationa ...
as a Baptist minister, gaining regional recognition for his direct and compelling sermons. Havner briefly attended
Catawba College Catawba College is a private college in Salisbury, North Carolina. Founded in 1851 by the North Carolina Classis of the Reformed Church in Newton, the college adopted its name from its county of origin, Catawba County, before moving to its c ...
,
Wake Forest University Wake Forest University (WFU) is a private research university in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States. Founded in 1834, the university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina. The R ...
, and
Moody Bible Institute Moody Bible Institute (MBI) is a private evangelical Christian Bible college in Chicago, Illinois. It was founded by evangelist and businessman Dwight Lyman Moody in 1886. Historically, MBI has maintained positions that have identified it as ...
but did not complete a degree at any of them. He later credited his development largely to personal study of the Bible,
Pilgrim's Progress ''The Pilgrim's Progress from This World, to That Which Is to Come'' is a 1678 Christian allegory written by John Bunyan. It is commonly regarded as one of the most significant works of Protestant devotional literature and of wider early moder ...
, and the sermons and writings of preachers such as
Charles Spurgeon Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31st January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various denominations, to some of whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers." ...
.


Theological shift

In his early ministry, Havner was influenced by modernist theologians, including
Harry Emerson Fosdick Harry Emerson Fosdick (May 24, 1878 – October 5, 1969) was an American pastor. Fosdick became a central figure in the fundamentalist–modernist controversy within American Protestantism in the 1920s and 1930s and was one of the most prominen ...
, which led to a temporary shift in his theological outlook. However, he returned to a more conservative stance after reading
J. Gresham Machen John Gresham Machen (; 1881–1937) was an American Presbyterian New Testament scholar and educator in the early 20th century. He was the Professor of New Testament at Princeton Seminary between 1906 and 1929, and led a revolt against modernist ...
’s ''
Christianity and Liberalism ''Christianity and Liberalism'' is a 1923 book by J. Gresham Machen. It was written in response to Harry Emerson Fosdick's 1922 sermon "Shall the Fundamentalists Win?", thus triggering the fundamentalist–modernist controversy. Machen argued th ...
'', which critiqued liberal theology. This reinforced his commitment to biblical authority, a theme that would define much of his preaching and writing.


Ministry


Pastorate and itinerant evangelism

From 1934 to 1939, Havner served as pastor of First Baptist Church in
Charleston, South Carolina Charleston is the List of municipalities in South Carolina, most populous city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The city lies just south of the geographical midpoint of South Carolina's coastline on Charleston Harbor, an inlet of the Atla ...
. He resigned in 1939 to pursue itinerant evangelism, traveling across the United States to hold revival services. His preaching consistently emphasized themes of repentance, faith, and biblical authority over what he referred to as the “social gospel.” He believed that genuine revival required a return to foundational biblical truths. Havner's ministry was characterized by a simple, yet profound, speaking style. He often employed anecdotes, humor, and pointed observations to illustrate theological truths. His sermons and books frequently addressed themes of spiritual complacency, urging Christians to seek a deeper commitment to their faith.


Legacy and influence

Havner’s sermons and writings were widely circulated, and he became known for succinct, memorable expressions.
Billy Graham William Franklin Graham Jr. (; November 7, 1918 – February 21, 2018) was an American Evangelism, evangelist, ordained Southern Baptist minister, and Civil rights movement, civil rights advocate, whose broadcasts and world tours featuring liv ...
presided at his funeral in 1986, reiterating his view of Havner as “the most quoted preacher in America.” Havner’s statements have been cited in various contexts beyond the pulpit. His words are frequently quoted by Father Tim, the protagonist in
Jan Karon Jan Karon (born March 14, 1937) is an American novelist who writes for both adults and young readers. She is the author of the ''New York Times''-bestselling Mitford novels, featuring Father Timothy Kavanagh, an Episcopal priest, and the fictiona ...
’s '' Mitford'' series, and a saying attributed to him was included in the ''United States
Congressional Record The ''Congressional Record'' is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress, published by the United States Government Publishing Office and issued when Congress is in session. The Congressional Record Ind ...
'' on January 30, 1992, during the opening prayer by Chaplain Richard C. Halverson in the
United States Senate The United States Senate is a chamber of the Bicameralism, bicameral United States Congress; it is the upper house, with the United States House of Representatives, U.S. House of Representatives being the lower house. Together, the Senate and ...
. His pithy style led to the publication of ''The Vance Havner Quotebook'' (1986), edited by Dennis J. Hester (ISBN 0801042992), which compiled many of his most well-known statements on Christian living and faith


Selected bibliography

* ''Though I Walk Through the Valley'' (1974).


References


External links


Official website dedicated to Vance Havner

Sermons by Vance Havner on SermonIndex

Vance Havner biography – ''Baptist Bible Tribune''
{{DEFAULTSORT:Havner, Vance 1901 births 1986 deaths Southern Baptist ministers American evangelists People from Lincoln County, North Carolina Christian fundamentalists