Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Prof James Blevins dies; taught at SBTS 1976-99
July 27, 2004
By BP News Staff

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (BP)--James L. Blevins, a former professor of New Testament interpretation at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, died July 24 in Louisville, Ky., after a long-term illness. He was 67.

Blevins was on Southern Seminary's faculty from 1976 until 1999, when a severe case of diabetes forced him to take an early medical retirement. He was a professor of religion at Mars Hill College in Mars Hill, N.C., from 1969-76.

Blevins was widely published on the Book of Revelation, including his 1984 book "Revelation as Drama," and was known for his dramatic presentation of Bible characters.

"Jim Blevins was an enthusiastic teacher who brought passion to his teaching, mixed with an engaging sense of humor and genuine concern for his students," Southern Seminary President R. Albert Mohler Jr. said. "He touched many lives and taught thousands of students during his tenure at Southern Seminary. He loved his calling as a teacher."

A native of Hot Coal, W.Va., Blevins earned a Ph.D. from Southern Seminary and held degrees from Duke University, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Philadelphia and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in Wake Forest, N.C.

His wife Maxine, three children and four grandchildren survive Blevins. His funeral will be at 1 p.m. July 28 at Pearson's Funeral Home in Louisville.