Dr. Robert Sumner passed away in December 2016. The Biblical Evangelist newspaper is no longer being published and the ministry of Biblical Evangelism has ceased operation.

The remaining inventory of his books and gospel tracts was transferred to The Baptist Tabernacle of Los Angeles and may be ordered here.

Letters We Love
Dr. Robert L. Sumner

One of the delights of our ministry is looking in the mailbag!

An evangelist in Texas wrote, in part: “Greetings in Jesus’ Wonderful Name. After admiring you for many years now and reading much of your material, I felt I should write a few lines.

“Though we’ve never met, I have appreciated your courageous stand for Christ all these years. Your ministry has blessed my life and impacted me greatly. Thank you for allowing God to use you and for your consistent availability to earnestly defend the Faith!”

A gracious letter that invoked sweet (and bitter) memories came from a brother in Illinois. He wrote, in part:

 I had to laugh when I read "A lot of folks will criticize us for this editorial." Of course, that quote is from the latest issue of your publication and is in reference to your comments on Billy Graham.

 Perhaps I shouldn't laugh. Tragically, there are many followers of Graham and are clones of his doctrinal erring in the area of Biblical separation.

 But I did laugh...I laughed because it was (and, is) a rare pleasure to know there is a daring publisher who will print the truth about such a widely known religious idol.

 I have followed your publications for years (books and paper), have never been disappointed, have been helped numerous times, and will continue reading them until death takes me Home.

 You may not remember...but when at ____ ____ Baptist Church as a deacon, I invited you a few times to preach for us in the absence of a pastor. One such Sunday morning you failed to show (I do not remember your 'excuse'), but you did make it that evening.

 Now, I have a request. Please send your paper to my youngest son.  His name and address follows. And thanks for the many, many blessings.

For years I’ve been boasting that over the many years in evangelism I had only missed two services because I couldn’t find the church, plus one where I didn’t arrive (driving interstate) on time. Now I’ve got to add one for stupidity. (My honest excuse was, I forgot about it; maybe I could say I was enjoying a few days at home, which was true, but not a valid reason!) Anyway, thanks for that trip down memory lane. (I especially liked the part about reading our paper until death takes him home – meaning as long as he lives, I’ve got it made! Well, maybe not!)

Most of us don’t know what it is like to be alone. A good brother in Kansas wrote: “Enclosed is my check for The Biblical Evangelist. I wish I could send more. I read it as soon as it comes. I have plenty of time for reading. I am old, alone, have cancer, and there is not much else that I can do expect pray for those on my long prayer list. My dear wife died about 10 years ago in an auto accident. So, I’m alone, but not alone; my dear friend, the Lord Jesus has promised to never leave nor forsake me. I’m looking forward to a grand reunion one of these days.” May God especially bless him and all our other readers who are similar situations.

From Tennessee an evangelist wrote: "Enclosed in my mail is my overdue gift toward your great paper. Every issue is read and enjoyed. Thanks again for you commentary on Hebrews. Great book, great tool. I love it." His comments were gracious and prompts us to ask: do you have the 546-page commentary,  Hebrews: Streams of Living Water? It is available from us for $20, postage paid.

An interesting letter came from Wisconsin with a generous gift for our $40,000 for 40 Years campaign: “Your 40^th anniversary issue is the best yet! Mine was about one week late and I was so glad when it came (must have gotten caught in a machine, but I could tape it back together). Thanks for the article on Pastor Adrian Rogers (my favorite TV preacher). None left like him!”

And before closing she wrote: “Thank you for being so faithful in your calling – preaching the Bible and exposing wrongs. (You seem to be always right in that part also – remember when you told us in ’89 about H? Boy, did that hurt at that time – he was my pastor and idol. But it was the truth and finally came out just as you said…Isn’t God wonderful! He heals our hurts and forgives our wrongs.” And she added an assurance of prayer.

A brother in Florida commented about the same issue, “I must say that my January-February 2006 Biblical Evangelist should be made available to every church in America. However, I know that isn’t possible. I could hardly put my copy down even to eat, and if you knew me better you would know that I don’t miss many meals.”

Another good letter came from the wife of a man who has long served God, but is now silenced by a debilitating disease. She commented:

“I have been ‘devouring’ the latest issue of The Biblical Evangelist and agree that it should have been called the Minnesota issue. Dr. Ernest Pickering was a fellow teacher with my husband at Central Seminary in Minneapolis, under Dr. Richard V. Clearwaters. When Dr. Monroe Parker was president of Pillsbury Baptist College, my husband served on the board, and John Ballentine was a fellow pastor in St. Paul. Somewhere you should have had Dr. Myron Cedarholm listed to complete the contemporary ‘greats’ of their day. All are in Glory except Mr. Ballentine, and I imagine they are having a good old meeting of the Minnesota Baptist Convention. I know it would be a peaceable one up there. I hope they would included Dr. W. B. Riley as he would fit right in. I feel so privileged to have personally known them all.” And she sent a nice gift for our $40,000 for 40 Years campaign.

Since writing that friends said her husband had a peaceful and triumphant Homegoing.

We would love to hear from you.