J. Ellsworth Kalas (February 14, 1923 – November 12, 2015) was a president and a professor of Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore,

Kentucky Kentucky ( , ), officially the Commonwealth of Kentucky, is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States and one of the states of the Upper South. It borders Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio to the north; West Virginia and Virginia to ...

. He also served as pastor for 38 years in the Wisconsin and Ohio Conferences of the

United Methodist Church The United Methodist Church (UMC) is a worldwide mainline Protestant denomination based in the United States, and a major part of Methodism. In the 19th century, its main predecessor, the Methodist Episcopal Church, was a leader in evangelical ...

and was associated for 5 years with the World Methodist Council.

Education and career

Kalas obtained his Bachelor of Science at

University of Wisconsin–Madison A university () is an educational institution, institution of higher education, higher (or Tertiary education, tertiary) education and research which awards academic degrees in several Discipline (academia), academic disciplines. Universities ty ...

in 1951; his Bachelor of Divinity at

Garrett Theological Seminary Garrett may refer to: Places ;United States * Garrett, Illinois * Garrett, Indiana * Garrett, Kentucky (multiple places) ** Garrett, Floyd County, Kentucky, an unincorporated community ** Garrett, Meade County, Kentucky, an unincorporated commun ...

in 1954; and did additional graduate studies at University of Wisconsin–Madison (1954-1955), and

Harvard University Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Founded in 1636 as Harvard College and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher le ...

(1955-1956). Dr. Kalas also held honorary degrees from

Lawrence University Lawrence University is a private liberal arts college and conservatory of music in Appleton, Wisconsin. Founded in 1847, its first classes were held on November 12, 1849. Lawrence was the second college in the U.S. to be founded as a coeducation ...

, Asbury Theological Seminary, and

Kentucky Wesleyan College Kentucky Wesleyan College (KWC) is a private Methodist college in Owensboro, Kentucky. The college is known for its liberal arts programs. Fall 2018 enrollment was 830 students. History Kentucky Wesleyan College was founded in 1858 by the Kent ...

. Kalas' tenure with Asbury began in 1993 and he had taught Preaching there since 2000. He was the author of multiple Bible Studies published by the

United Methodist Publishing House Abingdon Press is the book publishing arm of the United Methodist Publishing House which publishes sheet music, Minister (Christianity), ministerial resources, Bible-study aids, and other items, often with a focus on Methodism and Methodists. H ...

as well as a groundbreaking study called "Christian Believer" which attempts to teach Methodist laity systematic theology. His addition to the field of homiletics is the concept of the ''Biographical Sermon'', teaching a doctrine or biblical concept through the story of a real person's life. Biographical preaching can model methods for dealing with suffering and pain by telling the story of an exemplar's struggle with suffering and pain.

Death

Kalas died on November 12, 2015. He was 92, the same age as Asbury Seminary – both born in 1923.

Works

Kalas authored over 35 different books and many additional published articles. As well as 13 adult study quarterlies for the United Methodist Publishing House.

Books

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Chapters

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalas, Ellsworth 1923 births 2015 deaths Seminary presidents 20th-century American theologians 20th-century Methodist ministers People from Wisconsin People from Cleveland Harvard University alumni University of Wisconsin–Madison alumni Garrett–Evangelical Theological Seminary alumni American United Methodist clergy 20th-century American clergy