A BELIEVING JEW OF GREAT FAITH

Obituary

Dr. Raymond H. Saxe, BA, Th.M., MA, Th.D., D.Miss. (December 6, 1922 – January 23, 2017)

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)

Dr. Raymond Hyman Saxe was born December 6, 1922 in Chicago, Illinois, to missionary parents, Israel and Elizabeth Saxe, and spent his childhood in the metropolitan Chicago area. He had a distinguished academic career graduating with honors from Wheaton College in 1944, and subsequently from Dallas Theological Seminary, with highest honors, earning a Th.M. and Th.D. in 1947 and 1954, respectively. He continued his studies, receiving a MA from the University of Michigan in 1972 where he then served as an adjunct instructor in the mid-1970s. In 1991, he studied Hebrew at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, Israel. At the age of 72, being the consummate student, he earned his second doctorate from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in 1993. He continued to read and study throughout his entire life.

Dr. Saxe began his missionary work in Soweto near Johannesburg in 1948. He and his wife, Vivian, whom he married in 1953, then served together as missionaries in South Africa with the South Africa General Mission where he founded and became the first principal of Johannesburg Bible Institute. They also served in Kenya with the Africa Faith Mission founding the Mombasa Bible Institute. Dr. Saxe, along with his wife, continued their ministry to South Africa throughout their lives, returning almost yearly from 1970 to 2010. In addition, their overseas ministry included Europe, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, the Philippines, India, Japan, Hong Kong, Mainland China, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.

Dr. Saxe also served as pastor, either full or part time, at Crown Point Bible Church in Crown Point, Indiana; Minco Presbyterian Church in Minco, Oklahoma; Immanuel Baptist Church in Bedford, Massachusetts; and Grace Bible Church and Fellowship Bible Church in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

He taught courses at Dallas Theological Seminary and Dallas Bible Institute, and he was the Director of Missions at Philadelphia College of the Bible. He also served as Academic Dean of the Capital Bible Seminary in Washington, DC. His Bible-teaching ministry has been shared with the Body of Christ worldwide.

Dr. Saxe has authored three books: “Partial or Perfect: The Cessation of Signs and Completeness of Scriptures,” “Israel’s Future Triumph: An Exposition of Zechariah 12–14,” and “Andrew Murray: Pastor and Spiritual Statesman of South Africa.” He has also contributed articles to numerous Christian periodicals.

Dr. Saxe is recognized as a scholar, theologian, expositor, pastor/teacher and author, but more than anything, he was a man who had a tremendous love for God’s Word, and a sincere passion for Christ so others would come to know Him as he did. It was this passion, gracious heart and love for people that had a dynamic impact to many all over this world. Those who knew him knew of his deep love and burden for the Jewish people, which was his heritage. He and his dear wife traveled to Israel 22 times, where he led tours and connected with family while there. His family had survived and moved to Israel after the Holocaust.

In addition, many can testify to his love for the people of South Africa. His equipping and edifying ministry to the Johannesburg Bible Institute, Evangelical Bible College in Cape Town, Durban Bible College, Evangelical Bible Churches and the Brethren Assemblies has left an indelible mark upon many lives – for eternity.

All who knew him know he was never seen without his loving wife at his side, his Bible in hand ready to give the Word. In a letter to his sons, Dr. Saxe wrote that he and his wife shared a single aim, “which is to glorify God, win souls and help believers grow in grace. This is really all that is worthwhile for us. We hope to die serving the Lord.”

His love for the Word of God and for people did not diminish even in the end. He prayed for the saints, witnessed to and prayed for the faithful nurses and aides, and he attempted to encourage believers on the phone, assuring them of his love and prayers. Finally on January 23, Dr. Saxe, beloved husband and father, peacefully took his last breath in his son’s home in Carmel, Indiana. His faithful and devoted wife of 63 years was at his side, as she has been nearly every step of his earthly journey. His family joined her as she recited the Scripture, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” (John 11:25).

He is preceded in death by his parents, Israel Isaac and Elizabeth (Boerman) Saxe, his two sisters, Florence May Caldon and Ruth Esther Bugler, and his son Timothy Israel.

Surviving family include his loving wife of 63 years, Vivian (Brumley) Saxe; sons, Jonathan Mark (Susan), Stephen Joel (Kim) and David James; grandchildren, Sarah (Jordan) Hollen, Jonathan, Benjamin (Jaclyn), Hannah, Josiah, Noah, Kenan and Micah; great grandchildren Lydia, Judah and Selah; and loving nieces, nephews and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to Project TIM (Training Indigenous Missionaries). This tax-deductible foundation was established in memory of their first son, Timothy Israel. Project TIM emphasizes the execution of the indigenous principle of missions. Project TIM is designed to support the believing National that they in turn, “shall be able to teach (and reach) others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2). Checks may be made out to and sent to Project TIM, c/o Mrs. Vivian Saxe, 10569 Iron Horse Lane, Carmel, IN 46032.

A graveside service took place Jan. 25, 2017 at Mount Emblem Cemetery Elmhurst, Illinois, where an intimate gathering of family and close friends honored the home going of a husband, father and faithful servant.

The Memorial Service is to take place at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2017 at Willis Baptist Church. Willis Baptist Church, 8687 Bunton Rd., Willis MI 48191.

Obituary taken from: http://www.hultgrenfh.com/home/obituary/4093535.

Condolences

February 5, 2017

Dear Mrs Saxe

We just received the news of the homegoing of your beloved husband and our good friend Dr Raymond Saxe.

We remember fondly his lecture stint at the Far Eastern Bible College in 2004. He was the honoured speaker at FEBC’s graduation service that year. A video of that graduation and his message is found in FEBC’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/ipagrKz9D3o. …

May the Lord comfort you and yours greatly at this time of bereavement, knowing that very soon our Lord will return and we shall meet Him in the air and be forever with Him and all His saints (1 Thess 4:17).

Yours sincerely in Christ

Jeffrey Khoo

Pastor, True Life Bible-Presbyterian Church

Principal, Far Eastern Bible College

Thank You

February 7, 2017

Dear Pastor Khoo,

What a blessing that you sent this video! I had been contacted by an independent film producer that was a student when my father in law was a pastor in Ann Arbor that wanted to make a short film about his life to show at his Memorial Service. I have been going through many pictures, but he also asked about any video. I really wasn’t sure where to start for that, and then you sent this! What an answer to prayer. I looked through it and thought his concluding statements would be very good.

Thank you for acting on the prompting of the Holy Spirit to send this. Praise the Lord!

Sincerely,

Susan Saxe (Jonathan’s wife)

Dr. Saxe’s daughter in law

A Good Friend of FEBC

Dr Raymond Saxe was a good friend of Far Eastern Bible College (FEBC). Like FEBC, he believed the Lord and loved His Word deeply. I remember him saying most emphatically, “The Bible says it, that settles it, I believe it.” He told his hearers to note the order: “that settles it” comes before “I believe it”. God and His Word must always have first place not any man.

I am especially grateful for Dr Saxe’s encouragement and support of FEBC during the time when FEBC fought a good fight of faith for the verbal and plenary preservation (VPP) of the Scriptures. Dr SH Tow who had been in constant contact with Dr Saxe wrote in his church weekly, 25 December 2011, “Dr Saxe has been keenly interested in FEBC’s welfare, enquiring regularly after the progress of the problem with Life Church, and was overjoyed when the Supreme Court Judges ruled in favour of FEBC, upholding its stand on VPP.”

Dr Saxe believed in the infallibility and inerrancy of the Hebrew Masoretic Text and Greek Textus Receptus underlying the Authorised Version (KJV). He personally shared with me how those from the other side had tried to persuade him against VPP with their many arguments (one even travelled all the way to Michigan to do so). He felt sorry for them and lamented that they failed to understand history and did not know what they were talking about. Dr Saxe was truly a man of great faith. May the Lord raise up more faithful servants like him. JK