Death of Andrew Davies

We note with sadness the passing of a stalwart of the faith in Andrew Davies. When I went to London Theological Seminary in the early eighties, he was one of four Welshmen who did the bulk of the teaching. (The others were Graham Harrison, Philip Eveson and Hywel Jones). Mr Davies took us for church history (except that for one term he was off with a back problem) and it was often noted that his lectures became more like preaching than lecturing. I remember him telling us at some point that when we preach we are to strike when the iron is hot not to make it hot, an idea that he said is in Christmas Evans. I also remember him asking the class what is the purpose of preaching. Any number of answers were given but none that would satisfy him. Eventually, and I will never forget it, he said in a way that only Andrew Davies could, that the purpose of preaching is to move, to move the people. I may have resisted the idea at the time, even though I had already learned it from my pastor, Derek Garwood. Over the years I have come to believe it more and more strongly. Andrew Davies himself was always moved when he preached and he often moved the congregation too. What a loss. We pray for the family that remain.

I hear the funeral will be on September 14. So sorry I'll be out of the country.

Tu ôl i bob dyn gwych ...

No-one knows quite the origin of the phrase that behind every great man there is a great woman. In 1985 the Eurythmics urged us to ditch the phrase and Maryon Pearson subverted it to "Behind every great man is a surprised woman". The truth is, however, that still today there are great men whose strength lies partly in their excellent wives. That is certainly true of many a man of God.

When I was growing up Derek Swann (1927-2007) and Eryl Davies were among the men of God in Wales and beyond who were serving the Lord with distinction. What I didn't know about them was that, as in the case of my own father-in-law, the two were married to godly Welsh speaking women, both of whom had been students in Aberystwyth University, my own alma mater. Both women died today and will be greatly missed by their families and fellow believers. There is an interview with Ceinwen Swann who married Derek in 1959 on YouTube. Magwen Davies had been very unwell in recent year I understand. Ceinwen's son Phil Swann is the main speaker at next week's EMW Conference in Aberystwyth.

(I should have mentioned that Helen Gibbard, the widow of Rev Noel Gibbard, also died recently. She would have been similar in age.)

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting. But a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

Magwen/Eryl Seventies, Ceinwen 2019

Death of Al Martin

Most readers will be aware of the recent death of Al Martin. I recall him at the Banner conference in years gone by and the help he was. Also his messages on the ministry and family life on tape and in print. Albert Newton Martin passed into glory on 7 April, just a few days short of his 92nd birthday. To read more see here on the Banner website.

Four recent deaths in the world of rock and pop

Mark Randall Volman (19 April, 1947 – September 5, 2025) was an American vocalist, guitarist and songwriter best known as a founding member of the 1960s rock band the Turtles, and, along with his bandmate and friend Howard Kaylan, a member of the 1970s rock duo Flo & Eddie, where he used the pseudonym Flo (The Phlorescent Leech). Volman also became a stand-out figure upon joining Frank Zappa's band, The Mothers of Invention. I knew of him through his work with T Rex.

 

Richard "Rick" Davies (22 July 1944 – September 6, 2025) was an English musician best known as founder, vocalist and keyboardist of the rock band Supertramp. Davies was the band's only constant member and wrote or co-wrote songs including "Goodbye Stranger", "My Kind of Lady", "Cannonball", and "I'm Beggin' You". He was known for his rhythmic blues piano solos, jazz-tinged progressive rock compositions and cynical lyrics. I was not abig Supertramp fan but Breakfast in America, Dreaming, Logical Song, etc, wormed their way into my psyche.

 

Nicholas "Nicky" Dominick Ryan (14 July 1946 – September 10 2025) was an Irish music producer, recording engineer and manager best known as the longtime business and recording partner for the singer, songwriter and musician Enya alongside his wife, poet and lyricist Roma Ryan. Born and raised in Dublin, Ryan gained initial recognition in the 1970s and 1980s for his work with several artists including Gary Moore, Planxty, Christy Moore and Clannad.

Bobby Hart (born Robert Luke Harshman; 18 February 1939 – September 10, 2025) and Sidney Thomas Boyce (1939 – 1994) were an American duo of singer-songwriters. In addition to three top-40 hits as artists, the duo is well known for its songwriting for the Monkees.

Death of Allan Ahlberg

I hear that Allan Ahlberg, the children's writer, has died aged 87. With his wife Janet he produced Funnybones, Peepo, Burglar Bill, the Jolly Postman and many other books that delighted our children growing up and many others. See here for the Guardian obituary.

The late Tom Lehrer - The Elements - Copenhagen 1967

I hear Tom Lehrer has died at the age of 97

Death of John MacArthur

People will be beginning to hear about the death of the great preacher and commentator John MacArthur, great loss. My connections with John MacArthur and the Masters Seminary. etc, are almost non-existent but I am a talking head in that documentary film Grace To You made (The Essential Church) and in 2007 I met him when he spoke at the Banner Conference in Leicester and I appreciated his ministy at that time.

Tom Drion, a MacArthur man and now pastor of a MacArthur church here in London was at the conference and was then trying to get together some good brief audio-visual material for us on the Internet. He very kindly (though perhaps misguidedly) thought I could help and o he invited me over to his room (a student room in the university accommodation) where he had a makeshift studio set up. I remember his giving me choice of subjects then siting me in front of the camera where I burbled for a minute or two until Tom announced that he could see someone else he had asked heading to the room.

That someone else was, of course, John MacArthur, who had been staying off campus in order to keep up with his various regular duties withe Grace To You. So there are four us in a tiny room - the great and always immaculately dressed John MacArthur, his minder, Tom and me. I am briefly introduced to Dr MacArthur then he sits down and speaks clearly, succinctly and edifyingly into the camera on whatever subject Tom gave him. Of course, he had done it many times before and knew how to seize the moment to best advantage. So impressive.

When he had gone, Tom gave me another go but if anything I was worse again. How thankful we should be that God gave us such a gifted man for so long.

Gordon J Murray and Paul Bevan

We hear that Gordon J Murray is now with the Lord, which is far better. I did not know Mr Murray well, although I have come to know his son Andrew over the years. Mr Murray was one of the older generation of preachers whowere on the scene when I first entered ministry. I knew of him through the seminary and he kindly preached for me one church anniversary a long time ago. He seemed to wear a constant smile and was very appriachable. I alos preached once for him over in Felixstowe.

This obituary can be found on the semnary site here. It reads

It was with sadness that we heard from one of Gordon’s sons, informing us of the death of their father on Sunday afternoon, 2nd March 2025. We give thanks for his life and ministry.

Gordon graduated at Cambridge in 1957, and served as a clergyman in the Church of England for a number of years. Among his appointments (curacies at Hereford and at Weston-super-Mare) he spent three years at St Mary’s Castle Street, Reading, from 1965. Gordon also edited the now-defunct English Churchman newspaper, from 1965 to 1971.

Then towards the end of 1967 Gordon was appointed Principal of the Kensit Memorial Bible College, serving from 1968 to 1975. During this time he became concerned that the Church of England was drifting doctrinally, he heeded Dr Lloyd-Jones’ call in 1966 and left the denomination. This conviction led him to adopt Baptistic principles, and to pursue further ministry in accordance with those principles.

Gordon joined the PTS Council and became chairman in 1998, stepping down in 2010. His last engagement with the Society was at an Autumn Study Day in November 2015, when he spoke on ‘Learning from the past’. Gordon was a respected partner in the ministry and passionate in the teaching of the gospel. He was also for a number of years the Editor of the magazine Protestant Truth. Gordon was also a board member of London Seminary (at the time, London Theological Seminary) and was for a number of years its chairman. After a short time teaching on the Isle of Wight he became the pastor of Bethesda Baptist Church in Felixstowe and remained in the area after retirement.

Gordon had been unwell in recent years, suffering from dementia. We know he is now in the presence of his creator God, and we shall miss his wise counsel. We send our condolences to his wife Olive, their two sons and their daughter. They will appreciate our prayers.

I also notice that Paul Bevan has died (his funeral will be on March 25 in Hemel Hempstead. He was 1989 and served in several pastorates down th years before retirement. Another faithful servant of the Lord gone tohis reward. 

Inventor of Tiramisu dies

Raffaele Diomede from Pordenone, ITALIA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>,
via Wikimedia Commons

I read recently of the death of Roberto Linguanotto. Known affectionately as "Loli" to friends and colleagues, Linguanotto is said to have invented tiramisu in the early 1970s while working at Le Beccherie, a restaurant in Treviso, Italy. The story goes that he accidentally dropped mascarpone cheese into a bowl of eggs and sugar, liked the taste, and developed the recipe from there. Many nice things seem to have begun as accidents.

The late Chris Nicholl and his amazing feat

I notice that the footballer Chris Nicholl has died. I didn't know the name but I was interested to read of a game he was in that features in Football's Strangest Matches by Andrew Ward, a book we have somewhere in the house. The game was between Leicester City and Aston Villa at Filbert Street, in March 1976. Chris Nicholl, a Northern Ireland international, who in his career played 648 league games for a number of different clubs, managed to score all four goals. A tall central defender for Villa, he clearly appreciated the symmetry of the game and managed on the occasion to alternate own goals with his "proper" ones for Villa, all spread nicely across the ninety minutes. The first, an own goal, came in the 15th minute, from a shot by a Leicester player which deflected off Nicholl's head. He was able to equalise before the break in the 40th minute, shooting from close range after a scramble in the penalty area. In the second half, he managed, in the 53rd minute, to score a second own goal (his hat trick, you might say, but own goals don't usually count for that honour). He had again headeded past his own keeper. With four minutes to go he was remarkably able to once again cancel out his own effort, this time scoring from a Villa corner.

Emu confronts Sir Michael Parkinson

Michael Parkinson the journalist and interviewer has died we hear

Jeremy Marshall (Intro Christian Heritage London interview)

Sorry to hear of the recent death of Jeremy Marshall. I knew him and his parents a little. Jeremy was always very positive. We need more people like that. He will be missed.

More faithful men with the Lord

Most readers of this blog will have heard of the deaths of the founder of OM, George Verwer (b 1938) back in April and more recently of pastor and writer Tim Keller (b 1950) and now we hear that two Scots ministers have also died. Gordon Keddie has died in America and Donald Macleod (b 1940) in Scotland. I never heard Gordon Keddie (b 1944) but I read some of his very helpful exegetical work. He published several books. I know of his death through his brother John. I can see no online obituary at the moment. The other three I heard on different occasions, Verwer just once and the other two several times and always with profit. What blessings we have received from such men but now they are with the Lord which is far better.

You can find obituaries for these men as follows:

George Verwer

Tim Keller

Donald Macleod

Of course, early in March Ted Donnelly died in Ireland - another man from whose ministry I have benefitted.

See here for Ted Donnelly.

More Recent Deaths of Faithful Pastors

In the opening weeks of this year we have seen the passing of at east four stalwarts of the faith and ministers of the word. Four very different men with quite different views on various matters, they are now in glory having faithfully served in their own generation. They will be missed.

An obituary for Mr Ramsbottom of the Gospel Standard Baptist can be found here.

An obituary for the Church of Scotland minister Eric Alexander can be found here.

I am not aware of an obituary for Hywel Roberts who was from Pwllheli and ministered many years in Penzance.

The death of Michael Toogood a Baptist minister who planted a church in notorious Soho has occurred very recently.

Obituaries later appeared for Michael Toogood on the Banner website and in The Evangelical Times

Recent Deaths of Faithful Pastors

Over the last three weeks at least three faithful ministers of the Lord have gone to their reward. I believe Achille Blaize died back in mid-August and then Walt Chantry died on September 9. Peter Beale died on September 24 and his funeral is on October 13. Each of these men lived to a good age.

A brief notice about Walt Chantry can be found here.

A funeral notice about Peter Beale can be foud here.

I also understand that Gordon Hoppe who ran the Christian Bookshop in Pratts Bottom and was involved in many other aspects of Christian work has died.

Recent Deaths of Christian Leaders

It was a privilege to be last week at the funeral Michael Keen a long serving elder at Alfred Place Baptist Church alongside my father-in-law Geoff Thomas who read and prayed at the funeral. The service was led by my son, the present pastor, Rhodri Brady. Michael's son Andrew gave a helpful tribute. Keith Underhill read and prayed at the graveside. It was good to sing there. Thankfully we missed the rain. Among Michael Keen's many achievements was the establishment and continuation of one of the finest Christian Bookshops in the country. His Finder index was also a great help. He was one of those quiet, anonymous heroes of the faith (like his wife Norma). A recording of the funeral is available here.

Then shortly after we heard of the death of the evangelist John Blanchard. Proper  obituaries do not appear to have been produced yet but they ought to be and surely will. An interview with him from just a few weeks ago can be found here.

Irving Steggles and Peter Golding

Death is a constant theme these days more than ever. In recent weeks I have heard from South Africa of the death of Irving Steggles. A Facebook page has been set up that can be found here. I myself have written

I count it a privilege to have known Pastor Irving Steggles. I only knew Irving in these more recent years when he was in South Africa, although I was aware of him from the time he began in the seminary and became pastor in Chippenham. He was a gentleman, a man of prayer and vision, a kind and courteous man of God, eager to see men and women of all backgrounds won to Christ. He will be sorely missed, especially in South Africa but also here in London and elsewhere in the UK. We should be thankful for all that the Lord did through him and pray that the work may go on even though God’s servant is now with his Lord, which is far better.

Peter Golding much older I would guess, was for long years pastor of Hayes Town Chapel and a member of the Westminster Fellowship, my main contact with him. He had been a Pentecostal in his younger days but had come to clearer views of the truth chiefly through Dr Lloyd-Jones, of whom he always spoke admiringly and warmly.

Faithful servants they have now attained to their eternal rest by the grace of God.

Recent celebrity deaths

There are times when it seems there are more celebrity deaths than unusual. We seem to be in such a time, although I suppose it's who you know. Most of the deaths are people of a good age. Some have been from Covid-19. I am thinking of people like Kenny Rogers, the country singer, in March. I remember buying his record Ruby as a child and miming to it with friends in a school concert.

Then there was singer and composer Bill Withers and Bob Andy of Bob and Marcia reggae fame. Bill Martin was not a name I thought I knew but martin and Coulter wrote Puppet on a String and Congratulations and much else. Also Eddie Large as he was known, the comedian. I'm sure he was hilarious although I had a fruitless search on youtube looking for evidence. Also Honor Blackman, the actress.

More recently, Tim Brooke Taylor has died. He used to live around the corner I'm told. The Goodies show was purportedly based in Cricklewood and I've often seen Bill Oddie round here. Brooke-Taylor, a very witty man was one of the writers of the famous four Yorkshiremen sketch. There was also Stirling Moss who I grew up to have the highest respect for. To give you an idea, the back of one of the tabloids had "F1's Ali and Pele". The obituary in The Times suggests he was a rather immature man but a great racing driver. Then there was Peter Bonetti, the Chelsea goalkeeper and a massive hero of mine as a child. More obscurely, the Dutch pianist Louis van Dijk has died. I am aware of him from his collabarations with Thijs van Leer from time to time.

These are the celebrities but many others are dying too such as veteran preachers and other men of God. Derek Prime, John J Murray and Norman Wells I trust you know about. All very sobering.

Jonathan Miller Clive James

Jonathan Miller and Clive James both died this week. Both men straddled the intellectual and popular divide and had a wry sense of humour. Further both were
1. Described as polymaths
2. Cambridge graduates who were involved in the Floodlights
3. And the Edinburgh festival
4. Wrote about Freud (James just an essay and Miller a whole book)
5. Presenters of TV programmes
6. Smokers
7. Professed atheists
8. Both took first degrees outside the arts (Miller medicine, James engineering)
9. Both had CBEs
10. Stephen Fry says they were heroes of his growing up.
Both were slight outsiders in that Miller was Jewish and James Australian.

James once interviewed Miller. See here. (Taste warning).

They seem to have dabbled in a any number of occupations

James (b 1939)
1. Literary essayist
2. Folk music lyricist
3. Novelist
4. TV critic
5. Translator
6. Poet
7. Memoirist
8. Journalist
9. TV presenter
10. Actor

Miller (b 1934)
1. Medical doctor
2. Satirist
3. Drama director
4. Opera producer
5. Artistic director
6. Musical director
7. Collage artist
8. TV Presenter
9. Actor
10. Writer

PS I notice there is a longer serious interview between James and Miller here.

Death of Jonathan Miller

We hear that polymath Jonathan Miller has died. I found myself sitting next to him at the British Library once and resisted the urge to graffitti his notebook when he left his space for a while. His views on atheism can be found in a 2007 article here.