Christian Author Jerry Bridges Passes Away

Christian author and speaker, Jerry Bridges, known for writing the classic "The Pursuit of Holiness," passed away last Sunday at 86.  Bridges also served as the staff member of The Navigators.

Born in Tyler, Texas, United States, Bridges was the author of more than a dozen books, including "The Pursuit of Holiness," which has sold more than one million copies. His devotional "Holiness Day By Day" garnered the 2009 ECPA Christian Book Award for the inspiration and gift category, and "The Discipline of Grace" received a similar award in 1995 for the Christian living category.

"There was nothing flashy about Jerry Bridges. He was a humble and unassuming man-strong in spirit, if not in voice or frame," wrote Crossway's Justin Taylor soon after Bridges was taken off life support following cardiac arrest this past weekend. "Now we can rejoice with him in his full and final healing as he beholds his beloved Savior face to face."

Bridges earned his undergraduate degree in engineering at the University of Oklahoma before serving as an officer in the United States Navy during the Korean War. He joined Christian discipleship organization The Navigators in 1955, where he served as administrative assistant to the Europe Director, office manager for the headquarters office, Secretary-Treasurer of the organization, and as Vice President for Corporate Affairs before moving to a staff development position with the Collegiate Mission. 

"Much to everyone's surprise, including my own, the book became a bestseller," Bridges told Ligonier Ministries in an interview published by Tabletalk Magazine in December 2014. The resulting "invitations to speak at churches and conferences" led him to become a full-time writer and Bible teacher by 1997.

Bridges also served as an elder at Village Seven Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Colorado Springs. 

 

 

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