Bob L. Ross Memorial

 

2/25/1935 to 12/13/2020

For his memorial video (done by Larry Wessels) see here

I did not know till recently that Bob L. Ross of Pilgrim Publications of Pasadena, Texas passed away in December. Bob's health has been deteriorating for years. He was nearly completely blind in his last few years. 

I cannot say enough in praise of Bob Ross. Though he did not have titles behind his name he was nevertheless one of the greatest doctors of theology. He was author of many books and I have had the pleasure of reading them all. He also held several debates and defended Baptist doctrines expertly. 

He had me out to Pasadena in the early 1990s to do a video with brother Wessels on Hardshell Baptists. I stayed in his home for several days. He was such a good friend! He also later wrote a small book called "The History and Heresies of Hardshellism." I lent him all my books when he was doing his research on the "Primitive Baptists." He was a staunch opponent of the "born again before faith" heresy of many (like James White) of "Reformed" or "Hardshell" Baptists. 

His book against "oneness Pentecostal" beliefs, involving their denial of the Trinity and of the eternal sonship of Jesus Christ, is excellent. His books on Campbellism and Landmarkism are great source books for those doing research on those errors. He also wrote several books on prophecy.

Father and Bob were close friends when father was a Missionary Baptist. Bob in the late fifties and early sixties was editor of "The Baptist Examiner" that was published by the Ashland church in Ashland, Kentucky. He was the son in law of John Gilpin the well known pastor of that church. Bob was very disappointed when father joined the Hardshells. Years after this Bob and father carried on a lengthy correspondence on their differences and I have all those letters (father sent them to me before he passed).

Bob loved Spurgeon and became one of the leading publishers of Spurgeon's works. Any time I had a question about Spurgeon, I would call Bob. 

Bob is at home with his Lord. He is also with Spurgeon and with father. Let us give honor to those to whom it is due. Bob is truly deserving of much honor.