FIRST-PERSON: Reflections on my friend Robert Sloan

Editor’s note: This essay and photo first appeared in Baptist Press.

After completing my required courses in theology as a Master of Divinity student at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary more than 45 years ago, I determined to take all the elective courses that I could take in that field of study. Three formative courses stand out in my memory: Patristic Theology with the legendary James Leo Garrett Jr., Contemporary Theology with the European theologian John Kiwiet, and a biblical theology course focused on the Gospels with a brand-new faculty member named Robert Sloan.

Professor Sloan, a graduate of Baylor University and Princeton Theological Seminary, had just completed his doctoral work at the University of Basel under the direction of Bo Reicke and Marcus Barth, two highly regarded New Testament scholars. Robert had written an impressive dissertation, focusing on the teachings of Jesus in Luke 4, with the title, “The Favorable Year of the Lord: A Study in Jubilary Theology in the Gospel of Luke,” published by Schola Press. The research behind this doctoral work shaped this terrific class as we heard brilliant lectures on the teachings and kingdom work of Christ.

While I was in my final year as a Southwestern student, Robert, who was only four years older than me, was in his first as a new professor. What a privilege in 1980 to be a student in Robert’s first class! I was not only introduced to the field of biblical theology, but also to a person who would become a special friend over the next four decades.

We attended Texas Rangers baseball games together and looked for other opportunities for lunch conversations. We shared an appreciation for baseball in addition to our mutual interests in theology, distinctive Christian education, and Baptist history. A few years later, in a move that would shape his future, Robert left the Southwestern faculty to join the faculty at Baylor University. In the years that followed, we had numerous conversations and worked together on a variety of publishing and educational projects.

In 1990, I was named the general editor of the New American Commentary; Robert served as a key New Testament editor for the series. In 1992, I was named dean of the School of Theology at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; in 1993, Robert was named dean at the new Truett Seminary on the Baylor campus. Early in 1995, he was invited to serve as the 12th president at Baylor; in December of that year, I was named the 15th president at Union University.

Along the way, we served as co-editors, along with Ken Mathews, of the volume “Foundations for Biblical Interpretation.” His extraordinary chapter on “The Canonical Theology of the New Testament” was a highlight of the book. Similar affirmations could be said about the various contributions that he penned for other books that I was privileged to edit, including chapters on “Frank Stagg” (1990 and 2001); “Images of the Church in Paul” (1991); “Unity in Diversity: A Clue to the Emergence of the New Testament as Sacred Literature” (1991 and 2001); “A Biblical Model of Leadership” (2011); and “What is Evangelism?” (2024). He also published important volumes on John and 1 Corinthians.

In recent years, he turned his attention to fiction, authoring multiple volumes in the Hamelin Stoop series, a set of books providing an intriguing and compelling story that invites readers of all ages to ponder important themes of moral courage, the challenges related to good and evil, and the importance of faith as foundational for all aspects of life. Robert brought his gifts as a storyteller and his years as parent, grandparent, scholar, and educator to bear on this wonderful series, which stirs the imagination and helps to provide a Christian view of the world. My wife, Lanese, and I have made sure that our grandchildren have copies of these readable books.

Robert’s decade of presidential leadership at Baylor was characterized by the visionary plan known as “Baylor 2012,” a dream to enable Baylor to become a top-tier university in research, teaching, and athletics while strengthening the commitments to the historic Christian faith. He resigned at Baylor in 2005 and spent a season in Scotland as visiting scholar at St. Andrews University. That same year, Doug Hodo announced his plans to retire from Houston Baptist University (HBU) after 20 years of leadership. President Hodo encouraged the search committee to call me for a recommendation; I gave them the name of Robert Sloan. I contacted Robert in Scotland and encouraged him to talk to them.

I thought Houston Baptist would be blessed by the visionary leadership that Robert could bring. He was named president in 2006 and for the past 20 years, HBU, which is now called Houston Christian University, has grown in enrollment, programming, financial resources, and depth of Christian commitment, becoming a leader in bringing the Christian faith to bear on all aspects of teaching and learning. Once again, a bold plan, “The Ten Pillars: Faith and Learning for a Great City” charted the path forward.

In 2019, Robert was one of the key educational leaders who encouraged the launch of the International Alliance for Christian Education (IACE). He was a member of the founding Board of Directors that called me to serve as the founding president. He has continued to contribute greatly to that work as a Board officer, speaker at conferences, and contributor to various IACE projects. His plenary talk at the January 2026 conference, which addressed eleven theses for evangelical Christian higher education was the best presentation I have ever heard him give. It will serve as a guide for IACE and for all Christian higher education for years to come.

Sadly, on Saturday, July 4, 2026, after what was apparently a massive stroke, Robert Sloan was called home to glory at the age of 77. Along the way, he has made a difference as professor, scholar, author, pastor, preacher, interim pastor, Board member, and influential community citizen, in addition to his role as Little League baseball coach. He has left a legacy as a bold and articulate champion of distinctive Christ-centered higher education, touching numerous individuals, institutions, and organizations in this country and around the world. Many of us have lost a good friend. Robert was my teacher before he was my friend, and I have continued to be immensely blessed for more than four decades to learn from his godly wisdom and his faithful example.

He and his wife, Sue, were married for 56 years; I always enjoyed visiting their home. They had seven children and 24 grandchildren. Our prayers continue for Sue and the family, in addition to the Houston Christian University family at this time of loss. We offer thanks to God on this occasion for the hope of eternal life and the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Gospel that Robert loved to preach; the Gospel which deeply shaped the influential life and leadership of Robert B. Sloan Jr.

David S. Dockery is president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.