Gerhard Franz Hasel (July 27, 1935–August 11, 1994) was a Seventh-day Adventist theologian, and Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Theology as well as Dean of the Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary at Andrews University.[1]
Hasel's childhood experiences in Nazi Germany are recounted in the book A Thousand Shall Fall, written by his younger sister, Susi Hasel Mundy. He married Hilde Schafer, who also survived the war. Gerhard and Hilde had 3 children: Michael, Melissa, and Marlena. Hasel died in a car accident in Utah in 1994.[7]
Hasel had a research interest in the theme of the remnant. He wrote the "Remnant" article for the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia. His book on the subject is one of just four references listed in the Anchor Bible Dictionary article on the remnant.[8] Hasel also had an interest in both biblical archaeology and biblical theology. Hasel argued that "the Biblical theologian draws his categories, themes, motifs, and concepts from the Biblical text itself," as compared to the systematic theologian who "endeavors to use current philosophies as the basis for his primary categories or themes."[9]
Hasel was also known for his conservative views. Hasel espoused a "high view" of inspiration [clarification needed] and was opposed to the use of the "purely" historical-critical method of Biblical scholarship.[10]
Works
He authored Old Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate and New Testament Theology: Basic Issues in the Current Debate where he suggests there are ten different methodologies at use in the history of Old Testament Theology.[11] He also wrote a commentary on the book of Amos published by Baker Book House, and authored Understanding the Book of AmosISBN0-8010-4353-0.
He wrote several non-scholarly books, published by Seventh-day Adventist church publishing houses, on the biblical theology of the Remnant.
^ abcd"Name Special Events Guests". Church. The Herald-Palladium. Benton Harbor, Michigan. September 18, 1982. p. 5.
^Dolan, Jon (August 25, 1977). "Church Notes". Wokingham Times. Wokingham, Berkshire, England. p. 6.
^"SMC Announces New Teachers". Chattanooga Daily Times. Chattanooga, Tennessee. July 3, 1963. p. 5.
^"Gerhard Franz Hasel, Life Sketch, 1935-1994". Journal of the Adventist Theological Society. 26 (2): 54–58. 2015. He continued to be actively engaged in ETS and eventually was involved in establishing the Adventist Theological Society for which he served as president from 1990-92 and long-time editor of its journal.
^Merrill, E. H. (2015). Archaeology And OT Theology: Their Interface And Reciprocal Usefulness. Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, 58(4), pp. 667-678
^G. Hasel, Understanding the Living Word of God (Mountain View, Cal.: Pacific Press, 1980), 24-28
^Paul R. House, Old Testament Theology (Downers Grove, Il.: InterVarsity)