Dr John de Witt, known to many readers of en, went to be with Christ on Sunday 30 September in Columbia, South Carolina where he had served as senior minister of First Presbyterian Church.
Ordained in 1959, he had exercised a long and varied ministry in Paterson, N.J. (1959-64), Grove Chapel, Camberwell, London (1967-69), Kingstree, S.C. (1970-75), Reformed Seminary in Jackson Miss. (where he served as professor of church history and then of systematic theology, 1975 -82), Memphis, Tenn. (1983-93), Grand Rapids, Mich. (1993-2000, where, remarkably, a new gallery had to be built to hold the increased congregation). He was then drawn out of ‘retirement’ to First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, S.C. (2001-2005).
Publications and teaching
Dick de Witt (as he was known to his friends) published several significant books: a rigorous academic study, Jus Divinum: The Westminster Assembly and the Divine Right of Church Government; Amazing Love (on the parable of the Prodigal Son), and What is the Reformed Faith? He also produced an edition of the first commentary on the Westminster Confession of Faith, Truth’s Victory Over Error by David Dickson. Generations of theological students throughout the English-speaking world owe him an incalculable debt for his translation from the Dutch original of the enormously influential work, Paul: An Outline of His Theology, by his relative Herman Ridderbos.
Widely read and gifted with a velcro-strip-like memory, he had a knowledge of men and things that seemed encyclopaedic. His pastoral care will be long-remembered by the congregations he served, as will be the impress of his personality and teaching on the many students whom he introduced to the riches of church history and Reformed theology. He continued to teach his Sunday men’s Bible class at First Presbyterian Church almost to the end of his life.
Servant of Christ
Dick de Witt was a man of firm opinions, a fascinating and honest friend to many, but chiefly a servant of Christ who was devoted to his beloved wife Jane (who pre-deceased him), to their family, and to the people of God to whom he ministered wherever the Lord providentially led him.
Fittingly, his funeral service took place at his beloved First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, conducted by his minister and former student Dr Derek Thomas.
