His Greater Works Ministry

Zane Hodges

June 15, 1932 ~

November 23, 2008

   Beloved mentor, pastor, teacher,  author and friend, Zane Hodges passed into the presence of his Lord at the age of 76. His funeral was held on December 2nd at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship in Dallas, Texas, with Dr. Tony Evans officiating.

   Zane was born on June 15th, 1932. He graduated from Wheaton College and then Dallas Theological Seminary. After graduating he was hired to teach Greek at DTS where he taught for 27 years until 1986. Over the last 22 years Zane devoted himself to writing and speaking. He taught for over 45 years at Victor Street Bible Chapel in Dallas. He wrote more than 10 books including The Hungry Inherit, The Gospel Under Siege, Grace in Eclipse, Six Secrets of the Christian Life, Harmony with God, Power to Make War, and stand-alone commentaries on James and 1-3 John. He and Dr. Art Farstad co-edited The Greek New Testament According to the Majority Text.

How I Shall Remember Zane Hodges by H. Graham Wilson Jr. and LaRue Wilson

Zane was a godly man who influenced many in a good way throughout his lifetime. I remember my first meeting with Zane in San Antonio, Texas. My brother Pat, Zane and I met at my brother's country club for an evening meal. As we scanned the menu the special was Trout Almandine cooked in a wine sauce and it looked delicious. I said to him, "Zane, do you object to having this special that's cooked in wine sauce?" And Zane, in his most gentle way, said, "No, I'll have that."

As the evening progressed and we probed Zane on many theological questions, I made a statement that woke Zane up. I said, "Zane, I wonder what God could have done with me if I had become a Christian early in life." His response was quick and to the point. "Graham," said Zane. "God knows exactly what He is doing with your life and you have no need to question Him on that!" Needless to say, I learned how Zane Hodges felt about the sovereignty of God.

Now we have come to the home-going of Zane Hodges and questions are sure to arise as to why this has happened when the need for a spokesman for the Free Grace movement is so vital. Well, you shall not hear that from me, for I learned long ago that "God knows exactly what He is doing in Zane's life and we have no need to question Him on that!"                              ~HGW

This was taken at a GES meeting in 2007 where Zane gathered with our group for breakfast. In the picture are LaRue & Graham, George & Viva Garza, Jo Schweizer and Zane.

I came to know Zane through our involvement with Grace Evangelical Society, though I had met him years earlier at a function at Texas Bible College. He seemed bigger than life to me and I always felt a little shy around him, even thinking Graham a bit brash to try and get him aside for a theological talk.

However, as I got to know Zane better, I found a very gentle, humble man, one who was willing to give his full attention to a questioning Christian.

I will sorely miss his insights and teaching at the annual conference. But I am so very grateful for the books and articles that he left for us so that we will not lack for understanding of the wonderful grace of God.                            ~LW

Some Thoughts about Zane

by Bob Wilkin and Luis Rodriguez

Zane has been like a father to me. He taught me how to exegete the Scriptures. He taught me so much about ministry and life. I am in shock.

Zane didn’t show up Sunday night at the Lord’s Supper meeting held in his office. Robert Calhoun and Mike Lii went to his apartment and found him. They think he died on Saturday night or Sunday morning.

Zane influenced thousands of pastors and missionaries directly and hundreds of thousands by means of his writings.

Grace Evangelical Society would never have come into existence but for the influence of Zane Hodges on my life. He was on the original GES board and remained on the board for nearly 10 years. The entire 22 years of GES’s existence he has always been there for me and for GES.

Anyone who knew him would say that he was a very godly and gracious man.

Zane never married. His parents, Z.C. and Virginia Hodges, went to be with the Lord in the past decade. His brother David died of a heart attack around 1981.

While we will miss him greatly, we rejoice that he is now with the Lord and with his mom and dad and brother.                     ~BW

Zane Hodges first came to Dallas to what we called The Old Mission in 1954. He had a ministry with the South Dallas youth. He wanted to reach the Hispanic culture at City Park. Zane did work for 10-15 years with the Hispanic youth.

     Later he went to North Dallas to what is called Little Mexico to work with the boys and girls in that area too. He led a youth club.

     Zane had a heart for the Hispanic people who didn’t know the Lord. He wanted to reach them. That was his first ministry here, when he was going to seminary (1954-58) and after. In 1959 he moved into the neighborhood and kept working among the Hispanics.                  ~LR