A Father in the Faith, a Mentor, a Colleague, and a Dear Friend (Dr. Rod Rosenbladt, January 2, 1942 -- February 2, 2024)

Dr. Rod Rosenbladt died in Christ today after a brief illness.

There was no one else like him. J. I. Packer once told him, “Rod, you not only possess Luther’s theology, you embody the man.”

No one has influenced my course in life more than Rod. He was my first theology teacher. He encouraged me to do my M.A. thesis on B. B. Warfield. He was the one who urged me to go to Westminster Seminary California, and then when I graduated he and Dr. John Warwick Montgomery invited me back to the Simon Greenleaf School of Law (now Trinity Law School) to teach apologetics (my first professorship).

I introduced Rod to Mike Horton, who then invited Rod, Bob Godfrey, and J. I. Packer, to speak at Biola for a conference on the need and possibility of a new Reformation in American evangelicalism. Out of that conference came the initial funding for the White Horse Inn and Modern Reformation magazine.

When the White Horse Inn first went on the air—live radio on Sunday night in greater Los Angeles—no one knew where Rod would take the conversation. It was, as Rod would say, a “white knuckle flight.” In a way unique to him, Rod’s humor, insight into the human condition, and passion for the gospel of Christ and him crucified made its way into most every broadcast. No one could articulate that message to bruised reeds and honest seekers after truth better than Rod.

I could go on and on, but I will say that for over 40 years Rod was a huge part of my life. It is one of my greatest joys to have known him as a dear friend and confidant. Micki and I will miss him terribly. But I will still quote him, pass down the great stories, and think of him often and fondly.

And I am not alone. Rod’s influence is no small circle of intimates. No one I know of leaves behind such a significant number of men just like me, who count Rod as a father in the faith, a mentor, a colleague, and a friend. That speaks of a life well-lived and is the best kind of legacy.

I know that death and entrance into the Lord’s presence transforms all human experience (Luke 20:34-36), but I can imagine Rod and RC chatting with Martin Luther about all sorts of things. But even as I imagine such a conversation, I know that having seen their Savior face to face, the things of earth have grown strangely dim and that Rod stands before his Savior, washed in his blood and clothed in his righteousness, hearing those glorious words, “well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joys I have prepared for you!” (Matthew 25:21).

Please pray for Rod’s son (Ted) and daughter (Erin) and his grandchildren as they grieve, and for the folks at 1517 (which Rod helped to found) who will truly miss him. Pray too for all those who knew and loved Rod and who are now mourning their loss while at the same time giving thanks for the blessing of knowing that truly unique and unforgettable man who preached Christ crucified with such an infectious fervor, Rod Rosenbladt.

See also Mike Horton’s wonderful tribute to dad Rod