Meet Ralph I. Tilley

Christian Heritage

All four of my grandparents were devout Christians. My dear mother was a godly woman who went to be with the Lord in the winter of 1956. I attribute her sterling Christian character and fervent prayers as the chief human contributors in my conversion.

Conversion

I was converted to Christ at the age of sixteen in a Sunday evening service in Columbus, Indiana, in the summer of 1961. While still kneeling at the altar I sensed God was calling me into Christian ministry. Following the service I was driven by my brother Gordon to the manufacturing plant where my father was employed as a night watchman. I informed my father of my conversion and asked his permission to enroll (for my senior year) in a Christian high school in Cincinnati, Ohio. Having received father's permission, I went home, apologized to my step-mother for my sinful attitudes toward her, packed a suitcase, and was taken by my brother to school that same evening.

Education

Note: For some years I thought I was doing my readers a favor by not identifying the educational institutions from which I obtained degrees. I did so in order to minimize whatever prejudices one may have toward certain colleges and universities. Upon further reflection, I have decided this was unfair to my readers.

Bachelor of Theology (Th.B); area of concentration: Bible, Theology; God’s Bible School & College, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Master of Arts (M.A.); area of concentration: New Testament Studies; Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan.
Doctor of Religious Studies (D.R.S); area of concentration: Biblical Studies, Trinity Theological Seminary, Newburgh, Indiana.

Family

I married Emily Voyles on August 21, 1965, in Louisville, Kentucky. My wife was converted as a teen and has served lovingly and faithfully at my side for all these years. We have two Christian daughters (and sons-in-law) and three grandchildren.

Ministry

• Ordained to Christian ministry in 1966
• Founding Editor of Life in the Spirit in 1993
• Executive Director of Life in the Spirit Ministries since 1993
• Pastored for 38 years
• Serves/ed as an adjunct faculty member with several educational institutions.
• Conducts local church revivals and Bible conferences

Preachers & Writers Who Have
Influenced Me the Most

As the reader can see, there is quite a theological mixture of writers and preachers. With few exceptions, all the above would be considered evangelical authors and preachers. The Arminian, Calvinist, Reformed, and Arminian traditions are represented, as well as others. Each one—and many more not listed—have all profoundly contributed to my theological and spiritual education.

For those who are curious about my doctrinal and theological biases: I would hope I have none, though I realize that is a practical impossibility. I'm content to be known merely as a Christian. Did not the Apostle Paul rebuke the Corinthian Church for exalting one man over another? "One of you says, 'I follow Paul'; another, 'I follow Apollos'; another, 'I follow Cephas';" (1 Cor. 1:12). How much damage has been done in the Church because we have said, "I follow Augustine. "I follow Calvin." "I follow Luther." "I follow Wesley." I thank God for the contribution each of these men—and many of their followers—has made to our better understanding of the Bible and the ways of God. Personally, I will be content if there are those along the way who will be able to recognize me as a follower of Christ—a mere Christian. Jesus is Lord!

In the words of Thomas O. Chisholm,