Edmund Clowney


Edmund Prosper Clowney was a theologian, educator, and pastor.

Early life and education

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, he earned a Bachelor of Arts from Wheaton College in 1939, a Bachelor of Theology from Westminster Theological Seminary in 1942, a Master of Sacred Theology from Yale Divinity School in 1944, and a Doctor of Divinity from Wheaton College in 1966.

Ministry

Clowney was ordained in the Orthodox Presbyterian Church, and served as pastor for churches in Connecticut, Illinois, and New Jersey from 1942 to 1946. Westminster Theological Seminary invited him to become an assistant professor of practical theology in 1952. In 1966 he became the first president of that seminary, and remained so until 1984, when he became the theologian-in-residence of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Charlottesville, Virginia. In 1990, he moved to Escondido, California where he was adjunct professor at Westminster Seminary California. In 2001 he began a full-time position as associate pastor at Christ the King Presbyterian Church in Houston, Texas. After two years in Texas, Clowney returned to Trinity Presbyterian Church as part-time theologian-in-residence, a position he held until his death in 2005.
Clowney married Jean Granger Wright on August 30, 1942. They had five children.

Publications

Clowney was also a prolific writer. Books that he has authored include:
In addition, he authored many articles, lectures and sermons, including the anonymous humor column "Eutychus and His Pin" for the magazine Christianity Today from 1955-60, and Bible studies for the daily devotional Tabletalk''.
A memorial fund has been established in his name, with income coming from investments used to create student scholarships.
Tim Keller has said that Clowney and J. Alec Motyer were "the fathers of my preaching ministry".