Life of Zane C. Hodges
A brief look at his life, ministry, and legacy.
Early Life and Education
Zane C. Hodges was born on June 15, 1932, and went home to be with the Lord on November 23, 2008. He was 76 years old and remained a lifelong bachelor. He was predeceased by his father, Z. C. Hodges, his mother, Virginia, and his younger brother, David.
As an undergraduate student, Zane studied Greek, French, and German, and received a B.A. in Greek from Wheaton College in Illinois in 1954. After Wheaton, he moved to Dallas, Texas, to attend Dallas Theological Seminary, where he received a Master of Theology degree in 1958.
Teaching and Ministry
In 1960, Zane began serving as a professor in the New Testament Department at Dallas Theological Seminary, where he taught for 27 years. During those years, he also ministered at Victor Street Bible Chapel, a small Brethren assembly in Dallas, for around 50 years.
Through that ministry, he personally touched the lives of many people of different races, ages, and backgrounds. In the last five years of his life, he also served at Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship.
Publishing and Outreach
In 1981, Zane and a close friend founded the publishing company Redención Viva, which published and distributed his books, pamphlets, and cassette recordings. In 1988, he incorporated Kerugma, a tax-exempt charitable organization, and began sending The Kerugma Message newsletter to his financial supporters.
Faith and Personal Life
Zane lived a life consistent with the undeserved grace of God. While still in high school, he believed in the Lord Jesus Christ for the absolutely free gift of eternal life. He loved Jesus’ simple promise: “He who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47). He remained faithful to that message throughout his life.
One of his favorite verses came from Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well: “Whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).
Zane’s wide-ranging interests included the Cincinnati Reds, fantasy baseball, chess, boxing, wrestling, comic books, British mysteries, spending time with scholars and prisoners, and attending the Texas State Fair and the Renaissance Fair.