Arthur Wallis (Bible teacher)

Arthur Wallis (1922–1988): itinerant Bible teacher and author. Through his teaching and writing, most notably his book "The Radical Christian" (1981), Wallis gained the reputation of ‘architect’ of that expression of UK evangelicalism initially dubbed ‘the house church movement’, more recently labeled Charismatic Restorationism.

Early life

Born the son of ‘Captain’ Reginald and Mary Wallis. He attended Monkton Combe School, near Bath, before going on to Sandhurst and wartime service in the Royal Tank Regiment. He was wounded at the Anzio Bridgehead, an event that led him to question the compatibility of his army service with his sense of calling to Christian ministry.

Teaching ministry

After the war, Wallis married Eileen Hemingway (1946), and embarked on an itinerant preaching and teaching ministry, with a particular emphasis on revival, the work of the Holy Spirit, and the ‘restoration’ of the church. He authored some eleven books on these themes, and travelled widely (in particular to the USA, Australia and New Zealand). For much of his life Wallis lived in Devon, England, moving only in the last decade of his life, first to Yorkshire to join Bryn Jones’ Covenant Ministries, and later to Southampton.

Works

*"In the Day of Thy Power " (Christian Literature Crusade: 1956)
*"Jesus of Nazareth: Who is He?" (Christian Literature Crusade: 1959)
*"Jesus Prayed " (Gateway: 1967)
*"God’s Chosen Fast " (Kingsway: 1968)
*"Pray in the Spirit " (Kingsway: 1970)
*"Into Battle " (Kingsway: 1973)
*"Rain from Heaven " (Hodder & Stoughton: 1979)
*"The Radical Christian" (Kingsway: 1981)
*"Living God’s Way " (Kingsway: 1984)
*"On to Maturity " (Kingsway: 1987)

References

* Matthew, David (Ed.), "Arthur Wallis: A Tribute", special supplement in "Restoration" magazine. Harvestime, 1988.
* Wallis, Jonathan, "Arthur Wallis: Radical Christian", Kingsway, 1991. ISBN 086065852X.