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After graduating, he pastored First FWB Church in Newport News, Virginia (June 1952-August 1953).\u00a0 It would be the only church he pastored.\u00a0 He returned to teach at Welch in 1953, and (except for two years away at graduate school) has served continuously at the college.\u00a0He met a pretty Alabama girl named Carolyn Le Fay Gilbert, who was also a faculty member.\u00a0 They were introduced by President L.C. Johnson, and married on August 4, 1956.\u00a0 Fifty years later, their two sons are casting long shadows across the denominational landscape.<\/p>\n
Older son, Dr. Jon Forlines, serves as vice president for student services and dean of students at Welch.\u00a0 Younger son, James Forlines, served as general director of the International Missions Department. Both sons graduated from Welch in 1980.<\/p>\n
\u2028The Hard Stuff<\/h4>\n
Leroy taught his favorite course, Systematic Theology, for the first time in 1954. This fall he taught it for the 51st time.\u00a0 He says the hardest class he ever taught was Minor Prophets, a course thrust upon him after the college dean had heart surgery.<\/p>\n
Forlines rarely took time off in those early years.\u00a0 He went to graduate school full-time for two years, and then went to summer school for 15 years.\u00a0 Maybe that\u2019s why he would like to change two things about his life.<\/p>\n
\u201cI wish I had been a faster reader,\u201d he says, \u201cand I wish I had been able to get by with less sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n
Leroy began serious writing in the 1960s\u2014not the easy kind that\u2019s more fluff than content, but the hard stuff focusing on doctrine, theology, and ethics.\u00a0 He was never able to simply tell a publisher he would produce 12 or 15 chapters on this or that subject.\u00a0 Rather, as he says, \u201cI had to let the writing come to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
He has written five books, including Romans<\/em>, the first volume in the Randall House Bible Commentary (1987), and his 544-page signature work, The Quest for Truth: Answering Life\u2019s Inescapable Questions<\/em> (2001).\u00a0 Other publications range from pamphlets to more than 130 magazine articles.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m just getting into overdrive,\u201d he says.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m working on three books now.\u00a0 A volume on secularism, another about the pathway of destruction brought on by sexual immorality in our society, and what will be my final book\u2014a volume on eschatology.\u00a0 That last book will deal with the unfolding plan of redemption through the covenants.\u201d<\/p>\n Two facts are clear for Forlines\u2014the most influential person in his life and his best moment. \u00a0His father, a man of impeccable character and integrity, is the most influential person.\u00a0\u201cMy father was a very fair man,\u201d Leroy says.\u00a0 \u201cHe did not take advantage of people.\u00a0 He always paid his debts, even as he was dying. He didn\u2019t have to do a lot of whipping with us children\u2014his words and example were enough.\u201d<\/p>\n He is just as positive about life\u2019s best moment.\u00a0 \u201cNo doubt about it.\u00a0 When I proposed to Fay, and she said Yes!\u201d<\/p>\n When asked how he came to terms with life\u2019s disappointments, Forlines said, \u201cI always try to find what reality is in every situation.\u00a0 Once I understand what the reality is about people and events, then I adjust to fit reality.\u201d<\/p>\n For 44 years the man whose name is synonymous with sound doctrine has chaired the Commission for Theological Integrity.\u00a0 The college where he taught 50 years named its premiere theological emphasis the \u201cForlines Lecture Series\u201d to honor the man whose passion has been to bring truth and life together.<\/p>\n During 2006 commencement activities, Welch honored Forlines for 100 semesters at the college, presenting him with a medal citing his five-decade teaching career, and a plaque of appreciation from the Board of Trustees.<\/p>\n <\/p>\nTwo Clear Facts<\/h4>\n
Reality and Humor<\/h4>\n