The news came out today that F.N. Lee has passed away. According to Dr. Lee’s resource page, “in September 2011, Dr. Lee was diagnosed with incurable Motor Neurone Disease, alias Amytropic Lateral Sclerosis or Lou Gehrig’s disease. At 7.50 am Friday 23rd December, 2011, Nigel Lee was taken peacefully to his Lord.”
Dr. Lee was one of those rare scholars. Some have said that he is the most under-appreciated scholar of the 21st century. A committed Calvinist and Post-Millennialist, Dr. Lee was responsible for opening the theonomic doors–together with R.J. Rushdoony– for me in the year 2000. In 2006 I wrote Dr. Lee the following:
Many of my theological discoveries in that field came due to your lectures on Post-Millenialialism. I am deeply grateful to your ministry. Recently, I have come across your articles on the website and have begun reading one of them a week.
He responded with great delight. I attempted to book him for a Trinity Talk episode. His response was short:
You seem to be in the USA. I am in Australia, and somewhat deaf! So I don’t think a radio interview would be suitable. 07/01-09
Lee earned a remarkable number of degrees. A quick perusal will shock most readers. He kept up with a work ethic that I have not seen, except in Gary North and Peter Leithart.
I once asked him if Australia would be a good place to pursue a doctorate. His response again short and to the point:
No. Rather go to Germany. 09/27/06
Dr. Lee was remarkably interested in the role of the law in society. Concerning the Ten Commandments he once wrote:
Every one of them is vital, in all ages. For only by observing them can man live a full life each week; maintain a happy marriage; and function well in his home, his job, and even in the world internationally.
His artistic skills, his exegetical skills, and his comprehensive view of the world through the lens of God’s special revelation are part of the legacy of Dr. Francis Nigel Lee. His e-mail signature most clearly summarized his view of the world: “God Triune, at the start, created the tri-universe (cf. Genesis 1:1-3).”
May your body rest in peace until the great resurrection.
6 Replies to “The Death of Professor Francis Nigel Lee”