Who was Clarence Larkin?

Answer

Clarence Larkin (1850–1924) served as a Baptist minister and was also known as a publisher of Bible study materials from a dispensational viewpoint.

Born in Chester, Pennsylvania, Clarence Larkin embraced Christianity at the age of 19 within the Episcopal Church. Despite feeling a calling to ministry, he initially faced limited opportunities and thus took a position at a bank. Over time, Larkin transitioned into roles as a mechanical engineer, draftsman, and educator for the visually impaired, professions that honed his skill in precise description. Due to health issues, he had to leave his teaching job. Following a period of recuperation, he ventured into manufacturing while still sensing the pull towards ministry.

By the age of 32, Larkin switched from the Episcopalian denomination to the Baptist faith after thorough study of the Scriptures led him to believe that the Baptist stance on baptism aligned more closely with biblical teachings. Two years later, he was ordained as a Baptist minister, prompting him to leave his business pursuits for full-time ministry. Initially not a premillennialist, Larkin later, after extensive research, adopted the belief that Christ would return before establishing His kingdom.

His initial pastorate was in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, followed by a twenty-year tenure in Fox Chase, Pennsylvania. It was during his time in Fox Chase that Larkin commenced teaching the Bible from a dispensational perspective. What set his teaching apart was his intricate, detailed drawings and charts. (His background in engineering and drafting is evident in his illustrations.) Initially created on a large scale for personal use in sermons, these drawings gained popularity, leading Larkin to publish them in book form. “Dispensational Truth: God’s Plan and Purpose for the Ages” (1918), which includes over 115 charts and illustrations, is regarded as a timeless masterpiece and remains in print to this day. Lark

In addition to that, he wrote several other books, including commentaries on Daniel and Revelation, both of which feature detailed charts and illustrations.

In the final years of Larkin’s life, his publications gained immense popularity, leading him to resign from the ministry in order to focus entirely on his writing.