R e u t l i n g e n – The Baptists of Europe are saddened by the death of Prof. Dr. Hans-Harald Mallau. The well-known Baptist theologian who taught for many years at the European Baptist Federation’s (EBF) International Baptist Theological Seminary (IBTS) in Rüschlikon, Switzerland died of cancer in Reutlingen, Germany on 25 October. Born in Königsberg, East Prussia, he spent his entire career as an avid academic. After studying theology in Kiel, Boston and Hamburg, he worked initially as Theological Assistant at the University of Kiel. In 1969 he served briefly as Guest Professor for Old Testament at IBTS. He then taught from 1970 to 1977 in Buenos Aires before returning to IBTS, where he served as Professor of Old Testament until his retirement in 1995. He spent his retirement in the Baptist congregation of Reutlingen, where he was actively involved in congregational life. He also preached there frequently. But in the past two years his cancer illness had led to strong pain which could only be lessened slightly by pain therapy.

Regina Claas (Elstal near Berlin), General-Secretary of Germany’s Federation of Evangelical-Free Churches, expressed her sadness regarding Mallau’s passing. Knowing of his illness, members of the Federation had prayed for him and his family. She recalled that “generations of students had profited from his extensive knowledge and talent for teaching”. He had taught young persons to carry the Good News of Jesus Christ into all the world in a competent fashion.  

Keith Jones, Rector of IBTS at its new location in Prague, called Mallau “a faithful servant of Jesus Christ”. He had decisively shaped academic life at this seminary. Following a distinguished teaching career in Argentina, he had chosen to share his knowledge with the Baptist students of Europe. He had pursued this objective with faithfulness and competence. Many generations of students had profited from his scholarship . Claas and Jones also thanked God for Mallau’s contribution.