Martin R. DeHaan Grave

Martin R. DeHaan

 “The Lord endowed him with the ability to make Bible truth simple and easily understood.”
(Christian Hall of Fame)

Martin R. DeHaan: The Physician Who Became a Healer of Souls

Dr. Martin Ralph DeHaan (1891–1965) was a man who bridged two worlds — medicine and ministry — with a heart wholly dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. A physician by training and a Bible teacher by calling, DeHaan’s legacy continues to shape Christian thought through the enduring work of Radio Bible Class and its beloved publication, Our Daily Bread. His life testifies to the transforming power of grace and the deep hunger for God’s Word in an age of skepticism and distraction.

Early Life and Education

Martin R. DeHaan was born on March 23, 1891, in Zeeland, Michigan, to Dutch-American parents who valued both hard work and Christian devotion. He was raised in the Reformed tradition, immersed in Scripture from childhood. Yet, like many young men of faith, he faced a personal struggle between intellectual ambition and spiritual commitment.

After completing his early education, DeHaan attended Hope College and later graduated from the University of Illinois with a medical degree. His training led him into the practice of medicine, and by his late twenties, he was an established physician in western Michigan. Known for his keen mind and compassionate care, he built a successful practice and a respected reputation.

However, even in those years of professional accomplishment, DeHaan’s heart began to sense a deeper call. His faith, though sincere, lacked the vibrant assurance of grace. In time, a personal encounter with the saving power of Christ redirected the entire course of his life.

A Physician Transformed

While serving as a medical doctor, DeHaan began to experience a profound spiritual awakening. Confronted daily with human frailty, sickness, and death, he realized that the deepest needs of his patients were not merely physical but spiritual. He later described his conversion experience as one that moved him from religion to relationship — from knowing about Christ to knowing Him personally.

As his passion for Bible study grew, so did his conviction that God was calling him away from medicine and into full-time ministry. Against the advice of colleagues, DeHaan left a flourishing medical practice to attend Western Theological Seminary in Holland, Michigan. After completing his theological studies, he was ordained into the ministry of the Reformed Church in America.

Early Ministry and Growing Influence

Dr. DeHaan began his pastoral career in the 1920s, serving several congregations in Michigan. His preaching was marked by clear exposition of Scripture, vivid illustrations, and a physician’s precision in diagnosis and treatment — only now, the disease he sought to heal was sin. His unique combination of scientific reasoning and spiritual fervor attracted both believers and skeptics alike.

But his ministry was not without turbulence. DeHaan’s strong convictions about biblical authority and personal holiness sometimes brought him into conflict with denominational leaders. When differences over doctrine and church governance arose, he eventually withdrew from the Reformed Church and established an independent Bible church in Grand Rapids.

It was there that his ministry began to flourish in ways that would reach far beyond his local congregation.

The Birth of Radio Bible Class

In 1938, DeHaan began broadcasting a Sunday Bible study on a small local radio station. The program, called The Radio Bible Class, was not intended as a performance but as an in-depth Bible lesson — simple, scriptural, and sincere. His teaching, delivered in a warm conversational style, quickly drew an enthusiastic following.

Listeners from across Michigan wrote letters expressing gratitude for his clear, uncompromising exposition of God’s Word. Before long, The Radio Bible Class expanded nationally, and eventually internationally, becoming one of the most influential Christian broadcasts of the 20th century.

DeHaan’s voice — scholarly yet pastoral — reached into homes, prisons, hospitals, and far-flung mission fields. His approach was distinctive: rather than sensationalism or emotional appeal, he emphasized careful interpretation of Scripture, always applying eternal truths to everyday life.

The ministry’s growth led to the formation of a supporting publication. In 1956, Our Daily Bread was first published under the umbrella of the Radio Bible Class (now known as Our Daily Bread Ministries). The small devotional booklet quickly gained a wide readership, offering daily encouragement through Scripture and reflection. To this day, it remains one of the most widely distributed Christian devotionals in the world, translated into over 50 languages and read by millions.

Distinctive Teaching Style

Dr. DeHaan was known for his methodical, analytical teaching style. Drawing upon his medical background, he often used biological and chemical analogies to illuminate spiritual truths. He saw in the physical world the fingerprints of the Creator and used those insights to strengthen faith in the Bible’s authority.

One of his most popular books, The Chemistry of the Blood, illustrates this approach. In it, DeHaan explained how the unique nature of blood — scientifically and biblically — points to the redemptive work of Christ. The book became a Christian classic, bridging faith and science in a way accessible to lay readers and scholars alike.

His other writings, including The Tabernacle, Broken Things, and Law or Grace, continued this pattern — clear, biblical exposition presented with warmth, logic, and reverence.

Personal Trials and Perseverance

Dr. DeHaan’s life was not without hardship. His passion for ministry often pushed him to physical exhaustion. He suffered several health crises throughout his life, including heart problems that periodically forced him to rest. Yet even in weakness, he continued to teach and write, convinced that God’s power was made perfect in human frailty.

He was also a deeply devoted family man. His son, Richard DeHaan, later succeeded him as director of Radio Bible Class, ensuring the continuity of the ministry. The DeHaan family’s multi-generational involvement in Christian broadcasting became one of the hallmarks of the organization’s stability and longevity.

Final Years and Lasting Legacy

On December 13, 1965, Dr. Martin R. DeHaan suffered a fatal heart attack and entered the presence of the Lord he had served so faithfully. His death brought an outpouring of tributes from around the world. Thousands who had never met him personally testified that his voice on the radio and his words on the printed page had been a spiritual lifeline in times of struggle.

Today, his influence continues through Our Daily Bread Ministries, headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The organization now reaches more than 150 countries through print, digital, and broadcast media — all grounded in the same biblical principles that Dr. DeHaan championed.

A Physician of Souls

Martin R. DeHaan’s life stands as a remarkable example of how God can transform a man’s vocation into a greater mission. He began as a doctor healing bodies and ended as a teacher healing hearts. His ministry, rooted in Scripture and driven by love for truth, continues to inspire believers to study the Bible carefully, live faithfully, and rest confidently in the sufficiency of Christ.

In an era often marked by confusion and compromise, Dr. DeHaan’s unwavering commitment to the Word of God remains a model for every generation: that the Bible, when faithfully taught, still speaks with power to the deepest needs of the human soul.