In the vast landscape of Christian ministry, where approaches to Scripture vary widely, the name Les Feldick stands out as a unique and enduring voice. To his devoted audience, he is not merely a teacher; he is a beloved guide who opened the Bible to them in a way that was profoundly clear, logical, and transformative. Without the polish of a televangelist or the credentials of a seminary graduate, Feldick became one of the most influential and excellent Bible teachers of his time through a steadfast commitment to one simple method: “rightly dividing the word of truth.”
The Unlikely Teacher: From Rancher to Bible Scholar
Les Feldick’s story is not that of a typical minister. For most of his life, he was a cattle rancher and truck driver from the small town of Kinta, Oklahoma. His foray into teaching began not in a pulpit, but in a small, informal home Bible study. His wife, Iris, famously nudged him into sharing the insights he gained from his own diligent study. What started around a kitchen table soon outgrew its space, moving to a local community center.
His breakthrough came with local television. A station in Tulsa, Oklahoma, began airing his simple, straightforward lessons. There was no studio audience, no slick production—just a man in a suit, sitting at a desk with a well-worn Bible, a blackboard, and a handful of markers. This unassuming format became his trademark. Viewers responded not to theatrics, but to the substance of his teaching. The program, “Through the Bible with Les Feldick,” eventually expanded into a national syndication, reaching millions of homes and creating a dedicated following that continues to this day, even after his passing.
The Cornerstone of His Teaching: Rightly Dividing the Word
What made Les Feldick an excellent teacher was his unwavering commitment to a dispensational approach to Scripture. He took the Apostle Paul’s instruction in 2 Timothy 2:15 as his life’s mission: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”
For Feldick, “rightly dividing” was the key that unlocked the Bible. He taught that to understand Scripture correctly, one must recognize that God has dealt with humanity in different ways throughout different periods of history, or “dispensations.” His primary and most impactful division was between the Age of Law (governing Israel in the Old Testament and the Gospels) and the Age of Grace (governing the Church, the Body of Christ, as revealed through the Apostle Paul).
This framework allowed him to address apparent contradictions in the Bible with remarkable clarity. Why do the Gospels contain instructions that seem different from the Epistles? Why are miracles common in the book of Acts but not as prevalent today? Feldick’s answer was always to identify who God is speaking to in a given passage and what administrative rules are in effect. He taught that the Gospel for today is found clearly in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again, and that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in that finished work, apart from the law or human works.
The Hallmarks of His Excellence
Several key characteristics defined Les Feldick’s teaching style and contributed to his effectiveness:
- Simplicity and Clarity: Feldick had a gift for reducing complex theological concepts into simple, understandable terms. He often used folksy analogies from his life as a rancher, making deep truths relatable. His famous line, “When you get confused, just back up to the last thing you understood,” is a testament to his patient, logical approach.
- A Verse-by-Verse Methodology: He was not a topical preacher who picked verses to support a premise. He taught line-upon-line, precept-upon-precept, working systematically through entire books of the Bible, primarily the Pauline Epistles. This gave his students a comprehensive understanding of the text in its context, protecting them from proof-texting and misinterpretation.
- The Visual Aid of the Blackboard: The blackboard and his colorful markers were integral to his teaching. He would draw simple timelines, charts, and diagrams to visually illustrate the divisions in Scripture. Seeing the “Big Picture” of the Bible drawn out helped visual learners grasp concepts that words alone might not convey.
- A Loving and Sincere Demeanor: Viewers felt like they were sitting in the room with a kind and patient grandfather. His teaching was firm and uncompromising on what he believed to be truth, but it was never delivered with anger or condemnation. His love for the Lord, for the Scriptures, and for his students was palpable.
Lasting Legacy and Impact
The legacy of Les Feldick is immense. His television program continues to air on various stations and online platforms. His ministry has produced a complete set of study guides that cover the entire Bible, ensuring that his work will continue to teach future generations.
For countless individuals, Les Feldick was the teacher who made the Bible “click.” Many testify to having been in church for years without truly understanding the core message of Grace until they encountered his program. He demystified the Scriptures for the common person, empowering them to study with confidence. He provided a coherent system for understanding the whole counsel of God, from Genesis to Revelation.
In conclusion, Les Feldick was an excellent Bible teacher not because of his degrees or his eloquence, but because of his fidelity to a method he believed was prescribed by Scripture itself. He was a workman who was not ashamed, diligently mining the depths of God’s word and presenting his findings with clarity, logic, and a heartfelt desire for others to know the truth that sets them free. In a world of complex and often conflicting religious messages, the simple, consistent, and grace-centered teaching of Les Feldick remains a beacon of excellent biblical instruction.
