GRAND RAPIDS, MI—Paul L. Maier, beloved professor emeritus at Western Michigan University, ancient history scholar, and author of the #1 national best-seller A Skeleton in God’s Closet, passed away February 27. He was 94.
As the former Russell H. Seibert professor of ancient history at Western Michigan University, Dr. Maier taught on campus for fifty-two years and spent thirty-nine of those years as the campus chaplain. After his retirement in 2011, he retained the professor emeritus title. In 2018, he was honored for his legacy at the school with the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award from Marquis Who’s Who, an award that recognizes individuals’ achievements of greatness in their industries.
Dr. Maier was a staunch, vigorous, and engaging defender of the faith, considered an expert in apologetics. He was noted for using both secular and non-secular sources to confirm the authenticity of the Bible. He led countless tours to the Holy Land and other biblical sites. As a world-renowned author and international speaker, Maier wrote endless articles and books, both fiction and nonfiction. His books with Kregel include the nonfiction titles, Eusebius; Josephus: The Essential Works; Josephus: The Essential Writings; In the Fullness of Time later updated and retitled The Genuine Jesus; and The First Christmas; and two novels, Pontius Pilate and The Flames of Rome.
Dr. Maier wasn’t just a scholar and best-selling author, he was also Paul, a genuine friend to others. Longstanding Kregel employees remember his visits to Kregel to pick up books. He’d leave with his Triumph Spitfire so weighed down by cartons that the muffler would scrape along the driveway as he left.
“Dr. Maier has been one of our most significant and best-selling authors in our 75-year publishing history,” president Jerry Kregel said. “We first published Josephus: The Essential Writings back in 1988, and that was later released as the updated full-color Josephus: The Essential Works. Those and most of his other titles published with us, including some published in Spanish by our Spanish division Editorial Portavoz, are still in print after so many years. Combined, his books have sold well over half a million copies and continue to provide valuable historical context for readers worldwide. As a professor, chaplain, speaker, and author, he has left a tremendous legacy.”
Publisher Catherine DeVries said, “I had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Paul Maier at the Kregel home office a few times and witnessed his passion, dedication, motivation, incredible knowledge, and sense of humor with a sparkle in his eye, which I enjoyed most of all. He will be missed. I am grateful that his scholarship lives on through his books.”
Paul is survived by four daughters, ten grandchildren, two nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews. His daughters shared, “Our precious papa is now in glory with our mom, his parents, his brother, his friends, and most importantly with our beautiful Savior, welcoming him home.”
With his investment in the students at WMU, his expertise in his writing, and his relationships with family and friends, Dr. Maier has left a legacy that points directly to the love and salvation that comes from Jesus Christ.
Kregel Publications is an evangelical Christian publisher that aims to develop and distribute—with integrity and excellence—trusted, biblically based resources that lead individuals to know and serve Jesus Christ.
