Dr. Larry Crabb, who served as chairman and professor of the Graduate Department of Biblical Counseling at Grace Theological Seminary from 1982-1989, died Sunday, February, 28, 2021, according to information posted on his ministry’s website, Larger Story. It is included below. He went on to chair the graduate counseling program at Colorado Christian University. A report from the university is also included below.
It is with great sadness and astonishing joy that we tell you of Dr. Larry Crabb’s arrival in Heaven early Sunday morning. Heartache because we already miss him so much, and heartfelt delight because we each have a faint sense of just how much he is now enjoying the great celebration and perfect rest of life in the presence of the Trinity.
As one who taught so many of us that it is possible to trust no matter our circumstances or condition of soul, Larry can now testify to the unspeakable joy and unlimited goodness of God. It truly is well with his soul.
Rachael, Kep, Ken and the family are grieving together and want you to know that they are well. They are planning two memorial services, one in Charlotte and one in Denver for mid- April and both of those will be livestreamed at LargerStory.com. We will send more details as these plans are finalized. The Crabb family is grateful for the outpouring of love and support that you have offered to them and appreciate your patience as they navigate this season together.
The Larger Story team also requests your patience as we work to fulfill orders from our store during this time of disruption. We will get those items to you as soon as we can and we apologize for the slight delay as we adapt to our current situation.
During his long and fruitful life, Larry Crabb ushered so many into a new and more vibrant life with the Trinity, and now his death is continuing to stir us to become more fully alive to the future waiting for us in heaven:
3-5 What a God we have! And how fortunate we are to have him, this Father of our Master Jesus! Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now! God is keeping careful watch over us and the future. The Day is coming when you’ll have it all—life healed and whole.
6-7 I know how great this makes you feel, even though you have to put up with every kind of aggravation in the meantime. Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine. When Jesus wraps this all up, it’s your faith, not your gold, that God will have on display as evidence of his victory. 1 Peter 1:3-7
Larry lived his life firmly anchored in the truth of this scripture, and now he is healed and whole and his lifelong faith points us all to the certainty of God’s great victory. What an honor to be part of his legacy.
CCU Mourns Larry Crabb’s Passing
The Colorado Christian University community was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Dr. Larry J. Crabb, a longtime CCU professor and former chair of the graduate-level counseling degree program. Since 2003, Dr. Crabb served as Distinguished Scholar in Residence and University Representative. In addition to the many master’s classes and seminars that he led at CCU, for many years he was a regular chapel speaker in the College of Undergraduate Studies and was known to host a “Senior Dessert Night” each spring, challenging and encouraging seniors just before they graduated from CCU. His work at CCU will have a long-lasting impact on the direction of the University, as well as in the lives of our students.
As the founder of the counseling program at CCU, Dr. Crabb set the University on the national stage and elevated its graduate programs. He was also instrumental in shaping the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program, where he was an affiliate faculty member for a decade. The master’s degree in counseling is now the largest graduate-level degree program at Colorado Christian University.
“We were heartbroken to learn of the passing of Dr. Larry Crabb, one of our biggest advocates and friends,” said Dr. Donald W. Sweeting, CCU president. “He was a leader, an educator, and a spiritual adviser to many in the CCU community for a number of years. He had a passion for Christ-centered, biblically grounded psychology, and for seeing sound Christian counseling transform people’s lives. He will be greatly missed by all of us at Colorado Christian University.”
In November 2018, CCU dedicated the Larry J. Crabb Center for University Counseling. The center is staffed by full-time, state-licensed mental health professionals and counseling interns that provide counseling services to the more than 1,400 undergraduate students at CCU’s Lakewood campus. The Center was named in Dr. Crabb’s honor as a testament to his extensive contributions to the University.
During his over 30-year affiliation with CCU, Dr. Crabb was a best-selling author; served as the spiritual director of the American Association of Christian Counselors; founded NewWay Ministries; and was a trusted colleague to six CCU presidents.
While we find peace in knowing Dr. Crabb is now home with the Lord, we continue to grieve alongside his wife, Rachael, and their children, and grandchildren. We ask everyone to join us in praying for the entire Crabb family and that God’s comfort and peace will be with them during this difficult time.
Colorado Christian University is planning an on-campus memorial to honor Dr. Crabb sometime after the Easter holiday. Details regarding the event will be forthcoming.
