Kalas obtained his Bachelor of Science at
University of Wisconsin–Madison in 1951; his Bachelor of Divinity at
Garrett Theological Seminary in 1954; and did additional graduate studies at University of Wisconsin–Madison (1954–1955), and
Harvard University (1955–1956). Dr. Kalas also held honorary degrees from
Lawrence University,
Asbury Theological Seminary, and
Kentucky Wesleyan College. Kalas' tenure with Asbury began in 1993 and he had taught Preaching there since 2000. He was the author of multiple Bible Studies published by the
United Methodist Publishing House as well as a groundbreaking study called "Christian Believer" which attempts to teach Methodist laity systematic theology. His addition to the field of
homiletics is the concept of the
Biographical Sermon, teaching a doctrine or biblical concept through the story of a real person's life. Biographical preaching can model methods for dealing with suffering and pain by telling the story of an exemplar's struggle with suffering and pain. ==Death==