Rudolf Ehlers (March 30, 1834 – August 7, 1908) was a German theologian and clergyman born in Hamburg.
He received his education at the Universities of Heidelberg, Berlin and Göttingen.
After completion of studies he served as a pastor in Stolberg, and in 1864 relocated to the Protestant Reformed Church at Frankfurt am Main.
In 1879 he became co-editor of the journal "Zeitschrift fur praktische Theologie", and in 1884 was co-founder and vice-president of the Allgemeinen evangelisch-protestantischen Missionsvereins, today known as Deutschen Ostasienmission (German East Asia Mission).
In 1889 he was awarded with an honorary doctorate from the University of Jena.