Luther scholar Fretheim receives Bishop's Award

By Rachel Pritchett, communicator

TACOMA — The. Rev. Dr. Terence Fretheim received the Bishop’s Award  at this weekend's assembly for his work over many years benefitting the Southwestern Washington Synod.

Twenty-five years ago, Fretheim, an Old Testament professor at Luther Seminary, was assigned by the fledgling ELCA to help the synod with its theological needs. In spite of the many miles, Fretheim signed on to the synod’s roster, and routinely made many trips between St. Paul and here.

During visits, Fretheim helped lead assemblies and convocations.

As a member of the Region 1 Candidacy Committee, he was required to make more trips west, and even more later as a member of the Candidacy Committee of the Northwest Washington Synod. All that was on top of his rigorous academic responsibilities in St. Paul.

Fretheim expanded the way theologians look at the Old Testament. Before, educators focused on “salvation history.” He instead viewed the Old Testament through a “creation lens.” 

At Luther, Fretheim always has been at the center of turbulent social shifts. He was a young professor during Vietnam. He was on an American Lutheran Church panel tasked to decide on ordination of women. His work led to the 1970 decision to allow women clergy. Today, 47 percent of the Luther Seminary student body is female and 37 of the teaching staff is female.

More recently, Terry was a member of an ELCA task force on sexuality.

Fretheim now retires from Luther Seminary as the school sets itself on a steady financial course. By next year, the current financial crisis will result in a 25 percent reduction in faculty.