wfn.org | Lutheran Theologian, Author, Seminary Dean, Gerhard Krodel Dies

[<NEWS@ELCA.ORG>]

ELCA NEWS SERVICE

August 31, 2005

Lutheran Theologian, Author, Seminary Dean, Gerhard Krodel Dies
05-159-FI/JS*

     CHICAGO (ELCA) -- The Rev. Gerhard A. Krodel, a German born
theologian and educator who taught at three of the eight
seminaries of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA),
died Aug. 28, 2005, at his home in Gettysburg, Pa., following a
long illness.  He was 79.
     "Gerhard Krodel had an unrelenting passion for the gospel of
Jesus Christ.  Imparting its message and equipping others to do
so was his life's work," said the Rev. Michael L. Cooper-White,
president of the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg
(LTSG), where Krodel retired in 1994 as the Glatfelter Professor
of Biblical Studies.
     Cooper-White visited Krodel in the week before Krodel's
death.	"I asked what gave him the greatest joy as he looked back
over his life and ministry.  Without hesitation he responded, `my
students,'" Cooper-White said.	"On behalf of all of them, and on
behalf of Gettysburg Seminary where he spent his final pre-
retirement years as professor and dean, I salute this man of God,
pastor of the church and widely known professor and theologian:
Well done, good and faithful servant."
     A memorial service will be held Sept. 10 in LTSG's chapel.
     Born Feb. 7, 1926, in Liechtenstein (Saxony), Germany,
Krodel was a graduate of the University of Regensburg, Germany.
He earned a divinity degree and doctorate from the University of
Erlangen, Germany.  He also studied at the University of
Tuebingen, Germany, and Union Theological Seminary, New York.
     Krodel was ordained in the former American Lutheran Church
in 1952 and served as pastor of St. John Lutheran Church, Long
Beach, N.Y., for three years.
     Recognized as a biblical scholar specializing in the New
Testament, Krodel began his 40-year teaching career in 1955 as a
professor of classical languages and religion at Capital
University, Columbus, Ohio.  Capital is one of the ELCA's 28
colleges and universities.
     Krodel taught New Testament at Wartburg Theological
Seminary, Dubuque, Iowa, 1958-1964, and at the Lutheran
Theological Seminary at Philadelphia, 1964-1977.  He served as
dean of the Philadelphia seminary from 1973 to 1977, when he
joined the faculty of LTSG as dean and professor.  He was dean of
the Gettysburg seminary until 1991.
     Dr. Edward Sites, a University of Pittsburgh professor who
chaired the seminary's board of directors at the time of Krodel's
retirement in 1994, said Krodel left his mark on both the
seminary and the Lutheran church with "brilliant scholarship,
inspirational teaching, and energetic leadership in theological
education."
     Krodel authored 10 books and published more than 50
additional scholarly articles, including several commentaries on
parts of the New Testament.  He was the editor of Fortress Press'
"Proclamation Commentaries," one of the most widely used
resources by clergy in preparation for preaching.
     Krodel served on the Commission on Faith and Order of the
National Council of Churches USA.  He represented the Lutheran
church on the International Orthodox-Lutheran Dialog in the 1980s
and 1990s.  For more than two decades he served as president of
the Lutheran Board for Mission Support, which collected funds for
the establishment of a Lutheran Seminary in Russia.
     He is survived by his wife Joan, three daughters, four
grandchildren, a brother and a sister.
-- -- --
     The home page for the Lutheran Theological Seminary at
Gettysburg is at http://www.ltsg.edu/ on the Web.

* The Rev. John R. Spangler is director of mission interpretation
and communication, Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg.

For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news