The Rev. Dr. Loren Halvorson, ’53, long-time professor and friend of Luther Seminary, died Feb. 16 in Minneapolis of prostate cancer. He was 82.
Halvorson worked with Lutheran World Federation after World War II to find homes for Baltic refugees, and during the 1960s he led Faith and Life community conversations advocating for justice and reconciliation.
“Professor Halvorson was a man of great vision, peace and commitment to the community,” wrote Gary Koutsopoulos, ’93. “He foresaw the need of pastors to one day be ‘worker/priests,’ both in partnership with all humankind and in affinity for those who practiced their lives, faith and vocations in one humble movement. I will never forget the grace and empowerment of this beloved teacher and brother in Christ.”
Halvorson taught at Luther Seminary from 1959 to 1992 as a professor of church and society.
“Loren once described his own professorial mission at the seminary in military terms–as being a ‘forward observer,’ as one who ‘relays intelligence from the front lines,’ all as part of Christ’s ongoing mission to ‘overcome the world’ (John 16:33b),” remembered John Riggle, ’85 and ’91. “For me, as a Christian and a pastor, Loren’s vision was compelling, and became part of the thrust of my own life and ministry.”
With his wife, Ruth, he co-founded the ARC Retreat Center in 1976. Located in Stanchfield, Minn., ARC was founded by the Halvorsons as “a quiet place and a reflective atmosphere for individuals and groups on spiritual journeys of search and renewal who seek to slow down the pace of life, restore balance
and deepen relationships with self, others and God.”
Halvorson wrote three books, “Grace at Point Zero,” “Peace on Earth Handbook” and “Exodus Into the World.”