Rev. Dr. Terence Erling Fretheim
January 27, 1936 – November 16, 2020
Terry, 84, died at home on what would have been his mother’s 113th birthday. He had been diagnosed with plasma cell leukemia. Terry is survived by his wife of 64 years, Faith; daughters Tanya Fretheim and Andrea Fretheim; grandchildren Kelly, Shannon, and Emre; his youngest brother, Stephen; sister-in-law Judy; four nieces and nephews; as well as many extended family and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents Erling and Marie, brothers Gary and Mark, sister-in-law LaVila, aunt Ada, and uncle Phil.
Terry was the oldest of four boys—his father was a Lutheran pastor, his mother, a nurse. In addition to his dad, his uncle and his grandfather were also Lutheran pastors. His first steps on the Luther Seminary campus came in 1939 when he was three years old, and his dad was attending Luther Seminary. As a high school student, Terry attended Augustana Academy in Canton, SD, and went on to Luther College in Decorah, IA, where he sang in the Nordic Choir under Weston Noble, earned his BA in 1956, and met his soon-to-be bride, Faith. They were married in August 1956, and shortly thereafter, Terry and Faith moved to the Twin Cities, where Terry took his next steps on the Luther Seminary campus—this time as a student himself. In addition to being a student, he was a teaching fellow in Greek in 1958–60 and earned his MDiv in 1960. Terry received a Fulbright Scholarship and studied at the University of Durham, England, from 1960–61. He was an instructor in Old Testament at Augsburg College and Seminary, Minneapolis, from 1961–63 and assistant professor of religion at Augsburg College from 1967–68. In between those years, Terry studied at Princeton Theological Seminary, taught Old Testament from 1965-67 as a student, and earned his ThD in 1967.
During his 1967–68 year at Augsburg, Terry received a call from Luther Seminary to teach Old Testament. He accepted and was ordained in June 1968—the same day his daughter was baptized. He served the Dennison and Vang Parishes in Dennison, MN, while simultaneously stepping onto Luther Seminary’s campus as an assistant professor, wrote his first two books, and became a dad, twice. In 1971, Terry and Faith and their two daughters, Tanya and Andrea, moved to St. Paul a stone’s throw from the Luther Seminary campus. During his 45-year career at Luther Seminary, he taught Old Testament theology, had a 10-year stint as Dean of Academic Affairs, and team-taught a class with Dr. Paul Sponheim (lovingly dubbed “the Heim Brothers”) for 20 years titled, “God, Evil, Suffering.” He took sabbaticals in 1975–76, associated with Heidelberg University, Germany, and wrote The Message of Jonah. In 1982–83, he associated with Mansfield College, Oxford University, England, during which time he wrote The Suffering of God, and in 1988–89 associated with University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, where he wrote Exodus: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching. Starting in 1988, Terry spent weekdays in St. Paul and weekends in Chicago when Faith took a job with the Women of the ELCA at the Churchwide office in Chicago. Terry was rostered in the Southwestern Washington synod and was a member of the candidacy selection committee for more than 20 years. During the summers of 2003 and 2004, Terry associated with Tyndale House research library, Cambridge University, England, where he wrote God and World in the Old Testament: A Relational Theology of Creation. In total, Terry wrote more than 25 books on Old Testament theology—including Creation Untamed: The Bible, God, and Natural Disasters and his most recent book published in August 2020, God So Enters Into Relationships That…—and countless articles which have helped shape pastoral students over the last 50 years and counting. Terry officially retired from Luther Seminary in 2013 after 45 years of service.
Terry was an advocate and leader in some key changes within the Lutheran church. As a biblical scholar he participated on the theological team that made the ordination of women possible in the ELCA. He was one of the first to help make distance learning a possibility for students who could not attend Luther Seminary in the traditional way (long before Zoom and remote learning was commonplace). And, Terry worked with the ELCA Task Force on Sexuality which opened the way for the full participation of people who identify as GLBTQ, including marriage and ordination.
In addition to receiving a Fulbright Scholarship, Terry was the recipient of the Lutheran Brotherhood Seminary Graduate Scholarship, the Martin Luther Scholarship, the Fredrik A. Schiotz Fellowship Award, and the ATS Scholarship for Theological Research. He became the first recipient of the Elva B. Lovell Chair of Old Testament in 1978. As a Luther College alumnus, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa in 1995. In 2006, Terry was honored with his Festschrift.
He had been visiting professor at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago and both visiting professor and lecturer at the University of Chicago Divinity School. In addition, he had been a visiting professor at Sabah Theological Seminary in Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia; Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia, PA; Lutheran Theological Seminary Tai Wai in Hong Kong (twice); Trinity Seminary in Columbus, OH; Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo, Egypt; and Candler Theological Seminary at Emory University in Atlanta, GA. The list is long where Terry was also a guest professor or had a lectureship. He particularly enjoyed his guest lecturing and stays in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Christikon, MT, and Holden Village, WA.
Joining in 1972 and continuing until this day, Terry and Faith have enjoyed reading and discussing books monthly with a group of Seminary professors and their spouses with whom they have forged life-long friendships.
Terry’s family will remember the sweet smell of his pipe tobacco wafting through his office, classical music playing in the background, and the clacking of his typewriter keys and later computer keyboard as he wrote, and wrote, and wrote…
The family requests any memorial gifts be sent to:
Terence E. and Faith L. Fretheim Scholarship for Environmental Studies and The Care of Creation
Development Office – Loyalty Hall
700 College Drive
Decorah, IA 52101
There will be a virtual live-streaming Celebration of Life ceremony on December 5, 2020, at 11 a.m. Central . More info can be found at luthersem.edu/news/2020/11/19/fretheim.
Please share your memories of Rev. Dr. Fretheim in the comments section below, which we are using as a guestbook.
Rev Charley Lopez says
Rest in God’s eternal peace dear friend. Remembering your family & Luther Seminary in my prayers.
Mark Donald says
Terry taught at Christikon’s Continuing Education week during the summer of 2014. His passion both for the Old Testament and for people was in full display, and made a marked impression on our college-aged staff people. One in particular was struggling to connect her science background to her faith life. She sat by Terry during lunch, asked him if he would help her process the two, and he ended up spending the remainder of the meal, plus the next 90 minutes on the Lodge porch, answering every question she had. His gift of presence and time had a tremendous impact on her, and significantly shaped future direction and career path.
I imagine that wasn’t the only significant conversation Terry had with students and others. He and Faith are powerful gifts to the Christikon community, and we join with countless others in giving thanks for his life and service. May God bless his memory.
Deborah Taylor says
My deepest condolences to Dr. Fretheim’s family, many friends, and colleagues past and present on the Luther Seminary faculty. He legacy is not only one of scholarship, but of kindness. May you find peace and comfort as you grieve his loss.
Nancy Christensen says
He was truly a gentle giant, a faithful servant. I am so grateful for the brief time we knew each other. Love to Faith and the family.
Jim and Julie Aageson says
I have known Terry since 1972 when I became a student at Luther Seminary. As a teacher and mentor he was simply outstanding. His insights into Scripture were formative for me and the OT scholarly world. Over the following years, we became good friends, and I always knew if I needed wise counsel Terry would be there. In addition to everything else, Terry was a true gentleman and even more a gentle man. My heart is saddened at his death and at same time over-joyed by his life. Julie, too, has felt great kinship with Terry and Faith. In many ways she and Faith, whose work for the church often intersected, have been the main
channel of communication between our two families. As we now remember Terry’s life, Julie and I also keep Faith, Tanya and Andrea in our hearts and prayers.
Gayle Moore-Morrans says
In thankfulness to our God for the life and friendship of Terry. My late husband, the Rev. G.G. (Gus) Johannesson (a ’60 classmate of Terry’s at Luther Sem) and I were blessed to become a part of Terry’s and Faith’s “extended family” during his sabbatical in Heidelberg 1975-76. What fun times we had being honorary aunt and uncle to Tanya and Andrea. Gus and I also regularly overnighted at Chez Fretheim during a number of trips home to North Dakota and Wisconsin during our Deutschland sojourn and eventually enjoyed bringing our two children into their company. Thanks for all the years of friendship, Terry, Faith, Tanya and Andrea. Rest in the peace of our common Saviour and Lord Jesus, dear Terry.
Susan Salomone says
I loved sitting next to Terry during our time on the ELCA Human Sexuality taskforce. Always insightful, kind, and words of wisdom we all needed to hear. Truly a blessing.
Mark Nygard says
On September 12th, 1972, my first day at seminary, I opened my new notebook for OT 111, Dr. Terry Fretheim’s class on “Scripture and its Interpretation.” In the months that followed, he and his colleagues turned this basically confirmation-level Bible reader into a biblically sensitive Lutheran exegete. Long after I left his classrooms, in Cameroon, Senegal, and Egypt, he continued to reach out to me through books which remain in my library–everything from “creation, fall, and flood” to “God So Enters into Relationships That….” It was a high moment when my wife and I got to host Terry and Faith during the course he taught in Cairo. Terry’s passing is like a critical timber of the woodwork of my life has been pulled away, and we join Terry’s family in looking to his relational Lord for comfort and reassurance.
David Tiede says
In 1971 as he was completing his pastoral call, Terry and Faith welcomed Muffy and me to the Luther Seminary faculty, just as they extended their hospitality to generations of new faculty. Team teaching with Terry was always an honor and a learning experience. His spectacular scholarship is world renown, only excelled by his gifts as a teacher who loved his students. And he was “Dean for a decade!” His 45 years as a Luther Seminary professor were capped-off by his and Faith’s global teaching peregrinations. Like Abraham and Sarah, they were blessed to be a blessing for thousands of us! Thanks be to God!
Sabah Theological Seminary says
Our deepest condolence to Dr Fretheim’s family. Sabah Theological Seminary is thankful for his time here before, for his teaching and fellowship and the impact he had on the students is long lasting even with a short visit.
Song Mee Chung says
My deepest condolence to Dr. Fretheim’s family. Although I have only met him when he was in Sabah with Faith, it was a good memory of his humility and fellowship.
Paul R. Sponheim says
Terry was an extraordinary gift to the church, the academy and the world at large. I was so fortunate to team-teach with him for twenty years and learned a great deal in the process. I miss him keenly already but I am grateful that he is at peace. He added profound substance to the phrase “A God in Relationship”.
Walter F. Taylor, Jr. says
Terry and I intersected at several points in our ministries. One notable occasion was speaking to the Conference of Bishops on human sexuality. We took different positions, but I think (hope!) we outlined those positions with a certain level of grace and graciousness–at least Terry did! We were excused from the meeting room so that the bishops could have their conversation in private. Terry and I immediately agreed to get something to drink and continue our conversation. As several bishops said later, they would have preferred overhearing our conversation rather than staying for their meeting–which was, of course, a credit to Terry’s insights and calmness. The more recent time we were in the same place was when Terry taught a semester at Trinity Lutheran Seminary, where I was teaching New Testament. In part because I already knew Terry I was privileged to be his host when he arrived on campus and helped orient him to our place. His one-semester impact was much larger than the few weeks with us could have predicted. I know of no one who has not been blessed by Terry’s scholarship, teaching, and presence.
Peter Rogness says
I was one of those in the Conference of Bishops that day, and one of them who would have loved to have heard the Taylor/Fretheim conversation continue – insightful, thoughtful, respectful point/counterpoint that was and is far too seldom the case. There’s a reason why Terry and you (and others) are so often sought out after seminary years to continue to interact with people throughout the church. Terry was brilliant and down-to-earth, a gifted combination.
David Solberg says
I was a student of Terry’s at Augsburg Seminary before it merged with Luther Sem. He opened our minds to the critical study of the Old Testament scriptures and the study of the the Hebrew language. My theological understandings of the Old Testament have never been the same since and have grown even more over the years. Since then Terry has been a mentor for me thought my entire ministry. He was and is a remarkable scholar, teacher, mentor and human being.
Stephen Redman says
Terrence Fretheim has left a huge legacy for Pastors and students alike. In York (UK) I stand on his shoulders and can still hear his words whenever i flick through the pages in my library – both journal articles and books. Thank God for Terence and may God be gracious to us and send us ten more like him. My sincere condolences are with his family.
Thomas Jay Oord says
I am one of Terry’s “students from afar.” That is, I read his books and gained so much from them! When I eventually met him, I discovered him to be humble and encouraging. I join many indebted to him!
Thomas Jay Oord
En Yu Thu says
We are very sorry to learn Dr Terence Fretheim was called to his heavenly home. Dr Fretheim was once a visiting professor in Old Testament at Sabah Theological Seminary, he was well liked by all the students and colleagues here. On behalf of the Faculty, staff and Students of Sabah Theological Seminary, I would like to convey our most sincere condolences and sympathy to Mrs Fretheim, Faith and the family.
Dr Fretheim is a profound Old Testament scholar, in one of his books, “The Book of Genesis”, he talked about the unity and solidarity have always led to confusing scenarios. In fact, solidarity has a wider meaning, it is unity in diversity. Here I quote what he said,” The right kind of unity occurs only when the community encompasses the concerns of the entire world and encourages difference and diversity to that end. Proper unity manifests itself in an ability to live together without conflict, oppression, and having common objectives in tune with God’s purpose for the world” (p.414). Dr Fretheim’s faith, vision and dedication will remain always a living example to all of us.
We will uphold the family members in prayers and may God grant them His comfort and peace.
Yours,
En Yu Thu
Principal
Sabah Theological Seminary
Amanda Grimm-St. Paul, MN says
I knew Terry and Faith through their niece Amanda. We spent a lovely week with them when they were living in Cambridge. They toured us around the campus and other areas – driving on the “wrong” side of the road and all! They taught me how to have long meals and we had wonderful conversation. They encouraged Amanda and I to take a walk through a field even though we were worried about getting lost. They sent us punting. They encouraged our antics, posing for silly pictures by statues, in Stratford Upon Avon. Those memories are ones I cherish to this day. In this month of remembering those who have gone to their eternal rest, I sadly added Terry’s name to those loved ones who have gone before me. I will remember him and LaVila along with the Fretheim family. My prayers are with Terry’s family during this sad time.
Bob Esse says
It is indeed rare to have an individual with the prolific capability to read, write and teach in areas that require extended thought to bring clarity to others. Terry was indeed a deep thinker. I only knew Terry from afar, through others, but he indeed left his mark on humankind. Continue to carry a similar baton forward Faith.
John Peterson says
I first met Terry in the summer of, I believe, 1969, when he was, among other things, the pastor at Dennison. I was researching a college project and needed to find some grave stones of people were supposed to be buried there. He came to the parsonage door, and greeted me, and said he was on the way to I believe a wedding rehearsal, but pointed out the section of the cemetery where the individuals in which I was interested were probably located. I thanked him and proceeded to the cemetery, and found the people I needed to find in the area he suggested.
Therefore, when I arrived at LS a couple of years later, I met him, and reported how much he had helped me at Dennison. He was a joy to have as a teacher as well.
I was the archives curator at Mt. Airy Seminary in Philadelphia for 42 years, and outside my office door was a photo of a group of students from the WW II era who were in what I believe was called the V-12 program, where they provided armed forces chaplain training to students. One of those students was a relative of Terry’s and when I subsequently mentioned this to him, he told me about him.
Kathryn Reid (Cutler) Walker says
The world has lost and heaven has gained an incredible teacher. Terry Fretheim was my most influential professor at Luther Seminary. Of course, with that wonderful voice, he could have read a recipe card, and I would have been enraptured! The email address I’ve had since seminary is an homage to him: metaphorsmatter.
Lyle Rossing says
Dear Faith, What good times Betty and I had with you and Terry at Princeton. We loved the conversation and happy aire you folks generated. I have always remembered what Terry said at a seminar, years later. Reflecting on Jacob wrestlng with the angel and having his hip injured before being blessed by God, Terry said, “And Jacob remembered the grace of God thereafter with every step he took.” A lesson so apt, so oft, allowing suffering to point us to the One who sustains us. And now, with such a friend of humankind at his departure.
Our Lord Jesus uphold you and yours, Faith.
Kristin D. Anderson says
A seminary professor who, in his recommendation of an advisee for certification as a pastor included, “A wise maturity will inform her work,” will never be forgotten. One sentence was a lasting gift when I needed to muster courage.
Rev. Becky A. Chamberlain says
I met Dr. Fretheim when he was visiting professor at McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago in 1999-2000. I was blessed to take two of his classes: Jeremiah, and God and Suffering. Both were excellent, but God and Suffering changed my thinking about the God of the Old Testament. Eye-opening and transforming! I learned things I had never been exposed to, and my relationship with God deepened and blossomed! Terry agreed to preach at my ordination service at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago. It was a hot, July Sunday in 2000 and the Sanctuary had no air conditioning at the time. I will never forget what a gift his presence (in full academic robe) and preaching was to me (and others) on that day. He was that rare individual who was a theologian/academic with a pastor’s heart. He was my best mentor and professor in all of my seminary studies. I will carry him in my heart and what he taught me about the relationality of God forever. Thanks be to God for his life and the legacy he leaves in his books and teachings!
Marilyn G Preus says
Hearing and seeing Terry Fretheim read the opening verses of Isa. 43 on Enter the Bible from Luther Seminary on-line brought tears to my eyes and memories of a great teacher to mind. Thanks be to God and peace to his family.
Peter and Helen Lockwood says
Vale, Terry, remarkable mentor and dear friend, together with Faith. I am privileged to be numbered among the countless students who have sat at his feet, benefited from his challenging and engaging classes, and been drawn with him into the endless riches of the biblical text. Deeply immersed in the best OT scholarship of the day, Terry constantly pressed its edges and took colleagues and students on an eye-opening, gospel-focused ride. The peace of Christ comfort your hearts, Faith, your family, and friends.
Bob Brusic says
Terry enriched many lives, mine included. He was always candid, honest, and ,supportive, traits which made life interesting. I valued his frfriendship. He was a great gift to the seminary , the church and the
gospel.
Dirk G. Lange says
Praise be God for Terry’s life now given! Terry was the wise one among us, not only for his scholarship but for his deep understanding of human nature and community and life. Praise be God for his life now given. Many, many prayers with and for Faith and all the family.
Philip Formo says
Such wonderful memories of Terry while at the seminary and as we would enjoy skiing in Colorado with so many other pastors at Theoprobe. Never forget finding he and Faith at Heathrow, all of us returning to the United States after wonderful visits to the United Kingdom. It might have been in his class I would arrive as an aged 30 year old student singing “Jeremiah was a bullfrog” Pastor Phil Formo Class of 1980
Georganne Robertson says
What a rich memorial service, a wonderful witness of a faithful servant who enriched the lives of countless others and reflective of the grace filled life of witness to world we were blessed to share with Terry.
Craig Koester says
Dear Faith, Tanya, Andrea and all — The service today was wonderful and a fitting celebration of Terry’s life and witness. My thoughts today include the wonderful friendship you had with my parents and what all of you meant to them beginning with the time in Dennison and for so many years afterward. On a personal level, Terry exemplified for me what faith seeking understanding meant. In a profound sense he was a role model, as someone who was a outstanding teacher and pastor, an exemplary scholar, and a remarkable dean of the seminary. In all of those roles he took a deep interest in people, His curiosity and continual learning was an inspiration to those of us who knew and worked with him. He has been influential for me since I listened to him preach while in high school, learned from him as a student, later co-taught with him, and knew him as part of the seminary community. Peace be with all of you. May God continue to uphold you all with the promise of resurrection.
Nancy Isaacson says
I will never forget Dr. Fretheim”s graciousness and friendliness around the Luther campus, how he seemed to greet every person he met by name. I also appreciated that he wrote comments on every paper he graded. I give thanks for his long and faith-filled life.
Nan Knutsen, M.Div. '81 says
Terry Fretheim was one of my first professors at Luther when I was a timid fish out of water from Brooklyn, NY. What I experienced in his class gave me the confidence and reassurance that this was where I needed to be. Such a wise, personable, and inspiring teacher! I will never forget it. God’s strength and peace to you Faith as you navigate the days ahead. I join you in giving thanks for Terry’s life!
Bishop Emeritus Gary Wollersheim says
Dr. Fretheim: scholar, teacher, mentor and friend. We thank God for your witness to the Gospel!
Judith E Kerr MA ‘03 says
The relationship is fulfilled and ongoing. Peace to his family. “God, Evil, and Suffering” was the best course I took at Luther. The honesty professed there opened our lives to truth and the courage to be honest and truthful in our personal futures.
walter sundberg says
Dear Faith and family, Blessings to you at this time. Terry was a fine colleague, scholar, and teacher. I remember fondly his kindness to me over forty years ago when I was a lowly instructor, newly hired, and he was serving as Dean. He was a model of how to do the job: kind, encouraging , supportive. A good man.
Jim Magelssen says
He was definitely one of my favorite professors. I was in the class of 1971.
John Butterfield says
My wife Rose and I were neighbors of Terry and Faith since we moved into the
Boardwalk in Park Ridge almost twenty years ago. Great people – we mourn
Terry’s loss. We will make a donation in his name.
Daniel Belgum says
I took every course at Luther Seminary I possibly could with Dr. Fretheim. His engaging teaching, consistent encouragement to us students to ask questions of the Scriptures in order to deepen our engagement with the living Word, and willingness to engage in dialogue will always be remembered. His warmth, scholarship, and joy in engaging with both the Bible and students was so evident. His commentary on Exodus has been a treasure during my ministry and formation in seminary and beyond. I was also blessed to take his course, team taught with Dr. Paul Sponheim on God and Suffering. They proved an inimitable pair! He was not only a most erudite scholar, but a wonderful, memorable teacher and human being. Thanks be to God for his life and lived faith!
Charles S Baldwin says
Just today received this info from a cousin of mine. We enjoyed you folks when we were assigned in HDG. I tried quite a few times to make contact again after that but never succeeded. God’s blessings to you and yours
Charles & Elva Baldwin