Elizabeth Achtemeier | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1926-06-11)11 June 1926 Bartlesville, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Died | 25 October 2002(2002-10-25) (aged 76) Richmond, Virginia, U.S. |
| Spouse | Paul J. Achtemeier |
| Children | 2 |
| Academic background | |
| Education | Stanford University Union Presbyterian Seminary Columbia University (Ph.D.) |
Elizabeth Rice Achtemeier (June 11, 1926 – October 25, 2002) was an American ordained Presbyterian minister, Bible professor, and author.
Born Elizabeth Rice on June 11, 1926, inBartlesville,Oklahoma, Achtemeier was raised in thePresbyterian Church (USA), in which her grandfather had been a minister.[1] She had three older brothers.[2] She completed undergraduate studies atStanford University and studied atUnion Theological Seminary inNew York from 1948 until 1951.[1] In the summer of 1950, she was an associate pastor and preacher for aCongregational Church in ruralNew Hampshire.[2]: 16 She did postgraduate work atHeidelberg University in Germany andBasel University in Switzerland[3] and completed herPhD atColumbia University underJames Muilenburg in 1959.[1]
Achtemeier began teaching theOld Testament atLancaster Theological Seminary while completing her PhD, teaching there until 1973.[1][3] In 1973, her husband joined the all-male faculty of Union Theological Seminary as Professor of New Testament, and Achtemeier was offered an appointment as visiting, later adjunct, professor of Old Testament and visiting professor ofhomiletics, which she held until 1996.[1][3] She was also a visiting professor atGettysburg Lutheran Seminary,Pittsburgh Theological Seminary andDuke Divinity School.[3]
Achtemeier was anordained Presbyterian minister and a "nationally known preacher."[3] She served on the denomination's Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity and Purity.[3] Often the first or lone female in various roles she took on, she identified as anevangelical and spoke against what she called "radical feminism."[2]: 19–20 She spoke and wrote against the ordination of homosexual ministers[4] and against the church adopting female language for God.[5]
Achtemeier wrote more than twenty books, as well as numerous articles, the majority focusing on the Old Testament and its use in Christian preaching.[1] Her first book, co-authored with her husband,The Old Testament Roots of Our Faith was published in 1962. Her most well known book,The Old Testament and the Proclamation of the Gospel was published in 1973. She also wrote on marriage, family, sexuality, abortion and environmental issues.[1] She preached and taught at numerous churches and university chapels across the United States and Canada.[1] In 1999, she published an autobiography,Not Til I Have Done.[1]
Achtemeier metPaul J. Achtemeier at seminary and they married in June 1952.[1] They had two children and coauthored several books and articles.[1] Their son, Mark, teaches systematic theology atDubuque Theological Seminary.[3] Achtemeier died on October 25, 2002, after a long illness.[3]
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