Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Remembering Martin Marty
Theologian Martin Marty died at age 97 at the end of February after a career that influenced more people than he could ever know, including me. He studied and wrote about what he called "public theology," which focuses on the intersection of culture and religion-- something very important to study at a time of rising fundamentalism. And it is that rise of fundamentalism that he addressed for years, not only in Christianity but in other faiths. What he wanted, hoped for, taught, was that culture and faith could work in the same direction for the common good.
His career was varied: he taught at the University of Chicago, served as a Lutheran minister, and edited Christian Century magazine, just to name a bit of it all (which even included a stint as the interim president at St. Olaf College in Minnesota). He won the national book award in 1972 for Righteous Empire: The Protestant Experience in America.
My friend Bob Darden told me about an interview Marty gave to the Wittenberg Door magazine-- like most people who are smart and engaged, he was also funny.
His students were lucky; I wish that I had been among them.
