Elizabeth Rice Achtemeier taught at seminary for 24 years
Oct 28, 2002
Dr. Elizabeth Rice Achtemeier's reliance on Bible-based preaching was not unique, but the passionate delivery of her convictions made her sermons memorable.
"When Betty preached, it was never routine," said longtime colleague Dr. James L. Mays, professor emeritus at Union Theological Seminary.
"She preached as though everyone's life depended on it. There was a kind of combativeness that sometimes turned people off but was well-loved by others."
Mrs. Achtemeier, a Bible scholar, author and retired Union Theological Seminary professor, died Friday. She was 76.
An adjunct professor of Bible and homiletics at the seminary for 24 years, she wrote 25 books on various religious issues, most often preaching. Her works include "Preaching from the Old Testament," "Preaching from the Minor Prophets" and "Preaching about Family Relationships."
She was also the author of "The Old Testament Roots of Our Faith," written with her husband, Dr. Paul J. Achtemeier. Her most popular work, "The Committed Marriage," dealt with marriage from a Christian perspective.
At the time of her death, Mrs. Achtemeier was a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s task force on peace, unity and purity in the church.
An Oklahoma native and a graduate of Stanford University, she completed theological work at Union Theological Seminary in New York. In 1959, she earned a doctorate in Old Testament studies from Columbia University.
Her work as a preacher took her across the United States and Canada, and she often appeared as a guest preacher in some the nation's foremost pulpits, including those at Harvard, Princeton and Yale universities and Smith and Wellesley colleges.
In addition, she held posts as a visiting professor of homiletics at Gettysburg Lutheran and Pittsburgh seminaries as well as Duke Divinity School.
From 1959 to 1973, she taught Old Testament theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pa.
Often at odds with feminism and outspoken on moral issues in the church and society, Mrs. Achtemeier, in her writings and teachings, implored fellow Christians to look to Biblical authority.
"In order to live an authentic Christian life these days, and in every age it has been true, there is a discipline that one has to undergo," she said in a 1993 television interview on the program, "30 Good Minutes." "Jesus said the words, 'Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.' To live a Christian life is to wear a yoke, to be guided by a Master. The Christian life is not just autonomous freedom."
She was especially interested in the issue of abortion. A former board member of Presbyterians Pro-Life, she was the co-author of "Not My Own: Abortion and the Marks of the Church."
Mays called her "the Biblical theologian for the pro-life movement in the church."
Dr. Louis B. Weeks, president of what is now Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, said Mrs. Achtemeier was known for the profound insights she drew from the Bible.
"She always made more of the fact that she preached from the Bible than she did of being a pioneer for women in the ministry," he said.
"In some respects, she was seeking equality for men and women in the ministry, but she didn't follow the feminist direction. She didn't follow anyone's direction, only that of the Bible."
Mrs. Achtemeier retired in 1997.
Her most recent work, published in 1999, is her autobiography, "Not Til I Have Done: A Personal Testimony."
In addition to her husband, survivors include a son, Paul Mark Achtemeier, of Dubuque, Iowa; a daughter, Marie A. Finch, of Norfolk; a brother, Robert Rice, of Blue Bell, Pa., and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Oct 28, 2002
Dr. Elizabeth Rice Achtemeier's reliance on Bible-based preaching was not unique, but the passionate delivery of her convictions made her sermons memorable.
"When Betty preached, it was never routine," said longtime colleague Dr. James L. Mays, professor emeritus at Union Theological Seminary.
"She preached as though everyone's life depended on it. There was a kind of combativeness that sometimes turned people off but was well-loved by others."
Mrs. Achtemeier, a Bible scholar, author and retired Union Theological Seminary professor, died Friday. She was 76.
An adjunct professor of Bible and homiletics at the seminary for 24 years, she wrote 25 books on various religious issues, most often preaching. Her works include "Preaching from the Old Testament," "Preaching from the Minor Prophets" and "Preaching about Family Relationships."
She was also the author of "The Old Testament Roots of Our Faith," written with her husband, Dr. Paul J. Achtemeier. Her most popular work, "The Committed Marriage," dealt with marriage from a Christian perspective.
At the time of her death, Mrs. Achtemeier was a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s task force on peace, unity and purity in the church.
An Oklahoma native and a graduate of Stanford University, she completed theological work at Union Theological Seminary in New York. In 1959, she earned a doctorate in Old Testament studies from Columbia University.
Her work as a preacher took her across the United States and Canada, and she often appeared as a guest preacher in some the nation's foremost pulpits, including those at Harvard, Princeton and Yale universities and Smith and Wellesley colleges.
In addition, she held posts as a visiting professor of homiletics at Gettysburg Lutheran and Pittsburgh seminaries as well as Duke Divinity School.
From 1959 to 1973, she taught Old Testament theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pa.
Often at odds with feminism and outspoken on moral issues in the church and society, Mrs. Achtemeier, in her writings and teachings, implored fellow Christians to look to Biblical authority.
"In order to live an authentic Christian life these days, and in every age it has been true, there is a discipline that one has to undergo," she said in a 1993 television interview on the program, "30 Good Minutes." "Jesus said the words, 'Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.' To live a Christian life is to wear a yoke, to be guided by a Master. The Christian life is not just autonomous freedom."
She was especially interested in the issue of abortion. A former board member of Presbyterians Pro-Life, she was the co-author of "Not My Own: Abortion and the Marks of the Church."
Mays called her "the Biblical theologian for the pro-life movement in the church."
Dr. Louis B. Weeks, president of what is now Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, said Mrs. Achtemeier was known for the profound insights she drew from the Bible.
"She always made more of the fact that she preached from the Bible than she did of being a pioneer for women in the ministry," he said.
"In some respects, she was seeking equality for men and women in the ministry, but she didn't follow the feminist direction. She didn't follow anyone's direction, only that of the Bible."
Mrs. Achtemeier retired in 1997.
Her most recent work, published in 1999, is her autobiography, "Not Til I Have Done: A Personal Testimony."
In addition to her husband, survivors include a son, Paul Mark Achtemeier, of Dubuque, Iowa; a daughter, Marie A. Finch, of Norfolk; a brother, Robert Rice, of Blue Bell, Pa., and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Elizabeth Rice Achtemeier taught at seminary for 24 years
Oct 28, 2002
Dr. Elizabeth Rice Achtemeier's reliance on Bible-based preaching was not unique, but the passionate delivery of her convictions made her sermons memorable.
"When Betty preached, it was never routine," said longtime colleague Dr. James L. Mays, professor emeritus at Union Theological Seminary.
"She preached as though everyone's life depended on it. There was a kind of combativeness that sometimes turned people off but was well-loved by others."
Mrs. Achtemeier, a Bible scholar, author and retired Union Theological Seminary professor, died Friday. She was 76.
An adjunct professor of Bible and homiletics at the seminary for 24 years, she wrote 25 books on various religious issues, most often preaching. Her works include "Preaching from the Old Testament," "Preaching from the Minor Prophets" and "Preaching about Family Relationships."
She was also the author of "The Old Testament Roots of Our Faith," written with her husband, Dr. Paul J. Achtemeier. Her most popular work, "The Committed Marriage," dealt with marriage from a Christian perspective.
At the time of her death, Mrs. Achtemeier was a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s task force on peace, unity and purity in the church.
An Oklahoma native and a graduate of Stanford University, she completed theological work at Union Theological Seminary in New York. In 1959, she earned a doctorate in Old Testament studies from Columbia University.
Her work as a preacher took her across the United States and Canada, and she often appeared as a guest preacher in some the nation's foremost pulpits, including those at Harvard, Princeton and Yale universities and Smith and Wellesley colleges.
In addition, she held posts as a visiting professor of homiletics at Gettysburg Lutheran and Pittsburgh seminaries as well as Duke Divinity School.
From 1959 to 1973, she taught Old Testament theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pa.
Often at odds with feminism and outspoken on moral issues in the church and society, Mrs. Achtemeier, in her writings and teachings, implored fellow Christians to look to Biblical authority.
"In order to live an authentic Christian life these days, and in every age it has been true, there is a discipline that one has to undergo," she said in a 1993 television interview on the program, "30 Good Minutes." "Jesus said the words, 'Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.' To live a Christian life is to wear a yoke, to be guided by a Master. The Christian life is not just autonomous freedom."
She was especially interested in the issue of abortion. A former board member of Presbyterians Pro-Life, she was the co-author of "Not My Own: Abortion and the Marks of the Church."
Mays called her "the Biblical theologian for the pro-life movement in the church."
Dr. Louis B. Weeks, president of what is now Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, said Mrs. Achtemeier was known for the profound insights she drew from the Bible.
"She always made more of the fact that she preached from the Bible than she did of being a pioneer for women in the ministry," he said.
"In some respects, she was seeking equality for men and women in the ministry, but she didn't follow the feminist direction. She didn't follow anyone's direction, only that of the Bible."
Mrs. Achtemeier retired in 1997.
Her most recent work, published in 1999, is her autobiography, "Not Til I Have Done: A Personal Testimony."
In addition to her husband, survivors include a son, Paul Mark Achtemeier, of Dubuque, Iowa; a daughter, Marie A. Finch, of Norfolk; a brother, Robert Rice, of Blue Bell, Pa., and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
Oct 28, 2002
Dr. Elizabeth Rice Achtemeier's reliance on Bible-based preaching was not unique, but the passionate delivery of her convictions made her sermons memorable.
"When Betty preached, it was never routine," said longtime colleague Dr. James L. Mays, professor emeritus at Union Theological Seminary.
"She preached as though everyone's life depended on it. There was a kind of combativeness that sometimes turned people off but was well-loved by others."
Mrs. Achtemeier, a Bible scholar, author and retired Union Theological Seminary professor, died Friday. She was 76.
An adjunct professor of Bible and homiletics at the seminary for 24 years, she wrote 25 books on various religious issues, most often preaching. Her works include "Preaching from the Old Testament," "Preaching from the Minor Prophets" and "Preaching about Family Relationships."
She was also the author of "The Old Testament Roots of Our Faith," written with her husband, Dr. Paul J. Achtemeier. Her most popular work, "The Committed Marriage," dealt with marriage from a Christian perspective.
At the time of her death, Mrs. Achtemeier was a member of the Presbyterian Church (USA)'s task force on peace, unity and purity in the church.
An Oklahoma native and a graduate of Stanford University, she completed theological work at Union Theological Seminary in New York. In 1959, she earned a doctorate in Old Testament studies from Columbia University.
Her work as a preacher took her across the United States and Canada, and she often appeared as a guest preacher in some the nation's foremost pulpits, including those at Harvard, Princeton and Yale universities and Smith and Wellesley colleges.
In addition, she held posts as a visiting professor of homiletics at Gettysburg Lutheran and Pittsburgh seminaries as well as Duke Divinity School.
From 1959 to 1973, she taught Old Testament theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary in Lancaster, Pa.
Often at odds with feminism and outspoken on moral issues in the church and society, Mrs. Achtemeier, in her writings and teachings, implored fellow Christians to look to Biblical authority.
"In order to live an authentic Christian life these days, and in every age it has been true, there is a discipline that one has to undergo," she said in a 1993 television interview on the program, "30 Good Minutes." "Jesus said the words, 'Take my yoke upon you and learn of me.' To live a Christian life is to wear a yoke, to be guided by a Master. The Christian life is not just autonomous freedom."
She was especially interested in the issue of abortion. A former board member of Presbyterians Pro-Life, she was the co-author of "Not My Own: Abortion and the Marks of the Church."
Mays called her "the Biblical theologian for the pro-life movement in the church."
Dr. Louis B. Weeks, president of what is now Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education, said Mrs. Achtemeier was known for the profound insights she drew from the Bible.
"She always made more of the fact that she preached from the Bible than she did of being a pioneer for women in the ministry," he said.
"In some respects, she was seeking equality for men and women in the ministry, but she didn't follow the feminist direction. She didn't follow anyone's direction, only that of the Bible."
Mrs. Achtemeier retired in 1997.
Her most recent work, published in 1999, is her autobiography, "Not Til I Have Done: A Personal Testimony."
In addition to her husband, survivors include a son, Paul Mark Achtemeier, of Dubuque, Iowa; a daughter, Marie A. Finch, of Norfolk; a brother, Robert Rice, of Blue Bell, Pa., and five grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church.
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