Rev. Dr. Victor Aloyo

In Memory of Dr. Walter Brueggemann

“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” 

– Psalms 145:4

 Departed in the hope of the Resurrection, on behalf of the Columbia Theological Seminary family, I sadly announce the passing of Dr. Walter H. Brueggemann. A former Seminary colleague, a renowned scholar and preacher, and a faculty emeritus of Columbia Theological Seminary, Dr. Brueggemann was born in Tilden, Nebraska in 1933 and passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025. He was an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and is regarded as one of the most influential scholars in research on the Old Testament. Dr. Brueggemann grew up under the influence of his father, a minister and member of the German Evangelical Synod of North America. Dr. Brueggemann attended Elmhurst College, graduating in 1955 with an A.B. He went on to Eden Theological Seminary, earning a B.D. (equivalent to today’s M.Div.) in 1958. He completed his formal theological education at Union Theological Seminary in 1961, earning the Th.D. under the primary guidance of James Muilenburg. While teaching at Eden, he earned a Ph.D. in education at St. Louis University. 

 Beginning in 1986, he served as William Marcellus McPheeters professor of Old Testament here at Columbia Theological Seminary, where he was professor emeriti. He was also an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ. Dr. Brueggemann’s contributions to the fabric of Columbia Theological Seminary’s mission is a testament to his love for Christ, the Church, and the preparation of dedicated pastoral leaders for congregational ministry in the United States and abroad.  Dr. Walter Brueggemann has had a distinguished career as a prominent biblical interpreter, recognized for his contributions to rhetorical criticism of biblical texts. Throughout his career, he delivered lectures nationally and internationally, influencing many across the field. He was honored with a festschrift titled “God in the Fray: A Tribute to Walter Brueggemann,” which celebrates his impact on biblical scholarship.  

Dr. Bill Brown, the current William Marcellus McPheeters professor of Old Testament, has this remembrance of Dr. Brueggemann: 

 The world of biblical scholarship will never be the same. Walter Brueggemann single handedly redefined biblical scholarship for the good of the church and world throughout his prolific service at Columbia Theological Seminary.  Countless students and pastors have been transformed by Walter’s teaching and writing.  Colleagues too. We are all in Walter’s debt for his prophetic imagination, creative words, profound wisdom, prolific energy, and sheer grace.  

 Dr. Brueggemann has authored over one hundred books, including significant works such as “The Prophetic Imagination,” “Message of the Psalms,” and “Theology of the Old Testament.” In addition to his books, he has written numerous scholarly articles for various professional journals. Recently, in March, he published two new works: “The Collected Sermons of Walter Brueggemann, Volume 2” and “Walk Humbly with Your God: and Other Essays from Journal for Preachers,” further enriching the discourse in biblical studies. Columbia Theological Seminary is honored to be the curator of the Walter Brueggemann papers in the J. Bulow Campbell Library. 

 
His Memorial Service will take place Saturday, July 19 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern (1:00 p.m. visitation) at Central Methodist Church in Traverse City, Michigan. More info can be found here. May God continue to bless the Brueggemann family during these moments of transition, grief, remembrance, and celebration of life & legacy.  

 Lord, in Your Mercy . . . 

In those quiet moments of reflection, we come to You, carrying the heavy burden of our loss while also clutching the beautiful memories of the joyful times spent with Dr. Brueggemann. Lord, we seek Your guidance to help us cherish and honor these memories, not as mere echoes of what was, but as a lasting flame of love, learnings, laughter, and life that we shared with Your servant in the classroom, on the Quad, in the Refectory, and in places where we found ourselves in awe of Dr. Brueggemann’s passion for Your Word. 

 Lord, with Gratitude . . . 

We are deeply grateful for the gift of his presence in our lives—each smile, every shared laugh, and every word of Biblical conviction that enriched our days. In Your great wisdom, You have welcomed him home;  

yet in Your boundless mercy, You have left us with precious memories that death cannot take away. 

 Lord, in Your Grace . . . 

Please grant us the grace to embrace these blessings with smiles of gratitude rather than tears of sorrow. As we navigate our grief, may these memories guide us like stars in the night sky, illuminating our path through the darkness with their gentle radiance. 

 Lord, in remembrance of Your Gifts . . . 

May the warmth of Your love, Lord, remind us that although our dear brother, friend, scholar, and colleague may no longer walk beside us, the trails he left behind for our growth continue to shine brightly with moments of joy that time cannot diminish.  

-Amen 

With Resurrection Hope,

President Victor Aloyo, Jr.

Remembrances of Walter Brueggemann

• PC(USA)

• Christianity Today
  

• Religion News Service

• Baptist News Global

• Publishers Weekly

• Eden Theological Seminary
  

• Society of Biblical Literature

• Fortress Press

More information about Dr. Brueggemann and services for him may be found here.

Executive Orders & Columbia’s Affirmations

To the Columbia Theological Seminary Community from President Aloyo:

On behalf of the Columbia family, I am writing to address the recent executive orders rescinding federal support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives related to LGBTQIA+ individuals, non-binary siblings, and people of color. We understand that these actions may be concerning and unsettling for many within our community, and we want to express our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment of becoming and belonging for all at Columbia Theological Seminary.

At Columbia Theological Seminary, diversity is a source of strength, enriching our academic discourse, spiritual formation, and communal life. Our commitment to DEI is deeply rooted in our theological values and mission to equip leaders for God’s just and inclusive world. We recognize and celebrate every individual’s inherent dignity and worth, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other aspect of their identity.

While the recent policy changes may create uncertainty, our dedication to our mission and core values of an inclusive community, hospitality, belonging and becoming remains steadfast. We will continue to:

• Provide Support and Resources: We offer holistic support through the Office of Student Formation and Campus Culture and the Office of Flourishing and Belonging
• Promote Inclusive Excellence: We remain committed to developing and implementing initiatives that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by integrating and belonging to our curriculum, pedagogy, and community life.
• Advocate for Justice: We continue to engage in advocacy efforts to promote justice and equality for all marginalized communities, both within our institution and beyond.

We recognize this is a challenging time for many, and we encourage you to contact your faculty, staff, and fellow students for support. Let us continue to engage in open and respectful dialogue, seeking understanding and working together to build a more just and inclusive community through belonging and becoming.

President Aloyo’s statement on the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, GA.