George Forell
Encyclopedia
George Wolfgang Forell was the Carver Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Iowa
. He was an internationally known author, lecturer, and guest professor in the field of Christian ethics
.
and theology
at the University of Vienna
. In 1939 he came to the USA as a refugee from Nazi Germany. He enrolled at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
, as a student in theology. He graduated in 1941 and was ordained as a Lutheran minister the same year. While serving as a parish pastor, he continued his education at Princeton Theological Seminary
and Union Theological Seminary
. In 1949 he received a Th.D. from Union Theological Seminary. In 1945 he married Elizabeth Rossing in Argyle, Wisconsin. They have two daughters, Dr. Madeleine Forell Marshall and The Rev. Mary Forell Davis, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
in St. Peter, Minnesota
, as a Professor of Philosophy in 1949. In 1954 he moved to the University of Iowa as Professor of Religion. In 1958–59 he served as guest-professor at the University of Hamburg
, Germany. He was Director of the Department of Religious Studies at The University of Iowa from 1966 to 1971. In 1973, he was named Carver Distinguished Professor of Religion. Forell is a past president of the American Society for Reformation Research. Forell has also served as a Professor of Systematic Theology at the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary in Maywood, Illinois
(now part of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
) After his retirement from the University of Iowa in 1989 he lectured for extended periods of time in seminaries in Tokyo, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other academic institutions in Asia and Europe. Among his published books are: Faith Active in Love,1954 "Ethics of Decision'1956 "The Protestant Faith" 1960, "Understanding the Nicene Creed"1965. Martin Luther Theologian of the Church
, Luther College
and Uppsala College. In 1984, a Festschrift, "Piety, Politics and Ethics", in honor of George Forell, edited by Carter Lindberg, was published by the Sixteenth Century Journal Publishers, Inc. Forell was named the distinguished alum for 2002 from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
. He was an internationally known author, lecturer, and guest professor in the field of Christian ethics
Christian ethics
The first recorded meeting on the topic of Christian ethics, after Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, Great Commandment, and Great Commission , was the Council of Jerusalem , which is seen by most Christians as agreement that the New Covenant either abrogated or set aside at least some of the Old...
.
Early life and education
Forell was born on September 19, 1919 in Breslau, Germany, (now Wrocław, Poland). He studied philosophyPhilosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and theology
Theology
Theology is the systematic and rational study of religion and its influences and of the nature of religious truths, or the learned profession acquired by completing specialized training in religious studies, usually at a university or school of divinity or seminary.-Definition:Augustine of Hippo...
at the University of Vienna
University of Vienna
The University of Vienna is a public university located in Vienna, Austria. It was founded by Duke Rudolph IV in 1365 and is the oldest university in the German-speaking world...
. In 1939 he came to the USA as a refugee from Nazi Germany. He enrolled at the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia is one of eight seminaries associated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America , located in Philadelphia . It was founded in 1864 but traces its roots further back to the first Lutheran establishment in Philadelphia founded by Henry Melchior...
, as a student in theology. He graduated in 1941 and was ordained as a Lutheran minister the same year. While serving as a parish pastor, he continued his education at Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Theological Seminary is a theological seminary of the Presbyterian Church located in the Borough of Princeton, New Jersey in the United States...
and Union Theological Seminary
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York
Union Theological Seminary in the City of New York is a preeminent independent graduate school of theology, located in Manhattan between Claremont Avenue and Broadway, 120th to 122nd Streets. The seminary was founded in 1836 under the Presbyterian Church, and is affiliated with nearby Columbia...
. In 1949 he received a Th.D. from Union Theological Seminary. In 1945 he married Elizabeth Rossing in Argyle, Wisconsin. They have two daughters, Dr. Madeleine Forell Marshall and The Rev. Mary Forell Davis, four grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.
Academic career
Forell joined Gustavus Adolphus CollegeGustavus Adolphus College
Gustavus Adolphus College is a private liberal arts college affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America located in St. Peter, Minnesota, United States. A coeducational, four-year, residential institution, it was founded in 1862 by Swedish Americans. To this day the school is firmly...
in St. Peter, Minnesota
St. Peter, Minnesota
St. Peter is a city in Nicollet County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 11,196 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Nicollet County.St...
, as a Professor of Philosophy in 1949. In 1954 he moved to the University of Iowa as Professor of Religion. In 1958–59 he served as guest-professor at the University of Hamburg
University of Hamburg
The University of Hamburg is a university in Hamburg, Germany. It was founded on 28 March 1919 by Wilhelm Stern and others. It grew out of the previous Allgemeines Vorlesungswesen and the Kolonialinstitut as well as the Akademisches Gymnasium. There are around 38,000 students as of the start of...
, Germany. He was Director of the Department of Religious Studies at The University of Iowa from 1966 to 1971. In 1973, he was named Carver Distinguished Professor of Religion. Forell is a past president of the American Society for Reformation Research. Forell has also served as a Professor of Systematic Theology at the Chicago Lutheran Theological Seminary in Maywood, Illinois
Maywood, Illinois
Maywood is a village in Proviso Township, Cook County, Illinois, United States. It was founded on April 6, 1869 and organized October 22, 1881. The population was 26,987 at the 2000 census.-Overview:...
(now part of the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago is a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Its degree programs include Master of Divinity, Master of Arts, Master of Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Philosophy. It offers concentrations in urban ministry, Bible, environment,...
) After his retirement from the University of Iowa in 1989 he lectured for extended periods of time in seminaries in Tokyo, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and other academic institutions in Asia and Europe. Among his published books are: Faith Active in Love,1954 "Ethics of Decision'1956 "The Protestant Faith" 1960, "Understanding the Nicene Creed"1965. Martin Luther Theologian of the Church
Recognition
He received honorary degrees from Gustavus Adolphus College, Wartburg Theological SeminaryWartburg Theological Seminary
Wartburg Theological Seminary is a Lutheran seminary located in Dubuque, Iowa. It offers three graduate-level degrees , a TEEM Certificate, and a Diploma in Anglican Studies, all of which are accredited by the Association of Theological Schools and the Higher Learning Commission of the...
, Luther College
Luther College (Iowa)
Luther College is a four-year, residential liberal arts institution of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, located in Decorah, Iowa, USA...
and Uppsala College. In 1984, a Festschrift, "Piety, Politics and Ethics", in honor of George Forell, edited by Carter Lindberg, was published by the Sixteenth Century Journal Publishers, Inc. Forell was named the distinguished alum for 2002 from the Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia.