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Honoring an Inspiration Photo by David Norris
BY L ANCE SCHWARTZ • DIREC TOR OF INSTITUTIONAL COM MUNICATION
Professor Emeritus Erling Teigen in his beloved Bethany archives.
Teigen receives honorary doctorate degree Bethany Professor Emeritus Erling Teigen was awarded the Doctor of Divinity Honoris Causa degree from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, on May 21, 2021. Information from Concordia Seminary noted that Professor Teigen was chosen for his years of faithful service in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod (ELS) and to the wider Church. Teigen is the son and grandson of ELS pastors. He earned an associate in arts from Bethany, a bachelor of arts and master of arts degrees from the University of Minnesota, and a master of divinity from Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary. From 1966 to 1977 he served ELS congregations in Grand Forks, North Dakota, and Apple Valley, Minnesota, before accepting a call to teach at Bethany Lutheran College. President of the ELS Rev. Glenn Obenberger shared these words for the occasion. "We in the Evangelical Lutheran Synod are pleased to have one of our favorite sons receive this well-deserved honor from Concordia Theological Seminary. By having the degree of Doctor of Divinity Honoris Causa conferred upon him, Erling is being publicly recognized for what so many of his students and colleagues have long appreciated. His contributions to our theological discussions in the ELS have not only guided us through some difficult conflicts with stalwart confessional integrity, but his willingness to serve our Lord as a humble 8
theologian of the cross professionally as well as in his personal life has been an inspiration to all in our synod and beyond." Teigen taught at Bethany College and Seminary from 1977 to his retirement in 2015 in the areas of philosophy, religion, and theology. His sense of humor and wit were appreciated by his students. Professor Teigen also was affectionately known to many of his students by the moniker "E.T." which he was dubbed after the popular movie in the 1980s with a similar name. In addition to teaching, he has served in many roles at Bethany, including: College Chaplain, Chairman of the Religious Studies Department, Executive Secretary for the annual Reformation Lectures, Director of the Paul Ylivsaker Center for Personal and Public Responsibility, President of the Faculty, and Director of the Liberal Arts Major. In retirement, he is also the Archivist for the College.. Teigen is a past editor of the ELS monthly magazine the Lutheran Sentinel, and past coordinating editor of Logia: A Journal of Theology and is currently editor of
