Lutheran Historical Society announces A.R. Wentz Prize Winner
The Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic announces that the Reverend Benjamin Schaefer is the winner of the 2020 A.R. Wentz Prize in American Lutheran History for his paper “Avoiding the Hornet’s Nest: Woman Suffrage and Synodical Conference Lutherans” in the award’s PH.D./M.A. category. Schaefer serves as the pastor at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Redding, California and shared that he was humbled and honored to receive the society’s Wentz Prize. Schaefer’s paper topic was timely for 2020 given the centennial anniversary of the passing of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution giving women the right to vote. Schaefer’s thesis indicated that “Biblical truth and cultural norms led most within the Synodical Conference to oppose the women’s suffrage movement and its goals for society and the church, while those same voices praised the abilities and contributions of women.” In addition, the society awarded honorable mention to Kristen Barnes, Alex Aakre, Christopher Royce and Matthew Borrasso for their papers.
About
The Lutheran Historical Society of the Mid-Atlantic was formed in 1989 as a reorganization of The Historical Society of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in North America begun in 1952 and of its predecessor organizations, the first of which was founded in 1843. Read more...Featured Lutherans
Abdel Ross Wentz
Abdel Ross Wentz (1883-1976) was a significant leader within American Lutheranism mid-twentieth century as both an interpreter-teacher and as a leader in Lutheran participation in formation of both the Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches. From his Read More