Elisabeth Cruciger: Wife, Hymnwriter, Theologian

Elisabeth Cruciger, former nun and wife of a Wittenberg professor, was the first female hymnwriter of the Wittenberg Reformation and thereby one of its first female theologians. Examining her hymn and its subsequent history lead us not only to contemplate its theology and the importance of hymnody generally in the reformation, but also to consider how and why Elisabeth was, in some circles, denied credit for her work.

Dr. Mary Jane Haemig is Professor emerita of Church History, Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. She taught at Luther Seminary for 19 years; previously she taught for five years at Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, Washington. As a scholar, she has focused on the German Lutheran reformation, particularly its pastoral aspects, including preaching, catechesis, and the teaching of prayer. She is the editor of The Annotated Luther. Volume 4: Pastoral Writings (Fortress, 2016).

Named after the world-renowned Richard C. Kessler Reformation Collection held at Pitts Theology Library, Kessler Conversations (30-45 mins) offer opportunities for the general public to learn about the events in Europe the 16th century and to consider what they may tell us about the issues facing our communities. Conversations in a given academic semester focus on a single contemporary theme and trace it back to the Reformers. These conversations are free and open to the public, but registration is required. The theme of the Spring 2022 conversations is “Women of the Reformation: Reclaiming Forgotten Contributions to Church Renewal.”