Krister Stendahl at University Lutheran in 2004. Photo by Chris Pollari.

We are grateful for the life of Bishop Krister Stendahl, a longtime member of University Lutheran Church, who died on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 at the age of 86. Bishop Stendahl served as dean of Harvard Divinity School (1968-79) and bishop of Stockholm, Sweden (1984-88), and was a renowned New Testament scholar who worked for interfaith understanding.

Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Dr. Brita Stendahl, and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The funeral service took place on April 18, 2008 at University Lutheran. (Read the funeral sermon by Rev. Thomas B. Chittick (PDF).) On May 16, 2008, a memorial service at Harvard's Memorial Church celebrated his life and accomplishments. (View photographs from the service.)

All are welcome to share their memories of Bishop Stendahl in our online guestbook. Add to the guest book or read previously published entries.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial donations to University Lutheran Church in support of the Harvard Square Homeless Shelter (program description | donate online), or to the International Rescue Committee (organization website | give online).

About Bishop Stendahl

• Boston Globe
  • Death notice
  • Obituary
  • Op-ed column by James Carroll
• ELCA News Service obituary
• Harvard Crimson obituary
• Harvard Divinity School "Remembering Krister Stendahl" website
• Nantucket Inquirer and Mirror obituary
• New York Times obituary
• Stendahl receives 'Faith in Dialogue Award' (2004)
• Wikipedia entry

By Bishop Stendahl

• "Why I Love the Bible": article for the Harvard Divinity Bulletin (Winter 2007)
• Interview with Harvard Divinity Bulletin (Winter 2007)
• Books in print by Krister Stendahl (courtesy Harvard Book Store)

Other related links:

• Prepare the Way: cantata composed by Bruce Brolsma in honor of Bishop Stendahl's 60th ordination anniversary
• All UniLu memorial pages