Robert Jewett
1933-2020
Scholar/Teacher/Author

Robert Jewett December 31, 1933 - December 4, 2020

Robert Jewett was born in Lawrence, Mass. to Walter Jewett, a Methodist clergyman and Elizabeth (Bailey) Jewett, a schoolteacher. Robert was the 3rd of four children. The Jewett family moved to Nebraska after the Second World War. Walter Jewett served as minister in several Nebraska towns including Sidney and Beatrice, and in Sun City, AZ.

A celebrated theologian and educator, Robert received his education at Nebraska Wesleyan University, B.A. in 1955; University of Chicago, B.D. in 1958; and Doctor of Theology from University of Tübingen in 1966. He served in many institutions of higher learning, including as professor of Religious Studies from 1966-1980 at Morningside College in Sioux City, IA; and as Theologian-in-residence at the American Church in Paris, France in 1973. Robert Jewett was a professor of New Testament interpretation from 1980-2000, and was the Harry R. Kendall professor from 1987-2000 at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Evanston, IL. He was also a coordinating faculty member in the joint Garrett/Northwestern Ph.D. program in Religious and Theological studies from 1982-2000. He was a visiting lecturer for many summer programs including Wesley Theological Seminary, University of Montana, Iliff School of Theology, and the Vancouver School of Theology.

In his retirement, he served as a visiting Senior Scholar in Religion and Conflict at Union College, NY, as a guest professor of Biblical and Historical Studies at University of Wales, Lampeter and in the department of Philosophy and Religion at Peking University. He was a guest professor of New Testament at the the University of Heidelberg and at the Heidelberg Center for American Studies in Germany for many years. In his final years he was theologian-in-residence at St. Marks Methodist Church in Lincoln, NE.

Robert Jewett was a member of the Society of Biblical Literature, Society of New Testament Studies, American Academy of Religion, American Interprofessional Institute, American Association of University Professors, Nebraska Annual Conference of United Methodist Church, Chicago Society of Biblical Research and

Phi Kappa Phi.

Author of over 200 essays and 25 books, his writings have been translated into Korean, Japanese, Chinese, Italian and German. In addition to his serious theological Pauline studies and writings, his more popular work examines American culture and contemporary American beliefs and behavior in socio-theological terms through the lens of religion and mythology.

Links to his books can be found here: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/37433.Robert_Jewett

He loved hiking, sailing, carpentry, music and travelling. He is survived by his daughter, Ellen Jewett and her husband, Husam Suleymangil who reside in Istanbul; his partner Heike Goebel who resides in Germany; his former wife, Janet Jewett who lives in Lincoln, NE and many nieces and nephews.

CV‑‑ROBERT JEWETT

1933-2020

EDUCATION
l960‑64 Doctor of Theology, University of Tübingen
l955‑58 Bachelor of Divinity, Federated Theological Seminary at the University of Chicago (C.T.S.)
l95l‑55 Bachelor of Arts, Nebraska Wesleyan University

EMPLOYMENT EXPERIENCE
2010 John and Jane Wold Senior Scholar in Religion and Conflict at Union College, Schenectady, New York, for
the spring trimester
2009-11 Theologian in Residence at St. Mark's United Methodist Church, Lincoln, Nebraska
2007-09 Part Time Professor of Biblical and Historical Studies, University of Wales--Lampeter
2000- Guest Professor of New Testament, Wissenschaftlich-Theologisches Seminar, the University of Heidelberg
2003-06 Professor in the Heidelberg Center for American studies, with lecture courses in “Religion in America” and
direction of M. A. theses.
l980-2000 Garrett‑Evangelical Theological Seminary, Professor of New Testament Interpretation; appointed as the
Harry R. Kendall Professor since 1987; Senior Professor after 1996; Emeritus after 2000
l982-2000 Member of the Coordinating Faculty of the Joint Garrett/Northwestern Ph.D. Program in Religious and
Theological Studies
l982,91 Vancouver School of Theology, Visiting Professor for Summer School Course
l976,78 Iliff School of Theology, Visiting Professor for Summer School Course
1978 University of Montana, Visiting Professor for Summer School Course
1976 Wesley Theological Seminary, Visiting Professor for Summer Session
l966‑80 Professor of Religious Studies, Morningside College

HONORS, FELLOWSHIPS, GRANTS
2009 The Hermeneia Commentary on Romans selected as the “Best Book Relating to the New Testament in 2007-08,” awarded by the Biblical Archaeology Association and announced in the 200th anniversary issue of Biblical Archaeology Review.
2009 Doctoris Theologiciae Honoris Causa from the University of Heidelberg
2004 The Mythopoeic Scholarship Award in "General Myth and Fantasy Studies," awarded by the Mythopoeic Society for The Myth of the American Superhero
2004 The Ray and Pat Browne Book Award of the Popular Culture Association,, Honorable Mention Multiple Author Work in Popular Culture in 2003 for Captain America and the Crusade Against Evil.
2003 The John G. Cawelti Book Award of the American Culture Association, for The Myth of the American Superhero as the "Best Book of 2002" in a competition including books from 67 publishers
1999 Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Coe College
1998 Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Kalamazoo College
1995 Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Morningside College
l975    Grant recipient for lecture tour from the Iowa Board for Public Programs in the Humanities
l974    Melcher Book Award for The Captain America Complex, awarded by the Unitarian‑Universalist Association for the "most
   significant contribution to religious liberalism" in l973
l973    Theologian‑in‑Residence at the American Church in Paris
l969    Outstanding Faculty Member Award at Morningside College
l968    Outstanding Alumnus Award at Nebraska Wesleyan University
l96l‑64 DAAD Fellowship (German Academic Exchange program)
l960‑6l Blatchford Traveling Fellowship from Chicago Theological Seminary