Oswald Hoffmann
Encyclopedia
Dr. Oswald C. J. Hoffmann (December 6, 1913 – September 8, 2005) was an American
clergy
man and broadcaster who was best known as a speaker for The Lutheran Hour
, a long-running radio program affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
.
. Dr. Hoffmann held a Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota
. In addition, he held an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary
, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Valparaiso University
in Valparaiso, Indiana
, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Philippine Christian University in Manila
, The Philippines.
in Mankato, Minnesota
; the University of Minnesota
in Minneapolis-St. Paul; and Concordia Collegiate Institute in Bronxville, New York
. In 1948, he helped found The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Department of Public Relations in New York City
and served as its director until 1963. Dr. Hoffmann served as president of The Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. (1970-73). Hoffmann was chairman of the translations committee of the American Bible Society
, and in 1977 he was elected president of the United Bible Societies
.
On September 25, 1955, Dr. Hoffmann initiated the 23rd season as Lutheran Hour speaker. He served in that position for thirty-three years, broadcasting his last Lutheran Hour program from mainland China
on Christmas Day, 1988. Hoffmann was the namesake of the Oswald Hoffmann School of Christian Outreach (OHSCO) at Concordia University, St. Paul. OHSCO was founded in 1984 as a center for evangelism and mission studies where students are trained for professional outreach ministries.
Dr. Oswald C. J. Hoffmann was also the author of eight books, including Hurry Home Where You Belong. His autobiography, What Is There to Say But Amen? was published in 1996.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
clergy
Clergy
Clergy is the generic term used to describe the formal religious leadership within a given religion. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, preacher, pastor, or other religious professional....
man and broadcaster who was best known as a speaker for The Lutheran Hour
The Lutheran Hour
The Lutheran Hour is a U.S. religious radio program that proclaims the message of Jesus Christ on nearly 800 stations throughout North American, as well as by weekly audiences on the American Forces Network and XM Satellite Radio FamilyTalk 170...
, a long-running radio program affiliated with the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod is a traditional, confessional Lutheran denomination in the United States. With 2.3 million members, it is both the eighth largest Protestant denomination and the second-largest Lutheran body in the U.S. after the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The Synod...
.
Background
Oswald C. J. Hoffmann was 1932 graduate of Concordia University, Saint PaulConcordia University, Saint Paul
Concordia University is a liberal arts university located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Concordia University was founded in 1893 and currently enrolls approximately 2,800 students...
. Dr. Hoffmann held a Master of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
. In addition, he held an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary is located in Clayton, Missouri, an inner-ring suburb on the western border of St. Louis, Missouri. The institution's primary mission is to train pastors, deaconesses, missionaries, chaplains, and church leaders for the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod . The current president of...
, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso University, known colloquially as Valpo, is a regionally accredited private university located in the city of Valparaiso in the U.S. state of Indiana. Founded in 1859, it consists of five undergraduate colleges, a graduate school, a nursing school and a law school...
in Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso, Indiana
Valparaiso is a city in and the county seat of Porter County, Indiana, United States. The population was 31,730 at the 2010 census, making it the 2nd largest city in Porter County.-History:...
, and an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Philippine Christian University in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, The Philippines.
Career
Ordained a Lutheran minister in 1939, Dr. Hoffmann served as a Lutheran pastor, as a college professor, and as director of public relations for the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod. Dr. Hoffmann spent the early years of his career as an instructor and professor at Bethany CollegeBethany College
Bethany College may refer to a number of Bible schools, Bethany is the name of a Biblical village.* Bethany Bible College, New Brunswick, Canada* Bethany College , United States* Bethany College , Canada...
in Mankato, Minnesota
Mankato, Minnesota
Mankato is a city in Blue Earth, Nicollet, and Le Sueur counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The population was 39,309 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest city in Minnesota outside of the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area. The county seat of Blue Earth County, it is located...
; the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
in Minneapolis-St. Paul; and Concordia Collegiate Institute in Bronxville, New York
Bronxville, New York
Bronxville is an affluent village within the town of Eastchester, New York, in the United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located approximately north of midtown Manhattan in southern Westchester County. At the 2010 census, Bronxville had a population of 6,323...
. In 1948, he helped found The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS) Department of Public Relations in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
and served as its director until 1963. Dr. Hoffmann served as president of The Lutheran Council in the U.S.A. (1970-73). Hoffmann was chairman of the translations committee of the American Bible Society
American Bible Society
The American Bible Society is an interconfessional, non-denominational, nonprofit organization, founded in 1816 in New York City, which publishes, distributes and translates the Bible and provides study aids and other tools to help people engage with the Bible.It is probably best known for its...
, and in 1977 he was elected president of the United Bible Societies
United Bible Societies
The United Bible Societies is a worldwide association of Bible societies. In 1946 delegates from 13 countries formed the UBS, as an effort to coordinate the activities of the bible societies. The first headquarters were London and in Geneva...
.
On September 25, 1955, Dr. Hoffmann initiated the 23rd season as Lutheran Hour speaker. He served in that position for thirty-three years, broadcasting his last Lutheran Hour program from mainland China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
on Christmas Day, 1988. Hoffmann was the namesake of the Oswald Hoffmann School of Christian Outreach (OHSCO) at Concordia University, St. Paul. OHSCO was founded in 1984 as a center for evangelism and mission studies where students are trained for professional outreach ministries.
Dr. Oswald C. J. Hoffmann was also the author of eight books, including Hurry Home Where You Belong. His autobiography, What Is There to Say But Amen? was published in 1996.