Professor of Church History and Reformation Studies Carter Lindberg, 1937 – 2024
The Boston University School of Theology announces the passing in April 2024 of former professor Carter Lindberg, who served the School for 28 years as Professor of Church History and Reformation Studies. Professor Lindberg long pursued his passions for teaching and research at Susquehanna University and the College of the Holy Cross before coming to Boston University in 1974. He was a father, grandfather, spouse, talented craftsman and outdoorsman, and an excellent listener.
“A fine human being and friend, Carter Lindberg will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
“Carter Lindberg was a superb scholar whose work undergirded sixteenth century studies, the history of church care of the poor, and interpretation of the Protestant Reformations,” says William Fairfield Warren Distinguished Professor and Lindberg’s former colleague, Dana Robert. “For many years, he taught the one-semester church history course that introduced theology students to the range of Christian history. He was also a wonderful colleague. His wry wit enlivened many an area meeting. He was meticulous about keeping an open door during his office hours, except when deep snow made it impossible for him to navigate the roads in his red sportscar. A devout Lutheran, he enjoyed thumbing his nose at Methodist colleagues by, in the best European tradition, smoking a pipe. Professor Lindberg’s former students are some of the leading scholars of sixteenth century studies in major academic institutions. A fine human being and friend, Carter Lindberg will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
Professor of the History of Christianity Rady Roldán-Figueroa (‘05) was a student of Dr. Lindberg, and shares that “Carter was a friend, a mentor, and teacher. He believed in me as a scholar and also understood that there was a horizon ahead of me that I could not see, but he knew it was there for me. I will always be grateful for the many conversations we had and for his unconditional support.”
A joint memorial service with his late wife is being planned by his family for the middle of June 2024; details can be found in Dr. Lindberg’s obituary.