In memory of Martin E. Marty.

89(R) SR 710 - Enrolled version - Bill Text

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 710

In Memory

of

Martin Marty

WHEREAS, Renowned theologian and religious historian Martin

E. Marty passed away on February 25, 2025, at the age of 97; and

WHEREAS, The son of Emil and Anne Louise Marty, Martin Emil

Marty was born in West Point, Nebraska, on February 5, 1928; he earned

his bachelor's and master's degrees in divinity from Concordia

Seminary, a master of sacred theology degree from the Lutheran School

of Theology at Chicago, and a doctoral degree from the University of

Chicago; ordained in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, he

served as a pastor in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Illinois before

joining the faculty of the University of Chicago Divinity School; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Marty's academic career was marked by both

rigorous inquiry and extensive outreach to a wider audience; in scores

of books and thousands of articles and lectures, he championed the

concept of public theology, exploring the intersections of faith,

culture, and society;
Time
magazine characterized him as "the most

influential living interpreter of religion in the U.S."; and

WHEREAS, Known for his wit and tremendous kindness, as well as

his towering intellect, Dr. Marty was a mentor to countless students;

with one of his protégés, he codirected a milestone in religious

scholarship, the six-year Fundamentalism Project, which examined the

role of conservative religious movements around the world; its five

volumes of case studies and analytical essays became the standard

works in comparative political religion; among myriad accolades, he

received the National Humanities Medal, the Distinguished Service

Medal of the Association of Theological Schools, and 80 honorary

doctorates; the American Academy of Religion established the Martin

E. Marty Award for the Public Understanding of Religion, and upon his

retirement in 1998, the University of Chicago Divinity School renamed

the research center he founded as the Martin Marty Center for the

Public Understanding of Religion; as the Fairfax M. Cone

Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus of the History of Modern

Christianity, he continued to write a weekly column for the Marty

Center's newsletter and speak to the public and the media; and

WHEREAS, Martin Marty influenced generations of scholars and

helped shape the public discourse on religion and its role in society,

and his far-reaching legacy will continue to resonate in the years to

come; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th

Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the life of Pastor Dr. Martin E.

Marty and extend sincere condolences to his family, his friends, and

all who mourn his passing; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be

prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns

this day, it do so in memory of Martin Marty.

Hughes

________________________________

President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the

above Resolution was adopted by

the Senate on June 1, 2025, by a

rising vote.

________________________________

Secretary of the Senate

________________________________

Member, Texas Senate