Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho (1923-1987)
Professor Gerhard Aho was born on April 22, 1923, in Jersey City, New Jersey, the son of the Reverend Gustaf A. Aho and his wife, Helia. After attending high school in Ashtabula, Ohio, where his father was pastor, he enrolled at Concordia Theological Seminary in 1941 for his junior college education and in 1943 for his theological education. Graduating in 1945, he was ordained into the Lutheran ministry and served Grace Church, Waukegan, Illinois (1945-1946); Betania Church, New York (1946-1953); Lutheran congregations in North Queensland, Australia (1953-1958); and Sion Church, Marquette, Michigan (1958-1960).
He was called to the Seminary in 1960 as assistant professor in connection with the National Evangelical Lutheran Church, a Finnish synod, and was promoted to associate professor in 1966 and professor in 1973. Dr. Aho served as chairman of the Department of Pastoral Theology and as Homiletics Editor for the Concordia Theological Quarterly and the Director of Graduate Studies. His academic preparation included the University of Chicago (1945-1946), Illinois College (Jacksonville) and MacMurray College (1962-1964), Boston University (MA. in Theology, 1964), and the University of Illinois (Ph. D., 1972). His dissertation, The Preaching of F.G. Hedberg, was recognized as one of the most outstanding discourses in the field of rhetoric by the professional speech society.
Dr. Aho had set aside the 1987-1988 academic year for the preparation and writing of a homiletical textbook for seminary students. Coming to the Seminary in 1960 and being one of the three senior faculty members still on active service, he had the distinction of being the oldest Seminary alumnus on the faculty, having enrolled in the pre-seminary program in 1941 at the age of eighteen. Professor Aho came to the Seminary in 1958 to help prepare Finnish-speaking students for the National Evangelical Lutheran Church. Before its incorporation into the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod, he began teaching homiletics.
To qualify himself for this task he obtained his baccalaureate, master's, and doctorate degrees while at the Seminary. Recognized as a careful scholar and the Seminary's finest preacher, he attracted students to the Seminary to hear his lectures and learn his methods. Just recently he held concurrently the positions of professor of homiletics, chairman of the Department of Pastoral Theology, homiletics editor of the CTQ, and Director of Graduate Studies.
Often in demand as a district and pastoral conference essayist, especially on the topic of the Law and the Gospel, he authored The Lively Skeleton (1977), Don't Be Afraid (1981), and Glory in the Cross (1985) and was a frequent contributor to the Concordia Pulpit and Portas of Prayer, among other periodicals of the National Evangelical Lutheran Church and the Synod. Though he became seriously ill in August 1985, he continued with all his Seminary assignments and was honored by the 1987 Seminary graduating class as the baccalaureate preacher, the first time the privilege was extended to a Seminary professor. Dr. Aho was admired as a teacher, emulated as a preacher, and loved as a Christian gentleman, committed to the faith of his church. He and his wife Irma are parents to Philip, Bruce, Monica, Amy, Jeffrey, and Pamela. Professor Aho passed away after an illness of over two years on Friday, November 20, in the early morning hours at home. He was buried in Concordia Gardens in Fort Wayne on Tuesday, November 24, after a service at Peace Lutheran Church with his pastor, the Reverend Luther Strasen, officiating and a former student and collaborator in several writing projects, the Reverend Richard Kapfer, preaching. Speaking for the Seminary was Professor Norbert Mueller and representing the Saint Louis Seminary was Professor Francis Rossow, who was also associated with Dr. Aho in sermon projects for Concordia Publishing House. A true Christian gentleman, a dear friend to his colleagues, an example to his students, a prince of a human being, he has earned his rest.
Articles
CTQ Homiletical Studies 46-1
by Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Douglas MacCallum Lindsay Judisch , Rev. Edwin H. Dubberke , Rev. Warren E. Messmann , Lloyd Strelow , R. Robert Krueger , Don Poganski , Dr. Gerhard H. Bode Jr., Mark R. Oien , William G. Thompson , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Eggold Jr., Rev. Steven C. Briel , Rev. Dr. Harold Zietlow , David L. Bahn , and Richard G. Kapfer
CTQ Homiletical Studies 46-4
by Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Warren E. Messmann , Lowell F. Thomas , Douglas MacCallum Lindsay Judisch , Rudolph A. Haak , Rev. Dr. Harold Zietlow , David F. Seybold , Rev. Steven C. Briel , Lloyd Strelow , William G. Thompson , Lawrence W. Mitchell , Eugene Krentz , and Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb
CTQ Homiletical Studies 47-4
by Rudolph A. Haak , Lloyd Strelow , Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Richard G. Kapfer , David F. Seybold , Rev. Dr. John W. Saleska , Rev. Steven C. Briel , Rev. Dr. G. Waldemar Degner , Mark R. Oien , Rev. Dr. George Richard Kraus , Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb , David L. Bahn , Rev. Edwin H. Dubberke , and Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
CTQ Homiletical Studies 48-4
by Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer , Norbert H. Mueller , Rev. Dr. Harold Zietlow , Rev. Dr. Harold Zietlow , Rev. Dr. George Richard Kraus , Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb , Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Carter , Lowell F. Thomas , Mark R. Oien , Rev. Edwin H. Dubberke , Rev. Luther George Strasen , Rev. Luther George Strasen , and William G. Thompson
CTQ Homiletical Studies 50-1
by Rev. Dr. Dean O. Wenthe , Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb , Rev. Dr. Harold Zietlow , Ronald Irsch , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , William G. Thompson , Rev. Dr. G. Waldemar Degner , Rev. Dr. George Richard Kraus , Rev. Dr. James G. Bollhagen , David L. Bahn , Randall W. Shields , Rev. Dr. Thomas Ahlersmeyer , and Richard G. Kapfer
CTQ Homiletical Studies 50-3,4
by Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Carter , Rudolph A. Haak , Norbert H. Mueller , William G. Thompson , Lowell F. Thomas , Lawrence W. Mitchell , Rev. Luther George Strasen , Rev. Dr. James G. Bollhagen , Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb , Rev. Dr. Harold Zietlow , Paul E. Cloeter , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Lloyd Strelow , Edmond E. Aho , Rev. Dr. Arthur A. Just Jr., David F. Seybold , Rev. Dr. G. Waldemar Degner , Mark R. Oien , Rev. Dr. Daniel Preus , COL Rev. Dr. Jonathan E. Shaw CGSOC, USA, (ret), Rev. Dr. James W. Voelz , Rev. Warren E. Messmann , Rev. David Schlie , Rev. Klemet Preus , and Rev. Dr. Jeffrey A. Gibbs
CTQ Homiletical Studies 51-2,3
by Randall W. Shields , Randall W. Shields , Rev. Dr. Dean O. Wenthe , Edmond E. Aho , Rev. Warren E. Messmann , Rev. Dr. Ken Schurb , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Luther George Strasen , Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Paul E. Cloeter , Rev. Dr. Cameron A. MacKenzie , David F. Seybold , Ron Weidler , Rev. David Schlie , Rev. Dr. George Richard Kraus , Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Carter , Douglas MacCallum Lindsay Judisch , Rev. Dr. James G. Bollhagen , Lawrence W. Mitchell , William G. Thompson , David L. Bahn , Rev. Steven C. Briel , Norbert H. Mueller , Rev. Dr. Arthur A. Just Jr., Rev. Dr. G. Waldemar Degner , COL Rev. Dr. Jonathan E. Shaw CGSOC, USA, (ret), Lloyd Strelow , Dennis S. Perryman , and Rev. Klemet Preus
Homiletical Studies
by Rev. Dr. Henry J. Eggold Jr., Rev. Edwin H. Dubberke , Dale Knutsen , Ronald Irsch , Rev. Dr. Jeffrey A. Gibbs , Rev. Dr. Erwin J. Kolb , David L. Bahn , Rev. Dr. Harold Zietlow , Rev. Steven C. Briel , Dr. Gerhard H. Bode Jr., Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Lowell F. Thomas , Lawrence W. Mitchell , Rev. Bruce Jerome Lieske , David F. Seybold , and David F. Seybold
Homiletical Studies
by Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Carter , Lloyd Strelow , Lowell F. Thomas , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Norbert H. Mueller , Luther and Arlene Strasen , Rev. Edwin H. Dubberke , David F. Seybold , Paul E. Cloeter , Rudolph A. Haak , Edmond E. Aho , Rev. Dr. Arthur A. Just Jr., and Rev. Klemet Preus
Springfielder Book Review 26-2
by Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug , Rev. Dr. Richard P. Jungkuntz , Rev. Bernard F. Kurzweg , Aaron E. Kopf , Rev. Dr. Curtis E. Huber , Benna W. Salewski , Rev. Dr. Jacob A. O. Preus II, Rev. Dr. Otto F. Stahlke , Peter Mealwitz , Rev. Martin F. Luebke , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , and Gerhard L. Belgum
Springfielder Book Review 27-3
by Rev. James Weis , Rev. Dr. Lorman M. Petersen , Rev. Ray Martens , Benna W. Salewski , Rev. Dr. George Dolak , Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Arleigh J. Lutz , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Eggold Jr., Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug , Rev. Paul G. Elbrecht , Dr. Warren N. Wilbert , Rev. Dr. Arthur E. Graf , Rev. Bernard F. Kurzweg , Rev. Daniel Brockopp , and Rev. Dr. Allen Nauss
Springfielder Book Review 28-1
by Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Boettcher , Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Rev. Dr. George Dolak , Rev. Dr. Arthur E. Graf , Rev. Dr. Richard P. Jungkuntz , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Ray Martens , Arleigh J. Lutz , Rev. Daniel Brockopp , Rev. Bernard F. Kurzweg , Rev. Dr. Donald Louis Deffner , Rev. Dr. Lorman M. Petersen , Rev. Dr. Jacob A. O. Preus II, and Rev. Dr. Fred Kramer
Springfielder Book Review 31-1
by Rev. Dr. Jacob A. O. Preus II, Rev. Dr. George Dolak , Rev. Kenneth M. Ballas , Rev. Dr. Martin Justus Naumann , Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer , Rev. Dr. Harry Albert Huth , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Boettcher , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Eggold Jr., Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Dr. Arthur E. Graf , and Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug
Springfielder Book Review 31-2
by Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Rev. Dr. Martin Justus Naumann , Rev. Dr. Jacob A. O. Preus II, Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer , Rev. Dr. Otto C. Hintze , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Eggold Jr., Rev. Dr. Arthur E. Graf , and Rev. Dr. John Friedrich Johnson
Springfielder Book Review 31-3
by Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Rev. Dr. George Dolak , Rev. Kenneth M. Ballas , Rev. Dr. John Franklin Johnson , Rev. Dr. Jacob A. O. Preus II, Rev. Dr. Howard W. Tepker , Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer , Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug , Rev. Dr. Harry Albert Huth , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Dr. Otto F. Stahlke , and Dr. Richard J. Schultz
Springfielder Book Review 31-4
by Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Rev. Dr. Martin Justus Naumann , Rev. Kenneth M. Ballas , Rev. Dr. George Dolak , Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug , Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer , Rev. Dr. Howard W. Tepker , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Dr. John Franklin Johnson , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Eggold Jr., and Dr. Richard J. Schultz
Springfielder Book Review 32-1
by Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Rev. Ray Martens , Rev. Kenneth M. Ballas , Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer , Rev. Dr. Harry Albert Huth , Rev. Dr. John Franklin Johnson , Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug , Rev. Dr. Otto F. Stahlke , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Boettcher , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Eggold Jr., and Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Springfielder Book Review 33-1
by William F. Meyer , Rev. Kenneth M. Ballas , Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug , Rev. Dr. Howard W. Tepker , Rev. Dr. Howard W. Tepker , Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Rev. Dr. John Franklin Johnson , Rev. Dr. Otto F. Stahlke , and Rev. Dr. Fred Kramer
Springfielder Book Reviews, 30-3
by Rev. Dr. George Dolak , Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Rev. Dr. Jacob A. O. Preus II, Rev. Dr. Henry J. Boettcher , Rev. Dr. Martin Justus Naumann , Rev. Dr. Fred Kramer , Rev. Dr. Harry Albert Huth , Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug , Rev. Dr. Otto C. Hintze , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , and Dr. Richard J. Schultz
Springfielder Book Reviews, 30-4
by Rev. Dr. Jacob A. O. Preus II, Rev. Dr. George Dolak , Rev. Dr. Raymond Frederick Surburg , Rev. Dr. Eugene F. Klug , Rev. Dr. David P. Scaer , Rev. Dr. Harry Albert Huth , Rev. Dr. Fred Kramer , Rev. Dr. John Franklin Johnson , Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Boettcher , Rev. Dr. Henry J. Eggold Jr., and Rev. Dr. Otto F. Stahlke
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Sermons
Kramer Chapel Sermon - April 10, 1987
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: Hebrews 10:1-10
Kramer Chapel Sermon - April 17, 1980
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: 2 Timothy 1:6-10
Kramer Chapel Sermon - December 03, 1984
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: Habakkuk 2:1-4
Kramer Chapel Sermon - December 04, 1981
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: Hebrews 10:19-23
Kramer Chapel Sermon - December 13, 1979
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: Haggai 2:1-9
Kramer Chapel Sermon - January 26, 1984
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: Jeremiah 1:4-10
Kramer Chapel Sermon - July 11, 1980
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: John 6:14-15
Kramer Chapel Sermon - June 06, 1983
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: Romans 12:11
Kramer Chapel Sermon - June 09, 1982
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: John 3:4-8
Kramer Chapel Sermon - June 20, 1979
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: John 5:39-47
Kramer Chapel Sermon - March 22, 1982
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: John 6:22-29
Kramer Chapel Sermon - March 23, 1981
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: John 1:29-34
Kramer Chapel Sermon - March 26, 1984
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: Luke 1:26-38
Kramer Chapel Sermon - November 29, 1982
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: Luke 21:25-36
Kramer Chapel Sermon -- October 18, 1984
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: Luke 10:1-9
Kramer Chapel Sermon - October 28, 1983
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: John 15:17-25
Kramer Chapel Sermon - October 31, 1986
by
Rev. Dr. Gerhard Aho
Sermon Text: John 8:31-36
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