Walter Wink Obituary

Walter Wink 1935-2012 Walter Wink, a groundbreaking figure in the field of New Testament theology, died on May 10th in Sandisfield, Mass., at the age of 76. Wink's seminal work focused on the biblical "principalities and powers," the psycho-socio-political structures governing society throughout history, and the Christian response to such powers. He is considered a major contributor to progressive Christian thinking on current political and cultural issues. Wink wrote about non-violence, lectured on the topic around the world, and coined the phrase "the myth of redemptive violence," addressing the underlying justification for the use of violence throughout our culture. He was active with nonviolence training throughout the world, including apartheid-era South Africa. He also wrote and spoke on topics such as homosexuality and the Bible, psychology and biblical studies, and Jesus as a historical figure. His teaching focused on his pioneering method of Bible study incorporating Jungian interpretation, meditation, artwork, and movement. This method and its rationale were first presented in his controversial book, The Bible in Human Transformation (1973), which has since found wide acceptance. Most of Wink's workshops were presented jointly with his wife, June Keener Wink, who specializes in creative movement. He was Professor of Biblical Interpretation at Auburn Theological Seminary in New York City from 1976 until he retired as Professor Emeritus in 2005. Wink was the author of over a dozen books, including the award-winning Naming the Powers (1982), Unmasking the Powers (1986), Engaging the Powers (1992), When the Powers Fall (1998), and The Human Being (2002). He also received numerous awards for his work as a scholar and activist, including the Unitas Award from Union Theological Seminary, The United States Institute for Peace, and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Prize from the Fellowship of Reconciliation. Born in Dallas, Texas in 1935, he graduated from Southern Methodist University in 1956 and was ordained a United Methodist minister in 1961. He served as Pastor of First United Methodist Church, in Hitchcock, Texas from 1962?67. He earned Master of Divinity and Ph.D. degrees from Union Theological Seminary in New York City, where he taught until 1976. For many years he attended the South County Friends Meeting in Great Barrington. He is survived by his wife June, brother Dick, sons Steve and Chris, daughter Rebecca, stepsons Kim and Kurt, and eight grandchildren. BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME 33 South Street Great Barrington, MA is entrusted with arrangements. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfh.com.

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Published by The Berkshire Eagle on May 12, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Walter Wink

Sponsored by The Wink Family.

12 Entries

Ed & Miriam Kirsten

July 31, 2012

Miriam and I were very sorry to hear about the passing of Rev. Wink. We knew Rev. Wink when he was an assistant minister at B'way Temple Methodist Church (Washington Heights, NY) and leader of the Crusader League (H.S. students) in the late 1950s. Rev. Wink encouraged teenagers of all races and religions to attend his interesting discussion group every Sunday evening. His warm and welcoming personality was a joy to everyone who attended. He was a friend to all and we will sincerely miss him.
Our deepest sympathies to all his family.

Kelly Carpenter

June 25, 2012

June,

I am sitting at my desk in Winston-Salem, NC looking at the lamp you hand crafted and the books written by Walter that I have read and taught from for years. You have both shaped the faith of countless people by unearthing the heart of Jesus' teaching. Thanks to you both. Very sorry to hear of Walter's passing, but grateful for the witness that that two of you have made through the years. Peace to you. Kelly Carpenter, [email protected]

Cynthia King Swain

June 13, 2012

Dear Family:
The privilege of knowing you all and following your creative and spiritual activities from afar has enriched many lives. Walter was very proud of all of you. From our early years with Walter's young family in Hitchcock, Texas, where as a teenager at the time, my own spiritual journey began, to peacemaking around the world, Walter continues to channel inspiration, encouragement, and the most wonderful, self-effacing sense of humor to all who meet or hear about him.

John Van Ness

May 25, 2012

Walter was one of my most important teachers. My wife, Patricia, who just died March 21, always referred to him as "teacher, mentor, and beloved friend". I will miss him and am thankful for his courageous witness to Christian peacemaking.

Cynthia Astle

May 17, 2012

I have just learned of Dr. Wink's death. His work was a vital resource for the religious publication I edited when the Iraq war began in 2003. My deepest sympathies go to his immediate family and to all in the Christian community who knew him personally. He was a true saint for our times.

Carole Valleskey

May 16, 2012

Our sympathies to the family. Mr. Wink is known to us through his lovely and capable daughter, Rebecca --- a true tribute to him in her ethics and beautiful writing for us at the California Dance Institute. Our condolences and thoughts are with you.

Carol Hornbeck

May 15, 2012

Walter impacted my relationship with scripture, and consequently, my faith-- not only during my time at Union, but in an enduring way. He was a great gift to many and it was a blessing to have encountered him.

Carol Hornbeck

May 14, 2012

Thank you Walter.

May 14, 2012

This is a great loss! I am saddened and send my prayerful condolences to the Wink family.
I am sure I speak for many peacebuilders and peace educators at the grassroots when I say that Walter's writings, especially ENGAGING THE POWERS, had a powerful influence on our understanding of nonviolence in the light of Scripture. They surely inspired and educated me!
I thank God for the life and witness of Walter Wink. May he rest in peace!
Mary Berwick,( Pax Christi; Fellowship of Reconciliation ) Austin , Texas

Pam Torres

May 14, 2012

I shall always cherish our friendship and remember fondly the many happy hours spent discussing theology with Walter. He was loved and I shall miss his intellect, compassion and humor. A lovely man.

Walter Wink striking a humorous pose at our wedding rehearsal at Union Theological Seminary in August 1969.

Robert Leuze

May 13, 2012

My late wife Sarah Harwood Leuze met Walter's first wife in a therapy group, I believe in the early 1960s, and we both soon met Walter. In 1969, when Sarah and I were searching for a way to celebrate our unconventional marriage, Walter agreed to marry us in the courtyard at Union Theological Seminary, where he was teaching, in a wonderful ceremony. Little did I know, until I heard him speak at a Quaker Gathering years later, how profound and relevant his thinking and work were for my own spiritual, life-long concerns. -- Robert Leuze

Randall Hansen

May 12, 2012

I had the good fortune to take a seminar Walter did with William Stringfellow in NY back in the early 1980s. The contact with Walter and Bill and exposure to the notion of the principalities and powers was life- and ministry changing. (I remember Walter taking some of us participants to an Ethiopian restaurant.) Later, I devoured his trilogy on the powers - more than once. Some years later, inspired by and in consultation with Walter, I did a DMin project on the 'angel' of the church. Thank you, Walter, for passionate, groundbreaking Biblical scholarship.

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