Christopher Morse papers, 1960 -- 2012

Creator:: Morse, Christopher (Christopher L.)
Abstract:: Christopher L. Morse (1935-) graduated from Union Theological Seminiary with an S.T.M in 1968 and a Ph.D. in 1976, and is a Presbyterian minister, Biblical scholar, and Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor Emeritus at Union. This collection contains correspondence, research files, publications, administrative materials, and audio cassettes.
Extent:: 6.75 linear feet (6.75 linear feet; 13 boxes) and 15 audiocassettes
Language:: English .
Scope and content:: This collection contains correspondence, research files, publications, administrative materials, and audio cassettes.
Biographical / historical:: Christopher Morse was born in Virginia in 1935. He received his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy from Randolph-Macon College in 1959 where he was elected Phi Beta Kappa. He then received a Master's in Divinity from Yale Divinity School in 1962, studied at the University of Mainz in Germany in 1971, and received his Master's in Sacred Theology from UTS in 1968 before going on to pursue his Ph.D. at Union, earning that degree in 1976. Dr. Morse spent the majority of his career at Union Theological Seminary. He is an ordained minister of the United Methodist Church with a specialization is in systematic theology. Morse published a number of books including The Difference Heaven Makes: Rehearing the Gospel as News, The Logic of Promise in Moltmann's Theology and Not Every Spirit: A Dogmatics of Christian Disbelief. His major published work, one that has been used in many schools and seminaries, is a text on Christian doctrine titled Not Every Spirit: A Dogmatics of Christian Disbelief. In addition to his academic affiliations, Morse is a member of The New Haven Theological Discussion Group, The Duodecim Society and past president of The American Theological Society. Morse held the Bonhoeffer chair in Theology and Ethics at Union from 1996 to 2009. He presented lectures and papers worldwide including lectures on "Bonhoeffer's Theological legacy" at the Union Theological Society of the West Indies in Kingston Jamaica in 2004 and "Dogmatics and American Politics" at Neskrikja Church in Reykjavik, Iceland. Dr. Morse is Dietrich Bonhoeffer Professor Emeritus of Theology and Ethics, Union Theological Seminary.

Acquisition information:: This collection was donated by Christopher Morse in consultation with his estate planners in 2013.
Processing information:: Metal clips were removed from materials and folded items were flattened. Materials were placed in new acid-free folders and boxes. Acidic items were separated from one another by interleaving with acid-free paper as needed. Cassettes without plastic crystal cases were housed in acid free envelopes. The finding aid was created by Paul Paulson in 2016 with the support of the Henry Luce Foundation and the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation, and edited by Leah Edelman in 2024.
Arrangement:: This collection is arranged in six series: Series 1: Scholarship; Series 2: Publications; Series 3: Union Theological Seminary, Administrative; Series 4: Correspondence; Series 5: Subject files; and Series 6: Audiovisual materials.
Rules or conventions:: Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Other information:: Union Theological Seminary Archives: UTS 1, papers of faculty and students

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection contains some restricted material. Restrictions related to specific material are listed in the detailed contents list.

The following boxes are located offsite: all boxes except Series 6. Please note that requests for use of boxes held in offsite storage must be made three business days in advance.

Terms of access:

The collection is subject to copyright by the donor. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.

Preferred citation:: Item description, UTS1: Christopher Morse papers, 1960-2012, series #, box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:: Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary

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Collection