At the 2024 Annual Meeting banquet, the inaugural ETS Lifetime Service Award was given to Millard Erickson. Craig Blomberg, ETS President-Elect and Program Chair, introduced the recipient, noting that Erickson is the author of more than 25 books, including his well-known three-volumes-in-one Christian Theology (now in its third edition, Christian Theology has been used to train a generation of students of theology; Baker Academic noted that Christian Theology had sold over 100,000 copies by the launch of the 3rd edition). Blomberg also noted that Erickson is a champion of inerrancy who throughout his career has sought to carve out moderate positions between inappropriate extremes. Erickson was Professor of Theology and Academic Dean at Bethel Theological Seminary for many years; served as Distinguished Professor of Theology at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon; and taught at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Baylor University. Erickson was the unanimous choice of the ETS Board of Directors for the inaugural award.
Timothy George, who announced the establishment of the award during his presidential address in 2023, presented Erickson with a plaque, which reads: “For faithful Christian witness, exemplary scholarship, and diligence in steadfastly following Jesus Christ, The Board of Directors presents the Lifetime Service Award to Millard Erickson. November 21 in the year of our Lord 2024, San Diego, CA.”
Erickson was the unanimous choice of the ETS Board of Directors for the inaugural award.
Now in his 90’s, Erickson presented a paper at the annual meeting for the first time in years, entitled, “Will There Be Evangelical Theology 100 Years From Now? As an indication of his influence through the years, the room was overflowing.
Photo: Millard Erickson offered comments as recipient of the inaugural ETS Lifetime Service Award.