Arthur Frederick Glasser

Wikipedia

As per his Wikipedia, Dr. Arthur F. Glasser was a missiologist primarily known for his teaching at Fuller Theological Seminary, retiring in 1980 but continuing to mentor until 1989 when he moved to Seattle, Washington. His last position with Fuller was as Dean Emeritus of the School of Intercultural Studies. He graduated from Cornell, Faith TS and Union Seminary in NYC, and served as a Navy chaplain (also among the Marines) during WWII. He served with CIM/OMF 1945-1951, including as North American Director and Home Director, until 1970 as his responsibilities grew with Fuller. He served as the Editor of the Missiology journal, then President of the American School of Missiology, and regarded as a pioneer in the academic discipline of missiology, active also with Jewish evangelism efforts.

Writings

These are some of his more popular writings. He also wrote articles in 1965 for Christianity Today.

• And Some Believed: A Chaplain's Experiences With The Marines In The South Pacific memoir. Kessinger, 2010.
• Announcing the Kingdom: The Story of God's Mission in the Bible. Baker Academic, 2003. Co-authors include Charles E. Van Engen, Dean S. Gilliland & Shawn B. Redford, all faculty at Fuller.
  • Spanish Kindle version. Wipf & Stock, 2022.
• Giving Wings to the Gospel: The Remarkable Story of Missionary Aviation Fellowship. Baker, 1995. Co-authored by Dietrich G. Buss.
• Contemporary Theologies of Mission]. Baker, 1983. Co-authored by Donald A. McGavran.

PB influence

While Arthur was not himself in fellowship with the Brethren, evidently his grandmother was EB, as told to James A. Stahr at Urbana in 1973.

Childhood

Arthur was born Sept. 10, 1914 in Paterson, Passaic, New Jersey.

His father was John Emil Glasser (1885-1975 Paterson, NJ), son of Heinrich "Henry" Glasser (b. 1855 Switzerland; emig. 1865) & Maria Magdalena Friedel Glasser (b. 1857 NY).

John was a "longtime Paterson real estate and insurance broker and civic leader". He was also a graduate of the Newark Evening Business College, where he was later an instructor, and the New York University Law School. He was a partner of Cunningham & Glasser, then ran his own law firm (W.F. Glasser and Co.). He was credited with starting the movement that "convinced Paterson officials to purchase Lambert Castle as a city landmark", also instrumental in the construction of McLean Blvd. (Rte. 20). As a realtor, he purchased the Clifton Race Track, selling it to that city as a site of their high school. He was a member of SUM, the developer of Garretson Manor & East Paterson (Elmwood Park). He was a member of Madison Avenue Baptist Church of Paterson, and a 32nd degree Mason. Much of this paragraph was derived from his obit in The Record. Hackensack, NJ: 1975-2-23.

His mother was Clara Emma Weise Glasser (b. 1882 Elberfeld, Germany; emig. 1891; m. 1908 First German Presby., Orange, NJ; d. 1973 Paterson, NJ), daughter of Heinrich Anton Weise & Karline Wilhelmine Hollard Weise.

Arthur's siblings:

• Dr. John William Henry Glasser (b. 1913 Paterson, NJ - d. 2013 Wyckoff, NJ). Dr. Glasser served in the U.S. Army during WWII, and served on the staff of Valley Hospital (1951-1989) as an Ob/Gyn specialist. He taught Bible classes at Westside Presbyterian, and the Hawthorne Gospel Church, and gave frequent slide presentations to church groups, and active contributor to Samaritans Purse & Christian Medical & Dental Assoc., as per his obit in the Hackensack Record, 2013-7-2. Memorial service was at Hawthorne Gospel Church, which should be noted has historically had many former & active PB loosely affiliated. Wife: Evangeline Bethune Glasser (b. 1931 Washinton, PA), daughter of John Bethune (b. 1888 Dublin, Ireland; emig. 1923; d. 1975 Asbury Park, Monmouth, NJ) & Isabella Grimason Bethune (b. 1888 Co. Antrim, Ireland - d. 1965 Asbury Park, NJ). In 1930, John was serving as a captain of the Paterson Salvation Army, later C.O. 1943-1950, then Asbury Park 1950-1953. Children:
  • Dr. John W. Glasser
  • Dr. James Glasser
  • David Glasser
• Carolyn Glasser Tripp
• Mrs. George Shepherd II