Dr. William Schumacher

Dr. William W. Schumacher is a professor emeritus at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and the Buehner-Duesenberg Professor of Lutheran Missions.

He retired in 2023 after 27 years of distinguished service. At the time of his retirement, he was mission professor of Historical Theology and director of the Institute for Mission Studies.

He became a faculty member in 1996. He was named chairman of the Department of Historical Theology in 2014. He also served as assistant to the director of Resident Field Education for cross-cultural experiences (1996-2007) and dean of Theological Research and Publication (2006-12). Before joining the Seminary, Schumacher served as a missionary in Botswana, Africa (1985-95) and theological coordinator for Africa for The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (2010-12). He has taught and lectured internationally in Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin America.

He received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (1985, 1996, 2003). He earned his Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) summa cum laude in German language and literature from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa (1981).

He has published one book, Who Do I Say That You Are?: Anthropology and the Theology of Theosis in the Finnish School of Tuomo Mannermaa (Wipf and Stock Publishers), as well as numerous articles in the Concordia Journal and other periodicals.

He and his wife, Tamara, have three grown children.