On Sept. 5, 2019, President Osumi Yuichi of Tokyo Union Theological Seminary (TUTS) suddenly passed away due to complications from a subarachnoid hemorrhage. People related to the seminary and many churches that supported the seminary were stunned and saddened to learn of this tragic event, as Osumi was beginning his third year as president and was only 64 years old. A funeral was held on Sept. 9 in the seminary chapel, and although Typhoon 15 (Faxai) was directly hitting the whole area in Japan and delaying traffic, 550 people gathered to pay their last respects.

Osumi graduated with a law degree from the University of Tokyo, entered TUTS and TUTS graduate school where he earned his master’s degree, and proceeded to study at Protestant University Wuppertal/Bethel in Germany, where he was awarded his doctorate in theology. He had been teaching Old Testament studies at TUTS since 1990. He also served as a licensed pastor of Omiya Church in Kanto District for 2 years and as an ordained pastor at Yoga Church in Tokyo District for 15 years.

Osumi had a mild disposition and was known for his unique smile and sense of humor and for freely conversing with students. Students nicknamed him “Snoopy,” and he was pleased to accept that name for himself.

At the same time, Osumi was an Old Testament scholar with special interest in Old Testament law, and he clothed himself in obedience according to the words of the prophets and of Jesus. He also took a firm stance in regards to local church issues and ministries and offered practical advice. Serving as a minister myself, I often witnessed Osumi’s courageous words when referring to what ministers should be and remember being very moved by them.

In Osumi’s last year as president, TUTS experienced an academic harassment claim that caused him to worry greatly about the future of the institution for which he prayed earnestly. Those of us related to TUTS have inherited his prayer and together must be committed to eliminating human rights violations. We pray that the precious comfort of the Lord will be with Osumi’s wife Mari at this difficult time. (Tr.WJ)

                        —Ito Mizuo, chair, Board of Directors

                         Tokyo Union Theological Seminary

故大住雄一学長を主のもとに送る

東京神学大学理事長　伊藤瑞男

　本年9月5日に東京神学大学の大住雄一学長がくも膜下出血のため急逝されました。学長に就任して3年目、まだ64歳の若さでした。神学校関係者は勿論、神学校を支えてくださっている諸教会の人々はショックと悲しみに打たれました。9月9日学内チャペルでの葬儀には、台風15号の影響大であったにもかかわらず、550名を超える人々が参列しました。

　大住先生は、東京大学法学部を卒業後、東京神学大学および同大学院前期修士課程を経て西ドイツ・ベーテル神学校に留学、神学博士号を取得、1990年より召される直前まで東京神学大学で旧約聖書学を教えて来られました。また、関東教区大宮教会に伝道師として２年、東京教区用賀教会に牧師として１５年間仕えられました。

　先生は、性格温和、静かな語り口ながら、独特のスマイルとユーモアを交えた自由な語り方をされることで知られ、学生たちからは「スヌーピー」と綽名されて慕われてきました。先生もそれを喜んでおられました。

　同時に、先生は旧約学者として特に律法の研究を深められ、預言者から主イエスにつながる神への従順という敬虔を身に着けておられました。そして、教団の教会と教師の実践的な問題についても毅然とした立場を明らかにして来られました。私も、現役牧師であった時、牧師の在り方について何度か先生の勇気ある言葉と行動に出会い、感銘を受けた記憶があります。

　先生の最晩年には学内でアカデミックハラスメント問題が起きて、その対処に苦慮され、東京神学大学の将来のために切に祈っておられました。私ども大学関係者一同はこの祈りを受け継いで、努力することで一致しています。

　大住真理夫人の上に主の深い慰めがありますよう祈ります。