O. P. Kretzmann

Otto Paul (O. P.) Kretzmann (May 7, 1901 – September 14, 1975) was an American Lutheran pastor, professor, author, and long-tenured president of Valparaiso University.

Early life and education Otto Paul Kretzmann was born in Stamford, Connecticut in 1901 and grew up in New York City in a Lutheran family. His father, grandfather, and five brothers were all Lutheran pastors.

Career From 1924 to 1934 Kretzmann was a faculty member at Concordia Theological Seminary, located at that time in Springfield, Illinois. He became executive secretary of the Walther League—an international Lutheran youth organization named for theologian C. F. W. Walther—in 1934, and served until 1940. Kretzmann was one of the most influential figures in the history of the university, presiding over a tenfold growth in enrollment. He was also one of the founders of The Cresset, the university's literature, public affairs, and arts review magazine.

O. P. Kretzmann had been awarded ten honorary doctoral degrees by the time of his death in 1975.

Published works A book of chapel devotions which were verbally delivered to participants of a summer camp between 1931 and 1935. The camp was for teenagers of the Central Illinois District of the Walther League, a Lutheran organization. - An anthology of articles from The Cresset, which was published by the Walther League.

Several books of sermons Collections of devotionals, which Kretzmann called "Devotional Readings for Times of Change", including The Road Back to God