James (Jim) Martin-Schramm

James (Jim) Martin-Schramm is Professor Emeritus of Religion at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.  He joined the Religion faculty of Luther College in 1993 and retired in 2021.  He is an ordained member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and holds a doctorate in Christian Ethics from Union Theological Seminary in New York City. Jim received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Pacific Lutheran University in 1981 and a Masters of Divinity from Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary in 1987.

Most of Jim’s scholarship has been in the area of ethics and public policy.  He is the author, co-author, or co-editor of several publications including Christian Ethics: A Case Method Approach (Orbis Books, 2020), Eco-Reformation: Grace and Hope for a Planet in Peril (Wipf & Stock, 2016), Earth Ethics: A Case Method Approach (Orbis Books, 2015), Climate Justice: Ethics, Energy, and Climate Policy (Fortress Press, 2010), Christian Environmental Ethics: A Case Method Approach (Orbis Books, 2003), and Population Perils and the Churches’ Response (World Council of Churches, 1997).

Jim has served on the boards of the Iowa Wind Energy Association and Iowa Interfaith Power & Light.  He currently serves on the boards of the Winneshiek Energy District and Future Iowa Energy. He is also a director of Luther College Wind Energy Project, LLC. Jim has helped to develop Luther’s renewable energy projects and recently ended a term as the Director of Luther’s Center for Sustainable Communities.  He currently serves as Chair of the City of Decorah Sustainability Commission.