Course Start Date: 2/7/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/14/08

Instructor(s): Mary Jane Haemig

Course Description:

A survey of the Renaissance, Reformation, Luther, the Lutheran Reformation, various Protestant and Roman Catholic reforming movements, and other proposals for reinterpreting Christianity in the early modern period through the eras of Enlightenment and evangelical revivals.

Course Start Date: 2/7/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/14/08

Instructor(s): James Boyce / Patrick Keifert

Course Description:

An exploration of the truth claims the church makes for the Bible, with attention to the use of Scripture in evangelical persuasion and the role of confessing in the move from interpretation to mission. The Epistle to the Galatians provides textual focus.

Course Start Date: 2/7/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/14/08

Instructor(s): James Boyce

Course Description:

An introduction to Greek grammar and syntax. Reading and analysis of selected New Testament texts explores the nature of translation and its relation to interpretation. Help is given in effective use of resources such as grammars, lexicons, concordances, parsing guides, and interlinears. Mastery of basic vocabulary is stressed. Prerequisite course for master of divinity program. For those students enrolling in online Greek please be advised that the online Greek course is not for everyone. Please read all requirements and deadline information at the professor’s website before registering for online Greek.

Course Start Date: 2/7/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/14/08

Instructor(s): Elisabeth Johnson

Course Description:

A study of the gospel of Matthew, exploring its structure, theology and teachings within its ancient setting. Attention is given to its theological and ecclesial significance today, particularly for preaching, and its understandings of mission and making disciples. The study of this gospel is preceded by a general introduction to the synoptic gospels.
Prerequisite: LG1200 Greek or equivalent for all MDiv and MA-New Testament students

Course Start Date: 2/7/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/14/08

Instructor(s): Richard Nysse

Course Description:

A survey of the prophets and their literature from literary, historical, and theological perspectives, with implications drawn regarding their use in Christian teaching and preaching. Special attention will be given to a close reading of classic prophetic texts and to one of the prophets. A special preceptorial may be provided for those particularly interested in Hebrew translation.
Prerequisite: LG1100 Hebrew or equivalent for all MDiv and MA-Old Testament students

Course Start Date: 2/7/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/14/08

Instructor(s): TBA

Course Description:

A study of the theology, theory, and practice of preaching provided through lectures, discussion, sermon preparation, and preaching.
Prerequisite: PR1510 Telling the Story for MDiv students

Course Start Date: 2/7/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/14/08

Instructor(s): Paul Lokken

Course Description:

Basic Christian teachings about the Triune God and God’s creating, redeeming, and sanctifying work. The doctrines of creation, humans and sin, the person and work of Christ, and the work of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life are considered. Master of arts students. Open to master of divinity students only as an elective.

Course Start Date: 2/7/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/14/08

Instructor(s): Paul Sponheim

Course Description:

Biblical, historical, creedal, confessional, and contemporary materials provide the basis for an introductory examination of the doctrine of the Trinity and consideration of the creative work of God, the nature of the cosmos, the created goodness yet sinfulness of human life, divine law, and human vocation in the world. Through writing and public conversation, students undertake the constructive task of understanding the gospel’s claim to be God’s truth for the world and asserting and commending that claim faithfully, coherently and effectively.

Course Start Date: 2/7/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/14/08

Instructor(s): Weldin

Course Description:

An investigation of the resources, methodologies, and approaches to pastoral care ministry on the basis of a biblical and theological understanding of God and human experience. Pastoral care issues are addressed in relationship to the multiplicity of contexts in which ministry occurs.

Course Start Date: 1/28/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/8/08

Instructor(s): Rev. Dr. Gilson Waldkoenig

Course Description:

3 credits. This course looks at the experience of music and the processes that happen when introducing changes in music. Contemporary and alternative music in the church will be in focus, and the long roots of world and folk music from around the globe and North America. Students will be challenged to develop theological and sociological rationales for choosing music for various ministries; they will have opportunity to explore particular genres of music and approaches to leadership in alternative styles of music; and we will highlight the largely overlooked role of music outside of worship.

Further information: Rev. Dr. Marty Stevens

Course Start Date: 2/4/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/20/08

Instructor(s): Dr. Timothy Wengert

Course Description:

An analysis of the history and development of the theology of the documents comprising The Book of Concord with a view to establishing the importance of their contents for the ministry of pastors, teachers, and congregations. (Permission of instructor required) 1.0 unit.

Course Start Date: 2/4/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/20/08

Instructor(s): Dr. Walter Wagner

Course Description:

Beginning with Paul and the fourth gospel, the course centers on selected eastern and western spiritual masters and pastors. Among the figures considered are Clement of Alexandria, Pseudo-Dionysius, Gregory of Nyssa, Augustine, and Gregory the Great. Opportunities are provided for participants to reflect on their own responses, growth, and ministries. (STM/DMin-level; requires prior theological master’s degree)

Course Start Date: 2/4/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/20/08

Instructor(s): Dr. Margaret Krych

Course Description:

An examination of the purpose, possibilities and problems of the various forms and activities of educational ministry in the local congregation, with a view to creative planning, administration, and evaluation of a comprehensive parish education program. (STM/DMin-level; requires prior theological master’s degree)

Course Start Date: 2/4/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/16/08

Instructor(s): Dr. Rodney R. Hutton

Course Description:

A study of ancient Israelite history, literature, and theology during the period of the late Israelite monarchy, exile and restoration, paying particular attention to prophetic literature, the Psalms, and Israel’s wisdom tradition. Four semester hours.

Register Information 

Course Start Date: 2/4/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/16/08

Instructor(s): Duane Priebe

Course Description:

(3 semester hours)
This course will introduce the basic structures of Christian and Lutheran thought, as it explores the relationship between God, humanity and the world in a history of revelation that extends from creation and fall to the consummation of all things and is centered in Jesus Christ. The course will be organized around the Trinitarian framework of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. Throughout the course, the global context of the Christian witness to Jesus Christ and the engagement between the Christian message and other religious traditions will be kept in view.

Course Start Date: 2/4/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/16/08

Instructor(s): Ralph Quere

Course Description:

(3 semester hours)
The Book of Concord is one of the treasure maps of the Lutheran Church. It tells where the Lutheran reformers stood regarding the gospel of Christ and how they reclaimed that treasure for the church they loved. This collection of confessions has become our church's basic explanation of the good news of justification by faith alone. These Lutheran confessions will be studied textually and topically. Beginning with a quick, first reading of the documents in chronological order will give the student a sense of the content of each and their development during the initial half-century of the Reformation. Starting with the ecumenical creeds gives input from the early church and shows the roots of the theology of Luther's catechisms. Next the Augsburg Confession (AC)-recognized by all of the Lutheran Churches worldwide-will be read, followed by the rest of the confessional writings, which are seen as “commentaries” on the “Augustana” (i.e. the AC). Then the more in-depth study of the major topics will be aided by text books, lecture notes, and on-line discussions.

Course Start Date: 2/4/08

Course Duration (or End Date): 5/16/08

Instructor(s): Paul Chung

Course Description:

(3 semester hours)
In this course we will examine the theology of Martin Luther in light of Buddhist-Christian dialogue. What Christianity and Buddhism have in common is their profound understanding of suffering (or dukkha), albeit each with a different approach to the solution. The issue of suffering in Buddhism is an integral part of shaping the uniqueness of Buddhist spirituality. In Christian tradition, Martin Luther turned to the suffering of God on the cross in contrast to the theology of glory. The crucified God as the foundation and criticism of Christian theology may encourage exploration of the theology of the cross, especially after Auschwitz, with postmodern attention to the others. This aspect retains important implication for our ministry that is becoming more relevant to multicultural and interfaith life setting. Relating Luther to a Buddhist wisdom mutually enriches both traditions, enabling a reciprocal recognition, actualizing solidarity with the poor in other religions.