Course Start Date: Sept 5, 2007

Course Duration (or End Date): Dec 14, 2007

Instructor(s): Rev. Dr. Kirsi Stjerna

Course Description:

This course explores the Lutheran confessional texts included in the Book of Concord as a witness to the gospel and guidance for faith and life. Through a first-hand reading of the documents, and learning about their history, context, and content, students will gain an appreciation of the historical foundations of Lutheran theology and reflect critically on the relevance of the Confessions for public ministry today. Enrollment limited to 15 non-resident students; instructor’s permission required. Recommended prerequisite: Introduction to Systematic Theology.

Course Requirements: To be provided by instructor.

Course Start Date: Begins first day of class in each term

Course Duration (or End Date): N/A

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: September 11, 2007

Course Duration (or End Date): October 20.2007

Instructor(s): Gracia Grindal

Course Description:

A brief survey of hymnody with attention to the traditions of hymnody from the psalms to the most contemporary songs of praise. Attention is paid to the use of hymns in the worship service, as well as the lives and work of several foundational hymn writers or epochs, e.g., Ambrose, Luther, psalm tradition of Geneva, Wesley, black and white spiritual traditions, contemporary hymn explosion. Students write short papers on one hymn a week and a final paper on one topic. There is a lab component in which the music of the hymns is sung.

Course Start Date: November 1, 2007

Course Duration (or End Date): December 19, 2007

Instructor(s): Gracia Grindal

Course Description:

Learning to recognize the hymnals that are in the memory of Lutheran congregations. The black, blue, and red hymnals shaped many of the people in our Lutheran communities. Their unique lens on the Christian tradition of song made a difference to Lutherans in America. There is a lab component in which the music of the hymns will be sung.

Course Start Date: September 11, 2007

Course Duration (or End Date): December 19, 2007

Instructor(s): Elisabeth Johnson

Course Description:

A study of the Corinthian correspondence in the context of the Pauline corpus. The course moves from a brief introduction to Paul’s life and letters to its primary focus, that is, a close reading of 1 and 2 Corinthians. Participants will practice exegesis whose aim is proclamation of these texts in twenty-first century contexts. Throughout the course, attention is paid to matters of theological and pastoral concern that arise from a discussion of the letters.
Prerequisite: LG1200 Greek or equivalent for all MDiv and MA-New Testament students

Course Start Date: September 11, 2007

Course Duration (or End Date): December 19, 2007

Instructor(s): Richard Nysse / Kathryn Schifferdecker

Course Description:

An examination of the story of the people of God in the first five books of the Old Testament. Consideration is given to specific texts and themes and the interpretation of these materials for ministry settings. Pertinent methodologies and socio-historical materials are employed to discipline the interpretive process.

Course Start Date: September 11, 2007

Course Duration (or End Date): December 19, 2007

Instructor(s): Hal 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: September 11, 2007

Course Duration (or End Date): October 20, 2007

Instructor(s): Paul Lokken

Course Description:

An overview of various ways that Christians make moral arguments and decisions. The focus is on methods and models important for moral discourse and the relationship of theological ethics and its biblical, historical and confessional sources to insights from philosophy and other disciplines.
Prerequisite: ST1410 Overview of Christian Teachings or ST1415 Creation and the Triune God