Considers interest, trends and directions in exegetical theology today that students may be better equipped to evaluate current thought and literature.

The course is designed to acquaint the parish pastor with current developments in the field of historical theology. Professors and guest speakers will contribute in the areas of their expertise, keeping recent debates and discussions in mind. Areas of study may include developments in patristic studies, present concerns in Reformation research, American Christianity, American Lutheranism, literature as church history, Christian view of history and other timely topics.

The study of the intersection of theology and the practice of ministry.

This first course in the D.Min. degree program explores in depth the context of each student’s ministry for the purpose of clarifying and integrating theology and professional practice. Guidance and assistance will be given for choosing, designing and writing the D.Min. project/dissertation.

A course examining the liturgical model as pastoral care that will emphasize liturgy, preaching and the catechesis. These three aspects of the liturgical model will be analyzed according to the four historic functions of pastoral care: healing, sustaining, guiding and reconciling. Various examples from the history of the liturgy will be used to illustrate the pastoral use of the liturgy in the care of souls.

A seminar in the study of early Christian homiletics and sermons. Early patristic sermons will be studied in view of their historical and liturgical context, their use of biblical material, and their rhetorical style.

A study of hymnody from the early church to the present. The survey will deal mainly with the texts of Greek, Latin, German, Scandinavian, English and American hymn writers. Special emphasis will be given to the Lutheran Chorale. Other topics will include children’s hymns, a survey for American Lutheran hymnals and selection of hymns for the Divine Service.

A historical and practical study of Lutheran singing from the Reformation to the present. The hymns of Luther, Gerhardt and Franzmann will form the pillars for the study. Other topics will include children’s hymns, a survey of American Lutheran hymnals and selection of hymns for worship.

This seminar will focus on creative interpretation and proclamation of biblical texts. Examination of the relation between biblical authority and creativity and experimentation with biblical images for creative sermonic forms.

This course will examine the radical and essential nature and role of the sacraments in the mission of the Church. Various missiological approaches will be diagnosed on the basis of their sacramental or non-sacramental theological foundations. The course encourages thoughtful and vigorous Christ-centered missions built on an integrated and lively implementation of thorough catechesis, Holy Baptism, Holy Absolution, Holy Communion and the liturgical life by the missionary pastor.

A seminar course examining the process of initiation from “the classical age of the catechumenate and the liturgy of baptism.” Catechesis instructed the catechumens and the newly baptized concerning their initiation into the Christian faith through baptism, confirmation and eucharist functioning as an act of pastoral care. The course will concentrate on the catechetical writings of the first four centuries, but these texts will then be compared to the Rites of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA) that are in use in Christendom today.

This course sketches the world views of contemporary societies as to their points of similarity as well as their points of difference. The goal of the course is to allow each student to see more clearly through the eyes of other people.

The course seeks to assist the pastor in initiating and developing a disciplined devotional life as an integral part of his ministry. The lessons move from an analysis and description of the devotional life within the parameters of a Lutheran theological framework to the formation, development and methodology the pastor may employ in programming his own life and spiritual growth.

When students wish to fulfill a special need, they may request an independent study course through the department chairman.

When students wish to fulfill a special need, they may request a directed readings course through the department chairman.

The course will examine the nature of sacramental life (Baptism, Absolution, Eucharist) as it ought to be according to our confessional standards, as it actually is in practice today, and as it could become under wise pastoral guidance.