This course will offer hermeneutical and theological investigation of Israel's history and the life of Jesus of Nazareth with particular focus on the Incarnation as foundation for the Scripture's description of Sacraments. The meaning of Baptism and Eucharist as exhibits of the Incarnational presence of Christ will be discussed. Their Christology and centrality for the Gospel in the context of the parish will be explored.

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A study of the varied contents and message of this often neglected major prophet. How do we move from "What it meant" to "what it means"? Or is that the proper procedure? Ezekiel's often strange visions and action-prophecies (not symbolical actions) will have to be considered. If all our preaching is to be Christocentric (or Christological), how do we apply that maxim to Ezekiel? A Lutheran rejoinder to the role chapters 38-48 often play in millenial theology will be necessary.

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This course will consider the writings of St. Ignatius, Bishop of Antioch, the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the letter concerning the martyrs of Lyons, and the Passion of Sts. Perpetua and Felicitas.

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This seminar studies the background, founding, and historical development of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Students will examine the development of Synod's institutions, and will selectively study the theology of some of its major figures. Subjects will vary but may include C.F.W. Walther, Wilhelm Loehe, Friedrich Wyneken, Franz Pieper, Georg Stoeckhardt, William Arndt, Theodore Graebner, John Tietjen, and Robert Preus.

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Using Gerhard Forde's BEING A THEOLOGIAN OF THE CROSS as a guide, this course will look at the contrast between the theology of the cross and the theology of glory in Luther. The implications of the theology of the cross for preaching, worship, pastoral care, and evangelism will be discussed. Tuition for this course will be $150.

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This course will explore the historical and theological transformation of the Hebrew people from the patriarchal era to the tribal era.

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This seminar course will examine the post-baptismal catechesis from the classical age of the catechumenate and the liturgy of baptism. Baptismal catechesis instructed the newly baptized concerning their initiation into the Christian faith, functioning as an act of pastoral care. The role of the pastor will be examined by investigating the catechetical writing of St. Cyril of Jerusalem, comparing his catechesis to that of St. John Chrysostom, Theodore of Mopsuestia, and St. Ambrose of Milan.

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Representative Psalms will be examined from the standpoint of how these Psalms enhance our theological understanding. Also, this course will discuss some of the more challenging aspects of the interpretation of the Psalms. Ideas for preaching on the Psalms will be shared, as well as sermon outlines.

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Christianity faces a multitude of challenges Postmodernism has eviscerated its distinctive character and claim to exclusive truth. A resurgent atheistic secularism accuses it of being antiquated and intellectually untenable. And popular academics continue to discredit its divine and historical origin while, in the meantime, the world's religions offer a host of alternative theologies and worldviews to fill the void. What is a Christian to do? This crash course in apologetics examines the major adversaries of Christianity and explores avenues for articulating and defending the faith in light of these and other contemporary challenges.

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A return to Walther's classic, with application for today's pastoral setting, for preaching, and for personal witnessing and care by pastors and laity. Insights particularly in the uses of Law and Gospel not usually addressed in homiletics courses-applying God's Word rightly to everyday life.

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The Psalms provide a storehouse of rich resources for the servant of God both personally and professionally. Composed by saints in situations of common human experience they express both praise and prayer in the midst of both joy and sorrow. The Psalms relate to multiple areas of life for the baptized child of God in order that he may be a joyful presence and influence to those in relationship to him. This retreat will address the importance of wholeness and balance in all areas of life: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and vocational. Participants in this retreat will not only study and reflect on the Psalms for spiritual refreshment, but are encouraged to engage in recreational events for their total well-being. This four-day retreat will include classroom sessions each morning, while providing afternoons for golfing, hiking, biking and fishing. (Trails are numerous and refreshing streams and lakes are plentiful. The Flat Irons, immediately surrounding Boulder and the University of Colorado campus, and the Rocky Mountains provide a majestic and beautiful backdrop for Biblical study and restful reflection. )

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This course acquaints students with American law, including the U.S. legal system, as it impacts the pastoral ministry on a day-to-day basis. An examination of constitutional, statutory, administrative, and case law applicable to parish and pastor prepares pastors to identify legal issues, to avoid or limit potential liability, and to understand legal issues touching parish life. Issues examined include First Amendment matters; tort, contract, and criminal liability; confidentiality; contractual issues; and matters of sexual harassment and abuse.

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This course will review the rediscovery of the Law and Gospel paradigm for theological reflection among Lutherans beginning with C.F.W. Walther in the 19th century and study how the Law and Gospel dialectic was appropriated in the 20th century. Students will become acquainted with Elert, Althaus, Thielicke, and other significant European and American theologians. They will study the impact of the Law and Gospel paradigm upon the state of Lutheran theology in the late 20th century. The third use of the Law will be considered because the continuing battle over this issue illuminates other significant theological commitments. Students will consider how the Lutheran distinction between Law and Gospel can help in responding to contemporary issues, such as the culture of death and other ethical watersheds.

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This course concentrates on C. F. W. Walther and his contemporaries, especially Martin Stephan, J. A. A. Grabau, and Wilhelm Löhe, as they considered the office of the keys, the royal priesthood, baptism, prayer, cross bearing, the congregation, and church government. It examines the dynamic context in which Walther articulated the Missouri Synod's position on Church and Ministry and the importance of that discussion for ministry in the present.

The practice of church fellowship occurs on a number of levels: congregation, synod, or in the mission field. Church fellowship is determined by a properly understood ecclesiology. This course will examine the underlying aspects of church and fellowship with Werner Elert's Eucharist and Church Fellowship and CTCR statements relating to these issues. In addition to questions of church and fellowship involving pulpit and altar, inter-church services, overseas partnership, cooperation in mission and in external matters, this course also pays close attention to Christianity's faith in the Triune God as it confronts other religions.

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This course will examine Luther's pastoral theology in light of his theology of the cross. Primary focus will be on Luther's letters of spiritual counsel with attention to selected sermons, catechetical and devotional materials.

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Paul's letter to the Ephesians is one of the core books of the New Testament. The epistle will be carefully placed into the life of Paul and the setting of the Ephesian congregation. Via a close reading of the entire text of the epistle, this exegetical seminar will delve into its key Gospel themes, centering on its message of baptismal unity in Christ.

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This course will examine the theology of the second century with special attention to Gnosticism and the theological response of St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons.

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Since the turn of the century information on Islam has become widely available. Yet, media and public discourse is still uninformed and, at times, misleading-so much so that one is often left asking: "Will the real Islam please stand up?" To answer the question this course examines key historical events and theological motifs that have shaped the contemporary Muslim world. The life of Muhammad, composition and content of the Qur'an, rise and fall of Muslim empires, and twentieth-century Islamic resurgence are all covered in order to provide students with a fundamental understanding of Islam.

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Hermann Sasse (1895-1976) was perhaps the most important confessional Lutheran theologian of the twentieth century. This course will engage his writings on pastoral issues such as closed communion, the office of the ministry, liturgy, church fellowship, and women's ordination. Pastors will read and discuss key essays from The Lonely Way - Vol. II.

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This class will review the challenges to the divine identity of Jesus that have arisen over the past two centuries and are seen in the media today, especially at Christmas and Easter. Ways of confronting these controversies, based upon careful historical study of New Testament texts being done by several scholars, will be discussed.

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Since the late seventh and early eighth century, as the nascent Muslim state burgeoned into an empire, Christians have had significant and sustained contact with Muslims. The greatest conflict between Islam and the West, however, occurred during the Lutheran Reformation when the Ottoman Empire began its rapid expansion into Eastern Europe. This course surveys Luther's multi-faceted approach to what has been characterized as the Turk's "great jihad par excellence" on Europe with a view towards assessing his contribution to the history of Christian approaches to Islam.

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The Detroit Lions have as one of their cheers, "Restore the Roar!" This workshop promises to restore the roar of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Resplendent with a variety of rhetorical features that display a polished and passionate, dynamic and didactic style, the book of Amos gets the attention of its readers with its straightforward, "in your face" message. Amos declares that the nation's most venerable institutions and theological understandings - its temple and systems of worship, covenant, land entitlement, election tradition and kingship - will soon face Yahweh's judgment. The workshop will address specific issues like Yahweh's mission to Gentiles in the Old Testament, His "divine repentance" and how premillenial-dispensationalists interpret Amos' promise of a restored Israel in her land.

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This seminar helps elected and volunteer leaders of congregations review the responsibilities of lay leadership within the broader context of Lutheran identity, mission, and worship. Time is also given to work-shopping common challenges faced by congregation officers. Pastors are encouraged to bring their leaders to the seminar.

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