Council Bluffs, Iowa

Formula of Concord in the Life of the Church

Dr. Naomichi Masaki
August 8–11, 2017

The Book of Concord is central to the life of our church, but it is often found underused or even misused. In this course, we will focus our attention on the Formula of Concord. Amazingly contemporary and invaluable, the Formula will be found as practical a handbook as the Small Catechism. This rich confession of the Gospel is open for anyone, pastors and the people of God. (3.0 CEU)

Denver, Colorado

The Gospel in Philippians

Dr. John G. Nordling
August 21–25, 2017

Written to thank Christians at Philippi for their generous gift to him, Paul gives hearty utterance in the letter to the Gospel of Christ Jesus: his thanksgiving to God for the Philippians’ partnership in his ministry (1:5), his being torn between going on and living in the body or departing to be with Christ (1:21–24), his joy amid the imprisonment (throughout), the Christ hymn (2:5-11) and the nature of their gift itself and its implications for their life together (4:14–19). The course covers all these themes and then some, while relating them to practical considerations in the parish and ministry.

Elgin, Illinois

World Views and Religions

Dr. K. Detlev Schulz
July 31–August 2, 2017

North America embraces various world views such a deism and naturalism as well as many living religions which are in direct competition with Christianity. This course will provide insight into a number of world views and religions and offer ways to address them missiologically and apologetically. (1.5 CEU)

Flathead Lake, Montana

Methodology in Ethics

Dr. Gifford A. Grobien
July 31–August 4, 2017

Knowing what good to pursue and what evil to avoid, in some ways, for the Christian, is simple. God’s commands direct us. Yet our sinful nature, the various needs of the neighbor and daily life circumstances can cloud our understanding of God’s will and how to carry it out. This course will explore methods for thinking about the will of God and carrying it out in our lives. Classical philosophical theories, such as virtue ethics, teleology and deontology, will also be considered from a Christian perspective. The significance of Luther’s natural orders or realms of life will round out the discussion in a concrete way. (3.0 CEU)

Fort Wayne, Indiana

Access to Heaven on Earth in the Divine Service: The Theology of Worship in Hebrews

Dr. John W. Kleinig
September 11–13, 2017

This course serves as an introduction to my commentary on Hebrews published by Concordia Publishing House this year. In this course we will explore the theology of worship in this letter. The following topics will be examined:

• the contrast between the divine service in the old covenant and the new covenant;
• the role of Jesus as our high priest and our sin offering;
• our entry into the heavenly place of rest by hearing the voice of the living God;
• our access to the heavenly sanctuary through the body and blood of Jesus;
• our purification and sanctification by Jesus in the divine service;
• our participation with the angels in the heavenly liturgy; and
• the presentation of God-pleasing offerings through Jesus.

The main focus will be on the practical relevance of this teaching to what is done and taught, given and received in the divine service.

Grass Valley, California

Early Christian Mercy to the Secular Culture

Rev. Chad Kendall
July 31–August 4, 2017

This course will be an investigation into the Scriptures, looking particularly at the way the apostles speak of compassion and mercy. Emphasis will be toward Clement of Alexandria’s approach to teaching the Christian faith in a gnostic world. Further, this course will examine scriptural texts exegetically and will consider how, in light of Clement’s approach, the Church may communicate the Scriptures and draw people into the Church in our modern-day gnostic and postmodern culture. (3.0 CEU)

Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania

How First-Century Christians in the Book of Acts Walked Together as They Confessed the Faith

Dr. Arthur A. Just Jr.
July 31–August 2, 2017

The Apostolic Council in Jerusalem has much bearing on the situation facing The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) today. Significant decisions were made by the apostles and other leaders in the Church in the first 20 years of the Church’s life that are instructive for us to observe. This course will take a tour of the early Church from the Ascension to the Apostolic Council with a view towards how decisions were made by the early fathers. The Apostolic Council is a watershed event in the life of the early Church, but it is also a significant marker for the history of the Church and programmatic for us today. This brief, highlighted tour will recognize significant events in the first 20 years of the Church’s existence, observing the leaders as they are described in Acts and Galatians, the decision-making process of the early Christians, as well as offering a brief interpretation of the Apostolic Council in light of the issues facing the LCMS today. (1.5 CEU)

Riverton, Utah

Christian Initiation and Catechetics

Dr. Arthur A. Just Jr.
August 28–29, 2017

This 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.(1.5 CEU)