By the Rev. Scott Stiegemeyer, Admissions Counselor

Recently called to the Church Triumphant, the Rev. Dr. Donald Deffner was a much-loved part of Concordia Theological Seminary. In 1987, after many years of richly varied ministry in parish and campus settings, Dr. Deffner became a visiting professor in our department of pastoral ministry and missions. His gentle wit, pastoral wisdom and personal charm brought light and warmth to our campus. A faithful confessional Lutheran theologian, Dr. Deffner was renowned for his expert ability to sensitively analyze people and culture and convey the Word of God to them in fresh and creative ways. It was his mission to explore opportunities to communicate Jesus Christ to the educated, the intellectuals, people who read books. Dr. Deffner was a lover of books. It was a specialty of his to examine popular and contemporary literature for the religious and theological implications often found there. To him, it mattered what everyday people were actually reading. He knew that truly important literature, whether classic text or supermarket paperback, is that which attempts to grapple with the large questions of life in honest, meaningful and creative ways.

We are thus proud to introduce the formation of the Donald Deffner Literary Society in honor of this beloved professor. It seems a fitting token of respect for his ministry and his undying appreciation for the intersections between literature, the arts and Christian theology. This new society is dedicated to the reading of books. While the seminarian is most accustomed to the assiduous study of grand dogmatic volumes and learned treatises on every point of theology, we propose to foster also a love and appreciation for the serious religious reflections to be found in sources outside of this academic scope. We believe that beauty and creativity characterize God Himself and therefore that literature and the fine arts can serve to ennoble, enlighten and exalt human life. When motivated and informed by the Christian vision of God, the Creator who loves, chastises, redeems and sanctifies His creation, the fine arts are a powerful force indeed.

Starting this fall, members of the seminary community will gather regularly to enjoy some of the most excellent examples of world literature and discuss their import in the shaping of culture, assumptions, values and our understanding of life. More than the average book discussion club, our group will be particularly interested in literature as an expression of belief or unbelief and will examine ways that the Christian reality can be discovered in these sources or expressed to those who read them. Mostly led by seminary professors with an interest in the arts, all are welcome and invited to attend.

From Volume 2, Issue 5, September/October 1998