2023 September — 178th Academic Year Begins at CTSFW

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: CTSFW Communications, (260) 452-3153; communications@ctsfw.edu

178th Academic Year Begins at CTSFW

FORT WAYNE, September 7, 2023—Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne (CTSFW), marked the opening of the 178th academic year with a special Matins service held at 10 a.m. September 5 in Kramer Chapel. CTSFW President Dr. Lawrence Rast Jr., who served as preacher for the service, declared the year open after the processional hymn, “Church of God, Elect and Glorious.” Students and faculty process into Kramer Chapel to the hymn, “Church of God, Elect and Glorious.”

Rast preached on the Gospel reading, Matthew 12:22–32, which begins with Jesus’ healing of a demon-possessed, blind and mute man, then moves to an exchange between Jesus and the Pharisees, who incorrectly attributed the healing to the devil—a good example of going “off the rails,” theologically.

Addressing the students, Rast noted, “I’m glad that you are confessional LCMS Lutherans. And my colleagues and I are here to make you better confessional LCMS Lutherans. But that kind of formation is not the goal in and of itself. Its purpose is not abstract theological judgment as the last word. The purpose of pastoral and diaconal formation is rather, ultimately, to help you speak the Gospel—to speak Christ into situations and to individuals who have fallen captive to the great demonic oppressor. “To put it another way, our job is to enhance your confession—faith seeking understanding, as we like to say it. It is not to guide you into self-satisfied Pharisaism. Rather, it is to shape and lead you, just as we all continue to be shaped and led by Christ into the cruciform form of His life for us.”CTSFW President Dr. Lawrence Rast Jr. preaches at the Seminary’s Opening Service in Kramer Chapel.

After the sermon, the Rev. Peter Brock, first vice-president of the Indiana District of The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS), installed new Seminary faculty member Dr. Carl Beckwith, who was called last spring by the CTSFW Board of Regents to serve as professor of historical theology. Beckwith taught at Beeson Divinity School, Samford University in Birmingham, Alabama, for 16 years prior to his call to the Seminary. During that time, he also served as pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Birmingham (2009–2016) and associate pastor of Trinity Lutheran Church in Hanceville (2016–2023).

“The faculty and students are blessed to have Dr. Beckwith now teaching at CTSFW,” said Seminary Provost Dr. Charles Gieschen. “He comes to this campus as an exceptional scholar with extensive teaching experience in a seminary setting, a skilled historical theologian who has published widely, and a faithful LCMS pastor with 14 years of parish experience. He will be very influential in the formation of faithful servants in Christ at this seminary in the years ahead.”Dr. Lawrence Rast Jr., president of CTSFW, welcomes Dr. Carl Beckwith to the faculty. Dr. Beckwith is a professor of historical theology.

The incoming class at CTSFW includes students preparing for pastoral ministry through Master of Divinity, Alternate Route, and Specific Ministry Pastor programs as well as students in the Deaconess Studies program and advanced graduate programs. Seven of those students are international, representing the countries of Brazil, China, Ethiopia, Kenya, Madagascar, Myanmar, and Romania. The incoming class for Fall 2023 poses for a group photograph prior to Tuesday’s opening service for the 178th Academic Year.

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Photos by Steve J. Blakey and Glen Werling