Available Courses

• BT 010 Biblical Greek I

  • Instructor: Tim Rynearson

  This course is aimed at a basic level competency in the translation and interpretation of Biblical texts. (0 credits) Prof. Rynearson

• BT 101 Principles of Biblical Interpretation

  • Instructor: Pr. Jonathan Sorum

  This course introduces and defends the Lutheran notion of the internal clarity of Scripture. Over and against much of the preceding tradition, Lutherans have claimed that no intermediary is required to interpret Scripture: Scripture interprets itself. This understanding is defended as the necessary condition of doing Lutheran theology faithfully. Various exegetical and hermeneutical methodologies are introduced and evaluated in light of theological pre-understandings.  Prof. Sorum

• MP 101 Lutheran Worship

  • Instructor: Pr. Tim Swenson

  This course examines the components of Lutheran corporate worship. Students study the theological foundations of worship by examining selected historical and contemporary worship forms. Contemporary issues impacting worship are also investigated with the purpose of better understanding the presence of God in His Word and Sacrament. Prof. Swenson

• HST 150 Luther and His Catechisms

  • Instructor: Rev. Dr. William Russell

  This course studies the life of Dr. Martin Luther within his historical context. His theological innovations are highlighted and related to our contemporary cultural understandings. Special attention is given to his Large Catechism and Small Catechism, documents that display clearly the depth of his thinking. Students are taught to think theologically in the way of the Lutheran Reformation. Major theological doctrines forged in the Reformation are carefully considered and applied to parish ministry today. Institute of Lutheran Theology 2010-11 Academic Catalog 27

• BT 201 Old Testament Theology and History

  • Instructor: Rev. Dr. Fred Baltz

  This course introduces the Old Testament, giving careful consideration to matters of interpretation and examining theologically the Torah, the Writings, and the Prophets. Old Testament stories are seen against the backdrop of God’s law and gospel
• MP 201 Proclaiming God's Word

  • Instructor: Erma Wolf

  The student will learn basic techniques and methods for studying Biblical passages and discerning a suitable message for preaching. In particular, the student will be taught the proper place of both Law and Gospel in Biblical preaching. Various approaches to developing and delivering a sermon will be examined. The students will write and deliver sermons as a crucial part of their development of proclaiming God's word.
• BT 301 Lutheran Biblical Interpretation

  • Instructor: Mark Hillmer

  This course introduces and defends the Lutheran notion of the internal clarity of Scripture.  Over and against the preceding tradition, Lutherans have always claimed that no intermediary is required to interpret Scripture: Scripture interprets itself.   This understanding is defended as the necessary condition of doing Lutheran theology faithfully.  Various critical methodologies are introduced and evaluated with regard to the clarity of the Biblical text.  Students will carefully examine Biblical texts in light of their internal clarity and learn how to use critical resources for interpreting them for use in preaching and leading bible study. (3 Credits) Prof. Hillmer
• EPR 301 Faith, Knowledge and Reason

  • Instructor: Rev. Dr. Dennis Bielfeldt

  This course introduces students to basic issues of faith, knowledge, and reason, both in contemporary philosophy and theology and as these issues have been addressed historically in the Western philosophical tradition.  Typical historical figures covered include Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Pascal, and Kierkegaard.  Modern topics may include issues of internal and external justification and warrant, foundationalist and nonfoundationalist epistemologies, and contrasts of theological and scientific method.  (3 credits) Prof. Bielfeldt
• HST 302 History of Christian Thought II: The Reformation

  • Instructor: Rev. Dr. Jim Nestingen

  This course surveys important issues in the development of western theology from first century Christian origins, through the great ecumenical councils, to the "great medieval synthesis" of the thirteenth century and its critique by representatives of the via moderna.    Students learn to distinguish the development of orthodox doctrine from various heterodox errors.  Special emphasis is given to the impact of the Greek philosophical tradition on the development of Trinitarian theology and the formation of the medieval synthesis.  (3 Credits) Prof. Nestingen

• MP 310 Working with Youth

  • Instructor: Julie Smith

  
  

  This course is designed to introduce students to youth ministry and basic issues of theology and practice as they pertain to ministering to youth in the congregation. (1.5 credits) Prof. Smith

• MP 330 Homiletics I

  • Instructor: Erma Wolf

  Students learn a model of preaching which takes into account the interplay of exegetical, confessional, pastoral and contextual factors.  Emphasis is placed on step-by-step practice in the preparation, writing and delivery of several sermons. (3 Credits) Prof. Wolf

• HST 350 The Theology of Martin Luther

  • Instructor: Rev. Dr. Jim Nestingen

  This course studies the life of Dr. Martin Luther within his historical context.  His theological innovations are highlighted and related to our contemporary cultural understandings.  Students are taught to think theologically in the way of the Lutheran Reformation.  Major theological doctrines forged in the Reformation are carefully considered and applied to parish ministry today.  (3 Credits) Prof. Nestingen

• HST 401 Creation & the Triune God

  • Instructor: Paul Hinklicky

  This course is a study of the doctrine of God and relation of God and world.  Students will explore the theology of creation and its relation to contemporary scientific theories of cosmos and nature, and issues and theological anthropology, including possible topics of natural evil, original sin and sinfulness, and natural law and purpose.  (3 credits) Prof. Hinlicky

• BT 402 Wisdom & the Prophets

  • Instructor: Mark Hillmer

  This course provides introduction both to the Wisdom literature (e.g., Psalms, Proverbs, Job) and the prophetic literature of the Old Testament.  Emphasis will be placed on the content, form, composition, and the theological motifs of these books.  (3 Credits)

• BT 450 The Gospels

  • Instructor: Dr. George Tsakiridis

  This course is an introduction to the four canonical Gospels, addressing form, composition, coherency and principle theological motifs, as well understanding of historicity and inter-relation.   Prerequisite: Greek (3 Credits)

• HST 550 Luther, Justification and Deification

  • Instructor: Rev. Dr. Dennis Bielfeldt

  This course seeks to understand Luther’s doctrine of justification over and against the preceding Augustinian tradition, and with respect to various options within late medieval scholasticism.   Special attention is given to the project of Finnish Luther research, particularly the claim that Luther’s central salvific category is best understood as a species of theosis or deification, a notion that is prevalent within Eastern Orthodox thinking.