Institute of Lutheran Theology

Available Courses

• Lectionary Interactive

  • Instructor: Tim Rynearson

    

  This is an open source for anyone interested in studying the original Greek of our Standard Lectionary. (No  cost; no credit)
• BT 101 Principles of Biblical Interpretation

  • Instructor: Rev. Dr. Mark Hillmer

  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. (2 Credits).

• BT 201 Old Testament Survey 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.

• BT 299 Introduction to Greek

  • Instructor: Tim Rynearson

   This course gives students the opportunity to learn koine Greek through a study of select New Testament texts.   Prerequisite BT 299 or one year of college Greek.    (0 credits)
• BT 452 Epistles & the Formation of the New Testament

  • Instructor: Kyle Fever

  This course provides an introduction to the Pastoral letters, the letters of John, and Revelation, as well as issues of canonical formation in the first centuries of Christian community. Students will gain an understanding of the form and content of the works covered, as well as historical and theological importance. (3 Credits)  Prerequisite: Greek

• BT 490 Topics: Isaiah

  • Instructor: Rev. Dr. Mark Hillmer

  This course focuses on an individual book of the Old Testament, its history, form, content, and theological motifs. This course is repeatable when covering different topics. (3 credits)
• EPR 302 God, Logic and Semantics

  • Instructor: Dr. Dennis Bielfeldt

  This course will examine basic principles of logic and argumentation, including inductive and deductive inference, formal models of logic, informal fallacies, and theories of semantics and reference, especially as they pertain to theological language and critical reflection. Prerequisite: EPR 301 (3 credits)
• HST 101 History of the Christian Church to 1500

  • Instructor: Dr. George Tsakiridis

  This course examines the development of the Christian Church and doctrine from Christian origins in the first century to the “harvest of medieval theology” in the work of Gabriel Biel. Special attention is given to the ecumenical councils of the church and the development and repudiation of the classical heresies. Emphasis is placed upon the relevance of church history for Christian proclamation.(2 Credits)

• HST 303 History of Christian Thought III

  • Instructor: Dr. Dennis Bielfeldt

  This course examines the breakdown of Enlightenment evidence traditions (e.g., Locke) under the attack of Hume and Kant, and details the development of post-Kantian theological options in the work of Fichte, Schelling, Schleiermacher, Hegel, Kierkegaard, Ritchsl, Nietzsche and Troeltsch. (3 Credits)
• HST 351 The Lutheran Confessions in Context

  • Instructor: Dr. Dennis Bielfeldt
  • Instructor: Rev. John Rasmussen

  The confessional documents of the Lutheran tradition are examined in an effort to understand the historical context surrounding their writing and to develop theological possibilities for our contemporary context.  The Augsburg Confession, The Apology, The Schmalkald Articles, and the Formula of Concord are examined in detail. (3 credits)
• HST 403 Church, Spirit and the Two Kingdoms

  • Instructor: Dr. Paul Hinlicky

  This course will explore theological understandings of the church, the role of the Holy Spirit in Christian life, and the relation of church and state from a Lutheran perspective. (3 credits)
• HST 552 Bonhoeffer

  • Instructor: Pr. Jonathan Sorum

  Title is self-descriptive. (3 Credits)

• 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.(2 Credits)
• MP 201 Proclaiming God's Word

  • Instructor: Rev. John Rasmussen
  • Instructor: Rev. Mark Jamison

  
  

  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. (2 Credits)

• MP 311 Working with the Aged

  • Instructor: Prof. Berg

  Students engage issues of ministry and practice as they are more likely to occur when ministering to older adults and their families. (1.5 credits)