4 minute read
Editor ’s Note
Welcome to our third issue of SIMUL, the journal of St. Paul Lutheran Seminary. This edition will discuss Luther ’s two kingdoms theology, the distinction between the realms of law and gospel.
In this issue, Robert Benne offers a “Paradoxical Vision” which provides a “Lutheran nudge” for correctly understanding law and gospel as a framework for public theology. Marney Fritts explores the eschatological relationship of the two kingdoms, plumbing Luther ’s theology from his Lectures on Galatians (1535) and The Bondage of the Will (1525). John King proposes a multiperspectival approach for Christian morals using a metaethical model developed by John M. Frame. And Phil Anderas completes the discussion, tweaking the two kingdoms approach for the sake of evangelism in the twenty-first century.
"This edition will discuss Luther ’s Two Kingdoms, the distinction between Law and Gospel."
Our Theological Conference
This past April, we had an amazing conference in Jekyll Island, GA. For those who have never been there, Jekyll Island was a hunting and beach club for the rich and famous in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and its membership included members of the Vanderbilt, Rockefeller, Pulitzer and Goodyear families. Today, the club is a beautifully renovated beach resort. This year ’s conference featured Dr. Marney Fritts, who spoke on Luther ’s two kingdoms theology, and Rev. Julie Smith, who explained how to read the Bible by properly distinguishing law and gospel. Mark Ryman introduced his new visual catechism, and Steve King gave a presentation on a new update of the old Crossways material. The updated Crossways resources are available from Sola Publishing, and you can contact Mark Ryman about the visual catechism at revryman@gmail.com I also provided a hands-on demonstration on how to access and read SIMUL online.
So please mark your calendar for next year ’s conference, also at the Jekyll Island Club, April 11-12, 2023.
What ’s New?
SIMUL can now be downloaded to your computer. Just hit the download button at the bottom of the ISSUU page for each issue. This will allow you to obtain a full copy of the issue in pdf for free. After you are done reading it, send it to a friend!
What ’s Ahead?
Upcoming Issues - We are so excited about this coming year. Summer 2022’s topic will be the “Uses of the Law - 2 or 3?” (we will attempt to remain civil and avoid any further schisms). Our Fall 2022 issue will cover the sacraments, a topic which has come under much discussion during the COVID-19 shutdowns. Our Winter 2023 issue will be on renewal in the local church, responding to Bradley Hales very successful class of the same title which had over one hundred students representing twenty-two different churches. Luther ’s theology of vocation will be the subject of our Spring 2023 issue.
Classes for the Laity - This fall we will be offering a class on the book of Genesis led by Dr. Henry Corcoran - stay tuned for more updates!
India Classes – St. Paul Lutheran Seminary has partnered with the Lutheran School of Theology in India to provide education for the pastoral candidates – they had eleven students in their first graduating class! Unfortunately, we have no funding for our American professors, and they have been providing their services pro bono. While their generosity has kept the classes going for the time being, this situation is sadly unsustainable. If you would like to support our commitment to educating Indian pastors for ministry, please consider making a generous contribution at https://semlc.org /support-st-paul-lutheran-seminary/
I hope you enjoy this issue of SIMUL! If you have any questions about the journal or about St. Paul Lutheran Seminary, please shoot me an email at dennisdimauro@yahoo.com
