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EDITOR'S NOTE
Welcome to our eighth issue of SIMUL, the journal of St. Paul Lutheran Seminary. This edition includes a number of insightful articles concerning Luther’s theology of vocation. In this volume, Mark Menacher explains how certain modern alterations to the Book of Concord have changed our original Lutheran understanding of how someone is called to ministry. Mark Ryman explains how one can be called by God to a specialized ministry or any other occupation. Brad Hales urges us to teach church members that their secular occupations are, in fact, spiritual vocations given to them by God. Marney Fritts cautions us on the temptation to use our vocations to earn our own holiness instead of understanding how our baptisms and the forgiveness of sins lead us into holiness. And Kristian Baudler looks at Reformation ordination theology, and how the earliest Lutheran pastors were “called to” their vocations by their congregations, rather than ordained by a bishop to a clerical order. Finally, I close out this issue with a review of Andrew Pettegree’s book, Brand Luther, a portrait of the printing industry that fueled Luther’s Reformation.
What’s Ahead?
Upcoming Issues - We are so excited about this coming year. Our Fall 2023 issue will discuss the Office of the Ministry.
SPLS now offers the Th.D. – We are excited to announce that St. Paul Lutheran Seminary is partnering with Kairos University in Sioux Falls, SD to establish an accredited Doctorate in Theology (Th.D.). The Th.D. is a research degree, preparing candidates for deep theological reflection, discussion, writing, leadership in the church and service towards the community. The goal of the program is to develop leaders in the Lutheran church who are qualified to teach in institutions across the globe, to engage in theological and biblical research to further the preaching of the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to respond with faithfulness to any calling within the church. Those who are accepted into and complete the program will receive all instruction from SPLS professors and will receive an accredited (ATS) degree from Kairos University.
The general area of study of the Th.D. program is in systematic theology. Specializations offered within the degree include, but are not limited to: Reformation studies, evangelical homiletics, and law and gospel dialectics. The sub-disciplines within the areas of specialization are dependent upon the interest of the student provided they have a qualified and approved mentor. Other general areas of study, such as biblical studies, will be forthcoming. For the full description of the program, go to https://semlc.org/academic-programs/ If you are interested in supporting our effort to produce faithful teachers of Christ’s church, contact Jon Jensen jjensen@semlc.org. All prospective student inquiries can be directed to Dr. Marney Fritts mfritts@semlc.org.
Giving - Please consider making a generous contribution to St. Paul Lutheran Seminary 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
