4 minute read
Editor's Note
Editor’s Note
Welcome to our ninth issue of SIMUL, the journal of St. Paul Lutheran Seminary. This edition includes a number of insightful articles concerning the Office of the Ministry. In this volume, Mark Menacher explores how Lutheran church bodies have abandoned the ministerial freedom which was restored by the Reformation. Julie Smith explains how ministry is truly “ordered” when its number one priority is the unleashing of the Gospel upon the world for the sake of the salvation of souls. Roy Harrisville argues that the answer to our shrinking churches isn’t more “bells and smells” or the elevation of the clergy, but rather promulgating the Word of God. And Virgil Thompson urges our pastors to simply get on with delivering the unconditional promise of Christ for sinners bound in sin, that they might live. Finally, I close out this issue with a review of Eric Metaxas’ Martin Luther: The Man Who Rediscovered God and Changed the Word.
This edition includes a number of insightful articles concerning the Office of the Ministry.
What’s Ahead?
Upcoming Issues - We are so excited about this coming year. Our Winter 2024 issue will discuss “Our Other Neighbors,” including our Jewish brothers and sisters and our international students in India and Latin America. Our Spring 2024 issue will discuss our ministry to those suffering from mental illness, including Alzheimer’s disease, depression and PTSD.
Jewish Heritage Class – On Feb. 6th, 2024, we'll be starting a course entitled "Our Neighbors - of Jewish Heritage." The course will focus on the Jewish roots of our Christian faith and how we bring the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles. The discussions will include: Jewish Apologetics, Jewish Culture and History, Giving Your Testimony, Modern Jewish History, Current Events, and Helping Lead Someone to Jesus. The course is $50 for an individual or $100 for a small group from one church. Payment can be submitted online at: https://semlc.org/support-stpaul-lutheran-seminary/ or to the address also found on that page. Classes are held on Zoom and recorded with links sent to your email following each session. So if someone needs to miss a class, it Is available for viewing at another time. Individual classes typically run for up to 2 hours. The only text required is the Bible. To register, simply email jjensen@semlc.org and ask to be included in the course.
On Feb. 6th, 2024, we'll be starting a course entitled "Our Neighborsof Jewish Heritage." The course will focus on the Jewish roots of our Christian faith and bringing the Gospel to both Jews and Gentiles.
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
