The Seminary Explores

African American Lutheran Clergy: An Oral History

Dr. Richard Stewart, Professor Emeritus United Lutheran Seminary, discusses his current history project funded through a Louisville Institute grant. This oral and written history project seeks to collect and archive the experiences of being African American in contemporary Lutheranism. His work is a race against time to gather first hand accounts whenever possible and track down family members and peers of those who have passed on for their second hand accounts and memories of those early pioneers.

To learn more about this project listen to the interviews visit: http://rnstewart.blogspot.com/

What is Systematic Theology?

Dr. John Hoffmeyer a Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at United Lutheran Seminary defines and describes the history and the focus of systematic theology. He shares his formation in the field from his undergraduate years to his studies in Germany and his doctoral studies at Boston College. Those theologians who have influences his work include: James Cone and Robert Jenson, and Eberhard Jüngel. Future projects for Dr. Hoffmeyer includes work on the nature of theological education (examining theory and practice) and the doctrine of the Trinity.

Here We Stand: Responding to a History of Oppression in S.W. Africa and Congo

Dr. Maria Erling, Professor of American Church History, ULS, and author, “The Augustana Story” sets the Lutheran World Federation Assembly, held in Windhoek, Namibia in the context of justice and reconciliation in Namibia and the abused women in the Congo.

Urban Ministry, Black Men, and the Lutheran Church

Pastor Yehiel Curry of Shekinah Chapel describes his own path to ordained ministry, and his work with the Lutheran Church in developing a relevant, exciting ministry, geared toward Black men and their families in Chicago. He is dynamic, passionate and wise, and you will love his story!

Lutherans and Catholics “On the Way” to Unity

After almost 500 years since the Reformation, Donald McCoid, Bishop Emeritus, Southwest Pennsylvania Synod, ELCA, and staff member on the “Declaration” Commission discusses, Declaration on the Way: Church, Ministry, Eucharist offers an unprecedented series of 32 “statements of agreement” between Roman Catholics and Lutherans. The culmination of 50 years of dialogues, they signal that Catholics and Lutherans are “on the way” to full, visible unity. Approved 931-9 by the ELCA Church-wide Assembly, the full document is available free on-line. A study guide for congregations will soon be released.

The Church of the Augsburg Confession in Serbia and Slovakia

Former Gettysburg Seminary student Ivan Belanji discusses the Lutheran church in Serbia and Slovakia, and describes his study at the seminary in Bratislava.

The Ins and Outs of ELW, from Someone who was There!

In this episode Mark Mummert takes us behind the scenes of the creation of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, explaining why certain decisions were made [The Lord’s Prayer!  The hymns!  The Psalter!], and how ELW serves as a window onto who we are as a church today, past, present and future, both locally and globally.

A Youth Extravaganza

Jay Eckman, a second year student at Gettysburg Seminary, talks about his involvement with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America 2015 Youth Gathering in Detroit.  He explores the importance of the Youth Gathering for the life of the church as well as the importance of the gathering for his own preparation for pastoral ministry.

Welcoming a new face and a new perspective: Dr. Vince Evener

In this episode we welcome to the faculty of Gettysburg Seminary Dr. Vince Evener, Visiting Instructor in Reformation and Luther Studies, and hear about his background and his work in Luther Studies.

Vincent Evener received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago Divinity School in June 2014.  His research focuses on how Martin Luther and other reformers worked to achieve a daily transformation, including an intensification of devotion, in the lives of Christians.

Re-contextualizing American Lutheranism

In this episode, a theologian, Dr. Largen, and a historian, Rev. Dr. Maria Erling, talk about the construction of Lutheran identity, and how it relates both to theological doctrines and also social, historical context.  The issue of slavery is discussed as one example of such identity construction.