Registration is open for 2015-2016 Lay School classes. The Lay School of Theology is a program of informal, non-credit classes taught by seminary professors for people who want to learn more about matters relating to their Christian faith and life.
Winter classes start Feb. 8. Register today! Go to www.luthersem.edu/layschool.
“A People for God’s Name:” Believing and Belonging in Luke and Acts
Survey after survey demonstrates that ethnic diversity is only increasing in recent days and yet many of our churches remain culturally homogeneous. What might a church that invites diversity look like? We will turn to the Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles to wonder together how God’s gift of diversity might take root in our lives together. Too often, our tendency has been to imagine that our faith “solves” the “problems” of diversity by making us all one, the same. In contrast, the author of Luke and Acts views our differences as a gift to be treasured—not a difficulty to be overcome. Webcast available.
Instructor: Eric Barreto, Associate Professor of New Testament
Jeremiah: Judgment, Trauma and Hope
The potency of Jeremiah’s rhetoric matches the severity of the judgment Judah experienced at the hands of the Babylonian army. Left without temple, land or king, the book makes the astonishing claim that God has uprooted God’s chosen people. But this word of judgment is not final. Restoration will come, but only after judgment has fallen. We’ll explore this critical moment in Israel’s life and consider how the book of Jeremiah can inform Christianity identity.
Instructor: Michael Chan, Assistant Professor of Old Testament
Martin Luther: A Grand Assortment of Insights—Part 2
As we approach the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, we will consider the profound influence of Martin Luther on theology, the church and culture. Come and hear Luther Seminary’s professors reflect on how Luther’s reformation insights have impacted the areas in which they teach.
Instructor: Steven Paulson, Professor of Systematic Theology; Gracia Grindal, Professor Emeritus of Rhetoric; Guillermo Hansen, Associate Professor of Global Christianity, Societies and Cultures; Mark Granquist, Associate Professor of Church History; and Mary Jane Haemig, Professor of Church History
For more information about winter and spring classes, location, schedule and cost, visit us online at www.luthersem.edu/layschool.