Readers of this blog soon
realize that I have theological interests. This is why I continued to be
engaged in the building of the Institute of Lutheran Theology, a new Lutheran
School of Theology centered in Jesus Christ which profoundly engages questions
of theological truth as they relate to our contemporary intellectual and
cultural horizon.
Did you know that the
Institute of Lutheran Theology offers a Masters of Sacred Theology, the Sacrae
Theologiae Magister or STM? This post-M. Div. degree consists of
six graduate courses and a thesis (21 hours), and offers tracks in Reformation
Theology, Contemporary Lutheran Theology, and Issues in Science/Religion and
the Philosophy of Religion. The STM allows motivated students the
opportunity to pursue higher level coursework, either as a preparatory step for
study at the doctorate level or as a means of professional
development.
ILT is offering two
courses this fall in the STM program, a seminar in Pannenberg taught by Dr.
Paul Hinlicky and the required methodology course taught by me. Course
descriptions are as follows:
- HST 590: Contemporary Lutheran Dogmatics: Pannenberg's Systematic Theology: This seminar examines all three volumes of Wolfhart Pannenberg's systematic theology.
- EPR 580: Methodology and Approaches to Graduate Study: This required course introduces graduate students to the standard critical approaches and issues relevant to doing successful and informed work in historical theology, contemporary theology and the philosophy of religion. Students will read primary sources from both the continental and analytical traditions. Historical, phenomenological, existential, hermeneutical, analytical, social-scientific and post-structuralist approaches are examined.
Students
are expected to possess mastery of verbal and written English for course
participation and written work. There are no other specific language
requirements for the STM, but students researching particular areas will be
expected to have working knowledge of the languages needed to complete their
research. Depending upon the student’s interests and project, this may
include knowledge of Greek, Latin, German, French or another modern foreign
language. Because of the importance of primary text reading in the German
sources, ILT occasionally offers theological German as a benefit to its
students - - though the course does not count towards fulfilling the 21 hour
requirement for graduation.
- HST 585: Theological German. Students wanting to do research in German may take this course which introduces the theological vocabulary and successful techniques of reading theological German.
Students from all religious traditions are invited to
study. All courses are delivered in real time and on-line through our
video conferencing platform. All students see and interact with each
other and the professor. For more information about ILT programming,
please visit our website or call 605-692-9337. Students can still apply for
fall admission into the STM program. Our admission requirements are
listed below.
- Prior completion of an M.Div. degree, an M.A. in theology or closely related field of study, or a related degree demonstrating preparation for advanced theological work
- Completion of application form
- Three recommendations from individuals with knowledge of likely academic performance
- Official graduate and undergraduate transcripts must be sent directly to ILT
- (International applicants only) International applicants are required to submit a score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The score must be 550 or above, with an essayrating of at least 5.0, and cannot be more than one year old.
