Church History and Lutheran Confessions

Courses in church history are given during each of the three academic years. Entrance requirements include a thorough knowledge of world history. At the seminary students are guided to see how our God and Savior has ruled in grace and judgment through all of world history from our Lord's ascension to the present time. Courses stress that our God has made everything serve his one great purpose of gathering his church of believers from among all nations through the gospel. Students learn to recognize how the erroneous thoughts and sinful actions of men have been constantly at work in corrupting God's message of law and gospel and thus in hindering the building of Christ's church. At the same time God in his might and mercy has continued to raise up staunch confessors to expose human error and to restore and preserve the pure proclamation of his saving Word. The study of church history alerts the student to the subtle inroads of error and confirms him in a joyful appreciation of the gospel as the one power of God for salvation. Courses in the Lutheran Confessions aim to give the student a thorough understanding of the doctrinal content of the various confessional writings and to help him recognize that they do indeed present the truths of Scripture. The courses emphasize the historical background that led to the writing of each confession. Students learn the importance and purpose of confessions in general, as well as the meaning and significance of confessional subscription. The Ecumenical Creeds and the Smalcald Articles are included in the courses of Martin Luther College and are prerequisites for seminary work. Luther's catechisms receive attention in the catechetical courses.

* Courses numbered 1000-1999 are given for juniors (first year students), 2000-2999 for middlers (second year students), 3000-3999 for seniors; 4000-4999 are electives taught during the regular school year; 7000-7999 are electives taught during the Winterim. ** These figures represent the number of credit hours. Classes are conducted Mondays through Fridays, five periods per day, beginning at 7:30 a.m. Length of regular class period: fifty minutes.