A series of videos on books, movies and events at Concordia Seminary
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083. Book Blurbs: Abjar Bahkou, Shining the Gospel Light on the Quran
Abjar Bahkou and Erik Herrmann
Concordia Seminary’s Dean of Theological Research and Publication Dr. Erik Herrmann talks with Dr. Abjar Bahkou, associate professor of Practical Theology, about his recent book, Shining the Gospel Light on the Quran: Understanding and Engaging Muslims (Concordia Publishing House, 2021), in this Concordia Journal Book Blurbs segment. Born in Syria, Bahkou converted to Lutheranism after translating some Lutheran materials into Arabic for a missions outreach effort of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod Texas District. In the book, Bahkou advocates for Christians to tell their story and have dialogue with Muslims in the way Peter describes in 1 Peter 3:15. “Be ready to give the reason for your hope,” Bahkou says in the video. “You do it with gentleness and respect.” The book is available for purchase through Concordia Publishing House and Amazon.
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082. Book Blurbs: Bruce Schuchard, The Word from the Beginning
Bruce Schuchard and Erik Herrmann
Concordia Seminary’s Dean of Theological Research and Publication Dr. Erik Herrmann talks with Dr. Bruce Schuchard, professor of Exegetical Theology, about his new book, The Word from the Beginning: The Person and Work of Jesus in the Gospel of John (Lexham Academic, 2022), in this Concordia Journal Book Blurbs segment. Schuchard began studying John as part of his graduate work. “It struck me quite a while ago, this Gospel has more to say about the Word made flesh than perhaps we previously we realized,” Schuchard says in the video. “Who the Word is in the prologue, ‘In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,’ and then in verse 14, ‘And the Word became flesh.’” Schuchard says a lot of scholarship suggests this manner of introducing readers to Jesus in the first few verses of John doesn’t end up being taken anywhere in the story that follows, or that perhaps, the prologue was a late addition to the Gospel. He argues that the book’s prologue has a much more organic relationship with the rest of John. “If you play close and careful attention to Jesus, who talks a lot in this Gospel, and frequently talks about His talk a lot, we discover the thread that needs to be noticed with the telling of the story,” Schuchard says. “Who the Word is in the prologue is what the Word does in the narrative. He speaks.” The book is available for purchase through Lexham Press and on Amazon.
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081. Meet the Professor: Dr. Vilson Scholz
Vilson Scholz and Erik Herrmann
Concordia Seminary Dean of Theological Research and Publication Dr. Erik Herrmann sits down with Dr. Vilson Scholz. Scholz, who is from São Leopoldo, RS, Brazil, is currently serving as a visiting professor of Exegetical Theology. His course load includes a hermeneutics class, “Interpreting and Communicating the Word,” a Greek lab and courses on Philippians, Luke and 2 Corinthians. Scholz is also writing a commentary on 2 Corinthians for Concordia Publishing House and it also was the subject of his dissertation. Scholz said he and his wife have settled into the campus community. “This is a very welcoming campus,” Scholz said. “People are so friendly. The theme for this year, “Sharing the Gospel—Sharing Our Lives,” I can testify that this is going on. They’re sharing the Gospel but people also are sharing their lives by being welcoming, being supportive and friendly. It’s great.” Before his current term as visiting professor at Concordia Seminary, which began in fall 2022, Scholz served as a translation consultant for United Bible Societies and a professor of biblical theology at Seminario Concordia and ULBRA (Lutheran University of Brazil). He previously served as a visiting professor at the Seminary from 1996-99. Learn more about Scholz.
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080. Opening the Scriptures: Expository Preaching in the Lutheran Tradition
David Schmitt and David Peter
Concordia Seminary’s Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Professor of Homiletics and Literature Dr. David Schmitt interviews Professor of Practical Theology Dr. David Peter about his new book, Opening the Scriptures: Expository Preaching in the Lutheran Tradition from Concordia Seminary Press in this Concordia Journal Book Blurbs segment. The book is the second title in The Conversations in Preaching Series. The book demonstrates and affirms the value of expository preaching in the Lutheran tradition. Many people associate expository preaching with evangelicals, but Peter asserts that it is also part of Lutheranism. “Much of [Luther’s] preaching was expository,” Peter says in the video. “I’ve even seen some expository preaching in [C.F.W.] Walther’s repertoire. … I say it’s preaching the whole text not just something in the text.”
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079. Meet the Professor: Dr. Ronald Mudge
Erik Herrmann and Ronald Mudge
Concordia Seminary Dean of Theological Research and Publication Dr. Erik Herrmann sits down with Dr. Ronald Mudge, who became provost and chief academic officer in May 2022. Mudge previously served as the Rouse Professor of Pre-Seminary Studies at Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, and is a former missionary to Africa. As part of his duties, Mudge says he wants the message that people from around the world are welcome to come and study at Concordia Seminary. “We are a multicultural Seminary,” he says. “We are a Seminary that reflects God’s description of heaven in the book of Revelation.” Learn more about Mudge.
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078. Meet the Professor: Dr. Jon Vieker
Thomas Egger and Jon Vieker
Meet the Professor: Dr. Jon Vieker
Concordia Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger sits down with Dr. Jon Vieker, who became associate professor of Practical Theology in August 2021. He also serves as dean of chapel. Vieker previously served as senior assistant to Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) President Dr. Matthew C. Harrison (2010-21) and assistant director for the LCMS Commission on Worship. He was involved with all aspects of research, development, editing and production of the seminal Lutheran Service Book and its core companion volumes. In his role as dean, he oversees daily chapel services. “Chapel is an opportunity to feed the Seminary community with the Gospel preached and with Sacraments on Wednesdays and then also to model how Lutheran worship is done in this place,” he says. “That’s a great joy.” Learn more about Vieker.
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077. Conversations in Preaching: Dr. Dean Nadasdy
David Schmitt and Dean Nadasdy
Conversations in Preaching: Dr. Dean Nadasdy
Dr. David Schmitt, the Gregg H. Benidt Memorial Professor of Homiletics and Literature at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, chats with Lutheran theology scholar Dr. Dean Nadasdy about his recent publication of The Beautiful Sermon: Image and the Aesthetics of Preaching. The book is the first title in The Conversations in Preaching Series from Concordia Seminary Press, the publishing arm of Concordia Seminary. In The Beautiful Sermon, Nadasdy sets preaching in the context of aesthetic theology. He highlights preachers who have contributed significantly to aesthetic theology such as Augustine, Thomas Aquinas, Martin Luther and Jonathan Edwards. Nadasdy explores seven elements that contribute to the beautiful sermon and the various approaches to using images in preaching Read more about the book Beautiful Sermon.
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076. Meet the Professor: Dr. Ely Prieto
Thomas Egger and Ely Prieto
Meet the Professor: Dr. Ely Prieto
Concordia Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger sits down with Dr. Ely Prieto, who became associate professor of Exegetical Theology in July 2021. He also serves as the Lutheran Foundation Professor of Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry, and associate dean for Urban and Cross-Cultural Ministry. Prieto previously served as the executive director/urban mission developer at Lutheran Intercity Network Coalition – San Antonio, Texas (LINC-SA) (2011-21); and as a vacancy pastor at Christ Our Savior Lutheran Church, San Antonio (2009-21). “I’m enjoying this piece of being here and preparing men and women for ministry,” Pietro says. “That’s the main goal of this institution.” Learn more about Prieto.
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074. Meet the Professor: Dr. Kevin Golden
Thomas Egger and Kevin Golden
Concordia Seminary President Dr. Thomas J. Egger sits down with Dr. Kevin Golden, who became associate professor of Exegetical Theology in July 2021. Golden previously served as pastor of Village Lutheran Church, Ladue, Mo. (2009-21), and as pastor of Grace Lutheran Church, Holts Summit, Mo. (2002-09). Golden says Christ is at the heart of the Seminary’s mission as it prepares future servants of the church to deliver Christ. “With nearly 20 years of pastoral parish ministry experience, [I want to help students recognize] the indispensability of all this pastoral formation we do here at the Seminary,” Golden says. “I think about my own formation here at the Sem and the lessons I learned from all of the different departments resonated with me in the parish.” Learn more about Golden.
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073. Ten Commandments and Lutheran Music from the Organ Bench
David Maxwell
Dr. David Maxwell, the Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, reflects on the Ten Commandments and the way they are expressed in Lutheran music, including a piece from J.S. Bach, from the organ in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus.
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072. Always Reforming: Reflections on Martin Luther and Biblical Studies
Erik Herrmann, Mark Seifrid, Robert Plummer, and Channing Crisler
Dr. Erik Herrmann, associate professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary and director of Concordia Theology, leads a discussion about the new publication, Always Reforming: Reflections on Martin Luther and Biblical Studies from Lexham Press, as well as Luther, Lutheranism and Calvinism. The book is a festschrift, or collection of essays, in honor of Dr. Mark Seifrid, who is professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary and also a pre-eminent scholar of the New Testament letters of Paul. The discussion includes the book’s editors, Dr. Robert Plummer, who is the Collin and Evelyn Aikman Professor of Biblical Studies at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Ken., and Dr. Channing Crisler, who is the associate professor of New Testament at Anderson University in Anderson, S.C. Plummer and Crisler are former students of Seifrid at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where Seifrid taught for more than two decades before he joined Concordia Seminary. “We are fortunate to be two of his former students,” Crisler says. “But he’s had quite an influence on countless students. We just wanted to find a way that we could honor him. If you know Dr. Seifrid, you know he’s a great New Testament scholar and he also has a great love for Luther. We tried to combine those two things” in the book. Plummer calls Seifrid a man “worthy of honor” who has “faithfully served the Lord.” Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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071. Let the Gospel Lead
Travis Scholl, Douglas Rutt, Dale Meyer, and Erik Herrmann
Dr. Travis Scholl, managing editor of Seminary Publications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, leads a Concordia Journal discussion about the publication, Let the Gospel Lead: Essays & Sermons in Honor of Dale A. Meyer, with President Emeritus Meyer, Director of Concordia Theology Dr. Erik Herrmann and Provost Dr. Douglas L. Rutt. The book was published in 2020 in recognition Meyer and his contributions to the church and his retirement from service as Concordia Seminary’s 10th president last year. The festschrift, or honorary volume of essays, is available for purchase at Concordia Publishing House and Amazon. “We put this festschrift together in record time,” Scholl says to Meyer in the video. “One of the reasons that was able to happen is that every author that we asked to contribute said yes. We didn’t have a single person say no. That’s a testament not only to your leadership but to your churchmanship, as we’ve talked about, and your collegiality. So many relationships that you have, Dale, in the church, in the broader church, is a blessing to us all.” Read more about the book in a press release at Concordia Seminary Newsroom. Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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070. Hope in Anxious Times
Leopoldo Sánchez and Jorda Schut
An interview by Leopoldo A. Sánchez M given on hope in anxious times, reflecting on themes from his book Escatología.
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069. Lutheran Voices on Racism
Leopoldo Sánchez, Warren Lattimore, and Micah Glenn
Concordia Seminary Professor Leopoldo Sánchez engaged in theological conversation with Warren Lattimore and Micah Glenn, two African American Lutheran pastors, on how they have processed the events of the past few weeks since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis, what are some factors that make it difficult at times for Lutherans to talk openly about racism, in what ways Lutheran theology contributes to our responses to the sin of racism, and what might be some practical ways of making a difference in these troubled times.
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068. Christian Counseling with Dr. Rick Marrs
Richard Marrs and Erik Herrmann
Director of Concordia Theology Dr. Erik Herrmann talks with Dr. Richard “Rick” Marrs about Marrs’ new book, Making Christian Counseling More Christ-Centered, which focuses on the relevance of a Lutheran Law and Gospel dynamic in Christian counseling. Marrs is the director of the Master of Divinity and Residential Alternate Route (RAR) Programs and associate professor of Practical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. A majority of proceeds from the book made through WestBow Press and the Concordia Seminary Campus Store to DOXOLOGY and the Christian care organization Ambassadors of Reconciliation.
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067. Faith and Film Filmaker Philip Hohle
Travis Scholl and Philip Hohle
Hear from Dr. Philip J. Hohle, adjunct faculty member at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, who gave the keynote address at Concordia Seminary’s first Faith and Film Festival in January 2020, “Unsalted Popcorn: Niebuhr‘s Christ and Culture in Paradox.” Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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066. Faith and Film Critic Abby Olcese
Travis Scholl and Abby Olcese
Dr. Travis Scholl, managing editor of Theological Publications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, chats with Kansas City-based freelance film critic Abby Olcese during an episode of Concordia Theology. Olcese was one of the presenters featured during the Seminary’s first Faith and Film Festival, held in January 2020. She frequently writes for Think Christian (digital magazine) and Sojourners. Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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065. Faith and Film Festival
Travis Scholl; Jacob Wampfler; and Heather Choate Davis Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Dr. Travis Scholl, managing editor of Theological Publications at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, explores the topic of movies as an art form and means for sharing the Christian faith and more with L.A.-based writer and speaker Heather Choate Davis and Rev. Jacob Wampfler (’14), pastor of Faith Lutheran Church in Topeka, Kan. Davis and Wampfler were the co-creators of the Seminary’s first Faith and Film Festival, which was held in January 2020. Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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064. Bach's Credo Fugue with Dr. Maxwell
David Maxwell and Erik Herrmann
Dr. David Maxwell, the Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, shares some insights about a piece from Johann Sebastian Bach based on a hymn from Martin Luther, “We All Believe in One True God,” from the organ in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Seminary Associate Professor of Historical Theology Dr. Erik Herrmann sings the first stanza of the hymn to assist Maxwell in exploring the piece. Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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062. ‘Death, Heaven, Resurrection, and the New Creation’
Beth Hoeltke, Kent Burreson, and Erik Herrmann
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis’ Dr. Erik Herrmann, chairman of the Department of Historical Theology, chats with Seminary authors Dr. Kent Burreson and Dr. Beth Hoeltke about their new six-session Bible study, Death, Heaven, Resurrection, and the New Creation, from Concordia Publishing House (CPH). Burreson is dean of chapel and the Louis A. Fincke and Ann B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology and Hoeltke is the director of the Graduate School. Their study helps readers understand the nature of death, as well as how to facilitate the experience of death from a biblical perspective. It also considers Christ’s lordship over death through His resurrection, our participation through Baptism in His resurrection, and the nature of heaven and the new creation which the Father will establish in Christ when He returns. The book is available for purchase from CPH Death, Heaven, Resurrection, and the New Creation. Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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063. Sculptor Spirit
Leopoldo Sánchez and Erik Herrmann
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis’ Dr. Erik Herrmann, chairman of the Department of Historical Theology, discusses the new book, Sculptor Spirit: Models of Sanctification from Spirit Christology from InterVarsity Press with its author, Dr. Leopoldo A. Sánchez M. Sanchez. Sanchez is the Werner R. H. and Elizabeth R. Krause Professor of Hispanic Ministries. In the book, Sánchez carefully crafts a Spirit Christology, which considers the role of God’s Spirit in the life and mission of Jesus and leads to five models of sanctification that can help Christians discern how the Spirit is at work in our lives. Sánchez’s work on the book was supported by a sabbatical research grant from the Louisville Institute. The book is available at Sculptor Spirit. Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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061. Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now
David Maxwell
Dr. David Maxwell, the Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, shares some insights about the hymn written by J.S. Bach, “Lord Jesus Christ, Be Present Now” (LSB 902), from the organ in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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060. Bach on the Holy Spirit with Dr. David Maxwell
David Maxwell
Dr. David Maxwell, the Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, shares some insights about the Pentecost hymn, “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest” (LSB 498), from the organ in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. He shares how J.S. Bach transforms, as only Bach can, an ancient hymn to the Holy Spirit. Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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058. Maximizing the Midsize Church
David Peter and Erik Herrmann
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis’ Chairman of the Historical Theology Department Dr. Erik Herrmann interviews Dean of Faculty Dr. David Peter about his recent book, Maximizing the Midsize Church: Effective Leadership for Fruitful Mission and Ministry with Kregel Publications. In the book, Peter draws on years of research and pastoral ministry to navigate the specific needs of midsize churches — congregations with an average worship attendance of 150 to 400. In the United States alone, nearly 25 percent of all congregations fall into this size category. The book is aimed to be a handbook for pastors and church staff. The book is available from Kregel at Maximizing the Midsize Church: Effective Leadership for Fruitful Mission and Ministry and on Amazon at Maximizing the Midsize Church Learn more at Concordia Theology.
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059. Artificial Intelligence Demonstration
David Maxwell
Dr. David Maxwell, the Louis A. Fincke and Anna B. Shine Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, explains artificial intelligence works with a demonstration.
