The following is a list of online courses available through Wartburg Theological Seminary**. These courses are seminary courses that earn academic credit potentially applicable to a seminary or graduate-level degree program, including our new Distributed Education M.Div. and M.A. options.*** Credits earned are graduate-level semester hours. Courses may be limited in their enrollment, with most courses needing a minimum of five (5) students to take place.. Registration in an online course may also require that you apply to Wartburg Theological Seminary as a non-degree ("online learner" or "special") student****. For more information please contact the Registrar.
[See notes at the bottom of this page regarding non-Masters-level courses and other registration/admissions "fine print." If you are looking for courses offered through our TEEM certificate programs, please see this TEEM page.]
Scroll down to find information about future academic terms, or use the following quick links:
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BI 190E Jesus and the Gospels
Rev. Dr. Victoria Brundage
(3 semester hours)
A study of selected Gospel texts that illustrate Jesus' conflict with the religious, political, and economic forces of his day is coupled with an investigation of the distinctive ways in which the four Gospels recast the story of Jesus in terms of their contexts.
This course is part of the Year A required curriculum of both the Distributed Education Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degree programs.
Registration Information - Registration will open around late May 2010; contact the WTS
Registrar if you have questions and to initiate registration.
Class runs from September 13 through December 17, 2010
Cost is $1,975 ($1,875 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) if a non-Wartburg student, or $1,399 ($1,299 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) only if an admitted Distributed Education M.Div. or M.A. following the prescribed sequence, to be paid prior to the start of the course.
- IN102E Belief Systems: Religion, Anthropology, and the Human World
Rev. Dr. Fritz Lampe
(3 semester hours)
This course focuses on belief systems and the human world, giving particular attention to narratives of origin and identity, ritual, specialists/leaders, and innovations throughout the world. Emphasis will be given to the dynamic adaptability in specific contexts and their relevance to specific socio-cultural situations and settings. Participants will gain an understanding of: 1) their own Christian identity in relationship to other religious systems; 2) the complexities of belief within dynamic socio-cultural settings; 3) how beliefs are shaped by the cultural context in which they occur; and 4) particular anthropological approaches to understanding belief systems today. This course is part of the Year A required curriculum of both the Distributed Education Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degree programs.
Registration Information - Registration will open around late May 2010; contact the WTS Registrar if you have questions and to initiate registration.
Class runs from September 13 through December 17, 2010
Cost is $1,975 ($1,875 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) if a non-Wartburg student, or $1,399 ($1,299 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) only if an admitted Distributed Education M.Div. or M.A. following the prescribed sequence, to be paid prior to the start of the course.
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HT 101E Early and Medieval Christianity
Dr. Elizabeth Leeper
(3 semester hours
This course surveys the history of Christianity from the second century up to the time of the Reformation. Using texts and readings that offer a global approach, we will begin by examining Christianity's foundations during the Roman Empire?a time of identity crisis as Christian communities sought to come to terms with different expressions of Christian belief, threats by pagan culture, and varying ideas as what it means to live a life of Christian commitment. As the Christian faith moved east to Syria, Persia, and along the Silk Road, and northwest to northern Europe, we too will follow those missions and movements and see how Christianity developed in new ways. The course will end with the growing calls for reform within European Christendom and the new challenges posed by the rise of Islam in Asia.
This course is part of the Year A required curriculum of both the Distributed Education Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degree programs.
Registration Information - Registration will open around late November 2010; contact the WTS
Registrar if you have questions and to initiate registration.
Class runs from January 31 to May 13, 2011.
Cost is $1,975 ($1,875 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) if a non-Wartburg student, or $1,399 ($1,299 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) only if an admitted Distributed Education M.Div. or M.A. following the prescribed sequence, to be paid prior to the start of the course.
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HT 140E Systematic Theology
Rev. Dr. Duane Priebe
(3 semester hours)
This course will introduce the basic structures of Christian and Lutheran thought, as it explores the relationship between God, humanity and the world in a history of revelation that extends from creation and fall to the consummation of all things and is centered in Jesus Christ. The course will be organized around the Trinitarian framework of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. Throughout the course, the global context of the Christian witness to Jesus Christ and the engagement between the Christian message and other religious traditions will be kept in view.
This course is part of the Year A required curriculum of both the Distributed Education Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degree programs.
Registration Information - Registration will open around late November 2010; contact the WTS
Registrar if you have questions and to initiate registration.
Class runs from January 31 to May 13, 2011.
Cost is $1,975 ($1,875 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) if a non-Wartburg student, or $1,399 ($1,299 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) only if an admitted Distributed Education M.Div. or M.A. following the prescribed sequence, to be paid prior to the start of the course.
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HT 213E Lutheran Confessions
Ralph Quere
(3 semester hours)
The Book of Concord is one of the treasure maps of the Lutheran Church. It tells where the Lutheran reformers stood regarding the gospel of Christ and how they reclaimed that treasure for the church they loved. This collection of confessions has become our church's basic explanation of the good news of justification by faith alone. These Lutheran confessions will be studied textually and topically. Beginning with a quick, first reading of the documents in chronological order will give the student a sense of the content of each and their development during the initial half-century of the Reformation. Starting with the ecumenical creeds gives input from the early church and shows the roots of the theology of Luther's catechisms. Next the Augsburg Confession (AC)-recognized by all of the Lutheran Churches worldwide-will be read, followed by the rest of the confessional writings, which are seen as “commentaries” on the “Augustana” (i.e. the AC). Then the more in-depth study of the major topics will be aided by text books, lecture notes, and on-line discussions.
This course is part of the Year B required curriculum of both the Distributed Education Master of Divinity and Master of Arts degree programs, and should not be taken yet by students just now starting in Year A.
Registration Information - Registration will open around late November 2010; contact the WTS
Registrar if you have questions and to initiate registration.
Class runs from January 31 to May 13, 2011.
Cost is $1,975 ($1,875 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) if a non-Wartburg student, or $1,399 ($1,299 tuition, plus $100 online course fee) only if an admitted Distributed Education M.Div. or M.A. following the prescribed sequence, to be paid prior to the start of the course.
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***(9/15/2009) RESCHEDULED to Spring Semester 2010: HT 101E Early and Medieval Christianity
Dr. Elizabeth Leeper
(3 semester hours
This course surveys the history of Christianity from the second century up to the time of the Reformation. Using texts and readings that offer a global approach, we will begin by examining Christianity's foundations during the Roman Empire?a time of identity crisis as Christian communities sought to come to terms with different expressions of Christian belief, threats by pagan culture, and varying ideas as what it means to live a life of Christian commitment. As the Christian faith moved east to Syria, Persia, and along the Silk Road, and northwest to northern Europe, we too will follow those missions and movements and see how Christianity developed in new ways. The course will end with the growing calls for reform within European Christendom and the new challenges posed by the rise of Islam in Asia.
- ***CANCELLED due to lack of interest: IN102E Belief Systems: Religion, Anthropology, and the Human World
Dr. Fritz Lampe
(3 semester hours)
This course focuses on belief systems and the human world, giving particular attention to narratives of origin and identity, ritual, specialists/leaders, and innovations throughout the world. Emphasis will be given to the dynamic adaptability in specific contexts and their relevance to specific socio-cultural situations and settings. Participants will gain an understanding of: 1) their own Christian identity in relationship to other religious systems; 2) the complexities of belief within dynamic socio-cultural settings; 3) how beliefs are shaped by the cultural context in which they occur; and 4) particular anthropological approaches to understanding belief systems today.
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HT 140E Systematic Theology
Duane Priebe
(3 semester hours)
This course will introduce the basic structures of Christian and Lutheran thought, as it explores the relationship between God, humanity and the world in a history of revelation that extends from creation and fall to the consummation of all things and is centered in Jesus Christ. The course will be organized around the Trinitarian framework of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. Throughout the course, the global context of the Christian witness to Jesus Christ and the engagement between the Christian message and other religious traditions will be kept in view.
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HT 213E Lutheran Confessions
Ralph Quere
(3 semester hours)
The Book of Concord is one of the treasure maps of the Lutheran Church. It tells where the Lutheran reformers stood regarding the gospel of Christ and how they reclaimed that treasure for the church they loved. This collection of confessions has become our church's basic explanation of the good news of justification by faith alone. These Lutheran confessions will be studied textually and topically. Beginning with a quick, first reading of the documents in chronological order will give the student a sense of the content of each and their development during the initial half-century of the Reformation. Starting with the ecumenical creeds gives input from the early church and shows the roots of the theology of Luther's catechisms. Next the Augsburg Confession (AC)-recognized by all of the Lutheran Churches worldwide-will be read, followed by the rest of the confessional writings, which are seen as “commentaries” on the “Augustana” (i.e. the AC). Then the more in-depth study of the major topics will be aided by text books, lecture notes, and on-line discussions.
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HT 284E Martin Luther and Buddhism ***CANCELLED***
Paul Chung
(3 semester hours)
In this course we will examine the theology of Martin Luther in light of Buddhist-Christian dialogue. What Christianity and Buddhism have in common is their profound understanding of suffering (or dukkha), albeit each with a different approach to the solution. The issue of suffering in Buddhism is an integral part of shaping the uniqueness of Buddhist spirituality. In Christian tradition, Martin Luther turned to the suffering of God on the cross in contrast to the theology of glory. The crucified God as the foundation and criticism of Christian theology may encourage exploration of the theology of the cross, especially after Auschwitz, with postmodern attention to the others. This aspect retains important implication for our ministry that is becoming more relevant to multicultural and interfaith life setting. Relating Luther to a Buddhist wisdom mutually enriches both traditions, enabling a reciprocal recognition, actualizing solidarity with the poor in other religions.
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HT 101E Early and Medieval Christianity ***CANCELLED***
Dr. Elizabeth Leeper
(3 semester hours
This course surveys the history of Christianity from the second century up to the time of the Reformation. Using texts and readings that offer a global approach, we will begin by examining Christianity's foundations during the Roman Empire?a time of identity crisis as Christian communities sought to come to terms with different expressions of Christian belief, threats by pagan culture, and varying ideas as what it means to live a life of Christian commitment. As the Christian faith moved east to Syria, Persia, and along the Silk Road, and northwest to northern Europe, we too will follow those missions and movements and see how Christianity developed in new ways. The course will end with the growing calls for reform within European Christendom and the new challenges posed by the rise of Islam in Asia.
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HT 303E Christianity in the Modern World
Dr. Paul Baglyos
(3 semester hours)
This course completes the study of Christian history from approximately the Peace of Westphalia (1648) until the present. The primary focus will be on Christianity within the United States, with occasional forays into other parts of the world. In particular we shall be looking at such topics as America's religious foundations, revivalism, religion and society, and developments in American Lutheranism.
- IN102E Belief Systems: Religion, Anthropology, and the Human World
Dr. Fritz Lampe
(3 semester hours)
This course focuses on belief systems and the human world, giving particular attention to narratives of origin and identity, ritual, specialists/leaders, and innovations throughout the world. Emphasis will be given to the dynamic adaptability in specific contexts and their relevance to specific socio-cultural situations and settings. Participants will gain an understanding of: 1) their own Christian identity in relationship to other religious systems; 2) the complexities of belief within dynamic socio-cultural settings; 3) how beliefs are shaped by the cultural context in which they occur; and 4) particular anthropological approaches to understanding belief systems today.
- TM190E Emerging Ministry Being Church Today
Dr. Nathan Frambach
(1 semester hours)
This eight (8) week course examines: What does it mean to be the church as we live - not as we think or remember or long for, but as we live God's mission today? What does it mean to be who we are, where we are as the people of God? The emerging church conversation will be “Exhibit A” in this course as we respond to these and other important questions. Participants will explore evangelical listening and living in a radically contextual, communal way as seen in many emerging church communities.
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Systematic Theology (HT 140E)
Duane Priebe
(3 semester hours)
This course will introduce the basic structures of Christian and Lutheran thought, as it explores the relationship between God, humanity and the world in a history of revelation that extends from creation and fall to the consummation of all things and is centered in Jesus Christ. The course will be organized around the Trinitarian framework of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. Throughout the course, the global context of the Christian witness to Jesus Christ and the engagement between the Christian message and other religious traditions will be kept in view.
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Lutheran Confessions (HT 213E)
Ralph Quere
(3 semester hours)
The Book of Concord is one of the treasure maps of the Lutheran Church. It tells where the Lutheran reformers stood regarding the gospel of Christ and how they reclaimed that treasure for the church they loved. This collection of confessions has become our church's basic explanation of the good news of justification by faith alone. These Lutheran confessions will be studied textually and topically. Beginning with a quick, first reading of the documents in chronological order will give the student a sense of the content of each and their development during the initial half-century of the Reformation. Starting with the ecumenical creeds gives input from the early church and shows the roots of the theology of Luther's catechisms. Next the Augsburg Confession (AC)-recognized by all of the Lutheran Churches worldwide-will be read, followed by the rest of the confessional writings, which are seen as “commentaries” on the “Augustana” (i.e. the AC). Then the more in-depth study of the major topics will be aided by text books, lecture notes, and on-line discussions.
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Martin Luther and Buddhism (HT 284E)
Paul Chung
(3 semester hours)
In this course we will examine the theology of Martin Luther in light of Buddhist-Christian dialogue. What Christianity and Buddhism have in common is their profound understanding of suffering (or dukkha), albeit each with a different approach to the solution. The issue of suffering in Buddhism is an integral part of shaping the uniqueness of Buddhist spirituality. In Christian tradition, Martin Luther turned to the suffering of God on the cross in contrast to the theology of glory. The crucified God as the foundation and criticism of Christian theology may encourage exploration of the theology of the cross, especially after Auschwitz, with postmodern attention to the others. This aspect retains important implication for our ministry that is becoming more relevant to multicultural and interfaith life setting. Relating Luther to a Buddhist wisdom mutually enriches both traditions, enabling a reciprocal recognition, actualizing solidarity with the poor in other religions.
No online courses were taught Fall 2007.
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Lutheran Ethics (HT 267E)
Craig Nessan
(3 semester hours)
This course will offer an introduction to the field of Christian ethics, paying particular attention to distinctively Lutheran themes. Lectures and readings will examine how the Lutheran theological tradition shapes ethical reflection for the church in its mission today. How do the Word of God, law and gospel, sacraments, liturgy, reason, theology of the cross, Christian freedom, vocation, and two kingdoms teaching shape and condition ethical deliberation? Analysis of recent ELCA social statements and case studies provide the basis for articulating a method of ethical reflection. Together we will consider how to give constructive leadership in order that congregations become communities of moral deliberation.
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Reformation & Early Modern Christianity (HT 103E) ***CANCELLED***
Elizabeth Leeper
(3 semester hours)
This course surveys the history of Christianity from the 16th c. European Reformation through the early modern period. Beginning with late medieval reform efforts, we will move to the various reformation movements of the 16th c., then continue with developments in Christian history in different parts of the world. Objectives: (1) To become acquainted with the various reformation movements of the 16th century and early modern period; (2) To gain an understanding of some of the doctrinal developments and disputes that underlie different Protestant denominations and between Protestants and Roman Catholics; (3) To trace the spread of Christianity globally; and (4) To listen to Christians of the past and engage in written conversation with them, their struggles, insights, and glimpses of God.
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Systematic Theology (HT 140E)
Duane Priebe
(3 semester hours)
This course will introduce the basic structures of Christian and Lutheran thought, as it explores the relationship between God, humanity and the world in a history of revelation that extends from creation and fall to the consummation of all things and is centered in Jesus Christ. The course will be organized around the Trinitarian framework of the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. Throughout the course, the global context of the Christian witness to Jesus Christ and the engagement between the Christian message and other religious traditions will be kept in view.
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Lutheran Confessions (HT 213E)
Ralph Quere
(3 semester hours)
The Book of Concord is one of the treasure maps of the Lutheran Church. It tells where the Lutheran reformers stood regarding the gospel of Christ and how they reclaimed that treasure for the church they loved. This collection of confessions has become our church's basic explanation of the good news of justification by faith alone. These Lutheran confessions will be studied textually and topically. Beginning with a quick, first reading of the documents in chronological order will give the student a sense of the content of each and their development during the initial half-century of the Reformation. Starting with the ecumenical creeds gives input from the early church and shows the roots of the theology of Luther's catechisms. Next the Augsburg Confession (AC)-recognized by all of the Lutheran Churches worldwide-will be read, followed by the rest of the confessional writings, which are seen as “commentaries” on the “Augustana” (i.e. the AC). Then the more in-depth study of the major topics will be aided by text books, lecture notes, and on-line discussions.
-
Martin Luther and Buddhism (HT 284E)
Paul Chung
(3 semester hours)
In this course we will examine the theology of Martin Luther in light of Buddhist-Christian dialogue. What Christianity and Buddhism have in common is their profound understanding of suffering (or dukkha), albeit each with a different approach to the solution. The issue of suffering in Buddhism is an integral part of shaping the uniqueness of Buddhist spirituality. In Christian tradition, Martin Luther turned to the suffering of God on the cross in contrast to the theology of glory. The crucified God as the foundation and criticism of Christian theology may encourage exploration of the theology of the cross, especially after Auschwitz, with postmodern attention to the others. This aspect retains important implication for our ministry that is becoming more relevant to multicultural and interfaith life setting. Relating Luther to a Buddhist wisdom mutually enriches both traditions, enabling a reciprocal recognition, actualizing solidarity with the poor in other religions.
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Discovering Hope: Best Practices for Building Vitality in Rural Congregations (MN 295E Ministry in Rural Context)
Shannon Jung (with others)
(1 semester hour)
This course will enable participants to discover what activities (practices) help promote vitality in their town & country congregations. Particularly important will be recommendations about fostering greater lay leadership in congregations. Based on the Discovering Hope process in the ELCA which brought 26 exemplary congregations together to tell their stories, the course will stimulate thought about prayer, worship, leadership, evangelism, caring ministries and discipleship. Emphasis is placed on finding the best practices in the context of participants' own congregations.
*If you are looking for online lay school, continuing education, ELCA TEEM, or other non-academic certification courses, you may want to consult the web pages of the Center for Theology and Land for more information on their online courses. Wartburg Seminary's TEEM curriculum is described here.
**Wartburg Theological Seminary (Dubuque, Iowa) is a seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), although participation in online courses is not limited strictly to ELCA students, with students from all denominations encouraged to consider our courses. Wartburg's online courses are provided using the Moodle courseware platform (http://wartburgseminaryonline.net/) as hosted at Classroom Revolution LLC. We advertise our courses here on this webpage and through Fishers's Net, a collaborative online learning environment used by numerous seminaries in North America (see http://www.fishersnet.net/ for a list of these seminaries and their online course offerings). Wartburg Theological Seminary also coordinates its online courses with the members of the Covenant Cluster, which represents the three ELCA seminaries of Wartburg Seminary, Trinity Lutheran Seminary (Columbus, Ohio), and LSTC (Chicago, IL).
***The acceptance of transfer credits is a function of the student's home institution and the student's degree program. The Registrar of Wartburg Seminary cannot guarantee that credits will transfer to a student's particular degree program, and strongly encourages all potential registrants to consult with their degree program advisor and home institution Registrar before taking an online course to see that credits will appropriately transfer.
****The requirement to apply to be a Wartburg student is in part a requirement of our accreditation. Because we are offering online courses that earn graduate-level academic credit, we need to make sure that registered students are adequately prepared for graduate-level study. Depending upon your status or goals, and the course of online study desired, information requested as part of the seminary application and course registration process may include the following: a letter of academic good standing from a current seminary, college, or university registrar, a statement of goals, copies of college or university transcripts, reference letters, and/or a statement from a church adjudicatory of your involvement in an approved course of study leading to a roster/leadership in a church. In general we try to complete the application process for online students by requesting as little information as necessary.
