The Largest Lutheran Seminary - Now Selling Off Both Patches of Land

 

Robin Steinke

Luther Seminary to sell St. Paul's More Nimble campus after 120 years

The seminary was founded in 1869.

Luther Seminary's campus in St. Paul, which has operated for 120 years, will be vacated after the 2026-2027 school year, seminary leaders have announced. 

In a statement Tuesday, Luther Seminary President Robin Steinke said the seminary will be seeking a new space in the Twin Cities area and "shifting to a more nimble model" as 70% of its current students choose online education. 

The seminary's Board of Directors voted unanimously to begin the transition, which will involve seeking a buyer for its 10-acre upper campus in the St. Anthony Park neighborhood. 

+++

Luther Seminary has placed the Lower Campus property—which includes Lauderdale and St. Paul parcels encompassing Northwestern Hall, Stub Hall, and Breck Woods—for sale and is working with CBRE as the real estate broker.

The board approved a future sale of the lower campus in May 2018 as part of an overall campus redesign. The current listing follows a period when the property was removed from active sale due to challenging market conditions. Any proceeds from a potential sale will be reinvested to support the seminary’s mission to educate leaders for Christian communities.

Community members with questions may contact Heidi Droegemueller at hdroegemueller001@luthersem.edu. Please direct any external or media inquiries to Rachel Farris at farrisr@augsburg.edu. Any inquiries related to purchasing the property should be directed to Brian Pankratz, Brian.Pankratz@cbre.com.

Boxing Day - Today - British and Canadian Custom

 

Boxing Day is bound to perplex Americans, but it is honored by Canadians. The day is marked after Christmas Day and known for helping household helpers. Christina thought it was a great idea to visit a couple from my vicarage, and so we went on an icy day when streets were empty except for the sleet falling. I slid down the driveway before I could ring the doorbell, so everyone (except me) was laughing and laughing.

Since nothing really happens in Canada on December 26, the sliding vicar was discussed for a long time afterwards. Christina even asked the older couple for a chance to live upstairs since the seminary duties and degrees were finishing. We were going to fly to England on an incredibly cheap flight because the University of Waterloo club offered an extremely low price for the trip.

Last night, our son Martin was told that he was on the way soon after the two tickets to England were bought. "We can go another time," we imagined. Christina attended her MA degree in German literature at UniWat, and we all enjoyed her honors, Opa and Oma especially. Waterloo Lutheran Seminary faculty paid for my required MDiv stole, which arrived later. 

A few months later, a famous Yale professor was glad to use Christina's research skills at Yale Medical School, where they hosted children's works. I xeroxed next door for the Yale Medical Library, so we often took the little bus together.

The three of us went to Yale Divinity together in the fall of 1972. The first greeter (at the married dorm) was Connie Youngdahl, who said to Christina from the upstairs window, "Are you expecting?" Her husband, decades later, met up with Martin, very considerate.

I put this together last night, for Martin and me - great fun.

The Day Missions Library is next to Yale Divinity Library, where the Revised Standard Version changed the Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14), using the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.

Very little happened at the impressive but ancient Yale Medical Library, on one side. The other, modern side, the latest books, were very small in number, because they were replaced so quickly.

Luke 2 and Psalm 91

 

Tom Fisher's flock of sheep.

2 And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed.

2 (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.)

As one writer observed, Jesus was predicted a thousand years before His birth. But that claim is rather mild, since the Burning Bush displayed the dual nature of the Burning Bush, Exodus 3:14, And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. Even earlier, Abraham trusted in God - Genesis 15:6 - And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness...and the future King David, and the Son of David.

3 And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

5 To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

6 And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

7 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Is anything more common than having a baby, especially when treated as a commoner with no obvious benefits, poor housing for the mother and child, humble shepherds as staff, a food trough for a crib?!

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

We need a revision of the shepherds in the field. The angels of the Bible are the most powerful forces under the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Angelic messengers are not cute stage-hands but  soldiers who accomplish anything needed and reveal what needs to be said. The magnificent display in the fields was blocked off from the hoi polloi (everyone else, even royalty) while they marched over to meet the tiny Prince.

15 And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

16 And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Their AWOL was God-inspired, so the shepherds knew among themselves what they needed to do and to say. While mankind is always figuring out how to grab riches and force dominance, God sets the stage for the next level of His majesty. He multiplied the opportunities for the tiny child to lead His people, His nation, and His world. But that was 30 years into the future. How often we cheer the instant thrill and overlook the divine riches ahead. 

 17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.

18 And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

19 But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

This was just the beginning, but a change from Promises to fulfillment. The disciples and Paul would deal with the most wrenching trials, fears, dismay, and terror. But they had the strength of their Savior to follow in His steps. The Faith of Jesus is our guide, a Bible with an endless supply of the Spirit at work in the Word.

Psalm 91 - daily reading

91 He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust.

3 Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.

4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

5 Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

6 Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

7 A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

8 Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because thou hast made the Lord, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;

10 There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling.

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

14 Because he hath set his love upon me, therefore will I deliver him: I will set him on high, because he hath known my name.

15 He shall call upon me, and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honour him.

16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

 

For Christmas Eve Today - And Use the Second Tape Link Today or Tomorrow

 

Christmas Eve - Click on the link for the better Christmas Eve tape. It should repeat when it is started again at its beginning.

 http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas%20Day%202022

++++++

Christmas Eve - An Older Version - Lesser Quality. Could be used tomorrow.

http://ichabodthegloryhasdeparted.blogspot.com/search/label/Christmas%20Eve%202021

Be patient - I am counting on people to practice and use these links today and tomorrow. More efforts are coming, God willing.

The Difference Between "About" and the Truth - Paul L. Holmer, Yale

Paul L. Holmer

Paul L. Holmer had students come to him so they could argue. In the 1970s he was far distant from the ordinary ones who wanted to show off, and Holmer enjoyed the debate.

Holmer pointed out that the Big New Idea would start out as a great idea and fizzle down to nothing in 50 years, the books and articles worn out by the same theme, only to start all over again.

Holmer was just the opposite, and he hid that great effort of his own, letting others study it, post mortem. He was a Christian philosophy of the best kind.

But one professor (at another university) was even worse than the bad ones, until the most famous one revealed himself. Looking back 50 years, how many "About" professors left a mark about the truth rather than their momentary "About"?

Familiar Words of Faith from This Book of the Bible - KJV Revelation

 

Note = These KJV quotations from Revelation are a means to find these universally known passages and make them even more familiar. 

John, your brother and companion in the suffering and kingdom and patient endurance that are ours in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus.

1:6 - The prince of the kings of the earth.

1:8 - I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending...

3.8 - I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

3.9 Behold I will make them of the synagogue of Satan...

3.20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock...

4.11 Thou art worth, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

5.12 Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.

6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come: and who shall be able to stand.

7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them into living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

8:11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

10.1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet, and his feet as pillars of fire:

10:11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings.

11.15 The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

11:19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the Ark of his Testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.

12.5 And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne.

12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

13.17 and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

14:1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads.

14:13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works to follow them.

15. And they sing the song of Moses the servant of god, and the son of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvelous are their works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.

16.16 And they gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

17.14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

18.18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is like unto this great city! [Babylon]

18.24 And in her was found the blood of the prophets, and of saints, and of all that were slain upon the earth.

19.7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honor to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.

19.16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS , AND LORD OF LORDS.

21.1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and there was no more sea.

21.2 And I john saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven.

21.4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

22.5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign forever and ever. 

22.16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning start.

22.20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come Lord Jesus. The grace of God be with you all. Amen.

The Canadian Inventor of the Basketball

 

A Profound But Simple Lesson from Abraham and Paul - On Faith

Krauth, largely forgotten, knew this well. 

 

Romans 4 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

Abraham is the Father of Faith, trusting in God that He would fulfill the Promises, not only with himself and his wife, but a million times over with his descendants, including a great nation, King David, and the King of Kings - Jesus.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

Paul, the great scholar of the Old Testament, knew and proclaimed forgiveness through trust in God - faith - only through faith and never without faith.

6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,

7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.

Many people dance around this topic, by wrestling with it or by giving the topic a new and twisted lesson. But works do not equate forgiveness no matter how often they are displayed at conventions and other confusions.

8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.

9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.

10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision.

11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:

12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.

More than one has looked for forgiveness in works, personal suffering, and many other efforts, but Faith in Christ is the key, not the works of man.

13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

It does not work just to proclaim grace when there is no faith in the Savior. Oddly enough, people have often concentrated on their grace but without the pivotal message  - only by trust in Him.

17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.

19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb:

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

Forgiveness equals righteousness, faith does not earn righteousness. 

23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him;

24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;

25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

Romans 5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

The World Has Always Loved Artwork

 

I was encouraged to use art from the earliest days. Our elementary school promoted it, and a traveling teacher's art expert added to those efforts. My mother taught there too, at Garfield Elementary School. I worked the arts with speed but without any enthusiasm. I was even hauled off to special art sessions - at public libraries - but I asked if I could please read news magazines instead. Those were the glory days of Life, Look, and Time magazines. Saturday Evening Post was for the home, and there were more items with heavy glossy photos and art.

But at last, I was turned over to Latin, a skill we had to study, because "You aren't going to get anywhere in life without Latin!" Most Latin students groaned but they heard at home, "No Latin, no college, no nothing. Are you studying every day? What!?"

Latin opened us to English grammar and Roman culture - wars, generals, confiscated art, architecture, wild animals released into the Coliseum. 

Strangely, we started with Latin first with high school and moved into Greek in college, but that was almost exclusive for future pastors. My Greek classes were 100% seminary bound, but some of them groaned and dropped out.

I missed artwork but I continued with Greek, very handy in history, grammar, and many more subjects. Too bad the classics are almost completely lost now.

The very beginning - They show that scholars use - Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and German. But who will know in the future and design the art?

Happy Birthday and God's Blessings Today - Artist Norma A. Boeckler

https://norma-boeckler.pixels.com/

The headline from India speaks for itself.

Norma Boeckler's Christian art is loved the world around.

The Good Samaritan

The Star of Bethlehem

I thought telescopes and binoculars were the greatest. We had some of those and went to the Chicago Adler Planetarium for the biggest and best at that time.

Strangely one expert was quite upset, because fellow scientists did not like the Planetariums being used to encourage the Christian Faith. They were no longer laughing at the Star of Bethlehem. It was the wrong emphasis, I guessed.

Our society has drifted away from Creation, even though the details are quite clear at all levels. The soil contains billions if we dare to observe what is happening all the time. There is even a bonus for common sense - cut flowers, use rainwater, and watch the neighbors respond. Most physicians enjoyed them - others did not. "I am not in your league," one doctor said.

KJV Matthew 2 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

2 Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

3 When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him.

4 And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

5 And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judaea: for thus it is written by the prophet,

6 And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel.

7 Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, enquired of them diligently what time the star appeared.

8 And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also.

9 When they had heard the king, they departed; and, lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh.

12 And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way.

Thoughts about the Four Gospels - Each One Unique But Also - in Harmony

 Students and professors like to fall into combat concerning the Four Gospels, with an additional treat called the Synoptics. That Greek term (Greek for seen together) is used for Matthew, Mark, and Luke since those three Gospels are closely associated. However, most academics use the alarm weapon of What's Wrong! while missing the important points after a few hours of working over the topic.

The Gospel of John does not need to be used as wrong when it too has wonderful passages and clarifying words. Readers will understand when they are told by know-it-alls that John's Gospel can be attacked the same as Luther's works. Better to study both carefully rather than be a know-it-all. 

Here are some thoughts about the Four Gospels during this very special season.

Matthew - The Christian Faith began while fulfilling the Gospel through the works of the Old Testament. The 39 Hebrew books were waiting to be used for the whole truth when the 27 Greek New Testament books were written down and spread rapidly.

Matthew is a solid reminder that the first Gospel is foundational for the early Jewish believers, spectacular miracles in the midst of those touched by the first saints - Mary, Joseph, the Wise Men. And the Star annoys the astronomical message to this day.

Mark - Many overlook the Second Gospel, but that makes the careful readers more diligent. Annoyed by so many miracles? And similar to Matthew and Luke? Mark's readings are not a burden but a series of examples where the divinity power of Jesus the Son of God is revealed. Many students of Mark realize that the details are revealing, not tedious or repetitive. 

I have told graduate students that Jesus prayed by Himself very early before dawn. One student knew Mark well and grew quite upset about my statement. "I have never seen that in all my work on Mark!" I let him narrow it down to Mark 1. Soon he came back with Mark 1:35, when the disciples told Jesus to get to work.

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed. And Simon and they that were with Him followed after Him. And when they had found Him, they said unto Him, All men seek for thee.”

Episodes in Mark and the other Gospels are overlooked because of familiarity with those verses.

Luke - The Virgin Birth of Jesus in Luke 2 is a beautiful reminder - making us wonder, "Where did Luke come from? He gave us 25% of the New Testament in give us Luke and the Acts of the Apostles. Luke by itself could be the gem of the New Testament, but add the tremendous historical study of the Acts, by itself (though alone) in historical and religious value.

John -  If Matthew and Luke are seen together, how much is greater Genesis and John? - those two books begin verses with Creation and the Trinity. In terms of harmony, both introductions unify the Bible and help us remember what matters most.