“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:4-7).
In these words, the Apostle Paul identifies the variety of God-given gifts, services and activities that God uses to build up the body of Christ. The same Spirit, the same Lord and the same God works within this great diversity of gifts and callings to build up the body of Christ for its life in the world, thus empowering the church’s witness and mission.
Paul’s words also express the vision of the two-year master’s and graduate certificate programs at Luther Seminary: to educate and equip God’s people who are called to a variety of vocations in the world and in the church. Because the mission of God’s people calls for many forms of specialized service, Luther Seminary offers a great variety within its two-year master’s degree and one-year graduate certificate programs.
All first theological degree students take the Signature Courses in the curriculum together, and frequently study alongside one another in other courses as well. That shared experience gives students in the M.Div., M.A. and graduate certificate programs the opportunity to expand their understanding of their own concentration areas while gaining appreciation of the gifts, callings and vocations of their peers.
There are three learning outcomes desired for graduates of our MA program:
Biblical Hermeneutics: Graduates, together with others in community, will read the Scriptures faithfully, critically, and imaginatively.
Systematic Theology: Graduates will articulate and confess the character, identity, and work of the Triune God in the world from diverse biblical, historical, and theological perspectives.
History of Christianity: Graduates will demonstrate the ability to understand the originsand spread of Christianity and the ways this history continues to shape persons and communities.