Syllabus Resources Learning Tools Class Notes

Syllabus for TL3110: History of Lutheranism in the Western Hemisphere
Fall Semester 2008

Goals:

• To gain a basic knowledge of the historical development of the various Lutheran
  church bodies in North, Central and South America
• To identify key persons and places in this historical development
• To become familiar with some of the major theological issues that emerged in the
  encounter of the Lutheran confessional tradition with its social/cultural
  surroundings
• To reflect on the historical reasons for present-day structures, ethos and mission
  characteristic of Lutherans in the Western hemisphere

Format:

1 class per week, with lectures and student presentations

Requirements:

• A biographical sketch of a person who was a major figure in the early history of
  Lutheranism in the Western hemisphere and your own assessment (with
  reasons) of that person’s contributions (at least 2 pages, using at least 6
  sources [no more than 2 internet sources])
• A paper explaining a theological issue that was critical to the development of
  Lutheranism in the United States and how it affected the relations of Lutherans
  among themselves and with the larger society (at least 2 pages, using at least 6
  sources [no more than 2 internet sources])
• Timeline of 10 most important events in the history of Lutheranism in the
  Western hemisphere, with explanation of why each event would be
  considered important; these will be discussed in the last class

Textbooks:

L. DeAne Lagerquist - The Lutherans
Articles on reserve in the library

Grading:

Grades are pass/fail, but will be calculated on a point system of 100 with 70 being
considered passing. All written assignments are due on the day indicated in the
syllabus, and 2 points will be deducted from the grade for the assignment for
every day that work is past due. No written work will be accepted after the end of
the course unless an extension form has been requested by the student, signed
by the student’s advisor, and submitted to the instructor by the last class day.
Grades will be computed as follows: each paper 30% and class participation
10%.

Course Web Site: http://www.lsps.edu/professors/schott/TL3110.htm

Schedule:

Mon., Sept. 8 – Introduction; Early Settlements

Mon., Sept. 15 – Colonial Era
READ: Lagerquist ch. 1, 2; Wolf pp. 97, 98

Mon., Sept. 22 – Americanization of Lutheranism?
READ: Lagerquist ch. 3

Mon., Sept. 29 – Beginnings of the Flood of Immigration
READ: Lagerquist ch. 4

Mon., Oct. 6 – Student Reports
DUE: paper on historical person

Mon., Oct. 13 – Midsemester Break – NO CLASS

Mon., Oct. 20 – Americanization and Repristination
READ: Lagerquist ch. 5; Wolf pp. 98-108

Mon., Oct. 27 – Conflicts, Congregational Life and Early Missionary Concerns
READ: Lagerquist ch. 6; Wolf pp. 170, 171

Mon., Nov. 3 – More Missionary Efforts, Home and Foreign
READ: Evenson pp. 1-22; Schwermann pp. 1-5; Villaverde pp. 155-169.

Mon., Nov. 10 – Challenges of Modernization and Socialization
READ: Wolf pp. 238, 239, 334-345, 357-359, 381, 382 (especially sections on Scripture)

Mon., Nov. 17 – Student Reports
DUE: paper on theological issue

Mon., Nov. 24 –Thanksgiving Break – NO CLASS

Mon., Dec. 1 – Merger, Merger, Merger and More Challenges
READ: Lagerquist ch. 7

Mon., Dec. 8 – Looking Around and Looking Ahead
DUE: timeline

RESERVE READINGS
TL3110: History of Lutheranism in the Western Hemisphere

Evenson, George O. Adventuring for Christ: The Story of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church of Canada. Calgary: Foothills Lutheran Press, 1974. Pp. 1-22.

Schwermann, Albert H. The Beginnings of Lutheran Church – Canada, Covering the
Years 1941 to 1964: Planning a Self-governing Canadian Church. Edmonton:
Lutheran Church – Canada, 1969. Pp. 1-5

Villaverde, Joñas. “The Lutheran Church in Latin America.” In Lutheran Churches in
the Third World, pp. 155-169.. Edited by Andrew S. Burgess. Minneapolis:
Augsburg Publishing House, 1970.

Wolf, Richard C. Documents of Lutheran Unity in America. Philadelphia: Fortress Press,
1966. Pp. 97-108, 170, 171, 238, 239, 335, 336, 343-345, 357-359, 381, 382.

A SHORT BIBLIOGRAPHY ON AMERICAN LUTHERANISM

The following works may be helpful in doing research for your papers:

Bodensieck, Julius, ed. The Encyclopedia of the Lutheran Church. Minneapolis:
Augsburg, 1965. [in reference section]

Bonderud, Omar and Charles Lutz. America’s Lutherans. Columbus: Wartburg Press,
1955.

Finck, William J. Lutheran Landmarks and Pioneers in America: A Series of Sketches of
Colonial Times. Philadelphia: United Lutheran Publication House, 1913. [contains photos]

Gilbert, W. Kent. Commitment to Unity: A History of the Lutheran Church in America.
Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1988.

Gritsch, Eric W. Fortress Introduction to Lutheranism. Minneapolis: Fortress Press,
1994. [brief overview of worldwide Lutheran history that may help to put American
developments into a broader perspective]

Gustafson, David A. Lutherans in Crisis: The Question of Identity in the American
Republic. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1993.

Lagerquist, L. DeAne. The Lutherans. Westport, Conn.: Praeger, 1999.

Lueker, Erwin L., ed. Lutheran Cyclopedia. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House,
1975. [in reference section]

Lutz, Charles P. Church Roots. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1985. [ethnic
groups of ALC]

Meyer, Carl S., ed. Moving Frontiers: Readings in the History of the Lutheran Church
Missouri Synod. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1964.

Nelson, E. Clifford. Lutheranism in North America: 1914-1970. Minneapolis: Augsburg,
1972.

Nelson, E. Clifford, ed. The Lutherans in North America. Rev. ed. Philadelphia: Fortress
Press, 1980.

The Notebook of a Colonial Clergyman, Condensed from the Journals of Henry Melchior
Muhlenberg. Translated and edited by Theodore G. and John W. Doberstein.
Philadelphia: Muhlenberg Press, 1959.

Olson, Oliver K., ed. The Church in New Sweden. Milwaukee: Lutheran Quarterly, 1988.

Pannkoke, Otto Hermann. A Great Church Finds Itself: The Lutheran Church between
the Wars. Quitman, G.: [published by author], 1966.

Peterson, William H. and Robert Goeser. Traditions Transplanted: The Story of
Anglican and Lutheran Churches in America. Cincinnati: Forward Movement
Publications, 1981. [very brief summary]

Qualben, Lars Pederson. The Lutheran Church in Colonial America. New York: Nelson,
1940.

Spitz, Lewis W. The Life of Dr. C.F.W. Walther. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House,
1961.

Tietjen, John H. Which Way to Lutheran Unity?: A History of Efforts to Unite the
Lutherans of America. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 1966.

Wentz, Abdel Ross. A Basic History of Lutheranism in America. Philadelphia:
Muhlenberg Press, 1955.

Wentz, Frederick K. Lutherans in Concert: The Story of the National Lutheran Council,
1918-1966. Minneapolis: Augsburg Publishing House, 1968.

Wiederaenders, Robert C. and Walter G. Tillmanns. The Synods of American
Lutheranism. Lutheran Historical Conference, 1968. [has helpful charts]

Wolf, Richard C. Documents of Lutheran Unity in America. Philadelphia: Fortress
Press, 1966.

The Lutheran Quarterly. [This journal specializes in Lutheran history and has had many interesting
articles on the history of Lutheranism in the United States.]

Note: This bibliography is mostly limited to fairly recent works that deal with the history of North American Lutheranism in a more general way. The library has many other resources that focus on particular persons, places, geographical areas or topics.