Faculty members from Concordia Seminary, St. Louis were honored for their published work during the 2024-25 academic year at the 16^th annual Concordia Seminary Author Reception May 13 in the Kristine Kay Hasse Memorial Library. The event was co-hosted by Concordia Publishing House.

Dean of Faculty Dr. David Peter addressed the faculty, staff and other reception attendees.

“We celebrate the contribution that our faculty members make to the church in researching and writing resources for pastors, church workers, theologians and laypeople,” Peter said. “The books, chapters and articles that they have published demonstrate the commitment of Concordia Seminary’s faculty to serve God’s people through theological scholarship.”

The celebrated authors included:

Dr. Andrew Bartelt, Professor Emeritus of Exegetical Theology:

• “Isaiah 1–12,” Concordia Commentary series (Concordia Publishing House, 2024).

Dr. Joel Biermann, Professor of Systematic Theology:

• “Day 7: For Work, Rest, or Play” (Concordia Publishing House, 2024).
• “A Lutheran Understanding of Natural Law” in “Natural Law: Five Views,”eds. Andrew T. Walker and Ryan T. Anderson (Critical Points Series) (Zondervan Academic, 2025).

Dr. Joel Elowsky, Professor of Historical Theology:

• “Patrisztikus Kommentár a Szentíráschoz” (“Patristic Commentary on the Holy Scriptures”), Hungarian translation of “Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture” (Cluj, Romania: Presa Universitară Clujeană, 2024).
• “Commentariu Patristic La Scriptură” (“Patristic Commentary on the Scriptures”), Romanian translation of “Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture” (Presa Universitară Clujeană, 2024).
• Erik Lundeen, “The Reformation of the Literal: Prophecy and the Senses of Scripture in Early Modern Europe.” T&T Clark Studies in Historical Theology. Brian Brewer and Joel Elowsky, eds. (T&T Clark, 2025).
• “Bíblia Sagrada.” Dois Irmāos, (Brazil: Minha Biblioteca Católica, 2023/24). Portuguese Study Bible with Commentary from the Patristic Fathers, a major portion of which came from “Ancient Christian Commentary on Scripture.”
• “Evangelicals and Catholics Together Statement: The Pillar and Foundation of Truth,” First Things (April 2025).
• “Plagues of Egypt/Christianity” in “Encyclopedia of the Bible and Its Reception.” (Berlin: DeGruyter, 2024.) Online for now.
• “Libya” in “Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity.” (Brill, 2024 print edition).
• “Moses” in “Brill Encyclopedia of Early Christianity.” (Brill, 2024 print edition).

Dr. Robert Kolb, Professor Emeritus of Systematic Theology:

• “Face to Face: Martin Luther’s View of Reality” (Fortress Press, 2024).
• Theodore J. Hopkins, “The Christian Faith. A Lutheran Exposition” revised edition, (Concordia Publishing House, 2024).
• Timothy J. Wengert, editors, “The Augsburg Confession, with Introduction, Commentary, and Study Guide” (Fortress, 2024).
• “The Battle of the Biographies. Early Modern Life-Writing on Martin Luther,” Lutheran Quarterly 38 (2024): 262–292.
• “Martin Luther’s Concern for Life, Verba Vitae 1, 3–4 online (2024): 7–19.
• “Luther’s Musical Legacy in the Preaching of his Students,” Consensus: A Canadian Journal of Public Theology 45: online (2024), pdf available.
• “Early Modern Lutheranism as (Still) a Research Frontier,” Lutheran Quarterly 38 (2024): 1–19.
• “Kurshalten im Konflikt: Die an Wittenberg orientierten Siebenbürger Bekenntnisschriften und ihre Begutachtung an deutschen Universitäten,” in “Initia Reformationis Transilvaniae,” ed. Ulrich A. Wien (de Gruyter, 2025): 387–404.

Dr. Rick Marrs, Senior Professor of Practical Theology:

• “Wholeness Wheel Bible Study: The Balanced Life in Christ” (Lutheran Foundation, 2025) online Bible study.

Dr. Peter Nafzger, Associate Professor of Practical Theology:

• “Preaching to Professionals in a Secular World” in “Faith at Work: Christian Vocation in the Professions,” ed. David Loy (Concordia Publishing House, June 2024).

Dr. Paul Raabe, Professor Emeritus of Exegetical Theology:

• “Putting Questions to God,” in Wrestling with God (blog), September 10, 2024.
• “Justice in Amos,” in “Let Justice Flow Like Water: Toward a Theology of Biblical Justice,” edited by Joshua M. Greever, D. A. Horton, Justin McLendon (B & H Academic, 2025).

Dr. Jon D. Vieker, Associate Professor of Practical Theology:

• “‘Walther’s Hymnal’ for the Missouri Synod Saxons,” in “A New Song We Now Begin: Celebrating the Half Millennium of Lutheran Hymnals 1524–2024,” Robin A. Leaver, ed. (Fortress Press, 2024).

Multiple Authors

“Lay Me in God’s Good Earth: A Christian Approach to Death and Burial” (IVP, August 2024).

• Dr. Kent Burreson, Professor of Systematic Theology
• Dr. Beth Hoeltke, former Director of the Graduate School

“Shepherding the Flock: A Festschrift in Honour of Andrew K. Pfeiffer,” eds. Joshua Pfeiffer and Thomas Pietsch (Kairos, 2024).

• Dr. Adam Hensley, Associate Professor of Exegetical Theology:
  • “Sing to the Lord a New Song: The Psalms’ New Song for a New Exodus”
• Dr. Stephen Pietsch, Associate Professor of Practical Theology:
  • “Wilhelm Loehe’s Doctrine of the Office of Ministry in Historical and Contemporary Perspective” 

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.