CONCORDIA, WISCONSIN - BIGGEST AND BEST

Concordia Wisconsin – Biggest and Best
Christian News, Vol. 49, No. 1
January 3, 2011

A major portion of this issue reports on a study of U.S. Colleges published in the November, 2010 First Things. The LCMS’s Concordia, Wisconsin is the only Lutheran school which received an “Honorable Mention” on the First Thing’s list of “Best Seriously Protestant Schools.” “Forum Letter Reports on First Things College Issue” on p. 11 reports:

“Concordia University Wisconsin made the list of ‘Schools on the Rise Filled with Excitement,’ though there was no commentary to tell us what is so exciting; still, good for them. As for the rest, you can quarrel with the methodology, and even with the very idea of rating colleges in this way, but you can’t quarrel with the reality that these are not your grandmother’s church colleges.”

While First Things did not say why Concordia, Wisconsin made its list of “Schools on the Rise Filled With Excitement” and was the only Lutheran school even receiving an “Honorable Mention” on its list of “Best Seriously Protestant Schools,” here are ten reasons why Concordia, Wisconsin may very well be, not only the largest but best Lutheran “Protestant” college in the nation, if the fine small colleges of the WELS, ELS, and CLC are not considered large enough to be ranked.

Years ago this editor spoke in some of the schools of the Concordia University System. Several of the hundreds of articles CN published about the LCMS schools are in the Christian News Encyclopedia. Hundreds of students came to hear the editor. Liberal profs were miffed.

1. Statement on Worship
Christian News knows of no finer statement on “Worship in a Collegiate Setting” adopted by the Faculty and Board of Regents of any college in the U.S. than “Worship in a Collegiate Setting” (p. 13) prepared by the faculty and Board of Regents representatives during the 1995-96 academic year. CN said when it first appeared that the CUW statement should be adopted by all Lutheran schools.

2. A Lutheran Worldview
“Is the Concordia University System Lutheran?” (p. 13) in the November 24, 1997 Christian News reprinted much of What Richard C. Eyer, Associate Professor of Philosophy at CUW wrote in “Does Concordia lack a Lutheran Uniqueness?”in CUS’s October 2, 1997 Beacon. The entire article in CN appears on p. 13. The concluding statement from the CUW Beacon is: “Before we can put aside what for some may be boastful pride in being Lutheran and for others appears to be the shame or embarrassment of being Lutheran we must learn together the uniqueness of a Lutheran worldview based on Lutheran theology. It is our gift to the world and our contribution to the Church through the academy known as Concordia Lutheran University Wisconsin.”

3. Leaders in Pre-Seminary Enrollment
“Concordia University Wisconsin Leader in Pre-Seminary Enrollment” in the March 1, 1993 Christian News reported that “Information compiled by the Concordia Seminary, in St. Louis notes that graduates from Concordia University, Wisconsin comprise the largest number of incoming students compared to all colleges and universities.

“Concordia is proud to maintain its tradition of preparing students for the pastoral ministry.”

4. Liberal Professors Removed
Eight years ago Christian News was sent a 14 page letter for publication claiming that President Ferry “is more a politician than pastor” and that liberals and pro-abortionist are not removed from the faculty. CN sent the letter to President Ferry and Professor Gene Veith.

Dr. Veith, some of whose excellent books CN has long promoted and sold, responded on February 24, 2002 in part:
“There are liberal and un-Lutheran elements on our campus, I regret to say, but whereas on most campuses they are in charge, with the conservatives being a beleaguered minority, on our campus the opposite is the case; conservative theology is the norm, though there is a small number of liberal dissidents. Some of the liberalism comes from part-time faculty members, hired at the last minute to cover courses necessitated by our growing enrollment. (Mr. ________ mentioned in the letter, is one of those.) This is a weakness, but, to give the administration credit where it is due, I have known the administration to fire some of them in mid-semester, when they have taught evolution or something similarly egregious.

“At our last faculty meeting, someone nominated David Benke as alumus of the year. Though such a nomination should never have been made, and though a couple of my colleagues spoke in his defense, the nomination was voted down decisively. Not only did I speak out against it, so did our theology faculty, and so did Dr. Ferry. Again, there is liberalism here, but they are outweighed by the conservatives. (It will be interesting to see what the other Concordias do with the Benke issue.)”

“It is possible for a student, who is well-advised (which is why they come to me), to avoid the liberal teachers and just select those who are solid. Our theology division is very trustworthy. (Why didn’t this letter writer mention any theology and Bible classes that she surely would have taken?) Significantly, our Science division is strongly creationist, something that few Christian or Lutheran colleges can claim these days.

“Yes, we have our problems—I battle them every day—but this letter creates the wrong impression about Concordia, Wisconsin. I am even suspicious about who it is that keeps circulating this letter –rival institutions, perhaps, who want to tear down Mequon’s reputation? It is no coincidence that the school that is the most conservative is growing the fastest and has the fewest financial problems.”

5. A Christ Centered, Articulate President
“Dying to Live,” a report in the Feb. 20, 2001 CN of youth conference held in the LCMS’s Wyoming District where President Patrick Ferry was among the speakers said:

“While all of the speakers made a good presentation and had much to offer, this editor was particularly impressed with the speakers on the first video, Senkbeil, Rast, Ferry, and Lange. Youth could soon find out that confessional Lutherans are Christ-centered and real men who speak with solid conviction. They are not some mealy mouthed, wishy-washy theologians who leave everything up in the air. The editor had never heard Dr. Ferry until he viewed his session in this series. It is no wonder that an increasing number of confessional pastors are urging those in their congregations who want to go into full time church work to attend Concordia University, Wisconsin. Every LCMS college should have such a Christ-centered, articulate president who speaks with authority. CN is reprinting one of CN’s reviews of Pastor Senkbeil’s Sanctification: Christ In Action. CN has sold many copies of this book. Senkbeil’s book Dying to Live is also available from CN.”

6. Confessional Lutheran Lectures
The Summer 2002 Concordian has this notice of a series of presentations at CUW featuring lectures by confessional Lutherans: CUW Lectures New Video Series

A series of presentations given at CUW in 2001 noted Lutheran scholars has been made available in video format as a nine-part series on Lutheran spirituality, under the title Saved by Grace. . . Now What? It is ideal for use in adult Bible study or assimilation class, confirmation instruction, and high school or college Bible study or religion class.

The series was sponsored by CUW’s Cranach Institute and taped by Lutheran Visuals. Dr. Gene Edward Veith, Director of the Cranach Institute, introduces the topics: Justification, by Dr. Karl Barth; Means of Grace, by Dr. Arthur Just; Vocation, by Dr. Steve Hein; and Theology of the Cross, by Dr. Robert Kolb. Lutheran Visuals provided expert editing and a study guide. Available from Lutheran Visuals at 1-800-527-3211 or www.lutheranvisuals.com.

7. “Professor Kurt Marquart – An earned D.D.” in the April 30, 2001 Christian News said:

“Concordia University, Wisconsin, and its fine president Dr. Patrick Ferry, should be commended for awarding Professor Marquart a D.D. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, should have given it to him long ago. The fact that Concordia, Wisconsin, is awarding Professor Marquart a D.D. is just one more reason why youth should consider attending Concordia, Wisconsin.”

The Winter, 2002 Concordian which had a photo of Concordia, Wisconsin’s President Patrick Ferry awarding Professor Marquart a D.D. said in “Ferry Reappointed President”: “Under Dr. Ferry’s leadership enrollment of those preparing to be Lutheran pastors, teachers, and other church workers, the historic focus of the school, has increased to nearly 900 students.” Under faculty and staff highlights such confessional Lutheran scholars as Roland Cap Ehlke, Nathan Jastram, Timothy Maschke, Angus Menuge, G. Edward Veith and Kevin Vogts are listed.

Dr. Nathan Jastram is the author of “The Dead Sea Scrolls: A Bible Jesus Could Have Used” in the Winter, 2002 Concordian. He mentions a letter of introduction from Professor John Strugnell whose work was often commended in Christian News.

8. CUW Making the Grade
“CUW Making the Grade” in the Summer, 2002 Concordian reports how CUW students graded their professors. 95% strongly Agree/Agree “My Concordia advisor/mentor …” “Is friendly and demonstrates Christian concern.” 90% said that the Concordia faculty “Has excellent teaching ability.” Dr. Tamara Ferry, Director of Institutional Research at CUW comments: “These statistics portray a talented, dedicated, and approachable faculty, and a university fulfilling its mission by providing excellence in teaching and learning. The people behind these numbers are Christian servants who are committed, as our Mission Statement says, ‘to helping students develop in mind, body, and spirit for service to Christ in the Church and the world.’”

9. Upholding Creation
Dr. Angus J.L. Menuge recommended Ben Stein’s “Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed” in the Spring, 2008 Concordia of CUW. CN published several articles on this movie. Professor Menuge noted: “Historically, Lutherans have upheld creation as a fact discernible by natural reason (Romans 1:18-20; Psalm 19). Several of the great scientists at the forefront of the scientific revolution were Lutherans whose scientific work was guided by design, e.g. Tycho Brahe, Johannes Kepler, and Jochim Rheticus.”

10. Plagiarism Cover Up
“Professor Says Plagiarism Cover Up in CUS,” a story on page one of the November 1, 2010 Christian News published the cover of the Spring, 2010 Concordian of CUW which featured Dr. Nathan Jastram in a story titled “The Dead Sea Scrolls Exhibit and Biblical Faith.” As far as CN knows Dr. Jastram, Chairman of the Department of Theology at CUS, is the only CUS professor who has had the courage to oppose a clear case of plagiarism on the part of a leading LCMS theologian who has been the president of Concordia University, St. Paul, Minnesota, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis and now is president of Concordia University, Chicago. After the rank plagiarism was covered up for years by leaders of the CUS and the LCMS bureaucracy, Dr. Jastram finally went public by sending Christian News the documentation. CN sent it to the Concordia University, Chicago president and Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne where the plagiarism was published and was still being promoted. After Concordia Seminary, Ft. Wayne ignored CN and did not publish a correction and apology CN published “Professor Says Plagiarism Cover Up in CUS.”

When Dr. Jastram was doing graduate work at Harvard University he also served a congregation. A student who was a member of the congregation at the time told CN that he was “not only a great scholar but an excellent, personable and gentle preacher and teacher.”