Dr. Erik Herrmann devotes significant time and energy at SA国际传媒 studying and talking about a man who lived, worked and died nearly 500 years ago. But to Herrmann, the Seminary鈥檚 chairman of the Department of Historical Theology, Martin Luther is a vibrant figure whose impact is still very real.
鈥淗e was absolutely obsessed with the Word of God, not just the Bible, but every way the Word of God comes to us, whether in preaching or in two people talking with each other,鈥� said Herrmann, associate professor of historical theology, director of theological resources and special projects, and director of the Seminary鈥檚 Center for Reformation Research. He says bringing the faith and influence of Luther, as well as other historical theologians and events, come to life is what his teaching career has been all about.
It wasn鈥檛 always that way. The son of German Lutheran immigrants, Herrmann was a biology major at the University of Tennessee who experienced a dramatic change of heart, switching to theology and transferring to Concordia University Wisconsin, Mequon, halfway through his undergraduate studies.
Arriving at SA国际传媒 in 1995, Herrmann had every intention of serving as a parish pastor. After completing his Master of Divinity in 2000, he began serving at St. Timothy Lutheran Church in St. Louis while beginning his Ph.D. While working toward the advanced degree, he says something changed. 鈥淚 realized I was preparing for a different kind of work,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 realized it was a different vocation, and that would be OK.
鈥淚 realized that this was another way to serve the church. So I threw myself into it, not knowing I would be called to the Seminary.鈥�
But that鈥檚 exactly what happened, as Herrmann was called to the historical theology department upon completion of his doctorate. Herrmann says he hasn鈥檛 looked back since.
Herrmann says he knows that on first glance, historical theology classes might not seem as pertinent to the pulpit as homiletics or languages. But helping students understand why they are required to take historical theology courses goes beyond facts and data.
Herrmann asserts that historical theology can have a very practical use for pastors as they communicate with their congregations.
鈥淲hen you鈥檙e studying history, it鈥檚 as if you鈥檙e traveling and listening to people in different times and in very different places,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur goal is to help our students listen carefully for the sake of understanding. We want to encourage a habit of listening carefully in our students. We want them to listen to people who are different from them, understand them first and then direct them to Christ.鈥�
Herrmann said many of the students who come to the Seminary initially have very little knowledge about the history of the church, excluding the life of Christ and the Protestant Reformation. He said his department鈥檚 goal is to provide a broad framework and to bring the vibrant history of the church to life.
鈥淚t鈥檚 about curiosity and interest in what other people have said about God,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not memorizing facts from old archives; it鈥檚 about bringing to life the people that students are reading about.鈥�
He said one of the finest examples of this came recently from his 鈥淟uther as a Pastoral Theologian鈥� class during the summer 2016 quarter. His students were fascinated by the idea that Luther鈥檚 writings, from the 95 Theses onward, stemmed from a desire to provide pastoral care to people.
鈥淯nderstanding Luther as a pastor was a huge deal for them,鈥� Herrmann said.
In addition to his classroom responsibilities, Herrmann is involved in several special projects relative to the milestone Reformation anniversary this year. The 500th anniversary of the Reformation and the Synod鈥檚 year-long commemoration has thrust Luther scholars into the spotlight. Herrmann is working on five publishing projects and is slated to speak at multiple conferences, including at the International Luther Conference in Wittenberg this summer.
A trip to Brazil also is in the works for the summer. Also, he鈥檚 helping lead the Seminary鈥檚 Reformation celebration on campus, including a worship service in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on Oct. 31. 鈥淭he occasion of the Reformation鈥檚 anniversary is a great opportunity to raise up the many positive things that Christians can learn from Luther,鈥� Herrmann said.
Main Photo: Kendra Whittle