Pietism was born in the Lutheran churches of 17th century Germany, but by the 20th century it was a pejorative term in much of American Lutheranism. To help us understand Lutheranism, how it approaches higher education, and its complicated relationship with Pietism, this week we welcome Dan Hanson, about to start his final year in the M.Div. program at Luther Seminary. Offering a student/alumnus perspective for the first time in our series, Dan explains the difference between a “college of the church” and a “Christian college,” unpacks the meaning of “faithful criticism,” and looks into the future of seminary education.

Further reading:

• Tom Christenson, The Gift and Task of Lutheran Higher Education (Augsburg Fortress, 2004) and Who Needs a Lutheran College? (Lutheran University Press, 2011)

• Robert Benne, Quality with Soul: How Six Premier Colleges and Universities Keep Faith with Their Religious Traditions (Eerdmans, 2001)

• How Dan’s undergraduate alma mater (Wartburg College) defines its mission as a “college of the church” (specifically, the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America)

• Kathryn Kleinhans, “The Work of a Christian: Vocation in Lutheran Perspective,” Word and World 25 (Fall 2005): 394-402.