Faithful, Reformational, Global
With an unwavering dedication to the Christian faith and a reformational perspective, ILT gathers students and professors from across the world, fostering a truly global academic community.
The Christ School of Theology
Welcome to ILT’s Christ School of Theology, a distinguished seminary and graduate school that stands as a beacon of quality in the realm of higher learning. Our institution is dedicated to nurturing academic excellence and fostering a vibrant community of scholars and thought leaders. At the heart of our school is a faculty of esteemed professors, many of whom are prolific authors and influential figures in their respective fields. Their dedication to shaping intellectual discourse and pushing the boundaries of knowledge sets the tone for a dynamic and enriching educational environment.
Within our classes, ideas are not just taught but actively explored, dissected, and challenged. We believe that true growth stems from a relentless pursuit of understanding, and our students, guided by the expertise of our faculty, embark on a journey of deep intellectual exploration that extends far beyond the confines of our classrooms.
ILT’s Christ School of Theology is more than an institution; it’s a vibrant intellectual hub where profound ideas take root and flourish. As we continue to make a lasting impact on the realm of higher education, we remain committed to our mission of shaping the leaders, thinkers, and change-makers of tomorrow. Anchored in the classical Christian tradition from a Lutheran perspective, ILT as an institution of higher education shall preserve, promote, and propagate these values, ensuring that they remain central to our academic pursuits and collective endeavors.
LATEST NEWS
Evangelism: a course from CST & the Center For Congregational Revitalization
To celebrate the founding of ILT's Center for Congregational Revitalization, we invite you to participate in its inaugural course, "Evangelism,"...
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Spring 2025 history class offering – The Bible and the Reformation
HST 604/704 - Erik Herrmann, Ph.D. - “The history of the Church is the history of biblical exegesis.” ...
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Remembering Rev. John Rasmussen
The Christ School of Theology and the communities of its parent institute, the Institute of Lutheran Theology, have lost...
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J-Term 2025 is open for registration!
J-Term 2025 is open for registration! This year the Christ School of Theology is offering two exciting courses for...
Read MoreMeet Our Faculty
Robert Benne
Robert Benne is a professor of theological ethics at the Christ School of Theology. He brings a distinguished record and impressive experience to our institution including, but not limited to, 18 years at Roanoke College as the Jordan-Trexler Professor and chair of the Religion and Philosophy Department, 17 years as a professor for the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, and a wide array of written works. His primary focus has been on Christianity's intersection with culture. That research has resulted in multiple books such as Good and Bad Ways to Think About Religion and Politics, Paradoxical Vision, and Ordinary Saints.
Education:
- Ph.D. University of Chicago Divinity School (1970)
- M.A. University of Chicago Divinity School (1963)
- B.A. Midland University (1959)
Meet Dr. Benne:
Dennis Bielfeldt
Dr. Dennis Bielfeldt is the founding President of the Institute of Lutheran Theology and the first chancellor of its Christ School of Theology. Having served as Professor of Philosophical Theology since ILT's beginning, Dr. Bielfeldt now teaches primarily in the PhD program. His research interests include theology and science, theological semantics, analytical metaphysics, and Luther studies. Dr. Bielfeldt is General Editor of the academic journal Verba Vitae and is currently working on a manuscript applying model theory to theology.
Education:
- Ph.D. University of Iowa (1987)
- M.A. University of Iowa (1984)
- B.S. South Dakota State University (1977)
Learn more:
cademia.edu
Meet Dr. Bielfeldt:
Daniel Hackmann
Professor of Philosophical Theology and Dean at the Christ School of Theology, Dr. Hackmann's field of special interest and expertise is theology and science with many years of applicable experience. He is an entrepreneur in the area of high-tech consultancy with business expertise in ethics and AI, business development, and go to market advisory. He also has taught philosophical theology in higher education for many years, including teaching the Christ School of Theology's science-focused theology courses such as PTE 681/781: Theology & Science. He continues his scholarly and entrepreneurial work in these fields even as it sends him traveling across the globe from Switzerland where he lives with his wife. As one example, he flew to Iowa City in October of 2024 to present four addresses at the University of Iowa in a conference on AI and Theology. Meanwhile, he is an active writer with contributions like his article 'AI and Personhood' published in Verba Vitae's Autumn/Winter 2024 issue (Vol. 1 No. 3-4).
Education:
- Ph.D. University of Iowa (1989)
- M.A. University of Iowa (1979)
- B.S. University of Iowa (1977)
Meet Dr. Hackmann:
Mark Hillmer
Dr. Mark Hillmer has had a long and storied career. He first began teaching in higher academia in 1967, has served as a Lutheran pastor, and has even performed archaeological field work. He is extremely skilled in the Hebrew language. For example, Dr. Hilmer was involved in translating Ecclesiastes, Ruth, and Malachi for the 1978 NIV translation of the Bible. Dr. Hillmer is the Christ School of Theology's primary Hebrew teacher and also teaches multiple classes on the Old Testament for our institute.
Education:
- Ph.D. Hebrew Union College (1966)
- M.A. University of Wisconsin (1963)
- M.Div. Concordia Theological Seminary (1962)
- B.A. Northwestern College (1957)
Jack Kilcrease
A professor of historical and systematic theology, Dr. Kilcrease comes to the Christ School of Theology with a highly accomplished background. In addition to graduating from Marquette University with a Ph.D. in Systematic Theology, he is a prolific author, accomplished scholar, and currently a member of the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod’s Commission on Theology and Church Relations. Many of his articles can be found on Academia.edu, including fascinating reads such as "Creation's Praise: A Short Liturgical Reading of Genesis and Revelation," (Pro Ecclesia) and "Gerhard O. Forde on the Law" (Concordia Theological Quarterly). He has written many books as well, including The Self-Donation of God: A Contemporary Lutheran approach to Christ and His Benefits, The Doctrine of Atonement: From Luther to Forde, and Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics vol. 2: Holy Scripture. His most recent project is a forthcoming book entitled Lutheran Dogmatics: The Evangelical-Catholic Faith for an Age of Contested Truth published by Lexham Press.
Education:
- Ph.D. Marquette University (2009)
- M.A. Luther Seminary (2003)
- B.A. Luther College (2001)
Learn more:
Meet Dr. Kilcrease:
Eddie Kwok
Dr. Kwok comes to the Christ School of Theology with a wealth of experience from differing disciplines and perspectives. He has taught in Christian education since 1999. He has held various administrative roles from being a director of a globalization & cross-cultural immersion program to being the Institute of Lutheran Theology’s Director of Contextual Education. His scholarly work includes written work and seminar presentations on a wide range of subjects. For example, he wrote “Christian Education as Evangelism in a Multicultural Setting” in Christian Education as Evangelism, edited by Norma Cook Everist (Fortress Press, 2007), and he gave a presentation entitled “Ghost Stories, Gothika and Hanpuri” at a colloquium held by the Religious Educators’ Association (REA) and the Association of Professors, Practitioners and Researchers in Religious Education (APPRRE). He has also served as a pastor for multiple different congregations in British Columbia.
Education:
- Ph.D. London School of Theology (2004)
- M.Div. Regent College, Vancouver (1986)
- B.Sc. University of Singapore (1980)
Meet Dr. Kwok:
Dan Lioy
Dr. Lioy is a Professor of Biblical Theology at the Christ School of Theology, where he oversees several academic programs, including the Master of Arts, Master of Sacred Theology, and Master of Chaplain Ministries. He also serves as the Biblical Theology editor for Verba Vitae, the scholarly Christian journal of ILT that explores life and its meaning. Holding a PhD from North-West University, Dr. Lioy brings over three decades of diverse professional experience to his academic and pastoral work. As an accomplished author, professor, business ethics consultant, and public speaker, he has published notable works such as The Divine Sabotage: An Expositional Journey through Ecclesiastes and With Uplifted Head: Preaching Hope. Ordained by the North American Lutheran Church, Dr. Lioy serves as a teaching pastor at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Salem, Oregon. A former board-certified chaplain with the Association of Professional Chaplains, he has provided spiritual care in various settings, including Randall Children's Hospital, the Oregon Air National Guard, and Oregon State Hospital.
Education:
- Ph.D. North-West University – Potchefstroom (2002)
- M.Th. Dallas Theological Seminary (1988)
- B.S. University of Southern California (1981)
Learn more:
Meet Dr. Lioy:
David Patterson
Rev. Patterson is the Dean of the Center for the Word at ILT where he oversees the Library, the North American Lutheran Archive, Information Services, the Office of the Registrar, Research and Academic Grants, and ILT Press. The primary areas of research for Rev. Patterson are Theology and Disability and Theology and Information.
Education:
- M.R. Institute of Lutheran Theology (2015)
- MLIS University of Washington (2002)
- C.P.S. Trinity Lutheran College (2000)
- B.A. Lutheran Bible Institute of Seattle (1999)
Meet Rev. Patterson:
Timothy Rynearson
As an associate professor of pastoral theology at the Christi School of Theology, Rev. Rynearson provides instruction on pastoral care and theology. He also has expertise in ethics and bioethics, having served in the past as a member of the American Society of Bioethics and Humanities. He is an active speaker on end-of-life issues at South Dakota Lutherans For Life workshops, and his primary calling is serving a tri-point parish in Brookings, Flandreau and White, South Dakota.
Education:
- S.T.M. Concordia Seminary (1995)
- M.Div. Concordia Seminary (1985)
- B.A. Concordia College - Ann Arbor (1981)
Meet Professor Rynearson:
Jonathan Sorum
Dr. Sorum holds MDiv. and Th.D. degrees from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN. After teaching systematic theology in an adjunct capacity at Luther Seminary, he taught full time at the Evangelical Theological Faculty in Bratislava, Slovakia from 2000 to 2006, and is now a professor of systematic and historical theology here at the Christ School of Theology. He also has served as the Institute of Lutheran Theology's Dean of Academic Affairs, as a part of editorial teams such as that of Promissio journal, and as head of the Doctor of Ministry program here at ILT's Christ School of Theology. Aside from his academic career, Dr. Sorum has served in pastoral ministry for over 20 years.
Education:
- Th.D. Luther Seminary (1994)
- M.Th. Luther Seminary (1985)
- M.Div. Luther Seminary (1980)
- B.A. University of North Dakota (1976)
Meet Dr. Sorum:
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Distinguished Professors and Research Fellows
Erik Herrmann
Dr. Herrmann is an accomplished historian and professor with an extensive experience in higher education. He is internationally recognized for his research, writing prolifically on Luther, Lutheran Theology, and the Reformation. His work as an editor and as a author includes many articles, such as “Luther’s Divine Aeneid: Continuity and Creativity in Reforming the Use of the Bible,” in Lutherjahrbuch and "Breathed Through Silver: C. S. Lewis and the Truth of Beauty" in Concordia Journal, as well as books such as The Babylonian Captivity of the Church, 1520: The Annotated Luther, and From Wittenberg to the World: Essays on the Reformation and Its Legacy in Honor of Robert Kolb. In the past, he has served as a professor of historical theology at Concordia Seminary, St Louis, MO and as the Director of the Center for Reformation Research. He also has pastoral experience, working as an assistant pastor of Timothy Lutheran Church, St. Louis. He teaches historical theology at the Christ School of Theology with a particular emphasis on Reformation studies and the history of exegesis.
Education:
- Ph. D. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (2005)
- M. Div. Concordia Seminary, St. Louis (2000)
- B. A. Concordia University Wisconsin (1995)
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Paul Hinlicky
Paul R. Hinlicky is a Lutheran theologian and prolific author of about a dozen books, including works such as Lutheran Theology: A Critical Introduction, Divine Simplicity: Christ the Crisis of Metaphysics, and Before Auschwitz: What Christian Theology Must Learn from the Rise of Nazism. He has served congregations in New York and Virginia and is an eagerly anticipated speaker at church events and academic conferences alike. After 22 years of service, he retired from Roanoke College as the Tise Professor of Lutheran Theology. He is still an active scholar, cohosting the podcast Queen of the Sciences: Conversations between a Theologian and Her Dad with his daughter Sarah Hinlicky Wilson and teaching courses in historical and systematic theology here are the Christ School of Theology in addition to his writing. In his spare time, he farms on a piece of once exhausted, now renewing mountain soil in southwestern Virginia.
Education:
- Ph.D. Union Theological Seminary (1983)
- M.Div. Christ Seminary – Seminex (1978)
- B.A. Concordia Senior College (1974)
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Robert Kolb
Dr. Kolb is internationally recognized for his teaching and prolific writing. He has taught across five continents, including teaching for many years at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri where he is a professor emeritus of Systematic Theology. His extensive body of work has made him a world-renowned authority on Martin Luther and the history of the Reformation, including authoring or editing over thirty books and earning multiple advanced degrees (such as his Ph. D from the University of Wisconsin Madison and honorary degrees from prestigious institutions like Valparaiso University and Slovak Comenius University in Bratislava). He has served in many scholarly positions throughout his career as editor, co-editor, and board member; for example, he was a long-time member of the Continuation Committee of the International Congress for Luther Research and served as president of the 2022 fourteenth International Congress on Luther Research.
Education:
- Ph.D., M.A. University of Wisconsin Madison (1973)
- S.T.M., M.Div. Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis (1968)
- B.A. Concordia Senior College, Fort Wayne, Indiana (1963)
Mark Mattes
Dr. Mark Mattes is a distinguished scholar and pastor. His extensive resume includes authoring many books such as Martin Luther’s Theology of Beauty and The Role of Justification in Contemporary Theology, co-authoring Imaging the Journey, and co-editing a collection of Gerhard Forde's theological essays entitled A More Radical Gospel and The Preached God. He also has served multiple parishes and has served on the Continuation Committee of the International Luther Congress.
Education:
- Ph. D. The University of Chicago
- M. Div. Luther Seminary
- B. A. St. Olaf College
- A. A. Waldorf College
Dennis Ngien
Dr. Ngien brings a wealth of theological experience to the Christ School of Theology encompassing (but not limited to) prolific scholarship as well as mentoring those in professional ministry. Dr. Ngien's authorship includes books (such as Grace and Law in Galatians: Justification in Luther and Calvin, Paragon of Excellence: Luther's Sermons on I Peter, and Luther as a Spiritual Adviser: The Interface of Theology and Piety in Luther's Devotional Writings) and scholarship in theological journals (such as the International Journal of Systematic Theology and the Scottish Bulletin of Evangelical Theology). His writing is on-going, including a book entitled God's Most Earnest Purpose and Luther's Trinitarian Grammar of Faith in Luther set to release in 2026 from Fortress Press. He has many years of experience in teaching in higher education and was previously the Alister E. McGrath Chair of Christian Thought & Spirituality at Tyndale University, in Toronto, Canada.
Education:
- Ph.D. St. Michael’s College (1993)
- S.T.M. Lutheran Theological Seminary (1988)
- M. Div. Lutheran Theological Seminary (1986)
- M. Christian Studies Canadian Theological Seminary (1984)
- B.A. University of Saskatchewan (1981)
Andrea Vestrucci
Dr. Vestrucci is a scholar with a broad and interdisciplinary background in computational metaphysics, ethics, formal logic, and artificial intelligence. His research addresses ethical and epistemological challenges in artificial intelligence, the application of formal logic to philosophical and theological arguments, belief modeling, and the intersection of language, logic, and religion. He is the author of Digital Sapiens (Castelvecchi, 2024), Beyond Babel: Religion and Linguistic Pluralism (Springer, 2023), and Theology as Freedom: On Martin Luther's 'De Servo Arbitrio' (Mohr Siebeck, 2019). Dr. Vestrucci has extensive experience in higher education, including his current appointment at the University of Bamberg (Germany) in AI Systems Engineering. Previously, he served as a professor of logic and ethics at the Federal University of Ceará (Brazil) and as a researcher at the University of California Berkeley. He has held several visiting professorships at institutions such as the IMT School for Advanced Study (Italy), the Department of Logic at Nikolaus Copernicus University (Poland), and the University of Münster (Germany). Dr. Vestrucci is a Laureate of the Academic Society of Geneva (Switzerland) and a recipient of the Australia Award (Ministry of Innovation and Research). Beyond academia, he has also served as a Lutheran pastor.
Education:
- Ph.D. University of Geneva (2017)
- Ph.D. University of Lille and University of Milan (2009)
- B.A. University of Milan (2005)
Learn more:
Adjunct Faculty
Steven Hein
Pastoral &
Systematic Theology
Beth Hoeltke
Systematic &
Doctrinal Theology
Historical Theology &
German language
David Knefelkamp
Biblical Theology &
New Testament Greek
Timothy Swenson
Pastoral Theology
Discover Our Programs
Earn your degree online at your own pace with the option to continue working your full-time job and fulfilling your daily obligations.
All of our classes are held in an online format. We meet in virtual classrooms via Microsoft Teams. Christ School of Theology students and faculty are able to interact with one another, hold open discussions, ask questions and engage the learning process just as if they were in a normal classroom.
Click through the tabs to learn more about the programs we offer at Christ School of Theology.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Ministry
Master of Sacred Theology
Master of Divinity
Master of Chaplain Ministry
Master of Ministry
Master of Arts
Academic Calendar
| JUL 25 | Deadline for Early Registration |
| AUG 22 | Classes Begin |
| SEP 2 | Labor Day (No Classes) |
| SEP 6 | Last Day to Add/Drop |
| NOV 1 | Last Day to Withdraw |
| NOV 28-29 | Thanksgiving Break (No Classes) |
| DEC 9 | Last Day of Classes |
| DEC 10-16 | Finals Week |
| DEC 23 | Final Grades Submitted to Registrar |
| DEC 12 | Deadline for Early Registration |
| JAN 2 | Classes Begin |
| JAN 9 | Last Day to Add/Drop |
| JAN 16 | Last Day to Withdraw |
| JAN 22 | Last Day of Classes/Finals |
| JAN 29 | Final Grades Submitted to Registrar |
| JAN 2 | Deadline for Early Registration |
| JAN 23 | Classes Begin |
| FEB 14 | Last Day to Add/Drop |
| APR 11 | Last Day to Withdraw |
| APR 17 | Maundy Thursday (No Classes) |
| APR 18 | Good Friday (No Classes) |
| MAY 9 | Last Day of Classes |
| MAY 12-16 | Finals Week |
| MAY 23 | Final Grades Submitted to Registrar |
| MAY 12 | Deadline for Early Registration |
| JUN 2 | Classes Begin |
| JUN 6 | Last Day to Add/Drop |
| JUL 4 | Independence Day (No Classes) |
| JUL 25 | Last Day of Classes/Finals |
| AUG 1 | Final Grades Submitted to Registrar |
Academic Calendar
| JUL 25 | Deadline for Early Registration |
| AUG 22 | Classes Begin |
| SEP 2 | Labor Day (No Classes) |
| SEP 6 | Last Day to Add/Drop |
| NOV 1 | Last Day to Withdraw |
| NOV 28-29 | Thanksgiving Break (No Classes) |
| DEC 9 | Last Day of Classes |
| DEC 10-16 | Finals Week |
| DEC 23 | Final Grades Submitted to Registrar |
| DEC 12 | Deadline for Early Registration |
| JAN 2 | Classes Begin |
| JAN 9 | Last Day to Add/Drop |
| JAN 16 | Last Day to Withdraw |
| JAN 22 | Last Day of Classes/Finals |
| JAN 29 | Final Grades Submitted to Registrar |
| JAN 2 | Deadline for Early Registration |
| JAN 23 | Classes Begin |
| FEB 14 | Last Day to Add/Drop |
| APR 11 | Last Day to Withdraw |
| APR 17 | Maundy Thursday (No Classes) |
| APR 18 | Good Friday (No Classes) |
| MAY 9 | Last Day of Classes |
| MAY 12-16 | Finals Week |
| MAY 23 | Final Grades Submitted to Registrar |
| MAY 12 | Deadline for Early Registration |
| JUN 2 | Classes Begin |
| JUN 6 | Last Day to Add/Drop |
| JUL 4 | Independence Day (No Classes) |
| JUL 25 | Last Day of Classes/Finals |
| AUG 1 | Final Grades Submitted to Registrar |
Request More Information
Please message us if you have any questions or are interested in applying to Christ School of Theology.
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Accreditation
The Institute of Lutheran Theology has fully-credentialed faculty members and a complete staff to serve students and faculty. The Institute provides a quality theological education equal or superior to that of any graduate seminary. The Institute of Lutheran Theology has been accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the Association for Biblical Higher Education to grant degrees at the Master’s and Doctoral levels.
Address: 5850 T.G. Lee Blvd., Ste. 130, Orlando, FL 32822
Telephone: (407) 207-0808
Christ School of Theology of the Institute of Lutheran Theology is accredited by the Commission on Accrediting of The Association of Theological Schools (www.ats.edu) and is approved to offer the following degrees Master of Divinity, Master of Arts (academic), Master of Ministry (professional), Master of Chaplain Ministries (professional), Master of Sacred Theology, Doctor of Ministry, and Doctor of Philosophy*.
*In June 2024, the ATS Board of Commissioners approved the seminary’s PhD and approved a five-year experiment to offer this degree through a reduced residency of synchronous online courses.
Address: 10 Summit Park Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1110
Telephone: (412) 788-6505
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