When conservative Lutherans in the United States began to operate their own school systems, they realized that they could not just find regular teachers, instruct them in a little Lutheran doctrine, and then expect them to be Lutheran teachers.<\/p>\n
So conservative Lutheran synods started teacher training colleges.\u00a0 The teachers in those colleges were called to think about what principles would make the best Lutheran classrooms in the U.S., and then tailor their instruction to put those principles into practice.<\/p>\n
Those teachers decided not to distinguish between secular subjects and religious subjects.\u00a0 \u201cEvery subject needs to be taught in the light of God\u2019s Word,\u201d they said.\u00a0 \u201cWe take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ\u201d (2 Corinthians 10:5).<\/p>\n
It is no simple matter to prepare to teach each subject in the light of God\u2019s Word.\u00a0 If students who want to be teachers did not grow up in Lutheran schools, the basic principles of every subject in school have to be relearned\u2014no simple process.<\/p>\n
Those early teachers in the American conservative Lutheran teacher colleges also decided that teachers are ministers of the gospel.\u00a0 That means that students who want to be Lutheran teachers in Lutheran classrooms of Lutheran schools need to learn how to apply law and gospel in the classroom and outside of it, with students and with their families.<\/p>\n
Ministers of the gospel, both pastors and teachers, know what an art the proper application of law and gospel is.\u00a0 \u00a0Martin Luther himself noted that if someone can rightly distinguish law and gospel and apply them appropriately, then the person should be given a doctor of theology degree.<\/p>\n
In a Lutheran classroom, law provides the structure for management.\u00a0 But the main point of the law structure is to be able to call a student to repentance, and then speak the gospel.\u00a0 The gospel of forgiveness of sins through faith in Jesus creates and strengthens saving faith, which is the most important thing in life.\u00a0 \u00a0What good will it be for students if they behave perfectly in class, and get 100% on every test, but forfeit their souls?\u00a0 A student who wants to be a Lutheran teacher in a Lutheran classroom in a Lutheran school has to learn and practice how to apply law and gospel\u2014no simple process.<\/p>\n
In order to survive, most conservative Lutheran teacher colleges have had to broaden their purpose and teach students also to teach in secular schools, where the basic principles of every subject are different, and where the point of using the law is not to give opportunities to speak the gospel.\u00a0 Don\u2019t misunderstand me:\u00a0 having Lutheran teachers in our secular schools is very valuable for our society.<\/p>\n
But we have a gift of grace among us in Martin Luther College, the WELS College of Ministry, where every student in the teacher track is thoroughly and single-mindedly learning the many necessary things for being a Lutheran teacher in a Lutheran classroom in a Lutheran school.<\/p>\n
We could find good conservative Lutheran people trained to teach in secular schools, and then try quickly to teach them how to teach every lesson in every subject with a biblical worldview, along with classroom management techniques rooted in the proper application of law and gospel.<\/p>\n
But as long as we are able, I prefer that we train our Lutheran teachers at Martin Luther College, in the best teacher preparation system we have for 21st century WELS schools.<\/p>\n
Written by Rev. Paul Prange. Paul is the administrator for WELS Ministerial Education. <\/em><\/p>\nShare this:<\/h3>