6.118: Martin Luther seems to be saying that God, in Jesus, died on the cross. But isn’t that heresy?

Mark likes to think of himself as a parish pastor at heart. He has spent almost ten years (1984-93) as a pastor at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota. It was a rich experience, full of struggle and joy. Even today as a teacher he tries to keep one eye on the parish pastor or lay leader when he talks about the Reformation or a theological topic. One of his favorite things to do is to visit congregations and lead adult forums. He does not want his scholarship to be divorced from the “real world” of the parish.

Mark retired in 2020 after twenty-five years of teaching at Augsburg University. That also was a good experience and he learned much from his Auggie students and colleagues. Following his “retirement” he was offered a full-time position in Reformation history and theology at Luther Seminary. Mark's academic interests are in Reformation sacramental theology and Luther’s doctrine of vocation in particular. He looks forward to introducing his students to the crazy idea that Luther picked up from Paul: God’s love for the unlovable.