Dr. John G. Nordling, CTS Fort Wayne

For service at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Pretoria, South Africa

8 – 17 April 2019

I had the privilege of teaching 1 Peter (the entire letter) for nearly two weeks (8 – 17 April 2019) at Lutheran Theological Seminary, Pretoria, South Africa.  Instruction consisted of 3 hours per morning, with time out for Chapel at 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.  Another instructor, Dr. Elliott Sithole (a LCSA pastor), taught a second three-hour class (Jeremiah) to the same students in the afternoon.  This time I taught 17 students in toto, from the following African nations: Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa, Congo, Zambia, and Sudan.  Due to financial and accreditation challenges, there were again no incoming (year 1) students—the second year in a row this has happened; hence, most of the students were years 3 and 4 (there were no deaconess students).  The Greek of 1 Peter is extremely challenging, as anyone knows who can read the Greek NT; hence, I projected the Greek text onto a wall with an LED projector and worked through the entirety of 1 Peter textually and exegetically.  Another difficulty with the letter is that the Greek sentences are very long and involved (periodic style) and there are many “echoes” (i.e., allusions) to earlier scriptural texts—either to the Septuagint (Psalms, Proverbs, Isaiah), or to Matthew’s gospel (the writer of 1 Peter claims to be a “witness of the sufferings of Christ,” 1 Pet 5:1).  I had not taught 1 Peter before, and really felt that this text might be beyond the ability of the students.  Quite to my surprise, however, the students “took” to the letter and grew therein.  There were many questions about issues the letter takes up—and a kind of African fascination in intertextuality (many of the students are quite accustomed to African proverbs, of which there are many).  Hence, I feel that the class was an unexpected success and grounded them in such Petrine themes as purity/holiness, the sufferings of Christ, the sufferings of being a Christian, the grace of God, joy, the work of the Spirit in Word and Sacrament, the church as the new people of God, trust of God in daily circumstances, and the office of the holy ministry.  I gave 7 daily quizzes, had a two-page 1 Peter Assignment Sheet for them to complete during the one weekend I was there, and a final exam to write on the last day of the class.  Deb Wolf, manager of the CTSFW Bookstore, got me a good deal on a very fine exegetical commentary geared to the needs of these students—namely, Wayne A. Grudem, 1 Peter (Tyndale New Testament Commentaries; Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1988).  My budget permitted me to buy this commentary for all 17 of the students, and I often resorted to using it in class when I ran out of my own things to say.

Here are the assignments I expected from each student in the 1 Peter class:

7 quizzes         (approx. 1 quiz per day)                               50%

Assignment Sheet on Grudem (due over the weekend)      20%

Class participation (attendance, questions)                         10%

Final Exam                                                                             20%

Total                                                                                      100 pts possible

In addition to teaching the two week intensive Rector Rev. Carlos Winterle requested my preaching at Chapel during the 10:00 a.m. services on 11 and 16 April.  The first Sunday (17 April) I worshipped at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, just two blocks from the seminary on Arcadia Street (Rev. Martin Paul), and the second Sunday (14 April) I worshipped at the Lutheran congregation that assembles at the seminary Chapel (Rev. Nathan Nthambo).  My time in South Africa concluded greater travels to Sweden (20-28 February) and Nigeria (4 March – 5 April); so I have been gone for 8 weeks (2 months!), which is a long time to be away from home.  This time around I lived with Professor Sithole in renovated lodging on the seminary campus, taking breakfast and lunch prepared for me and the students by Mrs. Emily Ngubeni, whose husband Aaron is the seminary driver who brings visitors to and from the airport.  Dr. Karl Boehmer’s family had me over for dinner on Sunday 7 April, and Dr. Carlos Winterle hosted us for dinner on Tuesday 16 April.  Indeed, I enjoyed getting to know the new Rector (Dr. Winterle) better this time around (most of last year he was in Mozambique).  Though the seminary finances are still dire, Drs. Winterle and Boehmer seem to be a good team as they attend to the daily operations of the seminary and live faithfully one day at a time.  The need for seminary accreditation is still pressing, although lately it seems as though the University of Pretoria is not as willing to form a partnership with the seminary as they once were.

Finally, I would like to express my gratitude to Drs. Boehmer and Winterle, for their hospitality, and for the invitation to teach 1 Peter this time around.  This is my 11^th teaching trip to South Africa and every year it seems I know a little more than the previous year.  Indeed, I have just become the doctoral father of the Rev. John Nkambule, an instructor at LTS, and so shall mentor him in his studies over this next academic year (2019-2020).  Another couple that had me over to their place for wonderful German cuisine was Rev. and Mrs. Guenther Hohls, who was a pastor in the FELSISA until his retirement.  It is vital that the LCMS continue to support LTS with our offerings and prayers, even as we respond to dramatic requests for assistance elsewhere.  I welcome this opportunity to have served the Lord and his church by teaching at LTS in April 2019 and hope, by God’s grace, to return to teach next year in April or May.

Sincerely,

Dr. John G. Nordling

Professor of Exegetical Theology

Concordia Theological Seminary

6600 N. Clinton Street

Fort Wayne, IN 46815

USA

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Copies of the Good News Magazine were distributed to LTS students on October 11, 2019. The students were delighted to receive the colourful publication and to learn how to read it. The seminary is very grateful to Rev. Dr. Wallace Schulz for donating the magazines. Thank you, Dr. Schulz!

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After a number of plants were donated to the LTS following the successful completion of the recent construction projects, LTS students gathered on the seminary grounds together with Rector Dr. Walter Winterle for a gardening day. They were joined by LTS resident Prof. Stefan Gruner. Together, the volunteers prepared the flower beds along the edges of the new campus paving and then planted the donated plants. We trust that the efforts of these dedicated volunteers will soon “bear fruit” for the beautification of the LTS grounds!

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For two weeks, the LTS had the privilege of hosting Prof. Dr. John T. Pless and Rev. Michael J. Roth from the LCMS, who provided our students with instruction in the form of two-week intensive classes. These called for a great deal of concentration and hard work on the part of both students and lecturers, but all who participated agreed that the time was well spent. In this way, our gracious guests supplemented the LTS curriculum and helped fill some gaps in the learning provided. Dr. Pless taught on Luther’s Catechism: Table of Duties (Vocation) and Confession&Absolution, while Rev. Roth taught on the practice of mission and evangelism. Our students benefited greatly from the expertise and experience of these very capable servants of the Lord. Thank you, Dr. Pless and Rev. Roth! And thank you to your congregations and supporters who made it possible for you to come.

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Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. Ps. 121:4

On Wednesday evening, 7 August 2019, shortly before 7PM, residents of the LTS campus living in and around Schulz House (named after Rev. Georg Schulz, first bishop of the Lutheran Church of Southern Africa) noticed a sudden incursion of water through the ceiling of the main living room and one of the bedrooms. There are currently two married theology students living in Schulz House with their families. These families had retired for the evening when the calm was suddenly interrupted by large amounts of water soaking through the ceiling. The water heater for Schulz House is located above the ceiling, and it appears that the heater had sprung a leak. Water began cascading into the rooms below as the students scrambled to get the water supply shut off. Living in the guest room just across from the house, visiting instructor Rev. Michael Roth from St. Joseph, MI in the USA went over to help immediately when he noticed the commotion. The problem of the leaking water heater was exacerbated by the fact that the electrical wiring of Schulz House was in need of repairs and on the seminary’s to-do list for imminent maintenance. The combination of gushing water and aging wiring caused the power in the building to trip the fuses (breakers), thus interrupting the power supply. At the same time, the wiring began to short out. Soon, a smell of smoldering electrics began to permeate the building as well.

Student representative Dumisani Mokobedi decided to alert the fire and emergency services of the City of Tshwane. At the same time, LTS faculty members were contacted and informed of the problem. The water supply was quickly shut off, though a great deal of water had already leaked through the ceiling. Meanwhile, however, students and guests detected a glow through the eaves of the roof – it appeared that an electrical fire had begun to burn the roof joists above the waterlogged ceiling. The building was immediately evacuated as smoke emanated from the roof of Schulz House.

The city’s fire department reacted with commendable haste. They promptly dispatched fire trucks and emergency personnel to the LTS campus. Within a few minutes, Arcadia street was blocked off and firefighters ran hoses to the scene. By this time, a fire could be seen in the attic of Schulz House. After turning off the power supply, firefighters quickly broke through the waterlogged ceiling and directed their nozzles at the flames. In this way, the fire was prevented from spreading and soon extinguished. After confirming that the danger was over and the fire was out completely, the firefighters departed as quickly as they had come.

What remained was – in short – a mess. It was immediately obvious that the house had suffered considerable damage and was now uninhabitable. The two students – Pierre Shukuru (hailing from Harrismith, South Africa and with roots in the Democratic Republic of Congo) and Chernet Arifecho (from Ethiopia) – and their families were able to find other rooms on campus for the night, and neither they nor their loved ones sustained any injuries or health impairments. Thanks be to God, who keeps His own and neither slumbers nor sleeps! The same cannot be said for the property of the students, however. Waterlogged furniture and effects were strewn across the rooms, covered by soggy ceiling boards and bits of plaster. Clothing and personal items were soaked, and a strong smell of smoke permeated the rooms and remaining furniture. The immediate needs were soon taken care of as the seminary community pulled together and provided assistance wherever possible, some helping to provide bedding, others helping to take care of frightened children, and yet others providing moral support. The seminary community gathered for a reading of Psalm 121 and for prayer next to Schulz House, giving thanks to the Lord God for His protection and care of life and limb. Then the next immediate problem for the night presented itself: The fire and water problems in Schulz House had also impaired the power supply to the newly renovated guest rooms, meaning that Rev. Roth was now without power and water as well. Alternative accommodation was soon found for the night, but the power and water supply to the guest house will need to be restored as soon as possible.

The exact cause of the fire is not yet known and must still be ascertained. A safety inspector from the fire department is expected during the course of day, as are assessors from teh insurance company. Further details will be provided soon. As for the extent of damage and the need for repairs, this is also being investigated at present.

Undaunted by the events of the night, the seminary students and their visiting professors are back in class today, and mop-up operations are underway.

Help would be appreciated in the form of donations for repairs, of clothing and personal items for the two student families, and of course in the form of prayers to the Lord God. If you would like to give a donation in the US, a number of options are available. Our good friends and partners in Christ at the Saint Philip Lutheran Mission Society graciously facilitate donations and guarantee that 100% of any donated funds are used for the intended purpose.

You may use most bank cards to make a donation via PayPal, or you can use Amazon Smile, direct your Thrivent Choice Dollars, or make checks payable to Saint Philip Lutheran Mission Society and send them to:

Saint Philip Lutheran Mission Society
c/o Rev. Anthony Oliphant, Redeemer Lutheran Church
345 S Kenilworth Ave.
​Elmhurst, IL 60126

If you would prefer to wire funds directly to the LTS, our South African bank account details are as follows:

Bank: ABSA

Account type: Current account

Account number: 860510030

Branch Code: 632005

Swift Code: ABSA ZA JJ

Bank Address: ABSA Enterprise Business, Campus Building, 1102 Burnett Street, Hatfield, 0083 South Africa

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In May, the Lutheran Church of Southern Africa (LCSA) offered a workshop for lay preachers, deaconesses, and LTS students, led by Dr. John Messmann (LCMS – Fort Worth, TX, USA) on the theme “Called by the Gospel: To Christ – for the World. The workshop was hosted by and took place at the LTS. LCSA church workers from Newcastle (KZN), the North-West Province, and Gauteng Diocese attended the workshop. LCSA Bishop M. Maragelo preached at the divine service of the ELC congregation Arcadia at the conclusion of the workshop.

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For the second time, caring health workers from a nearby government clinic kindly came to the LTS campus and dedicated more of their time to provide health checkups and tests free of charge to the LTS community. They tested for such afflictions as diabetes, high blood pressure, and HIV, and also provided information with regard to treatment or improvement where necessary. In our desire to ensure the health of our students, we are very grateful for these tests and the healthcare received.

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Qualified and obviously experienced health workers from the nearby government clinic kindly came to the LTS campus and dedicated time to provide health checkups and tests free of charge to the LTS students and staff. They tested for such afflictions as diabetes, high blood pressure, and HIV, and students were invited to go to the clinic for free Tuberculosis tests as well. In our desire to ensure the health of our students, we are very grateful for these tests and the treatment being administered where needed.

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