Mark Braun
Professor of Theology

Education

B.A., Northwestern College, Watertown, Wis., 1974
M.Div., Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., 1978
S.T.M., Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wis., 1992
Ph.D., Historical theology, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, 2000

Personal

married to Sue; four grown children in a blended family

Service

Vicar, Faith Lutheran Church, Anchorage, Alaska, summer 1975
Vicar, Peace Lutheran Church, Eagle River, Alaska, 1976-77
Associate pastor, Grace Lutheran Church, St. Joseph, Mich., 1978-83
Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church, Sparta, Wis., 1983-87
Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee, 1987-present

Courses Taught

THE 101 The Old Testament. A study of the history of God’s people before the time of Christ by means of a thorough investigation of the historical books of the Old Testament, together with an introductory overview of other types of Old Testament literature.
THE 102 The New Testament. A study of the life and work of Jesus Christ as well as the development of the early New Testament church. Representative readings in the Gospels, the New Testament letters and the Revelation to John provide a framework for understanding God’s New Testament message.
THE 105 Introduction to Theology. The primary goals of this course are to give students a working knowledge of the themes, history, key figures, and salvation history in the Old and New Testaments, and an introduction to the basic teachings of the Christian faith.
THE 110 Introduction to Theology. A study of the basic principles of Christian theology in the confessional Lutheran tradition, including surveys of biblical, historical, systematic, and applied theology.
THE 301 The Book of Genesis. An in-depth study of the first book of the Bible as a foundation for Old Testament history and biblical theology. Primary emphasis on God’s saving activity on behalf of the primeval human race. Patriarchal personalities will be examined, theological themes explored, and comparative ancient history and culture discussed.
THE 302 History of Israel. A study of the historical books of the Old Testament, with special attention to the formation of the nation of Israel. Major Old Testament themes will be explored and examined, particularly the development of Israel’s Messianic expectations.
THE 305 The Literature of the Intertestamental Period. Selected readings in non-canonical Jewish literature during the so-called “silent years” between the end of the Old Testament and the birth of Jesus Christ. Attention will be given to global history during this period, the development of first century Judaism, and Messianic expectations in Israel up to the time of Christ.
THE 351 Topics: Biblical Hebrew. An introduction to Hebrew vocabulary, grammatical forms, and syntax, in preparation for reading the Hebrew Old Testament.
THE 351 Modern American Religion. A study of events, movements and personalities in American religious life since World War II. The course will feature the reading primary texts, in-class conversations, and writing reflective essays.
THE 421 Religion in America. An examination of the major Christian denominations, religious movements and non-Christian beliefs in the United States. Subject material will be studied for its historical development, distinctive doctrinal characteristics, and impact on American history and culture. Contemporary religious issues will be analyzed and evaluated from a confessional Lutheran perspective.
THE 431 Introduction to World Religions. Historical background on the life and teachings of the founders, major beliefs, and ritual practices of the major world religions, as well as critical religious and ethical issues facing each religious system at the present. Material will be analyzed and evaluated from a confessional Lutheran perspective.

Research and Service

Author, The People’s Bible Commentary on Deuteronomy, Northwestern Publishing House; available www.nph.net
Author, A Tale of Two Synods, Northwestern Publishing House; available www.nph.net
Author, articles about the YMCA, Adventists, Seventh Day Adventism, and Twentieth Century Christianity, in The Encyclopedia of Christian Civilization, Blackwell Publishers, London
Author of study notes for Deuteronomy and Judges for the The Lutheran Study Bible, Concordia Publishing House
Author of the Concordia Commentary, Judges, forthcoming, Concordia Publishing House
Contributing author to The Northwestern Lutheran, Forward in Christ, Concordia Historical Institute Quarterly, WELS Historical Institute Journal, Wisconsin Lutheran Quarterly, Logia, the CHARIS journal, and other publications
Pulpit assistant, Grace Lutheran Church, Waukesha, Wis.
Past vice-president, National Board of Christian Life Resources
Past president, WELS Historical Institute board
Past president, Lutheran Historical Conference
Member, Concordia Historical Institute
Member, Evangelical Theological Society
Member, American Society of Church History