Cleaning House

Today I received this email from Luther Seminary President Rick Bliese.
_____________________________________

Students,

This announcement concerns Jim Nestingen and his retirement from Luther Seminary. If you would like the opportunity to find out more about this situation and ask questions about Professor Nestingen’s retirement, we will be holding two open sessions for students on Friday morning (tomorrow) from 8 to 9 AM (OCC Board Room) and Tuesday morning, February 21st from 8 to 9 AM (OCC Board Room). I hope that you will take the time and join the session.
Thank you for your prayers and support.

Pax,
Rick Bliese
__________________________________________________

On January 31, 2006, Dr. James Arne Nestingen announced his intention to retire as of January 31, 2006. Professor Nestingen offered his retirement as part of an effort to resolve some claimed interpersonal difficulties within the faculty. Luther Seminary has asked Professor Nestingen to continue to teach on a limited basis and direct graduate students as Professor Emeritus of Church History and he has agreed. Both Luther Seminary and Professor Nestingen are pleased to have arrived at a solution that enables the Seminary to take advantage of his skills as a theologian and gifts as a teacher.

In accepting Professor Nestingen’s decision to retire, while asking him to continue teaching, Luther Seminary emphasized that Professor Nestingen’s retirement is not due to any allegations of heresy or misconduct, sexual or otherwise. In addition, the Seminary did not ask Professor to retire or resign.

Rick Bliese
President
Luther Seminary

Jim Nestingen
Professor Emeritus of Church History
Luther Seminary
__________________________________________________

What’s up with the faculty? In January, Kelly Fryer left after not being able to comply with the sexual policies of the ELCA. Before classes even began this semester, Aaron and I heard rumors that Nestingen had been ask to leave Luther. It was hard to let Fryer leave, but it was her decision. Nestingen’s retirement, on the other hand, seems like a cleaning move by Bliese and the board. Nestingen didn't even write to the students, Bliese did. Why did he leave without the fanfare and praise he deserves right after rumors began? Fishy!

It’s no secret that Luther’s faculty is deeply divided. Many students would buy tickets to sit silently in the corner to watch the faculty go at each other. We know what the divide is. We know who is in which camp. We hear rumors and murmurs of faculty meetings, and faculty often walk into class on Thursday mornings with a smile to be with students and away from some of their colleagues. This news shocks those outside of Luther. Luther is a seminary after all and we should all be Minnesota nice and love each each other as God loves us. The truth is the discussions here are deep. We’re talking about God. We are talking about Martin Luther. How can debates and theological understand not lead to divisions? For now, the Pharisees are still at it. I have a feeling they always will be.