Bernhardson Chair in Lutheran Studies

Darrell Jodock

Drell and Adeline Bernhardson
Distinguished Professor of Religion

The first endowed chair in Lutheran Studies at Gustavus (and the first at any college related to the Lutheran church) was established in 1996 by Drell and Adeline Berhardson. The Bernhardsons, parents of four Gustavus graduates, received the Greater Gustavus Award in 1997.

Darrell Jodock, the initial Bernhardson Professor, is a highly regarded scholar in the field of Lutheran studies and has a special interest in Lutheran higher education. Jodock considers himself to be an historical theologian and is interested in shaping the thinking of the Church today. His primary areas of teaching and research focus on Lutheran studies, religion in American culture, the Holocaust, the history of Christian thought, and Jewish-Christian relations.

Jodock loves to teach. He seeks to awaken an informed appreciation for religion, for Christianity in its various forms, and for the Christian heritage. He challenges students to think more deeply about their own tradition while at the same time learning to appreciate other denominations and other religions.

Author of numerous books and publications, Jodock earned a B.A. from St. Olaf, a B.D. from Luther Theological Seminary, and a Ph.D. from Yale.

Jodock served on the planning committee that developed the successful proposal to the Lilly Endowment to create the Center for Vocational Reflection at the College and played an important role in writing the $2 million request. He continues to serve the Center as a member of its Advisory Board.

"A college endows what is essential. By endowing a chair in Lutheran Studies, Gustavus has affirmed the centrality of its relation to the Lutheran tradition and the Lutheran community of faith."

Jodock Publications

Called to Serve Read Chapter 2 by Darrell Jodock.	Ritschl in Retrospect	Catholicism Contending with Modernity
The Church's Bible	John Updike and Religion	Covenantal Conversations

See some of Darrell Jodock's speeches