About the Seminary
The Seminary of the Australian Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) provides theological education and training for candidates of the Office of the Public Ministry, and also for training and education of mature-aged laymen, laywomen, church workers and the like. Graduation from the Seminary of the AELC is in line with The Rules of the Australian Evangelical Lutheran Church and is recognised by the AELC and its member-congregations. Degrees, diplomas, and certificates from the Seminary of the AELC are not accredited or recognised by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA). Degrees and certificates from the Seminary of the AELC are only recognised by bodies that will accept students by their own freedom, for these degrees are not recognised otherwise, and they are not recognised or accredited internationally. All instruction given in the Seminary of the AELC is in harmony with the Confessional basis of the AELC.
Furthermore, the Seminary of the AELC works with Walther Theological Seminary (WTS) to help prepare students for study. More information can be found at https://waltherseminary.org/
To inquire about courses and information related to study, please Contact Us.
The Seminary Committee
The Seminary of the Australian Evangelical Lutheran Church is comprised of a Seminary Committee. Each member-congregation of the AELC elects one male voting representative to the Seminary Committee. For more information regarding the Seminary Committee, please see The Seminary Committee of the AELC.
All office-bearers of the various committees of the AELC, including the Seminary Committee, shall be seen as servants of the congregations that they serve, and not lords or masters. The AELC strives to have no hierarchy or degrees of status and superiority among the laymen or among the pastors of the AELC.
To inquire about courses and information related to study, please Contact Us.
General Outline of Courses
A student studying for the ministry will complete subjects under the following five key areas: (1) Languages, (2) Systematics, (3) Practical Theology, (4) Exegetical, and (5) Historical. While there are standard courses within each key area, the specifications of the course can be tailored to meet individual student needs.
Purpose of the Seminary and Seminary Committee
The primary objective of the Seminary and the Seminary Committee is to provide for the education of candidates for the public ministry of the Australian Evangelical Lutheran Church, and to be responsible for it.
The secondary objective is to provide theological training for mature-aged pastoral students, teachers, laymen and church workers.
The Seminary Logo and Its Meaning
The Logo of the Seminary of the Australian Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) reflects the two fundamental doctrines of Scripture, Law and Gospel. These two doctrines are the foundation for understanding Scripture correctly. The Law teaches us what we are to do and not to do, and the Gospel teaches us what God has done and still does in Jesus for our salvation, as St John says in his Gospel, chapter 1 verse 17, “For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.” The Law shows us our sin and the wrath of God “since through the law comes knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). The Gospel shows us our Saviour and brings God’s grace and favour, as “the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
In Australia, this message of Law and Gospel must also be proclaimed, so that all nations may hear the message of Christ crucified for their sins, so that they too may come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. As such, the logo of the Seminary uses the official Australian colours of green and gold. Along with the southern cross in the dark blue night sky, which is represented in the colour of the cross, these show that the message of Law and Gospel – that Christ has been crucified on a cross for our sins and has taken our punishment so that all who believe might have everlasting life – must also be preached to all those underneath the southern cross, all those in Australia. The cross represents our salvation, which is won through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
The open Bible with the quote “rightly dividing the Word of truth” from 2 Timothy 2:15 reflects the understanding that God’s Word of Truth must be properly divided, “cut in half”, understood and applied, so that each person may receive what is needed at the right time. Observing this distinction between Law and Gospel correctly is essential, otherwise, these two doctrines are confused, and the Gospel is changed into Law, robbing disturbed consciences of the comfort of Christ, or the Law is changed into Gospel, and thus only confirms self-righteous people in their arrogance and sin. Accordingly, all workers of the ministry and most especially those studying for the Office of the Public Ministry – for this Seminary aims to raise up more pastors for this Office – must be trained and prepared to rightly divide God’s Word between Law and Gospel, and to learn the truth of Scripture and distinguish it from error, heeding the warning in Galatians 5:9 to keep the entire truth of God’s Word without error.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling [dividing] the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Further information about The Seminary of the Australian Evangelical Lutheran Church can be read in The Rules of the Australian Evangelical Lutheran Church. A physical copy can be requested by Contacting Us.