TLHP 05 Lutherans, Race, and Black Institutions with Matthew Barrasso

The Lutheran History Podcast

Pastor Borrasso’s presentation on the 2019 decision to close Concordia, Selma and other historically Black Lutheran institutions at the 2020 Lutheran Historical Conference could hardly be called disinterested history! He examined the history of Black ministry in the LC-MS and identified a pattern and foundation that has very real implications for the present and very recent past. He offered a critique of current leadership and actions. Meanwhile, the purpose of TLHP is to examine Lutheran History, without diving headfirst into discussion of current events, issues, and controversy. However, many would argue that the study of history should not be an end itself. While we will focus today primarily on the history of Black educational institutions in the LC-MS, we will not ignore Pastor Borrasso’s opinions on how that history impacts the present. For today’s episode, I asked my friend, Pastor Scott Henrich, who researched and wrote a thesis on Race and the Lutheran Pastor, to offer some feedback and suggestions for today’s conversation. You can read Scott’s thesis via the WLS essay file online.

Guest introduction: Our guest today, Pastor Matt Borrasso, was born and raised in the Chicago area where was baptized and received a Lutheran education in his childhood years. He has received degrees from Concordia University, Chicago, Northern Seminary in Lombard, IL, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, United Lutheran Seminary, Gettysburg PA, and has recently begun his PhD. work at the University of Birmingham in the UK. Among his works is the book The Art of Exegesis: An Analysis of the Life and Work of Martin Hans Franzmann published by Wipf & Stock in Eugene, Oregon. Pastor Borrasso is currently the pastor at Redeemer Evangelical Lutheran Church in Parkton, Maryland where he lives with his wife, Holly, and two children.
For Reference:
LCMS Convention Concordia College Alabama’s Closure Session: “July 24 2019 - Afternoon Session Part 1” YouTube video, 2:59:57–3:01:31, posted by The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod, July 29, 2019, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtWq-NUChZ4&list=PLDu0iVoFL_d4CTqtlAVoHUqHVsfbHhsnZ&index=15&t=9268s

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• About the Host
  • Benjamin Phelps is a 2014 graduate from Martin Luther College with a Bachelor of Arts with a German emphasis. From there went on to graduate from Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary in 2018.
    Ben loves all things history and enjoys traveling. A descendant of over a dozen Lutheran pastors, Ben has an interest in his family roots, especially 19th-century Lutheranism, and has written several papers and journal articles on the topic. His 2018 thesis on Wyneken won the John Harrison Ness award and the Abdel Ross Wentz prize. He is also the recipient of two awards of commendation from the Concordia Historical Institute.
    Ben is currently a doctoral student in historical theology through Concordia Seminary's reduced residency program in St. Louis.