Courses

Instructor: Robert Fleischmann

Description:
This course examines "things I need to know and hope I never encounter." Today, members of the church can hire someone to carry a pregnancy for them. In some states, they can receive a prescription with instructions on how to end their life. In the not-too-distant-future, church members will be invited to select superior qualities they desire to be programmed into their offspring. Yet, some of this technology offers the hope of children for the childless, cure for some incurable maladies, and pain relief and normalcy in lieu of suffering. This course will explore the bioethical challengers facing the members of our congregations today and look ahead to challenges on the horizon. We will look at the "hacking, hatching, and hijacking of human life" within the light of Scripture, with practical application for pastors and future pastors.

During Winterim 2026, this course runs from 9:50am–12:30pm, January 5–9, 2026.

Please note: In 2026, most STM classes are offered only one week and will be separate from the MDiv students' Winterim courses (see schedule for details). Also offered again for 2026, pastors have the option to audit a course instead of taking a course for credit. Check out the Winterim schedule! Room and board will be available for $250 (dorm room plus 14 meals in the cafeteria).

Registration will be available in the Student Information System (SIS) beginning September 8, 2025 and closes December 8, 2025. Use the "Login with Office 365 button" once you've received a student account and are logged in to Microsoft 365 with that student account. Need an account? Request one here.

When you've reached the "cart" during registration, there you will have the option to add the tuition fee to take the course for credit (the default registration is an audit).

WLS has been granted accreditation with ATS; therefore, the email domain has been changed from firstname.lastname@wisluthsem.org to firstname.lastname@wls.edu. Please use the new email domain to log in to Microsoft 365 and access WLS-related websites (e.g., Library Resources, SIS, SemNet).

Step-by-step instructions are provided here for all parts of the account setup and registration process.

Financial assistance is also available for those taking courses for credit. If your congregation is paying for your tuition, please submit a financial aid request form with that information so you may receive the tuition discount.

Area of Study: Pastoral Care
Tuition: $600
Course Number: PT7028
Course Credits: 1.5