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Here at Concordia University Irvine's Christ College, you will study with exceptional theologians who are faithful to Scripture, dedicated to academic excellence, and engaged in Christian ministry.
Undergraduate Bible, Greek, and Latin courses
Scott Ashmon is Associate Senior Vice President and Provost and oversees the University's academic development and direction in accordance with the University's mission. Scott is also Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew. He has been at Concordia University Irvine since 2007 teaching undergraduate and graduate courses. From 2003-2007, he was Assistant Professor of Religion and Chair of the Religion Department at Concordia College in Bronxville, NY. Prior to that, he served as Assistant Pastor at Christ Lutheran Church in Cincinnati, OH for four years. Scott earned his B.A. from Concordia College in Portland, OR in 1992 and his M.Div. and S.T.M. from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, MO. He earned his Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion in 2010, where he specialized in the Hebrew Bible and the ancient Near East. He has published articles and books on topics related to the Old Testament and Lutheran higher education. He is a member of the Society of Concordia Theological Faculties and a board member of the Association for Core Texts and Courses and its Liberal Arts Institute. Scott and his family. Scott and his family are members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Irvine, CA.
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion, Cincinnati, OH, M.Phil., 2007, Ph.D, 2010; Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, S.T.M., 1998, M.Div., 1996; Concordia College, Portland, OR, B.A., 1992
Concordia University, Irvine, 1983-84 and since 1986.
Undergraduate Bible, theology, Greek, and Latin courses
Dr. Cari Chittick is the Director of Lutheran Teaching Programs and LCMS Placement and Associate Professor in the School of Education and Christ College. She specializes in equipping future educators with teaching instructional strategies for students of all abilities and connecting these practices also into multiple areas of ministry. Prior to joining Concordia, Dr. Chittick was the Director of Special Education and Director of Differentiated Instruction at Concordia University Texas. She has implemented and developed special education programs in higher education and Lutheran elementary schools.
Dr. Chittick has presented at various educators’ conferences along with serving teachers through faculty development on topics related to exceptional learners, special education, and teaching the faith.
Curriculum Vitae
Hi! I'm Rebecca Duport and I'm blessed to be called to serve my alma mater Concordia Irvine as an Assistant Professor and Director to the DCE Program of Christ College. Upon graduation from CUI in 1998, I've served Lutheran Churches as a Director of Christian Education (DCE) throughout the country (Idaho, Kentucky, Arkansas, Florida) in life-span education roles working with Children, Youth, Family, Older Adults. I cherish the relationships that God has allowed me the privilege to be a part of as a full-time DCE in His church for 16 years before coming to Concordia as a Professor in 2014. My service to the body of Christ also includes speaking at youth gatherings, conferences and leading training events for Family Friendly Partner's Network (FFPN). My husband Kyle and I enjoy spending time with our four boys and their events in scouting, sports and school.
Concordia University, Seward, Nebraska, M.S. 2010 Concordia University, Irvine, California, B.A. 1998
Undergraduate ministry courses
Reverend Eschelbach was a parish pastor for 15 years before teaching at Concordia University Chicago (14 years) and now Concordia University Irvine. The care of souls and love of truth are evident in his eagerness to help others find the answers they seek, especially answers to the most difficult questions. Professor Eschelbach invests himself in his students as he shows them how to search for the truth among the various witnesses God has provided, especially in the Bible but also in nature, reason, and common human experience. You may find evidence of Dr. Eschelbach’s work in his publications, public speaking, and recognition for exemplary teaching. Besides teaching and studies, Michael Eschelbach enjoys sailing, biking along Newport beach, and visiting the redwoods.
Undergraduate theology courses
Hi! My name is Mike Middendorf, a Professor of Theology. I am privileged to teach a wide of variety of courses related to the Bible (e.g. Old and New Testament, Greek and Hebrew, and many more!). It is a great opportunity to lead classes on three levels at one University! My favorite group to work with is our undergraduate students, but I also get to teach courses in the Master of Arts program and to seminarians studying here for many types of ethnic ministry. My home state is Minnesota and my college is a sister school of Concordia - Irvine, located in St. Paul, MN. After completing my pastor’s degree and a doctorate at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, I was a parish pastor at Concordia Lutheran Church in Jamestown, ND. Then I served as professor for 9 years at another sister Concordia, in Austin, TX, before coming to Irvine. Is that enough Concordia’s for you? Well, yet another Concordia, Concordia Publishing House, asked me to write a two-volume commentary on the book of Romans for their Concordia Commentary series. Volume one was published in 2013; volume two in 2016. I also co-authored the New Testament textbook used here and at other Concordias titled, Called by the Gospel. In addition to digging into the Bible, I have worked on an archaeology dig three summers at Hippos on the shore of the Sea of Galilee in Israel. After all those Concordias, I should point out that “Concordia” is from two Latin words which literally mean “with heart.” That is one phrase which I strive to have as a characteristic of my teaching ministry. “Concordia” is also often translated as “harmony.” Since coming to Concordia in 2001, I have really found that to be an outstanding description of the Christian community here.
Undergraduate Bible, theology, Greek, and Ministry courses
Rev. Dr. Steven P. Mueller earned his doctorate from Durham University in England, completing his dissertation on The Christology of C. S. Lewis: A Lutheran's Evaluation. A graduate of Christ College, Irvine, Dr. Mueller completed his Master's of Divinity and Master’s of Sacred Theology from Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft Wayne, IN. Following his ordination, he accepted a call to Concordia University Irvine in 1995. A published author and hymn writer, Dr. Mueller also serves as an Assistant Pastor for Saint Paul’s Lutheran Church of Irvine.
Joel Oesch, MDiv, holds a PhD from Concordia Seminary and is a graduate of Yale University. He is Director of the Graduate Programs in Theology. Professor Oesch served as Director of Christian Education for 10 years. His research interests are embodied theology, the writings of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, and contemporary culture. He’s served Concordia since 2012.
Undergraduate Bible and theology courses
Rev. Jonathan Ruehs has an MA in Christian Apologetics, an MA in Theology and Culture, and a PhD in Intercultural Studies/Missiology . He serves as an Associate Professor of Theology, Director of the Center for Church Leadership, and the Director of the Lutheran Colloquy program in Christ College. His research interests include apologetics, spiritual warfare, and contextualization in missions. In addition, he serves as an ordained pastor in the LCMS working as a part-time assistant pastor at Light of Christ Lutheran Church, Irvine. He worked previously at CUI in 2007-2008, and then returned in 2011.
Undergraduate Bible, theology, and ministry courses
After serving congregations near Pittsburgh, PA and Chicago, IL, bioethicist and theologian Scott Stiegemeyer joined the Faculty at CUI in 2015. A 1991 graduate of Concordia University in Ann Arbor, MI, he attended Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, IN from which he earned his mater of divinity. During his time in the Chicago area, he earned a Master of Arts in bioethics from Trinity International University in Deerfield, IL and later completed a doctorate in bioethics from Loyola University, Chicago. Dr. Stiegemeyer writes and teaches in the areas of church history, bioethics, theology of the body, and Christian ministry in contemporary American contexts.
Grew up in Kansas City, MO, served as a Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod pastor in the Pittsburgh, PA and Chicago, IL areas. Former Circuit Visitor in the Eastern District of the LCMS. Member of the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations
"Let Us Make Man" in One of the Holy Trinity Suffered for Us: Essays in Honor of William C. Weinrich