Jim Kunau
Professor of Theology
Seminary Program Coordinator & Missionary, Lutheran Bible Translators
Contact
Education
PhD Theology, University of Pretoria, South Africa, 2015
MS Education, Capella University, Minneapolis, MN, 2008
MDiv, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, 2000
BA, Concordia College, Seward, NE, 1995
Professional Experience
Seminary Program Coordinator & Missionary, Lutheran Bible Translators, 2024-present
Professor of Theology, Concordia University Irvine, 2020-present
Associate Professor of Theology, Concordia University Irvine, 2016-2020
Assistant Professor of Theology, Concordia University Irvine, 2012-2016
Director of the Cross-cultural Ministry Center, Concordia University Irvine, 2012-2025
Lecturer, Lutheran Theological Seminary, Pretoria, South Africa, 2009-2012
Theological Educator, LCMS, Francophone Africa, 2009-2012
Director, Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques, Dapaong, Togo, West Africa, 2001-2007
Academic Dean, Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques, Dapaong, Togo, West Africa, 2007-2009
President, Mission Luthérienne, Dapaong, Togo, West Africa, 2001-2009
Missionary, LCMS, Togo (1998-2009) & South Africa (2009-2012)
Select Peer Reviewed Publications
“How is Theology a Habitus? Voices from the Past and Why It Matters Today.” Concordia Theological Quarterly 89, no. 1 (2025): 3-31.
“Integrating Theology & Mission in the Cross-cultural Ministry Center (CMC).” Lutheran Mission Matters 31, no. 1 (2023): 107-117.
“Pastoral Care During the ‘Age of Orthodoxy’: The Case of Johann Gerhard’s Homiletic Advice,” In Fides, Confessio, & Pietas: Studien zur Wirkungsgeschichte der Reformation, edited by Christoph Barnbock & Christian Neddens, 63-77. Leipzig: Evangelische Verlagsanstalt, 2021.
“How Online Learning May Disadvantage Students from Some Cultures and What to Do About It in the Theology Classroom.” The Wabash Center Journal On Teaching 2, no. 1 (2021): 187-202.
“Johann Gerhard’s Transitional Concept of Theologia.” Archiv für Reformationsgeschichte/ Archive for Reformation History 109 (2018): 231-259.
Johann Gerhard (1582-1637) and the Conceptualization of Theologia at the Threshold of the “Age of Orthodoxy”: The Making of the Theologian. Göttingen: Edition Ruprecht, 2018.
“The Doctrine of Justification as the ‘Unifying Center’ of Theology and Missions.” In “Die einigende Mitte”. Theologie in konfessioneller und ökumenischer Verantwortung, edited by Christoph Barnbrock & Gilberto da Silva, 554-568. Göttingen: Edition Ruprecht, 2018.
“The Giant That Couldn’t Sleep: An Active Theology of Missions as Derived from the Lutheran Confessions.” Lutheran Mission Matters 25, no. 2 (2017): 229-242.
“The Dubious History of ‘Contextualization’ and the Cautious Case for its Continued Use.” Lutheran Mission Matters 25, no. 1 (2017): 49-69.
“The Dual Nature of Evangelism in the Early Church.” Concordia Journal 42, no. 4 (2016): 305-321.
“Why Lutheran Education in Africa?” Missio Apostolica 23, no. 2 (2015): 206-210.
“A Historical and Sociocultural Analysis of Distance Education in the United States with Implications for Distance Theological Education in Africa.” Journal of Adult Theological Education 7, no. 1 (2010): 26-43.
“Reflections of a New Missionary.” Missio Apostolica (Nov. 2000): 80-87.
Select Professional Publications
“COVID-19 as Gospel Metaphor: God’s ‘Outside-In’ Cure for Our ‘Inside-Out’ Disease.” Lutheran Witness (June/July 2020): 28.
“Mission (Un)expected. Mission (Im)possible.” Sermon study on Is. 66:18-23 (Pentecost 11). Concordia Pulpit Resources 29, part 3, series C (2019): 39-42.
“Why Lutheran Education in Africa?” Lutherans Engage the World 1, no. 1 (2012): 2-4.
“Commentary: Remembering Pastor Wilbert Kreiss.” Reporter Online (Nov 3, 2011).
“African Seminary Celebrates Four Graduates, 13 Vicars.” Online Reporter (August 5, 2011).
“La Préparation du Sermon.” Course Manual, Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques, Dapaong, Togo, 2007
“La Parole Vivante: Un Survol des Livres Bibliques du Daniel à l’Apocalypse.” Course Manual, Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques, Dapaong, Togo, 2006.
Book Reviews
A Widower’s Lament: The Pious Meditations of Johann Christoph Oelhafen, by Ronald K. Rittgers, in Lutheran Quarterly 36, no. 4 (2022): 438-440.
Konfession, Politik, und Gelehrsamkeit. Der Jenaer Theologe Johann Gerhard (1582-1637) im Kontext seiner Zeit, edited by Markus Friedrich, Sascha Salatowsky, & Luise Schorn-Schütte, in Lutheran Quarterly 32, no. 1 (2018): 110-112.
Public Speaking, Seminars, Lectures
“Mission Bridge Metaphors,” Lutheran Society for Missiology Banquet Address, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, May 1, 2023.
“Mission Bridge Metaphors: Towards a More Joyful and Hopeful Approach to Missions,” Trembath Lecture, Concordia University Irvine, CA, Feb 1, 2023.
“Grounding our mission in God’s Mission: A Theology of Mission for Unsettling Times,” Winter Retreat for three congregations in Los Angeles, CA, via Zoom Feb 13, 2021.
“A Biblical Theology of Mission for Today,” Presentation, Pastors’ Circuit Meeting, Los Angeles, CA, Aug 14 & Sept 9, 2020.
“Why We Need a Multicultural Reformation in the Lutheran Church and How To Bring it About,” Presentation, Best Practices in Ministry Conference, Phoenix, CA, Feb 20, 2020.
“Travel Junkies & Philanthropic Endeavors: ‘Service Adventures’ as the New monasticism,” CUI Bono Presentation, Concordia University Irvine, Irvine, CA, Feb 12, 2020.
“Ethnic Specific or Multi-Ethnic?” presented at the Multicultural Gathering, Concordia University Irvine, Irvine, CA, Nov 27, 2018.
“Exploring the Intersect Between Culture and Online Education: Observations and Questions,” paper presented at the annual conference of the Association of Lutheran College Faculties, Concordia University, St. Paul, MN, Sept. 21-22, 2018.
“How the Doctrine of Justification Can Bring Theology and Missions Back Together Again,” paper presented at the Theological Symposium, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO, Sept. 2017.
“Seven Theses: A Call for a Multi-Cultural ‘Reformation’ in the Lutheran Church,” presented at the annual retreat of the Oromo Evangelical Lutheran Mission Society, Las Vegas, CA, June 30, 2017 and at Concordia University Irvine, CA, Nov. 28, 2017.
“The ‘Age of Orthodoxy’ as a Time of Personal Spirituality and Pastoral Care: The Case of Johann Gerhard,” Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, Dana Point, April 23, 2017.
“Distance Education, Culture, and Theological Formation: Observations and Questions,” paper presented at the LCMS Theologians’ Conference, Irvine, CA, May 25, 2016.
“God’s Word as a Gift of Hope,” presented at the LCMS Pastors’ Conference of the Pacific Southwest District, Palm Springs, CA, Sept. 27, 2012.
“Pastoral Theology of Marriage” two-day seminar at the international gathering of pastors of the Union of Lutheran Churches in Africa, Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques, Dapaong, Togo, March 2007.
“Sermon Preparation” seminar at the pastoral conference of the Eglise Luthérienne du Togo, Sadori, Togo, March 2006.
“Christ-centered Hermeneutic” two-day seminar at the pastoral conference of the Eglise Luthérienne du Togo, Sadori, Togo, March 2005.
“The Pastor’s Response to Suffering” seminar given to students of the Centre Luthérien d’Etudes Théologiques, Dapaong, Togo, March 2004.
“Created and Equipped to Serve God: The Practice of Christian Giving” two-day seminar at the pastoral conference of the Eglise Luthérienne du Togo, Sadori, Togo, Nov 2003.
Teaching & Research Interests
Church History
Seventeenth Century Lutheran theology & theologians (emphasis: Johann Gerhard)
Intersect between culture, theology, and theological education
Missionary pastoral education
Missiology, Missional theology & practice
Church Planting
Courses Taught
CTHL 101 Foundations of Christian Theology
CTHL 200 Introduction to Theological Thought
THL 481 Mission of Christ’s Church
THL 504 Survey of Historical Theology
THL 510 Lutheran Confessions
THL 530 The Reformation
THL 590 Guided Readings
THL 595 & 596 Thesis I & II
TPRC 521 Theology and Practice of Mission
TVIC 501-508 Vicarage I-IV