Jonathan Ruehs

Biography

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, as Assistant Dean of Christ College (overseeing Church Vocations and Lutheran Colloquy), and as the Lead Professor of Core Theology. His research interests include apologetics, spiritual warfare, and cross-cultural ministry. 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 Concordia University Irvine in 2007-2008, and then returned in 2011.

Education

Columbia International University, Columbia, SC, Ph.D. (2022)

Concordia University Irvine, CA, M.A. (Cross-Cultural Ministry Center/Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO) (2015)

Biola University, La Mirada, CA, M.A. (2001)

Concordia University Irvine, CA, B.A. (1995)

Professional Experience

Director of Youth and Parish Education, First Lutheran Church, Burbank, CA (1997-2007)

Director of Church Vocations Recruitment/Assistant Professor of Christian Education, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2007-2008)

Adjunct Professor of Theology, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2005-2006)

Associate Director of the Director of Christian Education Program/Assistant Professor of Christian Education, Concordia University, Austin, TX (2008-2011)

Residential Coordinator of Spiritual Life, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2011-2015)

Associate Pastor of Outreach, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2015-2018)

Director of the Center for Church Leadership, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2018-2025)

Assistant Professor of Theology, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2018-2023)

Assistant Pastor, Light of Christ Lutheran Church, Irvine, CA (2022-)

Associate Professor of Theology, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2023-)

Director of the Lutheran Colloquy Program, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2023-)

Assistant Dean of Christ College, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2025-)

Courses Taught

Undergraduate Bible, theology, and ministry courses

CCI 103 Introduction to Ministry

CTHL 101 Foundations of Christian Theology

MACL 390 Practicum: Ministry Leadership

MACL 401 & 402: Ministry Seminar & Internship I & II

THL 202 History and Literature of the New Testament

THL 222 Christian Witness and Evangelism

THL 430 Christian Apologetics

THL 502 Ministry in Cultural Context (Graduate)

THL 521 World Religions (Graduate)

THL 590 Guided Readings (Graduate)

REL 321 World Religions (Undergraduate)

Publications

“‘Working 9 to 5?’ : The Doctrine of Vocation and Its Application to DCE Ministry.” In Together: Preparing Christian Educators for the Future, edited by Dean R. Hansen and Brent Alan Mai, 27-36. Portland: Concordia University, 2011.

“Millennials and Maslow: First Article Needs and Christian Apologetics,” Missio Apostolica: Journal of the Lutheran Society for Missiology, 41, no. 1 (Spring, 2013): 55-62.

“From Church to Campus to World: Lutheran Theology and Campus Ministry.” In The Idea and Practice of a Christian University: A Lutheran Approach, edited by Scott A. Ashmon, 267-283. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2015.

“The Skeptics: Atheists, Agnostics, and the Spiritual But Not Religious.” In The Christian Difference: An Explanation & Comparison of World Religions, edited by Wayne Palmer and Laura Lane, 297-366. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2019.

“The Church: A Call to God’s Family.” In Who Am I? Exploring Your Identity Through Your Vocations, edited by Scott Ashmon, 143-156. Irvine: New Reformation Publications, 2020.