Education
- B.S. Elementary Education, Dr. Martin Luther College, New Ulm, Minnesota, 1980
- M.Div., Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary, Mankato, Minnesota, 1985
- S.T.M., Wisconsin Lutheran Seminary, Mequon, Wisconsin, 2000, Concentration in Old Testament exegesis
- Further study in Norwegian, German, Latin, and Hebrew
Academic Interests
Religion, Music (church music, hymnody), Languages (Norwegian, Danish, Latin, German, Hebrew), Norwegian culture
Research
- Scandinavian-American hymnody, history, church history, culture
- Old Testament (Hebrew language)
Books
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary (co-editor)
- Book of Family Prayer (translator)
- Mother of the Reformation: The Amazing Life and Story of Katharine Luther (translator)
- U. V. Koren’s Works (4 volumes)
- Truth unto Godliness (translator)
- Pontoppidan’s catechism explanation (published in an anthology of catechisms)
- Luther’s Works (translations in recent additional volumes)
Memberships
- NORTANA (Norwegian Teachers Association of North America)
- Sons of Norway
- American Guild of Organists
- Evangelical Lutheran Synod Historical Society
- Minnesota Valley Chorale (former singer/soloist)
Professional Background
- Taught college level: organ, piano, Religion, Norwegian, Latin, Hebrew, hymnody, music theory
- Church organist (part-time, 1981-1984, 1995-present)
- Pastor (1985-1995, northeast Iowa)
- Evangelical Lutheran Synod worship committee
- Translator (Norwegian, Danish, German, Latin)
Publications
- Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary (co-editor)
- Book of Family Prayer (translator)
- Mother of the Reformation: The Amazing Life and Story of Katharine Luther (translator)
- Luther’s Works (translations in recent additional volumes)
- U. V. Koren’s Works (4 volumes)
- Truth unto Godliness (translator) Pontoppidan’s catechism explanation (published in an anthology of catechisms)
- “With Tears of Anguish I Lament” for Solo and SATB choir
- Articles on Old Testament, worship, church history, explore website
Selected Articles and Chapters
- 1993 “Exegesis of Joel 2:28-32” in Lutheran Synod Quarterly
- 1995 “O come, let us worship” – essay on liturgy and hymnody for the Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Synod, published in the Synod Report
- 1998 “Sacramental Worship, Sacramental Preaching: Treasures of Our Lutheran Church” in Lutheran Synod Quarterly
- 2000 “The Lutheran Legacy of J. S. Bach, 1685-1750” in Lutheran Synod Quarterly
- 2002 “The Imprecatory Psalms and Christ’s Command to Love Our Enemies” in Lutheran Synod Quarterly
- 2003 “Norwegian Synod Publications 1853-1917” in Lutheran Sentinel
- 2010 “Lamb of God: Isaiah 53 in Light of Eden, Passover, the Day of Atonement, and Good Friday — An Exegetical Study of Isaiah 53 (52:13-53:12)” in Lutheran Synod Quarterly
- 2011 “Resurrection Hymns: Beautiful Music Joined with Words of Beautiful Hope” in Lutheran Sentinel
- 2011 “How Does Musical Harmony Reflect the Trinity?” in Lutheran Sentinel
- 2012 “Revisiting Pontoppidan” — in Logia: A Journal of Lutheran Theology
- 2012 “God Has Gone Up with a Shout” An Exegetical Study of Psalm 47 for the Ascension of our Lord — in Lutheran Synod Quarterly
- 2014 “How God Blessed the Reformation through Katie Luther” — in Lutheran Sentinel 2019: Lutheran Service Book: Companion to the Hymns (2 volumes), articles on hymns and hymnwriters.
Presentations
- Workshops for amateur church organists in smaller parishes
- U. V. Koren (founder of Luther College)
- Katie Luther
Service
Mark serves Bethany’s campus as chapel organist and choir accompanist, and has previously served on boards of Sons of Norway and Minnesota Valley Chorale.
Hobbies
Foods of various cultures. In 2012 I baked 50 different types of raised breads. I try to connect food and culture, making traditional foods on various national days.
Teaching Philosophy
I believe in active learning. I try to connect movement with learning when possible. I also believe in the interconnectedness of learning, trying to relate various fields of study with each other.