Dr Dean Zweck

Dean taught at ALC from 2001 to 2016 in a field that covers 2000 years of Christian history, retiring from full-time teaching in June 2016. The May 2016 edition of the Lutheran Theological Journal (LTJ 50/1) contained an editorial tribute to him.

About

Dean is a pastor of the Lutheran Church and served at ALC as lecturer in church history and supervisor for overseas students. From time to time he also taught in the New Testament area.

He was brought up in Adelaide, and after his theological studies he was in missionary service in Papua New Guinea for many years, first as a pastor on Bougainville Island and then as a teacher in two seminaries, one vernacular and the other English.

On returning to Australia he served as pastor in two parishes, and then was called to Luther Seminary (as ALC was then called). He taught in a field that covers 2000 years of Christian history, and found that both wonderful and daunting. It is the story of the gospel running its course, and we need to know about it because it is the story that connects us and our stories with The Story. He enjoyed teaching, especially when he saw students becoming involved and enthusiastic, and growing in faith and knowledge and commitment to the ministry for which they were preparing.

He is married to Dorothy and they have three grown-up children. He is very keen on cycling and running, and can’t live without good music.

ALC positions held

• Lecturer in church history
• Overseas Student Supervisor
• Field Education Coordinator – School of Theological Studies

Qualifications in detail

• Diploma of Theology (Luther Seminary, Adelaide, 1969)
• Bachelor of Arts (University of Adelaide, 1977)
• Graduate Diploma in Education (University of Adelaide, 2001).
• Master of Sacred Theology (Concordia Seminary, St Louis, USA, 1971)
• Doctor of Theology (Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, USA, 1985)

• Ordained 11 January 1970 at St John's, Unley, SA

Papers and publications

Articles

2016

‘A fruitful dialogue between Lutherans and Catholics in the South Land of the Holy Spirit.’ Review of Ecumenical Studies Sibiu 8, no. 2: 206–218.

2015

‘The Communion of saints in Luther’s 1519 sermon, The blessed sacrament of the holy and true body.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 49, no. 3 (Dec): 116–125.

2014

‘Lutheran mission in Australia and beyond.’ Logia 23, no. 1 (Epiphany): 17–22.

2013

‘Suffering and persecution as a mark of the church: a perspective from Australia.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 47, no. 3 (Dec): 162–172.

(with Erich Renner, Vic Pfitzner and Jeff Silcock) ‘Celebrating 175 years of Lutheran theology in Australia—a journey in grace.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 47, no. 2 (Aug): 67–79.  

2011

‘Union with Christ: understanding justification from the perspective of Christ’s real presence.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 45, no. 3 (Dec): 156–66.

2010

‘Philipp Melanchthon (†1560): “theologian and servant of God”.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 44, no. 3 (Dec): 154–63.

‘An ecumenically fruitful theology: union with Christ as grace, gift, and call to Koinonia.’ Paper presented at ANZATS Conference, Melbourne.

‘Faith and freedom for Lutherans in Australia.’ Lutheran Forum 44, no. 3 (Fall): 35–38.

2009

‘Diakonia: sori bilong God na wok sori bilong yumi.’ Paper given at the 50th anniversary celebration of Senior Flierl Seminary, Finschhafen, PNG, 17–20, September.

‘Lutherans in Australia.’ In The encyclopedia of religion in Australia, edited by James Jupp. Cambridge University Press, Melbourne, 389–99.

‘Teaching Jesus in a world of many religions.’ SchooLink (Lutheran Education Australia) 15, no. 3: 6–7.

‘Wilhelm Löhe and his influence on the Lutheran church in Australia.’ Yearbook of the Lutheran Church of Australia. Adelaide: Lutheran Church of Australia.

‘“Whoever hears you hears me”: hearing the voice of Christ as we listen to one another interpret the Bible.’ In Transformative theological perspectives, edited by Karen L. Bloomquist. Theology in the Life of the Church, vol 6. Minneapolis MN: Lutheran University Press.

‘The influence of Wilhelm Löhe/Neuendettelsau on the Lutheran church in Australia.’ In Wilhelm Löhe: Erbe und Vision: ILoeS Loehe Theological Conference (2nd: 2008: Neuendettelsau, Germany), edited by Dietrich Blaufuss. Gütersloh: Gütersloher Verlagshaus.

2007

‘Wright or wrong? A perspective on the new perspective on Paul.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 41, no. 1 (May): 16–26.

2003

‘Serving after the service: toward a Lutheran understanding of Christian social service.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 37, no. 3: 51–64.

2001

‘Old way/new way: a pattern of learning.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 35, no. 3: 128–38.

1996

Jeremaia. Tok pisin baibel komenteri. Madang, PNG: Kristen Pres. (Commentary on Jeremiah in Melanesian Pidgin.)

1993

Freed to follow: a commentary on Exodus. Chi Rho commentary series. Adelaide SA: Lutheran Publishing House.

1989

‘The exordium of the Areopagus speech, Acts 17:22,23.’ NTS 35 (Jan): 94–103.

1987

‘The Areopagus speech of Acts 17.’ Lutheran Theological Journal 21, no. 3: 111–222.

1985

Eksodas. Tok pisin baibel komenteri. Madang, PNG: Kristen Pres. (Commentary on Exodus in Melanesian Pidgin.)

1984

‘The function of natural theology in the Areopagus speech.’ Doctoral dissertation. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago.