The question undoubtedly enters the minds of plenty, if not all, of the students of Martin Luther College at some time or another. “When am I ever going to use this in my ministry?” Whether this happens to be the structure of a prokaryotic cell, the belief system of a particularly dry philosopher, or a complex set of calculus equations, study for ministry is not always what we expect or even what we want.

For SPaM students, the temptation to fall into this mindset is especially easy when it comes to foreign languages— especially German and Latin. Nearly all understand the value of the biblical languages, Greek and Hebrew. The study of Spanish too makes sense as more and more opportunities become available for Spanish ministry and outreach. But why German and Latin?

Studium Excitare is a Latin phrase that means, “to arouse zeal,” and in addition, it is the name of a journal published on this very campus. A few years ago, a group of SPaM students asked themselves this question, “Why German and Latin?” The answer to them was clear, and they wanted to make it clear to everyone else as well. Thus began Studium Excitare.

The original staff of this journal devoted themselves to offering translations of the great works of our forerunners in the faith. Not surprisingly, they spent their time, therefore, working with the great languages of German and Latin. Herein was the source of the journal’s title, Studium Excitare. Through their work, the founders of Studium Excitare hoped to arouse zeal in the hearts and minds of the students of Martin Luther College—first to arouse zeal and appreciation for the blessings that the theological writings of our predecessors offer us and second to arouse zeal for the continuing benefit of studying the confessional languages of Latin and German.

Studium Excitare, however, is in a mode of transition. Most of the original students who began this journal have moved beyond MLC. They did, however, have a vision for the future of Studium Excitare. They did not want to carry it with them away from the college, nor did they want to see it come to an end. They decided, therefore, to offer the current SPaM students the opportunity to take part in this work.

Studium Excitare is now the official journal of the confessional language track. As such, it offers any who are able and interested the opportunity to become a part of it. As the new editor for Studium Excitare, I would like to encourage any who are interested in working for this journal through translating Latin or German, through writing biographies of notable theologians, or through helping out with the “odd jobs” of putting together a journal to do just that. Watch for more information soon.

Studium Excitare began with the goal of arousing the zeal of both its staff and readers. We pray that it will continue to do so in the future. First, it will arouse zeal in us, the staff who will see the blessings of the theological writings that the confessional languages open to us. Second, it will arouse zeal in our readers, who will benefi t from reading the edifying works of the ministers of the Gospel who came before us. To this end, may it serve well to God’s glory.

Jacob Behnken is a SPaM Sophomore

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