SEARCH
MENU
Tom Rank, Associate Professor for the Religion Department, posing for a portrait.

Tom Rank

Associate Professor
Department: Religion Department
Send Message

Education

  • A.A. Bethany Lutheran College
  • B.A. University of Minnesota, Major: Ancient Near Eastern Studies
  • M.Div. Bethany Lutheran Theological Seminary
  • STM Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, IN, Major: Pastoral Theology, Catechetics & Liturgics

Academic Interests

  • Old Testament History
  • Reformation History
  • Lutheran Confessions
  • Lutheranism in USA

Research

Current research on the history and theology of Article X of the Formula of Concord, Church Rites & Adiaphora

Additional Campus Responsibilities

Chair of Religious Studies

Biography

Grew up in Minneapolis, MN. Attended Pilgrim Hiawatha Lutheran School and Washburn High School in Minneapolis. Met my wife Sonja at BLC. Served five congregations in northern Minnesota for seven years (Oklee). Served Scarville & Center Lutheran congregations in north Iowa for 25 years. Taught at BLC fulltime since 2018 (served as adjunct professor for 12 years prior to that).

My wife and I are blessed with six children and 14 grandchildren.

Hobbies/Interests

Read a wide variety of books: theology, military history (especially the Eastern Front), Scandinavian noir, fantasy — been an avid reader of the Lord of the Rings since 1973. Have an extensive collection of boardgames. Love fishing, especially fly-fishing for either coldwater or warmwater species.