The authors of “Crazy Book” have put a lot of thought into questions like these.

This “not-so-stuffy dictionary of biblical terms” was written by assistant religion profs Hans Wiersma and Karl Jacobson, and Karl’s brother Rolf, an associate professor at Luther Seminary.

Why take time out of a busy college teacher’s/pastor’s/parent’s schedule to engage in this kind of scholarship? “The standard biblical dictionary is very dry,” Wiersma says. “We share the belief that irony and sarcasm are spiritual gifts.”

As pastors and college professors, the authors all try to inject humor into their work. “This is just a natural outflow of our preaching and teaching.” All three also contributed to “Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms” published by Augsburg Fortress in 2008 and to the Lutheran Study Bible.

“Besides,” he adds, “there are just some damn funny stories in the Bible.”

Each of the Crazy Book’s characters has a status a la Facebook, like “Judas is wondering why nobody calls their child Judas, what with the popularity of Bible names and all.” Many also have professions—Judas’ is treasurer—pet peeves, and favorite TV shows or celebrities. Mixed in with the witty commentary is a lesson. In Judas’ case, it’s not about right and wrong but about accepting that God is who He is, not who we want Him to be.

In addition to learning more about the crazy characters and stories in the Bible, “Crazy Book” gives the user an opportunity to make connections to modern life in order to gain a better understanding of the text. Wiersma says it ties in nicely with the ELCA’s emphasis on getting people to study and learn the Bible.

Though they did not have a particular audience in mind for “Crazy Book,” the authors said they have been pleasantly surprised with the response from readers their age and younger. Sharing that his father had been using the book as bathroom literature, Wiersma added, “Our dads think it’s funny.”

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Sarah is originally from Fremont, Neb. and has a BA in English from Midland Lutheran College. She is married (her husband is also a student at Luther) and has two young children. Sarah wanted to complete her internship in the Twin Cities to stay with her family. Though she likes working at Augsburg, she said it’s not what she expected. “Working at a college is relational ministry,” she said. “Augsburg is a congregation but in a different setting.”

Joe grew up in Papua, New Guinea and moved with his family to northwestern Minnesota at the age of 10. He received his BA in English and American studies from St. Olaf College. He has enjoyed working with the campus ministry office and with student leaders at Augsburg. “A big advantage to working on a college campus,” he said, “is there are so many educated people around. There is always someone to talk to about issues or your interests.” Joe has also appreciated hearing a variety of speakers in Augsburg’s daily chapel services, everyone from President Pribbenow to the students. “It’s a gift to be a part of that,” he said.

Joe is also working with athletic teams at Augsburg and has enjoyed attending sporting events and getting involved in the athletes’ lives. Sarah said she has been impressed with student involvement in ministry events. “Most events are student led and planned,” she said. “I think it says a lot about them that they are invested and take it upon themselves to get involved.”

Both Sarah and Joe were involved in helping the Augsburg community mourn the death of Ahmednur Ali, the student who was shot and killed Sept. 22 outside the Brian Coyle Center. They observed how Augsburg handled the situation and were able to hear from the outside community as well. Sarah said it was an opportunity for her to learn how to help people as a pastor. Joe said he appreciated the interfaith conversation and the challenge of incorporating different faith traditions into a unifying service in light of a difficult situation.

Sarah and Joe are eager to learn as much as they can about Augsburg and to truly be a part of campus life. “We appreciate when people introduce themselves to us,” Joe said. “It gives us a chance to get to know them.”

Meet Sarah and Joe during daily chapel: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10:20 a.m. or Tuesday and Thursday at 11:20 a.m. Augsburg’s daily chapel service is open to all.

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“This is the tenth year of my beginning work at the seminary, and I have been thinking for several months on a much deeper and more personal level about what it means to be a social worker and in ministry, regardless of setting. This program is extremely important — I can readily testify to that.

I have countless stories of how my focus and diverse skill have impacted the people I have been honored to serve in the past years, my connections in the church, and my professional network in the school system and broader mental health community in St. Paul. Being able to think about social work from a spiritual perspective opens important dialogue, challenges norms, and enhances social work’s ability to engage with people around the area of faith and spirituality. Being able to view pastoral care and ministry out of the church, from a social work and mental health perspective (and with clinical skill), adds a depth of knowledge and experience that the church on whole greatly benefits from.

I truly think that within 5 to 10 years I will be writing books about this.”

Brant Thomsen ’00 MSW/MA

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