Dr. Paul Robinson, professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, has been named the Seminary’s new director of Library Services, effective Feb. 1.

Robinson succeeds Dr. Benjamin Haupt, associate provost and assistant professor of Practical Theology, in this prestigious role. Robinson also continues to serve in his professorial role.

“I grew up fascinated with libraries and the potential for discovery that they contain, so I’m excited to be joining the Kristine Kay Hasse Memorial Library team,” Robinson said. “The newly renovated library is already a bustling place, staffed by amazing specialists and serving patrons from both the campus and the community. In the near future, we’ll be enhancing our service in the form of an Academic Resource Center (ARC). The ARC will offer assistance for student learning, such as tutoring in biblical languages. Scholars will benefit from initiatives surrounding our world-class special collections, which include treasures such as the Bach Bible. All in all, it’s a great time to be in the library at Concordia Seminary.”

Robinson has been on the faculty of Concordia Seminary since 1996. He also served as the faculty liaison to the Hispanic Institute of Theology (1998–2006), chairman of the Department of Historical Theology (2003–12), dean of Ministerial Formation (2006–08) and dean of faculty (2013–2018). He served as interim provost from 2017 to 2018 after former Provost Dr. Jeff Kloha took a position at Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C.

“Dr. Robinson is a renowned scholar who values our library and what it means for the future of theological education,” said Seminary Provost and Chief Academic Officer Dr. Douglas L. Rutt. “The Kristine Kay Hasse Memorial Library has been completely renovated recently, and I am looking forward to how Dr. Robinson’s leadership will help raise the profile of the library for researchers and students from around the world. Our collection and the services we offer can be of immeasurable service to the church at large, and Dr. Robinson, along with the library’s excellent, capable staff, will help make that happen.”

Before coming to the Seminary, Robinson served as pastor at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Secor, Ill. (1990–92). He received his Master of Divinity and Master of Sacred Theology from Concordia Seminary (1989, 1994). He also holds a bachelor’s degree from Concordia College, River Forest, Ill. (1985), which is now Concordia University Chicago, and a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Chicago, Ill. (2001).

Robinson is editor of The Annotated Luther, Volume 3: Church and Sacraments, to which he also contributed the selection “On the Councils and the Church” (Augsburg). He is author of the biography Martin Luther: A Life Reformed (Pearson Longman). In addition to writing essays and articles for other publications and various journals, Robinson has presented at conferences around the country and internationally.

His Concordia Journal article, “Three Myths about the Crusades: What They Mean for Christian Witness” from the winter 2016 issue, received an Award of Merit in 2016 from the Associated Church Press.

“As a recognized scholar in and beyond our circles, Dr. Robinson will increase our library’s prominence in the world of theological scholarship,” said Seminary President Dr. Dale A. Meyer. “Dr. Robinson’s passion to serve as director of Library Services promises a great future for the mission of Concordia Seminary.”

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit csl.edu.