Product Description
The book has no illustrations or index. Purchasers are entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Subjects: Religion / Christian Theology / General; ... Read more

Product Description
This exciting new Bible features the NRSV translation as well as introductions, notes, and articles written by over sixty Lutheran pastors and teaching theologians. This resource is designed to invite readers to experience the Bible and its message through solid background material, unique Lutheran insights, and opportunities for faith reflection. Reader-friendly, inviting, and engaging, this is the perfect study Bible for youth and adults. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (19)

Lutheran Study Bible
The book arrived in good time and was in excellant condidion.I have purchased several other books and am very pleased with them all.Slightly Bad Girls of the Bible, Bad Girls of the Bible and Really Bad Girls of the Bible are written with humor as well as good stories from the Bible to help one learn more about and understand the stories about the ladies in the Bible.

Probably not the "Lutheran" study bible you are looking for
This is the Augsburg Fortress ECLA version. It is very likely you are looking for the Concordia Publishing version. I initially thought this was just a different (softcover) version. Not true. From my research the ECLA is very off course.

Excellent
I think this as an excellent Lutheran study bible. I love the translation and study notes. There's also a calendar to help you organize your study time. I'm very pleased. God bless.

Great layout--just want more!
This is one of my favorite Bibles because it is NRSV, which is a very faithful translation, and has some of good Lutheran background--I just wish there was more.The study notes are great but is a bit too brief.It's also great at meeting people on all levels--from beginners to life-long Bible studiers (which is very important according to Luther).

Appalling, terrible, dreadful, just plan awful.
I was very disappointed in the Augsburg Fortress edition of the Lutheran Study Bible. I own several resources from Augsburg Fortress that I have been pleased with in the past. This however will probably hit the trash can before it's over with. ... Read more

Product Description
What does it mean to be Lutheran? In the sound-bite age in which we live, too often the answer is reduced to a handful of familiar phrases such as "justification by faith", "both saint and sinner", "the priesthood of believers", and "theology of the cross versus theology of glory." But noted theologian Frank Senn appeals to Lutheranism's rich tradition and culture to answer this question, seeing here "something to build on as we confront the possibilities and challenges of preaching, teaching, professing, and living the gospel of Jesus Christ in our own time and place."In the author's thoughtful consideration of key elements of the Lutheran faith is a cautious reminder that to abandon this tradition or step away from this culture means becoming something other than Lutheran. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Good Intro, But Do More Research On Your Own
Reverend Frank Senn has created a concise introduction to the history of the Lutheran Churches' distinct identity.It is handy and readable for lay people interested in learning more about their faith, but because it's such a short and synoptic pamphlet, it suffers from minor problems that will urge more ambitous readers into further research and discussion.

As the secondary title suggests, this pamphlet focus on the classical history of the Lutheran tradition, leaving the present up for debate in our modern, contentious times.This is probably for the best, since the future is an open discussion based on history, which he provides.Focusing on Lutheranism in its historical contexts, and the evolutions of its theology, Senn bravely includes many ignominious moments from the church's history, instead of limiting himself to some sort of ill-defined song of praise.He even brings in the evolution of scripture in the Apostolic Age and how the controversies that helped bring the church together were played out again during the Reformation.His history is very comprehensive, though short, and gives the curious reader a first footing for further research in the field.

The problem is when he occasionally strays away from history and into proclamation.For instance, at the end of chapter 3, "Ecumenical Creeds," he insists that the three creeds from the Apostolic Age MUST be the only three used in worship, as no others can hold the same theological weight.Though he softens this stance in a discussion question later on the page, this dogmatic view that some things are too holy to be questioned risks alienating more spiritually inquisitive readers who may fundamentally agree with the idea but want to investigate rather than being simply told what to believe.

Conversely, there are several times where Senn flees from telling us what something means.He mentions that Martin Stefan, first bishop of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod, was expelled over a "troubling episode," but doesn't explain further.Likewise, he names controversies that have plagued Lutheran history, like Antinomianism or Osiandrianism, without further definition.Though this book is meant to be short and synoptic, a few brief sentences wouldn't overburden the text, and frankly, I shouldn't end my reading with a frustrated flight to Wikipedia.

That said, the book's six chapters give a remarkably overarching view into the history of the Lutheran traditions.Why are there different Lutheran branches in the U.S.?Why do multiple congregations need to have a common liturgy?What is the purpose of the Creeds and of hymn-singing?This book gives handy, short, useful answers to these questions and others you probably never contemplated before now.

Good for an adult Bible study or group discussions, this book is also short and simple enough for an individual to savvy in one or two nights.As an adult convert to Lutheranism, it cleared up many of the historical questions I never got in my earlier religious education, and helped me understand why we perform many of the acts we do on Sunday and during the week.Highly recommended for Lutherans interested in learning about their own church, it will also be informative and educational for any outsiders who want to know more about one of the most influential branches of the Christian tradition. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Good Book
Lutheran Worship is an excellent summary of how Lutheran traditions of worship came into practice.Recommended for anyone who is interested in learning of the Lutheran Liturgy and history of Lutheran Worship practices.

Excellent Read
This book demonstrates clearly that practice affects theology, when we should be letting our theology dictate our practice.

helpful resource
Brauer's book is a helpful resource for those looking to get a synopsis of what the Lutheran Confessions teach on worship.As worship is the active theology of the church (and not necessarily a specific systematic theology topic) we often don't find clear definitions of worship in the Confessions.This is especially true of what many today in the evangelical culture call "worship".But Brauer broadens our perspective with this work.I have foundit more helpful as a resource than a book to read from cover-to-cover.

Well-done work on Lutheran Worship
In true LCMS fashion, this work was done by committee.A reputable group of theologians and musicians wrote on the various constructs of the liturgy and Lutheran worship.Given not only is the history, practice and commentary on various Divine Service components, but excellent essays are here to be mined, especially the opening chapter by Dr. Just and Dr. Nagel's contributions!

Insightful Essays about Liturgy and Worship
This book is a collection of essays released to accompany hymnal, Lutheran Worship.The essays are written by bright theologians and pastors on a range of topics concerning liturgy and worship, including Liturgicalrenewal, Evangelism, history, the Church Year, Church Music, the worshipspace, Baptism, Communion, Confession and Absolution, and the DivineService itself. The essays are informative even to veteren pastors, yetgenerally they are written well enough that they can useful to anyinterested layman. I consider this book a MUST HAVE for any LutheranPastor.For those who are not Lutheran or who are interested in theliturgy will gain a well rounded understanding of worship from this book. ... Read more

Product Description
A young Lutheran boy introduces the history, beliefs, and practices of this Christian religion. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Attractive, but very short
This attractive little book is part of the Religions of the World series. Written for the younger reader, it attempts to explain to the reader some of the basic beliefs of people who are of the Lutheran faith. It is written in the form of a young boy named Michael, explaining his faith to the reader, and every other page in this book is a large and colorful picture, included to keep the reader interested.

Overall, I thought that this is a pretty good book. It is extremely general (having a mere 11 pages with text on them), but gives the very young reader exposure to the concept of Lutheranism. It is a very eye-catching book, one that you can share with a young person in your life. ... Read more

Product Description
Like other major Protestant denominations in the United States, the 2.6-million-member Luther Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), founded in 1847, has struggled with issues of relevance and identity in society at large. In this book Mary Todd chronicles the history of this struggle for identity in the LCMS, critically examining the central--often contentious--issue of authority in relation to Scripture, ministry, and the role of women in the church.

In recounting the history of the denomination, Todd uses the ministry of women as a case study to show how the LCMS has continually redefined its concept of authority in order to maintain its own historic identity. Based on oral histories and solid archival research, AUTHORITY VESTED not only explores the internal life of a significant denomination but also offers critical insights for other churches seeking to maintain their Christian distinctives in religiously pluralistic America. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

Her true motivation for negative portrayal of her church?
The question that stands out when reading this book is why the author stays in the Missouri Synod while she exposes every negative historical detail she can dig up.Many Lutheran churches have female pastors, so why doesn't she join them?She obviously does not share conservative values with the Missouri Synod.Why would ANYONE stay in a church whose values are not agreeable with his own?Perhaps she just wants the authority that she doesn't possess.

The Missouri Synod should just encourage her to leave and find solace elsewhere.

Useful if understood as a piece of propoganda
The book is illustrative of an all too common approach in Lutheran theology of the late 20th and early 21st centuries that is driven more by humanist and postmodern approaches rather than faith or trust in the value of the Word of God as it stands in its literal meaning.It is useful reading for one seeking to understand how liberal contemporary theologians seeks to frame religious and church history so as to accomplish transformation more in line with the new ethic rather than the praxis that is more in line with a trust of the literal Scripture.In no way should this book be considered an objective or empirical exposition of the history of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod nor a faithful exposition of the what the Scripture says in its own objective voice.

For a much clearer understanding of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod
Mary Todd has written the history of the Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod that I never knew (despite being born and raised in a Missouri Synod church). She is an engaging storyteller and an exhaustive researcher, which is a rare combination, and her book sheds much light on issues of authority within the LCMS institution.

The current struggles of the synod, for example those between the "Conservative" and the "Confessionalist" clergy factions (there are not really any moderates in the synod clergy -- only conservative and more-conservative-than-conservative), could have been taken out of the synod's history of a hundred or a hundred and fifty years ago. (This book was published in 2000, well before those debacles, which shows Dr. Todd's considerable insight.)

A few reviewers have criticized Todd's theology, which is odd, since this is a history book, not a theology book, and Todd never claims otherwise. I found her to be fair-minded, even-handed, and generous in her treatment of all sides of the issues she explores.

History of Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Advocating Women's Ordination
Mary Todd was a professor of history at Concordia University in River Forest, Illinois and a life-long member of the Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod.This book is part history, part theological argumen in favor of women's ordination.Therefore, I will critique each aspect.

I found Todd's treatment of the LCMS interesting and well-written yet lacking in professional integrity.While her facts and dates are correct, her frequent editorial analysis of persons and events alerts the reader to an abnormal amount of "spin."Throughout the historical sections, Todd employs left-handed compliments and ad hominum attacks on certain figures, while treating others very sympathetically.For example, CFW Walther consistantly characterized as a Stephan-flunkie who talks big but lacks clear judgment; J.A.O Preus was a manipulative politician who refused to listen to sound reason.Meanwhile, those who challenge authority, Scripture, or advance the cause of women are--like Russell Prohl and the Seminary's "most moderate" (228) professors--sympathetic characters.

Furthermore, Todd's presentation of the various doctrinal arguments is weak.When she presents a view she agrees with (against Scriptural inerrancy, for women's ordination, etc.), she either presents them as self-evident or relies on brief references to "the Gospel" or socio-cultural equality.While she uses much ink to present opposing arguments, she focuses more on the arguments' political impact and never really treats them seriously.It never seems to occur to her that people might actually believe that an inerrant Bible prohibits women's ordination and that these people take this belief seriously.In all, the author is too emotionally invested in the subject matter for a reader to trust her historical analysis.

As a theologian, Todd fares much worse.Her theology is one based on a subjective reading of the Bible as opposed to a belief that theology is objective--not coming from within a person or culture, but from an unchanging God.As such, Todd is guilty of doing the very thing she accuses others of doing:beginning with a theological idea (women should be ordained), then creating a theological method that supports this idea.Her "support" ranges from insightful critiques of LCMS doctrine (e.g. an evolving theology of the ministry) to down-right silly arguments (e.g. implying that Martin Luther and CFW Walther never really believed in Scriptural inerrancy or a male-only priesthood).Most distrubing are her positions that Scripture is neither fixed nor inerrant (allowing whatever a particular reader wants it to say); that amorphous words like culture should dictate theology and practice; that the Gospel has destroyed ALL worldly differences between everyone; and that one should be ordained if he/she "feels a call" regardless of personal qualifications as specified by Scripture (inerrant or otherwise).

In all, I cannot recommend "Authority Vested."While I am willing to hear arguments on the role of women in the Church, the Ministry, and authority, I am not willing to hear such arguments from authors who subscribe to an "ends justify the means" approach.Todd sacrifices the doctrine of Scriptural inerrancy, the reputations of fellow Church members, and sound argument because she believes her end is just.I disagree and cannot recommend this book.

Overview ofa Needed Debate
If you are in the LCMS and interested in your synod's history and current mindest, you will find this a great read, even if you disagree with some of the author's premises or conclusions.
It will be all the more worthwhile to read if you are curious about the role of women and men as leaders in the synod.

As the question of women's ordination in any denomination is typically a milemarker as to where the group is heading doctrinally, socially (ethically and politically), and liturgically, it is no big shock to see the issue causing such torment among both "conservatives" and "liberals" in the LCMS.

While I do not quite agree with the author's understanding of the priesthood, the very fact that she has wrestled with the issues and can present a reasoned defense laeds me to give the book four stars.

A final plus about the book: it has an incredible bibliography, which is used exhaustively throughout the text.

Other books that may be of interest on the question of authority and ministry are: "Priestesses in the Church" by C.S. Lewis found in his "God in the Dock"; of course Manfred Hauke's monumental "Women in the Priesthood?" is essential reading. WHile he is Roman Catholic, much of his theology could be used in the LCMS context (and is); "The Church and Women" with contributions by Von Balthasar, Kasper, Ratzinger; "God or Goddess" by Hauke; "Deaconesses" by Martimort; "Women in the Early Church" by Clark; "Women in the Church" by Louis Bouyer; "What Paul really Said About Women" by Bristow; "Women and the Priesthood" by Peter Kreeft and Alice von Hildebrand. These books are almost all oppossed to the ordination of women to the priesthood, but they are both scholarly, often rather neutral (not always!), and charitable.

For an Eastern Orthodox response to the question: "The Female Diaconate:An Historical Perspective" by Gvosdev; "Feminism in Christianity: An Orthodox Response" by Belonick; "Women in the Priesthood" ed. by Thomas Hopko; "Discerning the Signs of the Times" by Behr-Sigel.

For some thoughtful arguments that support "theologies of women's ordination" see: "Discerning the Signs of the Times" by Elizabeth Behr-Sigel; "Women at the Altar" by Lavina Bryne; Bristow's aforementioned book has an interesting chapter on the leadership of women in the New Testament. In my opinion he is sloppy in some of his exegesis (or should I say isogesis?) but it is worth the read if for nothing else but to understnad his approach, which is representative of the priestess position.

Enjoy! ... Read more

Product Description
Literature on confessionalization has opened new vistas for considering early-modern Christianity and its place in Western social-political contexts, but the ecclesiastical cultures of the period need further research and analysis to refine our focus on how Christians lived in their own communities and related to society at large. This volume's essays assess eight elements of Lutheran life (its foundation in sixteenth-century processing of Luther's legacy, university teaching, preaching, catechesis, devotional literature, popular piety, church and society, church and secular government) and two geographical areas (Nordic and Baltic lands, the kingdom of Hungary) to orient readers to current scholarly discussion and suggest further avenues for exploration and evaluation.Each offers perspectives on Lutherans' attempts to practice their faith in the world. The contributors are: Kenneth Appold, Gerhard Bode, Susan Boettcher, Christopher Boyd Brown, Robert Christman, David Daniel, Irene Dingel, Robert von Friedeburg, Mary Jane Haemig, and Eric Lund. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Visual Workshop Banner Designs
NOT what I expected. I thought it would be more user friendly very complex for a beginner to use. Thought it would be more like other quilt books that I purchased with pattern advising on size of pieces to be cut and layout. Will most likely donate to a local church resource center.

Enhanced with a bonus CD containing patterns and samples
There are many ways to practice one's belief, and many artists have created new ways. "Banners for Visual Worship" contains seventy designs for Christian craftspeople who want to create their own way to declare their devotion to God. The creations are simple and express their intent simply and sincerely. Enhanced with a bonus CD containing patterns and samples, "Banners for Visual Worship" is highly recommended for artists who love their faith.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

"With One Voice" has been a great resource for our congregation!
I am puzzled by the other reviewer's complaint that this book is not diverse or balanced, because the book is clearly meant only as a supplement for worship, never as a primary resource. The Lutheran Book of Worship is its primary hymnal, evidenced especially by WOV's hymn numbering, which begins exactly where LBW leaves off. Our congregation has very much enjoyed the additional hymns; we sing about half our hymns from it, the other half from LBW. There was no intention for this to be the only worship hymnal; thus diversity is not a goal, but adding dimensions that were not present in LBW was important. Therefore, its emphasis on covering some of the missing "bases" left out of LBW is very welcome. New songs from new traditions such as praise songs, songs from other cultures and traditions, and old hymns such as "Blessed Assurance" that had not "made the cut" for LBW all are very helpful for our congregation. We love WOV!

Also, I agree that speaking of "mass" in connection with a Lutheran hymn book is very odd, since I am not aware of any Lutheran synod using that term to speak of worship (of course, there are some smaller, quite different branches of Lutherans as well!).This does cast some doubt on whether that reviewer is speaking from a mainstream Lutheran point of view.

Wonderful Hymnal for the Lutheran Church
I love this hymnal.It has a beautiful communion service with a lovely Kyrie.I defy you sing the hymn "I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry" without joy.There are many lovely hymns in it that our congregation loves to sing.

Insipid hymns, less depth in language, "fundamentalist" music
While I think the other hostile reviewer has gone over the top in his irrational criticisms of this hymnal, I have many objections to this book as well.Some might say it's a matter of opinion or personal taste, but I think it goes deeper than that and actually reflects some potential differences in theology and worldview.I appreciate the inclusion of songs from different musical traditions, especially the ones from Latin America.However, this volume actually seems overall more uniform and less diverse than the old hymnal.

The old hymns have a rich spiritual language, and they also have a rich harmonic texture, full of tension and darker, more complex sounds.With the complexity comes a diversity of harmonies and religious topics.The majority of hymns in this book, however, have simpler words which reflect a simpler theological viewpoint, and they have simpler harmonies which have less tension.The book is definitely oriented towards only singing the melody--the congregation doesn't even have the option of singing in harmony.The overall aesthetic of the music in this volume is that of Christian popular music--simple, happy-sounding harmonies, words that have some meaning, but much less richness than older hymns, poetry, and scripture.

I think this hymnal is a move in the direction of fundamentalism and right-wing Christianity--simplistic thinking, with a complete lack of depth.It does not matter that this book has tried to move "left" in its use of words in some of the hymns--the specific politics of the words are irrelevant: the important fact is that they have been watered down.As I pointed out above, I feel that the attempt to include music from different cultures in this volume is superficial: there is little diversity in the musical aesthetic of this hymnal.Just as fundamentalist Christanity wrongly tries to make it "easy" to follow Jesus by ignoring most of his teachings, this hymnal makes it "easy" to sing hymns by taking some of the musical and spiritual depth away from them.

I simply do not recommend purchasing or using this hymnal.

Excellent hymnal for morons and people without taste.
This book has about five good hymns in it.Any self-respecting church music director or Lutheran priest should instruct congregation to take these unpleasant volumes out of the pews, stack them in the street outside the church, dowse them with kerosene and light them ablaze.Would lead to some excellent Lutheran fellowship.Make sure to speak to the fire marshall before hand.The title of this committlee-made book is supposed to make the congregation comfortable in all singing melody.Of course this was always an option under the regime of the green and red hymnals anyway.Most of the new liturgy of this book is ugly and it seems padded with spirituals.Spirituals are fine for church camp and perhaps once a year in regular mass, but If I wanted to be baptist I would switch denominations.This hymnal contains a few excellent old hymns, which should be torn out, stapled together and inserted in the back of the real hymnal, before the W.O.V. book burning.This tasteless hymnal is a metiphor for the general assumption of leadership in the Lutheran Church by cowardly numbskulls.

With One Voice
Used at our church. Contains many hyms, responses, Apostle`s Creed, babtism statements, songs, and many prayers. Very great book!!!!!!! ... Read more

Product Description
In this landmark volume, the first three presiding bishops of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America reflect on the first twenty years of the church. Includes an introduction by Susan W. McArver, Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary.

The contributions include:
Our Basic Unity: Resources for Living Together as Lutherans in the ELCA, H. George Anderson
A Changeless Word for a Changing World: The Authority and Interpretation of the Bible, Herbert W. Chilstrom
ELCA Identity, Unity, and Purpose, Mark S. Hanson ... Read more

Product Description
This indispensable volume offers a fundamental rationale or 'case' for Lutheran engagement in social services by highlighting the biblical warrants, panoramic historical expressions, and deep theological underpinnings of such Christian corporate social engagement.

In an age characterized by economic transformation, governmental devolution, religious pluralism, and heightened disparity between rich and poor, a key need is for Lutheran Christians, and especially professionals in social ministries, to appreciate and take ownership of the historic commitment Lutherans have made to this work early in the Reformation and to this day. Equally important, however, is the developing vision of how that distinctive heritage can inform and enliven social services today and in the future. Social Ministry in the Lutheran Tradition gathers the insights of historians, theologians, and organizational leaders to address this task. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

"Social Ministry" - Perhaps a Term that Needs Rethinking
Social ministry has always been about serving the disadvantaged, whether economic disadvantage and/or social disadvantage. This has always been interpreted within local contexts, but with ever increasing and deepening globalization, the context of social ministry has broadened.

This book overviews social ministry primarily within the context of the American Lutheran tradition. It begins with some introductory articles on the biblical context of social ministry -- McCurley's article focuses on both Old and New Testament biblical source for social ministry -- from God's delivery of people from affliction to the provision of law through various codes in the Old Testament to the ministry of Christ in his favoruing of the poor and disrespected. Torvend's article underscores the experience of early Christian communities, noting the "harsh and brutal" nature of early Christian urban life.

Several articles overview the infrastructural nature of American Lutheran social ministry, with its antecedents in European social ministry infrastructures. This includes various organizations created by American Lutheran church bodies focusing on various aspects of social ministry such as medical facilities and retirement communities. The penultimate essay by McCurley is a compilation of ideas postulating the future of social ministry stemming from a panel discussion from "the Future's Group" - "an informal gathering of cheif executive officers of Lutheran social ministry organizations (SMOs), including Lutheran Services in America (LSA) and the ELCA's Division for Church in Society" that was originally organized in 1980. The prevailing emphasis is on maintaining Lutheran identity in the provision of social ministry within SMOs.

The strongest essay in the book is that of Carter Lindberg, "No Greater Serbice to God Than Christian Love: Insights from Martin Luther". Lindberg correctly and insightfully demonstrates how Luther's theology serves as a basis for social ministry -- notably, the nature of diakonia (service) as an extension of liturgy. Most interestingly, Lindberg noted that "people looked to Luther for guidance on economic reform and welfare issues". Luther supported community chests, and proscribed usury in several proclamations. Lindberg notes that "in spite of the fact that Luther's writings on economics were important to his contemporaries, these writings today are largely ignored" while also pointing out that some have never been translated from German. (Note: Luther's theology in the context of economicsis further detailed in a recently published book by Samuel Torvend entitled Luther and the Hungry Poor: Gathered Fragments (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2008)

This is quite interesting because clearly global economics are impacting everyday life, with deepening globalization increasing the chasm between haves and have nots. While social ministry still needs to maintain those traditional notions of service delivery, preaching and advocating for the poor and disadvantaged, and teaching the poor and disadvantaged skills for sustenance in n increasingly global economy. As a professional student aid administrator, with interests in diakonia and church administration, I see financial literacy as a key component of 21st century social ministry. Although there is discussion about the notion of community chests in the book, the only sustained focus on service delivery mentioned pertains to like retirement communities.
Providing financial literacy -- from teaching skills for understanding basics of money and banking and finance to promoting the social and economic utility of higher education -- should be an emerging focus of social ministry today. The mortgage and student loan crises in the United States are perfect examples of this exigent need. The church is uniquely poised to provide successful interventions for such need to bring humanity to the sometimes inhumane nature of capitalism.

The beauty of the series of readings is that it does highlight the ecumenical nature of social ministry. This is one aspect of ministry where agreement is nearly uniform, and despite organizational splits in the United States, the major Lutheran bodes, the ELCA and LCMS, both have been active in the same.

This is a series of very cogent, extremely thoughtful essays that should form the basis for thinking strategically about social ministry in the 21st century, within a Lutheran theological context, and within the prevailing social and economic context of deepening globalization.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

The Lutheran is an outstanding read
Jack Britton Sullivan has created an outstanding and deep first novel, that requires the full mental focus of the reader and rewards them for the effort. I say it in that way because it does require some real effort to read. This is not a pop culture bubble gum airplane book like John Grisham or Danielle Steel -- Sullivan aims a LOT higher than that -- it is a short but intense experience that requires your full mental focus. If you do commit to reading it, you will be rewarded in kind.

The book is well researched in the details of life in the west when our country was just being settled. Sullivan pushes his characters through these rough landscapes and keeps them constantly on the edge of survival. Throughout the story Threadbare the Lutheran, one of the most vicious villians in American literature, haunts the characters from the edges of the narrative. Not content to simply murder his victims, Threadbare prefers to draw their torture out over a lifetime, and once his victim is in his sights he is not content to ever let them be free.

The book slowly develops a strong and binding connection between the reader and the protagonists, so when the characters arrive at Mims Nickel, a place that reminds one of the final destination of Conrad`s Heart of Darkness, the reader is drawn in not only to the momentous struggles of Billy and Dampier, but also those of the more minor characters.

The most rewarding parts of the book, in my opinion, are the small nuggets of beautiful writing that the reader discovers along the way. For instance, when Billy (a girl) shoots a bounty hunter seeking the reward placed on her and her partner Dampier Mox:"Dampier Mox said something before she fired but it came out in the blast, the words making themselves into ghosts and then disappearing. The tracker lay with his head open to the world, all his evil thoughts and proud moments in those Virginia hills and on the western plains up for review and his deeds the same."

...and when describing the epic fight between Manson of Mims Nickel and the Lutheran:"The war club he carried was half the length of Manson`s body and he swung it with two hands while walking, raising it slowly with all his rage as Manson fired the smoothbore and took out part of a shoulder that twitched with red tincture tissue but wasn`t deep enough to slow him. The Lutheran came forward even faster."

...and when the Lutheran is slaughtering the men of the plague-ridden fort of Mims Nickel. Proof that the only sure way to escape the Lutheran was when your life would be more painful than your death:"The Lutheran raised the pistol four times but did not fire, Joe Potts knowing he could be dropped without reason as the laws of brutality called for. On the fourth stay he turned a hundred yards away and held his arms out, pausing, delaying the hardship of life as if begging for termination but was rejected by the inhumane, the Lutheran refusing to kill the dying man whose course we cannot venture because he sits amongst the stars. Another unfortunate picked out for unspecified wrongdoing like a burning horse in a fort of plague."

...and the description when a Texas Ranger happened upon the Lutheran:"[the ranger] spotted the Lutheran cresting a hill, his horse dressed with so many heads that the clinking earbobs of the females and the beards of the men had become entangled, each as melted and fierce as the dread that`d severed them."

Jewels like these are hidden in the text, while the author steadily pushes the nervous reader toward what must inevitably be a dreadful climax. A climax that pulls together all the suffering and fear felt by the characters, with the only relief to the reader being a release from his distress when the final showdown is complete.

This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time. Read it.

Brit...you're a genius
The Lutheran was a great read. One of the best books i have read in a long time. I have my English degree and have read countless boring dull books and i would have to say that this is far from one of those. This kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down. I look forward to seeing what else he produces. You are a master craftsman when it comes to the literary style. Many thanks for the great book.
(christian cater of the Ft worth Rugby Club)

Straw in the Sweater and not really a Western Per se.
My favorite sweater for these Vermont winters has several pieces of straw in it. Little imperfections that make me want to wear it more, look to see if my familiar eyes can tell whether any of the straws have fallen away since the last time I wore it the year before. That's why I read small press books, because they're more imperfect to the standard eye, cozy and raw, bared like real literature should be, books that haven't been scoured by the mass market. That's what led me to The Lutheran by Jack Britton Sullivan. You have to find it but when you do you'll be glad you went under the radar screen and stayed. What made me read it twice was getting to and reading away from Chapter 53, where young Latham looks at the sketches, falls asleep, and then lets them go, these "sketches" blowing across the emptiness of the early West until The Lutheran finds them. I've never become enamored by all of the content of any book (no one does), but the great thing about this novel is that parts of it hit you like shell bursts, exquisite short chapters that pop you like a caffeine high before making you dreamy. Like one of the reviewers said, The Lutheran forms a whole new myth about the West. And that's why I read fiction, I want more myth. Make situations worse than they actually are, or better, but save the non-fiction for the non-fictionists. I'm looking forward to Sullivan's other books and I hope they're as "literary" as this very unique "not really a Western per se." When I finished I felt like I'd just read a book four times its size in a fraction of the time. And I have no time, so this fit perfectly. If you look at these reviews Jack Britton Sullivan, and you probably do because you're a small press author, keep on writing and churning out other works. Just like The Lutheran or something close to it will be fine. You've interested me, kept my attention and made me think, a rarity amongst the drivel being written today. Good job Mr. Sullivan.

GREAT WRITING!!! My favorite passages from THE LUTHERAN.
"Billy bouncing, face over the edge of the clapboard and eyes into the sand. From the Oregon Territory they'd come in twilight through a shapeless nation and that was in the year eighteen twenty six before speculation created west washing tides and changed the contours of the land forever. Easterly they ventured to prospects more treacherous and unto them things treacherous would be delivered."(p. 5, paragraph 1)
"Their color yellow in that light, those chilling eyes absorbing the frame of Dampier Mox where he stood half in the saddle, the snow beginning to fall again and the clouds coming to obscure the attack where it started on the upper leg of Dampier as he steadied the horse enough for it to bolt, sitting him directly in the path of a wolf glowing with such thirst for the ecstasy of a red meat kill that he could see its very hate of hunger. Three others had Billy and the foal pinned against a bank of snow, the young horses' eyes rolling with such fear on its entry into the world that it quaked as if existence was dependent on terrible consequence." (p. 13, paragraph 5)
"Nothing, flat white plains still with a vein of river just strong enough to cut them, talk of a canyon to the south where they could find higher ground but just such talk is fruitless. Likely Dampier thought them more apt to catch fire while Billy thought of beauty above the earth and things that stir in women which men cannot understand. The man is bone, the woman tissue." (P.16, bottom paragraph)
"In the little boy shapes he drew with his own liquid stepped the Lutheran. The boy's stream fell on his boot but the Lutheran didn't look down, beads of night sweat forming on the filthy forehead of the child and then Threadbare was gone. In the going the child called out like the monster should be a friend and then something in his malnourished brain said don't. He thought it was God so he obeyed." (p. 118, bottom paragraph)
"Look back saint, something worse is closing and all the odious expands." (from the Epilogue)
AN EXCELLENT READ!!! There's not enough room for all my favorites!!!

Cold, Hot, Violent and Oddly Romantic to say the least...
What a great show for a first published. If Sullivan was born in 1969 that makes him 35 or 36, and if he can write The Lutheran (whenever he did it) at that age, then he's got quite a career to look forward to. I'll read him in the future because I loved this book, what one thinks is a Western-and it is-but not one that should sit on the back of the commode for morning scanning. You've got to read it, really make an honest effort and you'll see the obvious skill with which it was put together. It's a big book made small, one with scrunched prose like he put a vice on the words in a literary machine shop. It's precise, overlapping, As I Lay Dying by Faulkner with the punch of McCarthy's Cities of the Plain. But Sullivan gets to the point, amazing and astounding you with constant and more ugly reincarnations of Threadbare the Lutheran (the bounty hunter anatagonist) as he chases Billy and Dampier throughout the Mexican West in 1826, going away from them to build up his harshness in varying locales before coming back again to harass their children, their neighbors, anybody near them. The Lutheran is worth the time; raw, untamed, unexpurgated.It stays with you, and it gets my vote. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Senseless, ill-informed tripe
A dry, useless attempt to assemble unimportant data, Proefessor Goeckel provides negative reenforcement for the importance of good writing, timeliness, complete archival study and well-conceived analysis.He floatsaimlessly amongst a sea of unsorted data.His book seems like a record ofthe sequence in which he recieved his information rather than a cogent orrigid ordering and interpretation of it.It's a shame because the topic istruly fascinating and there has yet to be a really definitive work on thesubject.Again, an injustice to the subject matter.

A well researched book, now very out-of-date
Professor Goeckel's study of the political struggle of the ProtestantChurch in East Germany can be considered groundbreaking, and remains thesingle most comprehensive study of the subject in English.Written in asomewhat dry style, Goeckel methodically details the theologicalunderpinnings and the complicated organisational structure that affectedthe Church-State relationship in the GDR.However, his examination of theSED-State apparatus and the actual interaction between Church and State isweak, and his analysis is light.

But the reason why this book is soincomplete is that it was unfortunately finished in 1990, just before theEast German State and Party archives were opened, revealing a wealth ofmaterial Goeckel could not have incorporated into his book. Goeckel's bookis therefore an interesting introduction, but must be supplemented by othermore recent sources (such as his excellent article in the journal GermanPolitics and Society 31). ... Read more

Customer Reviews (7)

It could have been so much better, if not for the political correctness...
Perhaps I shouldn't even review this, since I have left the ELCA for the LCMS, but while still a member of the ELCA, I was given a copy of ELW.

Disclaimer: I am not a church musician and will not attempt to review the melodies, meters, etc.

First of all, the good points:

It is attractively laid out.
Luther's Small Catechism is essential and a welcome inclusion.
The daily lectionary is an excellent resource.
The prayers from throughout Church history are very good.

BUT...

ELW has fallen prey to the political correctness that badly mars the Augsburg Fortress Lutheran Study Bible and the ELCA in general.

There is a dogged insistence throughout ELW to emasculate God the Father; i.e., refusal to assign a male pronoun to the First Person of the Godhead.While theologically distressing (of course), it is also just awkward.A rough paraphrase would be "God loves the world so God sent God's only Son..."The Psalter goes even further than the already-questionable NRSV in this regard, and in the liturgy "It is right to give Him thanks and praise" is changed to "It is right to give OUR thanks and praise."

I commend the ELCA congregations who are staying with the LBW.It may be old, but it's worlds better.

Great for church and home use
Because my parents are both Lutheran ministers who received a small sample copy including some of the changes they were planning on making from the LBW in updating it, I got to see a copy.Neither my parents, boyfriend, or I were at all impressed.In that sample, they had changed the melody of some well-known and loved hymns to ones that were more difficult to sing, they changed words spuriously on well-beloved hymns that were difficult to sing, not very musically fitting with the melody, and downright awkward.

Thankfully, most of the problems with that sample have been addressed, and overall this book is very good.Often when they have changed a melody to a well-known hymn, they still include the old melody that everyone loves, an example of this being "I heard the Voice of Jesus Say."Also, most of the terribly awkward rewording went away too, not all of it, but at least some.

The biggest benefit of this book, and the reason why this book is much more useful to individual and home use, as opposed to solely church purchase and pew use, is its inclusion of a whole slew of prayers for different subjects, a listing of Luther's small catechism--I do not remember whether the LBW included this, but I don't think it did--a listing of the church seasons, two versions of the Revised Common Lectionary, one for Sundays only and the other a list of the daily scriptures.Also, as with the Lutheran Book of Worship, the ELW includes the psalms.

For church use, it mostly preserves the two most well-known and beloved communion settings, and adds several more contemporary settings in different styles, on the assumption that most churches weekly provide the creed in the bulletin, the full text of them only appears in a couple of the first settings.It preserves the hymns from the LBW while adding many great contemporary hymns that actually have some actual theological content, "You are Holy," "You are Mine"and "The Feast is Ready to Begin" are just a few examples. As with the LBW, it includes some of the daily offices, such as morning prayer, evening prayer, and Compline.

I do have a few gripes with it.At Lutheran Summer Music, a month-long music camp for which you do not have to be Lutheran to attend (or really even Christian, though you will be required to attend evening prayer), I fell in love with the LBW's arrangement of the Evening Prayer service music.For whatever reason, they decided to alter some of the chanting, and change the beautiful melody of the Magnificat, as presented in the LBW.Thankfully, at least, they preserved the melody in, "Let My Prayer Rise before you as incense,"

I especially dislike the way that they arbitrarily chose to include the accompaniments and harmonizations on some hymns and not others.Those of us who are musically inclined but not quite quick enough to get the chordal structure to harmonize without guide, especially while trying to sing the words, and to pay attention to the message of the hymn--even more especially when the melody exceeds our tolerable sounding vocal range-- like to be able to see the harmonies, so that we can switch to one of the lower ones.

This also presents a difficulty to Church accompanists such as I who prefer to practice at home, because it means that we also have to purchase both the liturgy book and the accompaniment edition, both of which are much more expensive than the pew hymnal, since we have no reliable access to all the hymn accompaniments.Formerly, the only thing we had to buy was the liturgy accompaniment if we were willing to put up with the tendency for the pages to refuse to lie flat and to flip themselves occasionally.

This books improvements, greater worship setting options, greater usefulness in personal devotion at home, continuance of the great hymn classics, inclusion of much theologically sound and musically beautiful contemporary music truly outweighs the few gripes I have against it.

I highly recommend this, not only to churches who haven't yet switched over from the LBW, but also for dedicated Christians who would like a rich source of daily devotional material.

Useful Sundays and Every Day
The newest official hymnal of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is not just for congregational worship.True, it has ten communion settings, vernacular arrangements of the Divine Office, the complete Book of Psalms with sixteen tones for singing, and the complete Revised Common Lectionary.So it's more than useful for performing the Sunday service.

But if you flip to the back, you'll find a complete daily lectionary for private Bible study, as well as Luther's Small Catechism.The settings of the worship contain thorough introductions for those who want to learn more about how and why we Lutherans perform service in certain ways.So it's also valuable for self-guided study, private worship, and lay leadership in outreach to shut-ins and others.

This book isn't without controversy.A few cherished hymns were squeezed from new edition to make room for hip, poppy praise tunes.There isn't very much plainchant, for those of us who like the old ways.And though I mostly applaud the effort to utilize more gender-inclusive language, a few hymns (#207 springs to mind) have been tortured to fit the new mold.

Still, this worship hymnal is portable, inexpensive, and provides instruction that many pew editions haven't offered.Service hymns are laid out seasonally for ultimate clarity, and the prayers are brief but wide-ranging.Don't leave this hymnal in the pew.Get yourself a copy and use it to guide your personal prayer and study.That's what they made it for.

Wonderfl resource for private or congregational worship
The new Lutheran worship book is a wonderful resource, both for congregational worship and private devotions.

The 10 settings of the Eucharist provide a rich variety of musical styles and liturgies. I've been involved with two congregations who have adopted ELW, to almost universal praise.

The prayers and daily lectionary make it a valuable tool for private devotions.

Great Resource, Bad Pew Hymnal
As a student at an ELCA seminary, I've been exposed to the ELW from a variety of angles.I've spent time studying it as a pastor-to-be, I've studied it from being a theology student, I've studied it from being a worshipper.What strikes me is how this resource is one breath a great resource for worship planning and in the next breath a terrible pew-version.

I've enjoyed the flexibility of choices that I have in liturgies, prayers, and song selection.Though, I do have to question the use of the term "contemporary" when talking about some of the hymns (I guess they were written in the last 30 years), I also question any idea that these liturgies can be used by a band ... I've played in worship bands for as long as I can remember and I can't say any of these liturgies are "band" friendly (and by band I'm thinking about a couple of guitars, drums, bass, maybe keys and a horn section).

What irks me most about this book is that it's not something that the average worshipper will find "easy" to use in the pew.There's a lot of "flipping" that must go on to follow a given service.I don't really care for the fact that only the first two (of 10) liturgies have complete liturgical elements ... for the remaining liturgies if you want to find the text for the Lord's Prayer or one of the Creeds you have to page back to one of the first two settings.I realize this was done to save pages, but it makes it difficult to use in worship.

I do encourage this book to be on the shelves of any pastor or worship leader who is planning worship, but beware of it's limited use ... and don't go buying copies to fill your pews, your congregation will be disappointed. ... Read more

Product Description
In this third book in the best-selling reclaiming series, Kelly A. Fryer asks and answers such important questions as:
· What does the word evangelical actually mean?
· Why do so many Christians, including those who appeared to have been left behind by theologically conservative and fundamentalist Christian churches over the past two decades, think this word is so important that they are stubbornly attempting to reclaim it for themselves?
· What is the biblical message that these new evangelicals have to share?
· What does a truly evangelical life and evangelical congregation look like?
· What kinds of things do evangelical people and an evangelical church do?
· What would happen if we who believe the Christian message really and truly is good news for the whole world without exception woke up to our evangelical identity? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Well written and helpful research!
This is probably Kelly's best book so far for content. It is filled with research that is helpful and written in her usual lively voice to engage the reader with meaningful facts and illuminating stories. A must read for people who want to know what makes healthy and missional congregations come to life!

energizing
If you have ever heard Kelly speak, you can hear her voice as you read this book. One can not help but be energized by this book. Excellent discussion starters at the end of each chapter makes this book ideal for group conversation and stimulation within a congregation. Must reading in my opinion for every church leader.

Reclaiming the "E" Word
The book came very quickly.I'm enjoying reading it.This fits very well with the other books written by Kelly Fryer.Thanks ... Read more

Product Description
"Living by faith" is much more than a general Christian precept; it is the fundamental posture of believers in a world rife with suffering and injustice. In this penetrating reflection on the meaning of "justification," Oswald Bayer shows how this key religious term provides a comprehensive horizon for discussing every aspect of Christian theology, from creation to the end times.

Inspired by and interacting with Martin Luther, the great Christian thinker who grappled most intensely with the concept of justification, Bayer explores anew the full range of traditional dogmatics (sin, redemption, eschatology, and others), placing otherwise complex theological terms squarely within their proper milieu — everyday life. In the course of his discussion, Bayer touches on such deep questions as the hidden nature of God, the hope for universal justice, the problem of evil, and — one of the book's most engaging motifs — Job's daring lawsuit with God. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Passive Righteousness of Faith
The justification of self is the continual pursuit of fallen humanity.Indeed, the very questions of "whom am I" and "what am I here for?" are the perennial questions of this age.Oswald Bayer, in Living by Faith, seeks to answer these questions through the Biblical doctrine of justification by faith.He argues that the justifying work of God turns humanity's self-ward gaze toward the gospel of Christ.While sinners are consumed with self-justification as they grope helplessly in this world the gospel of God offers them the gift of self-forgetfulness.It is in the gospel where one looses self and discovers God in Christ.

The world poses various questions to humanity, which are inescapable.We are put on trial for our very existence. These questions penetrate down into the depths of human existence.Who are you?Why have you done this?What were you thinking about?These questions and many others haunt fallen humanity and cry out for the necessity of justification.Bayer writes, "To be recognized and justified; to cause ourselves to be justified or to justify ourselves in attitude, thought, word, and action; to need to justify our being; or simply to be allowed to exist without needing to justify our being - all this makes for our happiness or unhappiness and is an essential part of our humanity" (2).With this thinking there also arises the necessity of justifying God.Why is God who he is?Why has he allowed this condition, which oppresses humanity?How can God be justified in light of evil and suffering?For Bayer all these questions find their answer in the doctrine of justification.

Justification is not just one theme but it embraces the totality of all of reality (9).The questions of our lives are questions about justification and while humanity has removed God from the equation he is the one who is capable of providing that justification which is necessary.Until we are justified by Christ, the pursuit of self-justification is our law.There is no ultimate justification through this pursuit but nonetheless we struggle endlessly under it.We then become pilgrims kicked out of paradise and lacking a home.

Bayer argues that the answer to this needed justification is found in God's justification of sinners through the person and work of Christ.More specifically, "This justification and righteousness which cannot be attained and won by us is the righteousness of faith.It is neither a justifying thinking nor justifying acting, neither contemplative nor active righteousness.It is a passive righteousness" (19).It is when we allow God alone to work in us and therefore there is nothing accomplished through our own powers or achievements.Our justification then becomes solely a work of God.Our faith is God's work, our justification is God's work and indeed our very salvation is the work of God to his glory.

Bayer's thesis offers humanity a profound hope in God, which no other vain pursuit can offer.Fallen humanity does struggle in seeking to attain self-justification and it is only through the actual justification of God through Christ whereby one may be redeemed from this vain worldly pursuit and then may have their worldview changed toward being God-ward focused.This is the ever present need of humanity and the answer to that need in God's gracious gift.

The problem of justifications while primarily philosophical in nature actually flows out of the radical fallenness of humanity.This does prove that the only adequate and sufficient answer to this problem is to be found in the reconciling work of Christ.Bayer correctly argues that the doctrine of justification touches much more then individual sinners but effects the entirety of creation.Since all of creation is fallen all of creation groans for its recreation by God in the eschaton.This groaning of creation is seen in humanity's pursuit of self-fulfillment and self-justification.The only answer is the biblical doctrine of justification.

If this is true then it follows that preaching and proclamation of the Word of God must be central to the task of believers and the church.For it is only through preaching whereby one will be set free from the law of self-justification and become a slave to Christ through the passive righteousness of faith.This preaching must be distinctly law and gospel preaching.The preaching of the law will point to the continual human pursuit of self-justification, which is bound to failure while the preaching of the gospel will declare the remedy to that problem in the justifying work of Christ.

Bayer's Living by Faith offers a helpful and needed antidote to the failed human attempt of self-justification.This way is only the law, which offers no hope of salvation but only further damnation.It is then only through the passive righteousness of faith obtained as a gift from God through the hearing of his Word whereby one will be saved.It is the biblical doctrine of justification by faith alone that serves as the remedy to human attempts at self-justification.The passive righteousness of faith frees us to live captive to Christ. ... Read more