No comments about Small Catechism.

5 comments about Luther for Armchair Theologians.

1. Theology-wise it is way-way-way over the head of a lay person like me and I am sure it is way-way-way below respectable level for the professionals in the field.



2. Easy to read, delightful illustrations, make this book a valuable learning tool for anyone who wants to get better acquainted with Martin Luther and his insights into scripture.



3. The problem I had with this book is that rather than discussing the Theology of Luther, it also focussed on the Catholic Church he opposed and how he differed.
   
   The problem is whether the error of the author himself or the error of Luther, the Roman Catholic Church does not in fact believe what this book asserts. Now if this theology is as Luther understood the Roman Catholic Church itself, then the area of debate is between theologians (armchair or otherwise).
   
   However, if it is the understanding of Steven D. Paulson on the Roman Catholic Church that is being represented here, then the book is nothing more than a 224 page straw man argument set up to make the objections to Luther seem weaker then they actually are.
   
   That sort of approach helps nobody in ecumenical discussions. If the arguments of Luther are set against beliefs not held by Catholics, it fails to give a true idea of the theological issues and can only bring about misunderstandings.
   
   Moreover, Paulson fails to recognize the true nature of the era. Yes it is true that the Catholic Church was the major religious body. But what is unacknowledged was at this time, the state of the Holy Roman Empire was overrun with growing secular and humanistic ideas that the Catholic Church itself opposed, so many of the ideas Paulson attributes to the Catholic Church were in fact ideas held by leading secular thinkers.
   
   So ultimately, the problem this book has is with false premises. When the premise is false, so is the argument, so it is not useful in demonstrating what Luther held to believe except as what he held in the face of a straw man argument



4. This theology will change your faith life, but you must be patient and open to hearing about Christ's work in a way not normally spoken of in this "hyped on free will" American culture.



5. Steven Paulson attempts to discuss the main themes of Luther's theology and career in this book that also seems to attempt to find the middle way for readers that may range from initiates to theology to the more knowledgeable. He assumes readers will know the basics of the historical period and of the general prinicples of Christian theology. He mainly writes about the areas where Luther differed from the Roman Catholics and from other reformers such as Zwingli, Muntzer and the Anabaptists.
   
   The main theme throughout the book is Luther's focus on justification by faith alone and the dynamic relationship between Law and Gospel. This discussion points to Luther's theology of the cross, but the author does not pursue the theology of the cross very in depthly. He does cover Luther's teaching that Christ takes all of a person's sins and gives all of his own righteousness to people. He provides reasons why this teaching suffers such animosity from many religous during Luther's time and today. Paulson also discusses the effectiveness of the proclamation of Christ's forgiveness of sins to people.
   
   Overall, I think Paulson shows the importance of Luther and Luther's main ideas. Paulson faces a challenge in this book of covering Luther's theology comprehensively without going to deep into any of the particulars. The result is a general overview that probably will leave some readers confused by its terms and technicalities while other readers are unsatisfied by its lack of depth.
   
   I think this works as a good introduction to Luther and can either whet the appetite for more study or provide a satisfactory overview for the curious "armchair theologian."

No comments about The Disciple's Joy: Six Practices for Spiritual Growth (Truth and Christian Imagination) (Truth and Christian Imagination).

2 comments about Reclaiming the E Word: Waking Up to Our Evangelical Identity (Lutheran Voices).

1. The book came very quickly. I'm enjoying reading it. This fits very well with the other books written by Kelly Fryer. Thanks



2. 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.

3 comments about The Christian Faith: A Lutheran Exposition.

1. This book is frequently used to teach basic Lutheran doctrine but it is a poor choice for such a fundamental task. Doctrine is developed from a systematic analysis of the Scriptures...yet such a systematic approach appears missing from this text. Ambiguity, not clarity, is its hallmark.

   It is possible that the book appeals to those who already have a firm foundation in Lutheran doctrine in that the literary style for presenting the material is fresh and not "dull" in that dry "old school" way doctrine has been presented historically. If one already understands the doctrine the book may not disappoint but if one does not know the information the book makes it difficult to capture some of the key doctrinal positions of the Lutheran church. The book does not do a good job of:

   1) Clearly sorting and labeling the topic(s) under discussion in a distinct manner (such as using bullet points, outlines, etc.,) to facilitate learning.
   2) Clearly defining terms. Some terms are well defined but many terms are poorly defined or not defined at all.
   3) Clearly discussing the topic at hand. There is a lot of nice language in the book, lots of literary descriptions that create lovely word images but do little to help clarify the topic under discussion. In many cases, it is difficult, if not just about impossible, to identify the Lutheran church's position on the topic...definitely not a plus for a text designed to teach doctrine!

   Ultimately I gave up trying to decipher what the author was trying to say about Lutheran doctrine and I defaulted to an older text on the subject, Christian Dogmatics by John Theodore Mueller. The Mueller text is well organized and clearly communicates the doctrine, the rationale and the related scriptural references.




2. In the last ten years as a Lutheran pastor I have handed out as many as fifty copies of this pearl by Robert Kolb. Written in intelligent yet accessible English, the book has served well to describe Lutheran Christian teaching to people at the undergraduate college level and above. Vivid prose, clarity, and lucidity are high points. Kolb exhibits a rare knack for explaining complex topics in simple (not simplistic!) terms. He also succeeds in applying enduring (read, "ancient") theological themes in an emerging post-modern context.



3. The book arrived timely and in brand new condition. It is a very good book for anyone who has the desire to understand true Christianity and some of the false ideas that the Church has come against.

3 comments about Scrap Quilts.

1. Judy Martin's "Scrap Quilts" is a great book with superb pictures and extremely well-written directions for a number of beautiful quilts. The quilts include some traditional ones as well as new and innovative ones.



2. I love scrap quilts and this is my favorite book about them. In fact my copy is very well read and I love to look at the color photos.

   Judy Martin covers a wide variety of patterns (traditional to contemporary) and color schemes. There are quilts with just two colors as well as some that use every color on the color wheel. Some quilts are shown in different combinations or sizes.

   There is an introduction to scrap quilts and sections about fabric collecting and storing, color choices and the appropriate use of scraps as well as some hints on sewing and cutting efficently. The instructions are well illustrated and easy to view. At the end there is a section of more block patterns that could be made with scraps including some ideas on how to place scraps with each block and the necessary templates for these blocks.




3. This book, not unlike Judy's other scrap pattern books, gives great tips on how to cut, sew and set the patterns given. There is a small section in the back with traditional patterns and her tips on them. I appreciate her outlook on scrap quilting, and actually own two other books I highly recommend with this one. As always, I give Judy an A+ for this book.

4 comments about Lutheran Church Basement Women.

1. A light hearted look at the traditional role of women and their work in Church kitchens. While I am a lifelong Lutheran, I appreciated it more after moving to the Midwest. The only book I have seen that pays homage to red Jell-O.

   On a more serious note, I am glad that the mores honored here are changing. At my church the men join in the cooking and cleaning, and the women have many other roles too.




2. My grandmother was a Norwegian immigrant who lived in a apartment down the street from our Lutheran church in Wisconsin. This book covers every recipe and nuance I remember from life in the Lutheran church, right down to the aprons. The explanations and footnotes about life as a Lutheran church basement woman are accurate and delightful. The descriptions of rituals and preparations for events are accurate to a fault, right down to the dead spreads. The hints about gossip and the social structure of these women are perfect. This book is a joy!!



3. At one time a Lutheran and now a Catholic--I know these women and they are alive in every church kitchen in the world,and we have a sense of humor!!!!! The recipes send my mind scurrying back to my home town of Ada, Minnesota and I can once again enjoy the companionship of my family.



4. As I read this book, and browsed through the recipes, I remembered when I happily consumed many of these delious edibles (as well as tactfully avoided the equally noxious ones) in blissful ignorance. I still consume many of these traditional Lutheran dishes at church functions, now usually held in the Lutheran School building. Today, though, I am required to feel guilty about consuming them, can very nearly HEAR them clogging arteries. That basement holds many fond memories of more innocent times!

4 comments about The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

1. The Book of Concord is, apart from scripture, the central basis on which the Lutheran Church forms its beliefs. It contains many of the chief works of Martin Luther, guiding the church in most areas of life. While the book can be heavily theological, it is required reading of anyone who wishes to know what Lutherans believe.



2. For those of you who are on the more conservative end of the Lutheran spectrum, I would recommend picking up this translation of the Book of Concord. The newer "blue cover" version has been PC'ed and "inclusified". Let's stick with tradition, and get a copy of the Tappert translation - still the most widely used translation of the BoC.



3. The Book of Concord provides the basis of beliefs for today's Lutheran Synods of WELS, ELS and Missouri Synod. This book covers the Augsburg Confession, Smalcald Articles, Formula of Concord and Luther's Small and Large Catechism. It discusses religious belief arguments between Catholics, Baptists, Calvinists and applies to most of today's TV Evangelical teachings. The book supports 100% Biblical teachings of Justification by Grace, through Faith, through Christ's blood as stated in Ephesians 2:8. Faith is a gift of God; man cannot be justified by works, or make any personal decisions to come to faith as everyone is born, "dead in sin", Psalm 51.5. Natural man's free will can only sin; therefore, God must reveal himself through Biblical scriptures where a person reading or hearing may be made "spiritually alive" by the Holy Spirit. Only those chosen (predestined, elected) by God the Father in eternity will be saved, Ephesians 1:4-6. Man can by free will read and study the Bible, which has the power to believe built-in, Romans 10:17 and Ephesians 1:13. Since ony God knows who is chosen, the Gospel must be preached throughout the world so that it can reach the elect. Everyone can read and study the Bible, but not everyone does as it is considered "foolishness to those who are perishing,"1 Corinthians 2:14. This explains the fact that those who will perish, do it by choice for failure to read and study Biblical Scripture. For those who do believe in By Grace Alone through Faith, I would also suggest reading Luther's Works, any of 54 volumes.



4. This is a beautiful exposition of the Holy Bible and Christian doctrine. It's outlined in well-organized articles, and contains English translations of both the original Latin and German versions of the Augsburg Confession. This also contains the Small and Large Catechisms, which were written by Martin Luther for teaching Christians about God's Word and Sacraments. Included amongst the other sections is the Formula of Concord, which is the most extensive of the Lutheran Confessions of faith. Although this edition lacks the footnotes and other resources of the newer Kolb edition, this translation is definitely the most accurate.
   For those not familiar with the Book of Concord, I would highly recommend reading the Small Catechism section first, followed by the Smalcald Articles.

3 comments about Listening for God : Contemporary Literature and the Life of Faith, Volume 1 (Reader Guide).

1. This is a very moving collection of essays for anyone interested in how religious thought affects the writings of authors. I couldn't put the book down and recommend it for discussion groups as well.



2. Paula Carlson and Peter Hawkins have over the past several years pulled together short stories and a few essays, three volumes in all, from contemporary authors in which faith concerns of all types are raised. The authors are first-rate and include the well known--John Updike, Flannery O'Connor, Gail Godwin, John Cheever and others--to lesser known authors like Tillie Olsen and Tess Gallgher. Each of the volumes includes a leader's guide, and volumes 1 and 2 include videos with interviews of the authors or of people who knew the author.

   These are excellent volumes for discussion groups that bring out the multitude of issues, problems, life crises that each of has or will face. The relationship to faith and religion are sometimes clear, sometimes not so obvious, but all present situations of interest and, often, deep concern, for individuals. Having facilitated two of this series, the atmosphere provided by the stories and their general literary excellence leads easily into discussions where people can reflect anew on the importance of grace and the mystery of God in our lives




3. Editors Paula S. Carlson and Peter S. Hawkins have compiled stories and essays from contemporary writers that reflect people's experience in dealings the life events, boredom, crises, losses, disappointments and unexpected touches of grace. Some sections are painful to read and others are funny or joyful (like life itself.) It is interesting that even in our secular society people still ask the questions Job asked and still try to find meaning for themselves like Abraham and Sarah. The editors provide brief bios for the writers and propose discussion questions for groups.that might be helpful in groups. It seems that the problems of being human have not changed greatly in the last few thousand years.

No comments about The Freedom of a Christian.