Customer Reviews (2)

Great comparison
This book does a great job comparing catholics, lutherans and protestants. It discusses areas where the denominations agree, where they depart slightly in their beliefs and where they disagree completely.

Great comparison
This book compares the Lutheran, Catholic, and Protestant faiths. It start with what the three faiths are in complete agreement with, then moves to a section regarding views that are slightly different, and finally addresses things that are in complete disagreement.

Very well-written and does not take sides. The author strictly states the facts and does not try to sway the reader one way or the other - a relatively easy read. I really like this book as a reference when people ask me, "what exactly is the difference between Catholics and Lutherans?"

... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A significant treasure for the "missonal" debates of the Church
This is an incredibly well documented and significant treasure for the "missonal" debates in our Synod (LCMS) as well as the greater Church.As a pastoral circuit counselor I have used it as part of circuit studies and I commend it to the brothers, as well as anyone interested in fully understanding how doctrine and mission are not antithetical, but in fact flow out of one another. "In the Lutheran Church, an unfortunate divide between the preservation of pure doctrine and the proclamation of doctrine to the world has developed. Indeed, these two orientations need not oppose each other in Luther's theology" (p.58).

In addition to the outstanding and broad source material, as well as his clear understanding of past and present mission and missionary movements within the Church, there is the profound demonstration that "the Reformation must be seen as a missionary movement" where "Luther and his theology suddenly become very pertinent for mission" (p.48). With this assertion, Schulz does a superb job of lifting up the cross of Jesus Christ as central not just to theology, but to all missionary endeavors: "Mission is built on a theologia crucis, that is, it affirms the cross as the pivotal point of reference from which flows and to which returns the preaching of the Gospel" (p.9).

He brilliantly unpacks the missio Dei (the mission of the Triune God) in the context of the Church's activity as proffered through the Word, Sacrament and liturgy of the Church, and as advanced by Luther:"In fact, Luther's efforts at making the Christian Church doctrinally sound were designed to strengthen Christians for their witness and confession to the world.His emphasis on the Word of God, the Sacraments, faith and obedience, catechesis, worship and liturgy, and translation makes sense in view of the Church's primary mission of preaching the Gospel bringing in the lost" (p.54).

With great theological detail and contemporary awareness, Schulz addresses the context of the Church and does not shy away from evaluating the push for cultural relevancy by Postmodern movements within the church.In short he offers a word of caution: "[T]he Church must strike an important balance between reaching out as the instrument in God's mission to the World while serving and strengthening members for that role through the means of grace proffered at worship" (p.217).

Schulz offers a needed contemporary treatment on the equal importance of doctrine and mission for the Church today.He reminds the reader that the cross of Christ is central to the life and mission of the Church precisely because this world is filled with sinners - sinners who often reject the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His Church despite the Church being full of missional zeal.Nonetheless, the Church is to remain faithful and bold in her mission.This work it a must read!

Justification: The Organizing Principal
This is the first book on missions to address the doctrine of Justification as the organizing principal of mission. It is not only the "central article of theology," the "doctrine on which the Church stands and falls," but it is also the most important thing for Missions as understood by Lutherans. No other book on missions pays such careful attention to this as this one.

A non-Lutheran perspective
I found this work to be of great benefit as I longed to gain a greater biblical understanding of mission/missions/missiology.From emphasizing the importance of relationship (both vertical and horizontal), to the profound importance of justification, to addressing the office of the missionary and pastor as complimentary, the author shares from his heart a challenging and compelling argument for believers to reach upward, inward, and outward--in regard to the expansion of the Kingdom of God for the glory of God.Reading this book (as a non-Lutheran) gave me a greater appreciation for Lutheran Theology as it retains unadulterated biblical values (purity).

This is a new, trenchant book on mission replacing DavidBosch's Transforming Mission
Dr. Schulz has done a marvelous work on this timely and very relevant book.
I highly recommend everyone to read this book to find out the motivation to share the
Word of God with others.The author wrote biblically as well as theologically sound approaches to mission, emphasizing and expressing the importance ofthe mission works which actually began with God. May the Lord inspire those who read this book to courageously do the Missio Dei.Pax!

A solid addition to any Church library
Spreading the word of God was always one of the ideas of Martin Luther. "The Mission from the Cross" is an examination of mission and how it correlates with the Lutheran sect of Christianity. Examining the teachings of Luther and discussing modern approaches to Missionary work and approaches that would be Lutheran missionaries should use, there is much to relish for readers in this volume that presents much to consider. "The Mission from the Cross" is a solid addition to any Church library or for readers trying to gain a better understanding of Lutheranism.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Theology is for Divine Service
This is a great book.The Lutheran Quarterly Books series has concentrated on publishing works from two crucial Lutheran theologians- Gerharde Forde and Oswald Bayer.One easy way to summarize the thesis of Bayer's book is to say that, just as Forde stated that "theology is for proclamation," Bayer here argues that "theology is for divine service."

What does he mean by this?His basic thesis is that theolog has two inseparable sides- the "monastic" side, its liturgical spirituality, the first order discourse of worship.And then it has an "academic" (wissenschaft) side, the secondary discourse on the primary texts (forms of speech and worship).The two are inseparable, just as in Forde's thought, theology drives and leads to proclamation, but also emerges from proclamation and so leads to further proclamation.

The book is also an excellent resource because Bayer summarizes and introduces Luther's understanding of theology.He focuses especially on Luther's three "rules", rules Luther learned from his repeated praying of Psalm 119.In his introduction to the New Testament translation, Luther offered three rules for theology: Oratio (reading out loud), meditatio (praying or contemplating), and tentatio (suffering or undergoing the text).

Along the way, Bayer addresses issues in the philosophy of science, the study of speech acts, and critiques the main modernist proposals- Schleiermacher, Kant, Hegel, and Bultmann.

Anyone could read this book as a fascinating introduction to theology the Lutheran way.Lutherans will be edified, and will be pushed to clarify their own assumptions and reading of Luther. ... Read more

Product Description
Lutherans have a well-developed understanding of justification by grace through faith apart from works. It is the hallmark of their common history and the key doctrine by which the gospel stands or falls. All this is fine and good, Honeycutt maintains, but because of this emphasis upon grace and forgiveness, Lutherans tend to be a bit nervous with conversation about holy living, perhaps fearing that this treads too closely to works righteousness.
This book is about sanctification the relentless life-changing power of the Holy Spirit to encourage actual progress and maturity in the Christianl ife. With genial style, the author helps readers understand how this overlooked doctrine in basic Lutheran theology complements rather than competes with the core confessions of Lutheran faith and the timeless promises of scripture. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Empowering
Lay leaders in a congregation often experience frustration and wonder whether the Holy Spirit is at work in their ministry. Honeycutt identifies the often unspoken fears and doubts that stifle the actions of individuals in and outside of the church. And then with a variety of illustrations he shares how the Holy Spirit works to sanctify us.

I encourage the lay leaders of a congregation with or without their pastor to read and discuss this book together. Questions at the end of each short chapter will facilitate discussion and be a source of encouragement.

A sanctified Lutheran...and loving it.
Pastor Frank Honeycutt makes some much needed inroads concerning the "s" word that generally makes Lutherans quake in their pews. He is candid about this little crack in our current Lutheran practice, yet he has infused his candor with good wit, good intelligence and good scholarship. With this book, Honeycutt propels Lutherans into a life that actively lives out the gifts of grace and forgiveness and moves us from our Laz-E-boys to lives in motion, lives sanctified by the motion of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. I would recommend this book to any Lutheran curious about how a bad "s" word is actually a wonderful word that can walk comfortably hand-in-hand with our emphasis on justification by grace. ... Read more

Product Description
Speaking of Trust: Conversing with Luther about the Sermon on the Mount brings together passages from Luther's preaching on the Sermon on the Mount and Marty's comments about the place of trust in the life of faith. Marty has arranged Luther's words under three main topics: trust, prayer, and the Beatitudes. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An Alternative to Boring Commentaries
A unique and helpful way to study the New Testament's Sermon on the Mount.If nothing else, it gives us Martin Luther's pastoral thoughts on the sermon in an engaging format.Those looking for a more technical analysis of the Sermon on the Mount will not find their time best sent in this work - although it is a great devotional read. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

LBW worship planning resource
This companion text is a tremendous resource for worship planning.In addition to great historical pieces and extensive background on nearly every hymn in the LBW, the Companion has a suggested hymns section in the back which is worth the price of the book by itself.I don't know how a worship planning committee can pick hymns without this book.We use it everytime we meet.
The only limitation is the Companion is limited to the contents of the Lutheran Book of Worship and doesn't reflect later publications such as With One Voice and Renewing Worship.
If you're doing "traditional" Lutheran worship, you need the Companion.

Excellent resource
Whether you are simply curious to know the origins of hymn texts and tunes or are doing serious research, this book is an excellent resource. A nice surprise for me was the front section describing history of hymns from various ethnic groups. I've used this book to answer long-standing questions about my favorite hymns and identify suitable hymns for particular ceremonies. My only criticism is the inconsistent volume of information. Some authors/composers are given several paragraphs while others are hardly mentioned. That notwithstanding, this is a thoughtful gift for organists, worship directors or anyone who loves to learn more about hymns. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Book on Worship and the Lutheran Confessions!
This is an excellent book on worship! It takes a look at the worship styles of other denominations, and then delves into the Lutheran Confessions to discover what worship is! It discusses Word and Sacrament very well, and blends similar articles from the Book of Concord into easy-to-read studies of the Book of Concord! At the end of each section, a summary is given; and the book is written in catechetical form. German and Latin texts are given, in case that's of use to you. If you're not fluent in either, you can skip over those footnotes without missing anything major. This book puts the Book of Concord together with Scripture in a straightforward, easy-to-read format. Professor Brauer assembles key elements of the Book of Concord into a smooth read, perfect for those completely new to Lutheranism, while also providing a worth-while read to even well-read pastors.I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to study the Lutheran Confessions!!! ... 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
Defined less by geography than by demographic character, Block, Kansas, in many ways exemplifies the prevalent yet seldom-scrutinized ethnic, religion-based community of the rural midwest.

Physically small, the town sprang up around four corners formed by crossroads. Spiritually strong and cohesive, it became the educational and cultural center for generations of German-Lutheran families.Block provided a religious and cultural oasis--a welcome transition for German-Lutheran immigrants faced with a new language and unfamiliar customs. Yet the tight bond between an ethnic society and a religion that shunned Americanism and the English language paradoxically slowed the transition and maintained a culturally isolated community well into the twentieth century.

In Life at Four Corners, Carol Coburn analyzes the powerful combination of those ethnic and religious institutions that effectively resisted assimilation for nearly 80 years only to succumb to the influences of the outside world during the 1930s and 1940s. Emphasizing the formal and informal education provided by the church, school, and family, she examines the total process of how values, identities, and all aspects of culture were transmitted from generation to generation.

"Few ethnic or community studies have focused on a 'village' community that defined itself less by geographic boundaries and more by ethnic and religious identity," writes Coburn. "The community's strong religious and ethnic identity, coupled with its homogeneity and rural isolation, provided a unique educational environment that was total, ongoing, and more pervasive than in most rural settings or ethnic urban environments." ... 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 (3)

A HYMNAL FOR THE AGE
Our WELS pastor clued us in on what was coming with this hymnal in 1986.
Given the power of certain seminary professors, and the shakey hold WELS and its Wauwautosa theology have on Lutheran orthodoxy, it is not surprising that Christian Worship makes obeisance to just about everything coming down the pike these days, from its Church Growth title, to the treacle of Fanny Crosby ("Take the World, But Give Me Jesus"), to the feminist "inclusive" language (Hark the Herald Angels Sing now has "born that WE [not man] no more may die," O God Our Help in Ages Past has "soon bears US ALL [not her sons] away," etc., etc., etc.) and, of course, they sliced anthropos (men) off the Nicene Creed!No wonder the ELS quit its participation in the production of this hymnal and - with only 20,000 members - turned out a far better one. What a sad commentary on the naivete and poor judgment of these well-meaning Midwesterners. And the numbers of the WELS continue to decline.

Best in Class
This innocuous, maroon-covered charmer was published specifically to meet the needs of the Milwaukee-headquartered Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod (WELS), a smallish denomination only about five percent the membership of the two largest American Lutheran affiliations combined. It doesn't pass the politically-correct acid-test of other 1990s hymnals (Did it omit "Onward, Christian Soldiers"? Did it include "Spirit Song"?).

No, it doesn't have "Spirit Song." Not even "How Great Thou Art," which seems pretty shocking for a hymn which was translated from Swedish in the Fifties and has been showing up, translated, into all kinds of American hymnals since then--especially those with a heavy German/Scandinavian heritage close kin to the WELS denomination's *Christian Worship.*

But really--that's beside the point. To this reviewer it isn't a matter of what it lacks; there are plenty of middle-of-the-road hymnals out there but this one is relevant and appropriate to WELS members and clergy. The volume contains catechisms, confessions, creeds and service liturgies like the Eucharist. It's chock-full of hymns from Northern Germany and Scandinavia and considered as a bearer of heritage is certainly no more provincial than the current (1982) Episcopal hymnal, which bears even fewer of the best-known American hymns in favor of multiple versions of English tunes.

And for the rest of us, the more I look at the Hymnal, the more intriguing it can be. *Christian Worship* is a non-compromiser in its stance on its specifically Lutheran viewpoint on theology. By means such as fresher (and frequently more contemporary and accurate) translations from the German or minor alternative phrasing to text, the reader/singer will encounter subtle nuances more in accord with Martin Luther's doctrine of "Salvation Through Grace by Faith" specifcally that demonstrate that the process of salvation is, under Lutheran doctrine, less automatic and autonomous ("cheap grace" is the slur term) than were often seen to be the case in later Wesleyan/Methodist interpretations of salvation.

For example, the last line of verse one of "Rock of Ages" ends in most mainline hymnals with "Be of sin the double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure." The WELS version leaves no doubt that salvation is not something like a consumer good that can be ordered: "Be of sin . . . Cleanse me from its guilt and power." At this point I must say that other hymnals from other similarly-sized Lutheran denominations and affiliations in the Upper Midwest have their own take (or poetic license, if that metaphor isn't too presumptuous) in terms of theological guidance.For example, what is in the United Methodist Hymnal's version of "Love Divine, All Loves Excelling" as "Let us find that second rest," winds up in the *Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary* from Mankato, MN as "Let us find Thy promised rest." (At this point, I've exhausted my theological knowledge ;) .)

Here's where it must be said that using alternate translations or even scrapping traditional in favor of alternative lyrics (if properly indicated as such) is no sin, not legal, intellectual or theological. These are matters of very old expressions of faith, not copyrighted Rogers & Hammerstein tunes. The public domain rules the old, old hymns.

The bound volume itself is very, well stitched, very "flippable" and easy to use, and with all the best back-of-the-book reference techniques. Pity it seems not to be on acid-free paper or else it would last a lot longer than its 62-year-old parent. Nonetheless, a bargain.

If WELS members are more than pleased with the 1993 hymnal, from what I know I quite agree. From my own situation and all mental trifling aside, I can think of situations in which congregations outside the fold might want to use such a dignified hymnal. (An appreciation of Lutheranic or Scandianavian/ German heritage certainly helps, of course.)Such a close-bound congregation might see the WELS hymnal as preferable to the type of hymnal catering to the burgeoning "unihymnals" deliberately marketed toward more rootless, homogenized or surburban fellowships--there are tradeoffs pro and con, of course.

Not a Nordic?Anyone with an interest in general liturgy or musicology would do well to take a look at the unique contributions of style, liturgics, heritage and outlook found in this handsome, distinctive and well-wrought tome.

...
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Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal
Christian Worship: A Lutheran Hymnal is the hymnal of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod. It was published in 1993, and within a few years it was in use in over 90% of WELS congregations. The committee's goal was to "preserve, improve and enlarge" the Lutheran worship heritage, building on the materials in The Lutheran Hymnal (1941). The hymnal uses contemporary, andinclusive language, yet retains Elizabethan English in many hymns that could not be revised without violence to the text. I've been leading worship with it for over nine years, and have found it is very user friendly, yet very substantial in content. The hymns are not "dumbed down." Special features: sixty psalms with refrains, responsive prayers for the seasons, multiple settings (harmonizations) of tunes when the tune appears more than once, contemporary settings of Service ofWord and Sacrament, Service of the Word, Evening Prayer (Vespers). The Common Service and Morning Praise (Matins) retain the tunes that were in TLH....and yes, it does have Amazing Grace (#379) and How Great Thou Art (#256)! ... Read more

Product Description
The Lutheran Handbook for Pastors captures all the essential information any pastor needs to keep close at hand to prevail in any circumstance and have a good chuckle along the way. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

God Bless Martin Luther
Having engaged countless believers in their every day faith with seriousness and humor, now does the same for pastors. Any pastor's needs close at hand in any circumstance but with a laugh along the way. Includes: Luther's five biggest dilemmas and how handled them, how to recover from christmas and easter, how to keep job/family, and how to retire. Luther's call to ministry, how to follow Jesus, seven biblical preachers, how to drink coffee, welcome vistors, staying fit, single social life, all covered here. Luther's challenge of the Catholic church 500 years ago opened the door to religous freedom. There are some 500 million Lutherans worldwide, taking their name from Martin Luther (NOT king Jr.!!!) a monk and revolutionary thinker.

Solid Offering in the "Handbook" Series
I have really enjoyed the author's "Handbook" series (though I was much less thrilled with the "Lutheran Handbook II" (see my review)).With only one caveat, I can say that this book ("Lutheran Handbook for Pastors") is a solid effort and I recommend it to Lutherans across the spectrum (ELCA, LCMS, & WELS).The one caveat is that the ordination of women is not accepted by either the LCMS and WELS, thus I had a hard time getting past the cartoons which pictured female pastors.Contrary to the author's subtle dig in the "Lutheran Handbook II," I am no sexist - I simply believe the Bible does not allow for the ordination of women.Excepting this, I enjoyed this book.

Excellent resource for pastors with a touch of humor thrown in
I've been in the parish for over a dozen years.I wish I would have had this book in seminary....or, at least by the time I was into internship.Writing is very straight forward and has the touch of humor found in The Lutheran Handbook.Invaluable resource for pastors, no matter how long we've been in the parish. ... Read more

Product Description
Skits, songs, stories, and more from A Prairie Home Companion reveal the secret world of a stalwart people.

When you fly Lutheran Air, there’s no first class, meals are potluck with assignments by rows (rows 1-6, bring rolls; rows, 7-15, salad), all fares are by freewill offering, and the plane doesn’t land until the budget is met.

Welcome to the Land of Lutherans, where people drive Fords, wear cardigans, go to church at Third Lutheran (which used to be called First Lutheran, but Lutherans are more comfortable with being Third), drink a lot of coffee, serve chow mein noodles on tuna hot dish, work hard, and don’t make a fuss. Selected from live broadcasts of A Prairie Home Companion, this collection celebrates the kindest people on God’s green earth—except for the mean ones. If you’re not a Lutheran, you’ll laugh out loud. If you are, you’ll smile as hard as you can.

Contents:

• I’m a Lutheran
• Lutheran Tours: Vacation Guilt
• Potato Salad
• Elim Lutheran Anniversary with Philip Brunelle
• Iniquity on the Tundra with Charles Keating
• LYLE: Lutheran Youth League for Evangelism
• St. Patrick’s Day
• The Story of Bob with Vern Sutton
• Church Directory
• Guy Noir: New Year’s Eve Indiscretion
• LOL: Lutherans On Line
• Lutheran Polka
• Summer Vacation
• Flood: Floating Away with Your Pastor
• Evelyn Lundquist Counseling Agency (ELCA): Easter Briefing
• Church Organist

Customer Reviews (8)

A vivid and fun commentary perfect for any lending library!
CHURCH PEOPLE is a powerful survey by Midwest lifestyle commentator Garrison Keillor, who comments on the Lutherans of Lake Wobegon who wear cardigans, go to church, and work hard. It's based on live broadcasts of Keillor's A PRAIRIE HOME COMPANION and provides a vivid and fun commentary perfect for any lending library!

A Mighty storyteller is our Garrison!
Garrison Keillor's "A Prairie Home Companion" has been the source of wonderful music and stories for the past 30-odd years. This collection of material from the show is but the tiniest smidgen of the wonderful things that Keillor and his cast have to offer around the topic of religion. Keillor serves up commercials for Lutheran Airlines (Motto: "An uplifting experience") where dinner is potluck, and for Lutherans On Line, who want a church experience that is more interactive and meaningful (read, "shorter.") We get several segments of the news from Lake Wobegon, dealing with overreaching substitute organists, a baseball beaning that triggers a man's existential crisis, the patriotic wonders of a properly made Fourth of July potato salad and a pastor's angst when the wrong picture gets into the church directory. Guy Noir makes an appearance, helping a young Sunday school teacher who tipsily bared more of herself than her soul. The interview with a woman adrift in her home on the flooded Red River, using crates of Bibles for ballast, was hilarious. The polka band playing old hymns was a hit, as was the piece on summer vacations, the low point of every Midwest Lutheran's warm season.

"Church People," recorded before various live audiences, is heartwarming, irreverent, doleful and joyful by turns. Keillor's deep, sonorous voice is a treasure that never gets old. Worth repeated listens.

Lutherans arise!!
This book on CD had me giggling from beginning to end.As a lifelong Lutheran, as well as a Lutheran pastor's daughter, a choir director and organist, I could totally relate.I Love Garrison Keillor and his humor!

Misunderstood product
I thought I was getting a book on CD that would be read by Garrison Kiellor.Instead it is a collection of radio skits.I did listen to all of them, and passed along the CD to my Pastor.

Church People
If you love Garrison Keillor you have to listen to this. If you have ever enjoyed a church supper, groaned at the church organist, or smiled at Prairie Home Companion, this is a must buy. The music and observations are funny and poignant. ... Read more

Product Description
By virtue of Lutheranism's spiritual heritage and identity in America as an immigrant church, Lutherans are specially placed to give hopeful leadership about the controversial issue of immigration in the United States today. They Are Us explores the biblical, historical, theological, and cultural foundations for Lutheran participation in a public conversation that has important implications for the future of this nation. Based on professional experience and grounded in Christian faith, the authors make the case for immigration reform and call the church to a mission of evangelical hospitality. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Honest and Biblical
This book presents an honest, factual look at the history of immigration....from Biblical times to present. It reviews in greater detail the history of immigration relevant to Lutherans coming to the US, and the history of US immigration policy since Colonial times. Strong Biblical evidence is given in support of "welcoming the stranger", a command that God has given us since the Exodus from Egypt.

I have used this book as the basis of an adult Sunday School class.....and left the question of "What do WE do, in our local community" open to the class's leadings.

Well worth the price.

A Sinister Agenda Masquerading as Christianity
This book tries very hard to make the case that in order to be a good Christian, one MUST invite aggressive, violent, and utterly alien foreigners to live in peaceful, crime-free small towns in midwestern America. This sounds suspiciously like something utterly unlike Christianity to me. It sounds like the precepts of Cultural Marxism put forth by the Frankfurt School. Google "Who Stole Our Culture" to find out more about this subversive school of thought which has been destroying traditional American values since the 1930s. It is not charity for the poor that motivates this agenda, because the poor could be looked after in their own lands without causing the violent, disruptive culture clash now underway in formerly peaceful small towns across the upper midwest. No, the destruction wrought by these aggressive, intolerant, Islamic Africans IS the agenda. It may be clothed once in altruism and again in a cassock, but the effect is undeniable and perfectly predictable to anyone with half an ounce of common sense. We are expected to change our culture for them, we are expected to bow to precepts of their sharia law. What next? Are we supposed to mutilate our daughters' genitals and make them wear burkhas unless we expect them to be raped? This has gone too far already... these authors are traitors to their own people and culture, and anyone who agrees passively with their subversive agenda is just as guilty as they are. "They" are most assuredly NOT "us," and we have our OWN culture and heritage to look after, and should look upon anyone wishing to destroy it as our blood enemies.

1 Timothy 5:8 - "But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever."

Certainly charity does not end with one's own, but to deny one's own their safety, their culture, their identity, and their posterity, and use "Christian charity" as an excuse is no charity at all... it is in fact a knife in the backs of all Germanic American children.

A different and optimistic look at immigration, and a must read for Lutherans
Love thy neighbor is a commonly trumpeted virtue of Christianity, and "They Are Us: Lutherans and Immigration" echoes this sentiment. Authors Stephen Bouman & Ralston Deffenbaugh explains this viewpoint in regards to immigration calling for Lutherans to take these lost souls under their wing and help them to the best of their power, stating that charity and generosity is the Christian way of life. "They Are Us" is a different and optimistic look at immigration, and a must read for Lutherans.

Great resource for teaching
This is a very good resource for teaching in congregations about immigration and our call as Christians to welcome the stranger among us.Although it is written by Lutherans it would be applicable to any Christian denomination. As a Lutheran and a mission developer in an immigrant community I am thankful to have this resource to use as I visit other congregations to teach about the reasons for the presence of and our response to the immigrants living in our midst. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Wonderful, personal edition
This is the bonded leather, personal edition of the Lutheran Service Book.It is the version that is normally $40 at Concordia Publishing House's website.This one was a little over half the price, with free shipping too!I'm only disappointed I waited so long to order it!

Portable version
The website description is incomplete. This is the softcover version -- the sort that you would take to church and take home. I mistakenly thought given the list price (a 74% premium over the pew edition) that this was a more durable version than standard.

So if you want the portable version, this is what you want. If you want something for your bookshelf for the next 20 years, the pew edition may be a better bet. ... Read more