Books

Thoughts from history for the 2010 LCMS Convention

On July 9, 2010, In Books, Issues, Etc, LCMS, Lutheran, Quotes, Seminary, by Rev. Tucher

As we as The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod prepare for our 2010 Convention, I think it is wise to remember words from J.A.O. Preus, the 9th president of The Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod. These words come from his presidential report to the delegates of the 1977 Convention.

As a church we have been known and are still known as people who are vitally concerned that the Word of God be preached in its truth and purity, that the entire program be based upon God’s holy, inspired, inerrant, and powerful Word. The Word brings the church into being, and the Word is truly our rule and norm for faith and life in all the activities that we carry on. We cannot yield one jot or tittle of God’s holy Word. And the Word is the means for carrying out our mission. It is all we have. It is all we need.

We have emerged from a serious doctrinal controversy, in which we are probably the only Christian church in America and probably the only Lutheran Church in the world which seriously and earnestly confronted the issues raised by modern historical-critical methods of Biblical interpretation and honestly and forthrightly dealt with them…

The strength of our beloved Synod has always been a unique blend of concern for a pure doctrine which has brought about our strong confessional stance, coupled with the overwhelming desire to carry out the Great Commission. ¹

1) Quoted from A Seminary in Crisis by Paul A. Zimmerman, available from Concordia Publishing House.

HT: Issues, Etc – Web Extra: Profiles in Presidential Leadership in the LC-MS

Law & Gospel 2.0

On June 25, 2010, In Books, Lutheran, by Rev. Tucher

I received an email about a new work that Concordia Publishing House was working on. This book was a required read during my seminary days (and it should be a yearly read for pastors regardless). This translation was done in 1986 reproduced from the German edition of 1897. Now CPH has come out with a new edition geared toward both pastors and laity. I received it earlier this week and have been able to take the plastic off of it, but nothing more. I’m looking forward to reading it soon.

Quote of the Day

On July 29, 2009, In Books, Quotes, by Rev. Tucher

The following quote comes from the book, “Already Gone: Why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it.”

Regardless of what’s happening in the Sunday school youth groups, pulpit, and Bible studies of your church, the responsibility for ministry to our kids has never been removed from the parents. It’s time to pick that ball up again and jump in the game.

Currently reading: Already Gone

On June 5, 2009, In Books, by Rev. Tucher

I’m currently reading a new book entitled, Already Gone, by Ken Ham and Britt Beemer. The premise of the book is “why your kids will quit church and what you can do to stop it.” From the book’s website:

Nationwide polls and denominational reports are showing that the next generation is calling it quits on the traditional church. And it’s not just happening on the nominal fringe; it’s happening at the core of the Faith.

What are the factors that could cause the next generation to be lost from the local church? Ken Ham from Answers in Genesis commissioned Britt Beemer from America’s Research Group to find out. In the first scientific study of its kind, Beemer surveyed a thousand 20-30 year olds who used to go to Evangelical churches on a regular basis but have since left it behind. The results are not just surprising; they are shocking:

Those who faithfully attended Sunday school are more likely to leave the church than those who do not.
Those who regularly attended Sunday school are more likely to believe that the Bible is less true.
Over half of those who faithfully attended church feel that church is not relevant to real life today.

Statistics reveal a huge disconnect taking place between our children and their church experience. The trends are frightening, but Already Gone shows how to fight back for our families, our churches and our world. We can make a difference today that will affect the statistics of tomorrow!

We’re starting this book for a summer Bible study next Wednesday. Look for a review of the book later this summer.

Women Pastors? A new resource

On December 19, 2007, In Books, Lutheran, Worship, by Rev. Tucher

A new book has just recently been released by Concordia Publishing House entitled, Women Pastors? The Ordination of Women in Biblical Lutheran Perspective. Below is the product description from CPH:

As the ordination of women becomes more commonplace, it is important for all faithful Lutherans, clergy and laity alike, to be able to articulate why, because of the teachings of Holy Scripture, women should not be ordained as pastors. This book offers a rich variety of essays on this topic from the past century up to the present time, responding to the practice of placing women in the church’s pastoral ministry.

There are over twenty essays in this volume, representing Lutheran churches throughout the world. The essays are divided into four sections: Biblical studies, historical studies, doctrinal studies and practical studies.

Anders Nygren, a Lutheran theologian from the Church of Sweden, said prophetically after his church adopted the ordination of women as pastors, “This decision not only means a determination of the specific issue concerning female pastors, but, I am convinced, also means that our church has now shifted into a previously unknown path heading in the direction of Gnosticism and the Schwaermerei. . . I must declare my deep sorrow regarding the decision and give notice of my reservation over the same.”

Just how far this direction of Gnosticism and Enthusiasm has progressed in Lutheran churches that ordain women to be pastors is now quite apparent in Sweden, and elsewhere, where there are now blessings of same-sex unions and the ordination of practicing homosexuals.

The ordination of women as pastors is at the very center of the Lutheran Church’s struggle to retain a faithful view of the Holy Scriptures as the Word of God.

“Years ago, C.S. Lewis said that should the Church opt to ordain women, it would very quickly find that it had brought about a whole new religion. . . . His words have an uncanny prescience to them. Perhaps it is time to step back, reexamine what we have done, and if honesty requires us to say that we have done wrong, begin the necessary correction of the course.” from the essay in the book, How My Mind Has Changed, by Rev. Louis A. Smith, ELCA pastor

I have not had a chance to purchase this yet, though it is now on my “To Read” list. The price for this is $26.99 and is currently available. To order, contact CPH at 1-800-325-3040.

Book Review: Worshiping with Angels and Archangels

On July 28, 2006, In Books, LCMS, by Rev. Tucher

While I was at The Feast, I picked up several books from the CPH store. One of the books I picked up was “Worshiping with Angels and Archangels.” It is a nice little book that leads the worshiper through the Divine Service I. It has explanations of every part of the liturgy, with Scripture references where the liturgy is derived from. Each page has artwork appropriate to the various pieces of the liturgy. Some might argue that the artwork is geared toward very young children, but I think that the artwork is appropriate for all people. It doesn’t need to be overly complicated to get the point across. I highly recommend this book for all people, even pastors. This can be used as a quick Bible study to explain the liturgy to your people.

Worshiping With the Angels and Archangels
Author(s): Kinnaman, Scot
Item Number: 22-3094WEB
Number Of Pages: 48

Rev. Jared C. Tucher