Readings for someone considering confessional Lutheranism

[1nteger]

As I've come back to faith as nondescript protestant, I really have taken a lot of positive influence from conservative Anglicans and confessional Lutherans. Both traditions seems to be represent a more conservative reformational attitude towards the errors of the Roman Catholics than some in Reformed tradition. For instance, I had purchased a crucifix for my bedroom, and when I despair, it reminds of me of Christ in a visceral way I can't explain. I have trouble believing the Reformed are correct that this is idolatry; I'm not worshiping the image: it brings my true attention to Christ.

As such, I think I'm feeling at home with the Lutheran and Anglican traditions. Aside from the Book of Concord, which I have purchased already, would any of you have reading suggestion for a Christian who has mostly been reading at the level of Mere Christianity etc... that have a decidedly Lutheran outlook? I'm a good reader and competent student in things like graduate level mathematics, but I must confess, I want to come at my religious studies modestly since I'm a novice. I have heard

The Spirituality of the Cross: The Way of the First Evangelicals by Gene Veith​

might be a good start. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

 

[AlexB23]

As I've come back to faith as nondescript protestant, I really have taken a lot of positive influence from conservative Anglicans and confessional Lutherans. Both traditions seems to be represent a more conservative reformational attitude towards the errors of the Roman Catholics than some in Reformed tradition. For instance, I had purchased a crucifix for my bedroom, and when I despair, it reminds of me of Christ in a visceral way I can't explain. I have trouble believing the Reformed are correct that this is idolatry; I'm not worshiping the image: it brings my true attention to Christ.

As such, I think I'm feeling at home with the Lutheran and Anglican traditions. Aside from the Book of Concord, which I have purchased already, would any of you have reading suggestion for a Christian who has mostly been reading at the level of Mere Christianity etc... that have a decidedly Lutheran outlook? I'm a good reader and competent student in things like graduate level mathematics, but I must confess, I want to come at my religious studies modestly since I'm a novice. I have heard

The Spirituality of the Cross: The Way of the First Evangelicals by Gene Veith​

might be a good start. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

Thank you for this recommendation. I can feed this into my locally run artificial intelligence on my computer.

I recommend the ELS - Small Lutheran Catechism as well. It is a short read, only 24 pages long (note: I am not a Lutheran, but my AI is trained on Protestant, Catholic and Orthodox documents):

https://els.org/wp-content/download/centennial/ELS-Small-Catechism-w-questions-2016-WEB.pdf

 

[Ain't Zwinglian]

The Way of the First Evangelicals by Gene Veith

During the worst of the pandemic ('20 and '21), I read Veith blog on Patheos daily under the moniker Cranach. Enjoyed his material on Vocation.

 

[Shane R]

The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church by G.H. Gerberding.

 

[Ain't Zwinglian]

The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church by G.H. Gerberding.

Can be found for free.....

The Way of Salvation In The Lutheran Church by George Gerberding | Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry

“The aim of the author is to present a clear, concise, and yet as comprehensive a view as possible, of the way of salvation as taught in the Scriptures, and held by the Lutheran Church.

www.lutheranlibrary.org

everything is free here.

My favorite:

The Conservative Reformation by Charles Porterfield Krauth | Lutheran Library Publishing Ministry

“The history of Christianity… moves under the influence of two generic ideas: the conservative, which desires to secure the present by fidelity to the results of the past; the progressive, which looks out, in hope, to a better future.

www.lutheranlibrary.org

Over 800 pages.

 

[Daniel9v9]

While there are many books I'd like to recommend, I'd be remiss if I didn't suggest the Formula of Concord!

The Epitome – Luco

luco.the-rejected-stone.com

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

While there are many books I'd like to recommend, I'd be remiss if I didn't suggest the Formula of Concord!

The Epitome – Luco

luco.the-rejected-stone.com

Book of Concord Readers Edition by Concordia Publishing house. The study notes and reference material contained in this edition is essential for self study.

 

[LizaMarie]

As I've come back to faith as nondescript protestant, I really have taken a lot of positive influence from conservative Anglicans and confessional Lutherans. Both traditions seems to be represent a more conservative reformational attitude towards the errors of the Roman Catholics than some in Reformed tradition. For instance, I had purchased a crucifix for my bedroom, and when I despair, it reminds of me of Christ in a visceral way I can't explain. I have trouble believing the Reformed are correct that this is idolatry; I'm not worshiping the image: it brings my true attention to Christ.

As such, I think I'm feeling at home with the Lutheran and Anglican traditions. Aside from the Book of Concord, which I have purchased already, would any of you have reading suggestion for a Christian who has mostly been reading at the level of Mere Christianity etc... that have a decidedly Lutheran outlook? I'm a good reader and competent student in things like graduate level mathematics, but I must confess, I want to come at my religious studies modestly since I'm a novice. I have heard

The Spirituality of the Cross: The Way of the First Evangelicals by Gene Veith​

might be a good start. Any suggestions would be most appreciated!

Those two books are excellent- I've read them both and I second the recommendation. Also you are correct about the crucifix which I have several in my home. My non-denominational friends and family don't understand, but it's not idolatry, we are not saying that Christ is not risen,(as they think)rather it is a reminder of what Christ has done for us, and you explained it in a great way.

 

[Shane R]

Questions on Baptism by Pr. Joshua Sullivan.
Questions on Baptism (Ask the Pastor)

 

[AlexB23]

Any machine-readable PDFs full length books you guys recommend? As in the pages are not scanned, but appear clean and well done?

 

[Shane R]

I've got one in my files addressing the office of the ministry from a WELS pastor. I'll see if I can find a link.

 

[Shane R]

Spiritual Fathers by David Jay Webber. Sub-titled: "A Treatise on the Lutheran Doctrine of the Ministry, with Special Reference to Luther ’s Large Catechism"

https://www.angelfire.com/ny4/djw/WebberSpiritualFathersSecondEditionFourthPrinting.pdf

 

[CurtUtter]

The Narrow Way second addition from Ad Crucem. Just add it to your cart, its a free digital download that they send a link to your email. Its a 7mb pdf file. Pretty much covers the confessional christian faith from a Lutheran perspective, Pastor Dr. Adam Koontz with Pastors Adrian Sherrill and Andrew Richard contributing.

The narrow way

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

Those two books are excellent- I've read them both and I second the recommendation. Also you are correct about the crucifix which I have several in my home. My non-denominational friends and family don't understand, but it's not idolatry, we are not saying that Christ is not risen,(as they think)rather it is a reminder of what Christ has done for us, and you explained it in a great way.

I have a beautiful crucifix hanging in our living room, it is big at about 20" tall and a bit different. I found it stashed in rather poor condition, in a Funeral Home my wife and I owned for a time.

It shows our Lord not yet dead, but looking to heaven with His index finger of His right hand raised in benediction; when I look at it, I can almost hear Him interceding for us saying "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". It preaches pure Gospel. I will try to remember to post pictures at some point.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

I have a beautiful crucifix hanging in our living room, it is big at about 20" tall and a bit different. I found it stashed in rather poor condition, in a Funeral Home my wife and I owned for a time.

It shows our Lord not yet dead, but looking to heaven with His index finger of His right hand raised in benediction; when I look at it, I can almost hear Him interceding for us saying "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do". It preaches pure Gospel. I will try to remember to post pictures at some point.

Here is a photo:

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[RileyG]

Here is a photo:

View attachment 357459


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Very nice!

 

[LizaMarie]

My sons WELS elementary school had a crucifix in the hallway.