"Following Jesus is hard enough without having to navigate the rocky terrain of church culture all by yourself. The Lutheran Handbook is the indispensable companion for anyone trying to become a well-informed church-goer and have a chuckle now and then. Timeless biblical truths stand alongside everyday life situations that everyone meets, with step-by-step instructions that make the going easy" -- BACK COVER.

Incorporates the notes and rubrics from LBW and the Ministers Edition and gives helps for a fuller understanding and more expanded use of them.

Being a good Lutheran is twice as hard in today's world. That's why every good Lutheran needs the power of The Lutheran Handbook II. With twice the Lutheran doctrine of its predecessor (and twice the humor!), this handbook will guide you through the most difficult theological terrain with ease. Never feel like you "don't know enough" Lutheran theology to accept a church council position or lead a Bible study! The Lutheran Handbook II puts it all at your fingertips, with clear, concise helps on: The Lutheran Reformers' Five Most Dastardly Theological Opponents A Brief History of the Lutheran Movement How To Usher How To Tell if Your Will is in Bondage To Sin and What To Do About It The Five Most Common Heresies Well-Intentioned Lutherans Commit How To Tell the Difference Between a "Vocation" and a "Vacation" How To Interpret "Controversial" Bible Passages and Remain Lutheran ... plus dozens of other essential tips for 21st-century Lutherans!

Lutheranism 101 Here you stand, wondering what the Lutheran Church is all about. Lutheranism 101 examines our Lutheran beliefs and heritage in a fresh way. Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran searching for more information or new to Lutheranism looking to understand what we believe, this book will be your guide. Explore the basics of Lutheran theology, Dig into the history of Lutheranism, Make connections between what Lutherans believe and what Lutherans do, Visit Iutheranism101.com Book jacket.

First published in 1983, Principles of Lutheran Theology has guided students into theological reflection on the landmarks of Christian faith as understood in the Lutheran confessional heritage for a generation. The book sets forth the main principles of classical Lutheran theology but with an eschatological accent. Canon, confession, ecumenicity, Christ-centeredness, sacrament, law/ gospel, and two kingdoms are all examined not only in terms of their original meaning and historical development but also in light of current reflections. In this new edition, Braaten takes stock of the research and reflection of the last twenty-five years and also adds a chapter on the distinctive, Archimedean Lutheran insight into the hiddenness of God as a fount or ground of all theologizing. This new edition, cross-referenced to key readings in Luther's Works and The Book of Concord, will both equip and facilitate the search for a contemporary articulation of Christian identity in light of the church's historic commitments.

The Lutheran Hymnal (1941), the most significant and widely-used American Lutheran hymnal of the twentieth century, contains 644 hymns and 16 spiritual songs, in addition to services and liturgical material. This handbook, the grandfather of American Lutheran hymnal companions and a classic in the field of hymnology, discusses the history and origin of the texts and tunes of all 660 hymns and songs of The Lutheran Hymnal. The second half of the book is devoted to biographical and historical notes on the authors, composers, and translators. Includes bibliography; index of biblical references; table of hymns for the feasts, festivals, and Sundays; index of first lines of original hymns; index of first lines of stanzas (except of first stanzas); alphabetical index of tunes; metrical index of tunes; index of subjects (topical index); alphabetical index of authors; alphabetical index of composers; alphabetical index of translators; and index of first lines. W. Gustave Polack (1890-1950), pastor, poet, hymnologist, was professor of church history at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, and was for twenty years chairman of the committee on hymnology and liturgics, which produced The Lutheran Hymnal.

Addresses the general principles that have guided the shaping of Evangelical Lutheran Worship, considering that central liturgy of Christian worship, Holy Communion. This text examines how worship interacts with environment, music, and the preached word, and features useful and practical suggestions for all those who lead the assembly in worship around word and table.

Bach's St. John Passion is surely one of the monuments of Western music, yet performances of it are inevitably controversial. In large part, this is because of the combination of the powerful and highly emotional music and a text that includes passages from a gospel marked by vehement anti-Judaic sentiments. What did this masterpiece mean in Bach's day and what does it mean today? Although bibliographies on Bach and Judaism have grown enormously since World War II, there has been very little work on the relationship between the two areas. This is hardly surprising; Judaica scholars and culture critics focusing on issues of anti-Semitism commonly lack musical training and are, in any event, quite reasonably interested in even more pressing social and political issues. Bach scholars, on the other hand, have mostly concentrated on narrowly defined musical topics. Strangely, therefore, almost no scholarly attention has been given to relationships between Lutheranism and the religion of Judaism as they affect Bach's most controversial work, the St. John Passion. Through a reappraisal of Bach's work and its contexts, Marissen confronts Bach and Judaism directly, providing interpretive commentary that could serve as a basis for a more informed and sensitive discussion of this troubling work. Consisting of a long interpretive essay, followed by an annotated literal translation of the libretto, a guide to recorded examples, and a detailed bibliography, this concise text provides the reader with the tools to assess the work on its own terms and in the appropriate context.