Lutheran CORE continues to provide monthly video reviews of books of interest and importance.  Many thanks to Maurice Lee for doing this month’s video review.  Dr. Lee is the pastor of Prince of Peace Lutheran Church in Santa Barbara, California (NALC), a lecturer in theology for the North American Lutheran Seminary, and a member of the NALC’s Commission on Theology and Doctrine.  His review is about the book, Loci Communes (1521) by Philip Melanchthon.  A link to his review can be found here.   

This year 2021 represents the 500^th anniversary of the publication of this book, which can be translated “Common Places” or “Common Topics.”  This is the book that launched Melanchthon’s reputation as a theologian in the Lutheran tradition.  According to Dr. Lee, it “stands in the headwaters of specifically Lutheran theology. This work seeks neither to be exhaustive nor to draw attention to itself, but the themes it takes up — among others, law and gospel; faith and works; human nature and human sinfulness — and the ways Melanchthon explores them continue to be resonant and relevant today, 500 years after the original publication.” 

This review, as well as seven others, have been posted on our YouTube channel.  A link to the channel can be found here.  Many thanks to those who have made the reviews.   

Our plan is to publish a new video book review during the first week of every month.  Many of the books that are being and will be reviewed are described in the List of Confessional Resources on the Seminarians page of our website.  That list can be found here. When you look at a video review for the first time, please click on the Subscribe button.  As enough people do that, it will eventually help us to get a channel name that will include our organization’s name.  

Thank you to the three professors at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis (LCMS), who have written powerful, definitive, Scriptural, and confessional responses to documents from ReconcilingWorks, an organization that seeks to give a Biblical basis for affirming the LGBTQ+ lifestyle and for fully welcoming LGBTQ+ people into the life of the church, including as rostered leaders of the church.

I highly recommend their articles to you.  Among the people who I believe would especially be interested are –

Those who hold to the traditional, Biblical view and who are looking for resources to help them defend and advocate for that view

Those who are genuinely seeking and wondering – with so many voices to the contrary – if the traditional, Biblical view is plausible and defensible

Dr. Thomas Egger, president of the seminary and professor of exegetical theology, has written a review of Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans: Sexuality and Gender Identity.  A link to his review can be found here.  Dr. Egger’s thesis, which he defends admirably and in great detail, can be found in the opening and closing paragraphs of his article.  “Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans does not carefully listen to and apply the Bible as God’s authoritative Word to the matter of human sexuality and gender identity, but rather offers creative ways to employ Biblical language and theological categories to confirm a set of convictions that have been arrived at on other grounds.” (page 18) 

Dr. Joel Biermann, professor of systematic theology, has written “An Evaluation and Reaction” to another document from ReconcilingWorks – Lutheran Introduction to Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Gender Expression.  A link to his article can be found here.  A few phrases from his article will reveal his major point, which he makes clearly and supports strongly.

“Considering the remarkable prominence given the word Lutheran on the cover, it seems clear that the intent of the document is to provide teaching from and for Lutheran Christians.  Yet after the first sentence, Lutheran appears once more (pg. 6), church makes a similar fleeting singular appearance (pg. 2), and the word Christian is absent.  Most remarkable of all, perhaps, there is no reference or even allusion to Jesus or God anywhere in the document.” (page 1)

“Another word noticeably, but unsurprisingly, absent from the document is sin.  Presumably, the discovery and celebration of one’s individual, self-identified, identity offers no quarter for an idea like sin. . . . Given the suppression of sin in the document, it is hardly surprising that Jesus makes not even a cameo appearance.  With no sin, what need is there of a savior; and with my identity and self-expression determined by myself who needs, or wants, a Lord?” (pages 2-3)

Dr. Timothy Saleska, professor of exegetical theology and dean of ministerial formation, has also written a response to Reconciling Scripture for Lutherans.  A link to his article can be found here.  A friend of Lutheran CORE wrote, “It is at once thoroughly charitable in its response, humble and honest in self-examination, empathetic to the plight of LGBTQ+ persons . . . thoughtful in genuinely trying to understand the perspective of LGBTQ+ affirming persons . . . – and yet unflinching in telling the truth about homosexuality and transgenderism from a confessional Lutheran, traditional sexual ethics perspective.”

As a retired pastor who is rostered in a Lutheran church body that has contained on the homepage of its website links to resources from ReconcilingWorks, and whose presiding bishop did not give me the courtesy of responding to my email when I asked her why the ELCA website never also contains links to resources with traditional views (thus violating the spirit and language of the 2009 social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” which acknowledged that people within “this church” hold a number of views, including traditional views, “with conviction and integrity,”) I found it refreshing and encouraging that another church body would have professors at one of its seminaries that would write clearly and compellingly in support of traditional, Biblical, moral values.

I highly recommend these three articles to you. 

A recent discussion in Lutheran CORE’s private and visible Facebook group had to do with whether it is appropriate to refer to the Bible as the Word of God.

The question was raised regarding Lutheran CORE’s position on that issue.

We are fully aware of the fact that the real issue behind the issue is more often than not the authority of Scripture.  Refusing to call God Father, rejecting evangelism as part of the mission of the church, seeing faith in Christ as only one out of many ways to God, and embracing the radical LGBTQIA+ agenda all result from rejecting the inspiration, reliability, and authority of the Bible. 

Here is a link to Lutheran CORE’s 2007 statement, which is entitled “A Lutheran Statement on the Authority and Interpretation of Scripture in the Church.”  Although it was written within the context of the ELCA’s Book of Faith Initiative, it clearly states that “the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments are the written Word of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob who has revealed himself most fully and completely in Jesus Christ.”  This document can be found on the About section of our website.  Click on About, and then on Historical Documents.

Last weekend I attended the online synod assembly for the ELCA synod in which I was rostered before I retired.  My two strongest impressions from the gathering are as follows.

First, the words that I heard most often were “diversity,” “inclusivity,” and “equity.”  That is what almost everybody talked about and what everybody seemed to make their top priorities.  After the assembly was over, I wished that I had kept track of the number of times that somebody mentioned Jesus.  I did not keep track of the number, but I am certain that Jesus was mentioned far less often than diversity, inclusivity, and equity.  I also definitely got the message that the diversity and inclusivity that they were talking about do not include people like me. 

In mid-May that synod held an online pre-assembly gathering.  Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton was one of the presenters.  She told the group, “We talk about justice; we also need to talk about Jesus.  We need to name the Name.”  Please pray with me that what she said was meant, was heard, and will be heeded. 

Second, the discussion about the proposed budget was amazing.  It was mentioned that during the last nine years – from 2012 to 2021 – receipts from congregations to the synod have dropped from $1.4 million to $800,000.  Which amounts to more than a 40 percent decline in nine years.  And that does not include the drop during the years immediately following the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

The proposed spending plan for the 2022-2023 fiscal year included income of $899,000 (the major addition to the receipts from congregations was over $70,000 from the assets obtained from the sale of a former church property), but expenses of over $1.2 million.  The assembly rejected the budget, not because it was not balanced, but instead because it did not provide funding for all of the favored ministries.  The attitude of the assembly was, We need to sell more buildings from closed congregations, and we need to use more of the dollars already obtained from already selling buildings from closed congregations.

It is astounding to me that people want to fund their agendas, values, and priorities from the sale of properties built and paid for by people whose view of the Bible, theology, moral values, and view of the mission of the church they reject.  They show neither appreciation for the past nor any concern to do their part to make the future viable.  Rather they just want to have the financial resources today to fund their agendas, values, and priorities.

It was also mentioned during the assembly that twenty-five percent of the synod’s 107 congregations (twenty-seven congregations) do not have a regular pastor, and several more are challenged because of their size and/or financial instability.

If all that is not enough to tell the ELCA that something is very wrong, what would be enough?

To read the entire June letter from the director, click here.  

* * * * * * *

Dennis D. Nelson

Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

dennisdnelsonaz@yahoo.com

Lutheran CORE | PO Box 1741, Wausau, WI 54402-1741

THANKING GOD FOR SEEING US THROUGH

I experience great joy as pastors tell me of their congregations’ being able to resume in person worship services.  Many are again having delightful times of fellowship after worship.  Gatherings which last year were either cancelled or held online are this year able to be held in person.  One pastor reported that his position has been restored to full time.  Another pastor shared that worship attendance is back up close to what it had been pre-COVID.  And many pastors tell of how their congregations have been able to expand their outreach and ministry through technology, in a way in which they had never anticipated and which they want to continue.  We all thank God for seeing us through.

In many ways the past fifteen months have been very, very tough, but God has seen us through.  When I think of going through tough times, I think of the apostle Paul’s relationship with the church in Corinth.  Philippians and 2 Corinthians are probably his most personal epistles.  Philippians is a very joyful letter, as he is thanking them for their love and support.  2 Corinthians is a very painful letter, as he is dealing with the conflict and strife between him and them.  We all thank God for relationships and experiences that are like Paul’s relationship with and letter to the Philippians.  But we also have relationships and experiences that are like Paul’s relationship with and letters to the Corinthians.

The Second Readings for the Sundays of June and the first Sunday in July are taken from Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians.  As he was writing this letter he was experiencing great pain in his relationship with these people.  In the fourth chapter of this letter he gives us four things that can help us deal with the most painful of circumstances and the most troubling of times.

First, knowing that God has already taken care of the most critical; therefore we know that He can and will take care of everything else.

In verse 14 Paul wrote, “We know that the one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus.”  Since the Father has already raised Jesus from the dead, we know that He will keep His promise and raise us from the dead.  And if He can and will raise us from the dead, then He also can and will take care of all the other things in life that trouble and overwhelm us. 

Second, knowing that there can be redemptive meaning and purpose in all that we do and have to endure.

In verse 15 Paul wrote, “Everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”  We find renewed courage and strength as we realize that what we are doing and enduring is for the sake of other people, can be channels through which God’s grace comes to others, can increase our attitude of thanksgiving, and can bring glory to God. 

Third, remembering that the pain is only temporary.

We have all heard it said, Tough times don’t last; tough people last.  The difference between the hero and the ordinary person is that the hero holds on ten minutes more.  In verses 16-17 Paul wrote, “We do not lose heart. . . . This slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure.”  Those words remind me of what Paul wrote in Romans 8: 18 – “The sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.”  Both of my parents grew up during the Great Depression on family farms in central Minnesota.  I am embarrassed to admit how long it took me to realize that in spite of all that they had to endure, they survived.  My parents and my grandparents were survivors.  If they survived what they had to go through, then certainly I can survive what I have to go through.

Fourth, remembering that the power and glory of God are revealed through our struggles.

In verse 7 Paul wrote, “We have this treasure (the Gospel) in clay jars (that’s us), so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.”  As I realize that I have been able to make it, I realize that the power came from God.  And then in verses 8-10 Paul wrote, “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies.”  What we have to go through – and are able to go through – demonstrate the power of God and the life that can be ours through faith in Jesus Christ.

After I retired in June 2014, my wife and I moved from southern California to the Phoenix area in July 2014.  One thing we have done to help us make it through the hot summers is to go someplace cooler for a few days each month during the summer.  Fortunately, in Arizona, there are many places that are cooler because they are at a higher elevation.  We have learned that up to 105 degrees is not too bad, but when the temperature rises to 115 or even 117 degrees, the sun hurts.  We had been able to go to cooler places through the summer of 2019, but obviously were not able to in 2020.  We are looking forward to being able to resume doing that in 2021.  Plus I am looking forward to seeing many of you at the various in person meetings where I will be representing Lutheran CORE.  I missed that during 2020.  Again, I thank God for seeing us through. 

* * * * * * * * *

VIDEO BOOK REVIEWS 

Lutheran CORE continues to provide monthly video reviews of books of interest and importance.  Many thanks to ELCA Pastor Kevin Haug for making this month’s video review.  His review is about the book, The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism by Timothy Keller.

Pastor Haug writes, “This book falls square into the field of apologetics and is helpful not only in dealing with agnostics and atheists, but with ‘progressive’ Christianity’s assault on the orthodox faith as well.  Keller provides concepts and arguments with reason and logic weaving together philosophy and theology to show that belief in the orthodox, Christian faith is…well, reasonable.  Well-written and easily digestible, Keller’s work gives solid argument to defend the faith from without and from within.”

This review, as well as seven others, have been posted on our YouTube channel.  A link to the channel can be found here.  Many thanks to those who have made the reviews. 

We continue to publish a new video book review during the first week of every month.  Many of the books that are being and will be reviewed are described in the List of Confessional Resources on the Seminarians page on our website.  That list can be found here.

When you look at a video review for the first time, please click on the Subscribe button.  As enough people do that, it will eventually help us to get a channel name that will include our organization’s name.  

* * * * * * *

RESOURCES FOR YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS

Have you seen the newest addition to our website?  It is the Young Timothy page and is intended for high school youth and young adults.  A link to that page can be found here. 

One of the features of that page is an annotated list of book resources geared for youth and young adults.  A link to that list can be found here.  These books cover such topics as the reliability of the Bible, an explanation of the Christian faith as understood by Lutherans, the life of Martin Luther, and how to discern God’s call for your life.

The Young Timothy page also contains links to a video book review made by and articles for our newsletter, CORE Voice, that were written by members of our younger persons group. 

Please check out this new page and tell the high school youth and young adults whom you know about it.  And please let us know if they or you know of resources that should be added. 

* * * * * * *

WHAT DOES LUTHERAN CORE DO?

We are continually encouraged as we hear from people who support, value, and appreciate our work.  We want to keep you informed of what we are doing to fulfill our mission of being a Voice for Biblical Truth and a Network for Confessing Lutherans.  Here is a link to the most recent version of this document. 

* * * * * * *

REFLECTIONS FROM ONE SYNOD ASSEMBLY 

Last weekend I attended the online synod assembly for the ELCA synod in which I was rostered before I retired.  My two strongest impressions from the gathering are as follows.

First, the words that I heard most often were “diversity,” “inclusivity,” and “equity.”  That is what almost everybody talked about and what everybody seemed to make their top priorities.  After the assembly was over, I wished that I had kept track of the number of times that somebody mentioned Jesus.  I did not keep track of the number, but I am certain that Jesus was mentioned far less often than diversity, inclusivity, and equity.  I also definitely got the message that the diversity and inclusivity that they were talking about do not include people like me. 

In mid-May that synod held an online pre-assembly gathering.  Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton was one of the presenters.  She told the group, “We talk about justice; we also need to talk about Jesus.  We need to name the Name.”  Please pray with me that what she said was meant, was heard, and will be heeded. 

Second, the discussion about the proposed budget was amazing.  It was mentioned that during the last nine years – from 2012 to 2021 – receipts from congregations to the synod have dropped from $1.4 million to $800,000.  Which amounts to more than a 40 percent decline in nine years.  And that does not include the drop during the years immediately following the 2009 ELCA Churchwide Assembly.

The proposed spending plan for the 2022-2023 fiscal year included income of $899,000 (the major addition to the receipts from congregations was over $70,000 from the assets obtained from the sale of a former church property), but expenses of over $1.2 million.  The assembly rejected the budget, not because it was not balanced, but instead because it did not provide funding for all of the favored ministries.  The attitude of the assembly was, We need to sell more buildings from closed congregations, and we need to use more of the dollars already obtained from already selling buildings from closed congregations.

It is astounding to me that people want to fund their agendas, values, and priorities from the sale of properties built and paid for by people whose view of the Bible, theology, moral values, and view of the mission of the church they reject.  They show neither appreciation for the past nor any concern to do their part to make the future viable.  Rather they just want to have the financial resources today to fund their agendas, values, and priorities.

It was also mentioned during the assembly that twenty-five percent of the synod’s 107 congregations (twenty-seven congregations) do not have a regular pastor, and several more are challenged because of their size and/or financial instability.

If all that is not enough to tell the ELCA that something is very wrong, what would be enough? 

* * * * * * *

Dennis D. Nelson

Executive Director of Lutheran CORE

dennisdnelsonaz@yahoo.com

Lutheran CORE | PO Box 1741, Wausau, WI 54402-1741

Lutheran CORE defines its mission as being a Voice for Biblical Truth and a Network for Confessing Lutherans.

As a Voice for Biblical Truth we alert people to ways in which the authority of the Bible, the historic, orthodox Christian faith, and traditional, Biblical moral values are being compromised and even rejected.

1. We offer guidance in evaluating ELCA communications and decisions, such as the social statement, “Faith, Sexism, and Justice” and the “Declaration of Inter-Religious Commitment,” both of which were approved at the 2019 Churchwide Assembly.   
2. We challenge the ELCA to keep its promise made at the 2009 Churchwide Assembly to honor also the traditional view of marriage and human sexuality.  We confront the ELCA over their complete lack of support for traditional views, as evidenced in such things as the choice of keynote speakers for the 2018 youth gathering and the choice of workshop leaders and topics for the 2021 youth ministry extravaganza.
3. We provide assistance for pastors and church leaders who want to gather examples to communicate ways in which orthodoxy is being threatened within the ELCA.
4. We include articles in our bi-monthly newsletter, CORE Voice, on such topics as critical race theory, how to share your faith with people who are hostile to the Christian faith, and how to communicate in a way that is relevant to technically sophisticated, younger generations.

As a Network for Confessing Lutherans we assure confessing persons that they are not alone.  We provide connection for them with many others who share their concerns and are engaged in the same struggles.

1. We provide Facebook groups in which orthodox pastors, seminarians, and lay people can engage in conversation with like-minded people.
2. We have a private and visible (Facebook terminology) Facebook group that includes pastors, seminarians, and lay people with several different church body affiliations.
3. We have a private and hidden (again Facebook terminology) Facebook group that is only for orthodox ELCA pastors and seminarians.
4. We have a third Facebook group, Lutheran CORE Worship, where people can post worship services and Bible studies.  
5. We also have both a page and a group on MeWe.
6. We are working with a pan-Lutheran group of younger persons to do four things: (1) develop a support network for orthodox students at ELCA seminaries, (2) develop a support network for college students considering attending seminary, (3) support people who are leading and/or seeking to start young adult ministries, and (4) find ways to communicate the Christian faith to younger persons in a clear and compelling way.   
7. Through the Clergy Connect page on our website, we help Biblically faithful, confessional congregations find a Biblically faithful, confessional pastor and vice versa.
8. As requested, we work with congregations that are reviewing their church body affiliation and walk with them through the process.
9. Through our Congregations in Transition ministry initiative we have a group of (mostly retired) Lutheran pastors who have been trained to be coaches for congregations where the pastor either already has or soon will be retiring or resigning to take another call.     
10. Through our sponsoring of the July 11-17, 2021 week of NEXUS at Grand View University, we are helping provide a way for high school youth to attend a week of Bible study, theological reflection, fellowship, involvement in ministry, and being challenged to consider attending seminary and become involved in a life of Christian service.   
11. We hold our annual Encuentro festival in the Chicago area – a day of support, connection, fellowship, inspiration, and resources for pastors, lay leaders, and congregations that are already involved in or are considering becoming involved in Spanish language and/or bi-lingual (English-Spanish) ministry. 
12. We provide on our website daily devotions and worship resources, including prayers and hymn suggestions.  We are also developing a bank of sermon resources for congregations that do not have a regular pastor. 
13. We also provide on our website an annotated List of Confessional Resources – books, magazines, ministries, and other resources recommended by confessional pastors – as well as video reviews of some of these resources.
14. We provide a listening ear for pastors who want to talk about such things as congregational dynamics, personal health issues, and/or are anticipating retirement or transitioning to life after retirement. 

Ashman, Scott. Who Am I?  Exploring Your Identity Through Your Vocations

Who am I? What is my purpose in life? How should I live? This book invites you to explore your identity through your callings, to imagine living virtuously for others, and to discover deep meaning and satisfaction in life. You’ll look at many vocations that young people have or will have later in life.  

Bainton, Roland. Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther

The Reformation of the sixteenth century was a vast and complicated movement. It involved kings and peasants, cardinals and country priests, monks and merchants. It spread from one end of Europe to the other and manifested itself in widely differing forms. Yet in spite of its diverse and complex character, to start to understand the Reformation you need know only one name: Martin Luther. Roland Bainton’s Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther remains the definitive introduction to the great Reformer and is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand this towering historical figure.

Bird, Chad. Unveiling Mercy: 365 Daily Devotions Based on Insights from Old Testament Hebrew

Unveiling Mercy will do just that—unveil how the mercy of God in the Messiah is spoken of from the very opening Hebrew word of the Bible, all the way to the closing chapter of Malachi. By the end of the year, you will have entered the Old Testament through 365 new doorways, looked with fresh eyes at old verses, and traced a web of connections all over the Scriptures that you never spotted before.

Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship

Speaking as a man who truly lived out his faith under the worst of circumstances, Dietrich Bonhoeffer does so with a mantle of authority. The bulk of this book is devoted to reclaiming the rightful place of the Sermon on the Mount, and by extension, the teaching of the Gospels, in the life of the believer.  German Lutheran pastor and theologian, Bonhoeffer was an example of sacrificial faith.  He opposed the Nazis from the first and was eventually imprisoned in Buchenwald and hung by the Gestapo in 1945.

Cullinan, Alice R. Sorting It Out: Discerning God’s Call to Ministry

Sorting It Out walks Christians of all ages through the questions and uncertainties that come with a person’s call to vocational ministry. Alice R. Cullinan analyzes what a call is, provides many examples of how others have received the call, considers the different kinds of ministry opportunities, and offers advice on how to proceed once one discerns a calling from God.

Forde, Gerhard O. Free to Be: A Handbook to Luther’s Small Catechism

This revised version uses updated activities and examples to explore Luther’s Small Catechism and relate powerful Reformation truths to today’s world.  Thirty sessions.  Available as both student book and teacher guide. 

Guiness, Os. The Call: Finding and Fulfilling God’s Purpose for Your Life

Os Guinness has penned a classic reflective work on life’s purpose. Far bigger than our jobs and accomplishments and higher than our wildest ideas of self-fulfillment, our calling does more than give purpose and meaning to our lives.  It completes God’s plan for us.

Hoppes, Peggy. A Thirty-Day Walk Through Luther’s Catechism

This 30-day devotional book follows the sections of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism and is designed for daily reflection on the Scriptures and the faith that we share. Guiding the reader through a journey of Law to Gospel, the devotions are meant to show readers their need for grace and where that grace is found in Jesus Christ. The book is not only meant as a basic daily devotional and prayer resource; it also serves as a brief overview of the themes of the Small Catechism.

Johnson, Donald W. Praying the Catechism  

This devotional book invites you to experience the parts of the catechism through a journey of prayer and meditation.  Originally written for adults preparing for baptism, it is divided into two sections, which may be used approximately forty days before and fifty days after baptism.  If baptism occurs at the Easter Vigil, the two sections are especially appropriate for the seasons of Lent and Easter, respectively.  It is hoped that people preparing to affirm their faith, whether old or young, will find this book helpful. It is also hoped that this book will be used by individuals and families as a part of their devotional life. In this case, the book may be used in its ninety-day entirety, or the devotions may be undertaken in smaller sections through the six sections of the Catechism: the Ten Commandments, the Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, Baptism, Eucharist and Confession.

Jones, Ken Sundet. A Lutheran Toolkit

Ken Sundet Jones sees the primary themes of the Augsburg Confession as a set of tools that God uses to build faith in us. He takes the reader beyond scholarly analysis and historical explanations and uses his own experience as a college professor, parish pastor, and sinner looking for mercy, to discover God’s handiwork in our lives.  The tools in this tool kit continually point to Jesus as the one who promises mercy and abundant life — and who has the power to deliver them. This is a word for those who have not yet heard it and for those who desperately need to hear it again.

Keller, Timothy. The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith

New York pastor Timothy Keller uses the story of the prodigal son to shine a light on the central, beautiful message of Jesus: the gospel of grace, hope and salvation. Keller argues that the parable of the prodigal son, while Jesus’ best-known parable, is also his least understood. He introduces the reader to all the characters in this timeless story, showing that it concerns not just a wayward son, but also a judgmental older brother and, most importantly, a loving father. This short but powerful book is a reminder to the faithful, an explanation to the seeker, and finally an invitation to all – both older and younger brothers – to enter into the ‘unique, radical nature of the gospel’: the reckless, spendthrift love of God.

Kimball, Dan. How (Not) to Read the Bible: Making Sense of the Anti-Women, Anti-Science, Pro-Violence, Pro-Slavery and Other Crazy Sounding Parts of Scripture

For centuries, the Bible was called “the Good Book,” a moral and religious text that guides us into a relationship with God and shows us the right way to live. Today, however, some people argue that the Bible is outdated and harmful, with many Christians unaware of some of the odd and disturbing things the Bible says.  Whether you are a Christian, a doubter, or someone exploring the Bible for the first time, bestselling author Dan Kimball will guide you step-by-step in how to make sense of these difficult and disturbing Bible passages.  Filled with stories, visual illustrations, and memes reflecting popular cultural objections, How (Not) to Read the Bible is a lifeline for individuals who are confused or discouraged with questions about the Bible.  It also works great as a small-group study or sermon series.

King, Steve and Little, Amy. Getting to Know Martin Luther

By learning from Martin Luther’s life, we get a better glimpse into what faith means for our own life – searching and understanding the Word of God, trusting in Christ alone for our salvation, standing up for what we believe in, and helping others to learn the truth about God.

Luther, Martin. On Christian Liberty

On Christian Liberty communicates essential teachings of Martin Luther. Luther’s great insight into the freedom of the Christian proved revolutionary in his century and remains timely and poignantly relevant in our own. For the Christian, this freedom means liberty from sin and death, as well as the opportunity to serve one’s neighbor.

Marty, Martin E. Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers

Lutherans often have questions about Lutheran theology and beliefs that are basic to the Christian faith itself. Featuring a unique question-and-answer format, Lutheran Questions, Lutheran Answers is an accessible and concise treatment that provides the most frequently asked questions on important topics and brief but complete answers from a distinguished Lutheran historian and theologian.

Nouwen, Henri J. M. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership

Henri Nouwen was a spiritual thinker with an unusual capacity to write about the life of Jesus and the love of God in ways that have inspired countless people. This is the most widely read of the more than forty books that Father Nouwen wrote. For a society that measures successful leadership in terms of the effectiveness of the individual, Father Nouwen offers a counter definition that is witnessed by a “communal and mutual experience.” For Nouwen, leadership cannot function apart from the community. His wisdom is grounded in the foundation that we are a people “called.” This beautiful guide to Christian leadership is the rich fruit of Henri Nouwen’s own journey as one of the most influential spiritual leaders of the twentieth century.

Rosenbladt, Rod. Christ Alone

In our postmodern, pluralistic world, there are plenty of genuinely spiritual people who consider Christ a way to heaven, or even their way to heaven, but who refuse to acknowledge Him as the only way for everyone. In their estimation, anyone who stresses an exclusive, saving faith in Jesus Christ is at the least intolerant and, at worst, completely ignorant. Yet, as Rod Rosenbladt shows in this booklet, there are numerous evidences that support the centrality and exclusivity of Christ. Even in the face of sophisticated theological attacks, God’s Word – and Christ’s unique claims – still hold true.  There is One whose words and works stand far above all others, and whose entire existence proves His exclusive claims. He deserves not only our worship, but our witness before a lost world.

Saint Augustine.  Confessions

Written between 397 and 400 AD, this work outlines Saint Augustine’s sinful youth and his conversion to Christianity.  It is generally considered one of the most important texts of this early church leader and is widely seen as the first Western autobiography ever written.

Sutton, A. Trevor. Being Lutheran

“Why are you Lutheran?” is a valid question in this modern age of denominations, distinctions, and choices.  Being Lutheran is an explanation of Lutheran theology for the modern layperson. Using “normal” language and applications to daily life, it translates complex theology into understandable knowledge, exploring such topics such as vocation, means of grace, law and gospel, and much more.

Sutton, A. Trevor. Why Should I Trust the Bible?

You have tough questions about the Bible. Maybe you have even heard things like, “The Bible is racist,” “The Bible has too many errors and edits,” or “The Bible is merely a mythological story like Homer’s Odyssey.”  This book tackles accusations like those head-on. Pastor Sutton compares the Bible to writings that have been deemed more credible than the Bible, like the Book of Mormon, encyclopedias, and even Shakespeare’s works. He tests the Bible using the same rigorous standards that have been used to test those other writings. He examines historical evidence, witness accounts, and translation concerns.  By the end, you will be able to better defend your faith when its very foundation is attacked. You will get many of your tough questions answered. And you will see that when all other texts fall, the Bible still stands – completely, undeniably trustworthy.

Tranvik, Mark. Martin Luther and the Called Life

One of the hallmarks of Luther’s theology was his concern for daily life. His concept of vocation is a way of understanding that all of life is under the care and interest of God. All of our activities are a part of a called life.  Tranvik begins this book with a clear exposition of Luther’s context and a focus on how the reformer actually lived out his own calling. He rapidly moves into the contemporary sphere, drawing on twenty years of teaching and interaction with undergraduate students to outline how a renewed understanding of vocation is a powerful and liberating tool for life in the twenty-first century.

Veith, Gene Edward, Jr. The Spirituality of the Cross

A challenge for today (for both Christians and non-Christians alike) is to cultivate a meaningful life in a seemingly meaningless world. Our natural religious impulse is to earn salvation based on what we do and what we deserve according to our own moral compasses.  Lutheran Christianity is different. The theology of the cross provides an understanding that relates to the world we live in today. Presenting a true understanding of justification by faith, the means of grace, vocation, theology of the cross, the two kingdoms, worship, and the church, this book is an excellent explanation of Lutheran spirituality.

Williams, Rowan. Being Christian: Baptism, Bible, Eucharist, Prayer

In this simple, beautifully written book Rowan Williams explores four essential components of the Christian life: baptism, Bible, Eucharist, and prayer. Despite huge differences in Christian thinking and practice both today and in past centuries, he says that these four basic elements have remained constant and indispensable for the majority of those who call themselves Christians. In accessible, pastoral terms this former Archbishop of Canterbury invites the reader to really think through the Christian faith and how to live it out. Questions for reflection and discussion at the end of each chapter help readers to dig deeper and apply Williams’s insights to their own lives.

Not too far from our home – in the Sonoran Desert outside Phoenix – is the Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center.  This wonderful facility cares for many desert animals that have been injured or orphaned.  The goal is always to be able to return them to the wild.  But that is not always possible, so for some animals this place becomes their permanent home.  Some animals are brought there by people who naively thought that a mountain lion cub would make a great pet.  But mountain lion cubs always grow up, and people come to realize that something they thought would be safe has become a threat.

I thought of people who mistakenly believe that they could tame a mountain lion cub when I read the April 16 letter from ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton addressing racial justice.  A link to her letter can be found here.  In her call for reform to “any institutionally racist system” she essentially endorses Black Lives Matter.  She encourages people to join Campaign Zero, which she describes as “a 10-point policy platform created by the #BlackLivesMatter movement to address and improve relationships between local law enforcement and the communities in which they serve.”  She also urges people to learn more about ELCA resources at elca.org/blacklivesmatter. 

I was relieved to read on the ELCA website that “the ELCA churchwide organization does not provide financial support to this chapter-based organization.”  I have been deeply disturbed to read about some other organizations and businesses that do contribute financially to Black Lives Matter.  It also seemed very reasonable to read on the ELCA website, “This movement does not seek to elevate Black lives above others.  Rather, the movement seeks to help people recognize that Black lives matter no less than other lives.”

The ELCA website is correct when it says, “Scripture tells us that each person is created in the image of God. . . . All of us have integrity and value.”  There is absolutely no question.  Racism does exist, and racism is wrong.  The First Readings for Easter Sunday and May 9 have both come from the account in Acts 10 when God clearly directed Peter to go to the house of Cornelius.  In the First Reading for Easter Peter said, “I truly understand that God shows no partiality.” (verse 34) In the First Reading for May 9 “the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles.” (verse 45) Peter said, “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (verse 47) If God has included them, how could we exclude them?

But for at least three reasons the ELCA’s endorsing and embracing the Black Lives Matter movement reminds me of people who think that a mountain lion cub would be safe.

First, the page on the ELCA website does not address the fact that at least two of the three original founders of Black Lives Matter are self-avowed, trained Marxist organizers.  Marxism has led to political systems that have enslaved people and that have been severely hostile to the Christian faith.

Second, while the full embrace of the LGBTQIA+ agenda is very strong within the ELCA, I am not aware of any official action taken by the ELCA to affirm that full agenda.  A document recently approved by the ELCA Church Council, “Definitions and Guidelines for Discipline,” includes the sentence, “This church’s understanding of human sexuality is stated in its authorized social teachings.” (page 8) The most recent of these social teachings is the social statement, “Human Sexuality: Gift and Trust,” which was approved by the 2009 Churchwide Assembly.  Actions taken by that assembly provided for the blessing of and ordination of persons in publicly accountable, lifelong, monogamous, same sex relationships.  They did not embrace the full LGBTQIA+ agenda.  In contrast, Black Lives Matter has said, “We foster a queer-affirming network.  When we gather, we do so with the intention of freeing ourselves from the tight grip of heteronormative thinking.”  It is interesting that the page that contains that wording from Black Lives Matter appears to no longer exist.

Third, what Black Lives Matter used to call its “Full Manifesto” also is on a page that appears to no longer exist.  One of the most disturbing sentences in the “Full Manifesto” reads as follows – “We disrupt the western-prescribed nuclear family structure requirement by supporting each other as extended families and ‘villages’ that collectively care for one another, especially our children.”  Every orthodox Christian parent should be horrified over a statement like that, which advocates for the state’s taking over the raising of children.  Every Christian parent needs to do everything they can to keep from losing the ability to influence the faith formation of their children.  To me it is interesting – and I believe significant – that some of the statements from Black Lives Matter that have caused the greatest alarm are on website pages that appear to no longer exist.  If you can find them, please let me know.  Has the Black Lives Matter movement modified and/or softened its position?  I doubt it.  I believe they are just downplaying it.  They want people like the ELCA to believe that there is nothing to fear.  What Black Lives Matter advocates for, every reasonable person should be in favor of.  Mountain lion cubs will stay mountain lion cubs

Lutheran CORE continues to provide monthly video reviews of books of interest and importance.  Many thanks to Ken Coughlan, media director and director of international programs for Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church and Christian School (NALC) in Joppa, Maryland, for doing this month’s video review.  His review is about the book, Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions, by Greg Koukl.    

Ken Coughlan describes this as “a unique book that fills a gap for many pastors and laypeople alike.”  He further writes, “The book is less about the ‘what’ and more about the ‘how.’  In other words, people know the Great Commission tells us to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, but they often feel held back by nagging questions like ‘How do I begin the conversation,’ ‘What do I do if they ask me something and I don’t know the answer,’ or ‘Shouldn’t I get some seminary classes under my belt before I go out there?’”

In this review, Ken Coughlan summarizes some of the unique contributions Koukl provides in giving Christians a game plan to talk to non-believers in a respectful manner that honors Christ and reassures us that we can and should share our faith in Jesus with the world.

This review, as well as six others, have been posted on our YouTube channel.  A link to the channel can be found here.  Many thanks to those who have made the reviews.    

Our plan is to publish a new video book review during the first week of every month.  Many of the books that are being and will be reviewed are described in the List of Confessional Resources on the Seminarians page of our website.  That list can be found here.

When you look at a video review for the first time, please click on the Subscribe button.  As enough people do that, it will eventually help us to get a channel name that will include our organization’s name.  

Lutheran CORE wants to be of support and assistance to orthodox, confessional congregations in every way that we can.  Three of the ways in which we are seeking to do that are through a catalog of sermon resources, Clergy Connect, and Congregations in Transition.

I have spoken with lay leaders of congregations that are either too small or too remote to be able to find and call a pastor.  Other congregations are in the process of calling a pastor, and at this point do not have an interim.  Some of these congregations have a pastor who is available to come, preach, and preside at communion once or twice a month.  Many times it is a retired pastor, or a chaplain in a nearby care facility, who is able to help out.  I have spoken with some pastors who travel a great distance in order to provide care for the people of God.  Because of the distance, some of these pastors will preach and lead worship one Sunday a month, and then write and send sermons which a lay leader in the congregation can deliver on the other Sundays of the month.  There are many different kinds of situations, and many different kinds of arrangements that have been made.  We want to thank all of the lay leaders of congregations who “step up to the plate” and all the pastors, including retired pastors, who help meet the need.

We are also very grateful to Cathy Ammlung, NALC pastor and former secretary of the board of Lutheran CORE.  Cathy has a special passion and heart for smaller and/or more remote congregations and congregations that do not have a pastor.  She has begun the process of compiling a resource bank of sermons that lay leaders could use on the Sundays when their congregation does not have a pastor.  She describes her concept and vision in an article in the March issue of CORE Voice.  A link to that article can be found here.

Many thanks to all those who have already responded and sent Cathy one or more of their sermons.  If you have not already done so, please consider sending her one or more of your sermons which can be added to this resource bank.  Sermons will be organized by topic, Scripture passage, and Sunday of the church year.   Please email her your “best sermons” at cammlung@gmail.com. 

Another resource I want to lift up is Clergy Connect.  A link to this page on our website can be found here.

Many congregations have reported how difficult it is to find an orthodox, confessional, Great Commission minded pastor.   An anticipated increase in the number of retirements of pastors post-COVID, and the decrease in the number of seminary enrollees, will make and have made this situation even more severe.

We invite you to post your position on our website.  If you check out the page you will see the kind of information that other congregations have provided.  Congregational search committees are asked to submit church name, location, description of the position and the congregation, and contact information.  Vacancies can be emailed to lcorewebmail@gmail.com.   

Third, if you have a pastoral vacancy, please also consider our Congregations in Transition ministry initiative.  We have a group of (mostly) retired Lutheran pastors who have been trained to be transition coaches.  They are able and available to help congregations whose pastors have retired or resigned, or soon will be retiring or resigning, maintain stability and momentum in regards to the congregation’s vital ministries during the transition process.  For more information check out our Transitions page or contact lcorewebmail@gmail.com.