The Problem of Suffering
by Gregory P. Schulz

The Problem of Suffering is a superb resource to share and to use with anyone suffering any form of loss. It is honest, straightforward, expressive, evocative of much reflection and insight, and linked closely to the suffering Savior. 

Author Gregory Schulz speaks as a Christian father, sharing the very personal, difficult struggle of dealing with years of pain, suffering, and questions. As he shares his struggle, he bares his soul with a jarring honesty seldom heard in the church. His protest is against "God's abusive actions," and it rings true to anyone who's suffering of body or spirit.
 
Also included is an epilogue of prayers and poems written by sufferers.
 
From the Foreword:

Warning: After you’ve read this book you’ll never be the same again. You will be challenged by its intellectual depth, encouraged by its spiritual consolation, and blown away by its honesty. Like a roller-coaster, it will lift you to dizzying heights of insight, plunge you down into the deepest imaginable human pain, then lift you out again into hope.

Pain and suffering come in different sizes and intensities for different people, but they come inevitably to us all. A lot of ink has been spilled over the centuries on the so-called “problem of evil,” but there’s not much help in that. Anyone who has personally experienced the mind-numbing and gut-wrenching impact of suffering, pain, or loss can tell you the last thing anyone needs in the midst of that mess is intellectual reflection and explanation. What you need is the honest truth. And such honesty is rarely pleasant.

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Gregory Shulz is professor of philosophy at Wisconsin Lutheran College, Milwaukee. He is an ordained Lutheran pastor and hold earned doctorates in theology. He is also a senior officer in the U. S. Air Force's Civil Air patrol where he teaches and is qualified in search and rescue.  

$14.99 at www.cph.org. Order link here.

Past Picks

The Lutheran Difference

This book began as a popular 18 booklet Bible Study series. In this new work, we gather together all the rich content of the series, order it around the Nicene Creed, and present it in one accessible volume so readers can access the facts they need.

As Lutherans interact with other Christians, they often find themselves struggling to explain their beliefs and practices. Although many Lutherans have learned the “what” of the doctrines of the Church, they do not always have a full scriptural foundation to share the “why.” When confronted with different doctrines or denominations, they sometimes cannot clearly state their faith—much less understand the differences.

Because of insecurities about explaining particular doctrines or practices, some Lutherans may avoid opportunities to share what they have learned from Christ and His Word. The Lutheran Difference identifies how Lutherans differ from other Christians and shows from the Bible why Lutherans differ. Such information will prepare Lutherans to share their faith clearly; it will help non-Lutherans understand the Lutheran difference.

This book was written entirely for the lay person but may also serve well as a high school or college religion class text. This resource would be handy for anyone looking for an additional resource beyond Luther's Small Catechism. It has various writers, including Pastor Gregory Seltz, a former Pastor at Immanuel.

The book is available here at cph.org.

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Concordia's Complete Bible Handbook for Students
by Jane L. Fryar, Edward A. Engelbrecht, Gen. Ed.
Who is this Bible Handbook for?
Anyone who wants to take an in-depth look at each book of the Bible and learn more about important people, significant places, customs and traditions, and life in Biblical times.

What does this Bible Handbook provide?
This handbook starts with an introduction to the Bible, looking at questions such as:

Who wrote the Bible?
How is the Bible organized?
What's up with all those translations?
Is the Bible reliable and trustworthy?
How can I get the most out of the Bible reading I do?

The book then presents a survey of all 66 books of the Bible and the time between the Old and New Testaments. Readers will explore and discover the who, what, when, where, why and how of:

● The Books of Moses
● The Books of History
● The Books of Wisdom
● The Books of the Prophets
● The Time Between the Testaments
● The Gospels and Acts
● The Pauline Epistles
● The General Epistles and Revelation

In addition to summaries of major topics of the Bible, the handbook also includes articles, charts, diagrams, genealogies, illustrations, maps, outlines, overviews and timelines that provide additional detail for personal, group or class study.

Order here from www.cph.org
 

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Luther: Echoes of the Hammer
by Susan K. Leigh
This is the story, from birth to death, of Martin Luther who headed a revolution that changed the world. From a small town in medieval Germany, the Reformation resulted in dramatic, sweeping change that still echoes today. Here is Luther's story of adventure, courage, and faith told for the first time in graphic novel style. Scattered throughout the book are informational call-outs of key supporters and enemies of Luther including Frederick the Wise, Katherine von Bora, Charles IV, and many others. Also included is a comprehensive explanation of Luther's Seal and an extensive history timeline that gives broad context to Luther's life.

This Luther biography provides an educational and appreciation of Luther and the Reformation in a fun, comfortable format. It's perfect for adults, children, and classroom use.
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Author Susan K. Leigh is an editor and author who lives in a small town in Illinois. She is the author of several children's picture books, including twelve titles in the popular "God, I Need to Talk to You" series.

Illustrator Dave Hill graduated from Glasgow School of Art. He has worked in the video game industry for ten years. As a freelance illustrator, Dave's passion is children's book and comic books. He lives in Scotland with his wife and their two children.

Order here from www.cph.org

Introductory special pricing is available.

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The Work of His Hands
by Jeffrey N. Williams

"The wonder and awe of viewing all of the elements of Earth from orbit was overpowering .... The view from orbit was humbling in ways well beyond previous experience."

During his six months aboard the International Space Station in 2006, Colonel Jeffrey N. Williams orbited the earth more than 2,800 times and took more photographs of earth than any astronaut in history. Every shot contains lessons about God's creation. Every view from the window of the Space Station contains countless vivid lessons about the meticulous goodness of divine providence, God’s care for His creation, and His wisdom in ordering the universe.

Colonel Williams has had the rare privilege of studying earth from heaven’s perspective. While this book tells the story of Expedition 13 from Colonel William’s perspective as flight engineer, it also gives us a front-row seat in the Space Station and allows us to look with him through the lens of his camera.
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Colonel Jeffrey N. Williams grew up on a farm in a rural community in Wisconsin. He graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point in 1980 and served more than 27 years in the U.S. Army. Williams holds a bachelor’s degree from USMA, master’s and aerospace engineering degrees from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a master’s degree from the Naval War College.

Order here for $29.99 on www.cph.org

In addition to The Work of His Hands, Williams also authored devotions based on the Psalms in Book Four of Blessed is the Man.

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What is it?

"Behold the Lamb" is a beautiful book that features simple language and striking artwork explaining the rich tradition and symbols of the Church. With the help of concise language and Biblical and liturgical text, readers will be able to understand what each symbol means, and how the church has used that symbol.

Who is this product for? 
An excellent resource for young adults, this book will build up members of the Lutheran church in their use, understanding, and appreciation of the symbols used by the Church. Pastors, parents, teachers, and congregations can use this book to encourage, teach, and promote youth’s knowledge of Christian symbolism.
 
What does this provide for you? 
• A unique look at not only the historical use of Christian symbols, but also the Biblical and liturgical themes that give life and meaning to a symbol. 

• Colorful, bold illustrations. 

This book is sure to have a timeless appeal. As long as there are congregations who appreciate and use art in the Church, this book will be useful for teaching about why these symbols are important. 

Order for $9.49 on cph.org

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Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions-
A Readers Edition of the Book of Concord - 2nd edition

"The Book of Concord should be in every Lutheran home. If a person isn't familiar with this book, he'll think, 'That old book is just for pastors. I don't have to preach. After working all day, I can't sit down and study in the evening. If I read my morning and evening devotions, that's enough.' No, that is not enough! The Lord doesn't want us to remain children, blown to and fro by every wind of doctrine; instead of that, He wants us to grow in knowledge so that we can teach others." - Dr. C.F.W. Walther.

Nothing is more important than clearly confessing and bearing witness to the truths of God's Holy Word which reveal the glorious Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This is what the Book of Concord is all about. This edition of the Lutheran Confessions will instruct, inspire and educate all who use it and help them learn what it means to be, and to remain, a genuinely confessing Lutheran Christian.

Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions is a remarkable achievement in Lutheran publishing. In 800 beautifully presented pages, the reader will find helpful introductions, insightful notes and annotations, and helpful tools and guides to aid reading and comprehension. 

The dramatic history and heroic persons associated with the various documents in the Lutheran Confessions are brought to life. There are more than 115 black and white and 31 full-color plates illuminating the text of the Confessions.

The second edition offers several significant improvements including:
●  An expanded timeline and general index.
●  Enhanced page layout features and design elements
●  New essays in the introduction which provide an overview of the textual issues and history of the Lutheran Confessions
●  A summary of the nature and meaning of the Church's commitment to the Lutheran Confessions.

The Book of Concord is the authoritative collection of the Lutheran Church’s statements of faith. It contains documents which Lutheran Christians have used since the sixteenth century to explain, defend, and advance their witness to the truth of God’s Word.  $31.99 at http://www.cph.org. 

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Natural Law– A Lutheran Reappraisal
Do human beings share a common morality?

The concept of a common morality shared by all people—often called “natural law”—has a rich and storied past in Western philosophy and Christian theology. However, for hundreds of years many Lutherans have either considered natural law an errant teaching of the medieval Church or they have simply ignored it—that is, until now. This book presents essays from 16 contemporary Lutheran scholars, teachers, and pastors, each offering a fresh reappraisal of natural law within historic Lutheran teaching and practice. The authors represent five different Lutheran denominations in the United States and Germany.

This volume represents an ongoing conversation of sometimes similar, sometimes divergent, but always thoughtful views about natural law in the Lutheran tradition. For those who are new to this conversation, a helpful study guide, as well as indices to the Scriptures and the Lutheran Confessions, can be found at the end of the book. It covers Natural Law and Early Lutheran Tradition and Later Lutheran Tradition along with Contemporary issues such as Natural of the Family, abortion, basis for Christian-Muslim discourse and more.

The book is available through Concordia Publishing House here for $24.99 (plus shipping), but if we have 5 or more people interested in getting copies, the church office can order for $14.99 each. Call Beverly at the church office, 689-1787, if interested.

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All People Struggle With Their OLD ADAM
From the Good News Magazine, Issue 37

God has devoted significant sections in His Old and New Testaments to explain that, as a Christian, there are two “yous” inside of you: your old self -- your Old Adam (Romans 6:6) -- and your new self (Ephesians 2:10). Luther, however, cautions: You “Must Not Imagine That These are Two Distinct Human Beings…”

The entire purpose of this issue is to help you understand, on the basis of Scripture, why you feel so conflicted within yourself—and why you often feel like saying with St. Paul: “The good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil I do not wish.” (Romans 7:19)

Perhaps your daily conflict is with gossip, jealousy, pride, or a desire for riches. You may also have a private intense dislike (hatred) for someone. Read this issue and learn from God’s Word how to identify the cause of your conflict and what medicine and power God gives you to Control this conflict.

Check out a copy of Good News from the Resource Room.

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Day By Day We Magnify Thee
by Martin Luther

Daily Readings for the entire year—selected from the writings of Martin Luther Martin Luther’s religious classic—is rightly famed as a unique manual for daily meditation which concentrates on Christ and the Christian life. Drawn from the vast collection of Luther’s sermons and other works, these inspiring readings are conveniently serialized in accordance with a central theme for each week of the ecclesiastical calendar. Anyone desiring to know more about Luther, Lutheranism, and religious tradition will find this little volume a treasury of profound truths, simply expressed and still exquisitely relevant.

Constancy in prayer and worship is regarded by Christians of all traditions as a hallmark—and a safeguard—of faith. Thus was Martin Luther able to write about Mary, who first sang the hymn. “My soul doth magnify the Lord”: “...Mary’s heart remains the same at all times; she lets God have His will with her and draws from it all only a good comfort, joy and trust in God. Thus we too should do; that would be to sing a right Magnificat.”

Martin Luther was a child of his times, the sixteenth century, and this is born out in the way he wrote. Anchored firmly in faith’s life in the world created by God, “Day by Day We Magnify Thee” —that title being a phrase from the Te Deum—through its daily readings can in our time remind us again and again of our Baptism. That Baptism, as Luther affirmed in The Small Catechism, "signifies that the old Adam in us, together with all sins and evil lust, should be drowned by daily sorrow and repentance and be put to death, and that the new man should come forth daily and rise up, cleansed and righteous, to live forever in God’s presence."

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Lutheranism 101
General Editor: Scot A. Kinnaman
Assisting Editor: Laura L. Lane

"Lutheranism 101" from Concordia Publishing House examines Lutheran beliefs and heritage in a fresh way.

If 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. It is written in an easy-to-read conversational style with short articles, side-bar features, and some humor. Lutheranism 101 helps create a solid foundation of reference upon which a lifetime of sound teaching can be built.

Explore the basics of Lutheran theology by digging into the history of Lutheranism and making connections between what Lutherans believe and what Lutherans do. 

What you'll learn about:
● God and His Son
● Faith and Belief
● Heaven and Hell
● Church and Fellowship
● Sin and Forgiveness

and much more!
Click here (lutheranism101.com) for more information. 

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A Little Book on Joy: The Secret of Living a Good News Life in a Bad News World
by Matthew C. Harrison

"So many churches, so many pastors and Christians have so little joy today,” my friend observed. “These are difficult times.”

With these words Matthew Harrison embarks on a quest to rediscover the joy of being a Christian—the secret of living a Good News life in a bad news world. In "A Little Book on Joy," Harrison takes the reader on a journey…

● from the father’s joy at the prodigal’s return, to the joy of Mary’s Magnificat,

● from the joy of the Holy Spirit and repentance, to the manifold joys of life together in community, marriage and family,

● from the joy of forgiveness and perfect righteousness in Christ, to the joys of humor, worship, the sanctity of life, and the wonders of creation,

● from the joy of the Gospel mission throughout the world, the joy of everyday life and of a generous and faithful Lutheranism, to the joys in store for us in the life of the world to come.

Study questions follow each chapter, making "A Little Book on Joy" the perfect guide for a Bible study or sermon series on the topic of Christian joy.

A prayer guide for “The Great Ninety Days of Joy after Joy: Daily Texts with Prayers to Gladden the Heart from Ash Wednesday through Pentecost (or any time),” makes this the perfect devotional guide for Lent and Easter, or any time of year.
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Pastor Matthew Harrison was baptized in a small, rural parish, raised in a large, suburban church, was a missionary to native Canadians in Ontario, served as a graduate assistant at the seminary, studied in Australia, vicared in Texas, and served as pastor in rural Iowa and inner city Fort Wayne, Indiana. After co-founding a nationally recognized neighborhood renewal project in what was the poorest census tract in Indiana, he became the Executive Director of World Relief and Human Care for The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and has administered nearly $100 million of charitable giving worldwide. He writes, translates, and speaks extensively. He delights in his wife, Kathy and two boys, Matthew and Mark. He is an avid bluegrass banjo player and luthier, and finds joy in it all.

Pastor Harrison is now the President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and a personal friend of Pastor Farnsworth, as well as a one-time colleague and classmate. They both served at Zion Lutheran Church, the inner city church in Ft. Wayne. As executive director of WRHC-LCMS, Matthew has had the opportunity to help people after hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes and, most recently, the earthquake in Haiti. Obviously moved by those experiences, Matthew has a great deal to share on his book on joy. I hope it will be a blessing to you.

"The Creator's Tapestry:  Scriptural Perspectives on Man-Woman Relationships in Marriage and the Church" is the title of a 76-page report adopted by the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations at its Dec. 10-12 meeting.

It is the commission's latest and most comprehensive response to a series of questions about "the Scriptural relationship of man and woman" assigned to it by the Synod's 1995 Convention (Res. 3-10).  Following publication (expected in early March), the report will be sent out to all Synod congregations and church workers and posted on the CTCR's Web site (www.lcms.org/ctcr).

In the first and major section of the report, the commission presents the scriptural view of the relationship between man and woman on the basis of the three articles of the Apostles Creed.  Beginning with Genesis and continuing through the New Testament, the report tells the story of how God has created, redeemed, and renewed men and women for service to Him and to others.  The report focuses on this relationship as it exists in marriage and in single life, in service to the church, and as participants in Christ's mission to the world.
 
"The biblical perspective on man and woman resembles a patterned tapestry," says the report, "woven with multicolored threads both alike and different.  Within the Creator's design, man and woman share a common human nature.  In their sameness yet difference they interrelate beautifully -- most intimately within the one-flesh union of marriage." 

In the concluding section, the report addresses the nature of this relationship, pointing out ways in which the Bible describes the complementary nature of the relationship between man and woman.   It also calls attention to ways in which this relationship has been distorted and is often caricatured.  "In Baptism," says the report, "every believer is called to service in his or her vocations within the various spheres of life.  The body of Christ requires that its individual members exercise the wide variety of their gifts, whether that individual is male or female (1 Cor. 12:7)." 

ISSUES, ETC Journal

The journal is released regularly and gives you current, thought-provoking articles.  To get your copy, just send an email to journal@issuesetc.org

This month check out the article “The Church Without the Word” by Pastor Charles Mallie.
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Reverend Charlie Mallie is the associate Pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas.

ISSUES, ETC Journal

A sample article from the Issues, Etc. Journal:
“Playing the Pharisee Card”

"I have been called a Pharisee more times than I can remember. It goes with the territory. I host a conservative Christian radio talk show. I publicly defend the teachings and practices of the historic Church. I also publicly point out false teaching and practices in the Church today. For these reasons alone, some believe that I deserve to be called a Pharisee.

"But I’m not alone. Today, the label “Pharisee” is applied to many Christians just like me—perhaps you’re one of them. We are Christians who cherish God’s Word, the Church’s historic Creeds, confessions and practices. When we see the Church abandoning these things to follow the latest fads and entertainments, we lament. When we see the Gospel itself being left behind in the Church’s rush to mimic popular culture, we are grieved. And when we question the Church’s infatuation with the spirit of the age, we are labeled Pharisees."

(continued on the website)

The Journal is released regularly and gives you current, thought-provoking articles.



Issues, Etc.™ broadcasts live weekdays from 4:05 to 6 pm Eastern Time.  For more information, click the graphic above or see our Links page.

The Church and Her Fellowship, Ministry, and Governance
Volume 9 of the Confessional Lutheran Dogmatics Series
By Rev. Kurt E. Marquart

This book is a must-read for those who want to understand the ramifications of the proposed restructuring of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. This dogmatic resource is based upon the outline and thought pattern of the Lutheran Confessions.

The series is strictly and consciously confessional in its presentation of doctrine and its assessment and analysis of modern theological trends throughout the Christian church.
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The Rev. Dr. Kurt E. Marquart, seventy-two years a baptized child of God, forty-seven years an under-shepherd of Christ's people, and thirty-one years Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Concordia Theological Seminary, father, and grandfather, died September 19, 2006 from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as "Lou Gehrig's Disease." 

Best Portals of Prayer
Rudolph F. Norden, Editor

From time to time readers have requested that selected devotions from Portals of Prayer be made available in permanent form to give the devotions a second life, as it were.

In 1957 Concordia Publishing House issued such a book titled "Meditations from Portals of Prayer.” It was stated in the introduction that the daily devotions had “proved a source of comfort and strength to countless individuals and families in this country and in the far corners of the world.”

Portals of Prayer has continued to bring comfort, strength, and guidance to estimated 3 million persons per issue.

With so many readings to choose from, many excellent devotions and writers had to be overlooked.

Those chosen are representative of an anthology, which in Greek means “a collection of flowers,” a variety yet each with its own beauty and fragrance. The readings selected for this book exemplify a great number of topics discussed in a devotional context, the differing approaches to the subjects, the varying writing styles and the personal gifts of the authors.

There is, however, one constant; the same Gospel of God’s love in Jesus Christ is proclaimed.

The Lutheran Study Bible

Engage in devotional, Christ-centered Bible reading and study with the distinctive, comprehensive notes and practical application of The Lutheran Study Bible.

This new Bible is the first in English to be developed from the ground-up with notes that are distinctively Lutheran, prepared by Lutheran theologians and pastors from over twenty Lutheran church bodies. Current Lutheran scholarship, insights from the Church Fathers, and rich devotional commentary provides meaningful perspective for both young and mature Christians.

The Lutheran Study Bible features:

• 26,500-plus uniquely Lutheran study notes.

• Over 2,000 application notes and prayers for every part of the Bible.

• 80,000 center column cross-references.

• Over 900 cross-references to 120 full or half-page maps, charts, and diagrams.

• 220-plus articles and introductions to biblical books and topics.

• Insights from early church, medieval and Reformation era church fathers.

• Uses the English Standard Version translation, one of the most precise English translations available.

• Durable Smyth-sewn binding.

For more information visit cph.org/lutheranbible

God At Work
by Gene Edward Veith, Jr.

When you understand it properly, the doctrine of vocation -- "doing everything for God's glory" -- is not a platitude or an outdated notion.  This principle that we vaguely apply to our lives and our work is actually the key to Christian ethics, to influencing our culture for Christ, and to infusing our ordinary, everyday lives with the presence of God.  For when we realize that the "mundane" activities that consume our time are "God's hiding places," our perspective changes.

Culture expert Gene Veith unpacks the Biblical, Reformation teaching about the doctrine of vocation, emphasizing not what we should specifically do with our time or what careers we are called to, but what God does in and through or callings -- even within the home.  In each task He has given us -- in our workplaces and families, our churches and society -- God Himself is at work.  Veith guides you to discover God's purpose and calling in these seemingly ordinary areas by providing you with a spiritual framework for thinking about such issues and for acting upon them with a changed perspective.  
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Gene Edward Veith, Jr., is Professor of English at Concordia University-Wisconsin. He has written numerous books and is the general editor of Crossway’s Focal Point series, to which he has contributed two volumes: Christians in a .com World and God at Work: Your Christian Vocation in All of Life. His book Postmodern Times: A Christian Guide to Contemporary Thought and Culture received a Christianity Today Book Award.

Worshipping with Angels & Archangels:
 An Introduction to the Divine Service
by Scot Kinnaman

This book (published by Concordia) helps us understand worship and can be an additional book in the home to understand why we do what we do in the Divine Service.

This book would be a good confirmation gift.

A Case for Amillennialism: Understanding the End Times
by Kim Riddlebarger

Amillennialism, dispensational premillennialism, historic premillennialism, postmillennialism, preterism. These are difficult words to pronounce and even harder concepts to understand.

A Case for Amillennialism presents an accessible look at the crucial theological question of the millennium in the context of contemporary evangelicalism. This study defends amillennialism as the historic Protestant understanding of the millennial age. Amillennarians believe that the millennium of Christ's heavenly reign is a present reality, not a future hope to come after his return.

Recognizing that eschatology, the study of future things, is a complicated and controversial subject, Riddlebarger provides definitions of key terms and a helpful overview of various viewpoints. He examines related biblical topics as a backdrop to understanding the subject and discusses important passages of Scripture that bear upon the millennial age, including Daniel 9, Matthew 24, Romans 11, and Revelation 20.

Regardless of their stance, readers will find helpful insight as Riddlebarger evaluates the main problems facing each of the major millennial positions and cautions readers to be aware of the spiraling consequences of each view.
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Dr. Kim Riddlebarger is pastor of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California, and a visiting professor of systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is cohost of the popular White Horse Inn weekly radio program sponsored by the Alliance of Confessing Evangelicals. He has a Ph.D. from Fuller Seminary.

A Daily Prayer Catechism

Grow each day through this timeless collection of heartfelt requests and the Lord’s faithful answers presented in one-page, easy-to-use devotions.

A Daily Prayer Catechism includes:
• Questions people want the Lord to answer about faith, life and eternal life.
• Answers drawn from God’s Holy Word
• Prayers of the Bible.
• Prayers and meditations from great Christian teachers

The devotions are arranged by the seasons of the Christian calendar and Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation, classic models of devotion. The prayers and topics are carefully indexed so that you can find the right words for your prayers and the answers you need.

 Please visit the Resource Room for past selections.