4.80

0

Feb 09, 2010

That's right folks, I'm reading most of the Book of Concord for my Lutheran Confessions class. It's all the stuff that Luther and friends wrote back in the 1500s... yippee! Despite the fact that it's so old, it is incredibly radical theology and relevant for today.

4

Aug 12, 2013

Although I am not a Lutheran, it seemed to me that reading this collection of early Lutheran writings would help me to understand the Protestant Reformation. I was not disappointed.

In my opinion, this is must reading not just for Lutherans, but also for any Protestant seeking a better understanding of fundamental Christian doctrines. I remain a Baptist, and noted some variance with Baptist understanding of Scripture, but on the whole this volume added to my understanding of the Bible.

If you are Although I am not a Lutheran, it seemed to me that reading this collection of early Lutheran writings would help me to understand the Protestant Reformation. I was not disappointed.

In my opinion, this is must reading not just for Lutherans, but also for any Protestant seeking a better understanding of fundamental Christian doctrines. I remain a Baptist, and noted some variance with Baptist understanding of Scripture, but on the whole this volume added to my understanding of the Bible.

If you are not familiar with this book, it is the basic collection of early Lutheran documents:

1. The Three Chief Symbols.
2. The Augsburg Confession (1530).
3. Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531).
4. The Smalcald Articles (1537).
5. Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope (1537).
6. The Small Catechism (1529).
7. The Large Catechism (1529).
8. Formula of Concord (1577).

Although I recommend this book to all Christians, I also recommend that it be read only after having read through and studied the entire Bible at least once. ...more

5

Mar 12, 2008

An excellent and user friendly translation of the Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.

5

Mar 13, 2019

Read this in seminary in 2007 and read/reread it in 2018-19 to give some talks on the Lutheran Confessions. I enjoyed it more the second time through. Tests, translation, and helps/discussions all are excellent. Worth reading repeatedly over the years.

5

May 28, 2019

The nuts & bolts of the Lutheran faith. This is not an easy read, especially if you are not versed in theology or church history. But a lot of greta stuff in these pages.

5

Jun 09, 2012

The best user-friendly edition of the Book of Concord. Essential reading for any Lutheran, and anyone who wants to understand the Protestant Reformation and its historical impact.

5

Sep 16, 2007

This collection of texts continues to challenge and amaze me. The one book I would want, besides a bible, in prison.

5

Nov 05, 2012

Must read for all reformation buffs everywhere. Don't only read Calvin!

5

Jul 30, 2012

Excellent read of one of the most important confessions of faith.

5

Mar 10, 2013

It's great to know how to interpret Martin Luther's Concord without going braindead.

5

Mar 10, 2013

Keeps reminding me what Lutheranism is. There is this radical Lutheranism (ELCA) and moderate Lutheranism (LCMS) and I keep forgetting.

4

Mar 04, 2010

The easiest to use and read edition of the Lutheran Confessions. A bonus section of full-color pictures from the Reformation are especially interesting and make a great addition to the book.

4

Aug 14, 2012

The Book of Concord gets 5 stars from me; the Tappert edition, fine though it is, is dated and definitely superseded by the Kolb/Wengert edition. Still good to have on hand, however, for the sake of comparison.

0

Jul 07, 2012

If you want a rundown of Lutheran beliefs this is THE book. I dare say it is even interesting at times, just try to count how many times the Pope is called the anti-Christ. It is a collection of works rather than a standalone book and includes among others, the Augsburg confession, the formula of Concord, and the Small and large Catechism.

5

Dec 06, 2012

I just finished going through the Reading Guide, which covers most of the material (all the confessional documents) in 52 weeks of Monday to Friday readings.

This is an excellent, easy-to-read translations of the Confessional Documents of the Lutheran Church. CPH have added useful comments and the addition of the Woodcuts and Engravings, as well as the nice Colour Images - makes this an excellent reference book for anyone interested in Church History.

For those of a Lutheran background, this is a I just finished going through the Reading Guide, which covers most of the material (all the confessional documents) in 52 weeks of Monday to Friday readings.

This is an excellent, easy-to-read translations of the Confessional Documents of the Lutheran Church. CPH have added useful comments and the addition of the Woodcuts and Engravings, as well as the nice Colour Images - makes this an excellent reference book for anyone interested in Church History.

For those of a Lutheran background, this is a superb way to read (again) the documents that make us Lutheran. ...more

5

Feb 17, 2010

I'm reading this for my Lutheran Creeds and Confessions class, and I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying it. I was convinced it would be incredibly dry and didactic, but it's actually quite a radical and exciting read when you consider what Luther and Melancthon and their contemporaries were revolting against. I'm also finding it to be an invaluable spiritual resource, explaining why we worship the way we do in the Lutheran church, and giving background to the history and importance of those I'm reading this for my Lutheran Creeds and Confessions class, and I'm surprised at how much I'm enjoying it. I was convinced it would be incredibly dry and didactic, but it's actually quite a radical and exciting read when you consider what Luther and Melancthon and their contemporaries were revolting against. I'm also finding it to be an invaluable spiritual resource, explaining why we worship the way we do in the Lutheran church, and giving background to the history and importance of those rituals. Knowing the "why" behind what I do is adding a great deal of value to worship experiences. ...more

5

Jun 16, 2012

It is difficult to critique or rate something like this, as it is more a prayerbook and reference for me than a narrative of any kind. It would be like rating one's favorite thesaurus, although I'm sure it could be easily done with more thought. The Book of Concord is the final authority (along with The Holy Bible, of course) of what it means to be a Lutheran. It includes Martin Luther's Large and Small Catechisms of 1529, the Augsburg Confession of 1530, and other many other materials that It is difficult to critique or rate something like this, as it is more a prayerbook and reference for me than a narrative of any kind. It would be like rating one's favorite thesaurus, although I'm sure it could be easily done with more thought. The Book of Concord is the final authority (along with The Holy Bible, of course) of what it means to be a Lutheran. It includes Martin Luther's Large and Small Catechisms of 1529, the Augsburg Confession of 1530, and other many other materials that offer comfort and a clear articulation of the Lutheran Christian faith.

What's neat about this volume in particular? It's pocket sized!
(the regular edition is a real door-stopper) ...more

5

Jun 20, 2012

A must read for those interested in the history and theology behind the Protestant Reformation. But this is no dead and dusty work of history. This book continues to be for millions of Lutherans the Magna Carta of their faith. The book includes several documents outlining principal points of doctrine and the Christian faith: the ecumenical creeds (Apostles', Nicene, Athanasian), the Augsburg Confession, etc.). One must understand that the milieu of the origin of these confessions of faith were A must read for those interested in the history and theology behind the Protestant Reformation. But this is no dead and dusty work of history. This book continues to be for millions of Lutherans the Magna Carta of their faith. The book includes several documents outlining principal points of doctrine and the Christian faith: the ecumenical creeds (Apostles', Nicene, Athanasian), the Augsburg Confession, etc.). One must understand that the milieu of the origin of these confessions of faith were the contentions with the Roman Catholic Church, and then later contentions within Lutheranism itself. Therefore the book does not address directly all matters of theological concern for the modern man. ...more

4

Jan 24, 2020

Essential primary source reading for Lutheran orthodoxy. And yes, much of it is as dull as that sounds. Hands-down the best part was Luther’s small and large catechism, however. That is rich theologically and practically.

4

May 23, 2018

I have read only the intro material, the Augsburg Confession, and the Apology of the Augsburg Confession to this point (about one-third of this volume), but I want to affirm that these writings deserve careful reading from all thoughtful Christians. Melanchthon, Luther, and Chemnitz were truthful, vigorous, and courageous men who loved the Lord, loved his Word, and fought for the truth of the gospel in ways that can and should challenge us today. Reading this volume would also surprise many I have read only the intro material, the Augsburg Confession, and the Apology of the Augsburg Confession to this point (about one-third of this volume), but I want to affirm that these writings deserve careful reading from all thoughtful Christians. Melanchthon, Luther, and Chemnitz were truthful, vigorous, and courageous men who loved the Lord, loved his Word, and fought for the truth of the gospel in ways that can and should challenge us today. Reading this volume would also surprise many evangelicals, who consider themselves heirs of Reformation theology but who would find themselves discomfited by the warm-hearted confessionalism, ardent sacramentalism, etc. of these Lutheran confessions of faith. ...more

5

Oct 06, 2018

True confession, this is a book about Lutheran theology after all, I didn't finish it 100% but read most of it. The only part that I didn't read was about comparative religions.

My husband and I read this together on our ereaders. We had a discussion after each session to compare what we learned from the reading. I kept telling my husband that I was finally learning what it meant to be a Lutheran. He said, "You are finally learning what it means to be a Christian." He was right.

The writing style True confession, this is a book about Lutheran theology after all, I didn't finish it 100% but read most of it. The only part that I didn't read was about comparative religions.

My husband and I read this together on our ereaders. We had a discussion after each session to compare what we learned from the reading. I kept telling my husband that I was finally learning what it meant to be a Lutheran. He said, "You are finally learning what it means to be a Christian." He was right.

The writing style is old, long-winded and some of it is better than others. Martin Luther was very vocal in his disdain of certain people and their beliefs. His emotions came through clearly in his writings. Philip Melachthon was more subdued in his criticism, but was also very articulate. It is mostly dry reading, but there are nuggets of humor. ...more