I am really excited to tell you about a new book from Concordia Publishing House titled Inside the Reformation. If you are familiar with the popular line of illustrated book, DK Books, you’ll immediately understand what this book is like. Here are a series of photos I took of it this morning, I’ll be sharing more information with you about it. For now however you can visit the book’s web site and read a bit more about it. This is NOT a “children’s book” — this is a book for all ages and gives you a fascinating visual overview of the people, places, and things of every day life during the Reformation era. The book is $16.99 and may be ordered here. As usual, click on the images below, and click again to get the largest versions.

Front Cover of "Inside the Reformation"

Pages on Music

Pages on Indulgences

Pages on Relics

I’m really excited about a new resource we just released titled: 120 Bible Stories. It is quite a unique resource and, in my opinion, is perfect both for children and adults. It will provide the user a good overview of the broad scope of the Scriptures and their main teachings.

This collection of Bible stories presents the history of God’s grace-full interaction with His people. Told through the words of Holy Scripture, children ages 8 to 12 will review God’s many Old Testament promises to send a Savior and see how these promises have been fulfilled in Jesus Christ. But, it is not only for children. Adults who have little, to no, exposure to the Scriptures will find this a very helpful way to get to know the “big picture” of the Bible, before they move into a more detailed and careful reading of it.

Each story includes discussion questions, a memory verse, and a full-color illustration. Extra features include maps, a time line, and a glossary with explanatory notes on key words and phrases.

120 Bible Stories is perfect for use in the homes and classrooms.

Here is a sample of 120 Bible Stories.

Here is where you can place an order.

Johann Gehard was the greatest systematic theologian in the history of the Lutheran Church, well, so far. I’m not saying another like him may not come along, but it hasn’t happened in several hundred years. In addition to being a prolific academic theologian, he was the author or numerous devotional resources and was a busy Lutheran Church superintendent (bishop).

He produced a huge treatment of the Bible’s teachings organized around doctrinal topics, called, the Loci Theologici, or, “Topics of Theology.” He continued the tradition of this method started by Philip Melanchthon and continued by Martin Chemnitz. Gerhard’s explanation of theology in this series of massive books is really, in my view, the high point of this method. Some, of course, particularly theological revisionists and liberals regard it as a low point. Why? Because of the meticulous explanation of the Bible that slams the door shut on the kinds of flights of fancy, speculation and private opinion and interpretation that so fascinates today the so-called “theological academics” of our day.

My colleague, Ben Mayes, the series editor for Gerhard’s dogmatics, has a good post available on the first volume of Gerhard’s work on the ministry, and you can read it here on the blog site: “Lutheran Orthodoxy.” I recommend you add this blog to your reading list.

So many of you have been asking for this kind of compact edition, I’m happy to say it is here. Here is where you can buy it, and here is a picture of it.

I’m often asked what the next scheduled volumes are in the Concordia Commentary series. If you are not a subscriber to the series, I encourage you to consider becoming one. You’ll receive the books as they come out and receive a 30% discount off the full price. Here is where you can go to subscribe.

Here’s what’s scheduled for the next two years:

Jude and 2 Peter by Curtis Giese

Scheduled to be published in July 2012.

The Epistles of St. John by Bruce Schuchard

Scheduled to be published in December 2012

Romans 1-8 by Michael Middendorf

Scheduled to be published in July 2013

Mark 1-8 by James Voelz

Scheduled to be published in December 2013

Here is information on Dr. Middendorf, who is working on the book of Romans:

Dr. Michael P. Middendorf of Concordia University Irvine is completing his commentary on Romans 1–8. CPH anticipates that it will be published in July 2013. Dr. Middendorf was named the Trembath Professor in 2010–2011, allowing him extra time for research and writing. He then gave the Trembath Lecture at the university on February 7, 2012, titled “Romans: It’s Not Really about You … and That’s a Good Thing!” This lecture summarized some of his work on the first of two volumes on Romans in the Concordia Commentary series. According to R. C. H. Lenski (Romans, p. 84), “the great theme of Romans is the Sinner’s Personal Justification by Faith.” Dr. Middendorf suggests that a close reading of the letter reveals that it is more about the community than the individual. Even more importantly, Paul directs our attention primarily toward God and his righteousness, which is his gift to us in our Lord Jesus Christ.

New Website a Hub for Confessional Lutheran Research and Writing

Concordia Publishing House Offers a Hand in Partnership to the Professional and Academic Community March 16, 2012Print Pitch Saint Louis, MO—As the 500th anniversary of Reformation approaches, Concordia Publishing House (CPH) unveils cph.org/academic, a new multi-use website to serve Christian scholars. In addition to offering textbooks and research published by CPH, the site also lists publications by theology professors of the Concordia University System and seminaries. Christian scholars will also find information on Lutheran translation projects, news related to confessional Lutheran research and publishing, examination copies, and how to submit manuscripts to Concordia Publishing House for publication.

“Concordia’s new academic site was designed to aid Christian scholars in service to the Church and academy,” said Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes, editor for Luther’s Works and Gerhard’s Commonplaces. “Our hope is that professors, pastors, students, and ‘armchair theologians’ will be well served by it. Concordia Publishing House is a key partner for confessional Lutheran universities and seminaries. We are excited that they use our resources and delighted that they choose CPH to publish their textbooks and research.”

Concordia Publishing House offers textbooks for biblical languages, Reformation and Luther studies, church history, and much more. In addition, CPH is expanding the availability of Luther in the English language through the continuation of the American edition of Luther’s Works. The website offers information on this series as well as two other monumental projects: the Concordia Commentary series (biblical commentary) and the translation of Johann Gerhard’s Theological Commonplaces (classic Lutheran systematic theology). Visit cph.org/academic to find out about special discounts available to subscribers of these series.

At cph.org/academic scholars and professors will find current information on new releases, the process for requesting examination copies, and guidelines for submitting their research for consideration for publication.

A person asked me to send him a pic or two of how the sizes of the various Lutheran Study Bibles compare, so…here you go. I can’t help but think of the story of the three bears….perhaps one is “just right” for you? To order copies, and see all the various options we offer, just head on over here. What I have in the photos are, stacked bottom to top, the larger print edition, the regular print edition and the compact edition, then from left to right in the next photo: compact, regular and larger print. For the largest size of each picture, click on them a couple times and you can expand them on your monitor.

Take a look at the “basic black” edition of The Lutheran Study Bible-Compact Edition. It’s now available from Concordia Publishing House, per customer requests. If you don’t know about The Lutheran Study Bible you can learn all about it here. The Lutheran Study Bible is the world’s most popular Lutheran study Bible. You can order a copy of the compact edition here, at this site, which contains additional information about the size of the compact edition. Here are a couple photos of the cover. And here is a sample of the type size. Quick summary of The Lutheran Study Bible’s features:

Comprehensive organ preludes based on the hymn tunes of Lutheran Service Book. In the tradition of The Parish Organist and the Concordia Hymn Prelude Series, this is the first of 12 volumes of creative, substantive, and practical preludes for every organist and congregation.

The Library
• Complete library will include 12 volumes
• Organized alphabetically by hymn tune
• Volume 1 (A VA DE through AZMON)
• More than 100 contributing composers
• Series edited by Kevin Hildebrand

Preludes
• All newly composed
• Each prelude is 2-4 pages in length
• Useful for preludes, postludes, offertories, introductions, during distribution
• A rich assortment of styles, harmonies, and registrations
• Alternate keys provided to match LSB

Features
• Every volume can be used throughout the Church Year
• Useful with other hymnals and worship books
• 9” x 12” portrait layout
• Sewn binding is long-lasting and lies flat on the music stand

Subscribe and Save
• Receive each volume as it is released
• Only $40.00 per volume for subscribers (a 20% savings)
• Purchase previous volumes individually at the discounted rate
• To learn more, call 1-800-325-3040 or cphmusic@cph.org

Series editor Kevin Hildebrand, M.Mus., M.A., is Associate Kantor at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. Composer, educator, and recitalist, he is a frequent organ workshop leader. He has over 40 music publications with Concordia Publishing House, including the popular “Six Hymn Improvisations” series.

Subscription Offer Become a subscriber to the Reformation Heritage Bible Commentary Series and save 20% off every volume. The price per volume is $24.99, so your discount would bring that price down for you to $18.74. To celebrate the launch of this new series we will also provide free shipping on this first volume. Offer expires April 30, 2012. Shipping costs will apply to each volume afterwards. Subscribers receive two volumes per year for a total of 14 New Testament volumes. You may cancel your subscription at any time. Call 1-800-325-3040 to sign up for the subscription.

We will be placing these books in e-book format and plan to release them in LOGOS format, but the subscription price is only good on print volumes, since we have no control over what Amazon charges for ebooks, etc.

We have a free downloadable sign-up poster and bulletin insert to promote the subscription at your Church!

The great reformers’ influence upon the Bible’s interpretation and application could not help but revitalize the Church. This is as true today as it was five hundred years ago. The reformers taught with special insight due to their constant reading, study, translating, and preaching of the Sacred Scriptures. This commentary series shares with readers today insights from the reformers and faithful commentary that stems from their heritage. Similar to the NIV People’s Bible Commentary Series, this lay-level commentary allows readers to study the Word in a deep and meaningful way with devotional warmth and readability. The Reformation Heritage Bible Commentary Series provides readers with an insightful New Testament commentary in the English Standard Version translation. This new series is perfect for church workers, Bible class teachers, or anyone interested in learning more about the Bible. The series’ unique layout features both the English Standard Version and King James Version; the complimentary versions and parallel format allow readers to see both the classic and modern translations side by side. Starting with the Pauline epistles, two volumes of the series will be released per year. Each commentary will feature introductions, notes, charts, maps, applications, articles, and quotes from ancient, medieval, and evangelical Church Fathers. Through both broad contexts and specific verses, these historical, cultural, and doctrinal insights will surely lead readers to a sound interpretation and application of the biblical text.

Features of the Reformation Heritage Bible Commentary Series:

• ESV text KJV text
• Book introductions
• Notes
• Charts
• Maps
• Applications
• Articles
• Church Father quotations

Endorsements

“The Reformation Heritage Bible Commentary is a unique series that promises to be a valuable resource for laity and preachers. The verse-by-verse commentary focuses on major topics, providing clear interpretation and devotional insight in keeping with how the Reformers approached Scripture, and emphasizing themes that were central in their teaching. Illustrative quotes from key Reformers and their heirs, including Lutheran, Calvinist, Anglican, and Wesleyan sources, provide insights in their own words, without trying to survey the range of views represented in this heritage. This focused approach gives a clear reading of the text which engages one’s mind and heart.” — The Rev. Dr. Rodney A. Whitacre, Professor of Biblical Studies Trinity School for Ministry, Ambridge, Pennsylvania

“Busy pastors and teachers of the scriptures need commentaries that are biblical, theological, and practical. Fortunately, the present commentary on Colossians and the Thessalonian letters fulfills those requirements. In addition, the commentary is accessible to a wide variety of readers, for it is written in a wonderfully clear way. I commend this work gladly.” — Thomas R. Schreiner, James Buchanan Harrison Professor of New Testament ,The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, Louisville, Kentucky

“If the commentaries on Colossians and I and II Thessalonians is indicative of the entire series, the Reformation Heritage Bible Commentary promises to be an asset to the library of serious Bible students, whether layman or clergy. This series exemplifies the reformers commitment to sola scriptura, that the revelation of God’s saving purposes is in scripture alone, which is primarily about Christ alone. The blend of overviews and insights from our protestant forefathers with exegesis and application from contemporary reformed theologians makes for an interesting read. Contemporary readers will also appreciate the devotional notes in these commentaries. Because the study of God’s word is not just an academic endeavor, it engages the mind, heart and will of those who trust Christ for their salvation. While many modern commentaries seem to focus on the application of the scriptures, the intent here is gospel centered interpretation, resulting in devotional application. This is a work of serious scholastic intent combined with theological scrutiny and integrity. I am grateful for such a work and confident that it will be profitable for years to come in aiding the church’s effort to know Christ more fully as He is revealed in Holy Scripture.” — Kenneth R. Jones, Pastor of Glendale Baptist Church, Miami, FL,Co-host of nationally syndicated talk show – White Horse Inn

“The Reformation of the church brought with it biblical insights that revitalized churches and radically changed the course of theological studies as giants like Luther, Melanchthon, Calvin, Chemnitz, and Wesley commented extensively on Holy Scripture. The new Reformation Heritage Bible Commentary is a one-stop-resource where the observations of these and other distinguished Reformation leaders are brought together around specific books of the New Testament. This first volume in the series, Colossians/1 & 2 Thessalonians, is an impressive treatment of these Pauline letters that pastors, laypeople, and professional scholars will treasure and find eminently useful.”— Rev. Dr. R. Reed Lessing Professor of Exegetical Theology and Director of the Graduate School, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, MO

“There is little doubt that CPH will market the Reformation Heritage Bible Commentary as a bunch of books. Having read Colossians and 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, I believe that would be a mistake. This was not a ponderous tome to be endured; it was an opportunity to monitor a lively seminar. As leader, St. Paul places on the table church doctrines, heresies, and challenges. These topics are then discussed by the minds and pens of Luther, Melanchthon, Hus, Cranmer, Chemnitz, and others. It was a joy to hear them and a comfort to find their struggles and successes are mine.”— Pastor Ken Klaus Speaker Emeritus, The Lutheran Hour

“This first volume of the Reformation Heritage Bible Commentary proves itself to be a useful resource for pastors and laity. The brief modern commentary focuses on the key features of each verse. Also, references are interspersed throughout the commentary to the great reformers and to the creeds of the Reformation. The results are illuminating and theologically informed.”— David W. Chapman Associate Professor of New Testament and Archaeology Covenant Theological Seminary

SAVE over 55% now through Easter on He Was Crucified! On sale now for only $12.99. Click on this link, then add the product by clicking “add to cart” On the checkout screen enter the promotion code YHW where it asks “Do you have a promotional code” Click “update cart” Your discount should now appear. This beautiful book offers reflections of a medical doctor on the physical and mental anguish Jesus endured in the hours leading up to His death. Enrich your meditation on Christ’s passion using prayers and hymns paired with moving commentary and masterpieces of art from artists including Michelangelo, Rubens, Dali, and Siqueiros. This devotional book can be used any time during the Church Year to reflect on the Passion of Jesus, but is particularly appropriate during the seasons of Lent and Holy Week. Download a FREE study guide by clicking this link. Experience the imagery and power of He Was Crucified with a powerful short video set to the music of “O Sacred Head Now Wounded.”

We hear a lot about Martin Luther’s Small Catechism, also known as the “Enchiridon” … an English word deriving from the Greek language, meaning, literally “In the hand” … in other words, a “Handbook.” The Small Catechism that Luther wrote in 1529 has, for many centuries, commonly been published with an “Explanation,” consisting of a series of questions and answers on the variety of doctrinal topics covered in the six chief parts of Luther’s Catechism. How did this “Explanation” come about, and on what is it based? Rev. Engelbrecht does a nice job explaining this, and I’m passing along his blog post:

Luther did not write “A Short Explanation of Dr. Martin Luther’s Small Catechism.” Others wrote it while commenting on Luther’s catechism. Ultimately, the root of the book is from Johann Konrad Dietrich’s Institutiones catecheticae published in the 17^th century and updated by subsequent generations in various languages to meet the current needs of Christian educators. Due to the number of contributors and to the constant editing of the text over the centuries, the work cannot be attributed to one or even a few contributors, which is why I suppose there are no specific author names associated with it. However, on page 45 of the current edition, you will find, “This explanation has been based upon and largely includes the work of Johann Konrad Dietrich (1575–1639), Carl Ferdinand Wilhelm Walther (1811–1887), Heinrich Christian Schwann (1819–1905), and the committee that prepared the synodical catechism of 1943.” Concordia Publishing House has updated the catechism in cooperation with the LCMS since at least 1943. I recently sent to Concordia Historical Institute the files of CPH editor Dr. Earl Gaulke regarding the 1991 edition, which was the last time we updated the book. The explanation exists under a separate copyright from the translation of the catechism itself. (See the indicia page for the current edition which refers to a 1991 CPH copyright and to earlier versions of the explanation published in 1965 and 1943.)

You may purchase a copy of Martin Luther’s Small Catechism with Explanation from Concordia Publishing House by following this link.

One of the finest resources available to help parents discuss matters of human sexuality with their children is Concordia Publishing House’s Learning About Sex. In the past few years it was updated and reformatted, and divided into a boy’s edition and girl’s edition. It is simply outstanding. It is on sale now. You can purchase the full set of 11 books for only $99.99, that’s a $40 savings. There are five volumes in the set, in age appropriate levels, for boys, and five for girls. The set also comes with an updated guide for parents. You can place your order here, and use Code YLN to receive the $40 discount. Here’s a sample from the book in the series for boys, age 10-12, do a “save as” or right click this link, and it will download to your computer as a PDF file: 142136

What’s new in the third edition of Women Pastors? Good question, here are the six new essays in the book, and following this I’ve provided the entire Table of Contents. This book is truly the most extensive treatment of this subject and brings to bear a wide range of authors and arguments against the practice of ordaining women as pastors.

Phoebe: A Role Model for Deaconesses Today by Deaconess Cynthia Lumley
Dr. Cynthia Lumley, associate director of deaconess studies at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, takes up the case of Phoebe, who is mentioned briely in Roma. 16:1-2. Lumley demonstrates how this Chrisian woman served not as a minister of the Word but in a way that reflected the sacrificial character of Jesus Christ in her support of the work of apostolic ministry.

Disciples But Not Teachers: 1 Corinthians 14:33b-38 and 1 Timothy 2:11-15 by Dr. John Kleinig
Dr. John Kleinig, recently retired after a distinguished teaching career as pastor and seminary professor in the Lutheran Church of Australia, examines 1 Cor. 14:33b-28 and 1 Tim. 2:11-15, demonstrating that women are and must be disciples of Jesus but are not to teach in the liturgical assembly.

The Use of Tractate 26 to Promote the Ordination of Women by John Kleinig
In this shorter piece, Dr. Kleinig argues that Philip Melanchthon’s confession that the ministry of the New Testament is not bound to persons, as was the Levititcal priesthood of the Old Testament, does not open th way for the ordination of women [or actively homosexual persons!]. On the contrary, Melanchthon grounds the authority of the office on the institution of Christ in contrast with the purely human authority of the papacy. Teh ordination of women is an act of human authority; it cannot be demonstrated as being instituted by Christ.

The Ordination of Women and the Ecclesiastical Endorsement of Homosexuality: Are They Related? by John T. Pless
John T. Pless, assistant professor of pastoral ministry and missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana, examines the coherence and parallelism of theological arguments now being offered for the ordination of practicing homosexuals with those arguments that were and are made for the ordination of women.

Giver to Receiver: God’s Design for the Sexes by Adriane Dorr
Adriane Dorr, MAR, managing editor of The Lutheran Witness, examines God’s design for man and woman noting that the differences between male and female are reflected in God’s ordering of the life of both family and church for our blessing.

Vocational Boundaries: The Service of Women within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod by Kimberly Schave
Deaconess Kimberly Schave applies the doctrine of vocation to the issue of the ordination of women in “vocational boundaries,” lifting up how women are called by God to serve in home, church and world.

Complete Table of Contents

Publisher’s Preface
Preface to Third Edition
Preface to First and Second Editions

Section I: Exegetical Studies
The New Testament and the Ordination of Women — Henry P. Hamann

Didaskalos: The Office, Man and Woman in the New Testament — Bertil Gärtner

Phoebe: A Role Model for Deaconesses Today—Cynthia Lumley

Disciples But Not Teachers: 1 Corinthians 14:33b–38 and 1 Timothy 2:11–15 — John W. Kleinig

1 Corinthians 14:33b–38, 1 Timothy 2:11–14, and the Ordination of Women—Peter Kriewaldt

“As in All the Churches of the Saints”: A Text-Critical Study of 1 Corinthians 14:34,35—David W. Bryce

Ordained Proclaimers or Quiet Learners? Women in Worship in Light of 1 Timothy 2—Charles A. Gieschen

The Ordination of Women: A Twentieth-Century Gnostic Heresy?—Louis A. Brighton

Ordered Community: Order and Subordination in the New Testament—John W. Kleinig

The Ordination of Women—Gregory J. Lockwood

Section II: Historical Studies
Women in the History of the Church: Learned and Holy, But Not Pastors—William Weinrich

The Use of Tractate 26 to Promote the Ordination of Women—John W. Kleinig

Liberation Theology in the Leading Ladies of Feminist Theology—Roland Ziegler

Forty Years of Female Pastors in Scandinavia — Fredrik Sidenvall

The Ordination of Women and Ecclesial Endorsement of Homosexuality: Are They Related?—John T. Pless

Section III: Systematic Theology
Twenty-three Theses on the Holy Scriptures, the Woman, and the Office of the Ministry—Bo Giertz

The Ministry and the Ministry of Women—Peter Brunner

The Ordination of Women and the Doctrine of the Holy Trinity—John W. Kleinig

May Women Be Ordained as Pastors?—David P. Scaer

The Office of the Pastor and the Problem of the Ordination of Women Pastors—David P. Scaer

Ordination of Women?—Hermann Sasse

The Women’s Ordination Debate in the Lutheran Church of Australia: An Open Response to the Initial Report of the Commission on Theology and Interchurch Relations—Gregory Lockwood

The Ordination of Women into the Office of the Church—Reinhard Slenczka

The Argument over Women’s Ordination in Lutheranism as a Paradigmatic Conflict of Dogma—Armin Wenz

Giver to Receiver: God’s Design for the Sexes—Adriane Dorr

Section IV: Theology of Ministry
Ministry and Ordination—John W. Kleinig

Gender Considerations on the Pastoral Office: In Light of 1 Corinthians 14:33–36 and 1 Timothy 2:8–14—Robert Schaibley

“It Is Not Given to Women to Teach”: A Lex in Search of a Ratio—William Weinrich

Vocational Boundaries: The Service of Women within The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod—Kimberly Schave

How My Mind Has Changed—Louis A. Smith

Kudos to Pastor Anthony R. Voltattorni for this blog post:

“Isn’t the crucifix a Roman Catholic thing?”
“Didn’t Jesus got down from the cross?”
“Doesn’t an empty cross remind us of the Resurrection?”