A good theologian does not make his students dependent upon himself but equips them rather with the best he can give as a teacher, pastor, and brother, thus setting them free by opening for them the... More > treasures of the divine Scriptures, the ecclesial Confessions, and the history of theology. John Pless is an excellent example of such a theologian. And this volume, put together by many of his students, is another piece of evidence for the blessings of a faithful theological education. The research that results from such education and its practical relevance for the church is displayed here in manifold variety.
Rev. Dr. Armin Wenz
St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church
Oberursel, Germany< Less
In Exegesis and Explanation of Sunday and Main Festival Gospels, Dr. Johann Gerhard (1582-1637) continues his Postille works, delving into the Gospel
texts of the Apostles and other Festival Days... More > (Vol. III) as well as passages for Midweek Sermons (Vol. IV).
A translation by Dr. Elmer Hohle faithfully transmits Gerhard’s insightful and engaging 17th century text. His Law and Gospel themed writing is both convicting and comforting as he points the reader to Christ, often very powerfully. Gerhard says, “Since Christ thus is the true Way, He will not lead us upon false ways. Since He is the Truth, He will not deceive us. Because He is the Life, He will not leave us in death. His Word is the Truth—we should believe it. His holy life is the true Way—we should walk upon it. Thus we shall find eternal life in Him.” (p. 61)< Less
Jesus Christ used stories called parables to teach His hearers about the kingdom of heaven. Broadly speaking, these parables may be interpreted in two different ways. In the first way, the parables... More > are taken as instruction in what we must do to belong to the kingdom of God. In the second way, the parables open our eyes to see what our Lord has done and keeps on doing to make us citizens of His kingdom. The second way predominates in the poems of To You It Has Been Given.< Less
This "Giertz reader" is the most comprehensive volume ever published on Bo Giertz (1905-1998) in the world's language. through essays by such scholars as Robert Kolb, Gene Veith, Hans... More > Andrae, Eric Andrae, Bror Erickson, Alex Klages, Charles Henrickson, Naomichi Masaki, and John Pless, as well as original translations from Giertz's work, this volume is the leading U.S. contribution in giving his life and theology the hearing it demands. This book is an indispensable aid to those who wish to dig deeper into his confession and understand the faith of the author of the acclaimed and beloved "The Hammer of God,", which this year and with this anthology celebrates the 50th anniversary of the novel's first Enlgish translation.< Less
