The Essential Christian Library 4–A Hymnal: Lutheran Service Book (LSB)

A hymnal! How can a hymnal be an essential part of my library? Lets’ face it, not all of us were blessed with musical talent!

While the talent part may be true—I’m not judging, just going along for the sake of argument—a hymnal is definitely essential. And not just any hymnal but the Lutheran Service Book (LSB for short, not to be confused with TLSB, The Lutheran Study Bible). Why is it essential, you ask? That two part question deserves a two part answer.

First, why is a hymnal essential? Even if you aren’t the most musical person, the poetry alone is worth the price of admission.

Hymns encapsulate the essentials of the Christian faith. Here are a couple examples:

• Thy strong Word bespeaks us righteous, Bright with thine own holiness
• Glory be to Jesus, who in bitter pains, Poured for me the lifeblood From his sacred veins

Hymns help us express what we are often unable to articulate. Hymnals also include the liturgies, the orders of worship, which we use in our services. The liturgies remind us of our sin and assure us of our salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Of course, the hymnal is full of music. Luther once said, “Next to the Word of God, the noble art of music is the greatest treasure in the world.” Music, together with God’s unchangeable Word creates a powerful and timeless combination.

• A Mighty Fortress is our God
• Silent Night
• Joy to the World
• Stricken, smitten, and afflicted
• Jesus Christ is risen today
• I know that my Redeemer lives
• Now thank we all our God

I’ll bet that you can hum these, even if you haven’t sung them in years. Such is the power of a hymn.

So if a hymnal is essential, why Lutheran Service Book? LSB (2006) is the latest hymnal produced by the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Many congregations, including St. Luke's in Reno have made the switch. Having a copy at home—and using it—reinforces what you see and hear on Sunday. Even if your congregation is still using Lutheran Worship (LW, 1982), The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH, 1941), or the Lutheran Book of Worship (LBW, 1978), you should take a look at LSB.

LSB includes Luther’s Small Catechism, prayers, the Psalms, and much more. You can learn more about LSB on the Concordia Publishing House web site where they have a variety of resources available: http://lsb.cph.org/. CPH is also promoting a Hymnal in Every Home: http://www.cph.org/t-topic-hymnal-inhome-Extras-Hints.aspx.

Let your computer play Lutheran hymns for free: http://www.lutheran-hymnal.com/.

Here’s hoping you have a Merry Christmas.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

The Essential Christian Library 3 - The Book of Concord

The Book of Concord (BOC) is an oft-neglected part of the  Christian's library.  Why is that so? Two reasons I think:

1. Not everyone is familiar with it
2. Those that are familiar with it think it’s not meant for them

What is the Book of Concord?

The Book of Concord is a collection of statements (confessions) of faith written between the second and the sixteenth centuries. The various documents in the BOC are responses to incorrect teachings and attacks from outside forces such as the Roman Catholic Church (esp. the Pope), the Reformed  (Calvinist) churches, and even “the Turk” (Islam).
The documents are:

• The Apostles' Creed (second century AD)
• The Nicene Creed (325 AD)
• The Athanasian Creed (sixth-eighth centuries AD)
• Luther's Large Catechism (1529)
• Luther's Small Catechism (1529)
• The Unaltered Augsburg Confession (1530)
• The Apology of the Augsburg Confession (1531)
• The Smalcald Articles (1536)
• The Treatise on the Power and Primacy of the Pope (1537)
• The Formula of Concord (1577)

Shortly after the Formula of Concord was published, work began to assemble the Lutheran Confessions into a single volume. This work was completed in 1580 in Dresden with the German edition of  the Book of Concord. A Latin edition was published in 1584.
In case you are wondering (and without going into all the history), let me define some of those terms used above.

Apology – A public defense or clarification of stated belief.
Catechism – A manual of religious instruction, often written in a question-answer format.
Concord or Concordia – Harmony of belief in a common or shared doctrine.
Confess – To publicly state one’s faith
Creed – A concise statement of the central beliefs of a church
Doctrine – the teachings and principles held and professed by a church

So what makes the Book of Concord so special? Well, it clearly articulates what we Lutherans “believe, teach, and confess” and what we “reject and condemn.” The BOC is built on the foundational belief in the absolute, unchangeable truth of the Bible. Yes, we believe in truth, in absolutes. We believe that you can know the truth. It’s not mysterious or hidden. It is clearly stated in the Bible. The Book of Concord summarizes and explains what the Bible is saying.
Believing in truth means that you must reject that which is contrary to truth. The Book of Concord covers this as well. If someone says, “Jesus wasn’t really 100% God while also 100% man,” you can with confidence reject this statement by referring to: Article III of the Augsburg Confession, Article VIII of the Formula of Concord, etc. Within these articles are references to the the Bible verses which support the belief that Jesus was both God and man.

Is it really for me?

Many people think the BOC was written just for pastors and theologians, you know, “religious people.” Here is what C.F.W. Walther, first President of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod had to say on the subject:

"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." - Essays for the Church, Vol. II, pg. 51.

The Constitutions of most Lutheran congregations includes a statement on the BOC. At St. Luke’s Lutheran here in Reno, our constitution has the following:

This congregation accepts and acknowledges all the canonical books of the Old and New Testament as the inspired and revealed Word of God and acknowledges and accepts all the confessional writings of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, contained in the Book of Concord of the year 1580, as true and correct presentation or exposition of the doctrines of the Bible. These confessional writings are:

1. The three Ecumenical Creeds (Apostles', Nicene, and Athanasian)
2. The Unaltered Augsburg Confession
3. The Apology of the Augsburg Confession
4. The Smalcald Articles
5. Luther's Large Catechism
6. Luther's Small Catechism
7. The Formula of Concord

By the confessional norm shall all doctrines and practices in this congregation be judged.

If you are a member of St. Luke’s (or another Lutheran congregation), you have agreed to these (or similar) statements regarding the Bible, the Book of Concord, and the relationship between the two. If you haven’t read the BOC, now would be a perfect time to start.

Where can I find the Book of Concord?

You can find the BOC in a number of formats.

• Print editions
• Online
• Downloadable (PDF)
• for iPod/iPad 

The Print editions are produced by Concordia Publishing House (CPH) and were released in 2006. The electronic versions are from the Concordia Triglotta edition first published in 1921.
Have you read the Book of Concord yet? If yes, what do you think? If no, why not?

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

The Essential Christian Library 2b - The Bible - Features

I know. It would have been great to have posted this back in May, just in time for Confirmation and Graduation. Then again, who's to say you can't give a Bible for no reason at all!

In my previous post, I discussed one of the most important decisions about selecting a Bible and that is to choose a translation. But, once you have done that, there are still many, many Bible to choose from. In this post, I will focus narrowing down your selection to the Bible that best meets your needs. Here are some of the top features for a study Bible.

Concordance
This special index helps you find where certain names and key terms appear in the Bible. Can't remember where to find "I am the vine; you are the branches?" Look for "branches" in the Concordance and you see an entry like this:

BRANCHES
I am the vine; you are the b           John 15:5

Cross references
Study or reference Bibles typically contains cross references to passages with common themes or verses that further amplify a concept. For example, Romans 3:3 contains references to Romans 9:6, Romans 11:29, Hebrews 4:2, and 2 Timothy 2:13.

Footnotes
I'm generalizing here but footnotes usually fall into two categories: translation notes and study notes. Translation notes present an alternative translation of some portion of a verse or an explanation of the original text. For example:

     And as he sat at table v in the house, many tax collectors and sinners.... Matt 9:10 (RSV)

     v Greek reclined

The study notes help explain passages that may be unclear. They can also provide historical and cultural context to help with your study. Such notes have been included in Lutheran Bibles since 1522. One thing to keep in mind about the study notes is that they are always written from a certain perspective. That is to say, the study notes for Revelation in a Scofield Study Bible will be quite different from the study notes in The Lutheran Study Bible.

Additional Study Features
Dictionary - Some Bibles include a standalone dictionary while other define words in the study notes.
Topical Index - If you are searching for a particular subject (such as money, trust, or revenge) but are not sure if the exact word appears, a topical index is what you need. As described above, a concordance shows you where and when an exact word was used.
Maps - It's always good to know where you are in the world. A set of biblical maps help you see how the world looked back then. Sorry, no maps of Pangea here.
Introductions and Outlines - Just like a map is a geographical locator, Introductions and Outlines help establish the big picture for your Biblical journey.

Practical matters
The round out this list, I thought I should include a few "practical" items to look consider.

1. Sure, a leather cover is classy and ideal for presentation but if you are going to be tucking your new study Bible in a zippered cover, why spend the extra cash for leather?
2. Go for the thumb indexes (also known as tabs). The thumb indexes are carved out of the page edges to make it easier to find those lesser-read prophets more quickly. I find them especially helpful in a classroom situation. You can buy aftermarket tabs to stick on if your current Bible doesn't have this feature.
3. Make sure the typeface is legible. If you need a "larger print edition," get it. I wish I had thought about this more when I made my last purchase.
4. Go electronic. I'll get back to this another time.

There you have it. Some things to consider when selecting a study Bible. Did I miss your favorite feature? If so, let me know.

Lastly: Read your Bible. No, don't just read it. Study it. Everyday!
Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

The Essential Christian Library 2a - The Bible - Translations

In part one of this series, we are all agreed that a Bible is the foundation of the Essential Christian Library. But which Bible?

I'm glad you asked.

Owning a Bible is powerful thing. God's Word is a gift not just for show, destined to be ignored and dusted periodically. It is not meant to be read once and discarded. Instead, think of the Bible as a love letter, written by God and sent to you. For that's exactly what it is: God pouring His heart and soul into something so precious that many (including Jesus Christ) lost their very lives to deliver those words of love to you.

When it comes to choosing a Bible, there are two basic questions:

1. Which translation?
2. Which features?

I'll deal with the first question now and talk about features next time.

Does It Really Matter Which Translation I Choose?

Yes. To be useful, your Bible translation should be both accurate and clear, concepts that are sometimes diametrically opposed. A translation that is inaccurate, unclear, or both, is certainly not very useful at all. If you have ever used Google Translation, you know what I mean. You sometimes get a very literal translation but the words strung together don't make any sense.

Someone needs to understand the thoughts behind the words in the original language (Hebrew and Greek in this case) and structure a message that conveys that same meaning in English. Fortunately, God has blest us with talented folks throughout the ages to bring us God's Word in a language we can understand. Not all translations are created equal.

What Should I Look for in a Translation?
This is easy: Do you want Form Equivalent or Dynamic Equivalent? Don't let those terms throw you. They refer to loose classifications of translation "styles" or "methods." For your purchase decision, it really comes down to how you plan to use your Bible. Are you going to read it just for personal enjoyment? Or, are you going to try to make it (and God) a part of you through in-depth study of His Word? Maybe you want to have the same translation used in your church or Bible study class. The following table can help you understand the classifications:

	Form equivalent	Balance: Form & Dynamic	Dynamic equivalent	Paraphrase
Definition	A "word-for-word" translation that closely matches the literal words and grammar of the original text	A "thought-by-thought" translation that bridges the form and the dynamic equivalent approaches	A "phrase-for-phrase" translation that interprets the meaning of the original text and converts it to modern English	A very loose and simplified translation, dynamic equivalent taken to an extreme
Examples	King James Version (KJV), Revised Standard Version (RSV), English Standard Version (ESV)	New International Version (NIV)	New Living Translation (NLT), Good News Bible (GNB)	The Living Bible, The Message
Highlights	Formal and poetic style, ideal for in-depth study and public reading	Slightly less formal, less poetic, ideal for study	Informal, easy to read	Casual, everyday style, much less accurate
Psalm 23:1-2	The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. (ESV)	The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green pastures (NIV)	The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows (NLT)	God, my shepherd! I don't need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows (The Message)
John 3:16	For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (ESV)	For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (NIV)	For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life. (Good News)	This is how much God loved the world: he gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. (The Message)

Obviously, I've given just a few examples of what is available under each classification, but I think you get the idea. Choose a translation that meets your needs or ask your Pastor for recommendations. You can even ask me, if you'd like. NOTE: If you are so inclined, you can even grab a Bible in Hebrew or Greek and translate it yourself!

Do You Want to Know Which Translation I Use?
Although I have a number of translations, I use two most frequently.

1. For daily family devotions, the Revised Standard Version (RSV). The specific Bible my family uses today is the same one my parents used for their daily devotions for as long as I can remember. It helps keep me connected to my history.
2. For my in-depth Bible study, usually in preparing for the Sunday morning adult class at church, I use my newest Bible: The Lutheran Study Bible. This is an English Standard Version (ESV), the same translation used in our Worship services. More on this particular Bible next time.

Do you have a favorite translation? I'd like to hear about it.



Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

The Essential Christian Library 1 - Introduction

When I was in school, I needed to study my textbooks. Why? Because they amplified and reinforced the words I heard in the classroom. Most of us were told by our parents to "study hard, get your college degree and you will go far in this life." But what about the next life? Is it enough to just show up for class (worship) every Sunday or do you need to study for the final? Does God grade on a curve? What textbooks do you need?

This series will focus on that last question by helping you build the Essential Christian Library. I hope you are thinking, "Now wait just a second, Stephen. It sounds like you are promoting works-righteousness when you toss out, 'test' and 'need' and 'essential' as if my actions provide eternal life. What gives?"

To that I respond, "Well done, Grasshopper!" I am certainly not advocating that you are saved by your own actions. The Bible teaches clearly that you are saved through faith in the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Since Jesus died for you, doesn't it follow that you would want to learn as much as you can about Him? To me, the answer is, yes. I want to understand the man who gave up His life for this "poor, miserable servant."

The Essential Christian Library series can provide the tools to help you further your personal relationship with God. The tools won't build your mansion in heaven, but they will help you to know the Architect.

Any guesses on the first book for the library? Yep, the Holy Bible. I'm going to get into more detail next time but wanted to get started with a quick introduction.

In the beginning, ....

OK, let's just jump forward to around 1300-1400 A.D. The Bible was considered a "dark, mysterious book" that was too difficult for the commoners to comprehend. Bibles were not widely available because they were hand-copied and almost exclusively in Latin. No one but the clergy spoke or read Latin. Faithful Christians tried translating the Bible into their common language but that practice was met with stiff resistance from the Roman Catholic Church. Today, the Wycliffe Bible Translators report the full Bible is available in more than 400 languages (the New Testament in more than 1,000 languages). In English alone, dozens of translations are available to you.

So, which Bible should be in your library? Stay tuned.

Stephen
Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura

Keep your files safe - back up

I was tempted to call this post, "Back up, Back up for Jesus" but thought better of it. When it comes to Jesus, we should never retreat but always press on toward the prize set before us.

IMPORTANT: If Internet Explorer version 5, 6, 7, or 8 is installed on your PC--even if you normally use a different browser-- a critical security patch was released January 21, 2010. Go to the Microsoft Update Website (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=148275) to make sure your PC has been patched.

Let's say you or someone else in your family received a new computer this Christmas. Maybe you are still using a 4 year old computer (like I am right now). Either way, there is probably a bunch of stuff on it you would rather not lose: photos, letters, e-mail, homework, etc.

You may not realize this but the hard drive in your computer will fail at some point. I don't mean that it will just disappoint you or forget your birthday or anything like that. Some day, the hard drive will crash and take some or all your important personal files with it. Are you scared yet? Scared enough to do something about it? Good. That's what I'm here for.

It's time to back up your files. Let's face it. Many people have written reviews and step-by-step instructions to walk you through the process. Rather than borrowing from others, I'm just going to point you to the best backup resource for all versions of Windows (XP, Vista, and 7):  http://www.microsoft.com/protect/data/backup/about.aspx

Here you will find tips on what, how, and where you should back up your important files. Let me add some other tips as well:

1. If your computer came with a set of Recovery CDs or DVDs, find them and store them with your file back ups.
2. If your computer did NOT come with Recovery discs, you will likely have a utilty on your computer to create (burn) them using your own blank discs. Look in the documentation or Help system on your computer. Make the discs now. I'll wait....
3. If your computer suddenly is unable to start (boot) into Windows, don't panic. Also, don't immediately initiate a recovery that will return your computer to factory condition (thus losing all your files). The problem may be easy to fix (Windows can even help walk you through the steps) or the drive may have failed. Either way, the files on the drive may be recoverable by someone who knows what they are doing.

If you have questions or need help, just ask me. I will do what I can.

Stephen

Sola Gratia - Sola Fide - Sola Scriptura