The Lutheran Handbook: A Field Guide to Church Stuff, Everyday Stuff, And the Bible review:4 stars (great read) - good intro to the religion for curious readers. also very humorous for those who are lutherans!5 stars (This is a Fascinating book!) - What a great little book! Anyone negotiating the Lutheran church (especially the ELCA) will enjoy it as it covers, in a concise and occasionally humorous manner, all the things you need to know, want to know and already know about the church.
I particularly enjoyed the simple way the Reformation and Martin Luther were presented. It is packed full of interesting items such as:
Comparative religion
History of the church
Anatomy of a Baptism
How to receive communion
How to stay awake during the sermon
How to share your faith
How to identify a miracle
What to bring to a potluck
The top 10 Bible miracles and their meanings
The five biggest misconceptions about the Bible
The list goes on and on. There are also illustrations, maps, diagrams and other essential tips. This is informative and fun and a book you'll want to keep and give as a gift.
Armchair Interviews says: You don't have to be a Lutheran to enjoy and receive benefit from this book. Actually this is a light-hearted look at all things Lutheran. Frankly it is wonderful -- and it's a hoot!
4 stars (Short, sweet chapters get the point across . . . the basics of Lutheranism) - I love this little book! Modeled on the "Worst-Case Scenario Survival" handbooks, it covers basic Christian tenants with a focus on Lutheranism. It's published by Augsburg Fortress, the publishing arm of the ELCA, however it's not overtly ELCA (I think LCMS and WELS Lutherans could appreciate it also). It's probably geared to young adults, but anyone can benefit from it. It covers important basics in a clear, concise way and, in many cases, with a light-hearted tone. It's refreshing to read the chapters about things you've known all your life, like how to pray. The chapters covering the seasons of the church year, comparing various denominations, 60 essential Bible stories, and how to be saved by grace through faith and not good works are particularly good. It also contains chapters on Martin Luther and the Lutheran Reformation, which are distilled down to the simplest terms and are very helpful for getting a basic understanding. And the introduction to "Luther's Small Catechism" is a great primer before delving into the work itself. Unless you're a religious scholar, there's something here for you. What a great $10 investment! I'll refer to this little gem for many years to come!
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