The Cost of Discipleship written by Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian and anti-Nazi dissident whose life and teachings are brought to the forefront in the thrilling 2024 film 🌟🎬Bonhoeffer: Pastor. Spy. Assassin🎬🌟."WHEN CHRIST CALLS A MAN HE BIDS HIM COME AND DIE"―Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship"Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves . . . the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, communion without confession. Cheap grace is grace without discipleship. . . ."Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. . . .”―Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of DiscipleshipDietrich Bonhoeffer’s The Cost of Discipleship, now with new translations and transliterations. An insightful look at grace and the path to eternal life, featuring:New Greek, Latin, and French Translations and Transliterations.Original Foreword By By G. K. A. Bell, Late Bishop of Chichester; And Author Memoir By G. Leibholz.Newly Edited Content (Reviewed, Revised, and Refined) to Maximize Quality Reading."A rigorously patient exposition of the Sermon on the Mount which compels the reader to face himself, and God, in any situation. A very moving book, lived as well as written”—Times (London) Literary Supplement"Among the Flossenberg martyrs was a remarkable young Lutheran pastor named Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who had joined the underground convinced that it was his duty as a Christian to work for Hitler's defeat. Bonhoeffer was only 39 when he died, but he had already made a monumental contribution to Christian thought, which today has profound and growing significance for both theologian and layman. Bonhoeffer's books are gaining an astonishing popularity in the secular world. . . He is admired by people who have read his best-known books, The Cost of Discipleship and Letters and Papers from Prison, as the example of what a modern Christian must be."— Life Millions of readers worldwide have benefited from the profound insights presented in The Cost of Discipleship. In this remarkable work, 20th-century Christian theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer asserts that “When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die”. Drawing from the Sermon on the Mount, Bonhoeffer offers a critical examination of the distinction between "cheap grace" and "costly grace." He describes "cheap grace" as self-bestowed, characterized by the preaching of forgiveness without repentance, baptism without church discipline, and communion without confession. According to Bonhoeffer, "cheap grace is grace without discipleship."Conversely, he defines "costly grace" as the gift that must be earnestly sought, symbolized by the door at which one must knock. It is costly because it demands a person's life, yet it is grace because it is given by God and provides a path to true life.The Cost of Discipleship was first published in 1936. Blue Harvest Publishing is dedicated to introducing individuals to the revelation of Jesus Christ through the publication of Christian content. This book is part of the Blue Harvest Publishing Classics series, selected for its wisdom and influence. The Cost of Discipleship is an excellent addition to any Christian library.Visit us at blueharvestpublishing.com Read more

Martin Luther wrote the catechism as a teaching tool of Christian doctrine and faith for individuals and families. It is a powerful tool for the Christian life because of its brief, clear summary of God's Word on the essentials of the Christian faith.Students of Lutheran theology look to Luther's Small Catechism for a concise presentation of the Six Chief Parts of Christian Doctrine written by Luther, and an explanation of Luther's Small Catechism for further clarification and study. The new narrative and reflective elements of the explanation section will appeal to those who want to learn more about Lutheran doctrine.Pastors - especially Lutheran pastors - and parents will appreciate this book as a way to not only teach the catechism but also instruct members of the family at home in the basic doctrines of faith. New features in the explanation expand upon the words of the catechism, further connecting the timeless truths of God's Word to important issues in culture, current events, and daily life.Readers will benefit from a modern explanation that will help them learn and apply the basics of Christian doctrine to their daily lives. Read more

Lutheran Book of Prayer has assured and guided generations of Christians in their personal prayer life. This fifth edition speaks to the unique needs of contemporary Christians, and strengthens and informs readers as they go to God in prayer. Personal prayers are included for almost any life circumstance, including for morning and evening, worship, our world, our neighbors, ourselves, and the sick.Additional features:- Topical index for prayers- Selected psalms- Nicene and Athanasian Creeds- Ribbon bookmark- Imprintable cover- Presentation page Read more

For the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, a new translation of Martin Luther's most famous works by leading Luther scholar and pastor William RussellThis volume contains selections from Martin Luther's most evocative and provocative writings, freshly translated, for the 21st century. These documents, which span the Reformer's literary career, point to the enduring and flexible character of his central ideas. As Luther's reform proposals emerged, they coalesced around some basic priorities, which he delivered to wide-ranging audiences--writing for children, preaching in congregations, formulating academic treatises, penning letters to family and friends, counter-punching critics, summarizing Biblical books, crafting confessions of faith, and more. This book demonstrates that range and provides entry points, for non-specialists and specialists alike, into the thought and life of the epoch-defining, fascinating, and controversial Martin Luther. With attention to the breadth of his literary output, it draws from his letters, sermons, popular writings, and formal theological works. This breadth allows readers to encounter Luther the man: the sinner and the saint, the public activist and the private counselor, the theologian and the pastor. These writings possess a practical, accessible arc, as Luther does not write only for specialists and church officials, but he applies his chief insights to the "real-life" issues that faced his rather wide variety of audiences. Read more

Few mysteries of the faith are so perplexing as the ongoing presence of sin in the life of the believer. On the one hand, Christians are no longer slaves to sin. On the other hand we find ourselves rocked by it, daily battling conflicting impulses and neuroses, caught in the middle of a cosmic tug-of-war between good and evil desires. What are we to make of this? Whatever we may believe theologically, practically speaking, the struggle is universal. The honest truth is that we’re not as good as we would like to be. In other words, the answer to the question “Could I be better?” is always a resounding yes. Various answers to this problem have been posited throughout the history of the church: Insufficient faith. Lack of willpower. Incomplete sanctification. All such answers, however, envision a kind of progress where we shed our old “sinner” and experience a kind of metamorphosis into the new “saint.” But does such an explanation actually jive with what we experience? Does such an operative principle play out consistently in the lives of the great heroes of the faith? And, most importantly, does it actually align with the full counsel of God? What if there were another option, a way of understanding ourselves that shunned simplistic “either-or” explanations for a more honest “both-and”? What if there were a way of being real about our failures yet insisting that, in Christ, they don’t define us? Welcome to the reformation doctrine of the simul, where we find ourselves sinful and righteous, broken and redeemed, and–above all–unconditionally loved by the God who overlooks our shortcomings on account of his Son. Read more

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God teaches that we should all come to Him with our worries, concerns, thankfulness, and anything else on our hearts. Finding the words to express yourself to your Savior can sometimes be a challenge. How are you supposed to show your gratitude? Your sorrows? Since 1957, My Prayer Book has helped Christians everywhere find the words to speak to their Savior as they face everything life has to offer. These prayers will help you settle down and center on prayer time and bringing what's on your heart to Christ. This newly revised version includes more than 200 prayers for Christian living. Find prayers for family issues, personal issues, dealing with emotions, and more all in this small companion. Tuck it in your purse, backpack, or the drawer of your bedside table to have it available at any moment of your day. The inside cover includes a presentation page, making it the perfect gift for confirmation, new parents, and graduations, along with personal use. Read more

Many Christians struggle with prayer even though it's an essential part of the Christian life. "What should I pray for?" they may wonder. "How should I pray?" "What if my mind wanders?" "What if I get stuck praying the same thing every day?"When asked by his barber and good friend Peter Beskendorf for some practical guidance on how to pray, Martin Luther responded by writing this brief treatise, first published in 1535. This edition is a modern translation that brings us Luther's practical instruction, using his ITCP method: InstructionThanksgivingConfessionPrayerThis method anchors prayer in the catechism or other biblical texts, but allows the Holy Spirit to prompt thoughts via the Word, which may be chased more freely by the mind at prayer. Readers will find their prayer lives refreshed and invigorated as they become more comfortable raising supplications to God. Read more

The Freedom of the Christian was Martin Luther's first public defense of the doctrine of justification by grace through faith on account of Christ alone. Luther's explosive rediscovery of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shattered the Church of Rome's foundation of works, which considered good works a part of salvation instead of a result of it. Here, Luther constructed a rich theology that relies on the full power of the Gospel, which not only grants saving faith but also nurtures that faith through good works done in the freest service. This new abridged translation from Adam Francisco, featuring a brief essay from Scott Keith, leaves no doubt that the Christian, secure in Christ, is truly free-free from sin, death, and the devil, and free to serve their neighbor. Read more

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For those dealing with children and the issue of having a bad temper, God, I Need to Talk to You about My Bad Temper provides a biblical response and explanation so that kids can better understand and learn.Delightfully illustrated and with child-friendly text, the books in the God, I Need to Talk to You about ... series deal with concerns children encounter in their daily lives. Each book points out the Good News of God's love and forgiveness, while the supporting Scripture verse emphasizes the point of each story.Each book is pocket-size, convenient for on-the-go reading or for nighttime lessons, and can be read to pre-readers or read by older children.The full list of titles in the God, I need to Talk to You about series:- Bad Manners (also available in Spanish)- Bad Words- Bedtime (also available in Spanish)- Bullying (also available in Spanish)- Being a Bad Sport (also available in Spanish)- Cheating (also available in Spanish)- Disrespect (also available in Spanish)- Greed- Feeling Sad- Healthy Eating (also available in Spanish)- Homework (also available in Spanish)- Hurting Others (also available in Spanish)- Laziness- Lying (also available in Spanish)- My Bad Temper (also available in Spanish)- My Parents- Paying Attention (also available in Spanish)- School- Sharing (also available in Spanish)- Stealing (also available in Spanish)- Talking Back- Vandalism- Video Games (also available in Spanish)- Whining (also available in Spanish) Read more

Commissioned in 1993, this translation of The Book of Concord brings a new generation of scholarship and sensitivities to bear on the foundational texts of Lutheran identity. The fifth English translation since 1851, this edition succeeds that edited by Theodore Tappert published in 1959 by Muhlenburg Press.A review of the text in light of a mountain of new scholarship and other factors dictated the new translation and apparatus, including changes in the English language over the past forty years, differences in the training and preparation of seminarians and pastors, limitations in the introductions and annotations to the various parts of the book, new knowledge of the history and theology of these very documents, and the occasional error in Tappert's translation.Kolb and Wengert's team of leading Reformation historians was augmented by consultation with one hundred other scholars and teachers who use The Book of Concord continually, and two other teams of scholars who have reviewed the translations. In coming years, two volumes of related documents will follow.Benefits of this new translation:Expanded introductions and annotations offer richer historical contextNew translation aims at accessible but accurate translationFormat is easier to read and useLeading American scholars have been involved or consulted Read more

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, one of the most influential Christian martyrs in history, bequeathed to humanity a legacy of theological creativity and spirituality that continues to intrigue people from a variety of backgrounds. Life Together gathers Bonhoeffer's 1938 reflections on the character of Christian community, based on the common life that he and his seminarians experienced at the Finkenwalde Seminary and in the Brothers House there. The stimulus for the writing of Life Together was the closing of the preacher's seminary at Finkenwalde by the Nazis.While Bonhoeffer wrote with his own seminary community in mind, he intended Life Together to have a more universal impact, and spoke of a mission and responsibility of the church as a whole.Using the acclaimed Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works English translation and adapted to a more accessible format, this new edition features supplemental material from Victoria J. Barnett and an insightful introduction by Geffrey B. Kelly to clarify the theological meaning and social importance of Bonhoeffer's work. Read more

"Today, so many people question who they are. This book will help Lutheran Christians connect with the identity they've been given in Baptism by telling the stories of the long line of Christians who came before. Reflection questions throughout help readers consider and embrace their Lutheran identity"-- Read more

Who were the Haugeans, and what happened to them? Contemporary American Lutheranism is an amalgamation of various influences and ethnic traditions, yet the contributions and enduring identity of the Haugeans, a Norwegian sub-tradition known for their variety of pietistic expression, have received little attention from historians in the process of American Lutheran merger of the previous decades. This book takes a closer look at the Haugean tradition within American Lutheranism and its distinct emphases. Most importantly, it demonstrates how this group of Lutherans carried forward their tradition within larger organizations. Seeking to serve as positive spiritual leaven within the larger batch of dough of the Lutheran tradition, the leaven of Haugeanism was not universally appreciated, causing for some pain in the belly upon consumption of this dough. Read more

This book began as a popular 18 booklet Bible Study series. In this new work, we gather together all the rich content of the series, order it around the Nicene Creed, and present it in one accessible volume so readers can access the facts they need.As Lutherans interact with other Christians, they often find themselves struggling to explain their beliefs and practices. Although many Lutherans have learned the “what” of the doctrines of the Church, they do not always have a full scriptural foundation to share the “why.” When confronted with different doctrines or denominations, they sometimes cannot clearly state their faith—much less understand the differences. Read more

...[C]oncern about the [inherited doctrine of vocation and its relevance for modern life] was generated out of the complexities and frustrations especially of industrial life, and it has produced a voluminous literature of a popular and semi-popular kind which has served to drive home the problem of daily work upon the conscience of contemporary Christians, and also to provide certain resources for handling it. In addition to this varied literature, the last years have also seen a very general discussion of the question at every level of church life: in ecumencal conferences, in the curricular material of the major denominations, and in conferences and study groups of all kinds. About the urgency and importance of the problem of vocation there is now no doubt. But now we find that the rather simple formulae in which we have been dealing with it do justice neither to the Biblical and Reformation inheritance, nor to the profound dilemmas that appear not only in industry, but in every area of professional and commercial life. The problem now is not only to equip our lay-people with fuller theological resources for the understanding of the meaning of discipleship, but to utilize their practical experience of day-to-day dilemmas and day to-day decisions. ...Gustaf Wingren's conscientious analysis of Luther's teaching on the matter...remains our prime resource for the understanding of the relation of faith and works. Nothing could exceed the patience and thoroughness with which Wingren has combed through the Luther corpus.... [I]t will serve to put the full range of Luther's insight at the disposal of those who care for theology as part of their care of all the Churches. Alexander Miller Stanford University Read more

This Lutheran lectionary-based, keepsake journal fosters meditation on God's Word for adults. Each week includes Scripture readings and a Collect, as well as space for reflection, notes, and prayers. Additionally, the journal has introductions to each festival and season of the Church Year, Scripture-inspired watercolor illustrations, color-coded pages, prayers, creeds, and seasonal hymns to enrich your time with God. Thick matte pages, durable binding, and hard cover ensure that your journal will last all year. Journal coincides with Year C of the The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod Three-Year Lectionary. Read more

The first of its kind, this book is a systematic representation of Lutheran feminist, womanist, and mujerista theologies: systematic, in that it addresses classical loci of systematic theology; contemporary, in that it is resoundingly constructive and relevant for the contemporary church; and feminist, in that the contributors write from a feminist perspective although they reflect a variety of positions within feminist discourse.The contributors to this multi-authored work share a common commitment to Lutheran theology as a continual process of reform. Luther is a partner in the conversation because of his "theological insights and commitment to faithful criticism," which the writers seek to continue-- not because his voice "settles a debate." The book focuses on central themes that Luther addressed and that are representative of Lutheranism today, including justification by grace through faith and Luther's theology of the cross. From diverse contexts, these Lutheran theologians, like Luther, seek reformation by "giving voice to new perspectives in theology that continue to transform the church and the world." Read more