The Fire And The Staff: Lutheran Theology In Practice [Paperback]

Klemet I. Preus (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2005

Through stories of his own pastoral experiences, reflections on the Lutheran Confessions, the writings of Martin Luther, and Scripture itself, Klemet I. Preus explores the impact of the American Evangelical and Church Growth Movements on the modern Lutheran Church. He reminds readers that practice and doctrine are inextricably linked for those who are the body of Christ. The Fire and the Staff captures the relationship between doctrine and practice. Doctrine is like a fire. It lights our way and warms us. Doctrine and practice are more closely related, even interdependent, than is often realized. Doctrine affects practice and practice affects doctrine. The two are so intimately woven together that when you change one, you will inevitably change the other, sometimes without realizing what has happened.

Product Details

• Paperback: 479 pages
• Publisher: Concordia Publishing House (January 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0758604041
• ISBN-13: 978-0758604040
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #384,942 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

42 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Primo Theological Fodder for Lutherans, April 20, 2005

By 

rodboomboom (Dearborn, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fire And The Staff: Lutheran Theology In Practice (Paperback)

This is exceptional, thorough and passionate case for the current tragedy among Lutherans to separate doctrine from practice, substance from style, saving souls from doctrine, etc.

Preus carefully utlizes examples from his life and ministry and from cultural examples such as movies to get this point across that many Lutherans are sacrificing Lutheran doctrine for American Protestant Evangelicalism practice, which has a reciprocal relationship that changes the doctrine.

He makes so many good points. This reviewer's only fear is that many won't even consider them, either due to the misleading title or the number of pages. The title, while the book makes a case early on and on the back cover to explain itself, doesn't at all captivate and fit. Much better would have been something like: "God's Word in Action: The Reciprocal Relationship between Doctrine and Practice" or "Confessing the Faith in Doctrine and Practice". Some more succinct and memorable title would do this marvelous book wonders.

The length of over 450 pages should not be obstacle, since it is easy to read, and has marvelous discussion questions at the end of each chapter along with the answers to these at the end.

This deserves wide read among Lutherans, and for that matter Christians who want to be in God's truth, both in their doctrinal statements and in their practice thereof.

25 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for our times, January 31, 2006

By 

Jarle Blindheim (BERGEN, Norway) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fire And The Staff: Lutheran Theology In Practice (Paperback)

This is a great book we really need today, and it deserves many readers worldwide.

Although it is written in North America, it applies well to the situation in Norway and Scandinavia, and I guess most(all) other countries.

The book deals with the relationship between doctrine and practise. The ancient law of "LEX ORANDI LEX CREDENDI" seems lost in much of today's Lutheran Christianity. This book shows us the dramatic consequences.

All who are occupied with worship practices, music, the church growth movement etc. will find Biblical guidance in this book.

The book is most readable for laymen (as my self)and I strongly recommend it!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A book for our times, May 13, 2006

By 

Jesse Krusemark (Fort Wayne, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Fire And The Staff: Lutheran Theology In Practice (Paperback)

In his book, The Fire and the Staff: Lutheran Theology in Practice, Klemet Preus has provided the church an instant classic in pastoral theology. It is no exaggeration to say that a pastor can learn much that he needs to know to minister in the present American context from this single book, to say nothing of the potential of this book for catechizing our laity. If this book is read and taken to heart in our church, the impact will be palpable. In one omnibus volume Preus tackles the essential Lutheran teaching of the reciprocal relationship between doctrine and practice in light of the Reformation and its early controversies, American Lutheranism and its interaction with Revivalism and Evangelicalism, and the modern challenges of the Church Growth and Charismatic Movements.