What's Going on Among the Lutherans?: A Comparison of Beliefs (Impact series) [Paperback]

Patsy A. Leppien (Author), J. Kincaid Smith (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 406 pages
• Publisher: Northwestern Pub House; First Edition edition (December 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0810004275
• ISBN-13: 978-0810004276
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #905,972 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not just for Lutherans: A "must read" book!, August 29, 2002

By 

W. Knight (Lampasas, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What's Going on Among the Lutherans?: A Comparison of Beliefs (Impact series) (Paperback)

Written in three sections, this book definitively explains 1) the differences between historic Lutheran doctrine and the "new thinking" doctrines; 2) the great strengths of Lutheran teachings; and 3) how the various Lutheran synods developed, and what each one teaches. I found this book to be clear, authoritative, and historically accurate. The authors do not subject the reader to their opinions, but rather they cite the original writings of the various theologians and church leaders to precisely articulate the various doctrines and errors espoused throughout church history.

It was truly a revelation to learn that all interpretations of Scripture vary based on the role "reason" plays in the process. Luther, Calvin, Armenius, Wesley, Zwingley, and the Roman Catholic Church are examined in detail as to their approach to Scripture and how the resulting doctrines and errors flow from each different approach.

This book should be read by anyone from any denomination that is searching for answers as to why their church teaches the way they do. It is a MUST READ for serious Lutherans.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars See the frightening departures from historic Christianity..., February 18, 2005

By 

Joshua V. Schneider (Hawaii) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What's Going on Among the Lutherans?: A Comparison of Beliefs (Impact series) (Paperback)

This book is an excellent gathering of sources to study the problem of liberalism as it is expressing itself in the Lutheran Churches in America; but also reflects liberalism in Christianity at large. It documents the beginnings and progression of liberalism within the Lutheran church, and gives ample documentation of the frightening abandonment of historic Christian teaching by the liberals. The first portion of the book is the most eye opening, and enumerates the key doctrines that have been abandoned by liberals, from the incarnation, resurrection (really all miracles and the supernatural), to the Trinity, Atonement, the inspiration and inerrancy of Scripture, and countless other points. The extensive treatment of historical criticism is well done, as well as discussions of the 'new morality'. This first section focuses mainly on the writings and statements of the theologians and church leaders of the various bodies that formed the ELCA. Throughout this section the conservative position is outlined at each point along with the liberal position.

The second portion gives a nice treatment of the strenghts of Lutheran theology, and shows the various 'non-liberal' dangers to Lutheran theology. These are the influence on the one hand of Roman Catholic interpretation of Scripture, and on the other, the Reformed interpretation. The pitfall of the former being the addition of tradition and ecclesiastical interpretation OVER the Scriptures and the pitfall of the latter being the use of reason majesterially (as a judge) over Scripture. It also discusses the problem of Pietism, which essentially first flowered in Lutheranism, and has now spread to many other denominations.

The last section is a very interesting historical account of the various Lutheran church bodies in America, and the myriads of mergers and splits and associations that took place leading up till today. It also shows how the theological positions of each church body led it into the unions or splits of its history. One of the lessons I think that can be learned from the history in this book is the tendency of moderates to continually slide to the left. Wherever compromise is allowed in matters of faith, it almost always ends in error. Toleration of error and doctrinal indifference open the door to greater and greater acceptance of false teaching, and abandonment of historic Christianity.

All of this should be a wake up call to Christians to stand firm in the faith and be on the watch for wolves in sheeps clothing, that would depart from the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us cling to Him and His Word; for He will preserve His church from all attacks within and without!

14 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent for all Lutherans to read., January 8, 1999

By 

John L. Hoh Jr. "Author and Theologian" (Milwaukee, Wisconsin USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: What's Going on Among the Lutherans?: A Comparison of Beliefs (Impact series) (Paperback)

This is an excellent book for the Lutheran church in particular, but also Christianity as a whole since it addresses the problems and "modern" teachings in today's church. This book does a very good job highlighting the differences between the various Lutherans. The one weakness is that it does not show Scriptural support for either positions. Hence, I have developed a Scriptural handbook for use in the classroom or for further study.