Customer Reviews

Why I Am a Lutheran: Jesus at the Center

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Preus does a wonderful job in this book of presenting a summary of the Christian faith and how the Lutheran church, by the grace of God, has upheld the teachings of the Bible. With clarity of explanation and thorough support from the Scriptures, Preus shows how all doctrine (teaching) is centered in Christ Jesus. He examines the main points of Christianity, and shows how Jesus is central for each of them. Not only that, but he show that when Christ is not kept central to our teaching, the glory of God is lost because man displaces God. Preus uses great illustrations to explain his points, and writes in an engaging style. This book is well worth a read by any Christian, and could only serve to help them understand the Christian faith more accurately (Acts 18:26). This book was not written to deny the faith of other Christians, which it does not do--however it does show how Lutheranism holds more accurately to the Biblical teachings. Read this book with a Bible in hand :)

Preus clearly and concisely explains why Lutheran beliefs are true and Biblical, since they focus on nothing but Jesus at the center, and Him crucified for sins.

This for sure insults some Christians who falsely believe that their confession and practice of the faith has Jesus equally at the center. But if they would openly check this out and compare with what Preus professes from the Bible and the church's hymnody, it is anything but Jesus crucified for sins at the heart and center.

He provides excellent illustrations both from his life and pastoral experience as well as from the Bible. Especially his use of three mountains sprinkled throughout provides the Biblical life-saving thread, i.e. Mount Sinai, Mount Calvary and Mount Zion. This clarifies the essential differences between theology of glory versus the theology of the cross.

Written for the layperson, this is very well done and can be read easily by most and if studied in conjunction with the Bible correctly understood via law and gospel, will significant bless all readers.

You owe it to yourself and to Christ to read this book. Highly, highly recommended.

Always be prepared to give a reason for what you believe. Pastor Preus does this in language and hymns that always and only point the repentant sinner to Jesus. A fine complement and review of our Lutheran catechism. I particularly liked the chapter, A Matter of Mountains, which describes the life of confession through Mt. Sinai, Calvary and Zion. Thank you, Pastor for offering this beautiful and unique presentation of the Christian faith.

I really liked this book, not because I learned anything new but because as I sit in some Bible studies and even hear our pastor at our LCMS Lutheran church there tends to be various ideas creeping in that are not what I have been taught nor what I believe. I did not grow up Lutheran but read a lot before joining. I joined because what LCMS Lutherans believe is what I believe. This reaffirmed what I believe and what I thought my church believes.

This is an excellent book for any Christian to read. It could just as easily be titled Why I Am A Christian. It is a concise and very easy read with excellent points about God's grace and salvation. I would highly recommend this to anyone interested to know more about what Lutherans believe and practice.

This is a must read book for all Christians and specifically Lutherans. Dr. Preus explains very clearly all elements relating to Christian doctrine and confessions. It's very easy to read and to understand. There will be no doubt in your mind, once you've read it, why Jesus is the Center of the Lutheran faith.

Great book and not just for Lutherans but all those who are interested in the Lutheran Church. Preus does an excellent job through point by point explanations of the Lutheran positions on a variety of topics. Highly recommended.

The forgiven believe "Jesus has done everything necessary to save us." (page 53) Promoting free will instead puts focus on the one "who through the exercise of free will contributes to his or her salvation." (page 60)

The book concludes, "The teachings of the Lutheran Church place Jesus at the center because the teachings of the Scriptures place Jesus at the center. No other confession demonstrates such fidelity to the truth of God's Word." (page 195)

I am a baptized and confirmed Lutheran. I am learning alot from this book. I wanted to be able to answer my Catholic in-laws when they ask me why I'm still a Lutheran.

Please do not vote, yet! I will finish the review shortly. Thank you!

INTRODUCTION:

Reading this little book reminded me why I decided to join the Lutheran church as a believing Christian.

The image on the cover is the most recognized symbol for Lutheranism, called Luther's Rose.

AUTHOR:

Daniel Preus, the vice-president of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod (LCMS, 2nd largest American lutheran denominations of the 3, biblically conservative).

CONTENT:


CONCLUSION:

Reading the introduction and the conncluding chapaters of the book, one is reminded that the author's intent is to present the basics of the historical Christian faith (albeit with a slight touch of Lutheran spirituality and theology) and why a biblical Christology is important for every Christian, whether Lutheran or not. With this spirit (which the author explains in no uncertain terms), I feel that the book would better deserve to be titled "Jesus at the Center: I am an Evangelical Lutheran Christian."