The 10 best Lutheran books of the 20th century

[Mark Brown]

These four are on on my immediate shelf behind my desk -
Quest for Holiness - Koberle
Life Together with Prayerbook of the Bible (They really seem to go together) - Bonhoeffer
We Confess Anthology - Sasse

Here is one that I haven't seen mentioned: Just Words - JAO Preus

Going a little wider:
Open Secrets - Lischer, is meaningful in a way that pure theology isn't. (The events are 20th century although published in 2001)
For All the Saints - ALPB Prayer books

There are plenty of other worthy books, but all of those crossed that line from just being a resource or recreational to meditation, even when you didn't want it.

[Dave Likeness]

Mark Brown, I went through the LCMS synodical
system with Richard Lischer.  His chapter in
"Open Secrets" on Concordia, Milwaukee makes
me laugh every time I read it.

Dr. Lischer has written some great books on
homiletics that deserve a wider audience.
His professorship at Duke Divinity School has
been fruitful for the church at large.

[Harvey_Mozolak]

Dave,  Oh, those were the years, weren't they?  I hated them and loved them.

I still have several stories I want to write about them including one about a certain Secunda vs. Tertia football championship game and its Secunda uber alles.   It ranked up there with Bart Starr and the northern gang.  Brown Hall tales and Prexy accounts.   Harvey

[passerby]

And for a Lutheran sociologist, try Peter Berger's A Far Glory.

[pr dtp]

The Shape of the Liturgy - Joseph Ratzinger

Warrior Monk - Ray Keating

Preaching and Leading Worship
The Intrusive Word  (both by WIllimon)

Preaching the Gospel Creatively (Rossow)

Gospel Handles - Rossow

Just Words - JAO Preus

Believe Teach and Confess - Stephen Mueller editor

[David Garner]

I'm not sure what the criteria for "best" would be. But Dr. Veith's "Spirituality of the Cross" would have to make my list, because it is the best outreach tool I ever had as a Lutheran. It explains the Lutheran understanding of the Gospel in very approachable terms. I think it's a must read for prospective converts.

[Harvey_Mozolak]

It is interesting... the books people enjoy...

I had read it before but recently again ran into the CS Lewis observation that one of the greatest books he ever read was the fantasy Worm Ouroboros by Eddison... so I re-bought it, since I had purchased it years ago and dispared of reading it then and got rid of it at my retirement.  Now I get through a couple of chapters every five miles I ride on my bike at the gym...  I have a fairly good vocabulary, I always thought, and there are roughly six words a page I have no idea of their meaning and a few others I think I understand in context but am not sure of with any precision...  fun read.   

Now they are not Lutheran, because the only fiction writer we really have is Walt Wangerin... but one should not do with reading Graham Greene and Morris West's complete output (well, you could leave the short stories go.)    Harvey Mozolak

[Voelker]

Bill Holm is also worth a read; while not expressly theological works, they do come from a distinctly north-central, Lutheran perspective. The title essay of his The Music of Failure is magnificent, and useful for pastors as they consider their work. Two of his books of poetry, in particular, also well-reward a look — Boxelder Bug Variations and The Dead Get by with Everything.

[Michael Slusser]

Bill Holm is also worth a read; while not expressly theological works, they do come from a distinctly north-central, Lutheran perspective. The title essay of his The Music of Failure is magnificent, and useful for pastors as they consider their work. Two of his books of poetry, in particular, also well-reward a look — Boxelder Bug Variations and The Dead Get by with Everything.

Yes! Bill Holm is a favorite. "The Dead Get by with Everything" is very true about sudden death. Holm's death is a loss.

Peace,
Michael

[Dan Fienen]

If we're going to add novels, how about the novels of Paul L. Maier, especially "A Skeleton in God's Closet?"

Dan

[Charles Henrickson]

I am going to put in a vote for The Hammer of God, by Bo Giertz.

When I first read The Hammer of God--almost 25 years ago now--it made a profound impact on my life. First, there was the Swedish connection: My grandparents came from Sweden--in fact, from the same diocese where Giertz served as bishop and where my cousins still live. Second, the book reflected my own personal journey: I had spent some years in the charismatic movement, so I could identify with the pastors in the stories who came to see the problems with similar "super-spirituality" movements. Third, Giertz was just a darn good writer, with real insight into human nature and pastoral theology and practice. Fourth, reading The Hammer of God inspired me to do more with my Swedish and with Giertz, and so I have spent a lot of time in Sweden and have translated a number of Giertz pieces into English. I plan to do more of that. Right now, it so happens, I am in Fort Wayne, taking a two-week continuing-education course on the life and work of Bishop Bo Giertz, taught by Dr. Rune Imberg of Sweden.

[Donald_Kirchner]

Right on, Rev. Hendrickson! That was one of the texts for our introductory pastoral theology course at CSL. What an eye-opener! And the second edition with the completed translation was an additional gift.

Dr. Nagel suggested that one re-read The Hammer of God yearly. I've tried to do that. Guards against the pietism that human nature loves.