Why I Am a Lutheran

by Daniel Preus

A blend of understandable explanations and real-life stories. "Why I Am a Lutheran explores the foundational teachings of the Christian church. In each chapter, Daniel Preus calls upon more than 20 years of pastoral experience to reveal Jesus as the center of the Christian faith. As he addresses central doctrines such as sin and grace, Law and Gospel, the person and work of Jesus Christ, worship, the Sacraments, and the office of the ministry, Preus keeps the focus on Jesus Christ--who is "always and only at the center of all Christian teaching."

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity

223 pages, Hardcover

First published April 1, 2004

Reviews

[Kris]

A short riff on main concepts in confessional Lutheranism, written by a former president of the LCMS. Contains many quotes from Luther and C.F.W. Walther. Includes pieces from the The Book of Concord (New Translation): The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church and Luther's Small Catechism with Explanation - 2017 Edition.

Preus emphasizes keeping Christ at the center of Christianity, rightfully so. But Christ as what? I wish the book did more to contrast Christ as Savior vs. Christ as "good example." Many modern American Christians also claim they keep Christ as center focus. But when Christ is primarily there to show you how to be a better Christian, and Christ saving you from your sins is secondary, everything becomes skewed.

[Laura]

This book does such a wonderful job of explaining the Christian faith simply and clearly. Preus uses nice illustrations and simple language to explain that Christ is the center of the Lutheran faith. I read this book with my church's book club, and I passed it on to my teenage daughter so that she could join in as well. Such a great book!

[Nicole]

Really appreciated this book, especially the chapter entitled "Mt. Zion and the Cross" which looks at the role of suffering in the Christian life. He quotes a great sermon by Martin Luther about the parable of the vinedresser which was worth the price of admission all by itself. A solid read at a time I needed it.

[Hanna Potter]

Well, I was born and raised Lutheran. However, recently I've been researching Catholicism and just wanted to contrast the two. I won't get into any arguments here, but this book has succeeded in confirming that I will be converting to Catholicism.

[John Brandt]

A great book. If you teach religion at a Lutheran high school and don't use this text, there's something wrong. Read it: teach it.

[Angie]

The subtitle says it all: Jesus at the center.

[Elizabeth]

Fantastic book, with clear writing and good explanations for the basic tenets of the faith. He does a fine job of explaining things for laymen, and he does not stray from the topic at hand. The result is a beautiful, concise read that neatly outlines the faith and is full of tremendous insight. I can't say that he fully answered all of my questions, but he answered a great many of them, and he gave me quite a lot to ponder. He has a knack for presenting old information in new ways, yet without abandoning church doctrine. The explanation of justification, given early on in the book, remains one of the loveliest I've ever read. His chapter on the sacraments was likewise enlightening. Highly recommended!

[Simon Hølmkær Mejdahl]

Jeg har læst den danske udgave, som er forsynet med en del fodnoter af oversætteren efter aftale med forfatteren. En del af kritikken knytter sig særligt til disse fodnoter.

Bogen sætter Jesus i centrum, og tak for det - men så har jeg heller ikke meget ros tilbage. Nogle steder er bibelbrugen god, men mange steder decideret dårlig, og fremstillingen af reformationshistorien er meget selektiv. Der mangler i høj grad forståelse for, at kristendommen er mere end lutherdommen. "Real life"-historierne virker flere steder bizarre og underbygger ikke rigtig argumenterne.
Udmærket hyggelæsning om luthersk kristendom, men den ville næppe klare en kritisk undersøgelse.

[Richard Willsea]

At 200 pages, with 9 short chapters, with the exception of chapter 2 which has three short units, Why I am a Lutheran is a easily digestible in small chunks over a month. With a conspicuous lack of Theo-speck and Christiuan-ese, united with poignant illustrations and inventive metaphors makes for a succinct and clear explanation of the major Christian principals. Preues’s purpose is informative and successful answered the question, what’s sooooo great about being “Lutheran”.

[Stefan Mocanu Jensen]

Jeg læste den danske version som er fra credo. Jeg synes selv det var en god bog dog undrede det mig at den er konfessionelt Luthersk det vil sige at med fuldt overlæg argumenter for en klassisk Luthersk teologi som vi i Danmark nok ikke er vant til. Et eksempel argumenterer forfatteren for lukket nadverbord (hvorfor? læs bogen) Det tror jeg bare ikke lige credo var klar over eller måske har de ikke læst bogen. Men det var en opmuntrende og hurtigt læst bog :)

[Ming Hann]

Layman christian handbook

Easy to read and follow along, I enjoyed it very much. There's so much value in doing the seemingly ordinary, not hyped but liturgy workship, allowing God's gifting to us, singing the 'old' hymns and receiving the Eucharist.

[Lisa]

Lutheran professor with a long line of Missouri synod Lutherans explains fundamental Lutheran theology.

[Esdras Escobar]

Cristo el centro del cristianismo

Un buen libro, enseña a dividir la ley y el Evangelio y a poder ver a Cristo como nuestro centro en la vida.

[Lisa Lou]

Probably best read in a group study.

[Jaden Weatherly]

Only read the chapter dedicated to the sacraments. A good exposition of the basic Lutheran tenets concerning baptism and the Lord’s supper.

[Tessa]

This book was really dry and a bit difficult to focus on but it had a few passages of brilliance.

[Christiana]

Simple and comforting read.

[April]

Lovely.

[David]

A phenomenal and brief confession of the Faith. Highly recommended for its clarity and brevity

[Eric Dunn]

Great book about the Lutheran faith. Well written and easy to understand.

[Ben Copeland]

Good introduction to Lutheranism. Starts out slow, but the later chapters are rewarding.

[Deborah]

Just skimmed most of it...