Faith in the Shadow of a Pandemic

by John T. Pless, Jacob Corzine

Every crisis brings disorientation. Whether you’re dealing with a natural disaster, political unrest, or something as strange as the COVID-19 pandemic, life changes. In the middle of crisis and change, Jesus Christ remains the same. As Christians, we are called to live by faith in Christ and in love toward our neighbors. Faith in the Shadow of a Pandemic discusses the impact of upheaval, important lessons learned from COVID-19, and how we can best serve our neighbors during times of chaos.

Genres: Nonfiction, Theology

110 pages, Paperback

Published September 8, 2020

About the author

Rev. John T. Pless joined the Concordia Theological Seminary (CTSFW), Fort Wayne, faculty in 2000. He is assistant professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions and also serves as director of Field Education.

Reviews

[Mary Moerbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, drawing on a wealth of answers for many of the questions that have come up in a time of duress about health and government intervention. It was written fairly early in, but I still find it very timely and comforting during a later Covid wave.

Strengths: great comfort, perspective, and reassurance! It raises great points about fear, concerns, constraints, vocation, generosity, science, lament, and Christian death. And it does so in a very lay-friendly way with footnotes for those who'd like to explore concepts with additional reading.

The book literally applies what we know while supporting the times with additional resources and calm. In later chapters, it delves into psalms and explains how, sometimes, God is at work under opposites, which was helpful, well-written, and very interesting.

There's even an abbreviated order for the commendation of the dying.

This is a book I'll read again. It's calming, affirming, and seeped in God's Word and Lutheran history and understanding. Fantastic resource! And I'm so impressed the authors and publishers were able to put this together so quickly! I think it demonstrates a real urge to serve the church.

[Tellef Granaas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Come what may

A small book with huge content. Comforting, enlightening and boldly written. A great deal of topics are made room for in this short book. It’s stuffed with quotations that leaves the reader in no doubt about the writers capacity for theologically steadfastness. A great tool for pastors and laypeople as well. And a starting point for further reading is firmly established.
Thank you.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I deeply appreciate this book. It's exactly what I needed right now. If you have been remotely touched by living in a world with a coronavirus pandemic, you may welcome the firmness and encouragement Dr. Pless and Dr. Corzine give.

You are loved. You are forgiven. You are free to show love to your neighbors.

[Dona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Faith in the Shadow of a Pandemic was an easy to read book to read and gave me great encouragement and in-site into this Pandemic. I encourage people to read this book. We need to trust in our Lord and Saviour that He is with us always.

[Edward Durand · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well write, backed with Scripture and doctrine. It gives one plenty to ponder. Clergy and laity, both, would find this a useful resource.