Hallmarks of Lutheran Identity

This wonderful book guides readers through the deep riches of Lutheran Theology in 21 chapters. Each chapter introduces a heady topic like Adiaphora or Theology of the Cross and then breaks it down into understandable sections which are brought into focus by the conclusion. At the end of every chapter there is a study guide making this book ideal for private reflection or corporate study. Each chapter incorporates snippets of history to bring the material to life and gives a Lutheran answer to competing philosophies. This book is by no means difficult to read and I would highly recommend Hallmarks of Lutheran Identity to life-long Lutherans and new converts alike.

I have, being a convert to the LCMS, read several books about the uniqueness of Lutheranism, and would not have sought out another one like this. . However, I bought this book because I was interested in Dr. Schmidt's interview on Issues Etc concerning the early church's and early Lutheran understanding of the New Testament Canon in contrast to what the Roman Catholic Church proclaimed at the Council of Trenton in 1545, which was a major departure from the historic church and previous councils. . Although this seems like a purely academic exercise on the surface, there are some profound implications in the nuances. Most importantly it is foundational to the principle of Sola Scriptura. . By a blind acceptance to the Council of Trent's unorthodox determination of the canonical books, the whole of Protestantism, including most of Lutheran practice today, has put itself in the position of not being able to argue against the point that the Romans Catholic Church is the origin of the New Testament and we all are indebted to her and are lost children. . Now I see how to argue the point and those 2 chapters were worth the price of the book for me.