| Title | : | Where Christ is Present: A Theology for All Seasons on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 1945500093 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9781945500091 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Paperback |
| Number of Pages | : | 256 |
| Publication | : | First published January 1, 2015 |
Where Christ is Present: A Theology for All Seasons on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation Reviews
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If you pick up this book not caring about eternity, the transcendent, or religion, you need to move up to a serious consideration of these issues. As humans, we are contaminated with self-centeredness, and it destroys our personal and societal relationships. Christianity is the only demonstrable solution for this misery: “If any person is in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away, all things become new” (2 Cor. 5:17) Testimonies to the truth of this fact abound across the centuries, from St. Augustine to Billy Graham – and include, it should go without saying, Martin Luther. So why not move from religious indifference to a search for an ideal church home? We all need Jesus Christ and we need an environment in which that relationship is nourished. Faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God.
In light of the anniversary of the Reformation, Martin Luther changed the course of the church. Driven for change by scripture alone, he brought the gospel back to the church. With the Catholic Church oppressing the people, he argued rightfully so that pope is not above the word but must come under the word of God. Whenever the word becomes secondary, reproof is nonexistent. Scripture is the sole source and authority of the church. Because men are fallible, we are in danger of misinterpretation of the word because of culture, our own desires, and lack of commitment, the church should always move forward to reform.
The reformation is about the differences of the way of salvation. Most Christians agree that Christ saves sinners, but there are differences among Christians. You are encouraged to ask yourself these questions. Is the gift of salvation a free gift? Is it earned and if so how? Luther himself fought doubt of salvation which led to him is 95 Theses. Some significant differences that I found interesting were John Wesley’s goal of the gospel versus Luther’s goal. Wesley goal was the perfecting of the Christian believer prior to death and Luther was the justification of sinners-their embrace of the sufficiency of the Person and work of Christ to have done for them what the law requires of them and a concomitant rejection of any allowance of Christian living to sneak over, no matter how subtly in the column “justification” even the slightest instance of this, Luther said, and all is lost!. Wesley’s goal leads the believer to turn attention from Christ to self. Checking one’s progress or growth in Christ is an indicator of one’s status before God. It becomes a diet of law rather than Gospel. The Reformation is not about our personal faith in Christ, it is about Christ. About whom He claims to be and what His death did for us sinners. A sinner’s justification before God is a condition in which the sinner is completely passive! As Luther confessed just prior to dying…We are just beggars each and every one of us.
In the area of sacraments, I was greatly encouraged by this word that the sacraments make visible what is invisible. The sacraments help us worship the Lord in spirit and in truth. The sacraments and the word are tied together as we engage in worship of the Father.
Quotes that I found helpful
The only remedy is the promise of grace offered in Christ; the righteousness of faith” which we do not perform but receive, which we do not have but accept when God grant it to us through Jesus Christ.
When a man is contrite, is oppressed by the Law, is terrified by his sin, and thirsts for comfort, the wise pastor removes the Law and active righteousness from his sight and sets before him nothing but the gospel and passive righteousness which removes Moses and the Law.
Because Jesus is the perfect redemption (payment) for our sin, He is not only our perfect righteousness erasing all our guilt but also our perfect holiness covering all our shame-thus healing our hurt as well (1 Cor. 1:30) In Christ Jesus, we are restored to wholeness before our Father in heaven, having the full rights of sonship to call on God as our beloved Father and to receive abundant blessings as a His beloved children (Gal. 4:4-6).
I really enjoyed reading more deeply of the reformation and how it was formed and why. From understanding infant baptism is more of a work of God than obedience (However, I am not firm believer as the word itself says believe and be baptized (Mark 16:16). An infant is not aware of right and wrong and the need for salvation.) to living for the Kingdom, you will have greater grasp of the work of Christ. Even though this study is driven by the Lutheran denomination, with clarity, it lays the differences of other denominations and “Christian” trends.
A Special Thank You to NRP Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review. -
An explanation as to why I chose to read this book in the first place might provide a helpful foundation before I launch into my review. Quite simply, I was curious. For someone who has grown up in the Christian church, and who has attended churches of a wide variety of denominations over the years, I realized that I know very little about Lutheranism. I realized too that I know surprisingly little about the man who began the whole “protesting” movement of which I am a part. My curiosity was heightened by some recent dissatisfaction with the Protestant church at which I now worship, as well as my increasing dismay at some changes taking place in the Christian church at large. What, if anything, sets Lutheranism apart?
Quite a bit, as it turns out.
Curious laypeople like me will find Where Christ Is Present a helpful, timely resource that covers a wide range of topics within this very specific subject. Its appeal will be fairly limited, however, to those who are seeking information and understanding into the Lutheran denomination and willing to wade through a lot of rather arcane terminology. And who are either coming at this book from other denominations, Protestant as well as Catholic or Orthodox, or who are already Lutheran and wish to strengthen the apologetics of their faith.
Though informative, thoughtful, and articulate, it is–as books like these tend to be–on the dry side, and therefore only serious students will be interested in reading every essay. I found the most helpful ones to be those written by editors. Their overviews informed and intrigued me. All essays, however, are set forth in the Table of Contents, and so readers can easily decide which ones might interest them the most.
I was surprised to learn of the very specific differences between traditional Lutheranism and other Protestant denominations (as well as some of the more liberal branches within Lutheranism). It certainly made me look more thoughtfully at this denomination and greatly increased my appreciation for the work begun nearly 500 years ago by its founder, Martin Luther.
Thanks to iRead Book Tours for providing me a free copy to review. All opinions are mine. -
This religious book, edited by John Warwick Montgomery and Gene Edward Veith, both who contribute to it alongside other authors, commemorates the forthcoming fifth-century anniversary of the beginning of the Protestant Reformation initiated by Martin Luther. Its scripture comes from the English Standard Version of the Bible, with the publisher hoping to instigate a new Lutheran Reformation, the book dedicated to various individuals such as Dr. Howard Hoffman.
The first chapter, by John Warwick Montgomery, indicates that many don’t understand the importance of the Reformation’s anniversary, which commenced on the Eve of All Saints Day, 1517. He indicates that Jesus was a kind of “Jewish boy scout,” and analyzes the various Christian denominations, Lutheranism included, noting the problems with others while insisting that Lutherans take the scripture “exactly as it is.”
The second chapter, by Gene Edward Veith, notes the Counter-Reformation initiated by the Catholic Church in response to the Lutheran Reformation, with Luther, whom the Church excommunicated, not necessarily wishing to start his own alternate denomination, with Catholics today acknowledging that their faith was indeed in need of reform. Other denominations he analyzes, too, noting that Anglicans seek to be intermediaries between Protestantism and Catholicism, and that Wesleyans (with this reviewer being Methodist, although his beliefs lean more in favor of the Episcopal Church) believe good works play part in salvation, a perfectly reasonable belief.
The third chapter, by Cameron A. MacKenzie, tells the story of Martin Luther’s life, starting with his death as an evangelical, with some criticism of Luther brought to light such as the alleged freedom of man to commit sin, and his conflicts with fellow evangelicals. He also mentions debates about Christ’s alleged presence in communion and the nature of infant baptism.
The fourth chapter, by A. S. Francisco, notes that different denominations disagree on theology and practice, largely due to authority other than scripture, with Lutherans believing scripture is the sole source of revelation and authority, and Calvinists believing that Christ’s spirit alone exists during communion.
The fifth chapter, by Rod Rosenbladt, discusses whether salvation is earned or freely given, mentioning active and passive righteousness, the division of scripture into Laws and Promises, and bibliographies for more insight into different Christian denominations.
The sixth chapter, by Harold Senkbeil, examines the basic tenants of Lutheranism, such as Jesus being God and man, the amount of water necessary for baptism, the meaningfulness of infant baptism, the practice of confession and absolution, and so forth.
The seventh chapter, by Todd Wilken, preaches that baptism constitutes a boundary between God’s kingdom and Earth, with Satan’s realm allegedly not a true kingdom, Christians being dual citizens of Heaven and Earth, and that Christians have multiple vocations in addition to their earthly ones.
The eighth chapter, by Uwe Siemon-Netto, notes that narcissistic mindset threatens Christianity in America, with Catholics, for instance, viewing religious vocation as limited to priests and entries into monasteries, Lutherans allegedly allowing followers to delve into the realm of the secular without completely engorging themselves in its ways. The section presents various factoids such as Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler’s hatred of Christianity, most pregnancy terminations being the result of personal choice rather than things such as disability, and concludes with the statement that there is no authority except that from God.
The ninth chapter, by Craig A. Parton, focuses on Christianity and the arts, particularly with regards to composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, with Luther, for instance, very much believing that art and music had a firm place in Christian practice, touching upon the principle of adiaphora. He notes that Christian freedom derives from freedom from sin and death, with exercise of freedom best when exercised in favor to God and neighbors. The principle of legalism adds to music with certain prohibition, institutes such as Bob Jones University, for instance, forbidding rock music in worship service, and Bach himself having secular interests and clients.
The tenth chapter, by Steven A. Hein, notes that Christians may long for more fulfilling experiences, with the Law and Gospel being parallel, and that one is not saved by the cross and can “move on” five minutes later. Faith, he indicates, is attacked by temptation, with Lutherans believing faith presents them with a life regimen.
The eleventh chapter, by Angus J. L. Menuge, analyzes the cultural and aesthetic impact of Lutheranism, noting different types of Christian response to culture and indicating that art suffers injustice when we insist it must tell the truth about God without first confessing the truth about ourselves, some samples of Christian art presented.
The final chapter, by John Warwick Montgomery, concludes the main text, indicating that at the point in the book the benefits of Lutheranism are plain, and notes the paradox that conservatives in one denomination can be liberals in another, and suggests more conservative subsectors of Lutheranism such as the Missouri Synod over the more liberal Evangelical sect, in which women and homosexuals can be ordained as clergy.
After the text are biographies of the contributors, with Francisco, for instance, being a student of Arabic and Islamic theology, MacKenzie being ordained as a Lutheran Church Missouri Synod clergyman, and Parton being a trial lawyer.
Overall, this is a fairly thought-provoking look at Lutheran faith, even if the text somewhat adopts a supremacist viewpoint in that regard, with this reviewer still true to his Episcopalian and Methodist leanings, given his view that salvation is something one must actively work for instead of being received freely simply by faith. -
Outstanding discussion of Reformation theology.
Montgomery and Broth are outstanding scholars by any one's measure and make the best case for Reformation theology. This is an outstanding compilation -
Almost thou hath persuaded me to become a Lutheran. Great book examining the theological distinctions of confessional Lutheranism.
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Title: Where Christ is Present (A Theology for all Seasons on the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation)
Author: John Warwick Montgomery and others
Pages: 288
Year: 2015
Publisher: NPR Books
My rating is 4 stars.
When I read the authors impressive lists of accomplishments I sure impressed as well as thinking how the author who also is the editor of these essays, will approach the various topics covered. John Warwick Montgomery shares a short synopsis of his becoming a Christian and then his journey seeking a home church. Each essay is written on a topic such as Salvation, Justification, Martin Luther and the Reformation and many more.
Each essay is written by a different author who lists both their primary as well as secondary sources when they wrote the essay. I hope when approach the book it isn’t to find fault with the various authors standings, any denominations mentioned or conclusions drawn. However, my hope is that you have your Bible beside you to look up Bible References sited reading g not just a verse or two but the context which surrounds the verses sited.
So you may ask. “Why read the book?” My answer would be “Why not?” One of the blessings of reading books written are very thought provoking. Second, is to expand understanding of other denominations, Luther or even main theological tenets. Another reason for reading nonfiction books that deal with history or a historical event/person might help bring understanding to the present by understanding the past.
Too often if something is told whether in a causal setting or a formal one no one usually questions or critiques anything. Therefore when books come along which present information few bother to read, investigate the ideas or even come to their own conclusion. We need to be challenged so that we can be prepared by the Holy Spirit to share the gospel with others. We need to be shaken out of our apathy or laziness to go beyond the moment to unearth truth for ourselves. There is a verse in the Word of God which speaks to what my heart feels more than anything: Love the Lord your God with all of Your Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength. Frankly it takes work, and with all the electronic gadgets available today we can all become unwilling to put forth effort to grow.
The Bible is the primary and only source of truth, so whatever you read in other books if it doesn’t stand up to the Bible then let it go. However, if it is in agreement with it then study some more and let the Spirit bring the truth deeper into your heart so it pours out in your life. What better way is there to become more like Christ and be reflectors who point to the One and Only worthy of our all!
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255. “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” -
Where Christ is Present
A Theology for All Seasons on the
500th Anniversary of the Reformation
Edited by John Warwick Montgomery
and Gene Edwards Veith
Where Christ is Present is a book of contemplation with each chapter written by different author. Through this book we will take a look at the Church of today in contrast to both its beginnings and when Luther acted upon his convictions.
Have we unknowingly fallen back into the trap which Luther found the church of his day mired in? Have we rejected the truth of Christ's message in favour of works and self-justification? If so, we are no better off than those who spent their lives in fear that they could never "buy" enough merit with earthly priests to earn a chance to fall before God in His seat of judgment much less gain salvation.
But does this fault lie with us or with Luther for fighting against the ills he saw within the church? Has our lack of unity hurt and hindered our spiritual growth? Or has it rather been a blessing - allowing believers to come to their own conclusions in regard to Scriptural validity and their own consciences?
These various writers will help us to weed our way through to the truths about the Reformation and what Martin Luther's motivations were when he stood up to the church. Each chapter includes bibliographic source references so that we can see that their ideas are not just pulled out of a hat, like a magician's trick, but rather painstakingly researched and vetted.
Each chapter is enlightening, but during my reading three really resonated with me.
Chapter 5 The Way of Salvation The Gospel by Rod Rosenbladt in which various church doctrines are compared in how they view the Fall, its effects, and how Christ's death and resurrection SAVE the sinner.
Chapter 6 The Means of Grace The Word and Sacraments by Harold Senkbeil in which we delve into how we attempt to bridge the gaping divide between us and God. Do we turn to the Word? The Sacraments?
Chapter 9 Christian Liberty, the Arts, and J.S. Bach by Craig A. Parton in which music in regard to the Christian and worship is explored. Should our music change with the world around us? Or should it be drawn from the Scripture? Different denominational views are shared as we go through this chapter.
This book is both informative and thought provoking. Be sure to have a dictionary nearby as there are a few words that you'll need to look up as you work your way through. You won't be sorry that took the time to read this book and explore the Church of today and yesterday.
I was provided a copy of this book through iRead Book Tours in exchange for my honest review. -
I found this book wonderfully interesting. As a former Lutheran, I was especially interested in the history of the church and how the influence of Martin Luther nailing the 95 theses on the church door. I have always admired him for his bravery, but mostly, I have admired him for truly reading the Bible and sharing what God's Word is truly about. He wanted it to stop being about what the priests told us it said (and some of this was very legalistic) and about what God was telling us in His Word!
This book is very interesting, even if you're not a deep theologian. I love theology so I was very excited to read this book and it did not disappoint! It's not a book that is easily read without thinking, however, it's not so above your head that you'll struggle to understand it. I found it very easy to understand, which is a plus. It is broken down into twelve chapters, each written by an expert.
My favorite chapter was chapter nine. This is titled, "Christian Liberty, the Arts, and J.S. Bach". I have long been a lover of Bach (because of my Lutheran background, no doubt) and I found this chapter so interesting. I enjoyed reading about the musicians and artists that were theologians first and this influenced their work they did. I also loved how they talked about freedom comes from Christian liberty first.
The book reflects how far our church has fallen from the true theology of the Bible and what Martin Luther had wanted. There is comparison about how divided we are in our theology even among the Christian churches. This is a very timely book and one that I highly recommend to everyone. This is not a light and easy read, but it's an important read, and I would love to see everyone read this important book! I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.
*This book was provided to me for my honest review by iRead Book Tours -
Martin Luther posted 95 theses on the castle church door in Wittenberg and the Reformation was born. Protestantism was born, but the real result was a changed church. After 500 years, today's church can still benefit from Luther's theology and changes can come again. "Where Christ is Present" is a group of essays edited by John Warwich Montgomery and Gene Edward Veith.
Each essay explains different aspects of the Reformation and why it is important for the church and Christians today. Other reviewers have poured out praise for this book, claiming that it is easy to read and understand. However, if you are a Bible scholar and extremely interested in the historical view, this may be true. Very few of the essays kept me interested enough to read. There were two that I could recommend as beneficial, "God's Two Kingdoms" and "Vocation versus Narcissus!".
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from iRead Book Tours, as part of their Book Review Blogger Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” -
Where Christ is Present is a thoughtfully composed look at current Christianity and it’s followers needs in today’s society. The book sets out to help people find the kind of theology and understanding that can help with today’s fractured beliefs and lifestyles, and advocate that Lutheran’s theology can help us find the foundation for Christianity that is needed in the modern world. The book explores many types of Christianity, examining their strengths and weaknesses, addressing such failings as being built on erroneous traditions or being too tied to pop culture and losing key messages of Christ. The collective writers demonstrate that the teachings of Luther can help us reclaim the true and most important teachings of Christ.
Where Christ is Present is a great book for someone who is looking to find the right church for themselves. The writers really delve into looking at each church and help the reader understand the messages they will find within. This book is clearly in favor of the practices of the Lutheran Church, but the authors all bring great and thoughtful reason to the choice.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. -
Where Christ Is Present is a scholarly collection of essays that examines many aspects of Reformation Theology including the Authority of The Holy/Scriptures, The Way Of Salvation: The Gospel, and the Religious Landscape in the Twenty-First Century.
The essays are written at an undergraduate to graduate level and contain a broad list of notes and an expansive bibliography for additional study.
Students of Reformation Theology, Church History and the like will find the book quite rewarding as the authors explore these topics in depth and challenge your mind and spirit.
Lay readers who are looking for a lighter, more engaging book, however, will find the book somewhat dry.
Where Christ Is Present isn't always an easy read – but reading the book is well worth the effort for serious students of theology.
To read this review in its entirety, visit
Create With Joy.
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes. However, the opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. -
So for the readers of my blog, I normally stick to Fiction Books (that is the genre that I am a fan) and do not read a whole lot of non-Fiction books. I was sent an email from Goodreads and was asked to review this book.
Since, I am on a new adventure with my blogging, reviewing of books and limiting my reviews for this month. I decided to accept the offer to review this book.
It is a great book for reference and for Bible Scholars. It is a collection of essays exploring Lutheran theology. It goes into different religions and faith. This is an excellent addition to any theologians library.
I received this book from iRead Book Tours for free to review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable or non-favorable review of this read. -
"Where Christ is Present" by authors John Warwick Montgomery & Gene Edward Veith is a group of essays that speak about reforms in the church of many years ago that are still needed in our own time. These are very well written and explained to the reader. The authors are hoping that these will touch some lives. There are some people right now who really need to see what is happening in the church today that will benefit by these . I give this book a 4/5. I was given this book for a review and all opinions are my own.
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Good.