LCMS church workers promise to adhere to the teachings of Scripture as expressed in the Book of Concord. Yet opening the book reveals a host of confusing terms, indecipherable titles and strange names. The average LCMS layperson might be tempted to close it and leave it for pastors to read and decipher.
The October issue of The Lutheran Witness offers a “Reader’s Guide to the Book of Concord, in honor of Paul McCain.” Through his tireless and dedicated efforts, the Rev. Paul T. McCain worked with Concordia Publishing House to release Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions — A Reader’s Edition. This volume, with numerous explanatory introductions and guides, has provided Lutherans the most accessible guide to their own confessional documents.
The issue offers a Book of Concord toolkit that provides historical and theological context for the person interested in reading these confessions. The issue also explains what it means to say that we subscribe to these confessions and explores how to use them in regular, daily devotions.
Lutherans should not be intimidated by their confessional documents but should dig deeply into them to understand what we confess and why. The October LW can help. Purchase a subscription to The Lutheran Witness at cph.org/witness or visit witness.lcms.org to learn more.
Posted Oct. 14, 2021
Print page
We have been reading The Book of Concordia all year. I’m grateful Witness dedicated a full magazine about this topic.
Thank you! I taught Luther’s Catechism years ago, and yes it’s doozie. The Book of Concord is the heart of what it means to be a Lutheran. It’ll be refreshing to read a laymen’s guide.