New Lutheran Resources: Hymns and Northwestern Publishing House
Kornacki, Alan, Jr. Rejoice, O Zion! Sing! Hymns for the Lutheran Service Book One-Year Lectionary and Other Occasions. 2020. Paper. $9.99. Kindle available for $3.99. https://smile.amazon.com/Rejoice-Zion-Sing-Lectionary-Occasions/dp/B08N1M591G
Eggert, Arthur. Simply Lutheran: A Practical Guide to Lutheran Teachings. Milwaukee: Northwestern Publishing House, 2020. 313 Pages. Paper. $20.99. https://online.nph.net/simply-lutheran.html
Thompson, Luke George. Your Life Has Meaning: Discovering Your Role In An Epic Story. Milwaukee: Northwestern, 2020. 149 Pages. Paper. $17.99 https://online.nph.net/your-life-has-meaning.html
You would think that 2020 would have been a good year to read. For me personally, I had to spend far too much time in front of screens. The three books below will be good incentive for you to turn off the screens and open up an edifying book in 2021.
The writing of our friend Alan Kornacki, pastor of an LCMS dual parish in southern Illinois, has been reviewed here before. We've seen his fiction (The Thy Strong Word Trilogy) and nonfiction (Lutheran Purgatory: Pastors without Calls).
His newest book is a collection of original hymns!
Over the past decade, Alan Kornacki has been writing hymn texts for use in the Divine Service, for home devotions, and for other occasions. Based on Scripture and written with singing in mind, these texts reflect the truth of the Bible and give glory to God for His goodness to His people of all generations. Mostly set to familiar tunes, these texts are easy to sing. They are mostly simple texts, which means they are child-friendly and can be used for catechesis. (Amazon)Even though the subtitle indicates that these hymns were composed for the readings of the Lutheran Service Book One-Year Lectionary, they may to used with the same readings were they are found in the LSB Three-Year Lectionary, as well as on other occasions.
Many pastors of the past have been prolific hymn writers, and this only makes sense. If you put the exegetical and theological research into a text for a sermon, you may as well use the same hard-won insights to write a hymn on the same text.
Which hymns from this collection will wear well and be included in future hymnals and supplements? Only time and use will tell which will be chosen by editors and committees. I personally plan to consider the following for use at my congregation:
- 10. Immanuel: God Dwells With Us (Christmas; My congregation's name is Immanuel)
- 31. Vindicate Me, Lord My God (another text for GETHSEMANE; Lent V; a way to sing Psalm 43)
- 36. Oh, Pilate Fixed Three Crosses (sixteen stanzas sung with EWING for Good Friday based on Kontakion 22 by Romanos the Melodist)
- 80. Rejoice! Rejoice, O Heaven (a text sung to ES IST EIN ROS for St. Michael and All Angels)
- 82. Christ Said, "Bring the Little Children" (another tune for CROSS OF JESUS; a rare hymn on Mark 10
Also consider purchasing Rejoice, O Zion! Sing! as a devotional book to accompany the One-Year Lectionary.
We now turn to two new books from Northwestern Publishing House.
Do you want to dive deeper into your faith? Do you want to learn more about what it means to be a Lutheran?
Simply Lutheran is ideal as a starting point for those who want to dive deeper into the critical topics of Lutheranism. Not only does it provide an overview of the Bible; it also presents a thorough summary of Christian doctrine.
Follow along with Dr. Eggert as he discusses:
*The Bible
*God
*Plan of Salvation--Historical View
*Plan of Salvation--Theological View
*Life in the Church
Written by a layperson for laypeople, Simply Lutheran offers down-to-earth language and relatable illustrations to help you gain a practical understanding of the teachings of Scripture. Also a regular contributor to WELS Forward in Christ magazine, Eggert issues a challenge to you to stand firm in your faith and its teachings while strengthening and expanding the knowledge you have of that very faith in your Savior. (Publisher's Website)
Simply Lutheran is a large catechism for the 21st Century. Luther's Large Catechism already exists, so there is no reason to rewrite it. We can appreciate it as an enduring blessing. There is also room for today's Lutherans to confess the faith today. That's what is going on with this volume. There has been a long tradition of lay theologians writing in the tradition of Philip Melanchthon (at his best) or Gene Edward Veith (of today's LCMS).
The book's sections cover The Bible, God, Salvation (explained Historically and Theologically), and Life in the Church, keeping things basic, but also providing substance to the reader.
Over the course of my book review years (2004 to the present) there are new books released by both NPH and CPH that have the goal of explaining Lutheranism to Lutherans and those new to Lutheranism. Simply Lutheran falls into that category, yet is more comprehensive and approachable than most.
After this book, the intended reader will be better equipped to appreciate The Lutheran Study Bible, Christian Dogmatics, and other selected recommended reading on the theology of the Cross, the End Times, and other classic Lutheran books, especially Concordia: The Lutheran Confessions.
While I appreciated reading this book in digital form, I recommend that you add a paperback to your shelf.
Consider also buying a paperback of this book, too:
Money. Possessions. School. Work. Life. The things of this world.
At times it can all feel empty and meaningless.
In Your Life Has Meaning, Luke George Thompson focuses on themes and Bible verses primarily from the book of Ecclesiastes and the life of Solomon to offer you a practical guide to finding meaning in life.Thompson walks you through ideas from thought leaders of the past—Neitzsche, Kierkegaard, Camus, Sartre, and others—and the voices from the present found in self-help books, fantasy novels, and entertainment to show how they themselves poke holes in the false sources of meaning that so many chase after.As a teacher of apologetics and a pastor who works regularly with college students, Thompson invites you to view the world from God's side of it instead of focusing on life "under the sun." And that's where the true treasure of this book is, as it reminds you that your purpose in life, no matter what your job, is to help others recognize God's love, for this is your "role in an epic story." (Publisher's website)
This book is an exploration of Ecclesiastes.
This book is an introduction to the doctrine of vocation.
This book is also an introduction to philosophy.
This is a book of encouragement for Christians.
And it is a perfect book to help you process 2020.
If you have never taken a philosophy class, this is your opportunity to get over the intimidation. If you've taken a philosophy class, you will appreciate the authors Christian approach.
As the intended reader of this volume, I've appreciated the motivation it gave me to read more philosophy, including Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero of the ancient world and the recently published writings of Nassim Nicholas Taleb (a Christian of Lebanese descent).
I believe this book will be a blessing to you as you consider reality and human existence in the light of Christ.
We look forward to more hymns from Rev. Kornacki and more new resources from Northwestern Publishing House!
Rev. Paul J Cain is Senior Pastor of Immanuel, Sheridan, Wyoming, Headmaster of Martin Luther Grammar School and Immanuel Academy, a member of the Board of Directors of the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education, Secretary of the Wyoming District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and a member of its Board of Directors, Wyoming District Education Chairman/NLSA Commissioner, and Editor of Lutheran Book Review. He has served as an LCMS Circuit Visitor, District Worship Chairman and District Evangelism Chairman. A graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Rev. Cain is a contributor to Lutheran Service Book, Lutheranism 101, the Hymnal Companion hymn and liturgy volumes, and is the author of 5 Things You Can Do to Make Our Congregation a Caring Church. He is an occasional guest on KFUO radio. He has previously served Emmanuel, Green River, WY and Trinity, Morrill, NE. Rev. Cain is married to Ann and loves reading and listening to, composing, and making music.
