Resources for Pastoral Care
Senkbeil, Harold. Art by Natasha Kennedy. The Lord's Prayer for All God's Children (A FatCat Book). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2022. Cloth. $17.99. https://lexhampress.com/product/224270/the-lords-prayer-for-all-gods-children
Spiritual Warfare and the Care of SoulsJesus Christ is the light that no darkness can overcome.Spiritual warfare isn’t always obvious. It’s normally not scary or spooky; it’s usually rather mundane. Yet it’s real and always miraculous.In Spiritual Warfare, Harold Ristau shows how faithful spiritual warfare isn’t about secret methods and rituals. Rather, for the care of souls, pastors already have all they need in God’s word. The Spirit’s gifts equip Christians for whatever challenges await them in ministry—even fighting against the wiles of the devil. Spiritual Warfare helps pastors inform, prepare, and equip the saints for the battle. The good fight is fought in prayer and worship. As the church preaches the forgiveness of sins, the darkness is pierced with the light of Christ and those in bondage are freed.(Publisher's website)
I'll admit my bias at the start. I am a founding regent for Luther Classical College and Harold Ristau is now its first president. Lutherans can appreciate these aspects of Harold Ristau's book "Spiritual Warfare: For the Care of Souls" from Lexham Press:
Biblical and Lutheran Theological Foundations: Ristau emphasizes that spiritual warfare is grounded in God's Word, aligning with Lutheran theology which holds Scripture as central. His approach to spiritual warfare is not about secret methods or rituals but is based on the resources provided by Christ through the Scriptures, which resonates with the Lutheran emphasis on sola scriptura (Scripture alone).
Pastoral Care Perspective: The book is tailored for those in pastoral ministry, offering practical guidance on how to care for souls amidst spiritual battles. This focus on the care of souls is deeply rooted in Lutheran pastoral practice, where the pastor's role is seen as a shepherd guiding and nurturing the flock.
Recognition of the Mundane Nature of Spiritual Warfare: Ristau describes spiritual warfare as often mundane rather than dramatic, which might resonate with Lutherans who view daily life and the regular practice of faith (through worship, prayer, and the sacraments) as battlegrounds for spiritual strength and resistance against evil. This perspective demystifies the concept, making it accessible and relevant to everyday life.
Emphasis on Prayer and Worship: The book underscores that the "good fight" is fought through prayer and worship, which are central practices in Lutheran liturgy and life. This aligns with the Lutheran understanding that the Holy Spirit works through the means of grace to combat spiritual darkness.
Experiential and Scholarly Insight: Harold Ristau brings both academic and practical experience to his work, having served as a chaplain in the Canadian Armed Forces and as a professor. This dual perspective provides a rich context for understanding spiritual warfare from both a theological and experiential standpoint, potentially making his insights particularly valuable for Lutheran pastors.
Liturgical Context: The book might resonate with Lutherans due to its liturgical framework, where Ristau discusses how the church's proclamation of forgiveness of sins through worship and preaching pierces the darkness, aligning with Lutheran sacramental theology.
Countering the Devil's Wiles: Ristau equips readers to discern and counter the devil's tactics with confidence, using resources that Christ supplies, which would appeal to Lutherans who see the Christian life as a daily battle against sin, death, and the devil, yet one fought with divine assurance.
Lutherans can appreciate Ristau's book for its grounding in Lutheran theology, its practical application for pastoral care, and its emphasis on the everyday nature of spiritual warfare fought through traditional Lutheran practices like prayer, worship, and reliance on God's Word.
Pastoral Visitation for the Care of Souls
Christ comes to, and through, his people.
Many consider pastoral visitation antiquated and impractical. People seem busier than ever, and technology appears to trivialize personal contact. As a result, personal visits are often reserved only for the gravest of situations.
Tyler C. Arnold argues that pastoral visitation is essential to the pastoral role. In Scripture, God visits his people to show his personal interest and concern. This is seen most clearly in the incarnation. Christ’s ministry is one of presence. But Jesus is not only an example of visitation ministry; he is the embodiment of it. And in visitation, pastors and laypeople continue Jesus’s ministry by bringing Christ to the individual in their very place of need.
Established in strong theological foundations and sensitive to contemporary concerns, Pastoral Visitation exhorts pastors to return to this classic method of individual soul-care.
(Publisher's website)
Lutherans can appreciate several aspects of Tyler C. Arnold's Pastoral Visitation: For the Care of Souls from Lexham Press:
Theological Foundation: Arnold's book is deeply rooted in Lutheran theology, particularly emphasizing the incarnational aspect where God visits His people, mirroring the Lutheran view of Christ's presence in ministry. This theological framework would resonate with Lutherans who see pastoral visitation as an extension of Christ's ministry of presence.
Practical Guidance: The book provides practical advice and strategies for implementing visitation in a modern context, which is particularly beneficial for Lutheran pastors looking to enhance their pastoral care in an era where personal visits might seem less common or practical. Arnold discusses setting up visitation programs, navigating different types of visits, and the importance of listening, which are timeless pastoral skills.
Liturgical and Sacramental Emphasis: Arnold's book highlights the role of liturgy and sacraments in visitation, which is central to Lutheran practice. His discussion on bringing the Divine Service to the home, although controversial for some, aligns with the Lutheran commitment to sacramental ministry and the understanding that sacraments can be administered outside the church building in times of need.
Biblical Motivation: The motivation for visitation is grounded in Scripture, emphasizing how God's visitation of His people in the Bible provides a model for pastoral care. This scriptural foundation would be appreciated by Lutherans who value the Bible's guidance in all aspects of ministry.
Community and Fellowship: Arnold promotes the idea of visitation as part of the "with" way, encouraging both pastors and laypeople to engage in this ministry, fostering community and fellowship, which is in line with the Lutheran understanding of the priesthood of all believers and the communal nature of the church.
Historical and Contemporary Balance: The book balances the historical significance of visitation with contemporary challenges, offering a perspective that respects tradition while acknowledging modern life's pace and technology's influence. This balance can help Lutheran pastors adapt ancient practices to today's context.
Encouragement and Motivation: By calling visitation the "pastor's identity," Arnold provides encouragement for pastors to see this ministry not just as a duty but as an integral part of their vocation, which can be particularly motivating for those in Lutheran congregations where the pastor is seen as a shepherd of souls.
Lay Involvement: The book includes advice on developing a team of lay visitors, reflecting the Lutheran emphasis on the role of the laity in church life, thereby extending the reach of pastoral care beyond what one pastor can achieve alone. Yes, this can be faithfully done without violating AC XIV.Matthew 18:12-14: “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
Church music for the care of souls
The Lord’s song sings faith into people’s hearts.
Music is central to the life of the church. In Church Music: For the Care of Souls, Phillip Magness helps the church to recover the primary instrument in worship: congregational voices. With voices raised, we sing praises to our God and King for his Son, Jesus Christ. Singing calls for a special kind of leadership—not only on the part of musicians but also among pastors and lay leaders. Together, leaders can help congregations find their voice and reclaim the power of music for the care of souls.
(Publisher's Website).
Lutherans can appreciate several facets of Phillip Magness's book Church Music: For the Care of Souls from Lexham Press:
Focus on Congregational Singing: Magness emphasizes the centrality of congregational voices in worship, which is a cornerstone of Lutheran liturgy. The Lutheran tradition values the active participation of the entire congregation in singing, reflecting Martin Luther's belief in the priesthood of all believers and his advocacy for congregational hymns.
Theological Depth: The book provides a theological foundation for church music, aligning with Lutheran theology where music is not just an aesthetic element but a means of teaching, comforting, and edifying the faithful. Magness's approach to music as a tool for the "care of souls" resonates with Lutheran pastoral care.
Avoidance of Worship Wars: Magness steers clear of the divisive "worship wars" by focusing on the purpose of music in the church rather than debates over style. This practical and unifying approach is particularly valuable for Lutheran congregations seeking to maintain unity while celebrating liturgical diversity. Please understand that his audience is not primarily Lutheran.
Leadership in Music: He discusses the roles of both musicians and pastors in leading music, which is crucial in Lutheran settings where the pastor often has a significant role in liturgical planning, including music selection. This collaborative leadership model promotes a holistic view of worship preparation.
Music as Folk Music: Magness describes church music as "folk music," belonging to the people, which aligns with the Lutheran tradition where hymns and liturgy are meant to be accessible, memorable, and participatory for all, not just the musically trained.
Historical and Contemporary Relevance: While rooted in Lutheran tradition, the book also appreciates various musical styles and generations, encouraging a living tradition. This reflects the Lutheran approach to both preserving heritage and being open to contemporary expressions of faith.
Practical Tips for Implementation: The book offers practical advice for musicians, pastors, and lay leaders on enhancing congregational singing and using music effectively in worship. This guidance is invaluable for Lutheran congregations aiming to strengthen their musical ministry.
Scriptural Foundation: Magness highlights numerous biblical references to singing, which would appeal to Lutherans who base their worship practices heavily on Scripture. His cataloging of these passages supports the Lutheran conviction that music has a divine mandate in worship.
Community Building: By advocating for a singing community, Magness promotes the idea that music in worship builds community, which is central to Lutheran ecclesiology where the congregation is seen as a community of believers sharing in the means of grace.
Joy in Worship: The book exudes the joy of music's role in the care of souls, encouraging a festive and celebratory aspect of Lutheran liturgy where singing praises to God is an act of joy and thanksgiving.These elements make Church Music: For the Care of Souls by Phillip Magness particularly relevant and appreciated within Lutheran contexts, where music is seen as an integral part of both worship and pastoral care.
Do you believe?
You read it. But do you understand it?
While the Bible is the most famous book in history, it can be intimidating. Yet God’s word is for us and all people. It is living and active and has the power to save, give life, and heal. Do we read the Bible attuned to the power of God’s word?
John W. Kleinig opens up the riches found in the Bible. He likens God’s word to a lavish meal that nourishes and satisfies our souls. He shows us the centrality of Scripture to Christian faith—the word through which the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit speak with one voice to believers on Earth.
(Publisher's website)
Writing for a more general Christian audience, I would have liked more teaching about best interpreting the Bible by properly distinguishing Law and Gospel. Perhaps that could be a follow-up subject for a book by Lexham.
God's Word Saves.
Kleinig provides a good introduction to the Bible in this short Lexham book, similar to the catechism series reviewed years ago and compiled into our next title for review.
A life discipled by the catechism
The Collected Christian Essentials: Catechism is perfect for daily devotions, personal study, and prayer with others.
- Let the catechism of the Ten Commandments, Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer guide your devotional life.
- Experience a simple liturgy of morning and evening prayer.
- Pray fresh prayers inspired by the catechism.
- Read Scripture with the liturgical church year.
- Understand the riches of the catechism with Peter J. Leithart, Ben Myers, and Wesley Hill.
The catechism— the Ten Commandments, the Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer—has sustained and nurtured every generation of believers, directing their faith, hope, and love. It helps Christians read, pray, and live God’s word. By giving Christians God’s word to give back to him, it plants seeds of his word and cultivates them to full growth. The Collected Christian Essentials: Catechism brings the church’s ancient catechism to a new generation.
The twenty-four catechism prayers were written by the Right Reverend Joey Royal, Suffragan Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of the Arctic.
(Publisher's Website).
LBR has reviewed volumes on these three topics before. See https://lhplbr.blogspot.com/2021/06/resources-from-lexham-press.html
It is very handy that they are gathered together under one cover.
I'll repeat here what I wrote almost five years ago:
I believe I am not the intended reader.Why?I was taught to catechize all ages in the Six Chief Parts of the Christian faith as found in the Small Catechism of Martin Luther. With regard to the Ten Commandments, The Apostles’ Creed, and the Lord’s Prayer, I am convinced that his Small Catechism and Large Catechism get the job done in a most excellent manner.Who is the intended reader of these three volumes?My working theory is that they will be welcomed by some Christian traditions and pastors, educators, and laypeople in church, school, and home that are actively working to create or recover a tradition of such teaching of young and old, as well as lifelong Christians and those new to the faith.Lexham Press is to be commended for reminding Christians of their catechetical heritage!
I repeat the commendation and welcome this volume as a step toward Christian unity, unity that could only be achieved by repenting of false teaching and practice and embracing all that Scripture gives us to confess about the Ten Commandments, Apostles' Creed, and Lord's Prayer.
We now shift to books for younger readers and those who love them.
What God’s children believeJoin FatCat, the friendly feline, as he learns the traditional text of the Apostles’ Creed―the earliest summary of the apostles’ teaching. Enjoy vibrantly illustrated scenes of Jesus’s life and search for FatCat on every page!Young readers and families will read a line from the creed along with a simple reflection to tuck into their hearts. With a list of Scriptures for further learning and a family prayer, this FatCat book is perfect to read again and again.In a fun and accessible way, believers can visualize, memorize, understand, and confess the Apostles’ Creed, which has united all Christians for centuries.[There is a] coloring book companion to The Apostles’ Creed: For All God’s Children.(Publisher's website)
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How God’s children pray2022 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards Gold Medal Winner - Religion/Spirituality
As a loving Father, God invites all his beloved children to come to him. In a fun and friendly way, The Lord’s Prayer: For All God’s Children encourages children to pray to our Father with reverence and boldness.
Join FatCat, the friendly feline, as he learns the Lord’s Prayer—Jesus’s prayer that teaches us how to pray. This simple yet profound prayer shapes children’s love for God, need for forgiveness from God, and dependence on God for strength and protection. Learn the Lord’s Prayer and search for FatCat on every page!
Each petition of the Lord’s Prayer has a full-page illustration from Jesus’s life and a reflection on its meaning. With a list of Scripture references and a guided family prayer, this FatCat book helps God’s children understand, memorize, and pray the Lord’s Prayer.
(Publisher's website).
Christ and all in the book are depicted in a similar style as the previous title, with art by Natasha Kennedy. Text here is written by a brother LCMS pastor, Harold L. Senkbeil.
He is an ideal author for this kind of catechesis.
I really appreciate his tactful and truthful approach in adapting portions of Luther's Small Catechism and prayers from the Lutheran tradition for clear teaching to a wider Christian audience.
Christians today have a lot to learn from the devotional life of the early church. In Fount of Heaven, a collection of carefully selected prayers from the first six centuries of the church, we can pray with our spiritual forefathers. Prayers from luminaries such as Clement of Rome, Irenaeus, and Augustine are arranged by theme to reveal the right prayer for the moment. The prayers have been slightly updated to read more easily, but they retain their joy and mystery. As we turn to the prayers of the first Christians, we can return to the foundations of our own faith.
(Publisher's Website).
Robert Elmer edits an edifying collection of timeless prayers from the Early Church in Fount of Heaven. Like a similar book also edited by Elmer, Piercing Heaven: Prayers of the Puritans, gifted to me apart from the book review process, Fount of Heaven features a cloth cover with gold embossing, a durable binding, a ribbon bookmark, and quality paper with clear, readable printing. I recommend this volume for personal and pastoral use.
And now to a differently serious topic, war.
In a world of war, terrorism, and other geopolitical threats to global stability, how should committed Christians honor Jesus Christ and his Word? How should Christians think and act when it comes to church-state relations, the preservation of order, the practice of just peacemaking, and the use of coercive force?In this volume in IVP Academic's Spectrum series, four contributors—experts in Christian ethics, political philosophy, and international affairs—offer the best of current Christian thinking on issues of war and peace. They present four distinct views:
Eric Patterson, just war view
Myles Werntz, nonviolence view
A. J. Nolte, Christian realist view
Meic Pearse, church historical view
Each contributor makes a case for his own view and responds to the others, highlighting complexities and real-world implications of the various perspectives. Edited and with an introduction and conclusion by the philosopher Paul Copan, this book provides a helpful orientation to the key positions today.
Spectrum Multiview Books offer a range of viewpoints on contested topics within Christianity, giving contributors the opportunity to present their position and also respond to others in this dynamic publishing format.
(Publisher's website)
I had some honest issues with this volume that further delayed this review. I'm working to find the previous IVP Spectrum Multiview book on the same topic.
While the book offers four distinct views (Just War, Nonviolence, Christian Realist, and Church Historical), it does not capture the full spectrum of contemporary Christian thought on war and peace. Certain perspectives or nuances are underrepresented or oversimplified due to the format constraints of a multiview book.
Given the multiview format, each perspective might not be explored in as much depth as one would find in a monograph dedicated to a single approach. This left me wanting more detailed arguments or counterarguments, particularly in areas where one view might challenge another significantly.
The selection of contributors could reflect biases or that the space given to each view might not equally represent the popularity or scholarly vigor of each position in contemporary theology.
While the book provides a good theoretical framework, it is lacking in practical application to current geopolitical conflicts or modern forms of warfare like cyber warfare or drone strikes. The historical focus does not fully address these new dimensions.
The Church Historical view by Meic Pearse should be critiqued for its interpretation and selection of historical data to support its conclusions. Historical theology is complex, and different interpretations could lead to different conclusions about how Christians have viewed war throughout history.
Each contributor operates from a set of theological assumptions that are not explicitly challenged within the book. For instance, the interpretation of biblical texts on peace and violence can be contentious, and some might argue that the book does not adequately address these interpretative differences.
The book was published before some significant recent global events, which might lead critics to question its relevance or applicability to the most current contexts of war and peace discussions post-publication. From what I read about the previous book in the series on war and peace, it was more timeless.
While the book deals with complex ethical and philosophical questions, some might argue that the depth of philosophical discussion is limited due to the format, potentially oversimplifying intricate ethical dilemmas.
While the book may be lacking in some areas in depth, scope, or contemporary application, they do not detract from the book's value in providing a partial multi-perspective introduction to Christian thought on war, peace, and violence.
And now, a classic text:
No source, other than the Bible itself, provides more relevant information on the first century than the work of Flavius Josephus. This newly edited version updates the original 18th century language; includes commentary by the award winning author and historian, Dr. Paul L. Maier; features over forty photos of ancient sites and artifacts mentioned by Josephus; cross references numbers throughout to the Greek text of Josephus in the Loeb Classical Library; and offers revised indexes of subjects and Old Testament texts.Flavius Josphus (c. A.D. 37-100) was born to an aristocratic Jewish family, served as a priest, and later became the commander of Jewish forces in Galilee following the revolt against Rome that began A.D. 66. Captured by the Romans, Josephus spent his later life in Rome under the patronage of the Roman emperors where he composed his history of the Jewish people and his account of the Jewish war that led to the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in A.D. 70.William Whiston (1662-1752), translator, was an English mathematician and historian who succeeded Isaac Newton as the Lucasian Professor of Mathematics at the University of Cambridge.(Publisher's website)
Publishers and Readers, please accept my apologies for the delay in publishing this review.
While I am not a full-time book reviewer, my extensive experience and consistent record of high-quality reviews demonstrate my professionalism and expertise in this area.
Rev. Paul J Cain is Senior Pastor of Immanuel, Sheridan, Wyoming, Headmaster of Martin Luther Grammar School and Immanuel Academy, a permanent member of the Board of Directors of the Consortium for Classical Lutheran Education, First Vice-President of the Wyoming District of The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and Chairman of its Board of Directors, Rhetoric Teacher for Wittenberg Academy, a founding regent for Luther Classical College, a Director for Steadfast Lutherans and Associate Editor of Curriculum for Steadfast Press, a Director for Views on Learning, and Editor of Lutheran Book Review. He has served as an LCMS Circuit Visitor, District Worship Chairman, District Evangelism Chairman, District Education Chairman/NLSA Commissioner, and District Secretary. 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 LSB Hymnal Companion hymn and liturgy volumes and the LSB Devotional Edition, is the author of 5 Things You Can Do to Make Our Congregation a Caring Church and articles in Concordia Pulpit Resources and The Lutheran Witness. He is a regular presenter at conferences of the CCLE and 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, teaching, and making music.
