A Formula for Parish Practice combines a rich description of the history of the Lutheran Formula of Concord (1577) with experiences in today’s Lutheran parishes to demonstrate how confessional texts may still come to life in modern Christian congregations. Traditionally used as theological ammunition, Wengert takes the Formula of Concord back to its historical home, the local congregation, giving pastors, students, and theologians a glimpse into the original debates over each article.
Timothy J. Wengert (PhD, Duke University) is Ministerium of Pennsylvania Professor, Reformation History, at The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has pastored churches in Minnesota and Wisconsin, authored or edited twenty books, and written over one hundred articles.
This is a great book that delves more deeply into the Lutheran confessions to explain the history, theology, and spirituality around them. The writing is very accessible and opens the mystery or difficulties of the Book of Concord into view. For those seeking more knowledge or understanding of the confessions this great work is well worth it.
Our theology makes a huge, dramatic difference in our daily lives and this wonderful book does a great job reminding us of that. And the implications for wrong theology. I have a renewed appreciation and enthusiasm for the Formula of Concord. I have the physical copy of this book - didn't see an option for that on goodreads.