The Way of Salvation In the Lutheran Church by George Henry Gerberding. Published by Just and Sinner, 2020. 152 pages. May be purchased on amazon for $12.00.

Gerberding wrote The Way of Salvation as a response to the emotionally driven revivalistic Christianity which pervades America and surrounds the Lutheran Church. He argues against those who doubt the Christian faith of Lutherans since we do not emphasize the need for conversion "experiences." Rather, Gerberding demonstrates how God works throughout the life of the Christian to bring him to faith by what are usually ordinary means. This short book was written for a general audience intended for all those who desire to see more fully the beautiful picture of how we are brought to life and salvation in Christ. Readers of this book will also find that Gerberding gives simple and easily understood ways of explaining the faith that we might imitate in order to speak to others. I highly recommend this book to any who are concerned with pietism or emotionalism of other Christian Churches or anyone who is engaged with evangelism and need to better understand how sinners are brought to grace.

-Pr Christian Mundorf

Hammer of God by Bo Giertz. Revised edition published by Fortress Press in 2004. 336 pages. May be purchased on amazon for $21.99.

Bo Giertz is a masterful Christian fiction writer. In the Hammer of God, he smoothly integrates explicit Christian themes with compelling characters and drama. This book is a series of three novellas following the difficulties faced by various pastors in a rural Swedish parish. These pastors struggle with rationalism, pietism, secularism, and their own fallen, sinful nature. In the end, the grace of God always wins out, often in unexpected ways. Although, while the pastors in the narratives come and go, the community they live in endures as an active and living character in its own right reacting and being acted upon by the work of God. This book is an essential read for all Christians who wish to contemplate how God's Law and Gospel is given and active in our lives.

-Pr Christian Mundorf