Mine arrived in the mail yesterday. I'm on page 50 or so. Here are some initial impressions:
First of all, if you are a Kindle fan (and I am), you should buy the paper addition. This is probably a book that you will want to share with people eventually.
The book's construction and layout are very well put together. Pr. Cooper has been pushing the low cost of these books, but they are not cheaply made at all. His editing work is clearly evident and a blessing. I've read quite a few older public domain theology books and it was refreshing to see it in a modern format. No TINY old english font and obscure references that don't make sense here.
Pr. Cooper's forward was perfect. It provided just enough context to introduce the author without bogging down in acadmenics. You get a sense of the author very well. My advice, do not skip the forward. You will need the background info because Gerberding launches right into his topics without any contextualization.
Gerberding's tone in this book is unique and really goes against the classic Lutheran stereotypes of fire-branding and talking over one's audience. It is humble and very pastoral whcih is perfect for those new to Lutheranism or those wishing to investigate it.
The book's approach is very practical and fastens the Lutheran veiw of the Christian life firmly in the home. In this way, it is much more like Luther's Catechisms than most Lutheran theology books.
Despite its simple and down-to-earth approach, even more advanced readers will appreciate this book as well. Sometimes simple is the most profound. On more than one occasion I have chuckled to myself as Gerberding puts forth simple exegetical and apologetic arguements that I have never read before... not even from the greats like Chemnitz, Gerhard, Krauth, and Sasse.
This book is undeniably Lutheran with plenty of scripture and confessional references to go around. I would have paid several dollars more and still felt like I got my money's worth.
Of course. I was going to finish the book first and flesh out this initial impression into a full review. You will get a review from me on Amazon in a few days.
...and your book on the New Perspectives is on my "to purchase" list.
The scriptural argument in favor of infant baptism (and against the "age of accountability") that he makes on page 41 of your edition is very solid. This might be the first time that I've ever heard it.
Gerberding is right. Scripture never speaks of adults "converting" their children to the faith in either the old or the new testament. Rather, they are told to bring up their children in the faith. Gerberding uses this to point out that children are in the church from infancy through baptism.
While many theological die-hards on both sides of the issue might dismiss this arguement, I think that it has great scriptural support and makes alot of sense for the average layman. We should be using that in our defense of infant baptism more often. That point alone was worth buying the book.
Hi Jordan. I just bought the book and am only part of the way through it. It is well put together overall, but there were a few issues I wanted to bring to your attention. I'm not sure if this is a problem with every copy, but there are paragraphs here and there where portions of the text are entirely omitted in the middle of sentences, rendering some points incoherent. I have come across 4 total in chapters 3 to 6 so far. I thought it would be good to bring this to your attention so that if it is an issue with all of the copies it can be corrected.
Sure thing, Mike. Page 28 in the first paragraph in the transition from transfer healing to has founded a Church, Page 34 in the third paragraph in the transition from children are to be into absolutely essential to salvation, Page 38 in the top line in the transition from whether any life is to tender, watchful, etc., and page 39 in the first paragraph where it says as Christ has and then it with all true believers. I did find one in the first quote in chapter six as well. Hope pointing these out will help so everything can be made right.
There have been some, but not as many it seems. I'm almost done going through it. Sorry about the delay. I've taken longer than I intended. I'll be done by the end of tomorrow at the latest.
Have the formatting updates been completed so that when I order a copy, the changes have been made? Excited to see how this series shapes up! Do you have a list somewhere of the upcoming books?
Have people actually received this book with the updates?
I am interested in posting an Amazon review, but I want to be able to say that edits have truly taken effect.
Also, is there a way that you can provide a pdf or text document that includes the missing portions for those of us who have the unrevised copies? I'd like to print them out and stick them in the relevant pages so my copy of the book is complete.
Forgive my ignorance, but I'm wondering if anyone could clarify Gerberding's discussion of prevenient grace. How exactly is what he describes different from the Arminian or Roman understanding of prevenient grace. Or is there one at all? Our Confessions do clearly discuss the ability of man to resist the Word, but is it mainly an issue of trying to explain too much, or is there a clear distinction between our teachings?
SD II 83 does state:
For conversion is such a change through the operation of the Holy Ghost in the intellect, will, and heart of man that by this operation of the Holy Ghost man can accept the offered grace. And, indeed, all those who obstinately and persistently resist the operations and movements of the Holy Ghost, which take place through the Word, do not receive, but grieve and lose, the Holy Ghost.
Mine arrived in the mail yesterday. I'm on page 50 or so. Here are some initial impressions:
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, if you are a Kindle fan (and I am), you should buy the paper addition. This is probably a book that you will want to share with people eventually.
The book's construction and layout are very well put together. Pr. Cooper has been pushing the low cost of these books, but they are not cheaply made at all. His editing work is clearly evident and a blessing. I've read quite a few older public domain theology books and it was refreshing to see it in a modern format. No TINY old english font and obscure references that don't make sense here.
Pr. Cooper's forward was perfect. It provided just enough context to introduce the author without bogging down in acadmenics. You get a sense of the author very well. My advice, do not skip the forward. You will need the background info because Gerberding launches right into his topics without any contextualization.
Gerberding's tone in this book is unique and really goes against the classic Lutheran stereotypes of fire-branding and talking over one's audience. It is humble and very pastoral whcih is perfect for those new to Lutheranism or those wishing to investigate it.
The book's approach is very practical and fastens the Lutheran veiw of the Christian life firmly in the home. In this way, it is much more like Luther's Catechisms than most Lutheran theology books.
Despite its simple and down-to-earth approach, even more advanced readers will appreciate this book as well. Sometimes simple is the most profound. On more than one occasion I have chuckled to myself as Gerberding puts forth simple exegetical and apologetic arguements that I have never read before... not even from the greats like Chemnitz, Gerhard, Krauth, and Sasse.
This book is undeniably Lutheran with plenty of scripture and confessional references to go around. I would have paid several dollars more and still felt like I got my money's worth.
I look forward to volume II.
Thanks for the kind words Mike! If you wouldn't mind, would it be possible to post this review on Amazon?
ReplyDeleteOf course. I was going to finish the book first and flesh out this initial impression into a full review. You will get a review from me on Amazon in a few days.
ReplyDelete...and your book on the New Perspectives is on my "to purchase" list.
The scriptural argument in favor of infant baptism (and against the "age of accountability") that he makes on page 41 of your edition is very solid. This might be the first time that I've ever heard it.
ReplyDeleteGerberding is right. Scripture never speaks of adults "converting" their children to the faith in either the old or the new testament. Rather, they are told to bring up their children in the faith. Gerberding uses this to point out that children are in the church from infancy through baptism.
While many theological die-hards on both sides of the issue might dismiss this arguement, I think that it has great scriptural support and makes alot of sense for the average layman. We should be using that in our defense of infant baptism more often. That point alone was worth buying the book.
Hi Jordan. I just bought the book and am only part of the way through it. It is well put together overall, but there were a few issues I wanted to bring to your attention. I'm not sure if this is a problem with every copy, but there are paragraphs here and there where portions of the text are entirely omitted in the middle of sentences, rendering some points incoherent. I have come across 4 total in chapters 3 to 6 so far. I thought it would be good to bring this to your attention so that if it is an issue with all of the copies it can be corrected.
ReplyDeleteHmm... not sure what happened there. I will go through the chapters and see if I can find the errors.
ReplyDeleteI am into Chapter 7 and did not notice this issue. I might have just not noticed it. :P
ReplyDeleteEric, can you give me a page number where this happened so that I can check my copy?
Sure thing, Mike. Page 28 in the first paragraph in the transition from transfer healing to has founded a Church, Page 34 in the third paragraph in the transition from children are to be into absolutely essential to salvation, Page 38 in the top line in the transition from whether any life is to tender, watchful, etc., and page 39 in the first paragraph where it says as Christ has and then it with all true believers. I did find one in the first quote in chapter six as well. Hope pointing these out will help so everything can be made right.
ReplyDeleteWhen I found them I went into an online manuscript of the book and was able to find what was missing at these parts and piece it all together.
ReplyDeleteEric, let me know if you find other issues so I can fix it this week. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteI will.
ReplyDeleteHave you noticed any further issues?
ReplyDeleteThere have been some, but not as many it seems. I'm almost done going through it. Sorry about the delay. I've taken longer than I intended. I'll be done by the end of tomorrow at the latest.
ReplyDeleteI have finished. Would you like me to post them here or send them in an email? An email may be easier.
ReplyDeleteSend an email. JustandSinner@yahoo.com Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHave the formatting updates been completed so that when I order a copy, the changes have been made? Excited to see how this series shapes up! Do you have a list somewhere of the upcoming books?
ReplyDeleteYes! The changes have all been made. And currently I don't have a list of the other books coming up, but will soon.
ReplyDeletePastor Cooper,
ReplyDeleteHave people actually received this book with the updates?
I am interested in posting an Amazon review, but I want to be able to say that edits have truly taken effect.
Also, is there a way that you can provide a pdf or text document that includes the missing portions for those of us who have the unrevised copies? I'd like to print them out and stick them in the relevant pages so my copy of the book is complete.
Mike, I can assure you that the changes have been made, and yes people have received them. I will try and put together a file of the missing sections.
ReplyDeleteForgive my ignorance, but I'm wondering if anyone could clarify Gerberding's discussion of prevenient grace. How exactly is what he describes different from the Arminian or Roman understanding of prevenient grace. Or is there one at all? Our Confessions do clearly discuss the ability of man to resist the Word, but is it mainly an issue of trying to explain too much, or is there a clear distinction between our teachings?
ReplyDeleteSD II 83 does state:
For conversion is such a change through the operation of the Holy Ghost in the intellect, will, and heart of man that by this operation of the Holy Ghost man can accept the offered grace. And, indeed, all those who obstinately and persistently resist the operations and movements of the Holy Ghost, which take place through the Word, do not receive, but grieve and lose, the Holy Ghost.
Hey Josh. I addressed that question on this program: http://justandsinner.blogspot.com/2014/03/conditional-election-and-prevenient.html
ReplyDeleteI'm so behind in my podcast-listening. Next time I'll get up to date before asking questions. :)
ReplyDelete