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The Lonely Way: Selected Essays and Letters, 1941-1976
Despite studying under Harnack, Holl and old Liberalism, Hermann Sasse became a prominent figure in confessional Lutheranism by the time of World War I. He was a prominent figure in the German ecumenical movement for years and untiringly advocated that real unity could only be the result of real doctrinal agreement.
He had the respect of Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans and the Reformed alike. In his later years, Sasse believed that the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod was the last hope for world confessional Lutheranism and dedicated his efforts to raising the Synod s consciousness of its world significance.
This collection of the writings of Hermann Sasse is comprised, with several exceptions, of materials never before published in English. This volume compiles material from 1941 through 1976, including articles, papers, essays, theses, lectures, and pastoral letters.
He had the respect of Roman Catholics, Lutherans, Anglicans and the Reformed alike. In his later years, Sasse believed that the Lutheran Church -- Missouri Synod was the last hope for world confessional Lutheranism and dedicated his efforts to raising the Synod s consciousness of its world significance.
This collection of the writings of Hermann Sasse is comprised, with several exceptions, of materials never before published in English. This volume compiles material from 1941 through 1976, including articles, papers, essays, theses, lectures, and pastoral letters.
- GenresTheology
471 pages, Hardcover
First published June 24, 2002
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
October 25, 2014
This is a selection of essays and letters by Hermann Sasse written in the second half of his life from the ending of WWII to the 1970s.
I never imagined that it was humanly possible to accumulate SO MUCH knowledge in one's life time. His command of the history of cultures and civilisations, his vast knowledge of Church history right down to the intricate details and working knowledge of orignal text from virtually every period of church history, his rather unhealthly interest in Roman Catholic decrees, writings and canon law, I want to scream, THIS IS SIMPLY NOT POSSIBLE!!!
But every essay and every letter is saturated with the highest erudition and learning, having a firm grasp of patristics, Protestant, Reformed, Lutheran, Roman and even Eastern theologies and liturgies which makes one feel incredibly ignorant. And I guess the second amazing thing is that, he is rather clear for a German theologian, and also somewhat polite, reverent and respectful in his critiques and disagreements with revival theologies (at least, well, as respectful as it is possible for a German Lutheran to be!).
But he is no mere ivory tower academic, he engages furiously and intensely with the live issues of the day, with particular interest in ecumenism and missions and liturgy which were the huge topics of his day. With a keen eye for patterns and firm command of church history, he was able to identify again and again the spirits of the latest fad with some similar circumstance or movement from the wells of church history past, and to issue both warnings about the blind spots which enthusiasm about contemporary "progress" brings, especially those sustained by human effort, and to issue assurance about God's defense and sustanence for his church by his divine will and power alone, even at the church's darkest hour when she is hounded by heresies, efforts and ungodly human pride.
Definitely a highly recommended book to read, I find those portions with regards to ecumenism, church fellowship and missions, and liturgy to be particularly pertinent to our time.
I never imagined that it was humanly possible to accumulate SO MUCH knowledge in one's life time. His command of the history of cultures and civilisations, his vast knowledge of Church history right down to the intricate details and working knowledge of orignal text from virtually every period of church history, his rather unhealthly interest in Roman Catholic decrees, writings and canon law, I want to scream, THIS IS SIMPLY NOT POSSIBLE!!!
But every essay and every letter is saturated with the highest erudition and learning, having a firm grasp of patristics, Protestant, Reformed, Lutheran, Roman and even Eastern theologies and liturgies which makes one feel incredibly ignorant. And I guess the second amazing thing is that, he is rather clear for a German theologian, and also somewhat polite, reverent and respectful in his critiques and disagreements with revival theologies (at least, well, as respectful as it is possible for a German Lutheran to be!).
But he is no mere ivory tower academic, he engages furiously and intensely with the live issues of the day, with particular interest in ecumenism and missions and liturgy which were the huge topics of his day. With a keen eye for patterns and firm command of church history, he was able to identify again and again the spirits of the latest fad with some similar circumstance or movement from the wells of church history past, and to issue both warnings about the blind spots which enthusiasm about contemporary "progress" brings, especially those sustained by human effort, and to issue assurance about God's defense and sustanence for his church by his divine will and power alone, even at the church's darkest hour when she is hounded by heresies, efforts and ungodly human pride.
Definitely a highly recommended book to read, I find those portions with regards to ecumenism, church fellowship and missions, and liturgy to be particularly pertinent to our time.
August 2, 2016
Sasse's writing never disappoints. The church history that he covers is monumental and worth pondering!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews