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Dying to Live: The Foundation, Focus, and Shape of the Christian Life, Second Edition
Visit the timeless rhythms of the Christian life with award-winning author Harold L. Senkbeil. As he addresses the concerns and pressures of the world today, you'll discover that even while the world is dying, Christ's death brings about life. True life. One that He offers to you.
This new life stands the test of time and endures through the challenges of our dying world. While paradoxical, Christ's death is necessary to for Him to guide you through death to life everlasting. Explore how this truth informs your entire Christian life, providing the Incarnational foundation, Sacramental focus, and Liturgical shape for your day-to-day.
In a dying world, let your journey be shaped by life—the life of Jesus, given for you.
What’s New in the Second Edition?
Foreword from Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb
Updates to reflect cultural and technological changes
Updating Scripture to the ESV translation
Updated Scripture Index
Take a Look
"We're all dying; we can either die alone, or we can die in Jesus. But His death brings life, and it's when we die with Him that we really begin to live." —page 65
"Christianity is the unbelievably good news that there is forgiveness of sings, life, and salvation to be had in the midst of this dying world of ours. And this is the real not just the same old rat race traded in for yet another treadmill. This is God's gift of life in exchange for death; LIFE in Person, in fact. In the person of Jesus Christ, who came that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10)." —page 34
"As I use the adjective liturgical in this book, it points to the origin and goal of Christian life and from the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit and then back again in the Spirit through the Son to the Father. This divine cycle gives shape to the entire Christian life. Everything we do in the Christian life is liturgical from beginning to end—including public worship, which is liturgical life together; our private prayers and meditation, which is liturgical life alone; and the service we perform in our vocation, which is liturgical life in the world." —page 128
"For the 'bottom line' of the Christian's life in this world is the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself and what He continues to do still today through His Holy Word and Sacrament. In fact, the work of every Christian in this world is actually the work Jesus Christ is doing and through that Christian." —page 177
This new life stands the test of time and endures through the challenges of our dying world. While paradoxical, Christ's death is necessary to for Him to guide you through death to life everlasting. Explore how this truth informs your entire Christian life, providing the Incarnational foundation, Sacramental focus, and Liturgical shape for your day-to-day.
In a dying world, let your journey be shaped by life—the life of Jesus, given for you.
What’s New in the Second Edition?
Foreword from Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb
Updates to reflect cultural and technological changes
Updating Scripture to the ESV translation
Updated Scripture Index
Take a Look
"We're all dying; we can either die alone, or we can die in Jesus. But His death brings life, and it's when we die with Him that we really begin to live." —page 65
"Christianity is the unbelievably good news that there is forgiveness of sings, life, and salvation to be had in the midst of this dying world of ours. And this is the real not just the same old rat race traded in for yet another treadmill. This is God's gift of life in exchange for death; LIFE in Person, in fact. In the person of Jesus Christ, who came that they may have life, and have it to the full (John 10:10)." —page 34
"As I use the adjective liturgical in this book, it points to the origin and goal of Christian life and from the Father through the Son in the Holy Spirit and then back again in the Spirit through the Son to the Father. This divine cycle gives shape to the entire Christian life. Everything we do in the Christian life is liturgical from beginning to end—including public worship, which is liturgical life together; our private prayers and meditation, which is liturgical life alone; and the service we perform in our vocation, which is liturgical life in the world." —page 128
"For the 'bottom line' of the Christian's life in this world is the person and work of Jesus Christ Himself and what He continues to do still today through His Holy Word and Sacrament. In fact, the work of every Christian in this world is actually the work Jesus Christ is doing and through that Christian." —page 177
202 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 28, 2025
14 people are currently reading
1676 people want to read
About the author
Harold L. Senkbeil
23 books39 followersRev. Dr. Harold L. Senkbeil (b. 1945) served as a parish pastor in the LCMS for 32 years, most recently at Elm Grove Evangelical Lutheran Church, Elm Grove, Wisconsin (1987-2002), and as Associate Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana. In 2001 he was recognized by Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri, in the bestowing of the degree of Doctor of Divinity, honoris causa. Dr. Senkbeil is a 1988 recipient of the Servus Ecclesiae Christi Award. Since July 2008, he has served as both Adjunct Professor at Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, as well as Executive Director with DOXOLOGY: The Lutheran Center for Spiritual Care and Counsel.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 31, 2025
The heart of everything I love about the Christian faith compiled into one easily approachable volume. If I ever put together a new membership course for a church this will be the textbook.
October 21, 2025
Nothing terribly ground-shaking or eye-opening for me. But it’s full of good reminders and things to meditate on. Another work that highlights helpful vocabulary and ideas in confessional Lutheranism. It felt a little repetitive in the beginning, and some sections that sit next to each other feel disconnected. The sections in the second half—with comments on the sacraments, liturgy, and prayer—are the best parts of the book.
Quotes:
"Therefore in the liturgy the church serves as the stewardess of the means of grace, serving up heaping portions of the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation earned by her glorious Lord."
"Transformed by the presence of God, what others would consider only a job or occupation becomes a holy vocation, where the child of God labors in partnership with the Creator in the care of His creation."
"Every worldly vocation becomes an avenue for God the Father to provide for His creation.... We are masks of God, behind which He Himself provides food and shelter, comfort and security for His children."
"We keep wondering what God's will is, forgetting that His will is that everything be done to His glory."
Quotes:
"Therefore in the liturgy the church serves as the stewardess of the means of grace, serving up heaping portions of the forgiveness of sins, life, and salvation earned by her glorious Lord."
"Transformed by the presence of God, what others would consider only a job or occupation becomes a holy vocation, where the child of God labors in partnership with the Creator in the care of His creation."
"Every worldly vocation becomes an avenue for God the Father to provide for His creation.... We are masks of God, behind which He Himself provides food and shelter, comfort and security for His children."
"We keep wondering what God's will is, forgetting that His will is that everything be done to His glory."
February 25, 2025
Overall, a really good book. Some things I didn't agree with as a non-Lutheran Christian but it was helpful in pointing me continually to Jesus. Knocked a star off due to how repetitive it was. Could've been shorter, which would have made it more impactful. Still recommend this book to others.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews