The Way of Salvation: in the Lutheran Church

by G.H. Gerberding

In this classic work, George Henry Gerberding puts forth an explanation of the Lutheran view of salvation in light of American revivalism. He talks about such issues as Baptism, Sunday School, Christian parenting, Justification, and the difference between true and false revivals. This work is written to a lay audience and is a helpful introduction to Lutheran theology and practice. This edition has been updated with contemporary language.

Genres: Theology, Christian, Religion, Nonfiction, Christianity

158 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1887

Reviews

[Ivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a foundational book for those looking into confessional Lutheranism.

I recommend this book to EVERYONE who is looking at other denominations or wants to understand the conservative Lutheran faith. As an LCMS Christian, I enjoyed the way each chapter was concise and informative… “brevity is the soul of wit”, after all (Hamlet, Shakespeare).

It helped me spring board into different doctrinal categories and answered MANY questions. This is an older style of writing, but it’s been slightly updated. Please read this book and consider the beautiful, pure Christian theology of the LCMS Lutheran church.

[John Funnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful introduction that dispels many myths about Lutheranism.

There is far more that unites than divides!

Warmed my heart (even as a Baptist).

[Dan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Important Lutheran reading

I count this book up there with the Catechism to help explain and defend the doctrine of the Lutheran Church. It's a must read for any Lutheran.

[Kylie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good summary of Lutheran soteriology, explaining the doctrines of sin, the means of grace (word and sacrament), the responsibility of parents and the church in training children (esp. in terms of catechesis), conversion, justification, sanctification, and a somewhat random but nonetheless engaging critique of certain revivalist movements. This book is not academic in nature, written at the popular level for the laity. In that sense, it is less of a thorough defense/apology and more of an explanation or introduction. It also has that enrapturing zeal that most older books have (modern writers: bring that back!). The author even quotes stanzas from hymns at the end of each chapter. I will provide a couple of my favorite examples of this style below.

“And further, if there is any risk of being mistaken—which she, however, does not admit—she would rather run that risk, by taking her Master at His word, than by changing His word. In childlike confidence and trust, she would rather believe too much than not enough. She would rather trust her dear Master too far than not far enough. And therefore here she stands; she cannot do otherwise. May God help her! Amen.”

"And why should it offend us that our dear loving Saviour comes so close to us, leads us into His banqueting house, where His banner over us is love, speaks to us words that are the out-breathings of the yearning love of His divine heart, and, at the same time, feeds us with His own spiritual and glorified body and blood, and thus makes us partakers of the divine nature."

"Sailing thus under the colors of scriptural doctrine, we steer clear of the Scylla of Calvinism on the one hand, and also escape the Charybdis of Arminianism on the other."

Last but not least, my favorite line that I fully intend to use when discussing CCM: "singing of choruses of doggerel verses to the most frivolous tunes"

[Connor Longaphie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very neat and refreshing look at the walk of faith that a believer takes through the "way" of salvation. From childhood and baptism to parenting and family worship to catechism class to confirmation to the Lord's Supper and the Word to conversion justification anf sanctification and revival

[Richard Willsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good God fearing Lutheran

Solid biblical theology, too bad the church’s he grandfathered are now waste lands of biblical ignorance. Read the church fathers see what they saw as important. Put away your modern innovations.

[Ben Mizrahi · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book, though both this edition and the version published by the Lutheran Library (can be found online) seem to contain some rather annoying typos. I would definitely recommend it though to any Lutheran, nay, any traditional Christian that has to contend with Baptist nonsense.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well said

From birth, baptism, word, communion, justification, revival, and turning away from sinful life and grace all described very clearly. While old, time tested truth.

[Stephen Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A straightforward presentation of Lutheran theology for the Christian life, particularly useful to introduce American evangelicals to what may be a foreign tradition to them.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This brief book is a simple and biblical exposition of the Faith. The Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church takes the reader through a straight-forward and reasoned explanation of the Lutheran faith. Gerberding begins with the infant, born in sin, and leads through Holy Baptism, prayer and instruction in the Christian church and home, the Lord’s Supper, conversion, and revival. Ideas are often expressed as beautifully as they are simply. An excellent resource for the Christian looking for plain words and Scripture to expound the Way of Salvation. Bonus hymn texts throughout, some of which were new to me.

If not for the pointed remarks against the second great awakening and revivals in Gerberding’s time, the reader wouldn’t need much historical context, and the message remains timeless even with it.

An interesting look into the wake of revivals, and a nuanced look into justification that was different than what I expected. Gerberding comes very close to Arminianism in his talk about prevenient grace in justification, but I conclude that it can be understood rightly (though I’m told it differs from Walther and Pieper whom I’ve not yet read on the topic).

A solid, short exposition of the Way of Salvation in the Lutheran Church; the biblical faith declared and defended.

[Jaden Weatherly · Rating 3 out of 5]

The way of salvation in the Lutheran church is nothing but the way of salvation in the Church. Even as someone who is not a Lutheran (although I am extremely fond of them), there was rarely a line from Gerberding that I didn't agree with. This book does what my brain needs: present a continuous flow of thought from chapter to chapter, with each subsequent section being built on the last.

Perhaps the most important takeaway I have from this book is Gerberding's perspective on the catechisation of children in the Christian home. He argues that children who are baptized and raised in the church and a Christian home ought not to be treated as sinners who need "conversion." Through the sacrament, the promises of the Word, and the family, they are already Christ's lambs, needing only nourishment and growth.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent summary of the teachings of the Lutheran Church. Rev. Gerberding starts with the teaching of mankind's sinfulness and need of a Savior. He goes on to give the Scriptural understanding of baptism and the Lord's Supper, the atonement, Justification and also Sanctification. He spends sections on the proper teaching and nurturing of the Christian faith in the home, supported by Lutheran Sunday School and church. Rev. Gerberding follows the proper teaching and nurturing with 3 sections on the Revival System and the damage it has done to Christendom. The final section recaps the strengths and Bible teaching of the Lutheran church in the Way of Salvation taught by Christ and His Church. This short book is well worth reading by all, not just Lutheran Christians.

[Kirk · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well-written, but tied to pedagogical methods popular in 1888.

[Kenny Parnell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good introduction to Lutheran theology. I recommend to anyone who is curious about what Lutheran's believe, teach, and confess.

[Leeanna Lunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love love!!!! This book is the best description of the Faith for any new believer. Written to the layity, this book explains things in a way that everyone can understand.

[Steve Bliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good easy read. Would be a good supplementary resource for confirmation and adult ed.