A Shepherd's Letter: The Faith Once and For All Delivered to the Evangelical Church

by Bo Giertz, Bror Erickson (Translator)

A Shepherd's Letter is Bo Giertz distilled and served neat. He wrote this book to introduce his theological agenda for the Diocese of Gothenburg to which he was elected bishop in 1949. Here he takes a straightforward approach to the theological themes that guided his writing of The Hammer of God, Faith Alone: The Heart of Everything, and With My Own Eyes. What he wrote for the sheep of the Gothenburg diocese has applicability for all Christians everywhere even today, and will enrich their understanding of the "faith once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 3).

Genres: Theology

215 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1949

Reviews

[Christopher Raffa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A invaluable word to pastors and laity regarding the life of the church and her theology. Written in easy prose, it is equally satisfying to both shepherd and sheep.

[Harold Senkbeil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure gold. A pastoral vision statement that feeds the soul, stimulates the mind, and excites the imagination. Chock full of Lutheran theology without the Lutheran buzz words. Accessible therefore across confessional boundaries....and profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness - to bring the man of God to completion, fully equipped for every good work.

[James Rickenbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I’ve ever read.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all of Bo Giertz' writings, this one remains valuable in our present day, calling pastors back to a simple faithfulness to Christ and the Word.

[Benjamin Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolute gold and a must read for pastors, but also would be of tremendous value for no -pastors.

[Timothy Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little theology book. Giertz is a treasure. There was some "less than helpful" observations about "Church awakening" near the end of the book that caused me to dock a star from this review. Ultimately, it was a good devotional read. It's a letter by a pastor to pastors. Unsurprisingly then, this pastor (i.e., me) was blessed by it.

[Zachary · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An evangelical Christian is a biblical Christian and a Lord's Supper Christian. Evangelical freedom is not freedom to abandon one's congregation and devotions, nor freedom from prayer and church attendance" (p. 172), these two sentences well sum up this excellent Bishop's letter to his Diocese in Sweden.

[Ryan Kleimola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent pastoral and applicable encouragement to own the faith Jesus gives.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

The section on Life and Society was by far the best section of the book. It’s written in an pastoral prose, which is easy to read. At times, it feels like it could be called “Mere Lutheranism” (or Mere Evangelical Catholicism) but at other times, it’s origin as a Swedish letter comes to prominence. Also, he predominately uses “the Word” as synonymous with Scripture and preaching the Scriptures, which does not reflect the full Lutheran understanding of the term as incorporating the Sacraments, as well as other means of God’s revelation of Christ to humanity (books, conversations, etc.). Nevertheless, this is a book that presents the riches of the Evangelical Catholic tradition in an accessible manner.