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A Summary of Christian Doctrine KJV
The Summary is a plain and simple statement of the doctrines of the Bible. Avoiding technical terms and discussions it should appeal also the the average layman. Ignorance begets indifference and indifference leads to the loss of the truth. In our day and age religious knowledge is in many quarters very vague and superficial. In the press and over the radio "religious" ideas and opinions are ventilated that becloud, obscure and distort fundamental truths of the Bible. It is important, therefore, that also the laymen of the Church are well indoctrinated, that they grow in knowledge of God's Word beyond the elementary instruction they received in their youth. It is not enough that we have the truth in our books and Bibles; we must know the truth. The knowledge of the truth fortifies us against error. The works of many recognized writers in the field of Christian doctrine were consulted in the writing of this Summary, and they were directly quoted when, in the opinion of the author, they adequately expressed the point under construction. Numerous Bible references will be found, and these should be carefully studied so that the reader may see for himself whether the doctrines set forth agree with the Word of God. The frequent references to, and quotations from, the Confessions of our Church serve the definite purpose of showing that the teachings of the Lutheran Church are in full agreement with the Bible.
- GenresTheologyChristianity
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1941
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July 25, 2013I'm about 50% through the book, so a complete assessment is yet to come. However, this book is to be treasured for at least three reasons.
1. Bible citations. They are everywhere in this book. It's hard to find a paragraph without a Bible citation. Most paragraphs have multiple citations.
2. Book of Concord citations. It's always a good move to cite the Lutheran Confessions because it is in complete harmony with God’s inspired and inerrant Word.
3. Approachable. I enjoy some of the more complex theology found in our church fathers, but it's also equally engaging to read clear, easy-to-digest presentations of doctrine. The structure follows a dedicated outline.
A couple concerns:
The distinct person of Christ Jesus is not mentioned until page 81. All theology should begin with Christ. Through Him is the Father and the Spirit.
I'm cautious about the presence of Reformed influence in this book. The following citation is one such example:
Page 133 under Section XXIII. CONVERSION, "Intellectual knowledge of the Gospel is, indeed, a prerequisite for faith, for 'how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard' (Rom. 10: 14). Such knowledge is only a means through which the Holy Ghost works on the heart, wishing to touch and move it, to incline it unto the testimonies of the Lord (Ps. 119: 37)."
Intellectual knowledge is most certainly not a prerequisite for faith. Such a requirement places a human activity in the process of faith. Faith is a gift from God to us. There needs no activity from man. If intellectual knowledge is required, then how does God create faith in the severely mentally challenged or in infants?
Koehler's interpretation of Romans 10:14 is un-Lutheran and Biblically unsound. It actually screams American Evangelicalism. That passage is about God, not us. It doesn't say we need to be of intellectual mind to accept Christ, but rather it says the means by which the Holy Spirit works is through Scripture. Perhaps a definition of intellectual knowledge should have been provided to clear this up.
Koehler attempts to steer the ship back on a Lutheran path by saying intellectual knowledge is only a means by which the Holy Spirit works. But we are not the means. God's Word is the means. Our minds are not the tool, God's Word is the tool. We are merely recipients.
The section on "Conversion" precedes the sections on "Faith", "Justification by Faith", and "Sanctification through Faith". Conversion is a topic that so easily slides into a focus on man's work. To remedy that potentiality would be to first clarify faith, justification, and the Sacraments before tackling conversion. During those six pages on conversion, which placed ample ink to man's heart, I so desperately wanted one mention of Holy Baptism, just one. That said, Koehler did manage to keep the focus on the activity of God's Word during the process of conversion. Some 30 pages later in the Faith and Justification section it is properly noted, "While in his conversion man is purely passive (he does not convert himself, but is converted)..." Parenthetical content provided by the book author.
1. Bible citations. They are everywhere in this book. It's hard to find a paragraph without a Bible citation. Most paragraphs have multiple citations.
2. Book of Concord citations. It's always a good move to cite the Lutheran Confessions because it is in complete harmony with God’s inspired and inerrant Word.
3. Approachable. I enjoy some of the more complex theology found in our church fathers, but it's also equally engaging to read clear, easy-to-digest presentations of doctrine. The structure follows a dedicated outline.
A couple concerns:
The distinct person of Christ Jesus is not mentioned until page 81. All theology should begin with Christ. Through Him is the Father and the Spirit.
I'm cautious about the presence of Reformed influence in this book. The following citation is one such example:
Page 133 under Section XXIII. CONVERSION, "Intellectual knowledge of the Gospel is, indeed, a prerequisite for faith, for 'how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard' (Rom. 10: 14). Such knowledge is only a means through which the Holy Ghost works on the heart, wishing to touch and move it, to incline it unto the testimonies of the Lord (Ps. 119: 37)."
Intellectual knowledge is most certainly not a prerequisite for faith. Such a requirement places a human activity in the process of faith. Faith is a gift from God to us. There needs no activity from man. If intellectual knowledge is required, then how does God create faith in the severely mentally challenged or in infants?
Koehler's interpretation of Romans 10:14 is un-Lutheran and Biblically unsound. It actually screams American Evangelicalism. That passage is about God, not us. It doesn't say we need to be of intellectual mind to accept Christ, but rather it says the means by which the Holy Spirit works is through Scripture. Perhaps a definition of intellectual knowledge should have been provided to clear this up.
Koehler attempts to steer the ship back on a Lutheran path by saying intellectual knowledge is only a means by which the Holy Spirit works. But we are not the means. God's Word is the means. Our minds are not the tool, God's Word is the tool. We are merely recipients.
The section on "Conversion" precedes the sections on "Faith", "Justification by Faith", and "Sanctification through Faith". Conversion is a topic that so easily slides into a focus on man's work. To remedy that potentiality would be to first clarify faith, justification, and the Sacraments before tackling conversion. During those six pages on conversion, which placed ample ink to man's heart, I so desperately wanted one mention of Holy Baptism, just one. That said, Koehler did manage to keep the focus on the activity of God's Word during the process of conversion. Some 30 pages later in the Faith and Justification section it is properly noted, "While in his conversion man is purely passive (he does not convert himself, but is converted)..." Parenthetical content provided by the book author.
January 21, 2022
I took my time going through this book. It’s not off the rails, but this is a fairly deep read. It certainly has good insights into doctrines of Christianity. It's college level reading & required for seminary students (LCMS)
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