What is Christianity?: Faith & Morality Reconsidered

by Francis Pieper, Philip Bartelt (Translator)

We hear from the Apostle Peter that Christians should always be ready to give a confession of the hope that is in them and to defend their faith in an ever-changing world.Originally delivered as an address at a synod convention in 1902, Das Wesen des Christentums or What is Christianity? was written by pastor and professor Francis Pieper.In What is Faith and Morality Reconsidered , Pieper takes up Peter's task against those who would confess works, moral improvement, and other man-made projects over and against the confession of Christ and him crucified. He boldly confesses what it means to be a Christian and what Christianity looks like with Christ truly as the center. In so doing, Pieper equips the saints to defend and proclaim the good news of forgiveness of sins on account of Christ alone.Pastor Philip Bartelt (translator of Pieper's presentation) says, "For Pieper, to be Lutheran meant to believe in Jesus Christ as the perfect sacrifice for sins in our stead―that Jesus was put under the law, under our sin, and under our punishment, in our stead and on our behalf, so that by faith we may enjoy perfect freedom, righteousness, and salvation."

38 pages, Paperback

Published February 21, 2023

Reviews

[Adam Guthmiller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pr. Philip Bartelt brings a fresh translation to the ever-relevant What is Christianity?. Francis Piper - historically one of the chief dogmaticians of the LCMS - distinguishes that what is unique about Christianity. He does this without holding back polemics against the Papacy, Unitarians, Lodges, and any other group [even his own Synod in some cases] which attempts to cloak and distort the evangelical witness of Jesus Christ crucified for sinners. This is a brief read; yet the voice of Pieper speaks loudly to us today. Thank your Pr. Bartelt and 1517 for bringing Pieper's teaching [and his humor!] to new ears even outside of the Missouri Synod.

[Chris Hulshof · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short read but a good read. Since the content was originally delivered as two lectures, Pieper’s words (and Bartelt’s new translation) are insightful and engaging. A good discussion on the nature of Christianity and what the church must do to fulfill her service to the world. These two points are effectively explored with both clarity and concision. The text makes for a suitable introduction to a study in ecclesiology.