Saved by Grace through Faith

Description

Carl Braaten argues for a renewed exploration of what it means to be evangelical, catholic and orthodox through essays and sermons for church festivals and special occasions that hold law and gospel in tension. Exploring the breadth of his life experience and theological scholarship, he invites readers to consider the foundations of the Lutheran tradition and envision a church that seeks a path to unity around key understandings of justification, confessions and ecclesiology. The reader will be challenged and enlightened by many of his insights about the current state of Lutheranism and the church worldwide.

• Bishop Deborah IC Hutterer, Grand Canyon Synod, ELCA

 

Saved by Grace through Faith distills a lifetime of theological acumen, personal experience and pastoral care. In this, his latest book but not necessarily his last book, Carl’s vision and mission for his own church continue to transform and yet stay forever young. The first chapter, “The Creeds of the Church: What We Believe, Teach, and Confess” is Carl’s contribution to the catechesis of our congregation every January in Lutheranism 101. What was good for budding pastors at LSTC is even better for aging parishioners at Lord of Life Other essays began as “Good Words,’ a daily email to the congregation during the pandemic. Faith Active in Love during This Deadly Pandemic” ran as a series over several days and reads like a letter from Luther himself except that it’s all vintage Braaten.

• Pr Stephen Beyer, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, AZ

 

This book (and I hope it is not his last) is a treasure trove of knowledge, love, preaching and teaching the Word, and a lifetime of living and learning. As you read these essays and sermons, picture listening to someone who has kept the faith and shares it in a most enjoyable way.

• Pr Kim Sterner, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, AZ

 

This is a wonderful book no matter how deeply or remotely one is influenced by Lutheran theology. It is accessible and not only fortifies the Lutheran tenets but also gives or a taste of Professor Carl Braaten’s faithful character in his life’s work. He brings his passion for the gospel to any discussion, but it is especially captured in these writings. What a gift’ I highly recommend this book to anyone who seeks to understand how deeply we are loved by God and how we are redeemed by the work of Jesus in the gospels and

certainly on the cross. Keep writing, Dr. Braaten, this weary world needs your voice!

• Pr Pam Reynolds, Lord of Life Lutheran Church, Sun City West, AZ

 

Carl E. Braaten is professor emeritus of systematic theology at the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, where he taught for thirty years He served as pastor of the Lutheran Church of the Messiah, Minneapolis, 1958-1961. He was the founding editor of dialog, A Journal of Theology. Together with Robert W. Jenson he established the Center for Catholic and Evangelical Theology in 1992 and was co-editor of its theological journal, Pro Ecclesia He retired to Sun City West, AZ, where he lives with his wife, Beryl.