Ichabod fans want:
1. The book list repeated.
2. More information about conservative Lutherans from the past.
Best Lutheran Books To Read
I often refer to the eight-volume Luther's Sermons, but that is the old edition. The new version is seven volumes, the eight condensed into four plus the three house-postil volumes. All seven cost about $35, surely one of the best bargains of all time.
I subscribe to the motto of Walther, which he borrowed: "Not many, but much." Read the same good Lutheran books repeatedly rather than try to have all the books. My guide for authors and music composers is the same: The deader, the better. (Tupac's early demise from lead poisoning does not put him on my music list.)
First Priority
The seven-volume set of Luther's Sermons is the best way to read the Reformer. I like What Luther Says, which is now one volume, but that consists of short passages. The sermon set gives us Luther at his best.
The Book of Concord. I prefer the Concordia Triglotta, but I admit the book is massive and not user-friendly. Although people have criticized the Tappert edition for some comments and translations, Tappert the man was far more Lutheran than the WELS-ELS-LCMS leaders of today.
One way to have a Triglotta light is to get the Repristination Press version of the English translation. Unfortunately, that does not include the Historical Introductions by Bente, which are well worth studying.
Augsburg used to publish the Large Catechism (Luther again) as a solo volume. I have been appalled by so-called conservative Lutherans who argue a case in direct opposition to the Large Catechism. For example, they claim a discussion about the facts is slanderous. Discussing someone's published false doctrine is also counted as slander. They also oppose convicted criminal clergy being identified as such.
These conservative Lutherans claim a quia subscription to the Book of Concord, but they must mean they have forsitan (perhaps)subscription.
So I advocate a study of Luther's Sermons and the Book of Concord before any other books.
Some other good Luther books include: Day by Day We Magnify Thee (Augsburg Fortress)and Luther's Family Devotions.
Second Priority
The second greatest theologian of Christendom is Martin Chemnitz. Someone who knows the Book of Concord will be quite familiar with Luther, who wrote the parts after the Ecumenical Creeds, and Melanchthon, who wrote the Augsburg Confession and the Defense (Apology) of the Augsburg Confession. Chemnitz was the chief editor of the Formula of Concord, 1580, and likely the author of its most eloquent passages.
Chemnitz was a student of Luther and Melanchthon. More tomorrow.
