Part I
The essentials are:
A Bible in the King James tradition. I use BibleWorks, which has the original text and dozens of translations. A good book answering the issue of Biblical problems is: William Arndt, Bible Difficulties and Seeming Contradictions.
The Concordia Triglotta.
Luther's Sermons (Seven-volumes for about $35).
The list above should be interpreted as, "How can I call myself a Lutheran if I do not own and read these on a regular basis?"
Part II
There are two ways to become grounded in the Patristic era, the Church Fathers (not to be confused with synodical founders). The Book of Concord assumes the reader will want to see how the Confessors agree with the early theologians, now ignored by the synodical apostate leaders.
Ach, Du Lieber Augustine
Augustine is the most important theologian, the best theologian of the Patristic era. He wrote The City of God when Eternal Rome fell to the barbarians. The City of God is an encyclopedia of theology, to be read and appreciated in small sections. Can anyone from Fuller or Willow Creek say this:
Two Cities have been formed by two loves: the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God; the heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self. The former, in a word, glories in itself, the latter in the Lord. For the one seeks glory from men; but the greatest glory of the other is God, the witness of conscience. The one lifts up its head in its own glory; the other says to its God, “Thou art my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.” City of God
Augustine was the most significant good theologian in the formation of Luther, who was an Augustinian monk after all. All of Western literature relies on Augustine. Someone who does not want to buy and read City of God could read his Confessions instead. By good theologian, I mean that Augustine had more Gopspel in his works than the others. Those who venerate recent synodical writers (some still alive, but worshiped as gods) should note Augustine's Retractions and his desire than nothing he wrote be taken seriously if it disagreed with Scripture.
An English edition of the Nicene Fathers can be obtained for very little. Classics are inexpensive. Rotten books cost a bundle. The danger in having a big, heavy set with small print is the confusion of owning with reading. Many own without reading. Another solution is having a CD version, for text searching. There is no substitute for reading from a book and having a doctrinal crisis to motivate the study.
Zwei, Du Lieber Chemnitz
Chemnitz is the second way to learn the Patristic Fathers. His Two Natures of Christ is one of the finest works ever written. Chemnitz converted Roman Catholic theologians by showing them that the Wittenberg party was the one confessing the truths of the Word and the Church Fathers. No theologian is correct all his life in all his writings (pace, Werning, et al.) The small c catholic tradition is that body of theology expressing the pure Word of God. Unfortunately, devious Lutheran seminary professors are using Patristics to seduce future Lutheran pastors into Eastern Orthodoxy or Roman priestcraft. If someone wants to attend a high-price Lutheran seminary, he should go forewarned and prepared.
I would pick Two Natures as the best Chemnitz book to study (if there was only one choice). The Enchiridion is a small book written to prepare seminarians for their exams. Examination of the Council of Trent is a personal favorite for many reasons. There is no better way to find the answer to all Roman Catholic claims than Examination. When I wrote Catholic, Lutheran, Protestant, I found that the modern Catholics were arguing just as they did during Chemnitz' time.
Anything by Chemnitz is excellent. I also recommend Jack Preus' The Second Martin. Too few Lutherans know anything about Chemnitz.
Pilgrim's Progress
For centuries, Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress was considered the most important English publication, apart from the KJV. The allegory was translated into 100 languages and remains constantly in print. The author was not a Lutheran but he said that Luther's Galatians was his most-read book, except for the Bible. I wonder today how many ordained Lutherans today could call Galatians an ever-read, let alone a most-read book!
This is a book available in many editions. I got one from Folio and mailed it back, then bought the Limited Editions version for less money. Small children will love the children's editions with pictures. There is also a video. The humor and wisdom of the book are unique.
Bunyan was almost always in jail for being a Nonconformist preacher. His individual publications were so popular, nevertheless, that scholars think some titles disappeared simply from all the copies being worn out. Bunyan did more for the Gospel in his cell than all the cell groups started by Fuller Seminary graduates of WELS, Missouri, and the Little Sect on the Prairie.
