The Lutheran Handbook: A Field Guide to Church Stuff, Everyday Stuff, and the Bible

This book is an essential field guide for all things Lutheran. Confirmands - or anyone hiking the trails of life's adventures and challenges - will want to pack this handy illustrated field guide to Lutheran theology and culture. This enjoyable, easy-to-read, reliable, all-in-one collection helps you understand the essential information about our theology, culture and Lutheran way of life. It is organized by Church Stuff, Everyday Stuff and Bible Stuff with how-to's like How to Forgive Someone and lists like The Top-10 Bible Villains. It encapsulates essential principles of the Christian life, making many of the complexities of our religious tradition accessible for contemporary seekers.

"This is a fun book that affirms that Lutherans can (and must!) continue to laugh at themselves! It takes God very seriously but helps the reader to 'lighten-up!' It reminds me of the quote, 'Laughter is another way of crossing ourselves!'

From the picture of Luther on the cover (is this his confirmation photo?) to the final pages of 'tongue in check' humor, these pages are a great mix of what life is all about — hurts and hoorays, Good Fridays and Easters, life and death, praying and playing! The only addition I would have made is to have each page contain a 'caution flag' that would state either, 'I'm serious' or 'I'm kidding!' to assist the reader to know how to react! I know many Lutherans who will spend an inordinate amount of time thinking whether or not they should laugh, cry, pray, or scratch their heads...and certainly look around to see if anyone else is looking before they respond accordingly!

I commend the editors and Augsburg for taking the Lord seriously enough to allow the Lord's followers to 'lighten-up' in the Lord of Laughter and Life! Let's continue to 'Pray, Play...and Give Thanks!" — Dr. Rich Bimler, President, Wheat Ridge Ministries