This collection of excerpts comes from Löhe's extensive writing on mission, pastoral theology, history, and liturgy. Originally published in German in 2008, The Word Remains is the English translation of a delightful book that gathers his profound wisdom into one small volume, making it well suited for devotional reading. In these pages, Löhe articulates the confessional Lutheran understanding of the church year, the Word of God, and matters related to the Christian life: faith, prayer, fellowship, worship, creation, and hope. In addition, the biography by Hans Kreßel and the appended essay by John T. Pless give insight into Löhe's life, the context in which he lived, and his lasting influence.
Johann Konrad Wilhelm Löhe (1808-1872) was a parish pastor for thirty-five years in the German village of Neuendettelsau. While he was known there as an exceptional preacher, liturgist, teacher, and Seelsorger, his work and influence also extended far beyond his own congregation. Löhe had a keen interest in mission work and was instrumental in sending missionaries to North America and other continents. In addition, his desire to carry out Christian labors of love for those closer to home--caring for the body as well as the soul--led him to found an institute in Neuendettelsau to train deaconesses to perform acts of physical mercy.
"The Word Remains is the kind of book that can be read quickly from cover to cover in one sitting, or opened to any random page and enjoyed. But in fact, the book is best sipped like a fine glass of wine, taken in unhurriedly, and meditated upon. This book is neither stuffy nor frivolous - but rather profound and yet accessible to the thinking Christian of any vocation...The Word Remains is inspiring and encouraging, bringing the writings of Wilhelm Löhe to life in our day and age, in our likewise controverted context, in which confessional Lutheranism is, in the words of another confessor, Herman Sasse, a 'lonely way.' And yet it is a path of joy, concerning which Löhe writes, 'should awaken from suffering, and joy should bloom and flourish despite suffering.'"
-Pr. Larry Beane, Gottesdienst Online
"In this little volume the reader will find that nearly every sentence drips with Gospel-infused wisdom. I found myself wanting to highlight every page, until I realized that the whole book is worthy of that kind of careful attention....What really typifies the book for me are the words hope and joy. So often we tend to look down in our reading and meditation, or see 'devotional reading' as a chore or something to get through. But Löhe manages to look up and look forward through the cross to the Last, Great Day. His writing is, in that way, deeply Christological and sacramental."
-Pr. Todd Peperkorn
