I read The Fire and the Staff: Lutheran Theology in Practice tonight.

I cannot decide if it was worth the rather large outlay of funds for a paperback book. Klemet Preus is an engaging writer and some of his words were rather illuminating. For example, I believe in just one paragraph, he explains so eloquently in utter simplicity why we baptize infants:

Tom saw that you baptize babies because you believe that Baptism is the work of God. God brings us to faith by Himself--grace alone. But if you only baptize adults, it means that you are waiting for them to take the first step. Grace becomes something we do and indicates that God does not save us by Himself. Instead we are saved by grace plus something else. (110)

I also liked two bits about Absolution:

Absolution is the announcement of an accomplished fact--the forgiveness of Christ earned on the cross and pronounced in the resurrection. But it is more than an announcement. In Absolution, Christ's verdict of justification is bestowed, imparted, conferred, and given truly, personally, intimately, and powerfully. (89)

...Sometimes private absolution is called for. Maybe you have done some specific thing wrong that really plagues your conscience. You want to hear privately that your specific guilt is forgiven. Maybe you feel estranged from God and need to hear a word specifically to you that God accepts and loves you in Christ. Maybe there is no specific sin, but you are simply devastated by all the commands of God that do nothing but condemn and depress you. Maybe you need strength to fight a recurring temptation. Maybe you just need to hear your name in connection with forgiveness. If any of these conditions apply to you, then you need private absolution. Go to your pastor and confess your sins. As for the forgiveness that is found only in the wounds of the Lord and expect your pastor to speak it to you. The Holy Spirit will work through your pastor. His absolution bespeaks you righteous. (90)

However, I will say that I did not find the book as challenging as I would have wished. I thought I would get fed more, instructed more. I thought I would be able to delve into it and be confronted with words that troubled my waters or left me pondering their depths. It is a good book, to be sure. Any book, in my opinion, that teaches me more about the Liturgy is a good book. Still, I am hungry for more.

I read the book because I have so many questions about the Book of Concord that are waiting for answers that I am hesitant to keep studying it until the backlog is eased a bit. Given my lack of success in utilizing Ask the Pastor for that very purpose, I do not have high hopes that this will change anytime soon.

You know how people always ask whom you would speak with if you could go back in time and talk with someone from history? I believe that I can honestly say that, for the first time, I have a genuine and passionate answer to that one. I would most definitely choose Martin Luther, even if it meant choking down disgusting beer in a pub in Wittenberg just to talk with him!

I ordered another book, The Proper Distinction Between Law and Gospel by C.F.W. Walther, upon a recommendation from my godmother. It is an old book, so it was, again, not very economical. I hopefully will have it in a week or two, being out of print and coming from some small bookstore in Somewhere, America.