Christian Cyclopedia

There are a few resources I stumbled upon in my early years after college, and I thought I’d share one with you today: The Christian Cyclopedia.

The Christian Cyclopedia may be the eclectic Lutheran dictionary of your dreams. In one volume, look up “justification,” and it’s there! Obscure churchmen? Included! And, it is not just ancient or Reformation information presented: the Rastifarians, for example, are in there, too. (I’m guessing it goes through the mid-1950s since I can’t tell if it’s been updated or only had copyright renewed.)

The reference book was originally titled Lutheran Cyclopedia, and it is available 24/7 364.25 days a year online as part of the LCMS website. (Yay for free sharing of resources! Yay for the LCMS & CPH forethought! Yay for digitizing resources from our past!)

As the LCMS webpage states:

Welcome to the Christian Cyclopedia edited by Erwin Lueker. Originally published in print editions by Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO USA, Christian Cyclopedia has served thousands of students, church professionals, and lay persons as a one-volume compendium of historical and theological data, ranging from ancient figures to contemporary events

Concordia Publishing House is pleased to present the electronic edition of Christian Cyclopedia as a gift to the Church to the glory of the triune God.

This Internet version produced by The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod allows easy access to the names and terms of significant people, places, ideas, and institutions in church history and “secular” history. Browsers may move to linked entries and related concepts among the various sections.

Check it out and bookmark it. Tuck the website away as a helpful tip for later. It’s neat, and it’s brief but thorough, which is pretty nice.

Are there other types of resources that might interest you? I can try to tailor my own searches to include yours. 🙂