A book and a mystery: There’s a new book out, written I believe by a former ELCA, now LCMC pastor, Rev. Kristian Baudler, titled Martin Luther’s Priesthood of All Believers–In an Age of Modern Myth. Except strictly speaking, it isn’t new. Rather, my husband got an email from Oxen Press, yet the book appears to be self-published through Amazon. It seems there are two Amazon pages listing it different ways.
I don’t mean to call this particular person out. I’m just curious. Do you know pastors or rostered workers who get Lutheran-specific advertisements mailed to them?
Now, I have no problem with self-publishing. Self-publish away! And just because I don’t happen to know about this individual, he may be very knowledgeable in his circles. By all means, look into the book, particularly if you are interested in the ELCA practice of apostolic succession or their ecumenical activities.
I’m certainly interested in the priesthood of all believers, including Luther’s Priesthood writings, but I fear that is a topic easily swayed by personal belief. After looking at what appears to be his church’s website, I suspect we may approach it differently. Still, as I say, check it out if you’d like. I made only a very cursory glance around, and he does have a somewhat recent article in Logia, so maybe you could start there.
Anyway, if you have a perspective to share on the topic or author, or any idea about that publishing house—or mysterious emailings trying to sell books—let me know. Ironically, I’d LIKE to get emails like that. Or maybe that’s a dangerous thing to say. 😉
Happy reading, writing, and checking email! And, happy finding new finds when you do!
One assumes that a book review blog site would know that a “cursory glance” doesn’t make for a credible review. The book stands on the merits of its scholarly research — which is being highly praised in LCMS academia. Perhaps actually reading it would be a good starting point for an intelligent review.
I have responded to this comment via email, clarifying that this wasn’t a book review as much as an announcement about a new release, and I hope I can provide some positive review links to the book, both in my original post and a new one.
Two thoughts:
1) Whether the book is “self-published” is neither here nor there. After all, Luther “self-published” his 95 Theses. What matters is the scholarship it contains, (which of course assumes a degree of educational and intellectual acumen on the part of the reader). To that end Baudler’s scholarship in Lutheran Reformation history and theology is truly superb and remains without academic challenge in the 11 months since its publication.
2) While the book mostly targets the ELCA’s false narrative of Martin Luther as a closet-Catholic, it also takes on the LCMS’s reflexive mantra of “What does (C.F.W.) Walther say?” asking instead, “But what does Luther say?”, taking the reader directly to him. This book is truly outstanding, and even humorous,(though not an easy read) and I recommend it most highly! Best fifteen bucks I’ve ever spent.
Wonderful to hear!
On your first point, what you say is true. I just don’t understand why there were two separate–and different–Amazon pages with differing information.