The Story of Our Church in America by Theodore Graebner

The Story of Our Church in America is a brief survey (33 pages) of the history of the Missouri Synod. While it is certainly not comprehensive, it offers a overview of the Missouri Synod's first 75 years. Of special note are the first three chapters which give a brief sketch of Lutheranism in North America before the founding of the Synod. Attention is given to the work of the Synod in education, publishing, and both home and foreign missions. The book has a wealth of pictures of the principle founders and leaders of the Synod as well as hand drawn maps that add a nice touch. Though originally published in 1922, the last chapter (of the version I have) includes an Addenda of supplementary material from 1932.

Thedore Graebner goes out of his way to thank a Mr. Bendix Taenzer of St. Louis, the artist of the maps. Graebner states that, "No such maps illustrating the history of American Lutheranism, and especially the work and development of our Synod, have ever been printed before." (The maps from the booklet are included as pictures below.) As a lover of maps myself, and a firm believer in their importance in teaching, I cannot help but echo Graebner's exhortation concerning their usefulness: "They deserve earnest study, and, once their meaning is well grasped, will deepen our realization of divine favors conferred upon our Church."

The Victory of the Cross: Chapters from the History of the Early Church by Theodore Graebner

Our Faith Victorious was published in 1913 by Ernst Kaufmann in New York and was printed in Germany. It sold for 25 cents a copy. The book is a summary of early church history by Theodore Graebner. Graebner was a prodigous writer, especially of popular books and tracts, who served as the Lutheran Witness editor for 35 years (1914 to 1949) as well as teaching at Concordia Seminary--St. Louis. 

Here is a brief review of the book in the Augustana Synod's periodical The Lutheran Companion (November 22, 1913). 

Catechism Bible Narratives by George William Lose

               

 

(Note: Thank you to Pr. Andrew Gray for another excellent post on a resource that is both helpful in catechesis and free online.)


               This book published by the Lutheran Book Concern in 1915 for use in Sunday School’s is an excellent resource to have on the shelf and in the home to teach the Biblical basis for the Small Catechism and the Christian Faith.  The connection made between the Scripture reading and the Catechism would be helpful not only for the youth but adults and pastors in their study as well.

                The book provides 86 different texts and also has 20 review sections, for a total of 106 lessons, that take one through the Small Catechism using pertinent Bible narratives.  The text of each passage is provided from the KJV.  Following each passage there is an extensive section of explanatory notes which will help the student and catechist in their understanding of the text. 

Confirmation in the Lutheran Church by A.C. Repp

Confirmation in the Lutheran Church is an issue that has been debated from the beginning of the Reformation. There are many who are crying out for a reform of our current practice in the LCMS. For those who want to gain an understanding of the struggles and forms of confirmation in the Lutheran Church from the time of the reformation to the 1960’s Confirmation in the Lutheran Church by Arthur C. Repp is a must read.

Repp’s work begins with a look at the development of confirmation prior to the reformation. He then proceeds to identify six forms that catechesis and confirmation have taken in the church since the Reformation. His classifications do a good job of identifying some of the different strands of practice and understanding that have been used in the Lutheran Church.

His six types are:

Bible History References by F. Rupprecht

First published in 1926, CPH's Bible History References by F. Rupprecht were linked with the Comprehensive Bible History of 1918. However, the most popular and widespread version is the "revised and enlarged" updated version of 1947 (pictured and reviewed here), which enjoyed numerous reprintings. These volumes can be purchased through Anchor Publications here or use this page to obtain an old copy.

The updating of 1947 coordinated the Bible History References with the new/updated resources used by the Synod at the time. These were the Advanced Bible History of 1936 (the updating of the Comprehensive Bible History), the 1943 Small Catechism and Questions, and the--then new!--TLH of 1941. There were also other minor additions and expansions.

Covering the same 140 Bible stories of the Advanced Bible History, the reference notes in the volume are tied to particular words or phrases from each story. There are also brief excursuses on important topics/questions. There are additional suggested tie-ins to the Catechism, hymn verses, and additional Bible readings at the end of each lesson.

I am sure that I have said it before, but I'll say it again: I am constantly impressed by the Synod's resources for children's Bible history. Most notable is the the focus on the Promise of the Seed (Messiah) throughout the Old Testament and the Christocentricity of the New Testament notes.

Besides excellent introductions to each major section of biblical history, additional appendices in the O.T. Volume include:

Brief Review of Jewish History from the End of the Captivity to the Birth of Christ
Some Messianic Prophecies and Their Fulfillments
Types of Christ
Bird's Eye View of the Old and New Testaments
Suggestions to Pupils on How to Study a Lesson in Bible History
Biblical Weights, Measures, Money, and Time
Chronological Tables of the Old Testament
Pronouncing Glossary
Topical Index
Indexed Bible Atlas

and in the N.T. Volume:
Summary of Paul's Activity
Biblical Weights, Measures, Money, and Time
New Testament Chronology
Pronouncing Glossary
Topical Index

A portion of the foreword to Bible History References may summarize it best:

The References will be found useful by anyone who is interested in a study of popular selections from the Bible. Pastor and teachers in parochial schools, Sunday schools, and vacation Bible schools have found them especially helpful. Study of the References provides the Bible Teacher with the wider historical, social, economic, geographical, archaeological, and doctrinal background necessary from best success in his teaching. The language is simple, and the explanation of difficult words and passages is clear and concise. The maps, charts, illustrations, and historical tables help to visualize much of the content.

...and they are wonderful resources regardless of what additional materials you are using, if any...

While the References follow the sequence of the Advanced Bible History, they may be used equally well with only the Bible in hand. In short, these volumes may be used conveniently by any teacher of Bible stories, regardless of the particular lesson materials which he may use in his class.

Need to Get Level: 10/10

Seriously, it really is a 10. If you are a pastor or layman, you should have this on your shelf for a reference of what the most basic questions and important points to teach are concerning 140 of the most central stories of the Bible. This is a perfect aid for biblical survey classes or the education of children...or adults. Parents should especially consider these volumes as they provide to you a resource for opening the Scriptures for your children-and you!


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More coordinated resources:

Go here to read more about the Advanced Bible History. Or here to buy a copy. The older version, Comprehensive Bible History, can also be bought here.

Anchor Publications still has Bible History References for sale here, and also has two supplementary works that are designed to work with the Advanced (or Comprehensive) Bible History and Bible History References. I do not own nor have looked through these resources, however I am confident that they are worth checking into if you wish to use the Advanced Bible History at home, church, or school.

1. Bible History Explained and Applied by K.K. Miller ($13.50, 264 pages)
2. Exercises in Bible History, 2 volumes, Old and New Testaments, by H.A. Merta and W.A. Siems ($9.50, 150 pages each)

The above two resources can be found on this page.

In the Days of Solomon by P.E. Kretzmann

P.E. Kretzmann was intensely interested in Christian Education, writing many educational books, especially for children, and books concerning education . To whet your appetite, an interesting work, Education among the Jews from the earliest times to the end of the Talmudic period, 500 A.D., is available online here.

In the Days of Solomon is a not well known book for middle school children. (126 pages) It was published by The Book Concern of Columbus, OH in 1932, probably, but a date is not given. One brief complaint concerning format is that besides the beautiful picture on the cover, there are no pictures, maps, etchings, artwork, etc. at all. The book is a historical novel set in the reign of Solomon during the building of the Temple. While I have some misgivings concerning historical novels set within biblical history, this approach is certainly to be preferred to a "retelling" of the biblical story that mixes the text and interpretation/commentary into a substitution for the real Scriptures. I'm a Biblicist, give the kids the real thing!

In the Days of Solomon, however, is certainly for deeper study and contemplation on the Scriptures since it presupposes basic biblical knowledge and does not presume to supplant the actual words of God. It is told from the point of view of an Israelite family of a man named Nathan in Bethlehem, in particular, the son Samuel. Kretzmann emphasizes that the family's center of existence, according to the Word of The Lord, is their home life. The father models a devoted husband's sense of responsibility and leadership as the head of the household, and the mother's glory is as godly wife and queen of the hearth. The importance of family worship and religious education is stressed throughout the book. The solemnity and reverence of worship at the Tabernacle is highlighted, as well as reverence and obedience to the Lord's Word in the home. Outside of Bethlehem and Jerusalem, there are two trips made, one to Joppa, and one to the Jordan Valley, which provide an opportunity for further geographical survey and historical tie-ins. The culmination of the story is the completion and dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem which the parents and older children attend.

For what it is, it is well done. While there are major potential pitfalls in such an undertaking, Kretzmann is a well-grounded and knowledgeable servant of the Word. Most modern examples of this genre are usually tragic failures, written by folks neither called nor prepared to undertake the challenge of producing godly and faithful materials for the religious education of the young. The common deficiencies of these sorts of books are usually not malicious, but rather spring from the ignorance of the writer who is not sensitive to (or even aware of) what is biblically and confessionally appropriate. Kretzmann, on the other hand, is knowledgeable of his material and sensitive to his goal and purpose--to further educate and develop the faith and life of his readers. He succeeds in his endeavor.

I appreciate In the Days of Solomon, and would confidently give it to my own children (and will!) around the age of 10-12. It is an interesting novel which will help familiarize children with "everyday family life" in ancient Israel and to contemplate how great a gift the Temple was to the O.T. Church, pointing to the Promised Seed, Christ, and His sacrifice and forgiveness.


Need to Get Level: 1/10

It is certainly not a "must-have," but it is a nice book for children who want to know more about life in the undivided kingdom. So, if you are one of the 1 in 10, get one of the three copies I could even track down before they're gone....
http://www.abebooks.com/Days-Solomon-Story-Building-Temple-Kretzmann/1071687725/bd
http://www.amazon.com/Days-Solomon-Story-Building-Temple/dp/B001EY28O2

Advanced Bible History

Advanced Bible History came out from CPH in 1936 by A.C. Stellhorn. It was for use in parochial and Sunday schools, as well as in the home. It is an updating of the 1918 Comprehensive Bible History. Stellhorn was most famous for this work, along with Schools of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod and other educational aids. This was the standard Intermediate Bible History used in the Missouri Synod (virtually the same to the Comprehensive version) and heavily used from 1918 into the 1970's, and perhaps later in some places. They were still on the shelves at my father's first call in 1980 though no longer in use at that time. This is an L-TOM classic if there ever was one and perfect to kick us off!

It is solid. 70 Old Testament stories, 70 New Testament stories in 447 pages. It covers all the basic biblical narratives you would want covered for a child. As was the case in almost Bible Histories for children, a certain level of summarizing goes on, yet sticks close to the actual text and narrative. [Note: I am not a fan of this approach, but understand that it is the standard approach and far better than a "re-telling"] The pictures are certainly not cartoonish, however, neither are they overly realistic, as if they are pretending to be a photograph. The pictures chosen are of the type that seeks to also tell the narrative historically and artfully so that the proper knowledge is conveyed and thoughts evoked. (An art that we have woefully lost, though there seems to be signs that we are in the process of recovering this sense) There are helpful, yet not burdensome, introductory explanations, notes, and other helps. The section divisions are appropriate and proper. At the end of each lesson is a Small Catechism tie-in (Second Article, 3rd Petition, etc.), additional Bible verse cross reference, and a hymn verse. There is a pronunciation guide and 12 maps in the back of the volume.

It should come as no surprise that the volume highlights and focuses on the Promise of the Seed in the Old Testament and our Lord's Person and Work in the New Testament. There is good attention paid to the 4th Commandment throughout the narratives and artwork. And unlike other Bible Histories of the time period (and the norm today) difficult and/or scandalous portions of Scripture are not shied away from or sanitized.

The Advanced Bible History is easy to get your hands on and cheap. I wouldn't be surprised if a couple aren't hanging around your church's library. It is definitely appropriate and useful in the home, and if additional helps or desired there was a two part Bible History References by F. Rupprecht put out by CPH that was linked to it.

Final Score: Get it, if you don't already have this classic and trustworthy standby. It will be useful for the pastor or parent as a reference. And do not be surprised if you wind up actually using it.

Need to Get Level: 10/10

Please comment if you remember using this volume or have/use a copy.

[Note: There is an updated version of Advanced Bible History, A Bible History, that is faithful to the tradition of this Bible History and was revised with a light touch by editors Rodney Rathmann and Clarence Berndt in 2003. You can find in at Amazon or CPH.]