Scripture Index from Thy Kingdom Come
We have recently added a link to the Scripture index from Thy Kingdom Come here, listing all of the readings for the sixty-seven sermons which span Pre-Lent, all forty days of Lent, the Sundays after Easter, and several Saints’ Days. Although these sermons were written and preached in the context of the historic one-year series, this index allows those who do not use the one-year series to easily find these passages and their parallels. Also be sure to take a look at the Table of Contents for a complete listing of sermons as well as an excerpt of the Forward by Rev. Todd Wilken.
Book Review: He Remembers the Barren
Katie Schuermann recently received the Sabre of Boldness for her courage to speak up for the gift of life, in spite of the hostility she encountered. In light of this honor, we are reposting this review of her wonderful book. This book is not only a valuable resource for those affected by barrenness, but it also offers keen insight to family members, friends, pastors, and “a wider audience of those who have been disappointed, frustrated, or suffered in any situation.”
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Katie Schuermann’s He Remembers the Barren is a tender treatment of a difficult topic. The topic of barrenness is not one that is much discussed in our culture nor, tragically, in our church. This honest, candid insight into the subject is a much appreciated glimpse into the struggles and questions that surround the subject. In this book, the reader will encounter the anger, helplessness, envy, sorrow, and lament that surround those who live with barrenness. The reader also encounters the pure promises of God in the Gospel and the joy that springs from faith that our heavenly Father truly hears the cries of His children and answers their cries with the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. It is the honesty of these explorations of temporal sorrow and eternal joy, earthly disappointment and heavenly hope that is most striking in this book. Mrs. Schuermann does not attempt to sugarcoat the bitterness of barrenness. She does not exhort those who suffer to paint on an artificial smile and to act as if their sorrow is nothing. Rather, she encourages her readers to lament without falling into self-pity, to be honest with God about their pain, and to look to the promises that He has given in His Son. He Remembers the Barren recognizes barrenness for what it is – an effect of sin rampant in this fallen world – and then looks to the Savior as the answer.
In a most refreshing way, He Remembers the Barren never turns the Gospel into mere wish fulfillment. Faith is not made into a means to the end of restoring fertility. Throughout the book, the Gospel remains the proclamation of sins forgiven in the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is in this clear confession of the Gospel that the book brings comfort to those who suffer. This proclamation is what gives the book its true theological strength. It redirects the reader not to seek identity in medical diagnoses or categories of personal desire, but rather firmly roots the reader’s identity in their baptismal adoption as a redeemed heir of Christ. He Remembers the Barren holds up the Gospel as the answer to the heartache of barrenness. It answers our suffering with the suffering, death, and resurrection of the Son of God, who grants forgiveness, eternal life, and a family without number in His Church.
The simple writing style of the book makes it accessible to both clergy and laity. While it includes open, direct discussions of the ethics that surround barrenness and fertility, it does not weigh itself down with jargon or unnecessary verbosity. In its discussions of these ethical questions, it remains compassionate and points any who may have troubled consciences over past decisions to the forgiveness of Christ. The book maintains a conversational tone throughout, including anecdotes, stories, and examples of how barrenness affects people from all walks of life. Each chapter ends with a reading from Scripture, a collect, and a stanza of a hymn, all of which give material for devotions and meditation. This again draws the reader’s focus solely to the promises made to them in Christ crucified by their heavenly Father.
The usefulness of this book extends beyond those who are directly affected by barrenness. Mrs. Schuermann identifies the core cause of the frustration and anger that comes with barrenness as a desire for control. This insight addresses the central problem of being a fallen mortal descendant of Adam and Eve: the desire for control over and against what God has chosen to give. In this way, this book speaks to a wider audience of those who have been disappointed, frustrated, or suffered in any situation. It speaks to those who suffer loss and sorrow over broken plans and hopes. It calls out the desire to control even God and His gifts for the sin that it is. It then extends the Gospel to heal those with seared consciences.
As pointed out in its pages, it is often impossible for those who are not suffering from barrenness to know what is in the minds of those who are. Through its candid discussion of the topic, a window into these thoughts is given. This is especially useful for those who have family or friends who suffer under this particular cross. It helps give understanding to those who might want to help “fix” their loved one out of genuine concern without knowing how it affects them. It is also an insight for those who provide pastoral counsel to those who feel the despair and hopelessness that this burden can bring. He Remembers the Barren gives words to the silent struggles and fears that a pastor may not even be aware of when he is providing pastoral care. This makes it a valuable tool for pastors and parishioners alike, who will find in it help with navigating the confusion and difficulty that surrounds this topic.
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Schuermann, Katie. He Remembers the Barren. Fort Wayne, IN: Lutheran Legacy, 2011. 116 pages. Review by Rev. Tony Oliphant
Thy Kingdom Come: An Excerpt from the Confession of St. Peter
“This confession is not his own. Peter is not so good a theologian as that. No one is. The clever theologians come up with Elijah. That is where cleverness is. In confession, there is no art, no poetry, no cleverness. The best guesses of men are always off because they somehow always come back to us.
“Peter’s confession is not revealed by flesh and blood, even his own flesh and blood, but by the Father in heaven. Peter’s confession, as confession always is, is a gift.”
-David H. Petersen, author of Thy Kingdom Come
A Review of Thy Kingdom Come on Brothers of John the Steadfast
Thanks to Rev. John Frahm III for posting his review of Thy Kingdom Come by David H. Petersen:
“I’ve received my copy of a new book of sermons by Rev. David Petersen of Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The book is a new publication from Emmanuel Press. It is a nice sized paperback volume with a classic painting of the crucifixion on the cover. The kingdom of God comes by itself without our prayer, but it is clear as we learn from the preaching of the Word of God, it comes thereby to us for the delivery of forgiveness, life and salvation.
We have in this selection of Pastor Petersen’s sermons during Lent and Easter (historic one-year lectionary) a glimpse both into the art of preaching and of pastoral care through such preaching. It is clear that these sermons are applications of the Word of God in its full counsel for the sake of the congregation, the feeding of the sheep, and their repentance toward trust in Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down His life for the sheep. Pastor Petersen gets himself out of the way to be a mouthpiece of the Lord’s gracious voice. His sermons are concise in a way that reminds one of Peter Chrysologous, the Doctor of Homilies. In this respect, I commend this book of sermons for pastors to hone the art of purposeful and exegetically grounded preaching. I have much I can learn from David Petersen in this way. He is a seasoned pastor and spiritual father to the congregation. Redeemer in Fort Wayne is often noted to be one of the ‘most liturgical’ congregations in the Missouri Synod. But it is clearly the case that Redeemer enjoys the gift of good preaching as well as reverent Divine Services. It is helpful for pastors to read the sermons of other faithful pastors to break free their own style and usual vocabulary to express the unchanging faith. Pastor Petersen gives much in the way of a model for both new and experienced pastors who want to deliver a sound proclamation of Christ into our postmodern context.
For the laity, sermons are most always good devotional material to read (such as those of Luther or Johann Gerhard, or more recently those of Norman Nagel). I would certainly commend Thy Kingdom Come as reading for Lutheran laity who wish to have additional good devotional reading to supplement their prayers and reading of Scripture or perhaps in the context of using the daily office at home (Matins, Vespers et al). While Pastor Petersen’s sermons are meaty and substantive, they are also very accessible, and most of them are brief enough for a brief gathering of the family for prayer and catechesis.
In short, I commend this volume to both pastors and laity as another good addition to the Lutheran bookcase at home or in the pastor’s study, or the church library for that matter. For Petersen, clearly our theology informs his preaching, but he does not preach about it. He proclaims Christ with our dogma and sound exegesis forming the grammar and syntax of his homilies. This is an excellent application of the fact that the power of the Holy Spirit is truly shown in the Word of Christ Himself. The power of the sermon is in the divine monergism of the Christ who speaks through His holy office. Additionally, the Foreword by Rev. Todd Wilken and Introduction by Rev. Michael Frese also are helpful in thinking of the art of preaching. This too is good grist for thought for both those who speak and those who listen. ‘Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ.'”
Solemn Vespers for the Free Conference at Redeemer
For those of you who will be attending the conference at Redeemer on January 21, on Monday before the Symposia, here is the bulletin for Solemn Vespers, developed from The Brotherhood Prayer Book. We are making this available in advance so that you may prepare and practice the Gregorian chant prior to the conference, if you wish. In the following files, all of the service has been chanted by Pr. Sean Daenzer. Special thanks to Dr. Benjamin Mayes for developing the bulletin.
Solemn Vespers:
Bulletin (.pdf)
Introductory Versicles and Psalms
Responsory
Hymn
Magnificat
Prayers and Benediction
Click here for a full schedule. We look forward to seeing you there.
The Brotherhood Prayer Book: Text Edition – Now Available for Kindle and Nook
After numerous requests for an e-reader version of The Brotherhood Prayer Book: Text Edition, it is finally available for Kindle and Nook!
The Brotherhood Prayer Book: Text Edition is a book of prayers centered around the entire 150 Psalms. It includes liturgies for Matins, Lauds, Sext, Vespers, English Compline, Latin Compline, German Compline, and more. It also contains a full set of propers for the Liturgical Week, the Liturgical Year, and Saints’ Days. Another highlight is the Beichtspiegel unique to The Brotherhood Prayer Book. This “confession mirror” is a tool used for reflection and self-examination in preparation for private confession and absolution or for the Divine Service.
Thy Kingdom Come: An Excerpt from Ascension
“God’s will is constant. Fallen men need a preaching of repentance, an exposure of our complicity and selfishness, a warning of impending death, and an invitation. You are not God. You do not make the rules. You have not behaved in ways honorable or just or good. You have looked the other way. You have cheated. You are a traitor to your own cause, in league with demons, a pervert, a deviant, a sycophant, a liar, a braggart, a hypocrite, a bureaucrat. Repent. Submit. Stop making excuses. Do not seek to have your sins justified, but seek instead to have them forgiven, removed, and counted against Him, that His good works might be counted to you.”
-David H. Petersen, author of Thy Kingdom Come
Katie Schuermann reviews Thy Kingdom Come
Katie Schuermann, of He Remembers the Barren, relates how her morning run was stopped dead in its tracks while listening to an Issues Etc. podcast which reviewed a sermon by Pr. Petersen:
“I noticed that I had slowed down. In fact, I was standing still on the curb, looking up the street but seeing nothing. Well, I was seeing something. I was seeing my reflection in Rev. Petersen’s words, and it wasn’t pretty. It’s never pretty when you stare your Sin in the face, when your conscience plays chicken with a Law-wielding pastor. This guy was telling me that I turn everything, even Scripture, into something about myself. And he was right.
My Old Adam lay slain on the pavement….
With the blessed Word, this Midwestern pastor had gunned down the black heart of an insignificant pastor’s wife way down below the Mason-Dixon line and then resuscitated it back to life with the precious, life-giving blood of Christ, all within a span of a few minutes.
Needless to say, I didn’t get much of a workout that day, but I did start downloading more Issues, Etc. episodes, especially the ones with the word ‘Petersen’ in the tag line.”
Read her entire review here.
Last Day to Pre-Order Thy Kingdom Come
Tomorrow is the official release date for Thy Kingdom Come, which makes today the last day to pre-order a signed copy! Of course, if you live in or near Fort Wayne or if you’re coming to the Symposia, there will be other chances to have Pr. Petersen sign your book. But still, go ahead and order now! That way you’ll be ready to read the sermon for the Confession of St. Peter on January 18.
Adriane Dorr reviews Thy Kingdom Come
If there was ever any question as to where Adriane Dorr gets her quirky sense of humor, take a look at her dad in the picture at left.
All hilarity aside, Adriane gets to the point in her review of Thy Kingdom Come. We have posted an excerpt here, but you really should read the entire review, including her 5 good reasons why you need this book.
“[W]hen I’m in the Divine Service, when my Lord is there for me really and bodily, I need to hear that I stink, that I’m an awful sinner, that I need to be humbled at every turn. I need to hear that He’s forgiven me for all those things, that the way in which He loved me was to die for me, that He is my comfort and peace, that He fills all the gaps and the holes I didn’t even know I had and the ones I’m painfully aware of.
That’s why I joined Pastor David Petersen’s church when I moved to Fort Wayne. His preaching had its own reputation. I knew he would preach what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear.
I wasn’t disappointed. And now, thanks to Emmanuel Press, you don’t have to move to Fort Wayne and join Redeemer in order to get those same sermons, to hear of your sin and your salvation….
It’s the start of a new year. So if you set one resolution, let it be that you order this book. Use it as your devotions leading up to Lent and Easter. Let the Law have its way with you. Be pointed to Christ, your salvation. Look to the cross. See your Savior, your Life. For “He is in our midst, according to His promise, in His risen, living, physical body, speaking peace, forgiving sins, feeding saints, and encouraging faith. No locked doors, no synodical bureaucrat, no bully, no fallen flesh will keep Him out’ (Thy Kingdom Come).”