A look at new books published by Northwestern Publishing House. For more information, visit www.nph.net or call 1-800-662-6022.

History of "the split"

Written as the doctoral thesis of WELS Pastor Mark Braun, A Tale of Two Synods—Events That Led to the Split between Wisconsin and Missouri represents an ambitious attempt to examine the histories, personalities, changing theologies, and complex (and sometimes subtle) doctrinal disagreements that caused these synods to break fellowship in 1961.

The Wisconsin Synod, in the 1800s, was more liberal and less articulate or consistent in its theology than the Missouri Synod. Relying on and learning from Missouri, Wisconsin grew more conservative, virtually mirroring Missouri by the start of the 20th century. Soon, however, Missouri’s theology started to “drift.” This led to disagreements over issues including the military chaplaincy program, the Boy Scouts, fellowship with other churches, and the Doctrine of Holy Scripture.

A highlight of this 350-page book is its unique in-depth perspective by pastors who were active in the ministry as the events took place. Braun’s painstaking solicitation of this firsthand information brings life to the issues. These memories, tempered by time, help the reader better understand not only the substance of the doctrinal disputes but also the frame of mind and emotions that played a part in splitting these former “sister synods.”

This book will be most enjoyed by pastors, synod professors, and others who have a fairly detailed knowledge of and interest in church history and theology. The book may be a little harder to digest by the average lay-person. Those readers would benefit if someone edited it down considerably, better identified key people (especially in the first 30 pages), and eliminated the numerous footnotes written in German.

Greg Galler
Salem, Stillwater, Minnesota


Versatile devotion book

Together with Jesus by Richard E. Lauersdorf is a book of 366 short, daily devotions that help the reader leave behind the distractions of everyday life and focus on “the one thing needful.”

The author, drawing on his experiences in 42 years of ministry, uses everyday objects and activities as starting points—weather, gardening, a popular TV show, a cell phone, even the frosting on a birthday cake. Each one-page entry begins with a Bible verse, continues for two to three paragraphs of reflection, and concludes with a prayer. Entries follow the seasons of the church year and are dated by day and month, i.e., May 13, but not by a specific year, so that the book can be used again and again.