Bernard C. Baumbach

A Contemporary Evaluation of Lutheranism:: a Spiritual Odyssey Bernard C. Baumbach

Reader Alert! The thrust of "A Contemporary Evaluation of Lutheranism" is identified in the subtitle- "A Spiritual Odyssey" Thus the author provides substantiating details as to why his very own personal faith journey reads more like a polemic. Dr. Baumbach's study of the "Symbolic Books of Lutheranism" has transformed his perception of Lutheran doctrine. That is, much of Lutheran doctrine-as well as much of Christian doctrine-have been based upon the historicalization of myth. Hence, this book is not "a call to arms" Rather, the author hopes that it might provoke others, conscientiously and with respectable scholarship, to re-examine the doctrinal structure of their respective religious assemblies. Obviously, this book is initially addressed to Lutheran theologians, Lutheran pastors, and spiritually sensitive Lutheran laity. However, inasmuch as the parameters encompassing the Domain of The Spirit are primarily unknown-and many that are knowable are often unacknowledged-this invitation is extended as well to other Christians and non-Christians alike. Global conceptualizations in the 21st Century are infinitely more illuminating than those involved in 16th Century religious thought processes. All venues of biblical scholarship available today provide disturbing, but nonetheless revealing and substantiating, evidences that cannot be ignored by scientially qualified and spiritually sensitive persons. The rigorous (some prefer the term 'fossilized') structures of most institutionalized religions and the resolute faith positions of their members are discouraging factors in this regard. But given the unfathomable transcendence of The Spirit, every facet of the Domain of The Spirit ultimately evidences one inescapable phenomenon-CHANGE. Reader Alert! There is HOPE!