The Ecumenical Luther: The Development and Use of His Doctrinal Hermeneutic

Rating:
Summary: Objections are Few
Review: I have only two objections. The first is that I did not place Bucher's book closer to the top of my list of "Must Read" titles this year. The second is that Amazon only offers 5 stars to rate a 6 star book. One is easily engaged in this excellent Luther reference work in short order. The knowledge base of this Luther scholar is apparent in its pages so praise from the academic community is well earned. His concise, or should I say precise language does not leave room for ambiguity. There are no wasted pages in this book not to mention an economy of pages. It is valuable just for its notes and bibliography. Bucher and Concordia Academic Press both deserve our thanks for a work well done that will serve not only confessional Lutherans, but many concerned Christians as well to better understand what ecumenism really is. The book also shows the great need to understand and revisit Luther's doctrinal hermeneutic before deciding to jump on the "popular band wagon" that all too many well intentioned ecumenists have done without checking the "breaks" first. I can only hope that we will see more from Dr. Bucher in the future.

I should add the following that is a paraphrase from Luther: Don't be so quick to jump on the ecumenical horse or you may find yourself on the other side. That can be understood to mean that you find yourself sitting on anothers ground where there is no sound doctrinal basis from Scripture (right Scripture rightly interpreted) to do so.

Rating:
Summary: Objections are Few
Review: I have only two objections. The first is that I did not place Bucher's book closer to the top of my list of "Must Read" titles this year. The second is that Amazon only offers 5 stars to rate a 6 star book. One is easily engaged in this excellent Luther reference work in short order. The knowledge base of this Luther scholar is apparent in its pages so praise from the academic community is well earned. His concise, or should I say precise language does not leave room for ambiguity. There are no wasted pages in this book not to mention an economy of pages. It is valuable just for its notes and bibliography. Bucher and Concordia Academic Press both deserve our thanks for a work well done that will serve not only confessional Lutherans, but many concerned Christians as well to better understand what ecumenism really is. The book also shows the great need to understand and revisit Luther's doctrinal hermeneutic before deciding to jump on the "popular band wagon" that all too many well intentioned ecumenists have done without checking the "breaks" first. I can only hope that we will see more from Dr. Bucher in the future.

I should add the following that is a paraphrase from Luther: Don't be so quick to jump on the ecumenical horse or you may find yourself on the other side. That can be understood to mean that you find yourself sitting on anothers ground where there is no sound doctrinal basis from Scripture (right Scripture rightly interpreted) to do so.

Rating:
Summary: Significant! Timely! Right On!
Review: If there certainly is one word to describe this phase of church history, it is ecumenism. The Biblical admonition to be one church is upon us, as it should. What is not yet in this movement is the process, the structure to achieve this. The efforts today which stretch over eight decades at least, have attempted all kinds of process without the success. Everyone seems frustrated, that is the outcome.

Here, Richard Bucher puts forward his doctoral thesis (under the recognized Luther scholar Carter Lindberg) of Luther's stance on how to determine necessary doctrines for unity.

To say that Luther was against unity would be a totally uninformed opinion without historical substance of Luther's beliefs. Here Bucher aptly takes one through the development of Luther's ecumenical hermeneutic, one piece at a time. Only those teachings based on the right Scripture rightly interpreted and those that are necessary for salvation, i.e. tied to the gospel of justification, can be declared to be absolute and necessary doctrines.

Three examples of Luther actually doing ecumenism at its Biblical basis are provided: Dialouge with the descendants of Hus (the Unitas Fratrum), the Marburg Colloquy, and the Schmalkald Articles. These shown specifically and in the context of differing confessions, how Luther utilized his hermenutic to determine just what must be agreed upon in order to achieve oneness in pulpit and altar fellowship.

The author then applies this to modern day ecumenism, recommending this approach of Luther to today, rather than the processes of reconciled diversity, accomodation and consensus, which do not achieve the unity God mandates.

While one wishes that the author would have expanded his application a bit more to the contemporary scene, this is such a vital and well done addition to the ecumenical environment that surrounds us that many will richly benefit from its perusual and implementation.

Rating:
Summary: Significant! Timely! Right On!
Review: If there certainly is one word to describe this phase of church history, it is ecumenism. The Biblical admonition to be one church is upon us, as it should. What is not yet in this movement is the process, the structure to achieve this. The efforts today which stretch over eight decades at least, have attempted all kinds of process without the success. Everyone seems frustrated, that is the outcome.

Here, Richard Bucher puts forward his doctoral thesis (under the recognized Luther scholar Carter Lindberg) of Luther's stance on how to determine necessary doctrines for unity.

To say that Luther was against unity would be a totally uninformed opinion without historical substance of Luther's beliefs. Here Bucher aptly takes one through the development of Luther's ecumenical hermeneutic, one piece at a time. Only those teachings based on the right Scripture rightly interpreted and those that are necessary for salvation, i.e. tied to the gospel of justification, can be declared to be absolute and necessary doctrines.

Three examples of Luther actually doing ecumenism at its Biblical basis are provided: Dialouge with the descendants of Hus (the Unitas Fratrum), the Marburg Colloquy, and the Schmalkald Articles. These shown specifically and in the context of differing confessions, how Luther utilized his hermenutic to determine just what must be agreed upon in order to achieve oneness in pulpit and altar fellowship.

The author then applies this to modern day ecumenism, recommending this approach of Luther to today, rather than the processes of reconciled diversity, accomodation and consensus, which do not achieve the unity God mandates.

While one wishes that the author would have expanded his application a bit more to the contemporary scene, this is such a vital and well done addition to the ecumenical environment that surrounds us that many will richly benefit from its perusual and implementation.

Rating:
Summary: Luther ...Ecumenical?!
Review: Luther...a theologian of firm convictions. How could a man who, on the one hand, refused to compromise his convictions to appease the pope or, on the other hand, refused the hand of fellowship to Zwingli be considered an ecumenist? Bucher, with ample support from Luther's writings, makes a bold and convincing case for the confessional and ecumenical Luther. An excellent read and a 'must' for students of the great Reformer.

Rating:
Summary: Luther ...Ecumenical?!
Review: Luther...a theologian of firm convictions. How could a man who, on the one hand, refused to compromise his convictions to appease the pope or, on the other hand, refused the hand of fellowship to Zwingli be considered an ecumenist? Bucher, with ample support from Luther's writings, makes a bold and convincing case for the confessional and ecumenical Luther. An excellent read and a 'must' for students of the great Reformer.