Over the last several decades, perceptive observers of Western civilization have documented what virtually everyone has perceived: as the old foundations of society have toppled, morality and personal character have been set adrift and often vanished altogether. How can character be cultivated when it seems no one is willing or able to provide a definitive description of character to which humans should aspire?

While the reasons for this are many and complicated, one of the more potent singular factors is actually theological, says Biermann. Contemporary Lutheranism, in particular, has struggled with the appropriate place of morality and character formation, as these pursuits often have been perceived as being at odds with the central Christian doctrine of justification.

A Case for Character explores this problem and argues that Christian doctrine, specifically as articulated within a Lutheran framework, is altogether capable of encouraging a robust pursuit of character formation while maintaining a faithful expression of justification by grace alone through faith alone.

Fall '25
Required FLS textbook for Christian Ethics course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

Fall '23
Required FLS textbook for Christian Ethics course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

SIT 2023
Recommended SIT textbook for The Systems of Systematic Theology session taught by Dr. Jason Gudim.

Fall '21
Required FLS textbook for Christian Ethics course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson.

Summer Institute of Theology 2021

Textbook for Ethics and the Followers of Christ course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson.

Fall '19

Required FLS textbook for Christian Ethics course taught by Dr. James Molstre.

The Book of Concord is the authoritative collection of the Lutheran Church's statements of faith and contains documents which Lutheran Christians have used since the 16th century to explain, defend, and advance their witness to the truth of God's Word. This edition includes helpful introductions, insightful notes and annotations, and valuable tools and guides to aid the reading and comprehension of the Book of Concord.

Spring '26
Required FLBC textbook for Theology of Salvation and Lutheran Confessional Theology courses taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Required FLS textbook for Introduction to Lutheran Thought and Christ & Man courses taught by Dr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Fall '25
Required FLBC textbook for Means of Grace and Eschatology and Theology of Worship course, taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Spring '25
Required FLBC textbook for Theology of Salvation, Lutheran Confessional Theology, and Theology of Christian Life courses taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Required FLS textbook for Introduction to Lutheran Thought course taught by Dr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Fall '24
Required FLBC textbook for Means of Grace and Eschatology course taught by Dr. Jason Gudim and Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Required FLBC textbook for Christian Education course taught by Dr. Jason Gudim
Required FLBC textbook for Theology of Worship course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Required FLS textbook for Soteriology course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Spring '24
Required FLBC textbook for Theology of Salvation course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Required FLS textbook for Lutheran Symbolics course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Fall ’23
Required FLBC textbook for Means of Grace and Eschatology and Lutheran Confessional Theology courses taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Required FLS textbook for Hermeneutics and Theology & Anthropology courses taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

SIT 2023
Recommended SIT textbook for The Systems of Systematic Theology session taught by Dr. Jason Gudim.

Spring '23
Required FLBC textbook for Theology of Salvation course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Required FLS textbook for Lutheran Symbolics course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
You will need either this or The Book of Concord - Kolb and Wengert or The Book of Concord - Tappert.

Fall '22
Required FLBC textbook for Means of Grace and Eschatology course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Required FLS textbook for Soteriology course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
You will need either this or The Book of Concord - Kolb and Wengert or The Book of Concord - Tappert.

Spring '22
Required FLBC textbook for Theology of Salvation course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
Required FLS textbook for Lutheran Symbolics course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Fall '21
Required FLBC textbook for Lutheran Confessional Theology course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology.

Spring '21
Required FLS textbook for Lutheran Symbolics course taught by Dr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology.

Spring '20
Required FLS textbook for Lutheran Symbolics course taught by Dr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology.

More than six decades ago, thousands of Germans were put to death for their attempt to overthrow the National Socialist tyranny. Most of them were Christian; some Roman Catholic, and some Lutheran. The most famous among the latter group were Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Carl Friedrich Goerdeler. This study will show that both men acted in accordance with Martin Luther's teachings on how and when to resist secular authority, although many eminent scholars and scribes have promoted the cliche that Luther was somehow to blame for Hitler's rise to power.

There is a limited quantity of this book available, ebooks may be purchased directly from the publisher here.

SIT 2023
Recommended SIT textbook for The Systems of Systematic Theology session taught by Dr. Jason Gudim.

A transcript of Walther's Friday evening "Luther Hour" lectures. Explains 25 statements regarding the necessity of law and gospel in Lutheran preaching and teaching, counseling, and evaluating the mission of the church.

Spring '26
Required FLS textbook for Hermeneutics/Expository Preaching 2 course taught by Dr. Jason Gudim, Professor of Practical and Systematic Theology.

Spring '25
Required FLS textbook for Hermeneutics/Expository Preaching 2 course taught by Dr. Jason Gudim, Professor of Practical and Systematic Theology.

SIT 2023
Recommended SIT textbook for The Systems of Systematic Theology session taught by Dr. Jason Gudim.

Fall '22
Required FLS textbook for Soteriology course taught by Pr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.
You will need either this or Law & Gospel: How to Read and Apply the Bible - Reader's Edition.

Fall '20
Required FLS textbook for Soteriology course taught by Pr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Spring '19
Required FLS textbook for Soteriology course taught by Pr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

This volume acquaints readers with the historical setting in which Luther composed his catechisms. This carefully crafted survey of the context of medieval instruction and piety brings to life the habits of mind that Luther inherited as a member of the church and a student of theology, as well as the concerns for the spiritual welfare of his people which moved him to prepare a course of instruction for them. The book presents a solid introduction to the history, theology, and significance of Luther's catechisms. Arand explores critical issues on the church's catechetical tradition, the purpose and setting of Luther's Small and Large Catechism, the heart of the Catechism's content, and the ways the Catechism shapes God's people in faith and life.

Spring '26
Required FLS textbook for Introduction to Lutheran Theology course taught by Dr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Spring '25
Required FLS textbook for Introduction to Lutheran Thought course taught by Pr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

SIT 2023
Recommended SIT textbook for The Systems of Systematic Theology session taught by Dr. Jason Gudim.

Spring '23
Required FLS textbook for Lutheran Symbolics course taught by Pr. Steven Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Spring '21
Required FLS textbook for Lutheran Symbolics course taught by Pr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology.

Spring '20
Required FLS textbook for Lutheran Symbolics course taught by Pr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology.

Spirituality: the lived, vital, personal dimension of Christianity.

Christianity has its spirituality—not the cloudy mysticism that is usually associated with that word, but rather mysteries grounded in the Incarnation of God, His death on a bloody piece of wood, His physical resurrection, bread, wine, water, and our own ordinary callings of everyday life. That spirituality can still be found in the Lutheran tradition.

Veith explores the topic of spirituality by presenting a true understanding of justification by faith, the means of grace, the two kingdoms, worship, and the church. This revised edition contains expanded material on vocation and the theology of the cross.

Spring '26
Required FLS textbook for Hermeneutics/Expository Preaching 2 course taught by Dr. Jason Gudim, Professor of Practical and Systematic Theology.

Spring '25
Required FLS textbook for Hermeneutics/Expository Preaching 2 course taught by Dr. Jason Gudim, Professor of Practical and Systematic Theology.

SIT 2023
Recommended SIT textbook for The Systems of Systematic Theology session taught by Dr. Jason Gudim.

Fall '22
Recommended FLBC textbook for Theology of the Christian Life course taught by Dr. Jason Gudim.

Fall '20
Recommended FLBC textbook for Theology of the Christian Life course taught by Pr. Brett Boe.

Wholly Citizens addresses the relation between the church and the world in light of the Reformation teaching of the two realms—especially as presented by Luther. Rather than exploring again the usual texts of Luther from the 1520’s, this book begins with a careful reading of Luther’s Commentary on Psalm 81 (1531), and then considers subsequent interpreters of Luther, both faithful and otherwise, and the dubious legacy they have left the church. The book argues that both the corporate church as well as individual believers are responsible for the world and that each must speak directly about and to the world in meaningful ways. The final section of the book addresses the concrete situation facing believers in the early 21st century in light of faithful Reformation teaching about the two realms. Following this path leads to conclusions not entirely expected, including the forthright rejection of “a wall of separation” between church and state, and also a rebuke of the familiar clamor for the preservation of the rights of Christians and the church. Heedless of the status quo, Wholly Citizens offers an engaging and bracing picture of Christian life in today’s world—a picture framed in theological truth.

Fall '25
Required FLS textbook for Christian Ethics course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

Fall '23
Required FLS textbook for Christian Ethics course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

SIT 2023
Recommended SIT textbook for The Systems of Systematic Theology session taught by Dr. Jason Gudim.

Fall '22
Recommended FLBC textbook for Theology of the Christian Life course taught by Dr. Jason Gudim.

Fall '21
Required FLS textbook for Christian Ethics course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson.

Summer Institute of Theology 2021

Textbook for Ethics and the Followers of Christ course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson.

Fall '20
Recommended FLBC textbook for Theology of the Christian Life course taught by Pr. Brett Boe.