Luther's Large Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications ed. by John T. Pless and Larry M. Vogel (review)

Reviewed by: Luther's Large Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications ed. by John T. Pless and Larry M. Vogel Kurt K. Hendel Luther's Large Catechism with Annotations and Contemporary Applications. Edited by John T. Pless and Larry M. Vogel. St. Louis: Concordia Publishing House, 2022. xvi + 734 pp. Martin Luther recognized the importance of catechesis as a means of nurturing the faith of God's people and fostering faithful living. Both his Small Catechism and his Large Catechism were intended to serve as didactic resources for pastors, parents, baptismal sponsors, and catechists, and as means of nurturing the faith life of all believers. While the Small Catechism has consistently fulfilled these functions for Lutherans since the sixteenth century, that has not always been the case with the Large Catechism. This substantial volume seeks to highlight the continuing relevance of the Large Catechism for the church's catechetical ministry. This book, whose preparation and publication resulted from official convention resolutions of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), is, therefore, intended to be a "catechetical compendium End Page 84 for adults" that seeks to be both "comprehensive and apologetic" (3). While it has clearly fulfilled these intentions, the volume has sparked theological controversy within the LCMS. Shortly after its release by Concordia Publishing House, the Rev. Matthew C. Harrison, President of the church body, paused the distribution of the book because critics had raised concerns that certain perspectives regarding Critical Race Theory, sexual identity, and Second Amendment rights included in some of the essays reflected a "woke" agenda and were inconsistent with the positions of the LCMS. Those concerns were voiced even though the introductions, annotations, and essays in the book had been approved by the church's Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR), some of whose members were also contributors to the volume. After additional reviews by President Harrison and the CTCR and renewed statements of support, the distribution of the book resumed shortly after it had been paused. The book contains fourteen introductory essays, introductions to Luther's Prefaces to the Large Catechism and to each of the Catechism's six chief parts, (the Ten Commandments, the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, Baptism, the Lord's Supper, and Confession and Absolution), the text of the Large Catechism with a substantial number of annotations, and seventy thematic essays that explore specific theological themes gleaned from Luther's explanations of the six chief parts of the Catechism. These introductions, annotations, and essays were prepared by seventy writers, some of whom made more than one contribution. The introductory essays explore the nature and function of catechisms, as well as Luther's view of scripture. The latter is examined because the Reformer intended his catechisms to be faithful expositions of the scriptural message. The use of the Large Catechism by Lutheran communities in Africa, Asia and Oceania, Europe, Latin America, and North America is also examined in the series of introductory essays. The informative introductions of the six chief parts provide historical context and concise summaries of Luther's theological interpretations in each part of the Catechism. The annotations added to Luther's text are extensive and include scriptural references, explanatory comments, citations of secondary literature and information gleaned from that literature, textual commentary, End Page 85 and translation notes. The thematic essays that accompany each part examine numerous theological and ethical themes addressed in the various parts of the Catechism, clarify the significance of those themes for the faith journeys of Christians, and provide insights into the contemporary relevance of Luther's theology. Since this volume was sponsored by the LCMS, it is not surprising that the theology that is consistently articulated and defended, especially in the essays, reflects the theological perspectives of this denomination. Most of the writers are members of the LCMS, which expects their confessional loyalty. The essayists who are not LCMS members do not challenge the Synod's theological stance. While some post-colonial insights are expressed, Feminist, Womanist, Mujerista, and Queer theologians are not included among the essayists. The potential breadth of the continuing relevance of Luther's catechetical theology is, therefore, not explored. Inclusive language is also largely absent. The LCMS community is...