Expert: Martin W. Eldred - 10/14/2009

Question
QUESTION: Are Christians supposed to enjoy life?

ANSWER: Alex:

Thanks for your question.

Should Christians enjoy life?  By all means!  Although we do not have exclusive rights, Christians above all should be ones to enjoy life in all its fullness.  We are loved unconditionally by the God who created us.  We have been forgiven unconditionally through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  We have been promised eternal life that begins now and continues in the life to come.  What should be our response?  Thanksgiving!

God has liberated us from shame, guilt, sin, and death.  God has given us the beauty of Creation and life experiences.  God has blessed us with geniuses such as Mozart, Einstein, Da Vinci; etc so that we can enjoy the creative process.  I could go on and on.

We have much for which to be thankful.  We have much that we can and should enjoy because God has given it to us to enjoy.  

Yes, there is also much suffering, pain, and hardship in life.  Many of our fellow children of God suffer tremendously.  We should also care about those who cannot always enjoy life because of disease, famine, war, depression, addiction, or what ever afflicts them.  

I can think of no greater way in which to life in God's grace than to enjoy the gifts of life we have been given as well as try our best to help others in this life.

I hope that this is helpful,
Martin Eldred

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Can you suggest a good book on Lutheran theology?

Answer
Alex:

I would be glad to recommend some books that I often loan to people in our congregation.

1. "Manna and Mercy", by Daniel Erlander.  More of a extended pamphlet than a full book, but Dan has one of the clearest and most concise looks at, "Lutheranism as a Way of Life" (which is his sub-title).  It is available on Amazon for about $3.99.

2. "Being Human: The Image of the Serving God", by Terry Kyllo.  This is technically a introduction to a  general Christian teaching, written primarily for those who are searching to understand the faith, but it comes from a pretty Lutheran angle (Rev. Kyllo is a Lutheran pastor in Washington state) without being denominational.  Excellent introduction.  Also at Amazon.

3. "Reclaiming the 'L' Word", by Kelly Kely Fryer.  Written more for people already in the Lutheran Church, it is still an excellent introduction to our basic thoughts and beliefs. Also at Amazon.

4. "Where God Meets Man", by Gerhard Forde.  This had been out of print, I think, but is available at Amazon.  It is older (1970) and the language is a little dated, but one of the classic, best overviews of classic Lutheran theology.  I would highly recommend this one.

If I were to recommend just one, I might lean to the Forde book first.  The Erlander book would be close second.
I hope that this is helpful.  God Bless your searching.

Martin Eldred