One of the most widely respected of writers in contemporary Lutheran circles is Rev. Dr. Robert Kolb, author not only of a translation of the Book of Concord (with Timothy Wengert), but also such popular reads as The Christian Faith and Speaking the Gospel Today.
Kolb’s books are appreciated for their insightful explanations of Lutheran teachings that are detailed, yet easy to grasp. Now, LHF is making some of his books available in Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union.
To date, LHF has translated six of Kolb’s titles, with more on the way, into languages like Georgian, Latvian, Russian, and Ukrainian.
In post-Soviet countries, thorough yet easy-to-understand explanations of the faith are important, as for many years the only safe way to pass the Gospel message was by word of mouth — a system by which information could get mistaken or confused. The books have also proven valuable when sharing the Gospel with new believers, like those recently confirmed in Russia.
In Russian basic Christianity classes, “when a person says ‘I know I’m not a Christian, but I’m not sure why,’ here’s a book that will tell you what Christianity is, so that you can find out why you’re not a Christian,” Rev. Kolb explained. And as they read and learn, the Holy Spirit works to bring the faith they so long denied.
“The Christian Faith is a summary of Christian doctrine from a Lutheran perspective,” he continued. “It looks at Biblical teachings, including the doctrines of the person and work of Christ to form our understanding of the church and the Means of Grace, the Word of God, and the daily Christian life. So it provides a church leader (or for that matter, the parents in a family) a kind of overview for teaching the faith.”
When writing, Rev. Kolb said he “thinks of the person who has maybe some inkling of something that Grandma used to say; they have an idea of Christianity, but it’s not quite what their grandparents actually believed. So something like Christian Faith can get them into Bible verses, the traditions and history of the church — and it gives the pastor, or the parents, or the neighbors, a basis for putting together their own testimony.
“I’m just delighted that I’ve been able to share these things with a large number of people in these churches that are struggling but growing, even under much more difficult circumstances than we have in the United States,” Rev. Kolb concluded.
More LHF News
Imprisoned Haitian pastor’s plea: “The Small Catechism is a need!”
New believers in Russia build Lutheran church from ruins
