Urgent meetings and activities may often crowd the calendar of a pastor. This collection of eloquent reminders about what's most important issues a resounding call to pursue a Gospel-saturated, preaching-centered ministry. Essays from noted pastors representing various evangelical traditions celebrate the centrality of the cross, keeping the main thing the main thing.

To communicate God's Word effectively in the twenty-first century, you need to know how to connect with and confront an audience of postmodern listeners. With this book, you'll learn how to change your style of preaching without compromising the substance, take advantage of new opportunities provided by the cultural shift, and show an inattentive society the relevance of God's truth.

Fall '20
Recommended FLS textbook for Hermeneutics and Expository Preaching I course taught by Pr. Jerry Moan, Professor of New Testament.

Required reading option in Category A for FLS interns.

The church in America is part of a changing culture, and today's preachers must be prepared to engage the unique issues of our postmodern age.

Editor Scott M. Gibson has skillfully combined the works of many well-known preachers, including Haddon Robinson and Bryan Chapell, into one practical guide written for present and future church leaders. Including questions for reflection and suggestions for further reading, this helpful resource addresses important topics such as preaching to a postmodern audience, pluralism, and the intersection of preaching and psychology.

Spring '26
Required FLS textbook for Expository Preaching 4 course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

Spring '25
Required FLS textbook for Expository Preaching 4 course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

Most Christians—including pastors—struggle to talk about their faith in a way that applies the power of the Christian gospel to change people’s lives. Timothy Keller is known for his insightful, down-to-earth sermons and talks that help people understand themselves, encounter Jesus, and apply the Bible to their lives. In this accessible guide for pastors and laypeople alike, Keller helps readers learn to present the Christian message of grace in a more engaging, passionate, and compassionate way.

Spring '26
Required FLS textbook for Expository Preaching 6 course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.

Spring '25
Required FLS textbook for Expository Preaching 6 course taught by Pr. Adam Osier, Dean of FLBC.

Fall '20
Required FLS textbook for Expository Preaching III course taught by Pr. Robert Lee, Professor of Historical and Practical Theology.
Recommended FLS textbook for Hermeneutics and Expository Preaching I course taught by Pr. Jerry Moan, Professor of New Testament.

This new isagogics textbook examines and explores each book of the Old Testament, preparing students of the Bible to read Israel’s texts with understanding and insight. It helps answer questions such as “What is helpful and what is detrimental to evangelical faith?” and “How do conservative scholars respond to critical views of the Old Testament?” The book interacts with scholars in a respectful way while providing evangelical assessments that foster historical and theological confidence in the Old Testament.

Fall '25
Required FLS textbook for Major Prophets course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '24
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '23
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '22
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '21
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '20
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Spring '19
Required FLS textbook for Historical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Lessing and Steinmann’s Prepare the Way of the LORD is the best recent graduate-level survey of the entire Old Testament from a Lutheran perspective. Each chapter deals concisely with the literature, history, and theology of an Old Testament book. The theology sections are especially noteworthy for their inclusion of topics emphasized in Lutheran theology, namely, “Christ in ” and “Sin and grace in .”
—Pr. Brent Olson

Start planning now for life together after the cake is cut and the guests head home. That is when the real adventure begins--the adventure of creating an intimate, lasting, and biblical marriage!

This third edition of the FamilyLife classic has been restructured and refreshed for today's couples. Centered around essential conversations about finances, sex, family, faith, and more, Preparing for Marriage is a fun, romantic study that will help you target areas for growth in your relationship. You can work through the book as a couple, with a pastor or premarital counselor, or with a small group.

Don't just prepare for your wedding . . . prepare for your marriage!

Summer Institute of Theology 2020

Textbook for Prepare/Enrich course taught by Pr. Rich Carr.

The Pevensie siblings travel back to Narnia to help a prince denied his rightful throne as he gathers an army in a desperate attempt to rid his land of a false king. But in the end, it is a battle of honor between two men alone that will decide the fate of an entire world.

Prince Caspian is the fourth book in C. S. Lewis's classic fantasy series, which has been drawing readers of all ages into a magical land where animals talk and trees walk for over sixty years.

Spring '26
Required FLBC textbook for C. S. Lewis & Friends course taught by Mrs. Madison Trost.

Spring '25
Required FLBC textbook for C. S. Lewis & Friends course taught by Miss Madison Greven.

Princess Irene lives in a castle in a wild and lonely mountainous region. One day she discovers a steep and winding stairway leading to a bewildering labyrinth of unused passages with closed doors - and a further stairway. What lies at the top? Can the ring the princess is given protect her against the lurking menace of the boglins from under the mountain?

Spring '26
Required FLBC textbook for C. S. Lewis & Friends course taught by Mrs. Madison Trost.

Spring '25
Required FLBC textbook for C. S. Lewis & Friends course taught by Miss Madison Greven.

How does the AFLC engage the vital mission of evangelism? Written by Dr. Francis W. Monseth, this study focuses on three themes; Our Heritage of Evangelism, Our Theology of Evangelism, and Our Ministry of Evangelism.

Fall '25
Required FLS textbook for Evangelism and Apologetics course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS and Dr. Jason Gudim, professor of Practical and Systematic Theology.

Fall '24
Required FLS textbook for Evangelism and Apologetics course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.

In The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis examines a universally applicable question within the human condition: “If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer pain?” With his signature wealth of compassion and insight, C.S. Lewis offers answers to these crucial questions and shares his hope and wisdom to help heal a world hungering for a true understanding of human nature.

The author uncovers the essential message of Jesus, locked inside His most familiar parable. Within that parable, Jesus reveals God's prodigal grace toward both the irreligious and the moralistic. This book will challenge both the devout and skeptics to see Christianity in a whole new way.

Fall '25
Required FLBC textbook for Luke and Acts course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

Fall '24
Required FLBC textbook for Luke and Acts course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

Fall '23
Required FLBC textbook for Luke and Acts course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

Fall '22
Required FLBC textbook for Luke/Acts course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson, Professor of New Testament and Systematic Theology.

Fall '20
Required FLBC textbook for Synoptic Gospels course taught by Pr. Adam Osier, Dean of FLBC.

Fall '19
Required FLBC textbook for Synoptic Gospels course taught by Pr. Adam Osier, Dean of FLBC.

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.

While reading Psalms, it is common for commentaries to focus on Old Testament meaning, without connecting it deeply to Christ’s fulfillment in the New Testament. By studying Scripture this way, believers miss out on the fullness of God’s word. The key to experiencing authentically Christian worship is learning a Christ-focused approach to praying and singing the Psalms.

SIT 2025
Recommended SIT textbook for Session A.
Psalms: Prayerbook of Jesus (Dr. Brad Pribbenow)

Jesus died with a psalm on his lips. For millennia, humans have been shaped by the Psalms. And before the Nazis banned him from publishing, German theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer published this book on the Psalms.

What comfort is found in the Psalter? What praise, and what challenge? What threat? In the pages of Psalms: The Prayer Book of the Bible, discover the richness this book of Scripture held for Bonhoeffer, and learn to pray psalms along with Christ.

First published in 1940, this classic reveals how the Psalms are essential to the life of the believer and offers Bonhoeffer's reflections on psalms of thanksgiving, suffering, guilt, praise, and lament. Now with an introduction by Walter Brueggemann and excerpts from the Psalms, Bonhoeffer's timeless work offers contemporary readers ancient wisdom and resources for the living of these days. Includes a biographical sketch of Bonhoeffer written by his friend and biographer Eberhard Bethge.

Spring '26
Required FLS textbook for Poetical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

SIT 2025
Recommended SIT textbook for Session A.
Psalms: Prayerbook of Jesus (Dr. Brad Pribbenow)

Fall '24
Required FLS textbook for Poetical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Fall '22
Required FLS textbook for Poetical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Fall '20
Required FLS textbook for Poetical Books course taught by Dr. Brent Olson, Professor of Old Testament.

Through a series of brief chapters, this booklet traces some of the links between the AFLC and the LFC in an attempt to help us better understand our common heritage. Born as a result of Georg Sverdrup and Sven Oftedal's undying passion to build "a free church in a free land," the Lutheran Free Church was established in the late nineteenth century, and its principles and practices continue to guide the AFLC today. This book is a compilation of articles that first appeared in The Lutheran Ambassador.

Spring '23
Recommended FLS textbook for Lutheranism in America course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS.

This classic writing on sanctification shows how far self-salvation and moralism have spread in the teachings of the Christian Church and warns against the secularizing of the Gospel.

Fall '24
Required FLS textbook for Soteriology course taught by Pr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Fall '22
Required FLS textbook for Soteriology course taught by Pr. Steve Mundfrom, Professor of Systematic Theology and Church History.

Summer Institute of Theology 2021
Textbook for Ethics and the Followers of Christ course taught by Dr. Nathan Olson.

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.

You don't need to memorize evangelical formulas or answers. You just have to be willing to ask.

There was something different about the way Jesus communicated with the lost: He didn't force answers upon people, He asked questions. So why don't we?

Following Christ's lead, Randy Newman has been using a questioning style of evangelism for decades. In this provocative book, he provides practical insights to help Christians engage others in meaningful spiritual conversations. He challenges us to examine how we think about people, their questions, and our crucial message.

Fall '25
Required FLS textbook for Evangelism and Apologetics course taught by Dr. James Molstre, Dean of FLS and Dr. Jason Gudim, professor of Practical and Systematic Theology.

Fall '23
Required FLS textbook for Evangelism and Apologetics course taught by Dr. James Molstre and Dr. Jason Gudim.

Fall '21
Required FLS textbook for Evangelism and Apologetics course taught by Dr. Wade Mobley and Dr. James Molstre.

Comprehensive easy instructions and beautiful designs for over 200 banners. Includes Christian holidays and events, baptism, Lord's Supper, confirmation, and marriage.

Pastor Raynard Huglen, editor of the “Lutheran Ambassador” for 27 years, has compiled a collection of his writings in this book. The collection features devotionals, tributes, travelogues, editorials, special articles and commentaries on the Guiding Principles of the AFLC.

We need more God in our lives, not more to-dos!

When we mistake spiritual disciplines for to-dos, time slots on our schedule, or Instagram-able moments, we miss the benefits of Christ’s continual and constant work for us. We begin to feel weary and disappointed in ourselves, and we begin to believe we are bad Christians.

In Ragged, Gretchen Ronnevik aims to reclaim spiritual disciplines as good gifts given by our good Father instead of heavy burdens of performance carried by the Christian. Only when we recognize our failure to maintain God’s commands do we also realize the benefit of our dependence on his promises. Gretchen uses this distinction of law and gospel, presented throughout Scripture, to guide readers through spiritual disciplines including prayer, meditation, Scripture reading, and discipleship among others. Despite our best efforts, the good news is that spiritual disciplines have less to do with what we bring before God and more about who Christ is for us, not only as the author but also as the perfector of our faith.

Stop trying to obtain perfection in your habits. Begin recognizing your dependence on God and what He has done for you, and begin flourishing in your relationship with God.

Fall '24
Required FLBC textbook for Spiritual Disciplines course taught by Pr. Adam Osier, Dean of FLBC.

Though specifically designed as a guide for teaching children with a variety of specific learning challenges, this practical book provides thoughtful considerations for teaching every child in your Sunday school classroom, regardless of ability, about the love of Jesus.

Thirty million people living in the United States were born outside America. They could be your nextdoor neighbors, your co-workers, your customers, or your fellow students. This book equips you to connect with peoples from all over the world and find common ground from which to share your faith.

Start any time with this helpful booklet including background information for each book of the Bible and easy reading order.

Reading Isaiah with Luther offers highlights from Luther’s commentaries on the Book of Isaiah (where Luther explains the conscience), contemporary applications and explanations, and full-color artwork that helps you pause and reflect on key Luther quotes.

Step into Luther’s commentary on Romans without intimidation. Even though he taught about the Book of Romans half a millennium ago, his writings have everything to do with your life today. The grace God shows you is a gift, not something you need to earn, and Luther shows this again and again. Organized by significant themes in Romans, this book offers highlights and insights from Luther’s commentary.

Many Christians today long to become reacquainted with their ancient ancestors in the faith. They see a deeper worship and devotion in the prayers and hymns of the early church. And they believe that the writings of the early church can shed new light on their understanding of Scripture.

But where and how do we begin? Our first encounter with the writings of the church fathers may seem like visiting a far country where the language, assumptions, concerns and conclusions are completely unfamiliar to us.

In Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers Christopher Hall helps us through this cultural confusion, introducing us to the early church, its unique world, and the sights and sounds of Scripture that are highlighted for them. As Hall points out, the ancient fathers hear music in Scripture where we remain tone-deaf. Despite their occasional eccentricities, theirs is a hearing refined through long listening in song, worship, teaching, meditation and oral reading. And like true masters they challenge and correct our modern assumptions as they invite us to tune our ears to hear the divine melodies of the Bible.

Reading Scripture with the Church Fathers is an exceptional guide. Hall provides a warm, winsome, informative and indispensable introcution to who these leaders and scholars were, how they read and interpreted Scripture, and how we might read Scripture with them for all its worth.

Fall '23
Required FLS textbook for General Church History course taught by Pr. Andrew Kneeland.

Prominent Reformation historian Wengert addresses key points of debate regarding Luther’s approach to the Bible that have often been misunderstood, including biblical authority, the distinction between law and gospel, the theology of the cross, and biblical ethics. This brief but comprehensive overview is filled with insights on Luther’s theology and its significance for contemporary debates on the Bible, particularly the New Perspective on Paul.

Introduces five basic principles of biblical interpretation to help the reader understand Scripture and apply it to life. Also includes helpful information about the literary categories of the Bible, how the Bible was developed, and Bible study aids.

Includes the ESV translation of the Psalms, Luther's introductions to each of the 150 psalms, and a suggested schedule for reading the Psalter.

The Advent wreath is a tradition that marks preparation and anticipation of Jesus’ coming during the four weeks of Advent in the liturgical calendar. This simple booklet provides a brief reading, Scripture text, and song to accompany the lighting of the candles and suggests readings and prayers for the candle-lighting portion of a Christmas Eve candlelight service.