"Luther confessed reason as one of the creaturely endowments that God has given man in his explanation of the First Article. Yet in the same catechism Luther asserts “I cannot by own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord or come to him.” For all of its earthly good, reason has no place in heavenly matters. In the things of faith, reason leads to hell. Luther captured this reality in his preaching, preaching that was not aimed at domesticating reason but putting it to death so that the wisdom of the cross might be received by faith alone. Pastor Joel Basely has done marvelous work as he has combed the Reformer’s festival sermons to recover for a twenty-first century audience the pearls of great Gospel worth. Well-organized and imminently readable this book will enrich both pastors and laity in their appreciation for the wisdom of God which is found only in the foolishness of the cross.” . ."
The Rev. John T. Pless Assistant Professor of Pastoral Ministry and Missions Director of Field Work Education Concordia Theological Seminary Ft. Wayne, Indiana
The relationship between faith and reason is one of the great insights of genuine, biblical Reformation theology. All orthodox Lutheran theologians know this. In translating the festival portion of Luther’s Church Postil, Pr. Baseley was struck by the prominence of this important theme in Luther’s preaching. This little book highlights what Luther says concerning faith and reason in those sermons. We live in a time when Christians must steer carefully between the Scylla of rationalism, and the Charybdis of irrationality. Christ Beyond Reason will help us to avoid making reason the master of faith, with attendant spiritual disasters, and will also help us steer clear of the irrational fanaticism so rampant in our culture.
The Rev. William P. Terjesen, Pastor Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer (LCMS) Peekskill, New York
"Yours is a wonderful and powerful study into a key part of the faith."
Timothy Goeglein Bush White House Liaison for Church Relations
Christ Beyond Reason has been spotted in Sri Lanka.
Click here to read this communication received from Pastor Rohan Fernando in Sri Lanka:
E-mail The Rev. Joel R.
Baseley
