Worship as Repentance

Bryan D. Spinks -- Yale Divinity School and Yale Institute of Sacred Music "American Protestantism is so reflective of the moods of American secular culture that the words 'sin' and 'repentance' are increasingly banished as dirty language. Sundberg reminds Lutherans that confession and absolution were fundamental for Luther and, although diluted in the Tradition over the centuries, need to be reclaimed in worship. Indeed, without repentance from sin, there is no Good News and no authentic worship." Ronald K. Rittgers -- Valparaiso University "Informed by a deep commitment to the gospel and its costly grace, Sundberg provides a compelling and even prophetic account of how modern Christian worship has largely abandoned Christ's call to repentance and, thus, has greatly impeded the growth of the kingdom of God. Sundberg urges the church to hear this call anew and to allow it to serve as the basis for the church's liturgical life and mission in the world for the sake of Christ." Word & World "A much-needed antidote to a popular understanding of Lutheran worship as a mere celebration of God's love. . . . Solid both historically and theologically. . . . Sundberg has made an important case for leaders of Lutheran worship to end the practice of dispensing cheap grace and to return instead to a tradition that brings us, as worshipers, to repentance." Lutheran Quarterly "A weighty contribution in the matter of confessions and absolution. . . . That is why pastors need to read this book."