Summary of Christian Doctrine, King James Version

The Summary is a plain and simple statement of the doctrines of the Bible. Avoiding technical terms and discussions it should appeal also the the average layman. Ignorance begets indifference and indifference leads to the loss of the truth. In our day and age religious knowledge is in many quarters very vague and superficial. In the press and over the radio “religious” ideas and opinions are ventilated that becloud, obscure and distort fundamental truths of the Bible. It is important, therefore, that also the laymen of the Church are well indoctrinated, that they grow in knowledge of God’s Word beyond the elementary instruction they received in their youth. It is not enough that we have the truth in our books and Bibles; we must know the truth. The knowledge of the truth fortifies us against error. The works of many recognized writers in the field of Christian doctrine were consulted in the writing of this Summary, and they were directly quoted when, in the opinion of the author, they adequately expressed the point under construction. Numerous Bible references will be found, and these should be carefully studied so that the reader may see for himself whether the doctrines set forth agree with the Word of God. The frequent references to, and quotations from, the Confessions of our Church serve the definite purpose of showing that the teachings of the Lutheran Church are in full agreement with the Bible.