Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms

One of my favorite books is Frederick Buechner's Wishful Thinking. As a "Seeker's ABC", it's a witty encyclopedia that names and defines the sacred cows and insider terms of modern Christianity. It does so with wit, insight, and humility. You probably shouldn't attend a church service without in your pocket.

In that tradition, we have the Lutheran version! Crazy Talk: A Not-So-Stuffy Dictionary of Theological Terms is Rolf Jacobson's compendium of theological terms. It has wit aplomb and is a remarkably helpful little volume for getting to the big issues of Christian theology. And that's the truth. Throughout, it keeps God's love for the world completed in Jesus Christ in the forefront. Beyond that it helps the newcomers to theology understand some of the bigger issues that have dogged the church for nearly 2000 years. And it does so while keeping one's tongue firmly planted in one's cheek. For the seasoned, it reminds us that we probably take this stuff too seriously. Consider this snippet from the entry for Disciple, aka "A person who follows Jesus, who is, of course, pursing us.":

Child: Mom, I want to go to the party--my best friend is going. 

Mom: If your best friend were jumping off a bridge, would you follow? 

Child: Mom, you want me to follow Jesus, right? And Jesus said, "Take up your cross and follow me," but Jesus got himself crucified, so do you really want me to follow Jesus?" 

Mom: You have a point. You can go to the party? 

Child: Really? 

Mom: No. And I still want you to follow Jesus, but don't get yourself crucified before I have grandkids.

Classic.

You'll find more throughout this (I hope it will someday be) classic on topics ranging from heresy to justification, grace to protestant, and ascension to sanctification. As a word of warning, the careful reader will notice a distinct Lutheran bent. But a little Lutheranism is good for you. Or at least it's not bad for you. Bonhoeffer was Lutheran. Everyone loves Bonhoeffer.