Treasury of Theological Resources

This post functions as a regularly updating Treasury of Theological Resources, which is intended to be a hub to connect you to other helpful or influential tools. It will include blogs, websites, databases, podcasts, channels, publishers, books, etc.

NOTE: The presence of a resource in this post does not necessarily constitute agreement or approval from 'Hilf, lieber Gott!' Some resources may be included because of their influential role on or within Lutheranism.

BIBLE TOOLS

- ebible

BLOGS
- Ad Crucem News

- Gottesdienst

- Hymnoglypt (Matthew Carver)

- In Summa (Rev. Joseph Greenmyer)

- Lutheran Orthodoxy: Translations, summaries, and conversations of the great writings of Lutheran Orthodoxy (1580–1700)

- Old Lutheran Synod

- Surburg's Blog (Rev. Mark Surburg)

- The American Martyr (Rev. Karl Hess)

- The Confessing Lutheran

- The Lutheran Kantor (YouTube Channel Here)

- The Lutheran Missal

- The Text of the Gospels (James Snapp)

- Treasures from the Lutheran Church (Dylan Smith)

BOOKS / BOOK LISTS

- Literature of Lutheran Orthodoxy (Scholastic Lutherans)

- Lutheran Theology Reading List (Rev. Dr. Benjamin T. G. Mayes)

CHANNELS

- Daily Dose of Aramaic

- Daily Dose of Greek

- Daily Dose of Hebrew

- Daily Dose of Latin

- Just and Sinner (Rev. Jordan Cooper)

- On the Line

- Readings in Theological German

- Scholastic Lutherans

- The Lutheran Kantor Project (Blog Here)

DATABASES

- Christian Classics Ethereal Library (Digital database of free theological resources)

- HathiTrust Digital Library

- Internet Archive

    - indiana_archive_user (Home to scans of Der Lutheraner, Lehre und Wehre, Luther, etc.)

- Lutherdansk (Digital archive of the German and Latin works of Martin Luther and Philipp Melanchthon)

- Post-Reformation Digital Library (PRDL)

PODCASTS

- On the Line

- The Gottesdienst Crowd

PODCASTS (Episodes Useful for Specific Topics)

- TGC 463 - Hate Every False Way (Part 1) [Fr. Jason Braaten and Fr. Evan Scamman on Birth Control]

PUBLISHERS

- Concordia Publishing House (CPH)

- Emmanuel Press

- Fathers of Lutheran Orthodoxy (Lulu Reprints from Scans)

WEBSITES

- Book of Concord: The Original Home of the Book of Concord (McCain "Reader's Edition")

- Lutheran Lectionary (Stan Lemon)

- The Book of Concord (Dau/Bente "Triglotta' Edition")

NT

Last Update: 2/5/25

Introduction to 'Hilf, lieber Gott!'

Welcome to 'Hilf, lieber Gott!'

This blog derives its name from the words of the blessed Doctor Martin Luther in his Preface to the Small Catechism, wherein he writes: "Hilf, lieber Gott! wie manchen Jammer habe ich gesehen"  ("Good God! what manifold misery I beheld!").

Surely, these words may be true at all times, and not just in Luther's day. The Church has always been under attack from Satan, the spirit of the world, and a multitude of false teachers who constantly try to twist and combat the Word of Jesus and mislead his dear sheepfold.

For this reason, it is the Church's duty to engage in its own 'visitation.' It must, as St. Paul writes, "Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1 Tim 4:16). This might happen in a variety of ways, such as by a superintendent, bishops, doctors, synodical and district presidents, circuit visitors, or even by pastors, congregations, and laity themselves. While the institutions of our church ought to carry out these responsibilities as part of their office, it is also true that this is a duty impressed upon all Christians by virtue of their faith and priesthood, and upon all pastors by virtue of their office. We all ought to examine our spiritual wellbeing and faithfulness to God's Word, to keep a close watch on ourselves, so that we are not beguiled by false doctrine or overcome by sin and sloth.

God's Word is our great heritage, as is our beloved Lutheran confession and church. God has richly blessed us, and we should be careful to persist in these treasures. Yet, we need not look hard to see a manifold misery around us, just as Luther beheld. This misery might be found in our piety, our ethics, our doctrine, our practice, or any other number of areas - it matters not. As long as we are in the Church Militant, we will surely encounter such misery. This misery will vary across time, both in subject and degree, but it will always be present until our Lord returns again with His winnowing fork.

Yet by God's grace and by His Spirit, this misery may be lessened and our faith and church strengthened. Therefore, the purpose of this blog is to help the Church, both clergy and laity, to recognize and overcome any miseries that we might find lurking in our churches or even within ourselves. The goal is to "take heed" unto ourselves and to continue in Jesus' doctrine. There is always hope for improvement in piety and faithfulness, yet this is not easy and it can only happen by the Holy Spirit who works in our hearts.

'Hilf, lieber Gott!' intends to fulfill this purpose by bringing together a variety of perspectives, from both clergy and laity, which will speak towards a plethora of issues facing Lutheranism in the 21st century, particularly in our own Missouri Synod. This will happen in several ways, such as providing direction to other resources, by addressing doctrinal points, by examining shifts in the Lutheran Church, or by providing encouragement towards personal improvement. In this spirit, 'Hilf, lieber Gott!' seeks to only be a helpful guide and tool for pastors and laity who wish to serve our Lord as faithfully as possible.

"Accordingly, [our office] now involves much more trouble and labor, danger and trials, and, in addition thereto, little reward and gratitude in the world. But Christ Himself will be our reward if we labor faithfully. To this end may the Father of all grace help us, to whom be praise and thanks forever through Christ, our Lord! Amen" (SC Preface 27).