Amazon.com description: Product Description: There are thirty essays in this volume, representing Lutheran churches throughout the world. The essays are divided into four sections: Biblical studies, historical studies, doctrinal studies and practical studies.

This updated edition adds six additional essays, three which are from women offering a female voice on the subject of the role of women in the Church.

''It is striking that in the ancient Near East, where female deities and priestesses were abundant, Israel was told to have only male priests. Similarly, in the Greco-Roman world, where female gods and priestesses flourished, the Church restricted the apostolic-pastoral office to men. This volume is to be commended for similarly resisting the prevailing cultural novelties by supporting, in a scholarly and churchly manner, the God-given order for the Church's ministry. Women as well as men are blessed when they hear and follow the living, healing voice of Jesus in the prophetic and apostolic Scripture.''
-Rev. Dr. Dean O. Wenthe, President, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Editors:
Matthew C. Harrison, LCMS Synod President
John T. Pless is Assistant Professor, Pastoral Ministry and Missions, and Director of Field Education, Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Indiana.