In a world inundated with different Christian denominations, the true believer in Jesus Christ must not only be wary but well informed of the doctrinal positions held by the various church bodies who are our church neighbors.

In A Lutheran Looks at the Assemblies of God, the author presents a well-researched overview of the beliefs and practices of the Assemblies of God. Pastor Feuerstahler sets the tone of the book with a well-documented history of the Assemblies of God from its conception to the present. The reader is then taken through the church body’s 16 doctrinal statements. Each statement is analyzed from a Lutheran perspective, supported with proof texts from the Holy Scriptures.

Within the Assemblies of God’s doctrinal statements lie a few teachings that overwhelm all others: the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues. The book brings these points out very well and explains how these points of doctrine drive the church body. The book shines a bright light not only on this false theology of the Pentecostal churches but indirectly on other denominations who are also adopting these same teachings.

Although I found the book to be very informative and fair, I felt the author was a little too zealous in finding points of contention with the Assemblies of God on matters with which the author confessed agreement. I also felt the author left a small amount of confusion regarding his statements on “subjective experience” and “objective truth,” since every Christian experiences a subjective relationship with God (as in Psalm 23). I felt as if the book should have elaborated on what the Lutheran perspective is on objective truth for the sake of clarification.

Still, the book is very well researched and written. I would strongly recommend the book to every Lutheran because of the pervasiveness of this doctrinal flavor in today’s world.

Jack Callaway
Strafford, Missouri