The Essential Nestingen - by John T Pless (Hardcover)

About the Book

James Arne Nestingen had a life-long love of Luther's Small Catechism. He was an ardent student of Luther and a powerful preacher of the Gospel of Christ crucified and risen. He learned from Luther how to distinguish the law from the gospel. In the pages of The Essential Nestingen, we have the delicious fruit of his faithful labor.

Book Synopsis

James Arne Nestingen (1945-2022) was a beloved pastor, seminary professor, and most of all a confessor and preacher of the Gospel of Jesus. After he retired from teaching church history at Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Nestingen taught at Saint Paul Lutheran Seminary and was a guest lecturer at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne and at the seminary of the Mekane Yesus Church in Addis Ababa. He was a senior scholar in residence for 1517 and was in demand as a conference speaker. He was an active participant in the formation of the North American Lutheran Church (NALC) and served as a representative of that church body on the official dialogue between the NALC, the Lutheran Church-Canada, and The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He will be remembered for his passion for clear Gospel preaching, his incisive theology, and his Midwestern, Norwegian humor.
The essays in The Essential Nestingen: Essays on Preaching, Catechism, and the Reformation represent his scholarly but at the same accessible work in these three areas of his research and teaching. Spanning over three decades of his ministry as a teacher of the church, these essays find a common focus in Christ who is the end of the law for righteousness (Romans 10:4). They remain timely and serve not only as a testimony to Nestingen erudite scholarship but as a resource for the edification for a new generation of both pastors and lay people who share Nestingen passion for "handing over the goods" that he found in Luther and the Lutheran Confessions.

Review Quotes

"The Essential Nestingen is a fitting tribute, honoring a legacy of profound pastoral wisdom and insight. Throughout this collection of writings is the comfort of Christ's crucified in order to deliver actual forgiveness to real sinners. Far from academic abstraction, this book captures Nestigan's visceral pastoral depth, making this collection a vital resource for preaching, catechesis, and pastoral care. It's a volume I'll keep within easy reach." - Marsh Shamburger, Pastor/Holy Cross Evangelical Lutheran Church (Rocklin, CA)


"According to Christ, a faithful steward (ὁ πιστὸς οἰκονόμος; latin: "fidelis dispensator") gives the members of the household their portion of food in due season (Luke 12:42). Jim Nestingen, in this collection of essays, continues to act as "fidelis dispensator". By making explicit, what is so often ignored by present-day theologians and church leaders, he encourages and enables the reader to join in that very life-giving rhythm of receiving and distributing the gospel goods." - Armin Wenz, Professor for New Testament, Oberursel, Germany


"Dr. Nestingen had an uncanny ability to know all the subtle ways that Christians are attacked and tempted to unbelief. He was an exceptionally pastoral church historian! These penetrating essays will help us face those attacks, repent, and lead us to cast every sin, accusation, and even our own good works all on Christ by faith, so that He alone remains our Lord and our righteousness." - Jason D. Lane, Associate Professor of Historical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis

"Everything James Arne Nestingen did and said was for the life and wellbeing of the Church. Accordingly, in this volume we find a down-to-earth, practical theology that exhibits a deep appreciation for the breadth of forgiveness and a delight in the cross and resurrection of our Lord. Decades of careful research and devotion to Scripture and the Lutheran Confessions are laid before us. Here is proclaimed nothing but the Christ who belongs to, and was sent for, sinners." - Berett J. Steffen, Pastor, St. John Lutheran Church--Bingen, Decatur, IN


"If you are like me, dear reader, your bookshelf includes a number of volumes that you purchased with the best of intentions but have not gotten around to reading. I urge you not only to buy this book, but also to read it and take it to heart. Start with the first essay, where Jim asks, "Is it possible to preach repentance without getting crucified for it?" This is no abstract philosophical question. It is born of Jim's own experience. I am confident that once you read the first essay, you will be hooked and you will not be able to put this book down." - Pastor Michael Albrecht, Saint James Lutheran Church (Houston, TX)


"Jim Nestingen had a gift for sharing complex theological concepts in ways that apply to everyone and can be understood by anyone. He always communicated these truths with an eye on forgiveness, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which delivers the forgiveness of sins, is at the heart of everything Nestingen wrote. The Essential Nestingen is an expression of this legacy that will resonate for generations to come." - Rev. Thomas Eggold, Emmanual Lutheran Church (Fort Wayne, IN)


"Nestingen was ever excited to share God's generous forgiveness to any sinner within earshot. One word summarizes his ministry: freedom! Freeing sinners from the law's accusations was the core of his work. Due to this freedom, God's people can treasure life; indeed, have fun. Few theologians have done theology as guided by a pastor's heart or have connected so ably with working pastors. This book will allow Nestingen to continue to teach and inspire future generations to be ambassadors of freedom." - Mark Mattes, Lutheran Bible Institute Chair in Theology, Grand View University, Des Moines, Iowa


Dr. Nestingen railed against the false gods of self-reliance, self-fulfillment, self-justification, etc. overcoming self-deception armed with both the Theology of the Cross and living the faith. Jim Nestingen was a treasured friend, with whom I was blessed to share many conversations only adding to my deep affection and profound respect. Dr. Pless and 1517 deserve our thanks and praise for giving Dr. Jim Nestingen the opportunity to influence the next generation of pastors and theologians for the Church. What is "Essential Nestingen" must also be essential to all theologians of the Church! - Rev. John F. Bradosky, Bishop Emeritus, North American Lutheran Church

About the Author

John T. Pless has served on the faculty of Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne since 2000 teaching pastoral theology, theological ethics, and catechetics. Prior to coming to the faculty he served in campus ministry at Valparaiso University and the University of Minnesota. Prof. Pless is the author of numerous journal articles, chapters, and books including Handling the Word of Truth, Martin Luther: Preacher of the Cross, and Praying Luther's Small Catechism. Beginning in 2009, he has served as visiting professor at Lutheran Theological Seminary in Pretoria, Africa. He is a fellow of the Luther Academy for Madagascar. Prof. Pless is book review editor for Logia and a member of the editorial council for Lutheran Quarterly.