The Book of Concord is the authoritative collection of the Lutheran Church's statements of faith. It contains documents Lutheran Christians have used since the sixteenth century to explain, defend, and advance their witness to the truth of God's Word. This edition of the Lutheran Confessions instructs, inspires, and educates all who use it and helps readers learn what it means to be, and to remain, a genuinely confessing Lutheran Christian. In this new edition, readers will encounter the dramatic history and heroic persons associated with the various documents in the Lutheran Confessions. Helpful introductions, insightful notes and annotations, and new tools and guides aid reading and comprehension. Additional features: - An expanded timeline and general index - Enhanced page layout features and design elements - New essays in the introduction that provide an overview of the textual issues and history of the Lutheran Confessions - A summary of the nature and meaning of the Church's