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.
"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
"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
"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
