Reverend Dr.
Christopher I. Thoma
is a Lutheran pastor, author, public speaker, and cultural critic. He drinks whisky and drives a Jeep Wrangler like it’s the Millennium Falcon.
ASHES TO ASHES
A thriller from Rev. Dr. Thoma!
THE WORLD ISN’T GOING TO CLEAN ITSELF
“Here am I. Send me.”
What begins as a tragic mystery quickly darkens into something far more sinister.
In Reverend Daniel Michaels’ pocket is a flash drive. The files Claire left behind—journals, photos, recordings—implicate trusted leaders from a quiet Michigan town of an unspeakable dreadfulness.
They are names that Daniel knows. Faces that sit in his pews.
Now, Daniel stands at a line no seminary ever prepared him to cross. On one side, a pastor. On the other, something else entirely.
ASHES TO ASHES is a haunting and propulsive thriller about one man’s descent into holy violence—a deeply theological, unflinchingly moral tale about evil hiding in plain sight, and a pastor who dares to become its reckoning.
Available NOW at Amazon.com, BarnesandNobel.com, and wherever books are sold!
A Note from the Author
If you’re about to crack open Ashes To Ashes but you’re doing so with Angel Studios or The Hallmark Channel in your head, do yourself a favor—close the book and walk away. There’s no soft lighting here, no mushy spirituality. This is humanity after dark.
It’s the story of a man—a Lutheran pastor—who’s tired of watching the world’s worst slip by untouched. And so, he’s done waiting for anything, including permission… from anyone. What follows is brutal consequence in literary form.
Again, this is no cocoa-by-the-fire Christian fiction. It doesn’t hold hands with anyone. Not at all. It grabs you by the throat and drags you across the line alongside an unexpected anti-hero, a man unlike any you’ve known. And along the way, you’ll find yourself praying that both of you find a way back.
Coming Feb 11, 2026!
Christ Before Caesar confronts the decline of Christian influence in America, urging believers to reclaim their voice in the public square. Blending theological reflection, historical analysis, and personal stories, Thoma critiques secular narratives that mislabel Christian engagement as dangerous. He identifies and challenges the Church to overcome internal erosion and external pressures, advocating for courageous, Christ-centered civic participation. Rooted in Christian courage, this book equips Christians to confront cultural lies with truth, offering hope and clarity for navigating a secularized world. Christ Before Caesar is ideal for pastors, laypeople, and those passionate about religious liberty.
Available from Fidelis Publishing!
PRAISE for CHRIST BEFORE CAESAR…
MOLLIE ZIEGLER HEMINGWAY: Pastor Thoma’s Christ Before Caesar is a sorely needed book at a time when the climate for truth-tellers in America is hostile and contradictory. A hyper-individualistic online culture encourages people to cling to vague moralism and personal opinion over religious confession. At the same time, political polarization means that many of the loudest voices are swayed by tribalism and groupthink without even realizing it. Thoma has carefully considered all the present problems of Christians engaging in the public square and offers solutions firmly rooted in careful historical analysis and solid Lutheran doctrine. He is especially good at articulating and defending Two Kingdoms theology and the benefits of religious liberty. Christ Before Caesar will no doubt inspire readers to speak eternal moral truths clearly and courageously.
FATHER CALVIN ROBINSON: Pastor Thoma provides a rundown of the challenges of our time, with insightful reflections on how to address these matters head-on. This is not a descent into despair; this is a manual for Christian soldiers. Take up your arms—we have work to do! The gates of hell will not prevail against Christ’s Church. Don the full armour of God and let us go on a Crusade to restore Christendom. Christ Before Caesar! Deus vult!
TIMOTHY GOEGLEIN: Christ Before Caesar is a work of gravity and grace—a symphony of truth drawn from deep wells of Scripture, history, and confession. With precision and resolve, Thoma writes not to flatter the faithful but to awaken us, tracing with care the fault lines that divide courage from compromise. This is a call to allegiance—to the cross, and to the One Who died upon it and Who reigns over history. This is a clarion summons to the Church to remember who she is and Whom she serves.
Coming in May of 2026!
The Heroes of Ganchimi:
The Rise of Otem
In the heart of Ganchimi, young Joshua and Madeline live beneath the boughs of the Vasior—a mystical tree older than the land’s kings and deeper than time. When the two discover a sword and shield in a hidden cavern beneath the tree, they are thrust from their quiet life into a world of forgotten power and ancient truths.
Meanwhile, darkness creeps from the cursed land of Vaen, and the dragon Otem, conjured by the devil Cael, grows stronger, waiting to emerge and destroy Ganchimi and its Vasiors.
Guided by the Caretakers and watched by forces both noble and sinister, the siblings set out. Along the way, two more emerge: a boy named Harrison, marked by ambition and a shadowy control of beasts, and a girl, Evelyn, whose voice carries more than sound. It carries authority that can undo the night.
For generations, Ganchimi’s bishops believed that when Otem arose, one hero would come. They were wrong.
A fabric sewn from Christian threads, The Heroes of Ganchimi is a prosaic-styled tale of calling, humility, sacrifice, courage, and finally, trust that the words of truth will forever be the final weapon against darkness.
Perfect for readers ages 10 to 14 who long for stories of light battling shadow, of destiny wrapped in mystery, and of heroes who rise not by might, but by faith, friendship, and sacrifice.
The rise of Otem has begun. The world is burning. Ganchimi needs its heroes.
Available Now
Rev. Dr. Thoma has written a number of notable volumes on pastoral care, liturgy, and Christian suffering. His four-volume collection entitled The Cruciform Way: A Steady Cadence of Christ for Life enjoys notable endorsements from Riley Gaines, Charlie Kirk, Sheriff David Clarke, Lt. General Gerry Boykin, and others.
On a lighter side, he is the author of two children’s books, Tea with the Moon and There’s a Bug on the Floor, as well as the five-volume, 2000-plus-page collection entitled The Angels’ Portion: A Clergyman’s Whisk(e)y Narrative. Having garnered attention in the field of distilled spirits, he enjoys forewords and endorsements from the likes of Dinesh D’Souza (Author and Filmmaker), Stephen Beam (Founder & Master Distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery), Don Sutcliffe (Founder & Master Distiller of The Exceptional by Sutcliffe and Son), Mark Gillespie (Executive Producer and Host of Whisky Cast), and others.
From The Angels’ Portion, Volume 5’s Introduction:
“Satire’s job is to test us. But it’ll always be a test we fail. It’ll show us just how stupidly imperfect we can be. And yet, the benefit of its failing grade is also its lesson learned. We leave its lecture hall laughing at ourselves and sometimes others, admitting that to do so is a normal part of human development. If a person cannot laugh at what’s funny, no matter who or what that funny thing might be, he is not normal. It just so happens that I believe a great whisky meets just as well with an extraordinary meal as it does with normal, with everyday life and its deceptive drudgery’s abundance.” — Rev. Dr. Thoma
The fifth volume in the acclaimed The Angels’ Portion series, Reverend Thoma’s imaginative pen scribbles a rich assortment of whisky-infused musings that explore the human experience. Each story, as each sip, delivers a satisfying commentary on life and its comical peculiarities.
“Witty, deep, and intensely entertaining, Thoma is a narrative sensei. The whiskeys entice, but it’s the storytelling that will intoxicate you. Like those before it, The Angels’ Portion Volume 5 is genuinely delicious.” —MOLLIE ZIEGLER-HEMINGWAY, Author, Columnist, & Editor-in-Chief of The Federalist
“Pastor Thoma brings [profundity], along with two low chairs, fair weather, a beautiful sunset, and a fine dram or two from which to choose, making for the kind of respite and ‘mutual conversation and consolation’ that is true mash for a distilled life and a stilled soul. Thank you, Pastor Thoma.” —REV. DR. MATTHEW C. HARRISON, Bishop and President of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod
FROM THE FOREWORD:
“Thoma is a master storyteller. I think it comes naturally to him. The way he weaves real-life stories and observations into his reviews about various whiskeys is a gift. Like G.K. Chesterton, Thoma can access the larger lessons in everyday events.” —REV. DR. WILLIAM C. WEINRICH, Professor of Historical Theology, Concordia Theological Seminary, Ft. Wayne, IN
“The battle is won the cruciform way. In every generation, every circumstance, and on every platform, to follow Christ is to persist with strength. Pastor Thoma preaches and teaches this with eloquence. Read what he’s written here and find strength for the journey.” —DR. ALVEDA KING, Founder of “Speak for Life” and a Civil Rights Leader for the Unborn
“This year-long devotional excursion led by Pastor Thoma will enlighten, educate, and encourage you to observe life and the world through the cross of Jesus Christ, the Savior. You will be blessed!” —FRANK PAVONE, National Director of “Priests for Life” and President of “National Pro-life Religious Council”
“Pastor Thoma reminds us that to know Christ is to know real love. This love moves us to devotion. It creates a desire for faithfulness, the kind that seeks and finds what God promises: more and more of His love every day. In a world of increased Christian persecution, The Cruciform Way is a breath of encouraging air. From cover to cover, to read what Pastor Thoma has written is to be blessed through and through.” —RILEY GAINES, Four-time SEC Championship Gold Medal Swimmer
In the Bible, the Greek word for “angel” is ἄγγελος (angelos). It means, quite literally, “messenger.” It is the root of the word εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion), which is “evangelical” or “good news,” which is also translated as “Gospel.” In the Book of Revelation, the pastors of the churches are called angels because they serve as messengers. Pastors are the ones tasked with preaching and teaching the Good News of Jesus Christ.
All that being said, distillers refer to the portion of whisky that evaporates during the aging process as the “angels’ share” or sometimes the “angels’ portion.” The longer a whisky ages, the more the angels appear to take, sometimes being greedy enough to steal away as much as forty percent of a full barrel.
Reverend Thoma really likes his whisky, and so, as you can see, the name fits.
In the end, there are few things in this life that Reverend Thoma claims to truly love. His Lord, his wife, his children, his family (both biological and “chosen”)—these all hold that station. There are few things in this life that he admits enjoying just enough that they call with regularity across the chasm between love and delight, petitioning a more prominent place in his life. Whisky is one of those things.
The Angels’ Portion—a full-bodied demonstration of Reverend Thoma’s skills as a humorist—is principally dedicated to exploring life with a whisky in hand, while simultaneously fulfilling the the ancient words, “Τὰ ἅγια τοις ἁγίοις,” which is, “The holy things for the holy ones.”
Visit AngelsPortion.com.
Cruciform Stuff is a gathering of theological commentary on everything that is “life.” Each of the observations you discover will have first served as a thought-filled, Gospel-induced introduction for the eNewsletter Rev. Dr. Thoma sends out to his own congregation each and every week.
Yes, he writes and sends a newsletter every week. Indeed, this is often a monumental task. Yes, it is worth every bit of the effort.
Keeping a steady cadence of communication with the people in his care is something he considers to be of high importance, and with the avenues provided by email and social media, the possibility and potency for such things is amplified.
Reverend Thoma has been doing this since 2015, and over the course of the years, the results have far exceeded what he could have ever imagined. Just by communicating, a renaissance of Christian commitment has occurred, and with that, good things continue to happen—namely, a much deeper and more vivid understanding of who we are in Christ, and by His grace, the muscle for tackling some fairly formidable challenges.
What is written is never planned. Reverend Thoma types whatever comes to mind in the moment. He stops when he stops. Still, there’s no denying that the results serve according to the grander plan mentioned before—which is simply to give a steady stream of God’s Word to the people in his care.
These are things that a Christian pastor should be saying to his people on a regular basis. Reverend Thoma shares them with you, ultimately hoping his words can (and will) serve beyond the borders of his own little church and school in Hartland, Michigan.
Visit CruciformStuff.com.
More from Reverend Thoma
The Angels’ Portion, Vol. IV
Everything has its story. In this fourth installment of The Angels’ Portion series, both the gentle and jagged (and almost always hilarious) rites and ceremonies of life’s narratives pour once again from Reverend Thoma’s pen. More than the observations of a social critic, The Angels’ Portion is a plentiful collection of whisky scribblings in whimsical examination of all things human. Every sip proves itself generous and thirst quenching.
Thoma is incredibly clever, being careful with his wit and sorting his words so that the reader can’t resist the lure of his narrative style. But often in the midst of his humorism, one realizes he’s not just having fun. He’s teaching, too, and as he does, he reveals a friendly depth as a storyteller that’s refreshing for our day. His observations in all things—literature, family, culture, theology, politics, you name it—cause one to stop and think more intently than before. By the end of each review (if that’s at all what you can call each of the chapters in this delightful volume), you will have discovered something of yourself and the world in which you dwell, and you’ll be better for it.
—DINESH D’SOUZA
Author and Filmmaker
Likely the real mind behind the incandescent light bulb, I’m betting Thoma invented the skull that goes on top of the Hurst floor shifter, too. He’s a remarkable man. A glass of whiskey in one hand, a Bible in the other, AC/DC blaring at ear bleed levels—Thoma is my kind of Reverend… If he writes something, read it.
—THAYRONE X
Host of “On The Edge”
The Angels’ Portion, Vol. III
“The stories,” Reverend Thoma writes, “are never applied to the whiskies. The whiskies reveal the stories… Sometimes the story includes Darth Vader. Another time there may be a shark named Gary, or an unfortunate brawl with Santa Claus at Walmart.” As it was with The Angels’ Portion Volumes I and II, so goes Volume III. Thoma, with his signature style and creativity, never fails to delight nor lose pace in his effort to enlighten and entertain.
Much like a Glencairn glass of your favorite spirit, this is a hard book to put down.
—JARROD LAPATO
Contributor for Bourbon and Banter
The Angels’ Portion, Vol II
At just shy of 700 glorious pages, the Reverend is back and better than ever in this follow up edition to the popular The Angels’ Portion: A Clergyman’s Whisk(e)y Narrative. Here in Volume II, Thoma mesmerizes readers once again as he carries them along in exploration of “aqua vitae” through his signature style of vivacious storytelling.
This is one of the most entertaining whisky books I have had the pleasure of reading—humorous and informative at the same time.
—BRETT FERENCZ
Scotch Trooper
The Angels’ Portion, Vol. I
Did you know that Darth Vader prefers Lagavulin? Were you aware that Santa Claus keeps a bottle of Caol Ila on the shelf? Have you heard that Scoresby was squeezed from the very veins of the Devil himself? Emerging from the mind of a surprising whisky connoisseur, The Angels’ Portion is a substantial assortment of whisky reviews like none you’ve ever read before. By means of storytelling, and with charming wit and vibrant style, Reverend Christopher I. Thoma shepherds the reader toward a divine insight: If you don’t like whisky, it may only be because you haven’t danced with the right bottle.
Thoma knows his spirits… The Angels’ Portion is a kind of tithe—a tax we pay on the time it takes to get things right… Praise be!
—THOMAS LYNCH
author of The Sin Eater and The Undertaking
The Cruciform Way, Vol. II
“The stories,” Reverend Thoma writes, “are never applied to the whiskies. The whiskies reveal the stories… Sometimes the story includes Darth Vader. Another time there may be a shark named Gary, or an unfortunate brawl with Santa Claus at Walmart.” As it was with The Angels’ Portion Volumes I and II, so goes Volume III. Thoma, with his signature style and creativity, never fails to delight nor lose pace in his effort to enlighten and entertain.
The Cruciform Way is a great source of encouragement for Christians today as they navigate the confusion of our culture, and Pastor Thoma does a great job with providing rich inspiration for his readers.
—CHARLIE KIRK
Founder and President of Turning Point USA
The Cruciform Way, Vol. I
To be cruciform is to be cross-shaped. The cruciform way is the life born from and shaped by a faith lived in clear sight of Jesus Christ, the One who hung upon Calvary’s cross for the magnificent rescue of a world of dreadful transgressors. A collection of weekly devotions examining various aspects of the Christian life, The Cruciform Way: A Steady Cadence of Christ for Life labors to stir the Spirit-enabled skill for receiving both joy and sorrow, leisure and struggle, all through the Gospel lens of Christ and the certainty of His victory and forgiveness.
The Cruciform Way is the most practical devotional available today. Pastor Thoma captures the issues and answers the questions that most Christians ponder while living their faith.
-LT. GEN. WILLIAM BOYKIN
U.S. Army (Ret), Former Commander of the U.S. Army Special Forces & Founding Member of Delta Force
Ten Ways to Kill a Pastor
A collection of short stories, Ten Ways to Kill a Pastor peeks behind the curtain and shines a light into what has become for so many in ministry, a very dark place. From abusive members to impossible schedules often resulting in failing health and family decay, Ten Ways presents church-goers with an opportunity for personal reflection as well as gives voice to the often undetectable “hurts” lurking behind the pastor’s smile.
Each chapter being a mirror of a pastor’s soul, I highly recommend this as a resource to be studied and discussed by pastors and laypeople alike.
—REV. DR. DAVID P. SCAER
Chairman of Systematics, Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Indiana
Type One Confessional
Type One Confessional explores in narrative form the struggle to reconcile God’s love in times of crisis. In particular, Reverend Thoma speaks directly to the unexpected and life-altering calamity of his seven-year-old daughter’s diagnosis with Type 1 Diabetes. He does this in a semi-fictional way—that is, each of the events included in the volume is true, and yet, even though the back-and-forth engagements between the Creator and one of His pastors are fictionalized, the content within arises from the Word of God—the place where God’s voice is heard clearly and where He meets each human being with the promise of His love in the midst of the darkness of uncertainty.
Thoma shows us that while God has unique plans for every individual, through the work of Christ, a wonderful plan has already unfolded that is universal in scope and beneficial for all.
—ERIC HIPPLE
Former Quarterback for the Detroit Lions and author of Real Men Do Cry
My Little ABC Book of Horrors
From the author’s introduction—some guy named James Tackleton:
When I set out to create My Little ABC Book of Horrors, I thought, “Why should literacy be boringly forgettable when it can be hauntingly memorable?” Indeed, there’s nothing like a good scare to make the alphabet nibble into and infest your mind. “Plus,” I thought, “think of the broader scope of benefits. Instead of trite things like ‘X is for X-ray’ and ‘Y is for Yellow,’ I could teach a few new concepts, like Xenogenesis, or the terrifying Japanese folklore of the Yokai. Even better, I could encourage mindfulness around woodchippers, and nudge folks toward doing a better job of washing their hands and cleaning their ears.”
With My Little ABC Book of Horrors, each letter of the alphabet brings you closer to a new nightmare, the first more creepy than the last. Of course, it’s all in good fun. Although, if you start hearing sounds beneath your bed, it’s likely just a part of the learning process.
At least, I hope.
There’s a Bug on the Floor
It appears that something terrible, horrible, frighteningly dreadful has invaded the quiet little home of an innocent family. Oh, what to do in the face of such terror?! This whimsical little tale, illustrated by Meghan Antkowiak, teaches that misinformation and worry have the potential for making the smallest of concerns appear enormous. Stop. Take a breath. Investigate. You may discover that your terrible something is really nothing at all.
Tea with the Moon
Tea with the Moon tells the whimsical tale of a little girl who, when her father calls for her to come inside after a long day of play, is unwilling to go; that is, until he reminds her of the ill-minded insects that will soon be on the scene to snatch her blood and make her itch. Everyone likes to have fun. But in order to have fun again tomorrow, there are things we need to be mindful of and do today.
Feeding the Lambs
Rev. Christopher Thoma explores the depths of worship and its relevance in the lives of children while offering insights which encourage teachers of children to celebrate ancient rites and ceremonies as time-tested tools for building faith.
This book is a must-read for anyone wishing to explore the riches of worship as it relates to serving the Good News of Jesus Christ to young people today.
—REV. DR. JON D. VIEKER
Senior Assistant to the President, The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
Kids in the Divine Service
The Word of God we receive in worship goes with us, out into the world and into our everyday callings as parents and children. Kids in the Divine Service is written for parents and children to read and talk about together. Although some of the vocabulary and concepts may be best understood by children 10 years of age and older, there are many parts of Kids in the Divine Service which can be understood, experienced and appreciated by younger children. Whether a child reads or is read to, parents and children are encouraged to work through the bulletin inserts together and answer questions as they arise. Parents will probably learn something, too.
A Record of People I Know in Need of an Exorcism
There are those people you meet who remind you that the devil and his underlings are indeed prowling. Their heads don’t always spin around. They don’t necessarily spray green vomit onto your clerical collar. They don’t necessarily speak in uninterpretable tongues. But you’re certain they’re possessed nonetheless. Keep an eye on them. Better yet, use this little volume to record their names and the evidences of their possession by the unholy, so that when it comes time to present a case for exorcism before the spiritual authorities, there will be no doubt that the subjects identified within aren’t just inconsiderate jerks who regularly treat you like garbage, but rather are flesh puppets for darker beings.
Things I wish I Could Say But Can’t Because I’m a Pastor
A great gift for the pastor in your life, this is a lined notebook for journaling—because journaling is therapeutic. Not only can it be an avenue for recording one’s joys, but it can be a healthy means for processing frustrations—especially when, as a pastor, you serve beneath the daily expectation that you’ll happily receive every gritty and ill-intended word or deed with smiling passivity. Something to be kept at the ready on one’s desk, this journal is a pastor’s opportunity to betray the truth hidden behind the smile. So, go ahead and write what you’re thinking. Have fun. Keep it clean. Or don’t. God already knows what you’re going to scribble onto these pages, anyway.
ChristopherThoma.com – Copyright 2012
Rev. Dr. Christopher I. Thoma 