Seminary professor Dr. Joel Biermann provides a field guide for navigating culture, society, and politics as a Christian. Beginning with Luther’s theology of the Two Realms, Dr. Biermann discusses how Christians are called to simultaneously live, function, and serve neighbor as members of the Church and as civilians in the world. While Christians may be tempted to despair as they witness the world at odds with God’s will for human life and flourishing, we have a clear call to action from our Lord, and it includes involvement in government and faithfulness in one’s God-given vocations.
Bio: A full-time member of the faculty at Concordia Seminary since 2002, Joel Biermann revels in teaching doctrinal theology to Concordia’s students – and to anyone else he can persuade to listen. He was ordained in 1987 and spent eleven years as a parish pastor serving congregations in Minnesota and Michigan before returning to the seminary for graduate work. He and his wife, Jeannalee, enjoy spending time pursuing a variety of activities afforded by the city, but most especially they cherish time with their three children and their spouses and their ten grandchildren all who live in the St. Louis area.
Learn about LCMS Life Ministry at lcms.org/life, and email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org.
Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.
We believe that God is the author and sustainer of all life. We also know it can be hard to speak about the intrinsic value of that life when it feels like the world is trying to drown us out.
We’re right here beside you. In this podcast of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s Life Ministry, we’re coming alongside one another as a community of Christ’s redeemed people, ones who are speaking up for and living out the sanctity of human life. Together we’ll explore life issues in a way that honors our heavenly Father’s value of human life, serves our neighbor, and connects us to others who are doing the same. Join us, so that together we can be friends for life.
