Books by Joel D. Biermann

Wholly Citizens addresses the relation between the church and the world in light of the Reformation teaching of the two realms - expecially as presented by Luther. Joel Biermann argues that, on the one hand, most interpreters of Luther misappropriate Luther by seeing him as a supporter of a wall of separation. On the other hand, those clamoring for the preservation of the rights of Christians and the church are also out of step with a right understanding of the two realms. Instead, the corporate church and individuals are responsible for the world, and each must speak directly about and to the world in meaningful ways--

Equipped with a rich heritage detailing the content of human character, it would seem that Christianity is ideally positioned to address a culture where morality and personal character are set adrift. Contemporary Lutheranism has struggled with the place of morality and character formation, concerns often seen as at odds with the doctrine of justification. A Case for Character argues that Christian doctrine is altogether capable of encouraging character formation while maintaining a faithful expression of justification by grace alone.