Fourfold Forgiveness
How forgiveness is practiced in the Christian life
Wholly Citizens: an excerpt from Joel Biermann’s new book
Hot off the press…on the doctrine of the two kingdoms and how Christians engage the world
Proper 4 • Luke 7:1–10 • May 29, 2016
Joel Biermann At first blush, the central theme of this pericope seems to be faith and its remarkable residence in a Gentile centurion. That motif fits well with the preceding context. The centurion distinguishes himself not only as a capable builder of synagogues, but he is also a competent builder of houses, clearly founding his ..
Character Matters
Letting virtue ethics out of the (academic) bag…with a free, five-part Bible study
Proper 23 • Hebrews 3:12–19 • October 11, 2015
By Joel Biermann This text hardly ranks among the most popular or familiar of those gathered in the pericopes; but with its stern warnings, emphasis on Christian responsibility, and explicit OT imagery, it serves nicely as a representative of the entire book, and offers some interesting opportunities for the preacher. These vital points can be ..
Making the Case for Character
Thanks to a generous grant that covers all travel costs, Joel Biermann is now available to lead seminars based on his book “A Case for Character.”
A (Lutheran) Case for Character
Can Lutheran doctrine and character formation go together?
Christmas 1 • Isaiah 63:7–14 • December 29, 2013
By Joel Biermann Israel, God’s rebellious son, God’s adulterous bride, remains always the unexpected recipient of God’s greatest giving. He even intervenes for Israel as a Savior who chooses to suffer affliction for the sake of his chosen people. In response to such extraordinary loving kindness, Israel, of course, rebels… and then yet once more remembers her saving Lord. ..
The Job Description
What is a pastor? In this season of ordinations, an ordination sermon from Joel Biermann
Proper 12 • Colossians 2:6–15(16–19) • July 28, 2013
By Joel Biermann True to form, Paul uses the first verse, bluntly to declare his point: you received Jesus Christ the Lord, so walk in him. The rest of the pericope simply unpacks the admonition in a Colossian context—one with more than its share of threats to Christian faith and a life walking in harmony ..
All Saints’ Day • Revelation 7:2–17 • November 4, 2012
By Joel Biermann Opportunities to preach on the Apocalypse are rare enough, but when presented with a text as powerful and beautiful as this, one should not pass it up. Not only is the imagery rich and vivid, but the gospel impact of the text is overwhelming. Deftly employing potent rhetorical tools, the narrative of ..
“From Sea to Shining Sea: A Christians’ Perspective on America and its Politics”
Joel Biermann’s Lay Bible Institute Video Files
Proper 29 • Matthew 25:31–46 • November 20, 2011
by Joel Biermann This is a difficult text. Not that it is difficult to understand. In fact, it is altogether too easy to grasp the meaning, which is precisely what makes it difficult. There is no question about the message Jesus intends to convey with this poignant parable. There is no dodging the impact of the ..
LAY BIBLE INSTITUTE on religion and politics – Oct-Nov, 2011
Just in time for the campaign season: Joel Biermann will lead the LBI seminar, “From Sea to Shining Sea: A Christian’s Perspective on America and Its Politics,” on four Wed evenings (7:00-9:00pm) from October 12 to November 2, 2011, at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis
Proper 28 • Malachi 4:1–6 • November 14, 2010
by Joel D. Biermann Thoughts from the Text The end is in sight. Another year is drawing to a close—the church year anticipating the calendar year by a good month. Fittingly, the last words of the Old Testament point to the last “great and terrible day of the Lord” that marks the end of time ..
Advent 1 · Jeremiah 33:14-16 · November 29, 2009
By Joel D. Biermann Thoughts from the text So, it begins again: another church year, another Advent, another Christmas shopping season, another winter … another time of waiting. Waiting through the dark days of early winter seems an ideal time to turn to the prophet Jeremiah for relevant words. The man knew something about waiting. Even ..