About this ebook
perceptive observers of Western civilization have documented what virtually
everyone has perceived: as the old foundations of society have toppled,
morality and personal character have been set adrift and often vanished
altogether. How can character be cultivated when it seems no one is willing or
able to provide a definitive description of character to which humans should
aspire?
While the reasons for this are many and
complicated, one of the more potent singular factors is actually theological,
says Biermann. Contemporary Lutheranism, in particular, has struggled with the
appropriate place of morality and character formation, as these pursuits often
have been perceived as being at odds with the central Christian doctrine of
justification.
A Case for Character explores this problem
and argues that Christian doctrine, specifically as articulated within a
Lutheran framework, is altogether capable of encouraging a robust pursuit of
character formation while maintaining a faithful expression of justification by
grace alone through faith alone.
About the author
Joel D. Biermann is associate professor of systematic theology at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, Missouri.
