Just and Sinner Podcast Joel Biermann on the Two Kinds of Righteousness
Jul 24, 2018
Joel Biermann, a Lutheran theologian and lecturer, explains Luther's two kinds of righteousness. He contrasts passive, gospel-given standing before God with active, vocation-driven righteousness toward neighbor. Short talks tackle sanctification, law and gospel, Christian freedom, and how faith leads to service without earning salvation.
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Parish Experience With Antinomianism Over Works Righteousness
- Biermann recounts pastoral experience: far more people adopt an antinomian attitude than despair over trying to be good enough.
- He describes parishioners who resist moral guidance with I don't need law or don't tell me how to live.
Two Kinds Of Righteousness Explained
- Joel Biermann explains Christians live in two simultaneous relationships: Coram Deo (before God) and Coram Mundo (before the world).
- The vertical is passive righteousness by faith (gospel); the horizontal is active righteousness by works (law/vocation).
Raccoon Story To Illustrate Earthly Responsibilities
- Biermann shares a light personal story about raccoons he trapped and relocated to make the point about responsibilities in the world.
- He uses the story to illustrate Christians have concrete duties toward Creation and neighbors.