Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, will host its fall 2008 Lay Bible Institute from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Wednesday evenings, October 8, 15, 22 and 29, in Sieck Hall on the Seminary campus. “Two Kingdoms—But Only One King: New Testament Lessons for the Christian Citizen” will be presented by Dr. Jeffrey Oschwald, associate professor of exegetical theology at Concordia Seminary.

In this Lay Bible Institute offering, participants will think about their role as Christian citizens of this country. How should the “Elect” behave during election time? There are few times when the questions seem as big, important and confusing as when people are asked to help choose a new set of leaders for the country. Does the New Testament have a position on government and political responsibility? How should citizens view “submission” to the authorities in a time when federal, state, and local governments are creating laws that rail against the Christian conscience? If Christians are not “of the world,” isn’t it best to just remain quiet and “keep out of it”?

The apostle Paul has some things to say to these questions in Romans 13. Participants will look at the gospels, Acts, the Letters of Paul, Revelation and others, and seek to let the New Testament teach people how to live in two kingdoms under one King. Shorter variations of this presentation have received rave reviews at other workshops.

Oschwald has served on the Seminary faculty since 2002. Previously, he served as pastor of New Hope, Ossian, Ind. (1988-91). In addition to his parish experience, Oschwald was a professor at China Lutheran Seminary in Taiwan for eight years. He received the B.A. degree (1979) from Concordia College, Ann Arbor, Mich.; the M.Div. degree (1983) from Concordia Theological Seminary, Fort Wayne, Ind.; and the M.A. degree (1987) and Ph.D. degree (1993) from the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Ind.

To register for the Lay Bible Institute, please call 314-505-7486 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or e-mail ce@csl.edu. The cost is $30 per person and includes all handouts and refreshments. Concordia Seminary is located at 801 Seminary Place, in Clayton, Mo.