Expressive individualism is a term used today to describe the intuitive way that we think about ourselves as human beings.

Dr. Carl Truman talking about his presentation at the 2025 issues, etc., making the case conference.

We think about ourselves as free, autonomous, self-determining, and we place a great emphasis upon our feelings as being decisive for who we are.

Now, from a Christian perspective, feelings are part of what it is to be human, but also we understand as Christians that made in the image of God, we are dependent creatures.

We're obliged creatures. We don't self-invent or self-create ourselves.

And what I want to do in this talk is analyze the problem and then suggest ways that the church can

combat this within our congregations.

You can meet and hear Dr. Carl Truman making the case against expressive individualism at this year's Making

the Case Conference, July 18th and 19th, at Concordia University Chicago.

Learn more at Issuezc.org. How are Lutherans with their robust theology and practice uniquely suited to defend the unborn, to defend the dying, and to generally promote life from beginning

to end. Welcome back to Issues, Etc. I'm Todd Wilkin. Joining us to talk about Lutherans and

life issues, Dr. Eric Fensky. He's executive director of Lutherans for Life. Dr. Fensky, welcome back to issues, et cetera.

Great to be with you, Todd.

Thanks for having me.

So there are people, even within the pale of Lutheranism, who will object to issues like abortion being discussed in the church, saying it's a political issue and the church should have nothing to do with

politics. How would you respond to that?

I'd say they're more than just a little confused. It's a theological issue and it's been politicized.

It's not a political issue. We're talking about God's very character as Father. We're talking

about human beings who have been made fearfully and wonderfully by God. Christ has taken on their image. He's died for them. He desires them to have everlasting life. And these are very clearly theological issues we're talking about.

How would you respond to another assertion that the beginning or the end of life are law issues

and Lutherans are people of the gospel and really shouldn't have anything to do with those

law-oriented ideas?

...