S6Ep5. Protecting the Christian Conscience in the Civic Realm | Rev. Dr. Christopher Thoma

What is meant by Separation of Church and State? How does the First Amendment protect the Christian conscience? How can we defend religious liberties in the civil realm? Rev. Dr. Christopher Thoma joins Steph to tackle these questions and more!  Bio: Reverend Dr. Christopher I. Thoma serves as Senior Pastor of Our Savior Evangelical Lutheran Church & School in Hartland, Michigan.  Having become deeply involved in Church and State issues, Thoma regularly engages with executive, legislative, and judicial leaders at the local, state, and federal levels. He labors in this way not only to bring the concerns of the Church to the forefront of government but also to carry back knowledge and resources to his congregation and the Christian community at large.  Thoma is the Executive Director of The Body of Christ and the Public Square (BOCPS.org). He is often called upon to speak at various assemblies and conferences. Thoma has partnered with tier-one thinkers, sharing the stage with prominent newsmakers such as Matt Walsh, Ben Shapiro, Dennis Prager, Dinesh D’Souza, Candace Owens, Charlie Kirk, and others.  Thoma continues to be a guest on podcasts and radio broadcasts to speak to current political and cultural issues. In addition to his social media presence and blogging, he is an avid writer, having authored various volumes on pastoral care, liturgy, and Christian suffering. His four-volume devotional collection entitled The Cruciform Way: A Steady Cadence of Christ for Life enjoys notable endorsements from Dr. Alveda King, Riley Gaines, Charlie Kirk, Lt. General Gerry Boykin, and others. On the lighter side, he has authored two children’s books, Tea with the Moon and There’s a Bug on the Floor, also the five-volume collection entitled The Angels’ Portion: A Clergyman’s Whisky Narrative, which exemplifies his abilities as a humorist. Having garnered attention in the field of distilled spirits, he enjoys forewords and endorsements from the likes of Dinesh D’Souza, Stephen Beam (Founder & Master Distiller of Limestone Branch Distillery), Mark Gillespie (Executive Producer and Host of Whisky Cast), and others.  In the spring of 2017, Reverend Thoma was awarded a Distinguished Fellowship from Salt & Light Global Wilberforce Academy, an extension of the Great Lakes Justice Center. In January 2021, he was appointed the religious liberty liaison for the English District of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. He earned his doctorate in June of 2024 from Liberty University.  Resources: Email us at friendsforlife@lcms.org LCMS Life, Health and Family Ministries: lcmslife.org For resources on the family: lcmslife.org/family Not all the views expressed are necessarily those of the LCMS; please discuss any questions with your pastor.