The Two Cities vs. the Two Kingdoms

Last updated on: November 17, 2016 at 4:57 pm By Gene Veith

It’s common to associate Augustine’s Two Cities with Luther’s Two Kingdoms. But they are really quite different. In The City of God, Augustine defines the two in terms of two different loves: The City of God has to do with the love of God; the City of Man has to do with love of self.

Thus the two cities are in opposition to each other. This is a scheme for dualism, for ascetic rejection of the world, giving rise to monasticism.

Luther’s Two Kingdoms is a paradigm for embracing the world. The Kingdom of the Left, for Luther, is about neither love of God nor love of self, but love of neighbor.

(more…)

Premium Content

A Lutheran critique of Escondido theology

Last updated on: November 16, 2016 at 3:54 am By Gene Veith

0 Comments

Westminster Seminary in Escondido, California, has some impressive theologians–Michael Horton, David Van Drunen, and other Calvinists of the sort who appear on White Horse Inn. I know some of these guys, think highly of them, and appreciate how some of them are being influenced by Luther and Lutheran theology. But though they speak of the distinction between Law and Gospel, have a stronger influence on the Sacraments, and teach about vocation, they are still Calvinists and their use of Luther is still within a Calvinist context.

A controversy has broken out in Reformed circles about the doctrine of the Two Kingdoms, as formulated by these Escondido theologians, particularly David Van Drunen in his book Living in Two Kingdoms: A Biblical Vision of Christ and Culture. He is developing an alternative to the “one kingdom” model of the Dominionists and to the Abraham Kuyper’s “neocalvinism” with its notion of “sphere sovereignty” over every dimension of life.

This is a worthy project, but Van Drunen’s version of the Two Kingdoms is NOT the same as the Lutheran view. Yet the two are being confused. As other Reformed theologians push back against this so-called “Escondido theology,” they are saying that Van Drunen’s view is the official position of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. I’ve heard that Dr. Van Drunen’s book is being taught in courses on Lutheran theology. And, to top it off, I’m told that I am even mentioned in at least one book on the subject as advocating this Escondido theology!

At that Two Kingdoms conference I participated in, Jordan Cooper gave an important presentation entitled “Escondido Theology: An Evaluation and Critique.”

After the jump, I’ll sum up some of the differences and post the video of Jordan’s presentation. (more…)

Premium Content

What Trump will do in his first 100 days

Last updated on: November 10, 2016 at 12:59 am By Gene Veith

0 Comments

Back in October, Donald Trump released what he called his “Contract with the American Voter,” spelling out the specific intiatives he intended to take during his first 100 days in office.

I don’t think this got all that much attention, since few people thought he would actually be in the office of the presidency. But he is, so it’s time to consider what is in store. I am posting Trump’s entire statement after the jump. (more…)

Premium Content

The Doctrine of Two Kingdoms as a Paradigm for Criticism

Last updated on: November 5, 2016 at 4:00 pm By Gene Veith

0 Comments

I spoke at Jordan Cooper’s “Just & Sinner” conference, the topic of which was the doctrine of the Two Kingdoms. This is a teaching that many people are confused about, including some Reformed folks who are trying to adapt it to Calvinism. In my first talk, I explained why this teaching is NOT dualism; nor does it mean an uncritical acceptance of the status quo; nor does it mean that Christianity has nothing to say about secular issues. (more…)

Premium Content

How can God love the world?

Last updated on: November 2, 2016 at 1:47 pm By Gene Veith

0 Comments

We often speak of God’s presence in vocation, of His providential “providing” for His creation, of His care for non-believers as well as believers, and other manifestations of God’s love for the world. But how is that possible? The world is fallen. God is holy. Holiness cannot abide sin. So how is it that God can love the world?

David Scaer gives a startling answer in his book Law and Gospel and the Means of Grace. (more…)

Premium Content

Saints I have known

Last updated on: October 31, 2016 at 10:08 pm By Gene Veith

0 Comments

Happy All Saints’ Day! The Augsburg Confession, one of the definitive Lutheran doctrinal statements, says this about saints: “The memory of saints may be set before us, that we may follow their faith and good works, according to our calling.”

Note the vocational emphasis. After the jump, see what else Phillip Melanchthon says on the subject. (HT: Mathew Block)

The term “saints,” in this sense, goes beyond those declared to be saints by the Roman Catholic Church. Ordinary Christians, in their faith, are saints, though they are sinners too. And some of these can serve as inspiring examples. I have known Christians in my life who exemplify that kind of sanctity and who have shown me what Christianity lived out looks like.

What “memory” do you have of saints you have known?

(more…)

Premium Content

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

Who said, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

Select your answer to see how you score.