In this episode, Ian Clary and Wyatt Graham discuss Calvin’s view of the civil government and the church. We contrast Calvin’s view, often called the two-kingdom view, with Theonomy, Roman Catholicism, and Anabaptism. We also discuss whether or not Christians should submit to unjust or even wicked rulers. Possibly, this might be one of the most practical episodes that we have recorded, given our current context (pandemic, restrictions, etc.).
We think there is deep wisdom in looking to the past, to the great thinkers of Christianity like John Calvin. It protects us from creating a theology merely in response to present-day concerns. It allows us to avoid the temptation to create a theology that fits our desires rather than the truth of God.
Calvin’s doctrine of two-kingdoms, actually two-governments, ensures that we proclaim Christ as king of the whole universe while understanding our obligations to both God and to our neighbours.
To learn more about two-kingdom theology from the reformation, see Brad Littlejohn’s article here.
