I’ve already listed Five Issues with the Inaugural Prayer. Now there’s a sixth. I didn’t hear or see the inaugural prayer but I have read it. One thing that Newsweek’s Lisa Miller didn’t mention is that, as part of the prayer, Warren . . . Continue reading →
Twofold Kingdom
Re-Thinking Christ and Culture
There are a couple of recent competitors to Niebuhr’s classic, Christ and Culture. The WHI guys interviewed the Craig Carter, author of a recent book on this topic. It’s stimulating. Carter is right that Constantinianism (ancient and modern) is borne of an . . . Continue reading →
What Richard John Neuhaus Means to Me
A number of evangelical and socially conservative blogs and publications are marking the death (not “passing” but that’s another post) yesterday of Richard John Neuhaus at age 72. It is not remarkable that social conservatives are weeping today. After a career as . . . Continue reading →
A Founding Father on the Two Kingdoms
Thanks to Brannan for this.
Christ in a Post-Christian World
That’s theme for 2009 on the White Horse Inn. Zrim gets us started on it over at the Outhouse.
Five Issues with the Inaugural Invocation
1. That is exists. I realize that it is tradition, but so what? Oddly, many of the same people who inveigh against a “state church” will be thrilled that “one of our guys” gets to pray the invocation. Well, Rick isn’t exactly one . . . Continue reading →
Life Imitating Art
Kim notes that Washington State is is now recognizing Festivus (whoever needed an official holiday to air grievances?). This is yet another reason why we need to insist on two kingdoms.
Sometimes the "Two Kingdoms" Ethic is Really Useful
As in this case. Christians need to stop speaking nonsense, especially to those whom we seek to win for Christ. It’s not a binary choice. In the civil kingdom, a kingdom of law and justice, where grace and love, to quote John . . . Continue reading →
A Reminder from Mark 12 and Romans 13
I’ve seen a bit of post-election apocalyptic talk. It’s not as if we don’t have NT instruction about the magistrate. It is the Word of God.
Should the State Imitate the Church?
K asks, “If God’s Word forbids women teaching and exercising authority” why shouldn’t the state follow the same principle?”
Another Kind of King, Another Kind of Kingdom
A sermon on Mark 14:1-11 preached by yours truly visiting in the pulpit of Escondido URC this summer. Thanks to Inwoo for the link.
Natural Law, the Two Kingdoms, and Homosexual Marriage
David writes to ask how, from a “two kingdoms” perspective one should think about the question of whether the state should sanction homosexual marriage.
How Would Jesus Vote (And is that an appropriate question)?
That’s the provocative question asked in a new special issue of Modern Reformation magazine. It’s so new and special that it isn’t on the website yet, but you may call them (800 890 7556) or contact them online for more info. This . . . Continue reading →
Sometimes Voting is Just Voting
The Outhouse is a little skeptical about transforming voting into a priestly act.
Christianity and Politics pt 2
On the WHI. This is a terrific series and a good introduction to what the “two kingdoms” ethic means.
Ken Myers on the Problem with "Kingdom" Language
Zrim offers some helpful quotations and analysis at the Outhouse.
White Horse Inn: Christianity, Politics, and the Two Kingdoms
Mike hosted an excellent roundtable discussion featuring Darryl Hart, adjunct professor at WSC and Director of Academic Programs at ISI, Dan Bryant, former Assistant Attorney General for the Department of Justice, and Neil McBride, a strategist for the Democratic Party. This is . . . Continue reading →
The Social Crisis is Too Great to Be Arguing About…
Fill in the blank here. I can’t say how many times I’ve had emails or read comments to this effect. Often these earnest comments come from ostensible theological “conservatives” urging me and others to be more moderate on things such as justification. . . . Continue reading →
Your Weekly Machen Fix
Thanks to Dan.
"Two Kingdoms" circa 115-50?
A notable early Christian apologist didn’t get the transformationalist memo. Ep. to Diognetus (5.1-11): For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of humanity by country, language, or custom. 2 For nowhere do they live in cities of their own, nor do . . . Continue reading →