Because people are finite, sinful creatures. God has graciously blessed us with two kingdoms to govern us: the Church to proclaim the Word, administer the Sacraments, and tend to our spiritual needs; and the State, to preserve order, protect human rights, defend against foreign enemies, and administer justice.

For years, some of us have been concerned that many pastors do not understand or preach about the Kingdom of the Left (the State), and that as a result too few Christians understand the issues of civil government and their responsibilities thereto.

In 2021, AFLC Pastor Greg Schram wrote to AFLC Pastor John Eidsmoe expressing these concerns. Together they organized a Steering Committee that has developed the Ministry. The AFLC Coordinating Committee approved the Ministry’s request for a table at the 2022 Annual Conference, and the Steering Committee began a series of weekly email messages to inspire and inform pastors and laymen about 2 Kingdoms issues. We’ve launched this website and hope to produce podcasts, hold conferences, and do more to teach about the 2 Kingdoms.

No, the two kingdoms go back at least to the Old Testament, in which Israel’s kings came from the Tribe of Judah and Israel’s priests came from the Tribe of Levi. Christ told the Pharisees, “Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are Caesar’s, and unto God the things which are God’s” (Luke 20:25). From the Apostolic Age through the Middle Ages into the Reformation and beyond, Christians in Western society have recognized the distinct roles of Church and State, although they have often disagreed as to how the two kingdoms interact.

The Medieval Church taught that the Church is the greater kingdom, because the Church is eternal while the State is temporal, the State gets its authority from God through the Church, and God will hold the Church accountable for the actions of the State.

Extreme Anabaptists (not to be confused with modern Baptists) taught that the State was Satan’s domain and Christians should therefore obey just laws and pay taxes but otherwise take no role in civic affairs. Luther taught that both kingdoms are of God, each has a distinctive role, and neither is superior to the other. He wrote, “…these two kingdoms must be sharply distinguished, and both be permitted to remain; the one to produce piety, the other to bring about external peace and prevent evil deeds; neither is sufficient in the world without the other.” He called the Church the “Kingdom of the Right” and the State the “Kingdom of the Left,” but this was before Right and Left had ideological significance.

Certainly. Romans 13:1-7 tells us that we are to obey rulers because civil government is instituted by God to reward good and punish evil; but Acts 5:29 tells us that when government forbids what God commands, we should obey God rather than men. Many of the Ten Commandments pertain to civil government. The Bible addresses issues of crime and punishment, abortion and the sanctity of life, war and military service, LGBTQ issues, environmental issues, taxes and spending, government power, and just about any other political issue. Laws and political policies are based upon moral principles, and morality is rooted in religious belief.

What is the Gospel? It begins with the Good News the Christ died for our sins, but it is more. In the Great Commission Jesus commanded us to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” But He didn’t stop there. He continued, “…teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20). The Bible is not primarily a political textbook, but as noted in Question 5, it does address political issues. If a pastor refuses to address these issues, he is not preaching the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 29:27).

We can’t answer for all pastors, but some simply lack information about the Kingdom of the Right. The 2 Kingdoms Ministry hopes to remedy this problem by providing good, solid exegesis of Scripture and by pointing pastors to good sources of solid information.

Others may fear that, if the preach about politics, their churches will lose their tax-exempt status. The 2 Kingdoms Ministry will help them understand that, although Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code limits churches’ political activity, it is not a total prohibition. The church as an institution may not endorse candidates or influence the outcome of elections, but pastors and individual Christians are free to do so. And churches may influence legislation, provided it is not a “substantial” portion of their total activity.

And some may fear offending church members if they preach on politics. But if they shy away from these issues for fear of offending people, aren’t they being “politicians?”

Different Christians are called to different forms of ministry. Not all are called to run for public office, be immersed in party politics, or lead civic organizations. But as a minimum, all Christians must pray for those in government, pay just taxes, obey just laws and sometimes disobey unjust laws, learn what the Bible says about law and government, know what is going on in the nation, state, and locality, apply Biblical principles to the issues facing government, and vote intelligently. Christians in the United States need to understand the basic founding documents of their country, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The Augsburg Confession (1530) assures us that “Christians may without sin occupy civil offices or serve as princes and judges, render decisions and pass sentence according to imperial and other existing laws, punish evildoers with the sword, engage in just wars, serve as soldiers, buy and sell, take required oaths, possess property, be married, etc.” This doesn’t mean every Christian is called to serve in public office, but we should be open to that possibility. Daniel is a good example of a faithful believer who served effectively in first the Babylonian government under Nebuchadnezzar and then the Persian government under Darius.

Yes. Patriotism is the glue that holds a nation together, inspiring people to sacrifice their own interests for those of their fellow citizens. I Peter 2:17 commands us to “Fear God. Honor the king.” The word timeo is the kind of honor that includes patriotism, but it is not the same as the command to “Fear (phobos) God.” (cf. Romans 13:7). Jeremiah told the Jews who had been taken captive to Babylon to “seek the peace (shalom, welfare or well-being) of the city to which I have caused you to be carried away captives, and pray unto the Lord for it; for in its shalom shall ye have shalom.” No nation can long survive if it teaches its children to hate their ancestors and be ashamed of their heritage, but that is exactly what is happening in the United States today.

The term seems to have been invented to confuse and mislead Christians. If Christian nationalism means that America is officially or exclusively a Christian nation in which those of other religions are unwelcome or second-class citizens . . .that is wrong. But all nations are founded on moral and religious principles. America was founded on principles that are largely consistent with the Bible, and those who settled the American colonies and founded the American system of government were mostly Christians. Luther’s doctrine of the Two Kingdoms is an antidote to the excesses of “Christian nationalism.”

If you are a pastor, we can give you good ideas about the Two Kingdoms and help you to work these principles into your preaching and teaching. Some of our Steering Committee members are willing to preach and teach for your church, either traveling to your church or speaking by zoom or other means.

If you are a lay Christian, we can point you to good sources of information about the Christian view of law and government and the issues of the day. For both, we hope to produce podcasts, hold conferences, draft position papers, and generally be available to serve your needs.

First, get on our mailing list so you will receive our weekly 2 Kingdoms Messenger and other communications. You can join our mailing list by using the form on our Contact page.

Second, let us know of your needs and how we can help.

Third, give us your ideas as to how 2 Kingdoms Ministry can be more effective.

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