TWO KINGDOMS AND POLITICS

The guys (Horton & Co.) at White Horse Inn consistently produce such quality stuff.  The program they did on March 13, 2010 was entitled "Natural Law and the Two Kingdoms."  Their conversation with David VanDrunen was important for me because I've sought to be more active in Libertarian politics.

Horton & Co. and VanDrunen point out two extremes to be avoided by the Church: the monastic extreme and syncretistic desire to "create Heaven on Earth, to Christianize everything in a sort of artificial way."

The category of two kingdoms avoids these two extremes.  Originated by Augustine in his apologetic, The City of God, and modified by Luther and Calvin asserts that there are two kingdoms in this world.  There is the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of man which, according to Luther, are both ruled by God, but in different ways.

Horton points out that this idea begs the question whether, "religion pollutes our common life together."  The question that unbelievers ask, says Horton, "Is God and religion, Christianity in particular, dangerous to civil society?"

VanDrunen concurs, pointing out that in Augustine's day, "Christianity was becoming an important part of the empire.  Emperors had been converted and yet there were these attacks by the barbarians on Rome.  So there were many questions whether Christianity ruined Rome, and whether Christianity was responsible for this."

"Does Christianity harm civil society?  Does it benefit civil society?  Is it trying to take over civil society?"

As a Christian who seeks to be politically active, I would respond that Christianity is absolutely beneficial to society because it brings to politics a realism that enables a politician to exercise a tolerance and an honesty that is tempered with compassion and love, but guided by insights that are essential in the managment of people and resources in a society.  The Christian politician can embrace a freedom of thought that allows for the choices of sinning mankind, but trusts in the Providence of God to make all things right.

And yet, as a citizen (and ambassador) of the Kingdom of God, the Christian politician will be opposed by the citizens of the kingdom of man; as a person living in two kingdoms, the Christian politican will never be able to be at home in this Earthly realm, although he might still do much good.