Clashing Dominionisms: Kuyperian Two-Kingdom Theology versus Theonomy

https://theaquilareport.com/thoughts-on-the-churchs-true-nature-and-mission-a-partial-rejoinder-to-larry-balls-challenge-to-the-spirituality-of-the-church/

I post this with a few comments just to call attention to the kind of Two Kingdom Theology which needs to be rejected and opposed. It caught my eye because the author (Tom Hervey) was critical of Larry Ball, a Theonomist writer I have countered on many an occasion. Happy to see someone answering him, I was nevertheless mostly disappointed in Hervey's response.

LPRs Sacralist Allegiance to a Confused and Counterfeit Right-wing Kingdom

https://issuesetc.org/2022/06/21/1721-the-restoration-of-citizenship-dr-victor-davis-hanson-6-21-22/

Listening to this exchange with the Hoover Institute's Victor Davis Hanson it was hard not to be struck by the fundamentally non-Christian approach of the interview, which is a strange thing because supposedly I was listening to a Confessional Lutheran radio programme.

Trumpism Rightly Denounced as a Heretical Cult

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/cult-christian-trumpism/

Finally, there is a strong voice emanating from the Reformed community that is willing to call a spade a spade. But because the voice is that of Michael Horton and associated with Westminster California, it will be dismissed and decried by many as yet another manifestation of 'Radical' Two Kingdoms (R2K) thinking.

Self-Affirmation Confused With the Will of God

https://www.christianpost.com/news/in-n-out-billionaire-lynsi-snyder-on-spiritual-warfare-desire-to-be-plugged-in-to-gods-plan.html

But she's not plugged in to God's plan. This is a case of self-affirmation being confused with the will of God or God's Plan.

We may speak of God's decretive will or Providence in which His will is indeed accomplished regardless of the outcome or means. And yet we live by His Revealed Will which we can point to as a sure guide.

Dominionist Scripture Twisting on Display

http://theaquilareport.com/debunking-citizenship-heaven-motif/

This article authored by a PCA pastor completely misrepresents the position of Two-Kingdom advocates, especially those within his own Reformed circles. Most of the Two Kingdom advocates in Reformed circles are actually Kuyperians and his criticisms are invalid. He falls into the classic straw-man argument, projecting 'dualism' on to people who aren't dualists. He accuses Two Kingdom theology of a world-abandonment mindset that no one actually advocates.

Varieties of Christian America

http://michaeljkruger.com/taking-back-christianese-7-america-is-a-christian-nation/

While I cannot fully agree with all his conclusions, Kruger is certainly on the right track and once again displays considerable wisdom in how he addresses the issue. He gets the answer right even if he's unwilling to put it as strongly as I would. In the final analysis, America is not a Christian nation.

R Scott Clark's Obfuscations and Westminster West's GOP-friendly Two Kingdom Theology

https://heidelblog.net/2016/11/the-media-flyover-country-betsy-devos-the-new-yorker-and-the-truth/

There are two reasons I wish to respond to this piece by R Scott Clark. One is I think it provides an example of Westminster West's Two Kingdom Theology in action and demonstrates that its views (especially in application) are a far cry from 'radical' or 'Anabaptist'. This is to correct the false assertions of both Lutheran and Theonomist theologians.

Second, I think his piece is misleading on several points and deserves a response.

The Sacralist Two Kingdom Theology of Westminster West (Escondido)

http://www.sermonaudio.com/sermoninfo.asp?SID=1131692171

I include this as a supplement to the Lutheran Two Kingdom piece which extensively referenced and interacted with the Two Kingdom theology advocated by Westminster Theological Seminary (West) in Escondido California.

http://proto-protestantism.blogspot.com/2016/11/a-lutheran-interpretation-of-reformed.html

I rather enjoyed this 45 minute talk. Though I did not agree with everything said, I appreciated the reflections and found it worthwhile.

Two Kingdom Theology in its Compromised Form

http://heidelblog.net/2016/05/memorial-day-a-time-to-distinguish-between-patriotism-and-pulpit/

This article is an affront to morality and Biblical sensibilities. All too often what passes as Reformed Two Kingdom Theology manifests itself in this type of mostly Sacralist, certainly Kuyperian and loosely Constantinian format. While not wishing to formalise a so-called Christian state it nevertheless champions the legacy of so-called Western Christendom. While its advocates may be anti-Theonomic and so-called Amillennialists, their embrace of Dominionist categories both in the end and on a practical level brings them to more or less the same place. In terms of ethics they might as well be Post-millenarians of the old stripe.

Prince of Peace, God of War

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oM6Po862pGA

I rather enjoyed this documentary which deals with Christian non-violence versus Just War Theory. It was slanted to be sure. That said, though I disagree with them, I was somewhat impressed with the thoughtfulness, hesitancy and restraint exhibited by some of the proponents of Just War.

Biblical Law and Society

I use this example not to 'attack' anyone, but to make a point. There's something to be learned here.

This podcast on Biblical law and society demonstrates the way assumptions can govern discussions. I think of many people I know listening to this and would think it to be a good programme. 'These are good folks,' they would say, 'working out problems and striving toward a good goal'.

The Corrupting Influence of Money: An example in the American Church

I had an interesting exchange recently with an old acquaintance who also happens to be a conservative Lutheran pastor. I harped for a moment about middle class values... my normal line about security and respectability being values cherished by the middle class and yet absent from the New Testament. He had asked, and I was attempting to explain to him my financial situation which usually leads most people I know to wonder what's wrong with me? Am I stupid? They know I'm not. Why are we always so poor and struggling? Am I insane? Why don't I do something about it? Something different? Usually they pull out the Einstein quote on me which I quickly repudiate as worldly wisdom and unbiblical rubbish.

Three blog posts of interest...

First, a link to a great post regarding war and the Kingdom of God:

http://judahslion.blogspot.com/2013/06/some-men-will-make-money-while-some-men.html?spref=fb

Second, here's a post of interest found over at leadme.org written by Cal who often comments here as well. He's helping to untangle some Two Kingdom theology knots. The terms and the concept are not used in the same way by all and a little history lesson helps to understand it. I think he's largely correct and makes some some interesting points along the way.

In particular he caught my eye regarding the issue of proto-nationalism and why it arose in the West before it did in the East. I love that kind of stuff...it's really interesting in trying to probe the differences between the Latin and Orthodox worlds. Anyway it all ties in together. Make sure you also check out the sequel to this post...

http://leadme.org/why-constantine-two-cities-or-two-kingdoms-part-1/

Third, another blog-post of interest:

https://pjmiller.wordpress.com/2013/06/13/the-church-will-prevail/

I left the following comment:

Constantinian Confusion: A Kuyperian vs. a Theonomist

http://heidelblog.net/2013/06/surrounded-by-constantinians/

There's a faction within Reformed circles which promotes Two Kingdom Theology. Usually associated with Westminster Seminary's West coast campus (Westminster West) these folks have consistently opposed Theonomy and other theocratic elements within Reformed circles.