Two Kingdoms

By the Rev. Peter Cage

Two Kingdoms? Sounds almost medieval, but it is a quite biblical way of seeing yourself in the place(s) God has put you. There are indeed two kingdoms, and you have a foot planted in both. Both belong to God and are created by God. God works in both and both serve His purposes, though in very different ways.

Kingdom One is sometimes called the "Kingdom of the Right", or more simply the "Church". You became a citizen of this kingdom when you were born again in Holy Baptism. What is the final authority in this kingdom, in Christ¹s Church? Not a police officer wielding a gun to impose order during Sunday worship, or even something less lethal like constitutions and by-laws (which certainly serve a helpful, orderly purpose in their proper place), but only God¹s Word bringing us repentance into forgiveness. This kingdom is certainly "not of this world" but it is nonetheless among us where Jesus locates Himself with His Body, Blood and Word. Admittedly, this is no way to run a country, but it works for poor, miserable sinners.

On the other hand is Kingdom Two - called the "Kingdom of the Left", or more descriptively, the "State". Think of earthly governments - even bad ones - that God permits: presidents, kings, democracies, even dictatorships. What is the final authority in the State? Not the Old and New Testaments, but laws - hopefully very reasonable ones that create a just and fair society. And if people break the laws - watch out! - God has given the State a sword to swing (Rom. 13:4). Even those who are, as Christians, at the same time members of the State, may serve in godly occupations that must use that sharp sword for their neighbor¹s safety and well-being. For example, a devout Christian may also serve as a soldier (to fight a "just" war), police officer or FBI agent (protecting us from terrorists), or even as the State¹s hangman (as long as he only executes those whom the rightly appointed judge and jury have assigned to him). Conversely, being a Christian isn¹t necessarily a qualification for being a good ruler. In fact, God can even use unbelievers to do this work for Him, and, though we may not fully understand it at the time, He does it for the benefit of His beloved Church.

When Church and State co-exist with their very different ways of operating, each benefits the other. For example, the Church, by using its proper tool‹the preached Gospel of Christ‹-ultimately benefits the State by providing (forgiven!) citizens who are minded to help their neighbor and serve their community. On the other hand, the State, by using its proper tool‹the sword (i.e. laws that make us do certain things like drive slower so we don¹t kill others)‹maintains order up and down the block. That helps the Church, because when the State enforces laws and we have a peaceful and orderly society, then the Church is free to be the Church and proclaim Christ.

The Rev. Peter Cage is campus pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Muncie, Indiana.