Luther's Two Kingdoms Essay
Introduction: “Two-Kingdoms” Doctrine in Luther’s Thought To argue that Luther’s political theology, especially as it pertains to the relationship between church and state, is summed up by the language of “Two Kingdoms” diminishes the nuance of his specific political theology. When this doctrine is applied only to situations of church-state relationship, it assumes a certain level of ideological consistency likely non-existent with Luther. In fact, Luther applies his theory of “Two Kingdoms” in a variety of theological concepts from anthropology to soteriology, not just political ethics, as is often maintained. The language of “Two Kingdoms” has been used to describe the entire scope of Luther’s theological paradigm, his whole Christian
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Traditional approaches to the doctrine have divorced Luther’s political thought from the rest of his theology. This model proposes that Luther’s political ethics arrived haphazardly when demanded by the events of his historical and cultural setting. In contrast, recent scholarship on the doctrine sees Luther’s public and political theology tied to his doctrine of justification and righteousness. The two are intrinsically brought together and are developed alongside each other. It is my belief that Luther’s understanding of justification and righteousness created the inner tension of a man who is both righteous and sinner (simul iustus et peccator), which influenced all components of his theological approach, including his understanding of political ethics. Recognizing the broad influence of the doctrine of “Two Kingdoms” in Luther’s theology, this paper will explore the language of political ethics and authority in light of this doctrine by first giving historical analysis, then analyzing how his understanding of justification and righteousness implied social responsibility on the part of the Christian, and finally, looking at how this informs his understanding of God’s rule and reign on earth in the spiritual and the temporal realms, both in the Church and in the civic
Traditional approaches to the doctrine have divorced Luther’s political thought from the rest of his theology. This model proposes that Luther’s political ethics arrived haphazardly when demanded by the events of his historical and cultural setting. In contrast, recent scholarship on the doctrine sees Luther’s public and political theology tied to his doctrine of justification and righteousness. The two are intrinsically brought together and are developed alongside each other. It is my belief that Luther’s understanding of justification and righteousness created the inner tension of a man who is both righteous and sinner (simul iustus et peccator), which influenced all components of his theological approach, including his understanding of political ethics. Recognizing the broad influence of the doctrine of “Two Kingdoms” in Luther’s theology, this paper will explore the language of political ethics and authority in light of this doctrine by first giving historical analysis, then analyzing how his understanding of justification and righteousness implied social responsibility on the part of the Christian, and finally, looking at how this informs his understanding of God’s rule and reign on earth in the spiritual and the temporal realms, both in the Church and in the civic