Theology Applied THE FRIDAY SPECIAL - Classical Two-Kingdoms And The Intersection Of Church and State
Aug 16, 2025
In this engaging conversation, political philosopher Stephen Wolfe shares his insights on the intersections of church and state, emphasizing Two-Kingdoms Theology. He and Joel Webbon analyze the roles of civil and spiritual authority, exploring how natural and moral laws intertwine in governance. They discuss the concept of the 'Christian Prince' and the historic responsibilities tied to leadership while critiquing Protestant and Catholic views. Their dialogue underscores the necessity of a contextual approach to law rooted in biblical principles.
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Civil Law Grounded In Moral Law
- Stephen Wolfe and Joel Webbon assert civil (positive) law must be derived from God's moral law, which is creational and revealed in the Decalogue.
- They say reason and Scripture both access that moral law, so civil laws should reflect those moral principles.
Politics Needs Contextual Judgment
- Civil law can be derived via reason, scripture, or both, and must be promulgated by legitimate authority.
- Politics requires contextual deliberation; Scripture does not provide a single blueprint for every political or economic system.
One King, Two Modes Of Reign
- Two-kingdom theology describes one King with two modes of reign: Christ directly rules the church, while civil magistrates mediate earthly governance.
- The church persuades inward belief; the civil kingdom governs outward actions with its sword.
