The Doctrine of the Two Kingdoms as a Paradigm for Criticism

In 'Christ and Culture', H. Richard Niebuhr examines the complex and varied ways in which Christians have related to their cultural contexts. He identifies five primary models: Christ against culture, Christ of culture, Christ above culture, Christ and culture in paradox, and Christ the transformer of culture. These models represent different historical and theological approaches to the interaction between Christian faith and cultural practices. Niebuhr's work has been highly influential in discussions of Christian ethics and missiology, and it continues to be a significant resource for understanding the dynamic between faith and culture.

In 'On the Freedom of a Christian,' Martin Luther discusses the nature of Christian liberty, emphasizing that Christians are free from the law in terms of salvation but are still bound to serve God and their neighbors willingly. Luther argues that justification by faith alone is central to this freedom, and he distinguishes between the inner, spiritual person who is righteous and free, and the outer, physical person who is subject to external circumstances. The treatise also develops key Reformation doctrines such as the priesthood of all believers and union with Christ.