The Two Kingdoms: A Guide for the Perplexed

by W. Bradford Littlejohn

Publisher:

The Davenant Trust

, 2017

Overview

What does it mean to live as citizens of this world and of the world-to-come? How can we render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s? In recent years, fresh controversy has erupted over these age-old questions, and especially over the meaning and relevance of the Reformation’s “two-kingdoms” doctrine. At stake in such debates is not simply the shape of Christian politics, but the meaning of the church, the nature of human and divine authority, and the scope of Christian discipleship.

In this concise guide, Reformation scholar and Christian ethicist Bradford Littlejohn first sketches the history of the doctrine and clears away common misunderstandings. He then shows that the two-kingdoms doctrine can offer a valuable framework for thinking about pastoring, politics, and even financial stewardship.

Davenant Guides seek to offer short and accessible introductions to key issues of current debate in theology and ethics, drawing on a magisterial Protestant perspective and defending its contemporary relevance today.

In the Logos edition, this volume is enhanced by amazing functionality. Important terms link to dictionaries, encyclopedias, and a wealth of other resources in your digital library. Perform powerful searches to find exactly what you’re looking for. Take the discussion with you using tablet and mobile apps. With Logos Bible Software, the most efficient and comprehensive research tools are in one place, so you get the most out of your study.

Key Features

• Explores the relationship between the public and private dimensions of faith
• Examines the historic Protestant two-kingdoms doctrine
• Offers a portrait of faith that is public without being triumphalistic in the civil sphere or oppressive in the ecclesiastical sphere

Contents

• Introduction: Which Two Kingdoms?
• The Two Kingdoms From Luther To Calvin
• The Two Kingdoms From Calvin To Hooker
• Contributions Of Two-Kingdoms Thought
• Two Kingdoms In The Church
• Two Kingdoms In The State
• Two Kingdoms In The Market
• Conclusion

Product Details

• Title: The Two Kingdoms: A Guide for the Perplexed
• Author: Bradford Littlejohn
• Series: Davenant Guides
• Publisher: The Davenant Institute
• Publication Date: 2017
• Pages: 118
• Christian Group: Reformed
• Resource Type: Monograph
• Topic: Theology

About W. Bradford Littlejohn

W. Bradford Littlejohn (Ph.D, University of Edinburgh, 2013) is President of the Davenant Trust, an organization that supports historical research at the intersection of the church and academy. He is the founder and president of the Davenant Institute. He also teaches philosophy at Moody Bible Institute. He is the author of several articles and book chapters on Richard Hooker and the Reformation period, and serves as editor of the Mercersburg Theology Study Series. He lives in Landrum, S.C., with his wife, Rachel, and four children.