Living in God’s Two Kingdoms: A Biblical Vision for Christianity and Culture
Overview
Modern movements such as neo-Calvinism, the New Perspective on Paul, and the emerging church have popularized a view of Christianity and culture that calls for the redemption of earthly society and institutions. Many Christians have reflexively embraced this view, enticed by the socially active and engaged faith it produces. Living in God’s Two Kingdoms illustrates how a two-kingdoms model of Christianity and culture affirms much of what is compelling in these transformationist movements, while remaining faithful to the whole counsel of Scripture. By focusing on God’s response to each kingdom—his preservation of the civil society and his redemption of the spiritual kingdom—VanDrunen teaches readers how to live faithfully in each sphere. Highlighting vital biblical distinctions between honorable and holy tasks, VanDrunen’s analysis will challenge Christians to be actively and critically engaged in the culture around them while retaining their identities as sojourners in this world.
Top Highlights
“This two-kingdoms doctrine strongly affirms that God has made all things, that sin corrupts all aspects of life, that Christians should be active in human culture, that all lawful cultural vocations are honorable, that all people are accountable to God in every activity, and that Christians should seek to live out the implications of their faith in their daily vocations. A Christian, however, does not have to adopt a redemptive vision of culture in order to affirm these important truths.” (Pages 14–15)
“A faithful biblical theology of Christianity and culture depends upon a proper view of creation, providence, the image of God, sin, the work of Christ, salvation, the church, and eschatology. Therefore I write this book to address not a narrow issue but one that confronts us with the fundamentals of Christian faith and life.” (Page 12)
“The church’s worship and fellowship are ends in themselves. Nothing that we do in this world is more important than participating in these activities. Participation in the life of the church, not participation in the cultural activities of the broader world, is central for the Christian life.” (Page 133)
“Human cultural life did not come to an end with the fall, but now cultural endeavors are plagued with sinful failure. The end result is not glory, but death and destruction. Fallen human culture cannot attain the new creation.” (Pages 45–46)
“When the New Testament gives instructions about diaconal work, it authorizes the church to give material assistance to the needy of the church and not the needy of the world in general.” (Page 158)
- Title: Living in God’s Two Kingdoms: A Biblical Vision for Christianity and Culture
- Author: David VanDrunen
- Publisher: Crossway
- Print Publication Date: 2010
- Logos Release Date: 2017
- Era: era:contemporary
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Logos Research Edition
- Subjects: Christianity and culture; Reformed Church › Doctrines; Two kingdoms (Lutheran theology)
- ISBNs: 9781433514043, 9781433514050, 9781433514067, 9781433524523, 1433514044, 1433514052, 1433514060, 143352452X
- Resource ID: LLS:LVNGGDSTWKNGDMS
- Resource Type: text.monograph.biblical-theology
- Metadata Last Updated: 2022-09-30T01:25:18Z