Two Kingdoms Theology And “In God We Trust”

Continuing my thoughts from the last post…

Without a proper understanding of the two kingdom theology, we might all as well be praying to a “god of our many understandings” when we hold up a dollar bill, read the phrase “In God We Trust”, and say that’s the god I pray to.

The doctrine of the two kingdoms teaches that God is the ruler of the whole world and that he rules the world in two ways. He rules all people, Christians and non-Christians, in his earthly kingdom through the agency of secular government, hence through the law. Equally, he rules all Christians in his spiritual kingdom with his right hand through the gospel (Church).

In addition, we are served through these two kingdoms. In the left hand kingdom we are served though vocation, that is to say gifts and talents given to us by God, to believer and unbeliever alike. In the right hand kingdom God serves the faithful through the faithful preaching of His Word and the proper administration of His Sacraments (also the Church).

Without a proper understanding of the two kingdoms, the old Adam in us has no other option but to turn God who has revealed himself in Christ Jesus into the generic “god of our many understandings” that is stamped on coins and used by both the elect and pagan alike.