My time in Edinburgh was very nice. My paper on the Lutheran understanding of the Two Kingdoms was received variously – with interest, with disagreement, with ‘we must think more about this’, and always with politeness at the Anglican Lutheran Society biennial conference. I learnt about the Anglicans and the Scottish Episcopal Church and its own fascinating history – which is quite different from that of the Church of England – and also how the Church of Scotland’s relationship with the state differed to the relationship exercised in the House of Lords by the Lords Spiritual both of which were different to the overseas participants’ Church – State relationships. Ok, there were many similarities too but historical trajectories of how we are today is very much built on how we were ‘back then’ and which reformation happened in what political context.
I think some Lutherans and Anglicans were a little envious of some of the financial arrangements in some countries for their churches! And it was obvious that churches play different social roles in society with varying degrees of being part of the nationality and culture. When I ask the question, ‘What is the Church?’ there is a great tendency to think organisationally – the ELCE or the C of E or one’s national church or a state church – perhaps children will draw a building with a cross on it – and we may not first think in terms of people – the people of God gathered around Jesus (words, water, bread and wine). We may also think of church schools, food banks, and lots of activities that people do. Again we might not think of the Christian teacher in a state school. One of my points in my paper implied that we can’t turn back the clock on our history but the understanding of Two Kingdoms (or Realms or Governments or Hands of God) helps us work through what is essential and what is good for the people of God. After all there are so many things that can be done to help and serve people in the world!
What is the ministry of the Church? Why doesn’t God take us to heaven the moment we are saved? Because life and living with God is important on earth as in heaven! And life is always best when people know, trust, and believe who Jesus is and what he has done for us – that God justifies the ungodly – that through faith we can live with God’s forgiveness and mercy. Since relationships govern behaviour, this relationship with Jesus then shapes how we behave 24/7 in the world. If the Church doesn’t proclaim the Gospel and bring Jesus to people through the sacraments then no one else in the world will do so. Such is its essential task and whatever else a congregation or Synod or group of Christians might do about helping the people around them – and with technology today we can have a global awareness like never before – is up to them. I believe the first response is prayer. But then we all ‘get up’ and ‘go out’ – and seek to live consciously as Jesus’ disciple 24/7 in their world of family, work, maybe school, club, country.
Two Kingdom thinking reminds us that we live in both God’s kingdom and a worldly kingdom, that God is King of both, that the Gospel is central in the Church and the law in the state, and that if the Church doesn’t proclaim and present the Gospel no one else will. How the world serves people best – and it should! – and we’re also part of the world – is very much up to us. Hopefully, all that Christians do reflects their faith active in love whether done individually somewhere in the world or collectively in some church organisation. It’s not easy living in two kingdoms but with Jesus we can to his glory and for the blessings of those around us.
GS