Introduction to Lutheran Theology

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Introduction to Lutheran Theology

• Lecture 9
• God Cares for Us in Two Ways
• The Kingdoms

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• Reflection on journal entries from previous
  session God Establishes His People The
  Church.
• Describe your idea of the perfect church /
  congregation, giving your reasons.

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This Session

• Today we examine
• The relationship between christians and the
  world.
• 2. The two ways in which God operates in a
  caring manner in the world of the christian and
  the non-christian.

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Questions often asked!

• Do christians have a right to self defence
• Can we join the armed forces?
• Can we sue?
• Can we swear an oath?
• Should Lutheran schools be directed by government
  policy?
• Given that the gospel is the centre of the
  Lutheran doctrine, should we allow the expulsion
  of students?

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The Two Kingdoms

• the 2 reigns of God (Matt. 2221 22)
• cares for the world in 2 ways

• through the law (sword/power left hand) over
  christians and non-christians

• through the gospel (means of grace right hand)
  only over christians

Not an excuse for inaction by christians, but a
means of expressing the role of the people of God
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A Biblical Foundation

• government is a part of creation (Rom. 1315 1
  Pet. 213,14 Eph. 614 n.b. 4th.commandment)
• can become demonised (Rev.13 n.b. Acts 529)
• (What is the Christians response? - martyrdom?
  rebellion?)

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A Biblical Foundation

• ultimately we are exiles (1 Pet.211) because we
  are on a journey to our heavenly homeland
• a journey fraught with challenges (Matt.510,11
  38-48) as we are called to suffer
• but we have role in this world do it well!
  (Luke 312 14)

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Lutheran Confessions

• do not talk specifically of the 2 kingdoms
• Article XVI of AC (Augsburg Confession) upholds
  the civil authority
• Article XXVIII of AC distinguishes between the 2
  (n.b. the context where the church and the state
  had confused/overlapped in roles)
• strong emphasis that both are of God

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And so God rules in these two ways

• there is the left 4 institutions/estates
  government, marriage, work, religion (Luther)
  perhaps a 5th. creation
• there is the right the means of grace (word
  and sacrament) not merely church
• both are legitimate and necessary
• we live in both realms!

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Leads to 2 Kinds of Righteousness

• Vertical coming from God (gift), and this
  brings comfort, hope etc.
• Horizontal coming from the subject (effort),
  and this brings a decent life, obedience etc.
• - both are legitimate, but must not be confused
  i.e. one must not consider that because one is a
  good citizen (horizontal) one is righteous before
  God (vertical) and vice-versa i.e. because I am a
  christian (vertical) I am above the law of the
  land (horizontal)

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Unity in God

• both hands belong to him
• he is ruler of both kingdoms (but the ways he
  rules are different)
• state must not interfere with the church and
  vice versa
• (n.b. the early history of Lutheranism in
  Australia Prussian King Frederick Wilhelm III
  who forced a union of churches)

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Mutually Dependent

• christians live under both
• both serve each other the church needs
  protection state needs prayers (1 Tim.21-2)
  and the conscience of the christians
• christians live double lives in tension in
  both kingdoms
• a tension between love and justice / turn the
  other cheek need for integrity
• distinguish between person and office
• concern for neighbour ahead of self

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The church acts

• to proclaim the gospel
• to protect the oppressed
• to support the government
• to be a conscience to society
• the degree of active involvement is often point
  of debate (c.f. Nazism and the church)

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The Dilemma of the Hidden

• christians acknowledge this dual rule as a matter
  of faith
• non-christians experience the rule of the left
  through the obvious, but is unaware of the rule
  of the right which to them is hidden (Jesus, Let
  him who has ear, let him hear!)
• the rule of the left is enforced, but the rule of
  right is not!

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A quote from Luther

• "What would be the result of an attempt to rule
  the world by the Gospel and the abolition of
  earthly law and force? It would be loosing savage
  beasts from their chains. The wicked, under cover
  of the Christian name would make unjust use of
  their Gospel freedom." And again. "To try to rule
  a country, or the world, by the Gospel would be
  like putting wolves, lions, eagles ,and sheep all
  together in the fold and saying to them, Now
  graze, and live a godly and peaceful life
  together. The door is open, and there is pasture
  enough, and no watchdog you need fear. The sheep
  would keep the peace, sure enough, but they would
  not live long."
• (But there is a Christian and non-Christian way
  of using power)

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The Lutheran school in the this context

• the school is not the church
• the school is part of Gods left-hand area of
  care (contractual community)
• the school will draw its ethos from the church
• within the school the kingdom of the right (the
  church) operates
• the school upholds the church, as the church
  upholds the school

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Should the church speak out?

• on the issue of the war in Iraq?
• on reconciliation issues?
• in defence of the assylum seekers?
• for womens rights?
• on union matters?
• etc.

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Journal Topic/Reflection

• As a Lutheran School we should insist that we
  sing in chapel everyone should join in. After
  all we are christian community!
• How would you react to this?

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Next Week Lecture 10

• Subject God Calls You and Everyone Else
• Vocation