Doctrine of Two Kingdoms: Luther and Calvin's Perspectives

Running Head: History
History
Student’s Name
University Name
Author’s Note

2
HISTORY
In the book, On Sacred authority, the doctrine of two kingdoms have been outlined by
Luther where he argues that individuals should have a proper understanding of the two major
aspects of authority as well as action in the Cosmos, which is the Abode of Christ and another,
the kingdom of man, that is earth. The existence of the kingdom of Christ is persistent in the
lives of Christians as well as Christianity, which is manifested by the church. Order and rule in
the Kingdom is to be manifested in terms of spirituality as well as the Commandments of Jesus
Christ. In this essay, both the arguments of Luther as well as Calvin have been studied and
analysed in depth in order to manifest the subtle line of difference in the opinion of the two
reformers regarding the two kingdoms of god and man. On the contrary, speaking of the
kingdom of man, he argues that it is predominantly for the non Christians where order is held
primary by the magistrates as well as secular authoritarianism. According to Thomas, these are
the authorities that have been manifested in passages like Romans 13 and 1, which have been
addressed by Peter for the Christians. In context of the two kingdoms, Luther argues that the
secular authority as well as the sword has no Prima facia claims in terms of executing authority
over the Christians. This is a view, reflected in his book named freedom of the Christian, where
he claims the Christians to be free Lords of this world. However, Luther has clearly stated that
the Christians might follow security out of affection as well as respect towards their neighbours.
Hence, as per Vincent and Erdozain, objectifying the fact that does world have such great
significance in terms of ruling the human world, Luther holds that the Christians should submit
to secular authority and thereby they are entitled to pay taxes, punish sin, maintain peace as well
as, give honour to the authoritarian heads and execute all other duties as responsible citizen
towards the neighbours and further towards the government. In the view of Luther, decorations
are entitled to serve the state as they are required to perform any other acts of love which they do

3
HISTORY
not need for self fulfilment. Counting on this understanding of dutifulness of Christians towards
authority as their natural acts of love, Luther is ready to bear the command of the sword which
he considered to be and executioner, magistrate or any other embodiment of civil authority.
Christ's Commandment of not killing or resisting the Evil has been received by Luther as an act
of love that Christ leads the Christians to perform within the kingdom of God and not within the
kingdom of man. Therefore all negative aspects of secular authority are to be borne distance is
there symbol Of Love for the Christ. However, Piotr informs that Luther also holds that civil
authority should be Limited in their impositions over man and specifically the Christians. In this
context, he argues that secular authority cannot dissolve the distinction between the two
kingdoms that has been specified by God, which emphatically divides the non Christians from
the Christians. Therefore, he holds that the laws of human beings cannot dictate the human soul
(which is an embodiment of Christ). Hence, inspired from the views of Holmes, it can be
analysed that Luther demands the secular government not to intervene in execution of individual
beliefs, which things should be kept bereaved from the threat of the authority of the sword.
In this context, Luther further argues that civil authorities should be maintaining control within
the domain of their world. They should never attempt to gain control over the abode of Christ or
the church.
In concluding his perceptions over secular authority, it can be penned that he clearly seems to
assert the authority of Jesus Christ and his Church above any other claims of civil authority,
weather on secular level or over any other religious forms.
The perception of Luther regarding civil authority is analogous to that of Calvin regarding the
civil government. In this context, his arguments in the magnum opus can be reflected. In the
institutes of Christian religion, Calvin argues:

4
HISTORY
“For although this topic seems by nature alien to the spiritual doctrine of faith, which I have
undertaken to discuss, what follows will show that I am right in joining them, in fact, that
necessity compels me to do so.”
He provides strong impetus on the fact that people need to realise the difference between The
Spiritual Kingdom of Christ and how it is distinct from the Civil jurisdiction. However, Jacobsen
and Schnasa highlights that there is a difference between his arguments and that of Luther's. He
holds that it is not necessary that seems that too two kingdoms are distinct and different from
each other; they are also at odds with each other.
According to his philosophy, both the kingdoms (spiritual Abode of Christ and the human
Kingdom of the magistrate) run by the ordeal of God only. He derives the strength of his
argument from the fact that details about how to leave as responsible citizens under civil
jurisdiction for the Christians are evident in the scriptures as well. He holds that the scriptures
entails Christians should leave submissively within the society. This is because, Peters feels that
in his perception, Christians are supposed to be fragments of Christ, who are responsible for
bearing slander as well as injuries, should succumb to malice as well as deceits, smilingly with
their will and remain passive towards mockery of wicked people. This implies that they should
have perfect spiritual composition in order to remain passive towards all these forms of Evil.
This is where there is absolute analogy between the perceptions of Luther and Calvin.
In the context of his ideas regarding the Civil government, he also adds significance to living of
man with a perpetual cross. Berlinerblau thinks that he perceives it as a notion of
counterbalancing. In fact, the things that in here lies the significance of the birth of Christians on
this world who are supposed to be bearing all such hardships as well as insults on one hand and
on the other hand they should still be thinking about public welfare only. For that matter, he