Learn how the Lutheran teaching of the two kingdoms is different from the separation of church and state in the issues

etc. Book of the Month for October, The Two Realms and the Separation of Church and State.

It's written by regular guest Dr. Joel Bierman. The Two Realms and the Separation of Church and State is published by Concordia Publishing House.

Their phone number, 1-800-3253040,

or find out more about the two realms and the separation of church and state at Issuesetc.org.

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If you're a long time listener at issues, et cetera, you've heard the phrase,

Two Kingdoms before, sometimes Two Kingdoms theology, or God's right-hand kingdom and his left-hand kingdom.

Is that the best way to refer to this teaching of Scripture that is brought to the forefront by Martin Luther? Is it Luther's pet political theory that God rules both in church and state

through different means and to different ends? Welcome back to issues, etc, I'm Todd Wilkin, joining us to talk about

God's rule in church and state. Dr. Joel Beerman, professor of systematic theology at Concordia

Seminary St. Louis. He's author of several books, including The Issues, Et cetera, Book of the Month

for October, The Two Realms and the Separation of Church and state. Dr. Bierman, welcome back.

It is always good to be here, Todd. What is Scripture's teaching on God's activity in the world

through those two kingdoms or two realms? Why is it so often misunderstood? Well, I think a big

problem, especially for us in the West and as American Christians,

is that we tend to conflate our American training on how things work in the world

with our understanding of our theology and they kind of get run together.

And that happens, especially in this context, talking about the two realms,

...