Ep 21: Two Kingdoms and Christian Cultural Activity

December 21, 2024
Reformed Libertarians Podcast

Summary – Two Kingdoms and Christian Cultural Activity

A discussion of a Reformed Two Kingdoms view, and the possibility of a distinctively Christian view of the believer’s cultural activity according to an orthodox Neo-Calvinism, in contrast with a Scholastic view. Key points from episodes 4 and 19 are summarized, and the Two Kingdoms view being addressed is described. The use of the term Scholasticism is explained against an objection. And a key difference between Neo-Calvinism and a Scholasticized view is variously illustrated.

Main Points of Discussion

00:00	Introduction
00:32	Episode description
02:08	Key points from episode 4 on Christian cultural activity
07:09	Key points from episode 19 on religious non-neutrality
09:23	Reformed Two Kingdoms distinctions
13:41	The views of David VanDrunen
18:43	The term Scholasticism as modified Aristotelianism
24:04	Reiteration of key difference between Neo-Calvinist and Scholastic views
25:58	More about VanDrunen’s views
27:52	Religious views of a saltshaker
32:43	The question of logical norms
34:54	Similar to interpreting Scripture
36:20	Religious views of limited civil governance
40:35	Conclusion

*Usually we catch these things, but Gregory didn’t catch his mispronunciation of philological til later.

Additional Resources

Episode 4: How Should Christians View Culture and What Are Some Mistaken Views?
Episode 19: The Myth Of Religious Neutrality
See David VanDrunen’s more scholarly book Natural Law and the Two Kingdoms (2009)
and his more popular-level book Living in God’s Two Kingdoms (2010)
“Five Versions Of Two Kingdoms and Foundations For Christian Cultural Activity” by Gregory Baus
Info on Meredith G. Kline
Especially see his book Kingdom Prologue (1993)
Michael Beck’s book Covenant Lord and Cultic Boundary (2023)
The Catholic Encyclopedia (1912) entry on “Scholasticism”
See the first two chapters (93 pages) of Herman Dooyeweerd’s Reformation And Scholasticism In Philosophy, Volume 2 (1950) for historical background on the development of Neo-Calvinism and its criticism of Scholastic views.
For example of a non-Christian’s view of limited civil governance from creational revelation, see Murray Rothbard’s For A New Liberty (1973)
and Ethics Of Liberty (1982) audio

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