Publisher's Synopsis
Christians have been waffling long and hard over our relationship to the world. Should we promote the public good? How much effort should we invest in shaping the culture? Engage or separate? We cannot decide. So we vacillate between the two, grasping at unrealistic expectations and then withdrawing in frustration when they are not fully realized. In and out. Back and forth.
We are told that religion and politics don't mix. But it is belief about what is ultimately true that determines morality. And it is morality that determines politics. Always. For everyone. The exclusion of "religion" is just an attempt by some to discredit moral standards that they oppose. It is a tactic to silence political opposition. If this pressure from without is bad, confusion from within is worse. How should we respond when government law contradicts God's commands? Theologians have attempted to answer this question with various metaphors. Two Cities. Two Swords. Two Hands. But we need better theology. The Bible speaks of kingdoms, not metaphors. And there are four of them, not two. Each kingdom exercises authority over those under its rule. And while understanding these relationships does not eliminate the challenges inherent in the public arena, it will provide the foundation for living faithfully, wisely and consistently in the Kingdom of the World.
