David VanDrunen

This is an important book in that there are few popular treatments of two kingdom theology. A transformationalist/Kuyperian/neo-Calvinist understanding of Christians' interaction with culture seems to be the predominant view of today's younger evangelicals, particularly the "young, restless, and Reformed" crowd, and VanDrunen sets out to provide a clear alternative to transformationalism.

While VanDrunen points out some valid flaws in the Kuyperian paradigm, his argument has some serious show more weaknesses, which is a shame since I sympathize with two kingdom theology. (If you're interested in reading a thorough beatdown of VanDrunen's argument, check out Keith Mathison's review.)

Overall, Living in God's Two Kingdoms is a helpful intro into the discussion, but it is far from a definitive answer to neo-Calvinism. show less

I love this book. It is the clearest, most consistent explanation of the biblical foundations for Christian living I've come across. For all the confusion that exists in the church over how Christians ought to relate to the world, this book helps give us biblical categories to navigate the often confusing prospect of being in but not of the world.

Christ has completed all the work of redemption this world requires. As his people, we are simply meant to live in light of what he has already show more done. There is no redemption of culture that we can do. People make culture; it is people who need redemption. Christ died for us, not for a Christian America (or Europe or any other earthly culture). VanDrunen's book helps us understand this essential truth for the Christian life. I hope it serves to refocus the church's attention upon what Christ has called it to and avoid the many distractions of "Christianity + ________" that keep us from faithfulness. show less

June 2013 - If you think I'm not reading Christian books any more, that is not the case. I'm just finishing David VanDrunen's Living in God's Two Kingdoms. On Monday we will be discussing it at the Theological Study Group at the John Owen Centre. This is a rewrite of the professor of systematic theology and ethics at Westminster Seminary California's thesis and makes for interesting and persuasive reading. As he suggests, many Christians probably work on the basis he advocates. I found it show more quite persuasive, although being ignorant of some of the issues I'm sure there are flaws with some of his arguments.
The “two kingdoms” approach to Christianity and culture is grounded in creation and what believers hold in common with unbelievers, not to do with eschatology as transformationists prefer.
After a survey of the current scene VanDrunen divides his book into three parts. First, in First Things and Last Things he expounds biblical teaching on Adam’s role in God’s plan and how Jesus fulfils that role as the last Adam. Redemption is not “creation regained” but “re-creation gained”. Believers do not now take up Adam’s task and do it right but celebrate the fact Christ has accomplished the task.
Next in Living in Babylon we look at sojourning in the Old and New Testaments. We live in both the “common kingdom” of the Noahic covenant and the “redemptive kingdom” established through the Abrahamic covenant.
Part Three, Christian Life in Two Kingdoms explores the practical application of his theological vision. Chapter 6 discusses the role of the church in the Christian life (corporate worship, ethics, ministerial authority, etc). Chapter 7 looks at the two kingdoms idea in the areas of education, vocation and politics. show less

Great lay-level introduction to a two kingdoms position. Engages well with other positions and is very practical.