Two kingdoms doctrine

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The two kingdoms doctrine is a Protestant Christian theological concept that divides God's rule into two realms: the spiritual kingdom, where God governs through the gospel and the Church, and the earthly kingdom, where God governs through law and civil authority. The doctrine is held by Lutherans and represents the view of some Reformed Christians. John Calvin significantly modified Martin Luther's original two kingdoms doctrine, and certain neo-Calvinists have adopted a different view known as transformationalism.

The two kingdoms doctrine is held in Anabaptism, which teaches that there exist two kingdoms on Earth that do not share communion with one another.^[1] This doctrine states that while people of the kingdom of this world use weapons to fight one another, those of the kingdom of Christ strive to follow Jesus.^[1]