Bible Studies

Additional Resources for We the People: Citizens of Two Kingdoms

Use these additional resources to supplement your study on this topic. Because of the Internet's changing nature, a link may modify or get deleted. If you discover a bad link in the list below, please contact us!

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SESSION ONE:

• The Augsburg Confession and the Two Kingdoms
  The two kingdoms are discussed in Article 28 of the Augsburg Confession.
• The Augsburg Confession and the Two Kingdoms (cont.)
  The two kingdoms are also discussed in the Apology of the Augsburg Confession.
• Founding Documents of the United States
  Read the Declaration of Independence, The Bill of Rights, and the Constitution at this website.
  Do these documents show an underlying assumption that God is in control of our nation?
  If these three documents lay the foundation for our government, what documents lay the foundation for God's heavenly Kingdom?
  How does the Bill of Rights protect us from the government?
  How does the Bill of Rights empower the government to protect us?
  What rights do we have as citizens of heaven?
  What is the difference between a freedom and a right?
• The Place of Reason in Martin Luther's Theology
  If natural law is based on reason, does Martin Luther have anything to offer us?

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SESSION TWO:

• Baptized in the White House
  The United States experienced an upswing in religious activity and interest during Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency. His mother was active in the forerunner organization to the Jehovah's Witnesses 1920 to 1937. Early in his presidency he was baptized into the Presbyterian Church. In this day in history on July 30, 1956, President Dwight Eisenhower signed a law declaring "In God we Trust" to be the official motto of the United States.
• Called to Be Citizens
  In this article from the November 2001 issue of The Lutheran Witness, Dr. Gene Edward Veith discusses God's call to citizenship.
• Ceremonial Deism
  This article from the Pew Forum traces the use of the phrase "ceremonial deism" in the United States Supreme Court.
• What Is Natural Law?
  In this Concordia Theological Quarterly article, entitled "A Lutheran Understanding of Natural Law in the Three Estates," Gifford Grobein (assistant pastor of Emmaus Lutheran Church, South Bend, Indiana, and doctoral student at the University of Notre Dame) discusses Martin Luther's use of natural law.
• http://www.snopes.com/politics/religion/dollarcoin.asp
  Was "In God We Trust" omitted from the new U.S. dollar coins? Read this article from snopes.com to learn the truth.
• "Two Kingdoms" Versus "One Me"
  In this article from The Lutheran Witness, Uwe Siemon-Netto discusses how Martin Luther's "Two Kingdoms" theology protects us against error and false claims.
• The 1797 Treaty of Tripoli
  In Article 11 this treaty states that the government of the United States was not-in any sense-founded on the Christian religion.
• Was America founded as a Christian Nation?
  This article from CNN takes a look at this question and the many moving parts in play at the time the U.S. was founded.
• Cornerstone of Religious Liberty
  In this Concordia Theological Quarterly article, Dr. Eugene F. Klug explains how Christianity does not rule the laws of the United States, but the people of the United States. Downloadable pdf file.

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SESSION THREE:

• DVD Bonus Interviews
  Be sure to check out the extended cuts from our interview with Dr. Joel Biermann, which you will find on the DVD itself.
  
  Deism
  Our Nation's Founding
  Two Kingdoms
  Church/State Relationship
  "Nice" Christians
  Voting
  Majority Rule
  Pro-choice Candidates
  Left/Right Confusion
  Christian Colony?
  
  Local Perspective: Here we interview Dr. Richard D. LaBore, a pastor and a former assemblyman and acting mayor, to get his viewpoint on what it's like to be a Christian in the political world. This also is on the DVD.
• America's Impact on the Christian Church
  In this Concordia Theological Quarterly article, Demagoguery or Democracy, Lawrence R. Rast, Jr. traces the impact of American culture on the Saxon immigrants and the founding of the LCMS. He asks us to consider how we can exercise our Christian and congregational freedom while remaining a unified Synod. (October 1999). This is a downloadable pdf file.
• Where Can I Find Congressional Voting Records?
  This Web site provides the voting records of the U.S. Senate.
• Another Voting Help Site
  This Web site provides links to Library of Congress documents, voting records, and a list of elected officials, races, and candidates by ZIP code.
• Where Can I Find Information on Candidates and Issues?
  Rock The Vote: This Web site has quick-and-easy facts on state voting information and where to find your polling place. It has a state-by-state breakdown of ID requirements for voting. It also gives a nice tip in that if you show up at a polling place and your name is not on its list, you can still cast a provisional ballot-something most people probably don't know.
• Ben's Guide
  This U.S. Government Printing Office website is great for kids and adults alike. It gives valuable information into the election process of the president and the vice-president through the primary election, the general election, and the Electoral College.
• Christian Citizenship
  This Commission on Theology and Church Relations document, Christian Citizenship, explores the relationship between a Christian and government, and addresses questions of civil order, violence, and war and following our conscience in matters of citizenship.
• Civil Obedience and Disobedience
  This Commission on Theology and Church Relations report discusses when it is appropriate to be obedient or disobedient to the governing authorities.