This was a very interesting dialogue between former Westminster Seminary California President Robert Godfrey, and current WSC professor David VanDrunen.
Many interesting points are brought to the surface during this short dialogue concerning Dr. VanDrunens’ “Two Kingdom” theological system. One of these things that were mentioned by Dr. Godfrey was the broadness of the terms Reformed, Protestant, and even Two-Kingdoms itself. There are many people today (church history professors included), who attempt almost daily it would seem to make the terms mentioned above so crystal clear. They skip past the broadness of the movement or terms mentioned, and instead attempt to paint a black and white distinction between these things, when history it seems would paint us a different picture. This for example, leads to inconsistent claims of who can use the term “Reformed,” and who can claim to be a “true church.”
Another inconsistency mentioned by Dr. Godfrey was the role of a child and the family in Dr. VanDrunens’ system of thought. While I disagree with both of these men concerning the infant baptism tradition, I believe Dr. Godfrey hits the nail on the head when he alludes to the fact that in Dr. VanDrunens’ system, the child being considered a member of the church, or even “holy” as Dr. Godfrey states, makes no sense at all in the Two Kingdom approach. While Dr. VanDrunen disagrees with this claim, I think it’s interesting to listen closely as he attempts to answer this challenge by Dr. Godfrey. It is my opinion that his answer not only unveils the true ambiguity of his system, but also brings to light a blurred reasoning behind the infant baptism tradition itself.
I encourage you to watch this dialogue as both men handle the challenges to their traditions with clarity, grace, and a mutual respect for one another. I think we can learn much from conversations such as these, as these two men critique (often very aggresively) the others position repeatedly without anyone claiming to be bullied, harassed, or mistreated in any way. While we all may not be able to sit together in air conditioned rooms and behind HD video equipment to discuss our disagreements with one another on the Twitter, perhaps we can learn from this discussion that just because someone is challenging your tradition, it doesn’t then mean that they’re attacking you personally.
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